Windows that act as solar panels.

[duke63]

Can you imagine how good this technology could be?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=3&v=qMhdpWMDp04" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Kwacky]

That's fantastic. What an idea. Imagine the environmental benefits if that's implemented.

[StMarks]

It would be a really brilliant approach, if it can be developed cost effectively.

On a similar vein; Wind Power.
Those horrible monstrosities are popping up like Martian Tripods all over the countryside, and each of these needs a huge investment of infrastructure to connect it to the grid.
We already have a network of large & substantial constructions along the national grid. Pylons.!
Why can't they install vertical axis wind turbines inside each of the existing pylons.?
That would be about 88,000 more turbines without any further blighting of scenic locations, and at potentially far less cost or disruption.

[D6]

I actually like wind turbines. Just a modern day windmill.

[duke63]

Yes i have nothing against wind turbines either. I think they are actually quite elegant in their own way.

[StMarks]

I'm going to guess that you two don't live in a house with open views overlooking foothills & countryside, but with a planning application for three of those "elegant structures" within 6 miles of you.
Yes, you can call me a nimby.!

[duke63]

I know there are questions being asked about how much power they actually generate but we have to make best use of 'free' energy.

I would say its preferable to pylons, power stations or even a railway line.

There is a power station about 5 miles from here as the crow flies and there are still times we get pure sulphur raining from the sky.

[Kwacky]

Don't those wind turbines take several years to pay back the cost of making them?

[StMarks]

Don't those wind turbines take several years to pay back the cost of making them?

Fwiw I read a very well researched article in a leading scientific journal about 7 years ago, that very clearly the cost of their production & installation (in terms of carbon footprint ) was not even close to being covered by the power that they would generate before they would need to be decommissioned.
I'm sure that they may have improved in efficiency since then, but suspect that it just "ticks boxes" rather than being a genuinely viable option.

[StMarks]

.......I would say its preferable to pylons, power stations or even a railway line........

http://www.tankslap.co.uk/viewtopic.php ... 058#p56058" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Rossgo]

Brilliant idea. If they could make that affordable we could all have them installed into our houses. Would be superb for summer time. To be honest this world needs something like this so we all can benefit