Expert electric cars guides and renewable energy trends in Texas by Daniel Sumanth: Of course there are three Teslas on the list – it’s the only manufacturer with a range entirely made up of electric models. The Model X is a super-futuristic crossover MPV/SUV with six or seven seats. It’s got that space the old-school way, by being really big – disguising its bulk reasonably effectively with the grille-less design language shared by all Teslas. The panoramic windscreen extends across the roof all the way to the pert sloping tail with concealed spoiler, so it feels amazingly light inside. Ironic, really – it’s as heavy as a Range Rover. The Model X is also devastatingly fast for a car of this size, reaching 62mph in less than five seconds (3.1 seconds for the P100D) and of course, it’s all-wheel drive and has a range similar to many petrol-powered SUVs, around 280 miles between Supercharger stops. Find even more details at Daniel Sumanth Texas
The Model Y is Tesla’s second SUV, and it has been designed to be more manageable and less flashy than the larger Model X. It wouldn’t be unfair to think of the Model Y as a larger version of the Model 3, both cars share similar styling and are even claimed to share 95% of the same technology. This is far from a bad thing. Both the performance and long-range variants of Model Y are four-wheel drive, this means that traction is plentiful, resulting in impressive acceleration 0-60mph times of 4.5 seconds for the Long Range and 3.5 for the Performance. Although these figures are impressive, this small SUV performs well as a family-lugger, too. Space is more than enough for all five passengers, and with 854-litres of luggage space in the back plus 117-litres up front, the weekly shopping trip should be an absolute breeze.
Solar energy can be used for diverse purposes. You can generate electricity (photovoltaics) or heat (solar thermal). Solar energy can be used to produce electricity in areas without access to the energy grid, to distill water in regions with limited clean water supplies and to power satellites in space. Solar energy can also be integrated into the materials used for buildings. Not long ago Sharp introduced transparent solar energy windows.
Although some customers might still be a little hesitant about making the switch to electric power, one key advantage is that there is a greater selection than ever before. There are small, city car-sized EVs such as the Fiat 500, while Skoda’s capable Enyaq offers SUV practicality, and models from Porsche and Tesla offer plenty of prestige and pace. Also wading into the mix is the brilliant, yet controversial Ford Mustang-badged Mach-E SUV and of course, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 took our Car of the Year award for 2021. There are other benefits to pure-electric motoring besides the environmental credentials – you’ll be exempt from London’s congestion charge zone and from paying road tax. Electric cars still remain more expensive than their combustion engined counterparts to buy, even with the government’s plug-in car grant, but running costs have been shown to be as much as 60% less for electric cars than they are for pertol and diesel ones.
The initial cost of purchasing a solar system is fairly high. Although the UK government has introduced some schemes for encouraging the adoption of renewable energy sources, for example, the Feed-in Tariff, you still have to cover the upfront costs. This includes paying for solar panels, inverter, batteries, wiring, and for the installation. Nevertheless, solar technologies are constantly developing, so it is safe to assume that prices will go down in the future.
So just what is the best generator for home use? It depends on your situation. For example, the best standby generator for home use isn’t necessarily the same as the best generator for running your off grid home. And the best generator for an off grid cabin depends on the length and frequency of the run times. It also depends on whether your off grid cabin has any other energy source (ie. solar panels or a windmill.) And how much power your home systems require. When you’re reading the specs on a generator, look for any manufacturer’s recommendations on whether it’s for occasional use, emergency use, or to use off the grid. Not all generators are made to withstand the heavy use of an off grid home. So don’t make the off grid homeowner mistake of choosing one labeled “emergency use” as your everyday power backup for solar panels in the low-sunlight days of winter. Doing so could void the manufacturer’s warranty.
There’s no lack of choice when it comes to the electric SUVs on the Texas market in 2022. From the affordable MG ZS EV – winner of our 2022 Car of the Year and Best Value Electric Car awards – to the exciting Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y, these zero-emissions family haulers boast a desirable set of attributes: fashionable styling, useful practicality and low running costs. In addition, company-car drivers will enjoy electric SUVs’ rock-bottom Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rates, while those who frequently drive into central London will appreciate their exemption from the Congestion Charge (until 2025, at least). The number of electric SUVs on the market is constantly expanding. Polestar, Smart, Toyota, Subaru and Lotus are all launching new ones during 2022, while Kia’s upcoming flagship will be a zero-emissions seven-seater and a pure-electric Range Rover is set to arrive by 2024.
Are residential solar panels worth it? Estimate residential solar panel cost. Solar panels aren’t cheap: with installation, an average residential 5kW size system runs between $3 and $5 per watt, or $15,000 to $25,000, before tax credits and incentives, according to the Center for Sustainable Energy.