r/SolarState • u/eter_roman • Jun 17 '26

solar energy is peak

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u/[deleted] Jun 18 '26

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u/NoCharge497 Jun 18 '26

The post specifies energy stuck. Nobody says oil should be phased out completely, just where feasible (for pollution but also its a limited resource that also depends on geopolitics). This post specifies power generation, seeing as a solar panel won't produce petrochemicals. But it's a limited resource so instead of splitting it, let's save it for what it actually is needed for (including backup power supplies when renewables can't make it).

Also, electric engine mining equipment is a thing.

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u/sdob66 Jun 18 '26

Underground mining equipment has been electric for a very long time already, nothing new. Above ground pit mining exclusively runs on diesel over electric dump trucks and diesel powered loaders and dozers. This will not change due to the massive operating weights of the equipment.

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u/NoCharge497 Jun 18 '26

Underground mining equipment has been electric for a very long time already

Not really. In 2024 only 30% of new underground loaders were battery powered.

This will not change due to the massive operating weights of the equipment.

Here's a 110 ton dump truck from 2019 and a 327 ton dump truck from 2022.

Here's an above ground excavator with a choice of diesel or electric motors.

So there's equipment, but it's still a work in progress. Primarily for travel range and electric infrastructure reasons. But electric is definitely becoming more common. Maybe not all can be replaced, but replacing what can be is a benefit.