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sunnyenergysolar · 3 months ago

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Impact of Power outages in Phoenix and How Solar Panels Help You - Sunny Energy

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Impact of Power outages in Phoenix and How Solar Panels Help You — Sunny Energy

The sun-drenched landscape of Arizona is a double-edged sword. While it provides ample energy, the extreme heat and aging infrastructure often result in power outages in Phoenix.

For Phoenix residents and businesses, these disruptions are more than just an inconvenience; they can lead to significant financial losses, safety hazards, and operational downtime.

It’s a sweltering summer day, the air conditioner falters, food spoils in refrigerators, businesses grind to a halt, traffic lights go dark, and medical devices lose power.

The impact of power outages resonates far beyond the flick of a switch. In 2020 alone, Arizona experienced over 120 reported outages affecting more than 1.2 million customers.

These events are projected to increase in both frequency and severity due to aging infrastructure and the escalating impacts of climate change.

In this post, we delve into the growing challenge of power outages in Phoenix, explore how solar panels with battery storage for home are emerging as a reliable solution, and uncover the hidden benefits that extend beyond just keeping the lights on.

The Rising Frequency and Impact of Power Outages

In Phoenix, the summer of 2023 saw a record number of outages, with over 30 reported incidents in July alone.

These disruptions were triggered by a combination of factors, including extreme heat waves, monsoon storms, and equipment failures.

For homeowners, the consequences can be devastating. In one incident, a family in Scottsdale lost power for three days during a heatwave, resulting in spoiled food, discomfort, and the need to seek temporary shelter.

For businesses, the financial impact is even more pronounced. A recent survey by the Arizona Small Business Association found that 60% of small businesses in Phoenix experienced at least one power outage in the past year, with an average cost of $5,000 per incident due to lost productivity, spoiled inventory, and equipment damage. Larger corporations like data centers and manufacturing facilities can face losses in the millions.

The Imperative for Reliable Backup Power

The need for reliable backup power is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity.

Traditional backup generators, while functional, are noisy, pollute the air, and require fossil fuels that can be expensive and difficult to obtain during emergencies.

Additionally, they cannot often power an entire home or business for an extended period.

Solar batteries, on the other hand, offer a clean, quiet, and increasingly affordable alternative.

Backup Generators vs. Solar Batteries: A Clean Energy Choice

When choosing a home battery backup power solution, two options stand out: home backup generators and solar battery systems.

Generators, powered by fossil fuels, can be noisy, emit pollutants, and require regular maintenance. They also rely on a continuous fuel supply, which can be problematic during extended outages or emergencies.

Solar batteries, on the other hand, offer a clean, quiet, and self-sustaining alternative. When paired with solar panels, they can store excess energy generated during the day for use at night or during power outages in Phoenix.

This makes solar batteries or home battery backup a more environmentally friendly and reliable option for long-term backup power.

Solar Panels & Power Outages in Phoenix: How They Work

Even during a power outage, solar panels continue to generate electricity from sunlight. However, grid-tied systems without a battery will automatically shut down for safety reasons when the grid goes down. This is where solar batteries come in.

They store excess energy produced during sunny periods, allowing you to tap into this power reserve when the grid fails.

Advanced solar systems with home battery backup can seamlessly switch between grid power and battery power, ensuring a continuous flow of electricity to your home or business.

This seamless transition means you might not even notice when an outage occurs.

The Unrivaled Benefits of Solar for Phoenix Residents

1. Uninterrupted Power Supply: Amidst the Arizona sun, where summer heat waves and occasional monsoons can strain the power grid, solar batteries emerge as a beacon of reliability. They store excess energy generated during peak sunlight hours, ensuring a seamless power supply even when the grid falters. From powering essential medical devices to keeping air conditioning running during sweltering afternoons, solar batteries safeguard your comfort, security, and financial well-being.

2. Energy Independence and Financial Freedom: Bid farewell to the unpredictable roller coaster of rising electricity rates. By harnessing the sun’s abundant energy, you gain control over your energy consumption and costs. With solar panels, you not only reduce your reliance on the grid but potentially eliminate your monthly electricity bills altogether. Arizona’s net metering programs further empower you by offering credits for surplus energy you generate, effectively turning your home into a mini power plant.

3. A Greener Tomorrow, Today: Embracing solar power is a testament to your commitment to a sustainable future. Solar panels produce clean energy, free from harmful greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. By choosing solar, you become an active participant in the fight against global warming, safeguarding the environment for generations to come.

4. Boosting Your Home’s Value and Appeal: Beyond the tangible benefits, solar panels add a layer of desirability to your property. Studies have consistently shown that homes equipped with solar panels command a premium in the real estate market. Potential buyers recognize the value of reduced energy costs, reliable power supply, and a reduced carbon footprint. Thus, solar panels not only enhance your current lifestyle but also serve as a wise investment for the future.

Conclusion

Power outages in Phoenix are a reality, but they don’t have to cripple your home or business. Solar panels, combined with battery storage, offer a powerful solution to keep your lights on, your operations running, and your bottom line healthy.

If you’re an Arizona resident or business owner, now is the time to consider investing in solar. Not only will you gain energy independence and resilience, but you’ll also contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future for Phoenix and beyond.

Being among the best Arizona solar companies, innovation is at the heart of Sunny Energy’s mission. They are constantly exploring new technologies and techniques to improve the efficiency and affordability of solar energy systems. This dedication to innovation ensures that Sunny Energy remains at the forefront of the industry and is considered one of the top solar power companies in Arizona, offering cutting-edge solutions to their customers.

#solar #power outage #phoenix #solar power #solar energy #sunny energy

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newstfionline · 4 months ago

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Sunday, July 14, 2024

Trump injured but ‘fine’ after attempted assassination at rally (AP) Former President Donald Trump was the target of an assassination attempt Saturday at a Pennsylvania rally, days before he was to accept the Republican nomination for a third time. A barrage of gunfire set off panic, and a bloodied Trump, who said he was shot in the ear, was surrounded by Secret Service and hurried to his SUV as he pumped his fist in a show of defiance. Trump’s campaign said the presumptive GOP nominee was doing “fine” after the shooting, which he said pierced the upper part of his right ear. The FBI early Sunday identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Secret Service agents fatally shot Crooks, who attacked from an elevated position outside the rally venue at a farm show in Butler, Pennsylvania, the agency said. One attendee was killed and two spectators were critically injured, authorities said. The attack was the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. It drew new attention to concerns about political violence in a deeply polarized U.S. less than four months before the presidential election.

Heat-Related Emergencies Are Soaring in the U.S. Can Hospitals Keep Up? (NYT) On a recent Friday in Albuquerque, as triple-digit temperatures stretched into the evening, a 69-year-old man collapsed in his home. His body temperature hit 107.7 degrees by the time emergency responders whisked him to the University of New Mexico Hospital. Nurses and emergency physicians began a process to save him, but the man’s blood pressure had plummeted, and he suffered a heart attack. Less than 24 hours later, he was dead. Extreme heat has blanketed much of the United States this summer, killing more than a dozen people in Oregon in recent days. Large parts of California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah have been under excessive heat warnings, which local officials believe contributed to more than 90 deaths in the West this month. The consequences are increasingly playing out in the nation’s emergency rooms. Around 2,300 people died from heat-related illnesses in the United States in 2023, triple the annual average between 2004 and 2018. Nearly 120,000 heat-related emergency room visits were recorded across the United States last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In part, those figures are because heat waves last longer now than they did decades ago.

