Solar ... In the news

Martyn1981

More surprise than news, but I hadn't realised just how far the market for PV fences/enclosures had progressed.

This company (not a recommendation) has been developing tech for ~10yrs, operating in Germany and Austria, with lots of solutions.

With the cost of PV panels themselves, now ridiculously cheap, the options keep increasing, from roof tops, to canopies, balcony solar, wall mounted, groundmounts, fencing. Even I wasn't expecting this, so quickly.

The Next2Sun solar fence

I've provided the link, mostly because there are so many pics, which I thought was interesting to see, and hopefully educational (it was for me).

Exiled_Tyke

Martyn1981 said:

More surprise than news, but I hadn't realised just how far the market for PV fences/enclosures had progressed.

This company (not a recommendation) has been developing tech for ~10yrs, operating in Germany and Austria, with lots of solutions.

With the cost of PV panels themselves, now ridiculously cheap, the options keep increasing, from roof tops, to canopies, balcony solar, wall mounted, groundmounts, fencing. Even I wasn't expecting this, so quickly.

The Next2Sun solar fence

I've provided the link, mostly because there are so many pics, which I thought was interesting to see, and hopefully educational (it was for me).

I'm already thinking about the days when we will be having conversations along the lines of 'Do you remember the days when there wasn't  PV on every external surface?'  

I'm guessing there's already more canopy/roof top then many of use realise. Last week I was looking at a familiar area on Google Maps and discovered there was a huge amount of PV on canopies that I never realised existed.   

NedS

Exiled_Tyke said:

Martyn1981 said:

More surprise than news, but I hadn't realised just how far the market for PV fences/enclosures had progressed.

This company (not a recommendation) has been developing tech for ~10yrs, operating in Germany and Austria, with lots of solutions.

With the cost of PV panels themselves, now ridiculously cheap, the options keep increasing, from roof tops, to canopies, balcony solar, wall mounted, groundmounts, fencing. Even I wasn't expecting this, so quickly.

The Next2Sun solar fence

I've provided the link, mostly because there are so many pics, which I thought was interesting to see, and hopefully educational (it was for me).

I'm already thinking about the days when we will be having conversations along the lines of 'Do you remember the days when there wasn't  PV on every external surface?'  

Yes, I certainly envisage a time where EVs will be covered by some form of solar - a semi-transparent solar panoramic 'sun' roof that allows some light through is an obvious starting point, but I'm sure they will come up with some suitable solar body panels or coatings that can help charge your car on the go or when it's sat in the car park all day.

What amazes me, and visitors to my house, is that even on a dull winter day we can generate enough solar in real time to run the heating, and that's with today's tech.

michaels

NedS said:

Exiled_Tyke said:

Martyn1981 said:

More surprise than news, but I hadn't realised just how far the market for PV fences/enclosures had progressed.

This company (not a recommendation) has been developing tech for ~10yrs, operating in Germany and Austria, with lots of solutions.

With the cost of PV panels themselves, now ridiculously cheap, the options keep increasing, from roof tops, to canopies, balcony solar, wall mounted, groundmounts, fencing. Even I wasn't expecting this, so quickly.

The Next2Sun solar fence

I've provided the link, mostly because there are so many pics, which I thought was interesting to see, and hopefully educational (it was for me).

I'm already thinking about the days when we will be having conversations along the lines of 'Do you remember the days when there wasn't  PV on every external surface?'  

Yes, I certainly envisage a time where EVs will be covered by some form of solar - a semi-transparent solar panoramic 'sun' roof that allows some light through is an obvious starting point, but I'm sure they will come up with some suitable solar body panels or coatings that can help charge your car on the go or when it's sat in the car park all day.

What amazes me, and visitors to my house, is that even on a dull winter day we can generate enough solar in real time to run the heating, and that's with today's tech.

My EV has a solar roof, doesn't everyone's? However it is now about 10 months old and has apparently added just over 200 miles from PV.  I suspect panels on garages and car parks like they do in France might be a better bet.

Exiled_Tyke

michaels said:

NedS said:

Exiled_Tyke said:

Martyn1981 said:

More surprise than news, but I hadn't realised just how far the market for PV fences/enclosures had progressed.

