|
Post by bartiks on Dec 10, 2020 20:06:35 GMT -5
With first hand knowledge of the upcoming solar farm in southern knox. I'm conflicted with the uncertainty of what the "farm" will be capable of and how it will affect me and dad's property. Although we aren't directly affected by it we are indirectly affected by it.
The county council has approved an ordinance for the solar farm, however I have yet to see a full map of where the farm will be. Although I've heard from our point of contact that it will be roughly 600 feet from our cabin and approx. 300 feet from property line. Sometime this month, from what I've heard from the area plan commission a full map will be made available and the county council plans on voting for the solar farm next month, because come one who would want to lose out on that tax revenue.
Any further information I get coming my way I will try to keep you all updated. And if anyone has any tips/warning/concerns please let me know about them. Since up to this point our information is a little bit limited.
|
|
|
Post by greghopper on Dec 10, 2020 21:07:07 GMT -5
So what’s the problem?
Do tell...
|
|
|
Post by freedomhunter on Dec 10, 2020 22:20:18 GMT -5
Better than wind mills. Might make your rates go down? I have 0 problems with them. This coming from a civil engineer.
|
|
|
Post by medic22 on Dec 10, 2020 22:20:39 GMT -5
So what’s the problem? Do tell... My guess would be a complete eyesore and minimal to no reduction in utility bills.
|
|
|
Post by freedomhunter on Dec 10, 2020 22:34:24 GMT -5
So what’s the problem? Do tell... My guess would be a complete eyesore and minimal to no reduction in utility bills. Maybe a warehouse complex or a vinyl village be better? Everything changes you have to pick your battles wisely.
|
|
|
Post by esshup on Dec 10, 2020 23:57:27 GMT -5
If an eyesore, then plant a living fence of arborvitae.
|
|
|
Post by duff on Dec 11, 2020 7:29:08 GMT -5
My guess would be a complete eyesore and minimal to no reduction in utility bills. Maybe a warehouse complex or a vinyl village be better? Everything changes you have to pick your battles wisely. Vinyl village, that is good description.
|
|
|
Post by greghopper on Dec 11, 2020 8:17:06 GMT -5
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2020 9:07:06 GMT -5
Good luck. Higher electric prices coming. They use more electricity than they produce over a lifetime. Cost to make and to dispose of. I like solar, but the technology efficiency is not there yet. It is getting closer, but not yet. I just looked into it for my roof and the cost of the panels, wiring and batteries was more than the electricity produced over a 10 year period. Batteries are a big concern. Once again the technology with lower cost is not there.
|
|
|
Post by raydon on Dec 11, 2020 11:26:02 GMT -5
I put together a small solar system (400watts) at my house this year for a possible SHTF scenario. Its been running a small apartment size refrigerator and small freezer for the past six months. I've invested around $1200 so far and save $13 on my electric bill each month.
I pass by a school on the corner of highway 24 and 15 often that has a large array of solar panels. Not an eye sore to me anyways, no noise, no smell. You should have no problems, but then again, I'm no expert.
|
|
|
Post by esshup on Dec 11, 2020 11:34:06 GMT -5
I put together a small solar system (400watts) at my house this year for a possible SHTF scenario. Its been running a small apartment size refrigerator and small freezer for the past six months. I've invested around $1200 so far and save $13 on my electric bill each month. I pass by a school on the corner of highway 24 and 15 often that has a large array of solar panels. Not an eye sore to me anyways, no noise, no smell. You should have no problems, but then again, I'm no expert. So, you will have your investment back in approximately 93 months. (minus any interest your $$ would have earned over that 93 month span).
|
|
|
Post by jman46151 on Dec 11, 2020 13:23:55 GMT -5
I put together a small solar system (400watts) at my house this year for a possible SHTF scenario. Its been running a small apartment size refrigerator and small freezer for the past six months. I've invested around $1200 so far and save $13 on my electric bill each month. I pass by a school on the corner of highway 24 and 15 often that has a large array of solar panels. Not an eye sore to me anyways, no noise, no smell. You should have no problems, but then again, I'm no expert. Did you us special batteries or just car batteries?
|
|
|
Post by featherduster on Dec 11, 2020 13:26:51 GMT -5
Get with all parties involved and get with Pheasants forever to see if they can plant low prairie grasses and other low profile food sources for pheasants and quail. Those solar farms are usually fenced in so they would be pretty much predator proof and with proper habitat you could have a great refuge.
There might be some kind of funds available or tax breaks to create this refuge.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2020 13:50:03 GMT -5
That's my point. You get 7 yrs to break even and they last maximum 10 years. Last few years the efficiency is very low. So maybe 8 years or 9 to break even. Then the cost of dispose. It's around $300 to $500. No cost savings, but a loss over 10 years.
|
|
|
Post by greghopper on Dec 11, 2020 14:27:35 GMT -5
If you pay to throw away .... almost every town has a free recycling day or recycle for FREE!
EDIT....
|
|
|
Post by jjas on Dec 11, 2020 15:17:25 GMT -5
Before I would ever invest in solar, I would definitely find out about installation costs, lifespan, efficiency, and disposal.
Sounds like a lot of hidden costs that the average joe wouldn't likely think to ask about.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2020 15:32:07 GMT -5
Solar panels are classified as hazardous materials. Can't just throw away.
|
|
|
Post by greghopper on Dec 11, 2020 16:33:56 GMT -5
Solar panels are classified as hazardous materials. Can't just throw away. Yeah that’s why no one in implying that......you recycle or take in on free has hazmat day about every town has. Paying is silly!
|
|
|
Post by duff on Dec 11, 2020 17:11:28 GMT -5
Hazardous waste does not apply to private citizens.
A financial guy I used to work with was a tree hugger so he decided to install some solar panels as a hobby and track his generation. He determined his payback was 7 to 8 yrs too based on a static utility cost he had at install. When I left he had had them in place for 2 years and they had not deviated much from his original calculations. Winters in the Midwest are not ideal for solar power.
|
|
|
Post by greghopper on Dec 11, 2020 17:28:33 GMT -5
There sure a bunch of solar farms popping up in the Midwest for it to not have some value unless the government it paying the cost of them.
Like the one in question many I have seen are on or within close distance of a airport!
|
|