W Roscoe

Renewables are no longer bit players.

April 26 2009 William writes:

This will change your mind about solar.

http://rael.berkeley.edu/node/507

to make photovoltaic solar energy availible to the whole world the installed cost of the solar needs to be $.75 / W.
if the PV industry grows at 50% growth for 10 more years, solar would still only be 2.6% of the world electricity market.
great graph on electricity costs and solar costs around the world at 16 minutes into the video

Daneil Kammen - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynntdk6eGSY

Anyone studied electrical energy before 1999 was taught that renewables can be at most bit players and that renewables can destroy the electricity grid. These notions are not true.
Counties that have tried to expand the renewables sector in a dramatic way have discovered that it was very easy and hugely cost effective.

Categories: Energy | No Comments »

3 Months with SolarCity in Culver City

February 08 2009 William writes:

The solar industry in California is booming despite the surrounding financial apocalypse. The combination of high electricity rates, federal tax credits, and the California solar initiative make solar panels financially attractive. The SolarLease offered by SolarCity allows anyone with a good credit score to get solar power with a minimal upfront cost. Improved installation efficiency and new technologies, like thin film solar panels, will help bring down the cost of solar power.

SolarCity has partnered with FirstSolar to deliver inexpensive thin film solar panels to residential and commercial customers. The FirstSolar Panels are sexy black! Here is a pictures of the first FirstSolar install out of the SolarCity LA office in Malibu.

My Solar Installation Toolbag

Installing a FirstSolar Panel in Malibu

Active Transportation Argument

Call me crazy but I think LA could become the greenest city in the country. It has huge transportation corridors that could be smothly converted to use other than freeway traffic. Some studies suggest that the ROI for active transportation (biking & walking) infrastructure are much higher than for anyother transportation type (http://www.railstotrails.org/resources/documents/whatwedo/atfa/ATFA_20081020.pdf).

Categories: California and Energy | No Comments »

Ubuntu 8.10 is 10x Better

December 27 2008 William writes:

I just reinstalled Ubuntu Linux on my Dell Latitude D520 Laptop. It is amazing, free and everything works. Linux is an operating system for your computer just like Microsoft Windows. The difference is that it is free and anyone can contribute to its development. Ubuntu is one of many resulting products from the work of groups/families of Linux developers. A big thank you to everyone who has put this great tool together.

It took 1 hour for the install…

Burn a copy of Ubuntu onto a CD. (download here)
1. Disconnect any external hard drives (this will speed up the install process)
Reboot your computer with the CD in the CD drive.
Choose Install from the Ubuntu Menu list.
Follow the instructions.

and another 1 hour to customize settings, import my backup files, add programs that were not included by default… (new programs can be added simply by going to System -> Administration -> Synaptic Package Manager and searching for the program you’d like to install)

$fractal$

My Frist Mandelbrot

apache2 - web server
php5 - allows php webpages to be served by apache
mysql5 - database
eclipse - a programming environment
bluefish - an text editor for php and html
octave - math equation solver (matlab alternative)
open office 3.0 - office software suite (install here)
fraqtive - draws Mandelbrot fractals. Visible chaos!

Using a common computer with common hardware reduces the chances of missing drivers and other compilations. The reason I think Ubuntu is better than windows is it is designed by the people who use the system. Usability is a key focus of its design. Very well done. Also a great development environment.