I left my corporate job on 7/21/17 in order to help showcase Nature for Mother Nature fans online. I did not arrive easily at this decision since my corporate job paid extremely well and included amazing benefits. Alas, the one benefit I was not easily allowed was the time to immediately pursue any and all wild events happening any and all moments of every day throughout the world. I know it would have helped me greatly to see more Nature during the work week, so that is what I’ve set out to bring to you. Stay tuned!
Solar Flair
Monday, July 18, 2022 1:48 AM
One of the most impressive situations that has come from the recent extreme heat situation we are going through here in San Antonio, Texas is the recognition of just how important and beneficial solar power can be. This is not to say that we are enjoying the ongoing temperatures that have been near or over 100 degrees for over a couple of months in a row, but it is to say that we have *noticed* a benefit from being able to take advantage of energy from the naturally occurring sunshine that we have been presented with.
Several years back, as some of the prior generations balked at this option because the solar panels looked “ugly” to them, we welcomed this addition onto our roof as a surefire method of offsetting future costs of energy both because we were locked into an energy rate (for TEN years) and also because we foresaw a time when the temperatures would continue to climb. Sure enough, the temperatures have climbed and continued to climb to the point where instead of maybe two days over 100 degrees, we have had over 17 and counting.
While our individual benefit has been amazing, the overall energy system is continuing to be taxed in ways that are unexpected. We are unable to foresee how a majority of users *without* solar will impact the system, but we have a feeling that no matter how short lived our individual benefits from having this system, it may all come crashing to an end when the system as a whole is overwhelmed because of the lack of participation by the majority. In this case, I wish that the actions of individuals would benefit the majority in the long run.
I am typing this while the A/C is kicking on repeatedly at nearly 2am on Monday, July 18, 2022. It is doing so because the outside temperatures are still quite hot, and the house is continuing to require cooling, even as the sun has already set. In this situation, we are pulling from excess energy generated during the daytime sunlight hours and credits are being applied against our ongoing balance which is noted in very basic ways on the copy of the current invoice that I have included as the screenshot for today’s post.
Stay Cool, San Antonio! And everyone else, too! Perhaps we will team up in the long run to discuss these situations and to support the future economy (and workers of tomorrow) by sharing these types of tips among our communities. One thing is certain, social media saw and overlooked the chance to help us to participate as a community when it was previously well received among our participants. Now? It is surprising when we can communicate even privately in person in small or large groups, as social no longer seems to be socially acceptable.