Re:4.6B Years On, the Sun Is Having a Moment
by qiqitori on Thursday July 10, 2025 @11:35AM
(#44522192)
On the other hand, you need to buy a new set of batteries every 15 or so years. The other things you mentioned generally don't need regular replacement, and when they do, it's not the whole setup.
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Re:4.6B Years On, the Sun Is Having a Moment
by cogman10 on Thursday July 10, 2025 @11:49AM
(#44522334)
You don't need to replace the whole setup, just the batteries. All the power electronics and interconnects are already there and will last as long as they last.
You also don't technically need new batteries almost ever. Batteries (typically) don't really die, they just lose capacity. After a 15 year runtime instead of storing 10mWh they now store 7mWh. That's still 7mWh. After another 15 years it'll be down to around 5mWh.