Houston community groups strain to keep feeding and cooling a city battered by repeat storms (AP) The deafening hum of a generator was a welcome noise Thursday evening at a Houston independent living center where several dozen seniors had lost power in the wake of Hurricane Beryl. Joe and Terri Hackl, who had pulled up with the backup electricity source after delivering hundreds of meals all day, estimate they’ve spent at least 18 hours daily this week filling service gaps around the wind-torn city. Likeminded community efforts have brought relief in the form of fresh food and cool air for some of the millions who sweltered this week without electricity. Beryl knocked power out across one of the nation’s largest cities, pressuring electric utility CenterPoint Energy as outages endured days after the Category 1 storm had passed.While nonprofit and mutual aid organizations have honed their disaster services in a city frequently battered by severe weather, some now find themselves drained by repeat deadly events. A May storm already strained food and energy supplies with hurricane-force winds that similarly left electricity lacking.

Argentina’s inflation edges up in June, breaking a months-long streak in a blow to President Milei (AP) A closely watched measure of inflation in Argentina was stronger than the libertarian government of President Javier Milei would have hoped on Friday, as the official statistics agency reported prices edging up in June and breaking a months-long streak of declines. Argentina’s consumer price index rose 4.6% in June, slightly up from the rate of 4.2% in May. President Milei has touted the falling prices over recent months as a victory in his fight against Argentina’s worst economic crisis in over two decades. After Milei took office in December, monthly inflation peaked at 25%. But the price drop since hasn’t offered much relief to ordinary Argentines as Milei presses on with a radical economic overhaul that involves slashing generous energy subsidies, scrapping price controls and devaluing the Argentine peso.

King Charles III hosts Idris Elba to hear from young people about the troubles they face (AP) We hear you. That was the simple message offered to a group of young people hosted in London on Friday by King Charles III, who also invited Hollywood megastar Idris Elba and Prime Minister Keir Starmer to St. James’ Palace to discuss the troubles that young people face. Elba has used his celebrity status to shine a light on youth violence, urging the British government to ban machetes and serrated “zombie” knives to help stop young people from falling victim to knife crime. In the U.K., which has strict gun-control laws, about four in 10 homicides involve a knife or sharp instrument. But knife crime involving young people in Britain’s cities has prompted particular concern. In London, 21 teenagers were killed in 2023, 18 of whom were stabbed to death. In worrying about the nation’s youth, Elba finds a kindred spirit in the king. Charles has long championed efforts to help young people. As the Prince of Wales, Charles founded the Prince’s Trust—now known as the King’s Trust—which helps young people get jobs, education and training. Since its founding in 1976, it has helped more than 1 million young people across the U.K. And one of those who benefited was Elba, who as a teenager was given a 1,500 pound grant by the trust to attend the National Youth Music Theatre.

France’s unions call for protests to pressure Macron into naming leftist government (AP) With just 15 days before the start of the Olympic Games in Paris, a major French union on Thursday called for mass demonstrations and possible strikes to pressure President Emmanuel Macron into “respecting the results” of recent legislative elections and allow a left-wing coalition to form a new government. France has been at the brink of a governing paralysis since Sunday’s vote for the National Assembly resulted in a legislature split among three political groupings: the New Popular Front leftist coalition, Macron’s centrist allies and the far-right National Rally of Marine Le Pen. The New Popular Front won the most seats but fell short of an outright majority to govern on its own. The alliance’s three main parties, the hard-left France Unbowed, the Socialists and the Greens, have urged the president to turn to them to form the new government.

Russian assassination plots against those supporting Ukraine uncovered in Europe, official says (AP) Western intelligence agencies have uncovered Russian plots to carry out assassinations, arson and other sabotage in Europe against companies and people linked to support for Ukraine’s military—one of the most serious being a plan to kill the head of a German arms manufacturer, a Western government official said. One major plot recently uncovered had targeted Armin Papperger, CEO of defense company Rheinmetall, the official said. Rheinmetall is a major supplier of military technology and artillery rounds for Ukraine as it fights off Russian forces. The company last month opened an armored vehicle maintenance and repair facility in western Ukraine and also aims to start production inside the country. European officials gathered for the NATO summit in Washington this week spoke of dealing with an escalation of “hybrid” attacks that they blame on Russia and its allies. That includes what authorities called suspicious recent fires at industrial and commercial sites in Lithuania, Poland, the United Kingdom, Germany and other nations.

Fire at a Russian oil depot as Russia and Ukraine exchange drone attacks (AP) An oil depot caught fire in Russia’s southwestern Rostov region Saturday following a Ukrainian drone attack in the early hours, local officials said, in the latest long-range strike by Kyiv’s forces on a border region. Ukraine has in recent months stepped up aerial assaults on Russian soil, targeting refineries and oil terminals in an effort to slow down the Kremlin’s war machine. Moscow’s army is pressing hard along the front line in eastern Ukraine, where a shortage of troops and ammunition in the third year of war has made defenders vulnerable. In other developments, Vadym Filashkin, the Ukrainian governor of the partly occupied eastern Donetsk region, said Saturday that Russian attacks on Friday had killed six people and wounded a further 22.

Ambani Wedding (1440) Celebrities, politicians, and other public figures are gathering in India this weekend for what is considered the year’s most lavish wedding event. Anant Ambani (the youngest son of Asia’s richest person, Mukesh Ambani) and Radhika Merchant (the daughter of a billionaire pharmaceutical tycoon) tied the knot in India Friday as part of four-day-long celebrations. The wedding—estimated to have cost as much as $300M alone—comes after a marathon of prewedding festivities that first kicked off in March. Celebrity performances have included Rihanna, Katy Perry, Pitbull, Justin Bieber, The Backstreet Boys, and opera singer Andrea Bocelli. The price tag for the overall monthslong wedding celebrations is seen as a drop in the bucket for Mukesh Ambani, who is among the top 12 richest people in the world and is estimated to have a net worth of $123B. The guests in attendance this weekend include John Cena, Mark Zuckerberg, Kim Kardashian, and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Israeli strike targets the Hamas military commander and kills at least 90 in southern Gaza (AP) Israel said it targeted Hamas’ shadowy military commander in a massive strike Saturday in the crowded southern Gaza Strip that killed at least 90 people including children, according to local health officials. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “there still isn’t absolute certainty” that Mohammed Deif and a second Hamas commander, Rafa Salama, were killed. Hamas rejected the claim that Dief was in the area, saying “these false claims are merely a cover-up for the scale of the horrific massacre.” The strike took place in an area Israel’s military had designated as safe for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. Not seen in public for years, Deif has long topped Israel’s most-wanted list and is believed to have escaped multiple Israeli assassination attempts. Saturday’s attack was one of the war’s deadliest. The Gaza Health Ministry reported 90 dead and at least 300 others injured.

UN chief urges funds for Palestinians, saying Israel is forcing Gazans ‘to move like human pinballs’ (AP) The United Nations chief appealed for funding Friday for the beleaguered U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees in Gaza and elsewhere in the Middle East, accusing Israel of issuing evacuation orders that force Palestinians “to move like human pinballs across a landscape of destruction and death.” Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a donor’s conference that the agency, known as UNRWA, faces “a profound funding gap.” UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini said at the start of the conference that the agency only had funds to operate through August. UNRWA’s 30,000 staff provide education, primary health care and other development activities to about 6 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

#headlines #news

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nothingnothingaaa · 8 months ago

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Apple Car’s Crash: Design Details, Tim Cook’s Indecision, Failed Tesla Deal

By Bloomberg, Mar 6, 2023

Tim Cook shut down plans to acquire Tesla before cycling through a junkyard’s worth of self-driving designs over the past decade. The inside story is a case study in indecision.

