Comments for The Alternative Energy Zone

Comment on Are YOU getting excited about the Playa? by kmckee

kmckee — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:53:37 +0000

Hi Jolly Roger…

I have a question.. hope it’s ok to ask here. I’m building a solar heated shower again this year for my camp at BM. I have a 3′ x 6′ array of 1″ black hose for heating. My question is whether you (or anyone) has figured out the optimal direction and angle for solar panels (same principle applies to the solar water heating panels .. gettin’ the most sun)

Thanks my friend.
Ken

Comment on Are YOU getting excited about the Playa? by Polar Bear

Polar Bear — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 05:52:52 +0000

Super Pumped!!!!!

Comment on Photo Gallery 2010 by Buenos Iries

Buenos Iries — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 00:14:42 +0000

here’s my pictures from Buenos Iries (Piazza Orange). we were on 6:30 between D and F.

dusty hugs!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/homiesinheaven/sets/72157624788231443/

Comment on The Final map has been posted by keith

keith — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 22:33:14 +0000

THANX THANX Mr Mayor Doc Ge-of for a fab job well done re final final final aez map: we all appreciate your hard work LOTS… YOU be a grand good man!

Comment on A Simple Solar Generator by weather man

weather man — Wed, 05 May 2010 08:24:55 +0000

First post here, and I see the “How to” link on the right just as i’m finishing. I’m going to hope I don’t break any TOS…..
…I’m learning solar and was going to tackle wind next. I wish to power a 19′ Travel Trailer with the basics plus creature comforts and whatever extra toys I might be able to bring to life.

I brought weather monitoring equip last year (Wind/temp/humid) and made general observations. I plan on recording daily data points this year.
http://www.playaweather.info
FWIW, I remember sustained winds of 30mph for at least two, several hour “events’. One evening we peaked at 42mph. Afternoon temps generally topped out in the low 90′s and humidity during these periods was generally single digit (8-10%)

Now that I have a few solar panels, I guess I’m going to have to learn east from west. (as well do a little cost benefit analysis to the wind thing.
Getting “amped” has also taken on a new meaning.

Comment on Square Foot Solar Cooker by ChefCraig

ChefCraig — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:48:28 +0000

Thanks jolshefsky. The original cooker was cardboard with foil, but so far I like the reflectivity of the mirrors. And, they’re less inclined to getting wet or weather problems.
BUT, cardboard is safer, and does work great, and it makes a great project for kids to get involved with to learn about solar.

Comment on Square Foot Solar Cooker by jolshefsky

jolshefsky — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 12:00:42 +0000

For Burning Man, I’d be reluctant to use glass mirrors. An alternative would be aluminum foil wrapped over something stiff (i.e. plywood, scraps of something) which I believe is just as reflective but doesn’t shatter nearly as easily.

Comment on A Simple Solar Generator by zal

zal — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 05:34:53 +0000

interesting, thanks geoff

Comment on A Simple Solar Generator by geoff

geoff — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 18:17:13 +0000

From Bruce’s ‘hybrid’ system he gave us the following numbers for 2009 :

Amp/Hours Ah/Day Wind 121 13.44 Solar 508 56.44 Total 629 69.89
The wind out there is ‘bursty’ which means that it is infrequent and unreliable. While you may get a LARGE burst of wind and generate a lot of AMPS, if you don’t have the batteries to store the energy it will just get lost when they fill up and you won’t benefit from the calm moments.

using alt-power is like running your shower 24/7 from a water tank
Wind power on the playa is like filling that tank from a AirTanker
Solar power on the playa is like filling that tank from a (very) rainy day

And from Mike Burgess :

Unfortunately, yes. While that wind feels strong in your face, with the
dust kicked up from that DPW Mad Max crew, it’s really only about 10 mph,
and lasts for 90 seconds. When a good whiteout gets going, that’s when
wind gennies will really output power. Anything below 15 mph, just is NOT
going to generate much, even if it blows your tent down.

Blades will turn, and you will generate some power, but it really is
pretty thin. Last week I asked for some camps to report back about last
years wind harvest. Maybe they will be kind, and repeat their reply.

A little wind gennie makes a good backup to a couple panel solar array,
but to rely ONLY on wind, means you will need a monster machine that can
recharge you batteries in 10 minutes, when a gust kicks in.
And, you need to anchor and place it well, because if it does fall in a
90mph gust, we don’t want it to flatten someones tent. We plan on
recycling tents, and if they are bloody, we have to ship them to a
bio-hazard land fill.

Mike

Comment on A Simple Solar Generator by whaleboy

whaleboy — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 13:18:08 +0000

Question: You say there’s not as much wind on the playa as you think. That is worrisome. For my camp this year, we are building four permanent-magnet alternator wind turbines that are, in theory, going to provide half the power for our camp. The other half is coming from solar panels that we either own or are borrowing. Now, you say there’s not as much wind as we think. What do you mean by that? Warn me of my folly, or tell me what to expect. I’m a veteran burner, but this is my first time doing alternative power. Please advise. We’re going to bring a bunch of big marine cells so we can take advantage of all that energy when the wind really gets kicking, and so we don’t blow any up.