#best solar panel deals

[solarredau]

Look no further for the best solar installation companies in Australia when Solar Red is here! https://solarred.com.au/best-solar-company-in-australia/

[miqenergy]

How to Get the Best Solar Deal in NSW

Solar power can help you save money on electricity bills and make a positive impact on the environment. But how can you get the best deal?

One option is to join a community battery scheme. These schemes offer no upfront costs and can help you reduce energy costs and contribute to a greener Australia.

The NSW Government Solar Rebate

The NSW Government Solar Rebate is a great way for households in the state to save money on their electricity costs and reduce their carbon footprint. It offers a range of incentives to help make solar energy more accessible to low-income households, including the best solar deal nsw feed-in tariffs.

Solar panel owners can also benefit from incentives by connecting their systems to virtual power plants (VPPs), which can further reduce electricity costs. This is particularly helpful for households with limited space to install solar panels, and is a great option for those who want to maximise energy savings.

Many electricity retailers in NSW offer competitive and flexible solar feed-in tariffs. These include Simply Energy, GloBird Energy, and Alinta Energy. These companies often offer discounts or promotions for new customers. However, it is important to compare offers and find the best solar plan nsw for your needs. The feed-in tariff is the amount you receive for supplying excess solar energy back to the grid. It typically ranges from 5c to 12c.

The Feed-in Tariff (FiT)

The NSW Government offers a solar rebate to encourage households to install renewable energy systems. The rebate will be applied to your electricity bill and can cover up to $350 per year.

The Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme was designed by the state government to promote renewable energy generation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It requires participating licensed electricity suppliers to make payments for electricity generated by accredited installations.

A home or business that generates more electricity than it needs can export the surplus to the grid. The power company then pays the owner a fixed price for each unit of electricity they send back. This payment is known as a FiT rate.

This rate can vary depending on the power company and their specific policies. As the upfront cost of solar systems has dropped over the last 10 years, this incentive is not as important for consumers. However, it is still a great way to help offset the costs of installation and encourage consumers to reduce their energy consumption.

The eligibility criteria

The NSW government is offering residents who receive the Low Income Household Rebate a free three-kilowatt solar system. The offer is available for homeowners in the Sydney metropolitan area and selected regional postcodes. If you are interested in receiving the rebate, make sure that your home meets the requirements.

The primary eligibility criteria for the NSW rebate for solar is household income, which must be below $180,000 per year. Additionally, you must own your home or have permission from the owner to construct a grid-connected solar energy system on your property.

You may also qualify for a rebate by using Small-scale Technology Certificates (STC’s) – formerly known as Renewable Energy Certificates – to reduce the upfront cost of your system. These are awarded to households that install a new solar PV system and connect it to a Virtual Power Plant. STC’s are worth a value based on the size of your system and your location in the state.

The installation process

The NSW government solar rebate is a great incentive to invest in a renewable energy system. The program is designed to reduce peak demand and help the state reach its energy goals. It also provides incentives for using battery systems in conjunction with a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) scheme.

Choosing an accredited solar retailer is a crucial step in the process of installing your system. Make sure that the retailer has a good reputation and offers quality products. You can also ask for a quote from the retailer and compare it to other quotes. Make sure that the solar system you choose will meet your budget and requirements.

Electricity retailers will assign a value to exported solar electricity, so it is important to shop around for the best deal. The solar rebate will significantly lower the upfront purchase cost of a solar Sydney. Moreover, the feed-in tariff will continue to cut your electricity expenses for years to come.

[quicksolar1903]

Trusted Commercial Solar Installers in Brisbane | Expert Solar Services

QuickSolar, your trusted Commercial Solar Installer in Brisbane, provides top-tier solar solutions for businesses. Our expert team ensures efficient installations to help you reduce energy costs and embrace sustainability. Serving Brisbane and surrounding areas, we deliver high-quality solar systems tailored to your business needs. Contact us at 1300 969 557 or visit us at Level 1, 16 McDougall Street, Milton, QLD 4064, Australia, for reliable and cost-effective commercial solar solutions.

[mrwizardsolarelectrical]

Solar System Deals - The Best Way to Save Money With Solar

The cost of solar is going down, and it's a great time to install. But you need to understand all your options before making a decision. Despite the media hype about so-called free solar panels, there is no such thing. The best way to save money with solar system deals is to purchase your system outright and take advantage of tax credits and rebates available in your state. Learn more about the process, and get free, custom quotes from pre-vetted solar installers in your area through EnergySage.

There are many benefits to installing a rooftop solar energy system, and most of them are environmental in nature. In fact, renewables are already cheaper than fossil fuels in a majority of states. But financial gains are also a driving force for most people looking to make the switch. With electricity costs continuing to rise, and the price of solar panel technology dropping, it's more affordable than ever for homeowners to make the switch.

Solar costs have come down a lot in the last decade, but there are still barriers to adoption that need to be addressed. Soft costs, which include labor, customer acquisition, and permitting/inspection/interconnection, remain higher than they are in other markets. Additionally, changes in government trade policy can impact hardware prices.

In order to reduce soft costs and increase access, solar advocates are working with local governments to reduce barriers to going solar. SEIA is proud to lead a number of projects, including the SolSmart program that helps local governments streamline processes and connect potential customers with qualified installers.

Homeowners can choose to pay for their solar panels outright, finance them with a $0-down loan, or enter into a solar lease/power purchasing agreement (PPA). The first option is the most economical in the long run, as it allows you to claim all available federal and state incentives, and you will own your system outright. The second option is more expensive in the short-term, as interest payments will eat away at your energy savings over the initial payback period. It is a good idea to consult a solar calculator for a detailed financial analysis of the various options available.

Depending on where you live, you may have different energy costs and peak sunlight hours, which will affect how many solar panels are needed to meet your household electricity needs. The type of appliances in your home and your daily electrical demand will also have an effect on the size of your system and overall savings.

