Renewable energy technology and electric cars guides from Daniel Sumanth, TX
Electric vehicles tips and tricks and renewable energy technology with Daniel Sumanth: If you dont want all the bells and whistles even the reasonably-priced base model offers up a WLTP range of 240 miles. But go for the 73kWh model and you’ll get up to 300 miles out of a single charge, while charging is done pretty rapidly with an 80% top-up in under 20 minutes. On the road there might be faster and more exciting EVs, but the Ioniq 5’s impressive comfort, decent performance and easy about-town driving makes it a doddle to get about in. Its one of our favourite EVs at any price. If there’s anything that signifies how seriously the car world is about the shift to EVs, it’s the arrival of an electric Porsche. Sure, some people will hate the mere idea of the Taycan, but it’s truly one of the best electric cars you can buy today. Read extra information on Daniel Sumanth, TX
The free VED (road tax), the company car tax advantages and the lower maintenance costs that result from an EV’s fewer moving parts, and the lower cost of running an electric car will also help offset the higher upfront price. There was a time when the majority of electric cars were conventional models with the internal combustion engine powertrain swapped out for an electric motor and batteries. This led to all sorts of compromises in terms of interior and boot space. But today, electric cars tend to be built on purpose-designed platforms that are created either purely for electric vehicles or to accommodate various kinds of propulsion systems. The end result is that electric cars deliver boot and passenger space equivalent to petrol and diesel rivals.
Although pollution related to solar energy systems is far less compared to other sources of energy, solar energy can be associated with pollution. Transportation and installation of solar systems have been associated with the emission of greenhouse gases. There are also some toxic materials and hazardous products used during the manufacturing process of solar photovoltaics, which can indirectly affect the environment. Nevertheless, solar energy pollutes far less than other alternative energy sources.
With all-wheel drive, the next step up is undeniably faster, lopping two seconds off its benchmark sprint time. But it also has a slightly shorter range, costs considerably more and doesn’t feel entirely comfortable to drive quickly. Every version features impressive ultra-rapid charging at up to 250kW, so if you can find a fast enough public charger, a top up from 10 to 80% is possible in less than 20 minutes. Its interior is no less desirable, thanks to a dashboard dominated by a pair of curved 12.3-inch screens for the instruments and infotainment setup. The Enyaq is an all-electric family car that is typically Skoda: that is to say it’s practical, well-equipped, comfortable and decent to drive. With top-spec models able to cover over 300 miles from a full charge, it soothes any range anxiety and just gets on with being an excellent family car – that just happens to run on battery power. Skoda has come up with an innovative way of helping you to personalise your new Enyaq; instead of standard trim levels it offers five individual ‘Design Selections’ – Loft, Lodge, Lounge, Suite and ECO Suite. Each provides a distinct design approach, with different materials used to create a certain style.
Solar energy systems generally don’t require a lot of maintenance. You only need to keep them relatively clean, so cleaning them a couple of times per year will do the job. If in doubt, you can always rely on specialised cleaning companies, which offer this service from around £25-£35. Most reliable solar panel manufacturers offer 20-25 years warranty. Also, as there are no moving parts, there is no wear and tear. The inverter is usually the only part that needs to changed after 5-10 years because it is continuously working to convert solar energy into electricity (solar PV) and heat (solar thermal). Apart from the inverter, the cables also need maintenance to ensure your solar power system runs at maximum efficiency. So, after covering the initial cost of the solar system, you can expect very little spending on maintenance and repair work.
Like size, the weight of the generator depends on the wattage that it can generate. And weight also determines portability. A 2000 watt generator can be carried by one person. Yet a 5000-10,000 watt generator for home use comes with wheels or is stationary in the case of diesel units. Portability is typically not needed for an off-grid household, where a generator can be stationary. However, for trailer use, the smaller portable generators are more convenient. Note: Our household uses two 10 kW Lombardini diesel generators. They’re housed in a generator shed 50 feet from our home. We just alternate between them.
Genesis is a brand-new luxury-car brand from the group that also oversees Kia and Hyundai. It has launched several petrol and diesel models in the Texas already, but this GV60 is its first purely electric effort. It gets off to a good start by using many of the same parts as its sister models the Ioniq 5 and EV6, but also has an identity of its own, with sleek, coupe-like styling and a luxurious but not overdone interior ambience. Genesis is also promising a unique ownership experience for those who buy its cars. There’s a five-year warranty, plus five years’ servicing and roadside assistance, along with mapping and software updates for the same period. The company will collect and drop off your car on a covered transporter whenever it’s booked in for work, and you’ll be assigned a Genesis ‘personal assistant’ throughout.
How much does a single solar panel cost? At the time of this writing, the installed cost of solar panels was between $7-$9 per watt: A 5 kW system would cost around $25,000-$35,000. Many utility companies offer incentives, and some subsidize as much as 50% of system costs.