Vern Scott
1 min readApr 2, 2022

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1) Photovoltaic tech itself is growing quite nicely, prices dropping, perovskite on the way, etc., though recyclability may be an issue. However as a whole, better batteries (cheaper, lighter, utility scale, more recyclable) need to come online soon or the industry will face limitations.

2) With many utilities trying to employ a "rooftop solar tax" along with "utility buyback rates" (around $0.05/kwh, not much), look for home or neighborhood microgrids to proliferate. There are 7000 w systems with battery and generator backup for around 25k. The batteries don't need to be light like car batteries, and many homes may be living off the grid soon (without many of the fire-causing power lines)

3) Everyone forgets the energy density and portability of fossils fuels, To put it one way, is the Ukrainian war being waged with renewables and batteries? No. We can all hope that planes, ships and tanks may someday be renewably powered (today only drones?) but this too awaits much better batteries and tech improvements on many fronts.

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Vern Scott
Vern Scott

Written by Vern Scott

Scott lives in the SF Bay Area and writes confidently about Engineering, History, Politics, and Health

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