Around the beginning of 2020, Apple Inc.’s top executives gathered at a former Chrysler testing track in Wittmann, Arizona, to try out the latest incarnation of the car the technology giant had been trying for years to make. The prototype, a white minivan with rounded sides, an all-glass roof, sliding doors and whitewall tires, was designed to comfortably seat four people and inspired by the classic flower-power Volkswagen microbus. The design was referred to within Apple, not always affectionately, as the Bread Loaf. The plan was for the vehicle to hit the market some five years later with a giant TV screen, a powerful audio system and windows that adjusted their own tint. The cabin would have club seating like a private plane, and passengers would be able to turn some of the seats into recliners and footrests.

Most important, the Bread Loaf would have what’s known in the industry as Level 5 autonomy, driving entirely on its own using a revolutionary onboard computer, a new operating system and cloud software developed in-house. There would be no steering wheel and no pedals, just a video-game-style controller or iPhone app for driving at low speed as a backup. Alternately, if the car found itself in a situation that it was unable to navigate, passengers would phone in to an Apple command center and ask to be driven remotely.

This Canoo electric van gives you a general idea of what the prototype car Apple tested in Arizona looked like. Apple’s was white, with whitewall tires and a sliding door.

In the Arizona desert, Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook, Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams and senior members of Apple’s design team sat in the prototype as it drove itself around a test track. They loved what they saw. But there was a catch, as the car project’s head, Doug Field, made clear: A lot of work still needed to be done before the autonomous driving system would work in the real world. Field, who’d been hired away from Tesla Inc. to oversee the project, proposed scaling back the self-driving goals to Level 3, which requires a human driver to be ready to take over at a moment’s notice, not watching TV or FaceTiming in a backward-facing seat. But Field’s bosses wanted Level 5.

The next year, Field left Apple to take over the electric-vehicle and software engineering efforts at Ford Motor Co. Under Field’s successor, Kevin Lynch, who also runs Apple’s smartwatch software group, the car’s design continued to evolve. It had become pod-shaped, with curved glass sides that doubled as gull-wing doors, and the company considered including ramps that would automatically fold out to make heavy cargo easier to load. The front and the back were identical, and the only windows were on the sides, a design choice with potentially dire consequences in the event that a human needed to do any driving. (Front and rear windows were later added.) Some people on the project called it the I-Beam.

The I-Beam never made it into production, nor did any of Apple’s other designs. Now, it seems, they never will. On Feb. 27, Apple told staff it was giving up on developing a car. That decision, while abrupt, was not a surprise. Over the past decade, the company toiled away on at least five different major designs, drove prototype self-driving systems for more than a million miles, hired engineers and designers only to lay them off, and weighed partnerships or acquisitions with Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen and McLaren Automotive, among others. The car program cost, on average, roughly $1 billion annually (or nearly a fifth of Apple’s research and development budget a decade ago), with outside teams for chips, camera sensors, cloud services and software adding hundreds of millions of dollars more to the yearly spend.

Source: Compiled by Bloomberg. Automakers are the 10 largest companies in the Bloomberg Intelligence Global Automobiles Valuation Peers group

But Apple never got close to realizing its original vision, or any of its subsequent ones. It didn’t get as far as testing a full-scale prototype on public roads. That it didn’t is partly thanks to the enormous technical difficulty of its self-driving goals, as well as the punishing economics of the automaking business. The project was also a failure, at the highest levels of the company, to settle on one thing and do it.

“There are a lot of roads you can take when you have a lot of really smart people and a very big budget,” says Reilly Brennan, a partner at the transportation technology venture fund Trucks VC. “But Apple never had the ability to make a bunch of specific decisions to lead them one way or the other.”

This story is based on conversations with several people involved in the development of the Apple car over the past decade, nearly all of whom asked to remain unnamed because the work was private. According to a longtime Apple executive who worked on the car, it was widely seen within the company as an ill-conceived product that needed to be put out of its misery. “The big arc was poor leadership that let the program linger, while everyone else in Apple was cringing,” they say. Asked what went wrong with the effort, a senior manager involved in the vehicle’s interior design replied: “What went right?”

What emerges is a portrait of the product development process at Apple today. The $2.6 trillion company has a history of hugely ambitious bets, and a track record of upending long-established businesses. It’s been a while since it did that, however. The iPhone is 17 years old and its sales declined last year, and newer products such as Apple’s watch and AirPods, while profitable, exist mostly in its orbit. The jury’s still out on the Vision Pro. Right now, the company is looking for its next big thing, and does not seem sure how to find it.

Cook, Jobs and legendary hardware developer Bob Mansfield, later a steward of Apple’s car project, discuss the iPhone 4 during a Q&A at the company’s headquarters in 2010.

It was Steve Jobs who first floated the idea of a car at Apple. In the late 2000s, in a typically grand pronouncement, the company’s co-founder and CEO declared internally that Apple should have dominant technologies in all of the spaces in which people spent time: at home, at work and on the go. For many Americans, being in transit means being on the road, sometimes for hours a day. “We talked about what would be this generation’s new Volkswagen Beetle,” recalls Tony Fadell, who led mobile device engineering under Jobs. In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, with American car companies on the brink of failure, the Apple chief executive even floated the idea of acquiring General Motors Co. for pennies on the dollar.

That scheme was quickly abandoned, in part because Apple decided it would be a bad look and in part because of the need to focus on the iPhone. But in 2014, seeking a new multi-hundred-billion-dollar revenue stream, Cook began to focus again on cars. Apple executives weighing whether to enter the market joked with one another that they’d rather take on Detroit than a fellow tech giant: “Would you rather compete against Samsung or General Motors?” The profit margins in cars were far lower than in consumer electronics, but Apple was coming off a stretch during which it had reshaped not only the music industry but the mobile phone market. To its supporters, the idea of getting into automobiles had the potential to be, as one Apple executive puts it, “one more example of Apple entering a market very late and vanquishing it.” While the initial prototypes operated like traditional cars, these supporters eventually pursued more radical redesigns, invoking a transportation technology experience they said would “give people time back.” The ultimate plan was a living room on wheels where people who no longer needed to drive their cars could work or entertain themselves with Apple screens and services instead.

But before sketching out its own designs, Apple considered acquiring Tesla. At that point the electric-car maker’s success was far from assured, and its value was less than $30 billion, or a 20th of what it is today. Adrian Perica, Apple’s head of corporate development, held a series of meetings with Elon Musk. But Cook, who’d succeeded Jobs three years earlier, shut the deal down while negotiations were still at an early stage. Apple’s chief financial officer, Luca Maestri, formerly the General Motors CFO in Europe, argued that the car industry’s low margins were something the tech company couldn’t easily overcome.

Source: Compiled by Bloomberg

Although the Tesla idea was abandoned, the ambitions didn’t go away. Apple’s newly minted hardware chief, Dan Riccio, received approval to start building a car engineering team, and he hired hundreds of engineers from the auto industry for what came to be known as Project Titan. The team working on the car was called the Special Projects Group. Within the company, it was difficult to find spare engineering talent, with attention focused on preparing for the upcoming Apple Watch release and, later, the iPhone X, but Riccio managed nonetheless to poach several dozen engineers from other projects. Early on, Jay Leno gave the team a tour of his garage for inspiration and a minor lesson in automotive history. Around this time, Riccio, rallying his troops, often would close with “Boys, let’s go build a car!”

The infighting began almost immediately. Maestri, the CFO, remained a skeptic, as did Craig Federighi, Apple’s software engineering chief, who had to donate personnel to what he considered a vanity project. Jony Ive, Apple’s design chief at the time, was more ambivalent, pushing for full driving autonomy but also expressing doubts about the wisdom of the endeavor. Some car fans on the Apple leadership team, including the company’s marketing executives, were resistant to building a product that didn’t look and feel like a car. Services head Eddy Cue suggested that it might be more prudent to just try to make a better Tesla rather than invent an entirely new category of machine.

