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A Green Light for Solar Panels »

Posted by: MacBookForMe 1 month, 3 weeks ago

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In Oregon PV solar panels are being used to power flashing lights on traffic signs for both motorists and pedestrians. Using free solar energy in this way is an idea whose time has come.

Read Full Story at solarshingles.blogspot.com

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Comments So Far: 30

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MacBookForMe1 month, 3 weeks ago

I love to see that solar PV panels have already been doing their job in our real life every day
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Xaos1 month, 3 weeks ago

Just wish they would increase the efficiency of solar panels and drop the price.
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    Xaos1 month, 3 weeks ago
    
    Still the last that I have read stated that they have yet to get much over 35% efficiency. That from a technical standpoint is pretty mediocre. I would love to see a breakthrough with this technology from an efficiency standpoint, unless they figure out how to produce solar cells so cheaply that the poor efficiency is not that big of a deal.
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        MacBookForMe1 month, 3 weeks ago
        
        They plan to reach 50% of efficiency rate for the massive production line (and about 55% in the Tech Lab)
        http://www.cis.udel.edu/~honsberg/50percent.htm
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        MacBookForMe1 month, 3 weeks ago
        
        John, you are right. I also hope, that the new government will make a large deal with some massive solar PV producers to cut the price by half (my wish): and to arrange some much higher rebates and tax incentives.
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        MacBookForMe1 month, 3 weeks ago
        
        You are so right, John! And the efficiency rates would have already reached 50% and the price of PV devices would have been maybe 30% of todays cost, due to the optimized massive production lines.
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  injest1 month, 3 weeks ago
  
  Just wish they would increase the efficiency of solar panels and drop the price.
  Uhm no you don't, to make solar panels more efficient you need to remove the obstruction to that, specifically the "O Zone" layer of our atmosphere. This is why solar panels are GREAT in outer space, not so much on earth.
  The improvements need to come in the things that use the electrical power.
  We put these systems in Camp Pendleton in 02, it's a lot more involved than you think.
  But its defiantly on the right track.
  
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    quackpot1 month, 3 weeks ago
    
    Along the same lines, New York City is planning a 30% reduction in energy use (as measures by reduced green house gas emissions) by 2030.
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pinkpackrat1 month, 3 weeks ago

Oregon leads the way-- that's great. Solar energy for traffic regulation is a fabulous idea
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  Dionys1 month, 3 weeks ago
  
  Oregon always leads the way in low-impact ways.
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jordan111 month, 3 weeks ago

What a good idea!
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jumpmaster1 month, 3 weeks ago

How do they power the traffic signals at night? Oh, they use batteries. You know, those little nuggets of lead, sulfuric acid, and other goodies.
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    jumpmaster1 month, 3 weeks ago
    
    Recycling is good. But have you ever been to a battery manufacturing factory? It is one of the foulest, most toxic places you could ever go.
    I did an energy audit at a battery factory. After I washed my clothing, I had to throw it away because there were holes all over it from the acid that I walked through. I did not get splashed with acid. It was in the air. I only spent about two hours at the factory and I was trashed from that short time.
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      MacBookForMe1 month, 3 weeks ago
      
      Poor people who work there very day...how do they adopt to so toxic air?
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coolfred81 month, 3 weeks ago

This is great news, not before time. Its great to see the authorities waking up to solar power and starting to use it in a positive way
Malc
http://www.ecoholisticcommunity.com
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stephhicks1 month, 3 weeks ago

I for one, am very excited about this innovation! Reduced energy costs (and yes, they do work on overcast, even rainy days), and increased safety! Power outtage? No problem here in Oregon! Thumbs up!
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SDmemorycard1 month, 3 weeks ago

I think the time come, we should find out the alternative power instead of oil...Save our world.
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Will13131 month, 3 weeks ago

I'd like to stick that funkytube up you ass...
spammer.. REPORTED..
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OncejesterwasI1 month, 3 weeks ago

I read an article about the Japanese plan to launch a very large soler panal on a satelite that will collect solar power 24 hrs. a day and send it down in a microwave signal. I can't remember the launch date but I think I remember it being within a couple of years.
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BizGirl1 month, 3 weeks ago

I live in Arizona, where it's sunny 335 days a year. Its ridiculous that I have seen only a few solar panels in the last 20 years that I've lived here. We should really do a trade- water for power.
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