While it is impossible to say that a 'free solar' or 'no cost solar program' is worth it, there are many other reasons why you should consider making the switch. When considering any solar deal, you should always weigh the pros and cons to determine if it makes sense for your unique situation. If saving money or eliminating utility bills are the main drivers, then it is important to shop around and find the best value for your specific situation.

Tom Mitchell heads up the team at Mr Wizard Solar & Electrical, an Australian owned and family operated business located in Brisbane, in Queensland’s south-eastern region.

[cybertron-after-dark]

Average transformers g1 episode:

Megatron is attempting to black out the entire sky across a hundred mile radius and funnel all the sunlight into one, concentrated solar death ray to target a heavy duty solar panel he's having soundwave and the cassetticons build in order to convert it to energon. Then he plans to hit the autobot base with the death ray just for funsies. Starscream plans to push Megatron directly into the death ray, also just for funsies.

Optimus sends Wheeljack and Spike to deal with it, along with two bots you're pretty sure have not been in this show before this point, but you're kind of past asking how many of these fuckers were on the ark offscreen when it crashed. One of them has the worst fake Canadian accent you have ever heard, and the other's name sounds inexplicably dirty.

Starscream tries to get Megatron to stand in the spot he told Skywarp and Ramjet to direct the death ray, but is interrupted when Rumble asks why Starscream stuck him with extra work (a task Megatron assigned specifically to Starscream). This vexes Megatron. The autobots show up and try to figure out what the point of the blacked out sky is while Starscream attempts to talk his way out of it. Then the death ray goes off two feet away from Megatron, which only pisses him off further.

The Canadian bot yells "AH BINARY-BEAVERS!!" because the death ray caught him off guard and completely gives away the bots' position. Soundwave immediately fires on them. Gratuitous robot violence ensues. Spike is generally useless and tries chucking rocks at Rumble. Megatron is too busy trying to almost-murder Starscream to bother with the autobots and just lets Soundwave handle it.

Probably-an-innuendo-name-bot is luckily a flier and takes the chance to see what's blocking the sun now that their cover's blown anyway. He gets up there and the seekers are sticking tinfoil on the clouds to make the tops reflective. The writers are really just hoping you don't think too hard about it.

Skywarp starts firing on dirty-name and calls him a nerd. Dirty-name takes evasive action. Skywarp runs out of ammo and starts just chucking tin foil at him. Dirty-name calls him dumb and says his processor is made of spare toaster parts. Then he crash lands and canada-bot asks if dirty-name's wings are spare toaster parts as well. Wheeljack yells that they'll all be spare toaster parts if they don't focus on the decepticons. The death ray goes off again and barely misses the autobots. Wheeljack corrects himself to Melted spare toaster parts.

Dirty-name gives Wheeljack the rundown on the tinfoil clouds so he can figure out a way to get rid of them while Canada-bot fights Soundwave and the cassettes in the background. Spike is kind of helping too sort of almost. Those rocks hes chucking sure are damaging. Ravage gets straight up drop kicked. It cuts back to Wheeljack whipping up a good old fashioned Device™️.

Starscream flies up past the tinfoil barrier while Megatron shoots at him. All the holes he's shooting in the blackout barrier are just making more, slightly shittier death rays and the main one is losing concentration. One of them hits Megatron right in the optic and he keels over with an over the top screech. Starscream descends, breaking another hole in the tinfoil to see a golden opportunity.

"MEGATRON HAS BEEN BLINDED!!! I, STARSCREAM AM NOW YOUR LEADER!!!"

Wheeljack finishes his Device™️: A grenade that makes tinfoil entirely invisible, thus rendering the whole weapon unusable. The writers are hungover, please do not think about it too hard. Pretty please. Dirty-name doesn't know if he can throw it into one of the holes in the barrier on his own since he can't fly in robot mode and he cant throw in altmode. Spike offers to get on his back and throw it in for him if he can get close enough. And he's just SO good at throwing things. The other two agree he's their best shot, they're so happy spike is around, couldn't do it without him.

Starscream is hovering in the air as he gives his Decepticon Leader Acceptance Speech he's prepared for this very occasion, golden light streaming in from the him-shaped hole in the barrier. Dirty-name and spike zip past him and spike makes the best goddamn throw of his life. Before starscream can properly question the Fucking Audacity of these autobots interrupting him while he's trying to have a moment, the invisible explosion goes off that the animators are just happy they don't have to put that much effort into drawing. Starscream gets knocked out of the air and crashes directly onto Megatron. This vexes Megatron.

Sky's normal again. Don't worry that there's still tinfoil there, don't even fuckin worry about it dude. Spike and Dirty-name touch back down. Round of applause for spike for throwing super good. Wheeljack comments that he's just happy it blew up the way it was supposed to. Cue uncomfortably long laughing. Megatron manages to roll starscream off him and calls for a retreat.

Back at the decepticon base, Megatron has an eyepatch and is skulking. Starscream yaps about how it makes him look like a proper tyrant, brooding and battle scarred, and, dare he say, darkly handsome? This vexes Megatron.

[eguanasolar]

Where to Buy Solar Panels in Adelaide and South Australia

There is a big demand for buy solar panels in Adelaide and South Australia. This is a good thing, as installing solar will help you save money on your power bills, reduce your carbon footprint and increase the value of your home.

If you’re thinking of investing in solar panels, you need to make sure you choose the right ones for your home and the local climate. You should also look for a professional installer to ensure your system is designed and installed properly.

The cost of solar panels varies greatly depending on the type and quality of hardware used and how much you can claim in rebates. The installation price can range from between $5,000 and $8,000. You can expect to get better value for money by choosing a long-established, local solar panel installer as they have more experience and support for their systems.

