Solar Freakin' .... Walls - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2017, 11:34:40 pm
content: http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/94006745/us-president-donald-trump-says-solar-wall-on-mexican-border-will-pay-for-itselfQuote from: acertainorangefool

author: digsys
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 22, 2017, 11:56:03 pm
content: Will the comedy never end !! SMFH

author: ZeTeX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2017, 12:01:47 am
content: k

author: BrianHG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2017, 12:29:16 am
content: LOL, I could see the Mexicans on their side taping the power and profiting from the wall's power themselves...

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2017, 08:58:15 am
content: I could not read that article as the site just locks up my browser, but I don't think it would be a bad idea if done right. I would not make the walls out of panels, but rather put the panels on top of the wall. The border is more or less from west to east, that means the panels could easily be made to face south and be more or less a continuous line of panels. I would not bother with solar tracking at that scale, tilt them at an optimal angle and call it a day. It could power everything along the wall such as lights, and the border crossing buildings etc. Then rest can be put into the grid. I have a feeling Mexico would not want to buy it so that is probably a silly option to consider, but suppose it's there.I think from a technical standpoint it's a great idea, just not sure about the logistic standpoint... Ex: preventing theft of the panels.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2017, 09:06:15 am
content: Quote from: Red Squirrel on June 23, 2017, 08:58:15 amThe first thing, that came into my mind: If you place solar panels on the wall, they would face south. South is Mexico, and we know that in Mr. President Donald John Trump the 1st head, all the mexicans steal everything they can put their hands on. Jobs, money, and now they steal the solar panels.Disclaimer: I dont think that. Why would I?

author: rbm
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2017, 11:25:01 am
content: Why don't the Americans make the wall out of coal instead of solar panels. It will give all those out of work coal miners jobs and Trump can boast he fulfilled two campaign promises in one go.

author: cprobertson1
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2017, 12:07:02 pm
content: Now to be fair, a rough (back of the envelope) calculation suggests that this is a viable way to pay for the wall... and it will only take 50-100 years!I worked out that each meter of the wall will cost about $6200*, so you'll be looking at ~50-100 years to pay back that particular meter of wall (under optimum conditions (and assuming the panels are maintenance free) - and all that's after you wait 5-10 years for the solar panels to pay themselves back as well)It'd be cheaper to build some super-efficient solar plants nearby - that way you can get a higher proportion of solar panel per a given section of wall - BUT this counterintuitively may cost even more, since a solar plant will take longer to build, meaning you have to wait longer on a return before we even get to the "paying for the wall" part.So what'syourbest estimate for paying off a $20-billion wall with solar alone?(note, I've gone with Trump's OWN best estimate - which as varied between $4-billion and $20-billion - official estimates have been closer to the $40-60-billion mark depending on exactly who you ask the question to)Ps - wait... wasn't he planning increasing taxes on solar? Oh, I see where this is going...

author: Koen
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2017, 12:27:45 pm
content: Can't they reverse the use of wireless charging technology, which crowdfunding helped a lot in making progresses, and absorb Mexico's energy ?

author: HackedFridgeMagnet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2017, 12:30:58 pm
content: Be funny if Trump built his solar wall right on the border and the Mexicans planted trees along the border right in front of it.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2017, 12:55:08 pm
content: Wow, that is very expensive. My home country built their fence for 22B HUF, about 80M USD, for 175km long. Illegal border crossing dropped from 140.000 a month to some 300, so I would say quite effective. Same kind of fence would be 1400 M USD, for the entire length, and some is already there.Disclaimer:Crossing the border legally, or applying for refugee status -> Fine with meCrossing the border illegally, paying money to human trafficking organised crime -> Nope

author: retrolefty
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2017, 01:05:34 pm
content: I can't help to notice that on this Aussie site every posting in this topic is from non-U.S. members.Can't help but feel we here are exceptional, or just baddest dog on the block.

author: Bendba
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2017, 01:07:59 pm
content: Might be cheaper to build the wall out off mirrors facing south. So the Mexican will think they are heading south and turn around.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2017, 01:20:36 pm
content: Quote from: HackedFridgeMagnet on June 23, 2017, 12:30:58 pmThey could probably crowdfund it and make a profit!

author: Cyberdragon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2017, 02:10:45 pm
content: EDIT: This is why we don't post on threads like these more often.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2017, 02:18:12 pm
content: Please dont start this animgif meme bullshit on this forum.

