[ExI] Are mini nuclear power stations the way forward?

[Kelly Anderson]

On Thu, Mar 17, 2011 at 1:50 AM, Eugen Leitl <eugen at leitl.org> wrote:
> You know, I haven't seen any locals winding up their solar panels
> so far. In fact, I'm hearing that maintenance is zero, and that
> the real lifetime exceeds manufacturer's productions (in fact,
> older panels were better sealed and last longer).

For the record, my solar system is worthless until I can put together
$3000 to buy new batteries. The batteries do go out, and are the weak
link in most systems. So now you know someone who has real world
problems with solar. Me. :-)

I like solar very much. But it is VERY expensive.

The panels themselves are just the tip of the iceberg. That part of
the system is fairly reliable. It's the inverters, batteries and the
rest that are the real pain. Oh, and finding an electrician who knows
what the crap he's doing.

> How are you babysitting your roof? I can tell that most people
> put it up, and forget for the next 40-50 years about it but
> for cleaning once a year.

I have to climb up every time it snows, risk my life scraping the snow
off. It snows probably 20 times a year. It is a bit of a pain here in
the real world.

YMMV.

-Kelly