Solar Warehouse Australia

Established in 2010, Solar Warehouse Australia is an Adelaide-based solar retailer and service provider that offers a range of renewable energy solutions, including residential solar panel and battery systems. Using solar products from brands such as LG, JinkoSolar, Canadian Solar, Enphase and Tesla, the company claims to provide its customers with a high-quality, tailored service.

DQ Electrical & Solar

DQ Electrical & Solar is an Adelaide-based electrical and solar company that provides installations for both commercial and residential properties. The firm offers tailored solar panel and inverter installations for its clients, as well as maintenance and inspection services.

Founded in 2010, DQ Electrical & Solar is an accredited LG distributor and is an authorised installation and maintenance contractor for the popular Tesla Powerwall 2 battery system. The company also provides a range of other electrical services, including appliance installation and LED lighting.

Adam Solar

With over 12 years in business, Adam Solar is an Adelaide-based, family-owned solar panel installer that focuses on providing its customers with high quality, long lasting and reliable solar systems. It has installed over 7,500 solar systems and claims to use only the best quality, high-end manufacturers in its installations.

Its installation process is customised to the needs of its customers, and it claims to offer free, no-obligation quotes from its solar experts. Its installation services include inverter and panel replacements, as well as ongoing inspections and cleaning.

Venergy

Based in Adelaide, Venergy is a renewable energy and storage company that has been providing its customers with solar solutions since 2009. The firm aims to provide a comprehensive service to its customers and uses brands such as SunPower, Trina Solar, Fronius and Delta for its installation work.

In addition to providing solar installations, Venergy offers a range of other services, such as battery and microgrid solutions, EV chargers and hot water heat pumps. The company also runs a refer a friend program and provides a discount for its installations to customers who recommend their services to friends.

At Eguana Solar, we assemble all our solar batteries in Adelaide & have 100% Aussie support! All our solar products are installed by our highly skilled, professional & licensed team directly!

[solarsafariau]

Types of Portable Solar Panels

Portable solar panels are a great way to get started with solar energy. They are lightweight, portable, and easy to set up. The most common size is the 100W model. Most of the portable solar panels Sydney on the market use monocrystalline cells, which are cost-effective. These cells can produce up to 11A or more per hour in good conditions. However, in inclement weather, they will produce fewer than 3A.

Using a solar panel is a clean and green way to power your home. The power from your panel can be stored in a battery, and then used for a variety of applications. There are many different types of portable solar systems available, but if you have limited space, you might want to consider an expandable solar system. This type of system is an economically responsible choice if you have room to install the system.

Solar panels come in a variety of styles, from blankets to rigid structures. When you are looking for a portable solar panel, you will have a choice of three main types: the suitcase style, the foldable, and the hybrid. Each style has its own advantages, and you will need to find the right one for your needs.

Suitcase-style portable solar panels are a bit bulky and do not provide the same level of flexibility as folding models. Generally, these are best suited for rooftop use, but they can be carried around for convenience.

Foldable solar panels are a newer technology, but they have proven to be a popular choice. They are made from durable fiberglass, and feature a built-in shoulder strap. In addition, they fold up into a compact form factor. Some foldable panels include a USB port, which makes it easier to charge your phone and other devices.

One of the more interesting features of a folding solar panel is its ETFE coating. This coating provides the panel with some serious protection against dirt, dust, and debris. It is also more flexible than glass, and can withstand higher temperatures.

As a result, these solar panels are more affordable and durable. You can even purchase a solar panel that is pre-wired. Typically, you'll need a 100Ah deep cycle battery to store the energy produced by your portable solar panel. If you need more power, you can purchase an additional battery.

A hybrid power system is a type of solar power system that incorporates a battery bank. These systems are generally used in remote areas where electricity is not readily available. They are also commonly used in conjunction with wind and/or solar power. Because of their ability to store energy, they are a useful solution for people who are always on the move.

The best portable solar panels are made with A-grade cells, which are the highest quality. These cells are covered with an ETFE film to protect against dirt and debris. Ideally, you should give your panel a once-over every month.

Another thing to consider when shopping for a solar panel is its warranty. Many distributors offer a 25-year warranty. Make sure to check with your local retailer to determine how long your panel will last.

Solar Safari are Sydney based Clean Energy Council Approved Solar Retailer, focused on tailoring solutions to meet your residential or commercial requirements. Our team of dedicated and experienced professionals have in-depth knowledge about Sydney’s Solar conditions and will design a system to suit your specific needs.

[certifiedsolar]

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Brisbane?

If you are looking to reduce your carbon footprint and save money at the same time, installing a solar power system in Brisbane is the ideal choice for you. In fact, with the right components and installation, you may be able to save up to 50 percent of your electricity bills for the next 30 years. The average solar panel system in Brisbane will generate over five kilowatts of power - which is more than your typical household will use on a daily basis.

However, if you want to save the most money, you'll need to find a system that is compatible with your home and has the best solar panels Brisbane cost. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of options to choose from. Depending on the size of your roof and your budget, you can have a system installed for as little as $4,500, and that's just the base price. You can also find some excellent financing options, so you'll be able to get the solar system you need.

If you're planning to install a solar system in Brisbane, you'll need to consider the right inverter. There are several brands of inverters to choose from, including the LG NeON2 with an efficiency of 20.4%, the GE OLED with a 4.5-year warranty, and the German made, but not-so-cheap EVOS with a 10-year performance guarantee. This isn't a list of every inverter manufacturer available, but a good rule of thumb is to stick with a European-made model for your solar setup.

To figure out exactly what you need to pay for a solar power system in Brisbane, you'll need to calculate your electric usage and the solar system's output. For example, if you want to install a 3.1-kilowatt system, you'll need to spend at least $3,000. But, if you're ready to go all out, you can have a 10kw system installed for a mere $5,000, which is more than enough to replace your home's energy needs.