This company (not a recommendation) has been developing tech for ~10yrs, operating in Germany and Austria, with lots of solutions.

With the cost of PV panels themselves, now ridiculously cheap, the options keep increasing, from roof tops, to canopies, balcony solar, wall mounted, groundmounts, fencing. Even I wasn't expecting this, so quickly.

The Next2Sun solar fence

I've provided the link, mostly because there are so many pics, which I thought was interesting to see, and hopefully educational (it was for me).

I'm already thinking about the days when we will be having conversations along the lines of 'Do you remember the days when there wasn't  PV on every external surface?'  

Yes, I certainly envisage a time where EVs will be covered by some form of solar - a semi-transparent solar panoramic 'sun' roof that allows some light through is an obvious starting point, but I'm sure they will come up with some suitable solar body panels or coatings that can help charge your car on the go or when it's sat in the car park all day.

What amazes me, and visitors to my house, is that even on a dull winter day we can generate enough solar in real time to run the heating, and that's with today's tech.

My EV has a solar roof, doesn't everyone's? However it is now about 10 months old and has apparently added just over 200 miles from PV.  I suspect panels on garages and car parks like they do in France might be a better bet.

I remember seeing a review of the early Ioniq 5 with a PV roof and the conclusion being very clear that the  benefits would come nowhere near the extra cost. Which is (I suspect) why they binned the idea quite quickly.  It may be come more viable as costs come down but I can't see it making a massive difference.  May be if every surface of the car was covered..., but then repair costs after accidents ....and then.... and then....     Let's leave it to garages and car parks.

Magnitio

NedS said:

Exiled_Tyke said:

Martyn1981 said:

More surprise than news, but I hadn't realised just how far the market for PV fences/enclosures had progressed.

This company (not a recommendation) has been developing tech for ~10yrs, operating in Germany and Austria, with lots of solutions.

With the cost of PV panels themselves, now ridiculously cheap, the options keep increasing, from roof tops, to canopies, balcony solar, wall mounted, groundmounts, fencing. Even I wasn't expecting this, so quickly.

The Next2Sun solar fence

I've provided the link, mostly because there are so many pics, which I thought was interesting to see, and hopefully educational (it was for me).

I'm already thinking about the days when we will be having conversations along the lines of 'Do you remember the days when there wasn't  PV on every external surface?'  

Yes, I certainly envisage a time where EVs will be covered by some form of solar - a semi-transparent solar panoramic 'sun' roof that allows some light through is an obvious starting point, but I'm sure they will come up with some suitable solar body panels or coatings that can help charge your car on the go or when it's sat in the car park all day.

What amazes me, and visitors to my house, is that even on a dull winter day we can generate enough solar in real time to run the heating, and that's with today's tech.

This may eventually be in production if they can secure additional funding:
https://aptera.us/vehicle/

QrizB

With the possible exception of campervans and the like, I think it makes much more sense to put the solar PV on your garage or carport rather than carry the panels around with you.

silverwhistle

Exiled_Tyke said:

I'm guessing there's already more canopy/roof top then many of use realise. Last week I was looking at a familiar area on Google Maps and discovered there was a huge amount of PV on canopies that I never realised existed.   

You'd be right! I've mentioned before that a friend hires helicopters (from Bournemouth airport) and takes me for jaunts round the area including towards Southampton Water, IOW and even to Weston-Super-Mare on one occasion (I can recommend the helicopter museum). 

Plenty of roof top and small solar farms which tend to be well screened, although I'd say there was plenty of opportunity for more. 

Exiled_Tyke

silverwhistle said:

Exiled_Tyke said:

I'm guessing there's already more canopy/roof top then many of use realise. Last week I was looking at a familiar area on Google Maps and discovered there was a huge amount of PV on canopies that I never realised existed.   

You'd be right! I've mentioned before that a friend hires helicopters (from Bournemouth airport) and takes me for jaunts round the area including towards Southampton Water, IOW and even to Weston-Super-Mare on one occasion (I can recommend the helicopter museum). 

Plenty of roof top and small solar farms which tend to be well screened, although I'd say there was plenty of opportunity for more. 

Now you mention it, I do remember you making this point before.  

silverwhistle

Yes, but I added the location this time as it might spur others to comment on their locality...