Similar disagreements played out within Project Titan itself. Steve Zadesky, a former Ford engineer and iPhone executive in charge of much of the car effort, imagined the company starting off with limited self-driving features that could then be improved. Others held fast to Level 5. Perica, the mergers-and-acquisitions chief who’d pushed to buy Tesla, told the Apple car team that the company should build “the first bird,” not “the last dinosaur.” When the group first began staffing up in 2015, the goal was to bring something to market by 2020.

Under Ive, the microbus design emerged. The interior would be covered in stainless steel, wood and white fabric. Ive wanted to sell the car only in white and in a single configuration so it would be instantly recognizable, like the original iPod he’d designed. At one point, the group briefly discussed a more traditional SUV-like design, as well. The team’s secret facility in Sunnyvale, California, was packed with car cabin prototypes and simulators. “It looked like you entered Disneyland—it was chock-full of toys,” says someone who worked in the building.

The team played with several different ideas for the interior, including installing a pair of specialized touchscreens suspended with brackets from the ceiling to control the car from both sides of the cabin. It also engineered microphones to be placed outside the vehicle to bring external sounds into the cabin, something passengers in non-Apple cars did by rolling down a window. “They would add all sorts of crazy features to the car and then realize those were bad ideas and pull them back out, leading to another cockpit redesign,” says an Apple executive with knowledge of the frequent changes.

Throughout much of the process, Apple continued exploring partnerships. Riccio and Zadesky, years after Cook shot down buying Tesla, met with Musk to discuss ways they could collaborate, including the possibility of Tesla producing batteries for the Apple car. That prospect didn’t advance. Musk, who didn’t respond to a request for comment for this story, at one point publicly called Apple a “Tesla graveyard” full of engineers he’d fired. A few years later, he tried to restart talks with Cook as Tesla struggled to build the Model 3. Musk has said the Apple CEO wouldn’t meet.

Talks with Mercedes-Benz progressed further. For a few months, Apple and the German automaker actively worked on a partnership similar to the Tesla idea, but with a twist. Mercedes would manufacture Apple’s vehicle, while it would also sell its own cars with Apple’s self-driving platform and user interface. Apple eventually pulled out, in part because the early work gave its executives confidence they could build a car on their own, people involved in the failed deal say.

At other points, Apple held exploratory acquisition talks with car companies beyond Tesla. The closest it got to a deal was with McLaren. Some Apple executives believed that scooping up the British automaker, which makes a few thousand cars by hand each year and sells them to the super rich, would excite Jony Ive, who’d scaled back his involvement at Apple after the launch of the Apple Watch, and reengage him with the company. The proposed deal, before it fell apart, would have provided Ive with a new design studio in London. Other discussions with BMW AG and, much later, Canoo Inc.—an electric-vehicle startup with a decidedly Apple-esque design aesthetic—went nowhere.

By 2016, Apple hadn’t gotten far, and internal advocates of scaling back its car ambitions began to win out. After the board of directors and senior executives began questioning the program’s viability and asking pointed questions about its costs, there were discussions about shutting down the project. But then Riccio convinced Bob Mansfield, a legendary figure at the company for leading the hardware development of the original MacBook Air and iPad, to come out of semi-retirement to shake things up.

Mansfield was among the car skeptics at Apple. His task, as he saw it, was to find out what could be salvaged from the effort. After a few months of evaluation, he decided to focus more attention on the self-driving system than on a car itself. Autonomous software, he argued, could benefit Apple in other areas, even if the company never made an actual vehicle. Other executives, notably Perica, thought Apple could license such an AI system to other carmakers without dirtying its hands in the auto business itself. Over an 18-month period from 2016 to mid-2018, Apple laid off about 120 people, a significant portion of the car project’s head count, according to people with knowledge of the cuts. FieldPhotographer: Ulysses Ortega

Before Mansfield persuaded Field, the former Tesla executive, to take over for him, he and Cook did manage to agree on an interim direction for the company’s autonomous driving efforts: a self-driving shuttle made in collaboration with Volkswagen for Apple employees to use at its new headquarters in Cupertino, California. That project didn’t come to fruition, either. It was seen as a distraction, and Field shut it down. He also eventually shuttered Apple’s work on batteries and other components he felt Apple could just buy off the shelf.

Field - Photographer: Ulysses Ortega

Under Field, full autonomy continued to be a focus even as it grew to seem less attainable. The Arizona demonstration, which the team spent nine months preparing for, was essentially a proof of concept. The team tweaked the prototype software to take turns and curves slower than usual, to make extra sure it wouldn’t injure Cook. “It was well scripted and well laid out,” says someone involved in its creation. “The intent was to show Tim that if we built this product, this is what it would look like for the customer.” (Apple bought the Arizona test track outright a year after the demo.) The team spent a lot of time working on backup controls for such a car so that a driver could extract it from tricky road situations, such as a complex construction zone. The most fully developed steering wheel substitute looked like the controller that comes with an Xbox. “It should have been either all autonomy or a wheel and pedals,” one person involved in the car’s development says, adding that the company spent a lot of time working on ways to mitigate the issue rather than on the hard problem itself.

There were other, smaller dead ends over the course of the project. Apple started planning a multi-acre engineering campus in Silicon Valley where it would design cars, but never broke ground. At one point, Apple and Ford met to discuss a proposal from the American automotive giant to sell Apple cars from its Lincoln brand, an unglamorous make that’s well-represented in rental fleets, to test the self-driving system. The talks didn’t progress past an early meeting.

For Field, Mansfield and others on the team, Cook’s indecision was frustrating. “If Bob or Doug ever had a reasonable set of objectives, they could have shipped a car,” says someone who was deeply involved in the project. “They’d ask to take the next step, and Tim would frequently say, ‘Get me more data, and let me think about it.’” In that setting, it was hard to retain talent: engineers Apple hired for the project would grow convinced things weren’t going anywhere and find jobs elsewhere. After Mansfield retired, the company tried another leadership change to boost the self-driving system. It put Williams, the COO, and John Giannandrea, Apple’s machine learning chief, in charge of overseeing Field and the project. Field left a year later, in September 2021.

Bloomberg News reported on this photo of a Lexus SUV equipped with early Apple self-driving technology back in 2017. Source: Bloomberg

Under Lynch, Apple never got to a streetworthy prototype. The self-driving technology in the company’s fleet of customized Lexus SUVs did show enough promise that there were plans to expand it to more cities in late 2024, according to people with knowledge of the plan. The idea had always been to sell self-driving as a subscription service, as Tesla does with its driver-support features. Other paid add-ons, such as Apple Music and Apple TV+ streamed to the vehicle, would help make up for the uninspiring margins on car hardware. (Some internal estimates pegged Apple’s cost to produce the car at about $120,000, far more than the $85,000 the company had wanted to charge for it.)

Last year, Apple pivoted one last time. Designs were tweaked to move from Level 5 down to Level 2, the level of Tesla’s current Autopilot, which can control both speed and steering but is assistive technology for drivers rather than their replacement. In keeping with that, the new design also incorporated a more traditional automotive interface: a steering wheel and pedals. “They finally smartened up,” says an Apple executive. “I was like, ‘Guys, you could have done this 10 years ago!’”

But the company had ended up where it began a decade earlier, with a product little different from what was already on the market and a basic, not-great self-driving system. “Kevin Lynch is a sensible person,” says an Apple executive involved in the car decision making. “He tried to bring a pragmatic view to it.” When asked, he made clear that true autonomy might be another decade off. He seems to have finally convinced Apple’s leadership that that was a problem without an affordable or reliable solution in the foreseeable future.

Lynch delivering the keynote address at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference in 2019.