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2017, 06:21:58 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on June 22, 2017, 11:53:55 pmIt looks to me that he is trying to grab some support by giving the opposition something that they may like. He is a consensus builder. He will try to pull his opposition in somehow. He also seem like the kind that will not hesitate to steam-roll them if nothing seem to work (work=draw the opposition in).The panels will need to be on the US side. I suppose those on the opposite side would not like the wall, and thus may do things like throw rocks at it. I picture the wall probably would have a car lane for border agents patrolling. Adding additional width to the clearings for panels will certainly add to the cost. But, not needing power-wiring will reduce it back down.It will be interesting how the final design would look like. Besides, with such a long wall, it will go through all kinds of terrains. It will be interesting indeed. I would like the idea of planting some green stuff around there too to make it pleasing to look at.

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2017, 06:49:05 pm
content: Quote from: retrolefty on June 23, 2017, 01:05:34 pmIssue of information flow, I think. Americans have more sources and direct access to our local news whereas, overseas, the news likely were filtered through international news agencies or major news outlet. And naturally, Americans would and should be more aware of American laws.So, I would bet most non-USA folks didn't know that thelaw to build the wall was passed way before Trump even ran for President. Trump just wants to do what the law said we should/need to do.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secure_Fence_Act_of_2006OnOctober 26, 2006, U.S. President George W. Bushsigned the Secure Fence Act of 2006... ... September 13, 2006 by Congressman Peter T. King, Republican of New York. In the House of Representatives, the Fence Act passed 283–138 on September 14, 2006. OnSeptember 29, 2006– the Fence Act passed in the Senate 80–19.

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2017, 10:18:14 pm
content: Quote from: retrolefty on June 23, 2017, 01:05:34 pmTime to start a discussion on the Aussie tradition of women pulling out their breasts to feed their baby, while making a speech in their house of parliament.

author: spudboy488
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2017, 11:40:12 am
content: Quote from: HackedFridgeMagnet on June 23, 2017, 12:30:58 pmI was thinking the exact same thing!

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2017, 06:43:41 pm
content: Quote from: spudboy488 on June 26, 2017, 11:40:12 amI think a good portion of the border will be too dry to support bushes let alone trees. But, that is not nearly as interesting as: how would that work where the border IS the river. He just may be stubborn enough to look into getting something there as well. Perhaps merely elevating it higher, perhaps a new waterproof version of solar panels, perhaps panels on floats (like the Mulberry harbor or Bailey Bridge)?Or, may be he willwind-powerthat part?Congress said in 2006 that we should build the border barrier. Unlike prior admins that just ignored the law, he as the chief of the executive branch is going to do what he needs to do to satisfy the law.Solar panels with the wall is a good idea. I like to see how that actually worked out as he navigate the landscape - politically or geographically. This is going to be an interesting show.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2017, 07:21:58 pm
content: Quote from: Rick Law on June 23, 2017, 06:21:58 pm

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2017, 08:41:20 am
content: better idea.Every Mexican who cross the Boarder illegaly have to run lets say 100km in the wheel:the create Electric Power.thats free Engery Men. The side effect less and less Mexican cross the Border.I know the US dont have any close relationship with human rights so.

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2017, 10:41:21 pm
content: Quote from: Lord of nothing on June 27, 2017, 08:41:20 amCompared to the actual condition, the 100km wheel-walk is easy.Many of the illegal border crossersendured a lot worst to try to sneak into the USA. They walk days across the desert. If they cannot keep up, they get abandoned by the coyotes (paid group leader/guide). Many died in the desert with bones never to be found. Many females, young or even younger, are raped by their coyotes during the trip. Most are forced to carry illegal drugs as part of the payment to the coyotes.Some abandoned illegal border crossers call 911 or Border Patrol for help. Getting deported back is better than getting killed in the desert. Mexico Emergency Service and the Border Patrol actually work together to help save them.https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2017/06/02/border-patrol-mexico-911-operators-work-to-save-ill-injured-migrants-who-cross-border/Having read many news articles about the fate of many of them, I found it rather difficult to laugh at jokes about what they have to deal with. While I don't want them coming illegally, I do have sympathy for those harmed or died in the attempt.