It's also important to make sure you get the most out of your investment, so if you're unsure of what to look for in a solar panel, it may be wise to consult a professional. An experienced installer will be able to recommend the best system for your home and will be able to show you the best ways to save money over time.

If you want to get the most out of your new solar system, you should also consider energy efficient light bulbs and thermostat adjustment. These can help to cut down on your electric usage, as well as scheduling the consumption of your appliances when they're most productive.

Solar panels can save you hundreds of dollars on your electricity bill each year, so it makes sense to look into getting a solar system installed. Besides saving you money, a system will add value to your property and reduce your carbon footprint. And if you're able to get a rebate, you can save more.

Certified Solar specializes in providing solar energy and energy storage system installations for commercial and residential projects. We transform our clients’ energy needs by helping them drastically reduce and eliminate their electricity bills, aiming for the maximum return on each investment.

[pixeldistractions]

She made this camper so cozy. Who would have thought you could bake bread from scratch in a Dutch oven over the campfire? She served blackberry preserves on toast, planted herbs in tiny pots on the counter, then she filled the produce baskets with actual fresh produce. “That’s what they’re there for, silly,” she said. She watched camper hack videos on YouTube—a cutting board over the sink for more counter space. How clever. She noted the dimensions, and he cut it to size for her. She bought string lights to hang under the awning, a decorative citronella candle for the picnic table.

“You shouldn’t buy so much,” he said. “You don’t need to. If you wait, I’ll buy it for you.”

But he couldn’t, not really, not while also fixing the solar panel and manifesting walls out of scraps and sending back money for his boys. She shouldn’t have to wait for her home to feel homey. He wanted her to feel at home here, so he kept quiet and tried not to notice if she went to Target again for throw blankets or rugs, or towel racks and pot holders. He would just unbox the hardware and install it for her.

It was a silly idea anyway that if they lived simply enough, frugally enough, he might provide everything they needed and wanted, and maybe he could imagine himself the exact opposite of the freeloading loser Colette always said he was.

But Jordan did pick up some work. Very good work, actually. He snagged a small contract with a local university, upgrading their dorm plumbing, and that would keep him occupied for a couple of weeks. It was a nice chunk of change, though of course, Colette would want some of it.

Still, he would have enough money to finish the last of the major repairs. Finally. The only thing left was to replace the solar battery converter, ironically, now that they were plugged into the power grid.

The nights were longer now, but still cozy enough in the lower altitudes of Nevada to spend the evenings outside. They had dinner by the sunset’s last light, then they settled in beside the campfire.

“You don’t have to spend all your money on that battery thing,” she said. “I can pay for some of it.”

“No, you don’t have to. I’ll just pick up a couple more jobs.”

He was weird about taking her money, and she wondered why?

“Okay, I need you to talk to me,” she said, hushed, after taking note that Johanna wasn’t paying any attention to them.

He looked startled, like he was in trouble. She smiled. “No, it’s not like that, don’t worry,” she said. “But, there’s something I’ve been wondering about… why don’t you want me to pay for anything?”

His eyebrows raised, lips pinched.

She stroked his fingers while he refrained from answering her question. “You’re my best friend, you know?”

“You’re mine, too,” he said.

“And best friends tell each other things.”

“I’m… embarrassed of it.”

“You don’t need to be.”

“Okay…” An audible swallow, a slight squirm, a deep breath. “I was younger, twenty-two, after my dad died. I was in a lot of trouble with the foreclosure and some credit debts. So when Colette and I got friendly again, I let her help me out with it. But it didn’t stop there. It was like I would never live that down for the rest of my life, like even after I paid her back, no matter how much money, no matter how much effort, no matter that I stayed home with the boys for two whole years while she finished school, I could never pay her back enough to be even. I still can’t.”

“First, that’s really cruel,” Maria said. “Second, I wouldn’t do that to you. Third, it’s only $800, we can go halves.”

“Yeah, it’s only $800, then I can earn that much in three jobs. Will you let me?”

Every time she felt she might have found an opening to confess her terrible secret wealth, the moment proved to be exactly wrong. “Yeah, of course. But next time, I’ll help. Deal?”

“Sure. But you need to let me make it up to you for all those cozy pillows you bought,” he said, smirking now. She was glad to see that startled panic gone.

“Those pillows were nothing,” she said. “I got them in the clearance section.”

She didn’t know how to tell him that the battery converter would make barely a dent in her savings, and she also wasn’t convinced he would see that as a good thing. It seemed important that he paid for this himself. So she would let him. This time.

— “boxes and squares #5.2: come down from the clouds” (2/10)

previously: a freeloading loser // that money is not for spending on your boyfriend

Next -> // 5.2 start // index

[queersatanic]

Ok, regarding voting/not voting in the US presidential election because neither candidate is a good option: What other choice is there?

I want to understand because I've seen so many people say that voting for the lesser of two evils is pointless and that I must not actually care about marginalized/oppressed people if I choose to do so, but voting in the presidential election is one of the vanishingly few scraps of influence I feel we have in this country.

Does it amount to much? No. Am I happy about it? No. Are we actually living in a democracy? Not even a little bit. Am I under the impression that Kamala Harris would solve every problem ever had around the world? No, absolutely not. The way I see it, voting for Kamala definitely isn't solving problems. It's just preventing Trump from arriving on the scene to create more problems for us because the last thing any of us need on top of the colossal shit-storm we're all currently dealing with is more bullshit, and of the two viable options that we've been given, Kamala is the one that would give us less of that type of bullshit. Again, I'm not happy about it. I'm fully aware that this is a band-aid solution at best, but this is the most influential thing I can do as a US citizen. There is nothing else I could possibly do as a single individual to meaningfully sway who's in power here.