Recently, members of the Apple car organization were studying how the company would produce the less-advanced car. It considered working with Magna International Inc., which builds some models for Jaguar, BMW and Mercedes. But the indecision at the top of the company filtered down, sapping morale. Apple declined to comment for this story, as did BMW, Ford, McLaren and VW. The former Apple executives named in this story didn’t respond to requests for comment. Neither did Canoo or Mercedes.

Around the beginning of 2024, Cook, who’s known for making decisions based on consensus, began seriously considering shutting down the project. “That’s when you started to see members of the leadership of Titan look for jobs at other companies and within Apple,” says someone with knowledge of the matter. People working on powertrains and other car-related engineering products began to depart.

On the evening of Monday, Feb. 26, the roughly 2,000 employees of Apple’s Special Projects Group received an email announcing a 10 a.m. all-hands meeting the next day. On Tuesday morning, the employees gathered in conference rooms and at desks at Apple’s Silicon Valley offices were told that Project Titan was winding down immediately. Lynch and Williams broke the news on a video call, and they didn’t explain the decision.

The meeting lasted about 12 minutes. Both men thanked the staffers for their work and got straight to the reorg and layoffs. Some employees would immediately get shifted to Apple’s AI division, and some would move over to software engineering. A chunk of the team, though, was immediately without a job. Hardware engineers would have the opportunity to apply for roles in other groups, but there aren’t spots for everyone. Other employees, such as the hundreds of car-specific engineers, test track technicians, self-driving car testers and automotive safety experts, received emails with their severance packages. As for the Arizona track, Apple is already working to sell it.

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prettyhennytea · 8 months ago

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Epic Portal Madness: Florida Gators' Under-the-Radar Quarterback Clay Millen Sets Out to Prove Himself in 2024!!

Welcome to the buzzing world of college football transfers! The transfer portal witnessed a jaw-dropping number of 3,000+ player entries during the thrilling 2023 off season. And boy, did it shake things up! Power conference schools were splashing in waves of portal madness, and the Florida Gators football program was right in the mix. They made some exciting additions to their team, with former Wisconsin wide receiver Chimere Dike, Tulane corner back DJ Douglas, and a bunch of highly talented offensive linemen from all corners of the country joining the Gators' ranks. It's safe to say that these players will play crucial roles in the Gators' upcoming season. However, among all the hidden gems Florida scooped up from the portal, one particular addition stands out and has a lot to prove in 2024 - former Colorado State quarterback, Clay Millen.

Let's rewind a bit. Millen, a four-star quarterback hailing from Snoqualmie, Washington, was a hot prospect in high school, attracting offers from powerhouse schools like Oregon, Oregon State, Colorado, Indiana, and Arizona. Despite the numerous suitors vying for his talents, Millen choose to commit to the University of Nevada. Unfortunately, he didn't get many chances to shine as a freshman, given the presence of Carson Strong in the Nevada lineup, prompting him to make a move to Colorado State in 2022. And boy, did he make the most of it!

Millen's 2022 season at Colorado State was nothing short of stellar. While his ten-game performance saw him throw a modest ten touchdowns, he made every single appearance count. With a remarkable 72% completion rate and an average of 8.16 yards per attempt, Millen racked up an impressive 1,910 passing yards in total. Now, the overall numbers might not make your jaw drop, but it's the efficiency and composure he displayed that caught the eyes of football enthusiasts. Let's not forget that he more than held his own against Power Five schools as well. Against Michigan, who secured a coveted spot in the College Football Playoff that season, Millen completed 16 of 20 passes for 137 yards, adding a touchdown and an interception to his tally. And just a few weeks later, facing Washington State, Millen went 25 of 35 for 212 yards with another touchdown and interception. Unfortunately, Millen's 2023 season was marred by an injury that restricted his appearance to just one game. Eager to secure a starting spot in a Power Five conference, he decided to give the transfer portal another shot. With his arrival in the Florida football program, Millen's dreams might just come true.

Here's the deal: Graham Mertz, the former Wisconsin starting quarterback, who found his way to the Gators through the portal, is bidding farewell to the program as he exhausts his eligibility. This leaves the starting quarterback position wide open to competition in Florida. While Millen does face some contenders, such as Max Brown, who served as Florida's backup quarterback last season, Brown's college tenure has seen him throw just 28 passes. Another contender, incoming freshman DJ Lagway, holds the accolade of being ESPN's top-ranked quarterback prospect of this recruiting class and eighth overall.

While Lagway is undeniably talented, Florida may want to ease him into the college game rather than rush his development.

And this is where Millen comes into play, literally. He can contribute to the Gators by aiding Lagway in adjusting to the college football world, solidifying their teamwork and giving Lagway the time he needs to grow. Millen has the potential to be a reliable quarterback for Florida during this transition period. However, trust and a strong camp performance are crucial for him to prove himself and convince the Gators that Lagway will be in capable hands under his guidance. Therefore, among all the players Florida brought in through the transfer portal, Millen has the most to prove.

So let's keep an eye on how this intriguing story unfolds, and let's hope this under-the-radar addition takes Florida's football program to new heights! Go Gators!

#graham mertz #florida gators #university of florida #colorado buffaloes #colorado #dj douglas #clay millen

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therealfantasyguru · 1 year ago

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Week 10 Waiver Wire

Week 9 was a pretty wild week to say the least. From injuries, to surprise studs and surprise duds, to some people coming off IR, there is quite a bit to unpack. However, I'm here to help you sift through the news and noise and get down to my top waiver adds for your leagues.

Tank Dell - this rookie had what we all thought was his breakout in weeks two and three which helped him soar up rookie rankings in seasonal and dynasty formats only to see his star drop just as fast and unexpectedly over the next 5 weeks which didn't even equal his week 3 output. With Texans QB CJ Stroud looking like the Texans future signal caller, it also appears he's found a speedy target along Nico Collins that has become one of Strouds favorite options. His increased usage also speaks to at the very minimum, enough targets to be the top priority this week.

2. Keaton Mitchell - the undrafted rookie went from is he too small

to play, to preseason darling, to one of the most hyped players in all of fantasy. His week 9 break out is no fluke and his 4.37 wheels and ridiculous contact balance remind me of a certain someone in Miami that took the league by storm this year before finding his way to IR. Mitchell only has Gus Edwards and Justice Hill in front of him and while Gus will likely take goal line work, Hill isn't anyone to be scared of in this backfield and Mitchell can be the RB2 as soon as this week's divisional matchup against the Browns.

3. Michael Wilson - owned in just 12% of Yahoo leagues and someone who can actually end up being the best person on this list is the rookie from Arizona. He had solid rookie production given he was playing with a backup QB and a team that for all intents and purposes, doesn't have a high powered offense. That may change this week with the return of Kyler Murray and I imagine Wilson's usage and production both take significant leaps over the second half of the season.

Let me know any questions you may have or if you need any more waivers to consider between now and your waiver period!

#fantasy football #nfl #football #waiverwire #week 10

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batterybackupsaz · 10 months ago

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Generac | Kohler standby generators, best electrical contractor in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Fountain Hills

#Arizona Backup Power

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dertaglichedan · 1 year ago

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How a Saudi firm tapped a gusher of water in drought-stricken Arizona

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/how-a-saudi-firm-tapped-a-gusher-of-water-in-drought-stricken-arizona/

BUTLER VALLEY, Ariz. – A megadrought has seared Arizona, stressing its rivers and reservoirs and reducing water to a trickle in the homes of farmworkers near this desert valley.

But green fields of alfalfa stretch across thousands of acres of the desert land, shimmering in the burning sunlight. Wells draw water from deep underground, turning the parched earth into verdant farmland.

