Energy new technologies and electric chargers tips and tricks from Daniel Sumanth: The undeniably high-end Model S has been out for several years now, though. The longest-range models had a six-figure new price, but unlike contemporary Bentley, Jaguar and BMW saloons they have held their value well. Too well, in fact; last year they started from £25,000 secondhand, now, the cheapest are usually nearer £34,000. Tesla slashed the new price of certain models by up to £30,000 in early 2019, knocking residuals for a time but now the Model S represents terrible value for a secondhand car. Buy a nearly-new one, or wait for prices to settle. Tesla’s tendency to sell upgrades and offer over-the-air updates means that a 2015 Model S may be a very different car by 2022, but with no major changes to the design, and continued reliance on the Supercharger network for efficient charging, the experience of a used Tesla won’t be much different to the rarefied heights of a showroom-fresh example. Just don’t expect to get a full charge overnight from your household socket… See more details on Daniel Sumanth, TX
In some ways, owning an EV means you have to change the way you think about driving. You automatically adopt a gentler, more relaxed style that maximises your range and often means you reach your destination feeling more refreshed than you would do otherwise. Electric cars have zero exhaust emissions so they don’t cause the localised NOx and particulate emissions that have a damaging effect on air quality in urban areas. However, the overall environmental credentials of an electric car depend greatly on the source of the electricity used to charge it. As the energy mix of the National Grid moves towards renewable sources like solar, wind and tidal power and away from fossil fuels, electric cars get greener. Green NCAP has published whole life emissions estimates for various cars with small electric vehicles performing better than any ICE cars.
Solar energy systems generally don’t require a lot of maintenance. You only need to keep them relatively clean, so cleaning them a couple of times per year will do the job. If in doubt, you can always rely on specialised cleaning companies, which offer this service from around £25-£35. Most reliable solar panel manufacturers offer 20-25 years warranty. Also, as there are no moving parts, there is no wear and tear. The inverter is usually the only part that needs to changed after 5-10 years because it is continuously working to convert solar energy into electricity (solar PV) and heat (solar thermal). Apart from the inverter, the cables also need maintenance to ensure your solar power system runs at maximum efficiency. So, after covering the initial cost of the solar system, you can expect very little spending on maintenance and repair work.
Starting at just under £37,000, the Ioniq 5 features a superb infotainment system and generous standard kit, while the available space has to be seen to be believed. It’s comfortable, too, so you’ll relish the chance of racking up the miles. We certainly did, which is why we named the Hyundai Ioniq 5 our Car of the Year for 2021. The Kia EV6 is the sister vehicle to the Hyundai Ioniq 5, so it’s a great pick if you love that model’s technology, but aren’t quite as sold on its retro-futuristic looks. The EV6 is arguably the more conventional of the two, and it’s a bit lower and more sporting. This is reflected in its handling, with slightly firmer suspension offering sharper responses. It’s offered in Long Range RWD, Long Range AWD and a high-performance GT version, and the entry-level version is our favourite. It not only offers the best range figure of up to 328 miles from its 77.4kWh battery, but we also found its 7.2-second 0-62mph time to be quick enough.
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.
A small household may do fine with a 2000 watt generator. However, a house with a well, off grid water pump system, or other appliances to run at the same time will likely need a generator in the 5000-7500 watt range, or larger. Note 1: small generators tend to produce lower quality electricity than larger models. They also tend to vary the voltage more. This can damage your appliances and equipment. Note 2: Some generators deliver 120 and 240 volts, with the full power only available at 240 volts. Some have two separate 120-volt outlets, each providing up to half the rated power.
The iX is the premium German brand’s flagship electric SUV, and the largest model in its rapidly expanding i range of zero-emissions models. Thanks to the dual-motor setups in all three versions that have been announced so far, which means you get all-wheel-drive and impressive performance. It’s also great to drive for a car of this size, and can cover up to 380 miles on a full charge. The centrepiece of the iX’s cabin is the slim instrument panel, which incorporates a 14.9-inch curved display screen and 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, and both displays are crisp and responsive to use. Inside, the iX overall feels light and airy, plus there’s room for adults in the back and a 500-litre boot.
What are the most efficient solar panels? The most efficient solar panels on the market today have efficiency ratings as high as 22.2%, whereas the majority of panels range from 15% to 17% efficiency rating. SunPower panels are known for being the most efficient solar panel brand available on the market.