I'm lucky enough to live in a state that allows us to mail our ballots. Voting only takes me like, five minutes, and it seems worth doing if it prevents us from having Trump back in office, even if Kamala is only better by a miniscule fraction of an amount.

So, if voting is truly pointless, if there's truly zero difference between Kamala and Trump, what should we do instead? I really can't imagine an alternative that would result in swift, positive changes for anyone. (Again, not that voting would create swift, positive change either, but it at least seems like it would give us a better chance at positive change eventually.) Anarchy and protesting and raging against the machine are all well and good, but those are also things that will endanger and cause the deaths of vulnerable people, just as much as voting. Not that they aren't also worth doing, because they are, but it seems like it would be just as lengthy of a process and as impactful as it would be to vote in the election. And it's entirely possible to do those things on top of voting in an election. So I want to know what it is that I should be doing instead. Please help me understand. This is a genuine question, I'm not looking to argue, I want to know what other avenues there are and what I'm not seeing about the situation.

So, here is the simplest way to understand this: replace everything you are saying and thinking about "voting" with "signing a petition". It only takes a few minutes, it amounts to more than nothing, etc., etc.

Do you think that signing a petition — any petition — deserves to be given so much money, attention, conversation, and so on that it forms the boundary of political imagination and is used as a synecdoche for political action?

Sign a petition or don't; vote or don't vote. But it's not the most important thing you do, it shouldn't be the thing you devote hardly any of your life to, and it should not be how you neatly reduce other people around you.

This includes voting third party for president.

This includes writing in "Free Palestine" on your ballot.

This includes not voting at all.

The anarchist critique of electoralism is usually not even that you shouldn't do it but to recognize it for what it is: a mostly meaningless gesture over who you want to run the orphan-crushing machine. You can say that it's important to you to select someone who will read a land acknowledgment while operating the machine or that it's critical with global warming to have an orphan-crushing machine operator who will commit to installing solar panels by 2035 or that it's a moral imperative not to cooperate with the machine at all and express no opinion on who the operator ought to be. But none of that has anything to do with stopping the machine from crushing orphans, and the purpose of a system is what it does.

By the way, this is not new or something that privileged keyboard warriors invented in 2013. A hundred years before that, the Japanese anarchist Ōsugi Sakae wrote a short allegory called "The Chain Factory" about people wrapped in chains, making even more chains they add to it, and the only the factory boss has the key to free all of them.

The narrator wants to free himself, but he needs the help of others, and other people have different ideas about how to go about this.

There are so many who do not realize that they are bound by chains. There are many more still who, were they to realize it, would only be grateful for their chains. There are also many who, while not grateful, have resigned themselves to working industriously to forge their chains. And there are the many who, seeing the chain-making as ridiculous, frequently find openings in the watch of the guards to rest their bodies while harbouring selfish delusions in their heads and passionately spouting nonsense about actually being free and not bound by chains at all. It is more foolish than I can bear to watch. I then suddenly cast my gaze about. I found others around me that seemed to be aligned with me. They are few, and they are scattered all around. But they all desire the key to their bellies in the clutches of the master. And like me, they seem to be aware of being unable to take back their keys alone, so they whisper frequently to their neighbours to forge alliances. “They are few; we are many. They are outnumbered. If we act together, we can take back our keys in one fell swoop.” “However, since we make pronouncements about justice and peace, we must not permit violence. We must proceed through peaceful means. There is a simple way to do this.” “Once a year, we send a representative to the master to decide every aspect of our lives. All of those chaps in that meeting are representatives of the master, and if we muster up our own true representatives now, we can be the majority in the meeting, and that's how we can pass the resolutions that we want.” “All we need to do is shut up and forge the chains. Just continue to wrap the chains around ourselves. Then, when the day comes every few years that we choose our representative, we simply vote for our own representative.” Our representative will gradually loosen our chains, and will, ultimately, take back the key to our bellies from the master. We will then find ourselves in a factory under a new organization and a new system of our own ideals, with our chains in the hands of our representative.”

So, how does this relate your question of what you should be doing? Vote or don't vote in the five minutes it takes you. Find whatever slate recommendation you trust most and follow that, then turn it in or throw it away. But live your life.

Talk to your neighbors. Talk to your coworkers. Bring food to each other. Lend tools to one another. Be available to take people to the airport and pick them up from the hospital. Talk about rent. Talk about wages. Talk about working conditions. Exchange contact info so you don't have to call down the drone strike that is cops showing up in your neighborhood over people yelling. Take people into your home when you can so they can escape domestic violence. Shun rapists so they actually face consequences even if it comes at social cost you yourself. Yes, get trained on first aid and shooting, too.

If all that sounds small, you could argue that. It's certainly more personal. But it's the stuff you do every day to build relationships with another another outside of capitalism and hierarchy, or maybe it's just the cigarette burns you put into those things, hollowing them out.

You creating trust with your coworkers so that you can perform a work stoppage together on any day is much more significant that who you vote for on some day because no matter who you vote for president, they will side with "small business owners" and "main street" over your boss shorting you on your paycheck. You talking to fellow tenants about your living conditions matters much more than your vote for city council because even in the most overwhelming Democratic city, county, and state, your electeds will side with landlords over renters. When there is a hurricane or a heat wave or a pogrom, you will know each other and be there for each other.

Vote or don't vote. When you see a petition coming to put abortion rights on your state's ballot, feel free to sign it. But you'd better have other plans when the courts throw it out. You'd better have plans for when political coalitions who don't recognize you as legitimate regardless of what you and people like you do, because that antagonist coalition will ignore the courts and do what they want anyway.

Anti-electoralism is not about voting. It is about opposing the magical thinking that voting is efficacious or will save us from fascism. The special counsel Robert Muller will not save us from fascism, or the courts, or the media, or the Democrats, or the police. There is no "someone else will solve this for us" that you can rely on, so you should engage in a sort of realistic doomsday prepping that isn't just about bugging out and running off but about creating networks of mutual reliance that build up and exercise the muscles now you will need even more in the future.

