SolarWebsite.nl – information and news about renewable energy, electric cars and the World Solar Challenge

Let's look back onto 2009 on this last day of the year.

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Freedom...?

Because of a technical problem with WordPress I still cannot edit (or translate) the article Geen auto (). I think it has something to do with the length of the article, but I can't find out what the problem is. Therefore, out of necessity, an addition to that article in a separate article. If I ever solve the problem I will combine this article with the main article.

The article is still one of the most most-read on this website. That surprises me because it has been more than three months ago that I wrote it. People sometimes e-mail me about it, which I always answer. Two more ways in which the (unthinking and large-scale use of the) automobile limits our freedom were brought to my attention that way.

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The 'Organisatie voor Duurzame Energie' (Organisation voor Sustainable Energy), ODE (), has come up with an intersting plan. They want to 'combine' as many private solar electricity systems in the Netherlands into one virtual solar power plant. This makes it possible to inform solar panel owners of  failures or unexpected decreases in production. It's also conceivable that by joining forces it is possible to negotiate a better price for the produced electricity.

It sounds very interesting to me, the plan might very well progress solar electricity in the Netherlands. I am very curious how the privacy-aspect of the plan will be handled but if that is done to my satisfaction I can easily see us participating.

ODE would like to know how people think about this plan, so they've put a survey () online.

Umicar Inspire

The Belgian Televisionchannel Canvas () broadcasts a two-part documentary about the Belgian Umicore Solar Team (). The first part was broadcast on December 22nd, but unfortunately Canvas doesn't put past programs fully online. A view short pieces of the program can be watched online ().

The second part is broadcast on December 29th, I'm certainly going to watch that!

The Umicore Solor Team's website has an article () online about how their racing car was thoroughly tested in side-wind conditions, and that the gust which caused the final crash must have been exceptionally strong.

Everyone will have noticed: a thick blanket of snow covers the Netherlands. It causes the traffic a lot of trouble but it's a beautiful sight.  The snow also covers our solar panels:

Snow covers the large solar panels...

...and also the solar-awning above the front door.

It's in the middle of winter (today is the shortest day () of the year) and the panels produce hardly any energy, even without snow covering them, so the snow cover doesn't really bother me.

The production has bottomed out today and should, on average, rise day by day!