For nearly a decade, the state of Arizona has leased this rural terrain west of Phoenix to a Saudi-owned company, allowing it to pump all the water it needs to grow the alfalfa hay – a crop it exports to feed the kingdom’s dairy cows. And, for years, the state did not know how much water the company was consuming.

The lack of information was a choice.

Soon after the company, Fondomonte Arizona, arrived in the Butler Valley in 2015, state planners suggested asking the company to install meters and report its water use, according to a memo reviewed by The Washington Post. That way, the memo argued, the state could “at least obtain accurate information” on water drained from the valley – water that could otherwise serve as backup for booming urban areas.

But the proposal “hit a stone wall,” John Schneeman, one of the planners, told The Post. It was spurned, he said, by officials in the administration of then-Gov. Doug Ducey (R) who were “cautious of tangling with a powerful company.” The proposal also ran headlong into a view, deeply held in the rural West, that water is private property that comes with access to land, rather than a public resource.

The inaction was an early sign of how state officials gave leeway to Fondomonte as a global fight for water took root in the Arizona desert. Leaving water unprotected amid a drought worsened by climate change has been a boon to Saudi Arabia, where industrial-scale farming of forage crops such as alfalfa is banned to conserve the Persian Gulf nation’s limited water supply.

A Post investigation – based on government documents and interviews with public officials, ranchers in the valley, farmworkers, and townspeople who live near the alfalfa fields – found that Arizona’s lax regulatory environment and sophisticated lobbying by the Saudi-owned company allowed a scarce American resource to flow unchecked to a foreign corporation. To advance its interests before the state, Fondomonte hired an influential Republican lawyer as well as a former member of Congress. And it sought to win over its rural neighbors, providing a high school with donations that included Fondomonte-sponsored sports bags and face masks emblazoned with the company logo to protect students from covid.

David Kelly, Fondomonte’s general manager, said the company follows the same rules that govern farming operations throughout the state while going out of its way to save water and serve the community.

“All we ask is to be measured according to the same standards as every other farming leaseholder on state land,” he said in an email. “Fondomonte has developed Butler Valley to be one of the most efficient and highly productive farms in not only Arizona, but the entire Southwest. Our Butler Valley operation utilizes best-in-class irrigation technology and equipment with the oversight and diligence of an experienced management team.”

Fondomonte, he said, “should be heralded for its water efficiency.”

State officials now acknowledge that decades of farming and explosive growth have dangerously diminished Arizona’s water reserves. The rising scarcity has deepened rifts between urban and rural communities and turned Fondomonte into a political flash point. The company is hardly alone in using state-owned land to irrigate crops: Fondomonte holds four of the roughly 20 state agricultural leases across Arizona’s three major transport basins, where state law allows transfer of water to cities. But its foreign ownership and strict limits on water use in its home country have fueled outrage here.

CONTINUED

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daveg65 · 2 years ago

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233 - Karaoke Music Sing With End to End Encryption - With Guest Chuck Joiner and Jeff Gamet

The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave he is joined by guest Chuck Joiner and Jeff Gamet. Apple has added Music Sing karaoke. Our devices will have even more security with end to end encryption and you need to know the key. iOS 16.2 will be out next week with a 10 min limit on everyone setting in Airdrop. The App store has big pricing changes from $0.29 to $10,000.There are 5 more things Apple still needs to release in 2023. Plus a guide to what phones have the fastest 5G in different countries.

The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com

 Direct Link to Audio

Links to our Show

Click this link Buy me a Coffee to support the show we would really appreciate it. intouchwithios.com/coffee

Another way to support the show is to become a Patreon member patreon.com/intouchwithios

Website: In Touch With iOS

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News

Apple Shares Most Popular Podcasts of 2022

Twitter Blue will be more expensive on iPhone to offset App Store fees

Apple Announces App Store Changes, Including Expanded Pricing Up to $10,000

Biggest Apple News+ magazines may be having a tough time

Tim Cook Confirms Apple Will Buy TSMC Chips Manufactured in Arizona

Apple Music Adding a Karaoke Experience With Apple Music Sing Press Release Apple introduces Apple Music Sing

Then it's limited. Apple Music Sing Limited to Latest Apple TV, Not Coming to Older Models

FDA approves iPhone connectible Dexcom G7 glucose monitor

Apple Abandons Controversial Plans to Detect Known CSAM in iCloud Photos

Topics

Beta this week. Apple Seeds Release Candidate Versions of iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2

iOS 16.2 for iPhone Expected to Launch Next Week With These 12 New Features

Apple Seeds watchOS 9.2 Release Candidate to Developers

Apple Seeds Release Candidate Version of tvOS 16.2 to Developers With Apple Music Sing

Apple Expanding 10-Minute 'Everyone' AirDrop Limit to All Users With iOS 16.2

Apple Music Sing Now Available in iOS 16.2 Release Candidate

End to end encryption on Apple devices! We review this latest addition to secure your data. Along with setting up a contact that can help unlock if you don’t have the key. Apple Plans New Encryption System to Ward Off Hackers and Protect iCloud Data

Apple news release Apple advances user security with powerful new data protections

Apple Announces End-to-End Encryption Option for iCloud Photos, Notes, Backups, and More

Apple Previews New iMessage and Apple ID Security Features Coming in 2023

Everything You Need to Know About Apple's New iCloud Encryption Feature

Fastest 5G phones around the world. Details on the Fastest 5G Mobile Devices

We explain what all these symbols are. What the cellular, Wi-Fi, and satellite symbols mean on your iPhone or iPad

Apple Still Has These 5 Things to Release Heading Into 2023

Our Host

Dave Ginsburg is an IT professional supporting Mac, iOS and Windows users and shares his wealth of knowledge of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and related technologies. Visit the YouTube channel https://youtube.com/intouchwithios follow him on Mastadon @daveg65,

Twitter @daveg65.and the show @intouchwithios

Our Regular Contributor

Jeff Gamet is a podcaster, technology blogger, artist, and author. Previously, he was The Mac Observer’s managing editor, and Smile’s TextExpander Evangelist. You can find him on Mastadon @jgamet as well as Twitter and Instagram as @jgamet His YouTube channel https://youtube.com/jgamet

About our Guest

Chuck Joiner is the host of MacVoices and hosts video podcasts with influential members of the Apple community. Make sure to visit macvoices.com and subscribe to his podcast. You can follow him on Twitter @chuckjoiner and join his MacVoices Facebook group.

Here is our latest Episode!

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assuranceelectrical · 2 years ago

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How Much Do Home Generators Cost in Arizona?

Manufacturer The value of a house generator can only be determined during a power outage. An extended power outage in Arizona can be incredibly frustrating for remote workers, costing them time and energy.

This is one of the reasons why a whole-house generator is so important for homeowners. However, not many know the price to install such a piece of equipment, making people wonder, “how much do home generators cost, anyway?”

Surprisingly, it’s not a lot. The initial generator installation costs might be high, but it’s worth it in the long run. Those seeking budget-friendlier options can opt for smaller machines instead.

What Is a Whole House Generator?

Electricity outages can last for an entire day, if not more. The issue gets worse during severe weather conditions when the electrical lines get damaged by strong winds. Situations like this can be easily avoided if your property has whole-house generators. Now, you only need one for your home; however, the size of your property can determine if a single backup generator will be enough.

A whole house generator can also be known as a standby generator, so it’s best to consider them as one tool other than two products. This tool is a stationary appliance that can be used during extended power outages across Arizona.

How Much Do Home Generators Cost?

The price of standby generators can vary from brand to brand; however, homeowners can expect most models to cost less than $20,000. You can also find alternatives that fall under $10,000 too. Here are some factors that can impact the installation cost of generators in Arizona:

Size

The tool’s size is one factor that determines how much it will cost. Solar-powered generators tend to be large, making installations time-consuming and burdensome too. On the other hand, portable generators tend to be smaller, so you can install them on your own too. As a result, such generator costs are significantly lower than solar machines.