[skymaiden32]

Secret Keepers

Can be read on AO3 here

Fandom: Thunderbirds

Tagging: @dragonoffantasyandreality @thundergeek59 @janetm74 @katblu42 @liseylou @amistrio @uniwolfcorn @idontknowreallywhy (Please ask if you would like to get alerts when I update or post new stories.)

Continuity: TOS

Synopsis: Jeff’s family are keeping something from him.

Happy Father's Day to all who celebrate! ^^

------

Jeff yawned as he sat up in bed, sparing a quick glance at the barely illuminated clock on the wall. He grimaced. It was seven in the morning, and he hadn’t gotten to bed until three. When would he learn? He huffed; no use laying in bed grumbling, and disappeared into his bathroom to have a shower. Jeff breathed a sigh of relief when he felt the warm water running down his back. Already, he felt a lot more awake, and he was ready to start his day. 

He emerged from his room, ducking out of the way just in time as Gordon barrelled past him, carrying something in his arms that Jeff couldn’t identify. “Sorry, Dad!” His second youngest yelled as he disappeared round the corner. Jeff shook his head. That boy of his was going to get someone killed one of these days, and it was probably gonna be a household member. Luckily for his son, Jeff still felt too tired to deal with it and resolved to just have breakfast instead.

“Oh, Jeff! You’re awake!”

Jeff nodded in acknowledgement at the voice. “Good morning, Mother.”

Ruth Tracy frowned. “We all thought you’d be staying in bed for a bit longer, dear.”

“No point.” Jeff shrugged. “I wouldn’t get back to sleep anyway…”

His mother hummed. “Perhaps you would’ve if you tried.”

He frowned. “Pardon my asking, but why do you want me to get more sleep?” Maybe it was risky to ask the question, but it was one he had to ask. “You’ve always been insistent on all of us waking up early.”

Ruth glared at him immediately, and Jeff realised the risk he’d taken was not worth it. “I heard you get to bed at three this morning, young man. You need sleep.” She took a step towards him, clearly with the aim of herding him back towards his room.

Jeff frowned, trying his best to argue as she grabbed a hold of his arm. “I don’t have time to go to bed, Mother.” She ignored him, now on a mission to get at least one of her family to sleep in. Jeff almost spluttered as he tried, and failed, to resist. “I-I’ve got work to do!”

“Work you can easily do later, son.” Ruth stated matter-of-factly. She opened the door to Jeff’s room, and guided him over to the bed in the middle. “At least try to get some more sleep, Jefferson. Please. You need it.”

Jeff sighed, relenting when he saw that pleading look in his mother’s eyes. “Okay, Mother. I promise I’ll try…”

She nodded with a small smile, closing the door behind her, leaving Jeff to his thoughts. She’d never done that before. And just why was Gordon rushing past his door earlier? What was his son carrying? He huffed, closing his eyes and trying to sleep some more, just as he’d promised his mother. He was tired now, but the mystery was doing it’s best to keep him awake.

It took a few minutes of tossing and turning before Jeff threw the sheets off again, silently grumbling as he opened the door a crack, just in case someone was on the other side, watching and waiting. Looking around, he caught sight of Scott in the hallway, with his back to the door. He was holding his wrist up to his mouth, looking and talking down at an image on his watch. John. Jeff hummed inwardly, listening into what little he could hear of his sons’ conversation. 

“You sure that’ll work, John?” His eldest’s voice was in a hushed whisper. “You know what he’s like…”

“Positive.” John’s voice came back staticky, and Jeff frowned. The signal should be clear as day. He’d have to schedule maintenance for Thunderbird 5. Inwardly, he wondered what the problem might be. Were the antennae crooked? Was it a problem with the solar panels or the on-board nuclear reactor? Was it Tracy Island’s antennae that was the issue? He supposed the answers to that problem could only really be answered by Brains. He came back to the conversation in front of him, only to realise he’d missed a big chunk of it while musing on the comms issue. “...it should be easy enough.”

“Good.” The grin in Scott’s voice was audible. “I’ll let you know how it goes.”

“FAB!” The tiny John gave a thumbs up, and the device shut off, reverting back to a simple watch face. Scott hummed, looking around, before turning towards the lounge.

Jeff watched as he went. Just what was going on here? He didn’t think he’d ever seen his eldest and middle sons acting so secretively before. Well, he made up his mind. He was going to find out. As quietly as he could, he opened up his bedroom door, and sneaked his way down the hall into the lounge. And what he found was…

…His sons setting up some decorations. His mother making some finishing touches to a cake. Brains and Tin-Tin huddled in the corner, fiddling about with some new-fangled gadget of theirs. None of them seemed to have noticed him yet. The banner in the centre of the room caught his eye. 

‘Happy Father’s Day!’ 

Between the increase in rescues and a bunch of yellow tape at Tracy Industries, there’d been so much going on lately. He’d completely forgotten. But clearly, they hadn’t. He could’ve cried. 

“So is John really sure that will work?” Jeff was ripped from his thoughts by Virgil’s voice. The artist was heavily scrutinising a particular decor that was clearly the spacebound astronaut’s suggestion. 

Alan stood next to him, squinting his eyes. “You know what Virg? It will work. It’s space themed!” The youngest Tracy grinned, turning to his brother. “And we all know space is Dad’s favourite place…” He rhymed, a sing-song tone in his voice.

Virgil smiled back. “Yeah, we do know.” They stepped back from the table, revealing a spread of dishes and treats, each one creatively moulded to look like stars, nebulae and the occasional comet. 

“Alright everyone! Looks like we’re all set!” Scott’s voice broke through the organised chaos.

Gordon smirked, almost devilish. “Want me to go wake them up?”

