Out of all major energy sources, nuclear is the safest

Re:Out of all major energy sources, nuclear is the safest by gwbas1c on Monday July 31, 2017 @04:11PM (#14895478)

I can build a house today in the Northeastern US that's completely solar powered and off-grid. It adds about 15% to the cost to build. (2500 square foot home, 68k for panels, 18k for batteries, an extra 5k for a heat pump instead of a gas or propane heater.) The price of the panels and batteries is only going to drop.

For on-grid solar, the panels are already the cheapest form of energy available, when paired with a heat pump instead of natural gas. (When paired with using a giant resistor they cost equivalent to natural gas.)

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Out of all major energy sources, nuclear is the safest by bsder on Monday July 31, 2017 @06:29PM (#14896440)

> I can build a house today in the Northeastern US that's completely solar powered and off-grid.

1) 2/3 of electricity generated is directly wasted

2) 2/3 of electricity not wasted goes to industrial and commercial sectors, only 1/3 goes to residential.

3) That's wonderful until you get a string of overcast days and your batteries discharge. Then you need grid backup.

See: https://flowcharts.llnl.gov/content/assets/images/energy/us/...

[ Parent | on HN ]