Probably True Solar Stories
Probably True Solar Stories delves into the world of solar energy through a unique blend of fiction, urban legends, and real-world solar facts. Hosted and written by Tor "Solar Fred" Valenza, a solar pro since 2009 and a former Hollywood screen and television writer, this series aims to entertain and educate listeners about solar technology, its impact on our lives, and the people behind the solar industry.
The podcast episodes are inspired by various genres, including "Solar Noir," action, comedy, fairy tales, and thrillers, showcasing the diverse ways solar energy is integrated into our pop culture and daily lives. Each episode not only tells fictional stories about solar tech, solar workers, and solar homeowners, but also includes a wealth of factual information about the solar industry.
The podcast also weaves in contemporary solar-related issues, such as solar politics, permitting, policies, and supply chain issues, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the industry's challenges and advancements.
Probably True Solar Stories
A Murder of Solar Crows (Part 1)
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Four thieves break into three solar projects during long holiday weekends, trying to steal the solar panels, copper wire, and other equipment. But each time they try, a brown tabby cat stops them with deadly consequences.
True Solar Takeaways
- A line of crows on a tree limb or electrical wire is called "A murder of crows."
- Kelptovoltaics is the term for the act of stealing solar equipment from a solar project.
- Theft of solar modules, inverters, copper cabling, and other valuable equipment from solar installations is a real phenomenon, but there are no statistics about how common it is.
- Sinovoltaics, a global solar quality assurance company, wrote an article about Kleptovoltaics in 2020, which discussed security methods for preventing solar projects from theft. The article cited several kleptovoltaic news reports from around the world, so it's probably more common than what's reported in city and national crime statistics.
- Adding a 1 MW to 2 MW solar power project to land adjacent to vineyards is common in California.
- Local mammals, reptiles, and insects are always present at solar projects. These include mice, rats, rabbits, squirrels, coyotes, foxes, deer, snakes, wasps, and even stray cats. Birds can also fly over projects and poop on the panels.
- Some solar project owners consider wild animals as pests, as they can sometimes damage cables and modules. Other owners welcome animals and create holes in project fences to allow creatures to pass through to the surrounding habitat.
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