It’s hard to imagine that you might have omitted another huge benefit of the electrotech revolution, so ably and enthusiastically summarized here. But if we move away from fossil fuel consumption for all the very good reasons you cite, advances in biochemistry also offer alternatives to the extremely hazardous proliferation of plastics - especially microplastics - that are increasingly present in our water, land, and bodies. The petrochemical molecule is not compatible with human health, and replacing it in all its forms with bio derived alternatives will yield astonishing gains in human health and well being - in rates of cancer, autism, COPD, and so many other modern scourges. Not to mention the pleasure we get from clear skies and waters! Thank you for chronicling the very hopeful pace of progress - keep it up! It is the essence of a new world view based not on the fear of scarcity but on the potential of abundance.
Your newsletter today is a balm that soothes my soul and fills me with hope for the future of my grandchildren.
I watched a video on social media about beavers that were introduced in Florida that restored wetlands that had been drained and destroyed by draining by agricultural use. Our fellow wise animals are helping us re- wild.
You said "Solar solves water through desalination." but it's not the only viable application. Highly recommend checking out AWG tech if you haven't yet, specifically Aquaria.
Wow, this is a tour-de-force! I will be sharing this week's newsletter with students and others. Thank you for doing the work to gather all this in one place!
@Sam Matey-Coste I loved this piece, and I subscribed! I'm a complete nerd about solar energy and have dedicated my life to deploying as much of it as I possibly can. It's so cool! People think of it as an energy-generating resource, but it's not really. It's much more like laying a rain bucket out in a storm to catch water.
I work for an amazing solar installer. I also host this week in solar, a twice-weekly podcast where I interview one solar industry person and release one solar news roundup per week.
If you want to tune into a more boots-on-the-ground perspective where we talk about the challenges between us and putting this technology everywhere, you'll probably enjoy it 😊
It’s hard to imagine that you might have omitted another huge benefit of the electrotech revolution, so ably and enthusiastically summarized here. But if we move away from fossil fuel consumption for all the very good reasons you cite, advances in biochemistry also offer alternatives to the extremely hazardous proliferation of plastics - especially microplastics - that are increasingly present in our water, land, and bodies. The petrochemical molecule is not compatible with human health, and replacing it in all its forms with bio derived alternatives will yield astonishing gains in human health and well being - in rates of cancer, autism, COPD, and so many other modern scourges. Not to mention the pleasure we get from clear skies and waters! Thank you for chronicling the very hopeful pace of progress - keep it up! It is the essence of a new world view based not on the fear of scarcity but on the potential of abundance.
Your newsletter today is a balm that soothes my soul and fills me with hope for the future of my grandchildren.
I watched a video on social media about beavers that were introduced in Florida that restored wetlands that had been drained and destroyed by draining by agricultural use. Our fellow wise animals are helping us re- wild.
Thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoy my writing.
You said "Solar solves water through desalination." but it's not the only viable application. Highly recommend checking out AWG tech if you haven't yet, specifically Aquaria.
Thanks again, Sam. Your efforts at this compilation of the benefits of solar is an added benefit you could add. Heartening! 💛💛😎💛💛
Really really good post, maybe your best article yet Sam!
Thank you so much!!!
Sam Matey-Coste, again you brighten up my day!
Thank you so much!
Wow, this is a tour-de-force! I will be sharing this week's newsletter with students and others. Thank you for doing the work to gather all this in one place!
Thank you so much!!!
@Sam Matey-Coste I loved this piece, and I subscribed! I'm a complete nerd about solar energy and have dedicated my life to deploying as much of it as I possibly can. It's so cool! People think of it as an energy-generating resource, but it's not really. It's much more like laying a rain bucket out in a storm to catch water.
I work for an amazing solar installer. I also host this week in solar, a twice-weekly podcast where I interview one solar industry person and release one solar news roundup per week.
If you want to tune into a more boots-on-the-ground perspective where we talk about the challenges between us and putting this technology everywhere, you'll probably enjoy it 😊
https://exactsolar.substack.com/
Who cleans those solar panels in Taiwan after the birds poop on them? This could be a problem.
Good question - solar panel cleaning robots are an incredibly fast-growing sector!
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306261926002941
https://www.chemitek.pt/blog/top-5-robots-for-solar-cleaning