“First of all, Gordon Tracy,” Grandma interrupted, “we all know you, so absolutely not.” Gordon shrugged, unbothered by the accusation. “Secondly,” she turned her head in the direction of the hall. Jeff froze like a deer in headlights. “I think one of them may already know what’s going on…” Everyone mirrored her movements, simply looking at Jeff in disbelief.

All Jeff could do was play it cool. “I’m guessing you wanted it to be a surprise.”

“Oh, come on…” Alan lamented. “What gave us away…?”

Jeff looked between them, eyes landing on Gordon and Scott in particular. “You weren’t exactly discreet.” He grinned. “Although, it is a nice surprise. I assume we’re waiting on Kyrano?”

“But of course, Mr Tracy. It’s his day as well!” Tin-Tin beamed. “Brains and I have prepared a little gift for him.”

“W-We hope it’ll help with those f-fits of his, M-Mr Tracy.” Brains explained. “Or at the v-very least let us know w-what’s going on. I-It’ll a-analyse his brain waves a-and interpret them i-into definitive data.”

If at all possible, Jeff’s smile widened. “That’s great! He’ll want to know just as much as the rest of us. Should I go get him and act surprised with him?”

Virgil gave a thumbs up. “Sounds like a plan. See you in a minute!”

“Don’t lay it on too thick!” Gordon advised as his father left, now on a mission.

It didn’t take long for Jeff to reach Kyrano’s door, giving it a knock. He was kind of shocked at how quickly his friend answered. “Yes, Mr Tracy? Can I help you with anything?”

“Meeting in the lounge. It’s urgent.” He thought it up on the spot. Not ideal, but it would do.

Kyrano looked a little perplexed, and a bit worried, at the adamant tone in Jeff’s voice. “...Very well.” He exited the room, closing the door to follow his employer. “May I ask what this meeting is about?”

“I don’t really know, I’m afraid. My mother’s called it.” Jeff continued to lead the way, hiding his smile. “I’ve never seen her so sure about something.”

No sooner had they stepped foot in the lounge, a cacophony of voices yelled out, “Surprise! Happy Father’s Day!” Kyrano jumped, startled at first. But once Tin-Tin started clinging to him, giving him the biggest hug, he was grinning from ear to ear.

“My daughter. My friends. What a pleasant surprise.” He shared a look with Jeff. “This is for both of us?” A series of nodding heads answered his question. “Thank you. For thinking of me also…”

“Kyrano, how could we not?” Alan stood next to Tin-Tin, squeezing her hand. She squeezed back, eyes gentle as she looked at him. 

Gordon got in the middle of the group, a very serious look on his face. “So, we’re gonna get this party started, right?”

“Yes, of course we are.” Jeff gave his son a look. “Be patient. It’ll be worth it.” He looked around the room, noticing each set piece and decoration that reflected either him or his dear friend. “You all have done an amazing job.”

If you were to ask either Jeff or Kyrano, way into the future, what days stood out to them in their long lives, chances were they would say one particular Father’s Day on Tracy Island. It was definitely worth the suspense. And the secrets…

[solarredau]

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[miqenergy]

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Solar panels are a great option for Australians looking to cut energy costs and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. They also help cut carbon emissions and create an eco-friendly home.

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Many state and federal governments offer incentives to encourage homeowners to switch to solar power. These include rebates and feed-in tariffs that can significantly reduce upfront costs. In addition, banks offer low-interest loans for clean energy projects with terms and conditions that are designed to be repaid using your electricity savings. Solar panel systems can deliver a payback period of 4-5 years and annual savings of up to $1,214 for a typical 6.6kW system. Understanding the available incentives and selecting the right system size for your energy needs will help you make an informed decision.

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With the global shift towards sustainability, renewable energy sources are no longer just alternatives – they are imperatives. Sydney, with its abundant sunshine and progressive environmental policies, is at the forefront of this transition, and residents can help lead the way by converting their homes to solar power.

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[quicksolar1903]

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[alpaca-clouds]

Let's talk Energy Mix

Let me talk about the energy mix for a moment - because I feel a lot of people are very unsure, how a renewable energy grid would work in practice.

So, let me get out my electrician gear and go very quickly through the different energy types that we would probably have within a Solarpunk world or something along the line. Or rather: What we might have in the future, if our governments actually fucking cared to go carbonfree.

Photovoltaic (aka Solar). Now, let me make one thing clear: Technically Photovoltaic and Solar are two different things. Photovoltaic uses certain materials that can build electricity when they interact with Photons, while Solar uses the sun's heat radiation. What most people think of as "Solarpower" is photovoltaic. This technology has made a lot of advances recently, making the panels so much more efficient than they were only a few years ago. By now photovoltaic roof tiles can actually provide enough energy for the house even during cloudy days and even further up north. Of course they cannot create enough energy during the night. While production is not 0, it is by far not enough.

Wind turbines. Currently wind turbines are making up a lot of the renewable energy mix in many countries, like my own (Germany). And for good reason. They are so darn efficient. Especially off-shore energy. While they are right now not useful for personal energy production (because turbines are fucking loud up close - only up close), they are really good at keeping the grid fed. Maybe just a bit too good.

Other forms of Wind Power. I really do not want to go too deeply into this topic. But there are currently also other forms of wind powered generators being researched. Including some that could be put onto houses. (If you want me to gover those more, just send me an ask.)

Hydro Power. Now Hydro Power, so water based power generation, has two big kinds of being used. One is by channeling the power of rivers through a generator - the other is as the currently simplest form of energy storage: If you have too much energy in your grid at any given time, pump water into a reservoir and if you need that power again, let it go through a generator. Please note though: Environmentally Hydro Power is definitely the kind of renewable power with the worst environmental impact.

