When the student is ready the teacher will appear; thank you so much for all of your expertise; looking forward to engaging in your classes on vergepermaculture!
Rob, you brought up some very important points. I agree that it is important to work on the list first. All too often projects, even a small one, will get lost in the shuffle because the planning steps were skipped over. Thank you for posting such a thought provoking series. Sincerely, Jeff
Thank you for all the questions and ideas you provided in this series. We haven't purchased our property yet, but now we have more to think about. I'm excited that Tesla wants to start selling photovoltaic shingles soon.
I'm surprised you didn't talk about rocket mass heaters. Seems to me that building a really tight house that's just big enough (doesn't waste space) and using a rocket mass heater and earth tubes for cooling is a another approach to building vs passive haus standards with 3 pane windows and 16" walls. Its a helluva lot cheaper for sure.
great video series Rob!! been a fan since I saw you on Geoff Lawtons video series. Was surprised to hear about rainwater in Alberta being illegal to drink, do you think the law will change soon?
I do not think you realize how much energy goes into creating pv solar panels. It takes large manufacturing plants that have clean room capabilities (huge blowers, precise temperature control), DI water, acid waste (many types of acid including HF), solvent waste, dangerous gases(diborane, arsine, phosphine just to name a few) and byproduct waste . The machines are huge, many need hi vacuum (10 -7 Torr range) and hi voltage. I could come up with millions of more "costs" associated with the manufacture of semiconductors. Wind energy can be harnessed with magnets, copper wire, common materials and common tools.
The return on energy invested changes based on the type of cell. The point is they pay for themselves which is a claim that coal plants, gas and diesel cars and other fossil power plants can never make.
@@richardruss7481 I appreciate that you mentioned this. I'm curious though if these externalities disappear when viewed across the lifespan of a panel. E.g. does a panel produce more energy than it takes to produce, over say 30 years?
@@thesidburgess Good question, and the answer is, it depends, ;), as the technology improves, it is getting better, but, the better question, is, are there better long term solutions? I believe that there are, and most of them are 'low tech'.
Both have pros and cons, if you live in a place where you have high winds actually a wind turbine may not be appropriate as the wind could exceed the limitations of the turbine, also maintenance isnt easy, repairs arent easy (at least on larger units). Likewise with solar you may not get much sun. Even geothermal generators have drawbacks. The upshots..... they do pay for themselves in the longterm.
So earth shelters are like prison cells.... you obviously have never been inside a prison.... lol! All joking aside, the feeling one gets from a shelter really depends on two things... the design and the individual. I have lived in a basement and I quite enjoyed it. I don't think you should tell people that earthships are not realistic just because you don't enjoy their esthetics.
When the student is ready the teacher will appear; thank you so much for all of your expertise; looking forward to engaging in your classes on vergepermaculture!
Your welcome Frankie!
Great series. Canada has the best folks bring together the systems that work. Thank you!
Thanks for the kind words!
Rob, you brought up some very important points. I agree that it is important to work on the list first. All too often projects, even a small one, will get lost in the shuffle because the planning steps were skipped over. Thank you for posting such a thought provoking series. Sincerely, Jeff
Thank you for all the questions and ideas you provided in this series. We haven't purchased our property yet, but now we have more to think about. I'm excited that Tesla wants to start selling photovoltaic shingles soon.
Very informative. Thank you!
I'm surprised you didn't talk about rocket mass heaters. Seems to me that building a really tight house that's just big enough (doesn't waste space) and using a rocket mass heater and earth tubes for cooling is a another approach to building vs passive haus standards with 3 pane windows and 16" walls. Its a helluva lot cheaper for sure.
great video series Rob!! been a fan since I saw you on Geoff Lawtons video series. Was surprised to hear about rainwater in Alberta being illegal to drink, do you think the law will change soon?
Do it anyway
I do not think you realize how much energy goes into creating pv solar panels. It takes large manufacturing plants that have clean room capabilities (huge blowers, precise temperature control), DI water, acid waste (many types of acid including HF), solvent waste, dangerous gases(diborane, arsine, phosphine just to name a few) and byproduct waste . The machines are huge, many need hi vacuum (10 -7 Torr range) and hi voltage. I could come up with millions of more "costs" associated with the manufacture of semiconductors. Wind energy can be harnessed with magnets, copper wire, common materials and common tools.
The return on energy invested changes based on the type of cell. The point is they pay for themselves which is a claim that coal plants, gas and diesel cars and other fossil power plants can never make.
I agree about the price, get them now. My point was that most of the costs, like with oil, are hidden.
@@richardruss7481 I appreciate that you mentioned this. I'm curious though if these externalities disappear when viewed across the lifespan of a panel. E.g. does a panel produce more energy than it takes to produce, over say 30 years?
@@thesidburgess Good question, and the answer is, it depends, ;), as the technology improves, it is getting better, but, the better question, is, are there better long term solutions? I believe that there are, and most of them are 'low tech'.
Both have pros and cons, if you live in a place where you have high winds actually a wind turbine may not be appropriate as the wind could exceed the limitations of the turbine, also maintenance isnt easy, repairs arent easy (at least on larger units). Likewise with solar you may not get much sun. Even geothermal generators have drawbacks. The upshots..... they do pay for themselves in the longterm.
So earth shelters are like prison cells.... you obviously have never been inside a prison.... lol! All joking aside, the feeling one gets from a shelter really depends on two things... the design and the individual. I have lived in a basement and I quite enjoyed it. I don't think you should tell people that earthships are not realistic just because you don't enjoy their esthetics.
I think he was conveying that the perception of something being idealistic, is sometimes not so ideal once experienced.
TMI Im a visual learner. please show examples of what you are talking about please.
Ditto.
He talks about putting an additional $30K into the "envelope" but doesn't really give us examples or show us anything.