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Solar power - the hidden costs
We were recently looking at whether we should invest in a Solar powdered electrical generation facility (otherwise called a solar panel system).So like everybody else we got a few quotes in. The first surprise was the sheer range of the quotes for essentially the same spec output final system, so either there are some very cheap components going around or someone is making a bucket out of this..
Then we actually did a cost benefit analysis, i.e. given an investment of X in solar what do we get back and how does it compare to other options (i.e. the do nothing for now approach).
Well this got quite interesting, as out of this I developed an online tool to help work out whether it is worth it or not.
Conclusion
Well, we have decided not to invest in solar at this stage, for the following reasons:- If one takes into account the 'life' of each component (wiring, solar cells, inverter, etc) - the ongoing replacement costs outside of warranty wipe out any savings made.
- The technology behind solar cells is constantly evolving, the 'best' current solar cells only manage 19% sun energy conversion at the current cost point. We reckon the solar cells either need to get about 25% more efficient, or their cost to drop 25% before we will look at it again.
- We did not want to cash in our REC's - as the whole point of doing this is to make the environment better by withholding Carbon from the market, rather than giving polluters a mechanism to keep on polluting. We also have our own concerns over whether Co2 trading is actually going to achieve anything constructive for the environment.
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Comments left
- Andrew said:
Hi Keith, You clearly have absolutely no idea what you are talking about and come across as a completely ignorant idiot. There are two majors problems with you. Firstly you think that Today Tonight is a reputable journalism forum that gives you unbiased reporting. Was this guy really just sitting on the back of a ute before an unknown person got in and drove away? Secondly you know nothing about insurance. Allow me to retort to your 4 recommendations. 1) Your ignorance is showcased by you not realising that all policies have a clause about being drunk. Each case is dealt with individually, further showing that TT only reported certain aspects of the story. 2) Travel insurance companies clearly define what the exceptions are to their cover. 3) Your local MPs have nothing to do with insurance policies so why would I waste their time? 4) If you knew anything about PR you would know that there is no such thing as bad PR.
Go back to the couch, im presuming youre in a singlet and tracksuit pants, and continue to pretend you know anything about anything. Also, get a copy of the dictionary and learn how to spell properly.
Kind regards,
AndrewON Thu, 25 Feb 10, 12:02am probably from Australia Reply to this comment
- Eco Guy said:
Hi Andrew,
See the link http://www.productreview.com.au/showitem.php?item_id=20236 - Cover-More has been playing hard ball; which to be fair they are entitled to do; but in this case I think they have overstepped the line.
Also there is such a thing as bad PR, my other half is a marketing researcher and PR specialist - anybody remember the Ratners 'a M&S prawn sandwich would last longer than our jewelery' speech at their AGM; and that is quoted from memory!
The problem with this particular case is that the individual concerned was a third party to another person's actions, and they still used the 'had drunk' clause to get out paying - that's the real problem here. Yes, fair cop if you had one to many and fell down and hurt yourself; not a fair cop if someone injures you and you had no part in causing that injury.
As regarding local PM's - the government sets the regulatory and licensing environment in which insurance companies operate. So pressure applied there could prevent this in future.
Let me repeat, I'm not against business making money; but there are times when a line is crossed and action needs to be taken to re-enforce that line for the good of all. This is looking like one of those times.ON Thu, 25 Feb 10, 12:02am probably from Australia Reply to this comment
- Eco Guy said:
- Covermore Travel Insurance said:
Does single trip insurance cover local travel? If I buy single trip insurance for a trip from the London, UK to Melbourne, Australia, does the policy cover me for additional local flights within Australia during the course of the holiday? Like a flight to Sydney and back to Melbourne? Or is the missed/delayed departure policy usually for the flight entering Australia and the flight leaving Australia only.
ON Thu, 21 Oct 10, 11:42pm probably from Philippines Reply to this comment
- Covermore Travel Insurance said:
need insurance? follow this link www.travelinsure.com.au
ON Thu, 21 Oct 10, 11:59pm probably from Philippines Reply to this comment
- Covermore Travel Insurance said:
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