Manufacturer

As we mentioned before, the brand is one factor determining the price of a whole-house generator. Cost and quality-wise, Generac is highly-recommended to homeowners. You can also expect Generac home backup generators to run on natural gas or liquid propane. Note that the features offered by the manufacturers will vary. There’s no guarantee that the most expensive model will have the best features, so purchase one that works for your needs.

Wattage

Another important factor that changes the cost to install a backup generator is the wattage supplied to your home’s electrical panel. A backup generator offering up to 2,000 watts can only power a single appliance, which is disappointing. At the same time, you will have to add fuel to the machine frequently to prevent burnout. On the other hand, compact generators can provide homeowners with a maximum of 6,500 watts—enough to last a single day. This range is alright if the power cut is for a short duration. Portable generators are also ideal if you lack space in your home. Owners can easily install the machine independently, but DIY-ing the process can risk short circuits. It’s always wiser to rely on trained professional contractors like us. Larger homes should opt for a standby generator that can provide at least 15 to 18 kilowatts of electricity. This range should supply energy throughout the property for more than a day. However, the installation costs for this type of generator are more than $10,000.

How Whole House Generators Work

A backup generator doesn’t require manual operation. You can expect the tool to switch to transfer mode within seconds of an outage automatically. Power is supplied to the main electrical panel, providing the entire house with backup power. You can check the amount of energy consumed by the machine on your home’s electrical system.

Some machines operate on natural gas, while others can run on propane. You can expect a natural gas generator to cost more than liquid propane generators, so consider their differences before installation. No matter which model you opt for, remember to check the gas meter on the utility grid now and then to prevent the machine from burning out.

Other Types of Generators Available on the Market

There are multiple variations to a generator, with most ranging from super expensive to cheap. Other than whole-house generators, here are two more popular variations for properties in Arizona:

Portable Generator

Homeowners on a tight budget can consider purchasing a portable model instead of an enormous alternative. Such a machine might not be able to supply power throughout your entire home, but it can provide electricity to specific outlets. On the other hand, portable generator prices are also low, making them a cost-effective substitute for a diesel generator.

Are Portable Generators Worth Installing?

Most portable generators operate on your home’s existing gas line. However, you can also find models that run on liquid propane.

While the average cost of installing a compact generator is low, other risks are associated with it. Firstly, a portable alternative can never supply backup power to your entire home, so it’s best not to install one in areas with frequent electricity outages. However, compact machines can power a sump pump and other small appliances.

On the other hand, improper usage can cause carbon monoxide poisoning inside your property. It is vital to ensure proper maintenance in your house if you want to prevent lethal carbon monoxide poisoning.

Solar Generator

This other type of generator operates on solar energy, making it an eco-friendly alternative to modern machines. There is an inverter inside the tool, which converts energy to alternating current (AC) with the flick of a transfer switch. Having solar generators permanently installed on your property can produce electricity during long-term outages. You don’t need a natural gas line connected to the machine.

Work With the Pros

Frequent power outages can drive homeowners to make hasty decisions when purchasing generators. Make sure to rely on a professional contractor to install a generator instead of doing it yourself. Hire an expert who complies with local building codes too.

source

https://assuranceelectricalaz.com/blog/how-much-do-home-generators-cost/

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ty-bayonet-betteridge · 1 year ago

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ok Parahumans/WOE.BEGONE crossover freeform thoughts here:

i want mikes power to fuck even harder with his identity issues somehow. not certain how, but somehow. theres a lot of moments that would make great triggers for him - i think my favorites for this are either Matt's death, Matt's revival, being sent to the middle of the road after CANNONBALL's apartment, killing Matt for the fourth challenge, or killing Punished Hunter after 357a. (i also think he could maybe get a second trigger when Eagle kills him in the Hunter timeline)

Edgar is a Thinker of some sort. he triggers after Elder Hunter drops into Mike's cabin (or in timelines where that gets corrected, when he gets transported to Arizona.) his power maybe makes him exceedingly good at tracking the timelines of retrocausal events?

the tech was invented by Tinkers. |=|_1/\/(|-| is heavily suspected to be an exceedingly powerful Tinker, though this isn't confirmed

Ryan is also a Tinker, but he couldn't build the tech by himself. his specialty involves programming and failsafe mechanisms. he also has some Thinker elements that allow him to understand where to influence events for WOE.BEGONE, and what failsafes and backups and dead man's switches he needs to build.

the Flinchites are doing some fucked up Cauldron-level shit

girl help im coming up with crossover aus before i even finish reading

#luckily the tag for this is easy:#worm.begone #wormblr #parahumans #woe.begone #wbg #w.bg #wbg spoilers

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sunnyenergysolar · 4 months ago

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What Is the life expectancy of solar panel batteries? - Sunny Energy

This Blog was Originally Published at:

What Is the life expectancy of solar panel batteries? — Sunny Energy

As the world increasingly turns towards sustainable energy solutions, solar power has emerged as a leading contender. Solar panels are now a common sight on rooftops, harnessing the sun’s energy to power homes and businesses. One critical component of a solar power system is the solar battery. Solar batteries store excess energy generated by solar panels for later use, ensuring a continuous and reliable power supply. Solar panel batteries typically last between 5 to 15 years, depending on factors such as usage, maintenance, and the quality of the battery.

Homeowners in Arizona face several challenges when it comes to solar power. The intense heat and sunlight in the state lead to higher energy consumption for cooling, increasing the demand for electricity. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Arizona’s residential electricity consumption is among the highest in the nation, with homes using an average of 1,124 kilowatt-hours per month in 2020. This high demand for electricity result in higher utility bills, making solar power an attractive option for many Arizona residents looking to reduce their energy costs and environmental impact.

In this blog, we’ll explore the factors that impact the life of solar panel batteries, how long they last, the average life expectancy of solar panel. batteries, the best solar panel batteries for your home, the basics of solar backup batteries, and the benefits of choosing a solar battery with Sunny Energy.

Factors that impact the life of solar panel batteries

The lifespan of solar panel batteries is influenced by various factors that can significantly impact their performance and longevity. Understanding these factors is crucial for maximizing the efficiency and durability of solar energy storage systems. Here, we delve into the key factors that affect the life of solar panel batteries.

1. Battery Chemistry:

The type of battery chemistry used plays a critical role in determining the lifespan of solar panel batteries. Common types of batteries used in solar energy systems include lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are known for their longevity and require less maintenance compared to lead-acid batteries. They are more efficient in terms of energy storage and withstand a higher number of charge-discharge cycles, to be a preferred choice for many solar installations.

2. Depth of Discharge (DoD):

The depth to which a battery is discharged and recharged, known as Depth of Discharge (DoD), is a key factor that affects its lifespan. Shallower discharge cycles, where the battery is not completely drained, typically result in longer battery life. On the other hand, deep discharge cycles, where the battery is heavily drained, can shorten the lifespan of the battery. It is important to properly size the battery bank and manage the depth of discharge to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

3. Temperature:

Temperature is another critical factor that can significantly impact the lifespan of solar panel batteries. On the other hand, moderate temperatures are ideal for maximizing the lifespan of batteries. Proper ventilation and temperature control are essential to prevent overheating and ensure optimal battery performance.

4. Maintenance:

Regular maintenance is essential for extending the life of solar panel batteries. Proper maintenance practices, such as ensuring proper ventilation, cleaning terminals, and monitoring the state of charge. Regular inspections and maintenance can also help identify any potential problems early and prevent costly repairs or replacements.

