This time of year the local landscape can look very plain and bare. Summer crops have been harvested, the land ploughed and harrowed. All is ready for the Spring crops:
In the distance I see there is yet another wind generator farm nearing completion:
Though, in principle, I approve of some of the ideas for generating 'clean' electricity which are being introduced I do object to the increased costs, especially the sneaky hidden ones. Wind power is more expensive to generate than the traditional methods so costs us more. On top of that are the subsidies paid to the developers and on top of that the money they are paid to turn off the generators when too much power is generated. Those payments were originally fixed at a higher rate than they get for generating power. Such is the way with governments who are ruled by (in the pay of?) big business and, after all, it's not their money. It's the taxes those of us who can't hide our wealth in off shore tax havens have to pay.
Awful things. The spawn of the devil. This is applicable to both politicians and windfarms.
ReplyDeleteYou forgot to mention the ground rent that also has to be paid.
Adrian. If they were cost effective I wouldn't object. Just a modern version of the windmill though not as photogenic.
DeleteGeo-thermal will be the way to go in the long run, that is an all but limiteless energy source. Drop water down a deep hole, kerboom it flashes into steam...
ReplyDeleteBattery storage of excess energy is the big issue with renewables.
Simon: Yes. I know of a couple of places hereabouts where holes were dug, coiled water pipes buried and very effective hot water resulted.
DeleteBattery technology is improving, so don't give up hope, SDT! Beautiful sunny day, John. I like the fat letters in your "AUTUMN" header.
ReplyDeleteWilma: Clear skies recently have made for some lovely sunny days. That is an unusual, and I think attractive, font.
DeleteAt present there are few of these around here John, maybe just a solitary one on a particular farm. We have solar panels on our barn but they are really not visible to anyone.
ReplyDeleteWeaver: About a year ago I attended a presentation by a company which was thinking of building a solar 'farm' on part of the old Manby airfield. It looked to me to be a great idea but so far I've heard nothing more about it.
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