Untold Stories and Background Understanding of Solar Panel - 2024-05-12

I recently saw a Chinese project using underground water to wash solar panels in the desert. Initially, I was worried because underground water is a finite resource—just like in Saudi Arabia, where underground water finishes within 30 years.

Some YouTube videos didn’t mention this concern. They simply stated that washing the solar panels once a month could significantly increase the grass production. However, they didn’t address whether a small amount of water once a month is enough for the grass grow effectively. Later, one video mentioned dew water—which forms on the solar panels every morning. I checked online, and I found that some people have mentioned this too.

The surface of the solar panels cools down - which leads to dew formation at night and watering the plants. This will replenish the underground water too! This make me less worry for simply using underground water. 

In addition, the sheep used to graze the grass around the solar panels provide manure that fertilizes the soil and encourages microbial growth. This process improves the soil quality and also helps reduce wind erosion.


The Value of Chinese YouTube

I sometimes enjoy watching Chinese YouTube, as it reveals issues that others often overlook. Many videos, especially those in the media, focus on impressive statistics, like how many gigawatts of power a project can produce or the size of the area involved. These videos often rely on data from reports without addressing the real-world problems or challenges.

I remember watching a Chinese video on solar radiation for power generation. The interviewer asked the project manager about the challenges they face. The manager explained that while other types of power generation are always running, their system has to restart 100 to 200 times a year, which increases maintenance complexity. This highlighted that the technology is still new and not fully mature.

I appreciate these kinds of videos because they don’t just paint an overly positive picture. While they may hide certain issues, they encourage viewers to dig deeper and find the truth themselves. In contrast, many other videos simply present secondhand information, glossing over both the problems and achievements.


Hydrogen Cars and Unspoken Problems

This transparency gap reminds me of the hydrogen car industry. I recently saw a news report about car owners in California suing Toyota, as there was only one hydrogen fueling station left, and it often had issues like freezing or jamming. When hydrogen cars are promoted, these real-life problems are rarely discussed. Instead, we often never hear warnings about how dangerous hydrogen cars are or the risk of explosions.

What they don't mention is that hydrogen cars require expensive, high-strength materials for the storage. If they can't figure out a way to reduce these costs, hydrogen vehicles could become financially unsustainable. There are also significant safety concerns, especially in the event of a crash. Hydrogen is flammable, and the technology for ensuring safety during an accident is still underdeveloped.

Unfortunately, these issues are often omitted in product demonstrations, which leads to a misleading perception of how good the technology really is.


Conclusion

I believe in transparency and learning about both the benefits and drawbacks of emerging technologies. Many companies focus solely on the advantages in their marketing, but understanding the full picture—both the positive and the negative—is essential for making informed decisions.

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