5. Usage patterns:

The usage patterns of the solar panel batteries also play a crucial role in determining their lifespan. Heavy usage or frequent deep discharges can put a strain on the battery and shorten its lifespan. On the other hand, light usage and shallow discharges can help prolong the life of the battery. Proper sizing of the battery bank and managing the usage patterns can help optimize battery performance and extend its lifespan.

How long do solar batteries last?

The lifespan of solar batteries is a crucial consideration for anyone looking to invest in a solar energy system. Several factors influence the longevity of these batteries, including their chemistry, usage patterns, maintenance, and environmental conditions. Understanding these factors can help you make informed decisions when selecting and maintaining your solar batteries.

1. Battery Chemistry:

One of the primary factors that determine the lifespan of solar batteries is their chemistry. Different types of batteries have different lifespans. Lead-acid batteries, which have been used in solar energy systems for many years, typically last around 5 to 15 years. These batteries are relatively affordable but require regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

On the other hand, lithium-ion batteries, which are becoming increasingly popular in solar energy systems, can last 10 to 20 years or more with proper maintenance and usage patterns. Lithium-ion batteries are known for their high energy density and long cycle life, making them a durable and reliable choice for solar energy storage.

2. Usage patterns:

The way you use your solar batteries can also affect their lifespan. Batteries that subject to frequent deep discharges degrade more quickly than those that are used more conservatively. Properly sizing your battery bank and managing your energy usage can help extend the life of your batteries.

3. Maintenance:

Regular maintenance is essential for prolonging the life of solar batteries. This includes ensuring proper ventilation, monitoring the state of charge, and keeping the batteries clean and free from corrosion. Regular inspections can help identify any issues early and prevent them from causing more significant problems down the line.

4. Environmental conditions:

The environment in which your solar batteries are installed can also impact their lifespan. Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can accelerate the degradation of battery components and shorten their lifespan. Proper insulation and ventilation can help mitigate these effects and ensure optimal performance.

The lifespan of solar batteries varies depending on several factors, including their chemistry, usage patterns, maintenance, and environmental conditions. Lead-acid batteries typically last around 5 to 15 years. While lithium-ion batteries last 10 to 20 years or more with proper care. By understanding these factors and taking proactive measures to maintain your solar batteries, and maximize their lifespan and ensure optimal performance for years to come.

Average life expectancy of solar panels

Solar panels are designed to be durable and long-lasting, with an average life expectancy of 25 to 30 years. This longevity is one of the key advantages of solar energy systems, making them a reliable investment.

While solar panels can last for several decades, it’s important to note that their efficiency may decrease slightly over time. This is due to factors such as exposure to sunlight, weather conditions, and normal wear and tear. However, even as solar panels age, they continue to generate electricity, albeit at a slightly reduced efficiency.

To maximize the lifespan of solar panels, regular maintenance is recommended. This includes cleaning the panels to remove dirt and debris, inspecting them for any signs of damage, and ensuring that they are properly installed and connected to the electrical system.

Looking to make the switch to solar power? Sunny Energy, Arizona’s leading solar company, offers expertly crafted solar batteries to ensure a continuous, reliable power supply for your home. With a lifespan of 5 to 15 years, our solar batteries are designed to withstand Arizona’s intense heat and sunlight, providing you with long-term savings on your energy bills. Contact Sunny Energy today to learn more about our solar battery options and make the switch to clean, sustainable energy!

Which are the best solar batteries for your home?

Choosing the best solar battery for your home involves considering various factors such as battery chemistry, cost, lifespan, maintenance requirements, and compatibility with your solar energy system. Here’s a detailed look at some popular options:

1. Lithium-ion batteries:

Lithium-ion batteries are favored for their high energy density, which allows them to store a large amount of energy in a relatively small and lightweight package. They also have a long lifespan, typically lasting 10 to 20 years or more with proper maintenance. Lithium-ion batteries are known for their high efficiency and low maintenance requirements, making them a reliable choice for solar energy storage. While they may be more expensive upfront, their long-term durability and performance often make them a cost-effective option.

2. Lead-acid batteries:

Lead-acid batteries are a more affordable option compared to lithium-ion batteries. However, they have a shorter lifespan, typically lasting around 5 to 15 years. Lead-acid batteries also require regular maintenance, including checking the water levels and ensuring proper ventilation. Despite these drawbacks, lead-acid batteries are still widely used in solar energy systems due to their affordability.

3. Flow batteries:

Flow batteries are a less common but increasingly popular option for solar energy storage. They offer scalability, allowing you to easily expand your storage capacity as needed. However, flow batteries tend to be more expensive upfront compared to other battery types.

The best solar battery for your home depends on your specific needs, budget, and preferences. While lithium-ion batteries considered the top choice for their efficiency and longevity. Lead-acid batteries are more affordable option for those on a budget. Flow batteries offer scalability and long cycle life, making them a viable option for larger solar energy systems. It’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of each battery type and choose one that best fits your requirements.

Solar backup batteries: The basics

Solar backup batteries play a crucial role in solar energy systems by storing excess energy generated during the day for use when sunlight is not available, such as at night or during cloudy weather. These batteries provide a reliable source of backup power, ensuring a continuous supply of electricity even when the sun is not shining.

The basic principle behind solar backup batteries is simple: they store energy in the form of electricity when solar panels produce more power than is immediately needed. This stored energy can then be used later when the demand for electricity exceeds the amount being generated by the solar panels.

Solar backup batteries come in various sizes and capacities, allowing homeowners and businesses to choose the right battery size based on their energy needs. Larger batteries can store more energy and provide longer backup power, while smaller batteries are more suitable for smaller energy requirements.

One of the key benefits of solar backup batteries is their ability to reduce reliance on the grid. By storing excess solar energy for later use, homeowners and businesses can reduce their dependence on traditional grid-based electricity, leading to lower energy bills and a reduced carbon footprint.

Benefits of solar battery with Sunny Energy

Choosing solar batteries from Sunny Energy, a leading Arizona solar company provides numerous benefits that enhance the performance and reliability of your solar energy system. Some of them are as follows:

1. Expertise:

Sunny Energy is best solar company in Arizona, renowned for its extensive experience and knowledge. Their expertise ensures that you receive high-quality products that meet your energy storage needs efficiently.

2. Reliability:

Sunny Energy’s solar batteries are designed for reliability, ensuring a continuous and stable power supply for your home or business. This reliability is crucial, especially during times of high energy demand or inclement weather when grid electricity may be less reliable.

3. Efficiency:

Sunny Energy’s solar batteries are highly efficient, maximizing the amount of solar energy stored and minimizing energy wastage. This efficiency helps you make the most of your solar energy system, saving you money on electricity bills and reducing your carbon footprint.

4. Warranty:

Sunny Energy offers warranties on its solar batteries, providing peace of mind and ensuring long-term performance. These warranties cover defects in materials, ensuring that you receive a reliable and durable product that will last for years to come.

Choosing solar batteries from Sunny Energy offers numerous benefits, including expertise in the industry, reliable performance, high efficiency, and peace of mind through warranties. These benefits make Sunny Energy as one of the top-rated solar companies in Arizona for those looking to maximize the benefits of their solar energy system.

Conclusion

Solar batteries play a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency and reliability of a solar power system, making them an essential investment for homeowners looking to maximize the benefits of solar energy. Factors such as battery chemistry, depth of discharge, temperature, maintenance, and usage patterns influence the lifespan and performance of solar batteries.

At Sunny Energy, we understand the importance of selecting the right solar battery for your home. Our expert team is dedicated to helping you find the perfect solution to complement your solar power system.

Take the next step towards energy independence and sustainability with Sunny Energy. Contact us today to learn more about our solar battery options and how they can benefit your home.

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