Other forms of water based power generation: Currently we are experimenting a lot with getting power from the ocean. For example through tidal generators or wave generators. So far, though, these methods are only experiments, not fit for large scale production.

Geothermal Power. In a lot of areas with Geothermal activity we can also use the heat of the earth to create steam, which we then can use to power generators as well. This is especially handy in places like Iceland, that are geothermically very active, but also do not get a lot of sun half of the year and are not ideally suited for wind power.

One thing that should be noted is, that very probably we are still gonna need nuclear power as an emergency tool.

One thing that definitely needs to change, though, is how we build our energy grids. Currently we are relying a lot on macro grids, that is grids, where a few central power plants generate all the power for a large area. This does not work out well currently, based on the fact that a lot of renewables work best, if you have smaller, further distributed power plants.

This creates the need for micro grids, that are also better suited to just... Not create large scale blackouts, as the US experiences them semi-frequently.

Again, if you want me to talk more about that, I can totally do, just... send me a message.

But what you really do not need to be concerned about is the entire idea of "what do we do at night"? We have ways to deal with that. Even now. Let alone in 10 years. This area of science is currently really moving forward in long strides!

[aelfheimerandrobots]

Sims au: Old Helex, Castle Heights, Old Dreadnaught Castle| Overlord

Brought to you by popular demand we are now featuring a tour of the infamous, Dreadnaught Castle! This castle has gone by many names over the centuries and certainly has a reputation of a sort but it's current owner has certainly done quite a deal to turn this crumbling old fortress into a magnificent mansion! Now this tour may take us awhile ( a reblog or two) due to its sheer size, but don't let that deter you! This masterpiece is worth the long walk! Should you survive ....

Rather than a street view look we'll start this tour with an aerial shot of this sprawling estate. From it's magnificent front towers to it's beautiful gardens and lovely private pool this mansion features of plenty modern touches to bring the crumbling relic up to our contemporary standards. With solar panels galore, on-site farming, rain capture water heaters, and natural springs this space does it's best to erase whatever carbon footprint it might take to keep this place up and running. And the incredibly manicured gardens surely- wait...do those trees look...phallic to anyone else?

*ahem* Yes, well, phalic nature of the tree-lined exterior approach aside, the gardens are excellently maintained and offer lovely moments of picturesque splendor in this quaint countryside. And what a front walk this makes for! With a romantic fountain, iron lampposts, and an expansive patio with elegant architecture this space certainly holds to higher standard of elegance and atmosphere.

Continuing our tour of the grounds, we'll be starting with the southern garden path. This lovely pathway beckons us in with a fantastical archway and leads down an ancient but lovingly restored path to the Castle's growing fields. While not terribly expansive this section of the grounds do offer horribly fertile ground to grow grapes for the ground's famous in-house wine. I'm told that most of the manor's food needs can also be supplemented from these fields and offer a lovely tableau for the grilling and picnicking area adjacent to the fields. This outdoor rest area looks out perfectly over the estate's expansive pond, which we will happily explore next!

This large pond can be easily accessed via the posterior entrance to the estate grounds as well as from the Castle directly. The Castle entrance here leads from the ground-floor laundry and storage area directly onto this waterway and it's lovely collection of flora and fauna. With romantic archways and grottoes reserved for enjoying the beauty of nature one can hardly blame Overlord, the current owner, from doing his best to stock the pond with local wildlife. Why there's a lovely pair of swans who- Is that an Alligator? No not the log, the thing next to the log. I saw it move! I did! Right there! I- ugh... okay fine. Let's move on to finish the tour of the grounds.

This long back walk opens toward the road leading to the estate and back out to the road, allowing access to staff and guests alike from the rear should they not wish to traverse the long drive to the front entrance of the estate. Though, I'm told it's bad manners to approach the estate in this manner. The walk is lined with lovely memorials to beloved pets who once walked these grounds and opens up to the west side of the grounds which feature a historical graveyard that has largely been overtaken by native plant growth, now cut back and cultivated to reveal more of the old facade. How odd though that some of those graves seem freshly dug. Also why is there a giant bonfire located near the gravesite? Hm. Yes well, moving on. The West end of the grounds also feature some ruins from the old castle which have been left intact for posterity but removed from the castle proper due to their crumbling nature and state of disrepair. And with the grounds wrapped up, let's head on inside for the rest of the tour!

We enter on the ground floor into the lovely foyer which features many of the estates modernized furniture while also highlighting the eras that have come before. Particularly the nineteen twenties which saw quite a bit of activity for the Castle! With lovely art deco revival pieces and stately vintage furniture to highlight updated facades and restored architecture, this foyer feels grand and welcoming. The water feature in particular is quite lovely and an amazing statement piece! Huh, that vase...is that really an urn? Hm. I'm sure I must just be mistaking it for a funeral urn, that's all. Shall we move on?

Heading into the hallway on the right we've entered into a stately passageway that features some lovely modern art pieces as well as a bit of industrial storage while still providing access to the safety measures included in the castle to protect the owner's vast investment into this home.

Heading into the door on the right and we've entered into the ground floor office space. This cozy den has plenty of charm and really highlights the use of industrial, art deco, and luxury inspired pieces to create a cohesive and good-looking environment. The office's private bathroom also features lovely tile work that manages to avoid feeling cramped thanks to the vaulted ceilings and large mirror. Just around the corner from the couch is the first set of stairs on the east end of the castle, which will eventually become the east tower. Ah and I see we've included a few antique taxidermy pieces. What a...lovely vulture skull. Oh and a preserved cow-plant! How...unsettling beautiful. Erm, let's just head on out shall we?

We'll head next into the door at the end of the hall which leads us into the ground-floor laundry which has access to both the exterior grounds as well as the pool deck and patio space! The laundry itself is serviceable and feels charming with much of the original stonework and infrastructure remaining intact. And with this room we'll go ahead and take a break before returning to our impressive tour!