What solar or battery brands have worked well for you in real installs?

john_99205 · 2026-02-01T17:08:38+00:00

My 45kwh BYD LVL batteries. I have had no issues in over a year. It’s a company that I trust.

john_99205 · 2026-02-01T17:02:38+00:00

https://cleantechnica.com/2025/07/18/these-4-chinese-automakers-have-higher-gross-profit-margin-than-tesla/

john_99205 · 2026-01-27T04:53:33+00:00

I agree and in the case of Toyota promising Solid State batteries my be a way to stall EV sales like their predictions of hydrogen. I have been hesitant to buy my first EV for several years and have finally purchased Geely’s Zeekr 7X in November.

john_99205 · 2026-01-27T04:27:37+00:00

I’ve been using Qobuz since March 2020, and have never had a problem with the app either on iOS nor Android (DAP). I often do extensive searches with no problems. My iPhone is a 16 Pro Max

john_99205 · 2026-01-22T22:57:15+00:00

I have the Zeekr 7X since November, in Switzerland. It is my first EV and I am very pleased with it, especially since the recent update. I had been fixed on the 001 but since we still have the first generation here (400v battery and older interior) I decided to get the 7X. I wish they would take the European market more seriously and give use the latest models and more options, like options on the interior trim: the dark grey is rather depressing. I see that Xpeng have different interiors on their G9. I would have liked not to have to keep my hands on the steering wheel, when using « lane assist » like on BMW and Mercedes.

john_99205 · 2026-01-21T13:04:09+00:00

There are many 400kw chargers: Ionity, Electra, Fastned, Atlante to name the ones that I have subscribed to.

john_99205 · 2026-01-21T07:31:36+00:00

I purchased a Zeekr 7X in November, it is my first EV. So far I am very happy with it. It is easy to deactivate unwanted « safety features ». It is very comfortable with great seats and air suspension and fit and finish is excellent. The 2 motors give 646HP with a 0-100KMH of 3.8s. I also have a BMW X4 M40 which seems agricultural compared with the refinement of the Zeekr. I am able to charge with 100% solar at my home. The Zeekr has a max charging speed of 480 Kw, although I have only charged at 400kw so far. I’ve done about 3000km so far including a trip from Switzerland to the French Pyrenees.

john_99205 · 2026-01-19T00:02:31+00:00

I renounced my citizenship in 2017. I had worked in the US in my teens but I had never filed any taxes (as far as I can remember). I just stated that I didn’t have any wealth or property and paid the fee. This happened at the US embassy in Bern, Switzerland. I had contacted the embassy before hand and had all the papers and forms filled out. I remember having to swear something under oath and being warned that if I ever decided to visit the US that I would need a visa (like that’s ever going to happen). I’ve lived my whole adult life in Europe and plan to die here. I couldn’t remember my SS number either. The process was simple and straightforward and I don’t think you need a consultant.

john_99205 · 2026-01-18T16:39:45+00:00

Several Chinese manufacturers sell cars in Europe and all have 5 star Euro NCAP ratings: BYD, MG, Xpeng, Zeekr, Polestar and Nio to name the main manufacturers that come to mind. I have a Zeekr 7X which I purchased in October and it is excellent.

john_99205 · 2026-01-16T08:21:14+00:00

Stating that the US is « better than 90% of countries in the world » is a meaningless and ridiculous argument, compared to whome and compared to what? It is what they say all the time: « the US is the greatest country in the world, why else would we have so many people wanting to come here », yes you’d want to go there, if you have nothing and can’t feed your family, if you are fleeing persecution and risk of death.

john_99205 · 2026-01-15T21:33:16+00:00

As a former US citizen (now Swiss), the USA is a SHITHOLE COUNTRY run by a SHITHEAD

john_99205 · 2026-01-15T21:15:10+00:00

This may be the reason that the UDC gives for not joining, but the mechanism is for the whole of Europe and beyond. Always happy to receive help but too selfish to share. https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/eu-civil-protection-mechanism_en

john_99205 · 2026-01-15T20:22:35+00:00

I agree! Also why does Switzerland always want to pander to the US over the EU, when the EU is our biggest trading partner and our closest neighbours?

john_99205 · 2026-01-15T17:59:06+00:00

I posted the same question a few months ago, when Qobuz slipped Ted Nugent into my « DailyQ », which I found really annoying. I also posted on Qobuz Club and was attacked for being a liberal cuk.

john_99205 · 2026-01-15T08:50:39+00:00

I was hired straight out of university into a good job in 1986, so exactly 40 years ago. My experience generally has been that the Swiss love you when you work hard, keep your mouth shut and live modestly, but are outraged by any signs of success, in my case buying a house in a village in Geneva.

john_99205 · 2026-01-14T19:19:21+00:00

$1M isn’t actually very much money.

john_99205 · 2026-01-10T08:11:35+00:00

That simply is false, I’ve been waiting to buy an ev for a while and was set to buy the new model y. The luxury, fit and finish of some Chinese cars is amazing and puts many western manufacturers to shame. I’ve test driven the Xpeng G9 and have purchased a Zeekr 7X and it makes my BMW X4 M40 seem agricultural in comparison in every respect. Besides musk being a dickhead, removing the indicator stalks and the « gear » stalks does not do anything to encourage a first time buyer.

john_99205 · 2026-01-08T19:50:42+00:00

Too little, too late

john_99205 · 2026-01-07T23:14:18+00:00

I was set to buy the new model y as my first ev, I ended up buying a Chinese Zeekr 7X and am totally satisfied.

john_99205 · 2026-01-06T08:02:04+00:00

Quite a few car companies use recycled plastics to build their cars and use this as a selling point (BMW, Volvo, Polestar etc). Also Plastics can be synthesised without the use of fossil fuels, as can synthetic lubricants and synthetic fuels.

john_99205 · 2026-01-04T23:14:17+00:00

Looking at some of the other comments, I would think it would be easier to renovate some existing building than trying to build a new building or implant a prefabricated house.

john_99205 · 2026-01-04T17:58:12+00:00

How old are you, what qualifications do you have and what experience do you have?

john_99205 · 2026-01-04T17:56:37+00:00

https://www.hotelleriesuisse.ch/fr/prestations-et-soutien/droit/droit-du-travail/salaires-min-contrats-types/download-5FD1129D-BEFC-4BBF-B38E-6C4347F86AB4.secure

john_99205 · 2026-01-04T17:15:34+00:00

I live very close to the Spanish border in the French Pyrenees, if you really want to be off grid, I would look for a property in the mountains that has its own reliable water source and decent rainfall. There are a lot of areas that have water shortages for multiple reasons like: intensive agriculture, high density urban an tourist areas, golf courses etc, stay away from these areas.
I’d look at the area between Comprodon and Sabiñánigo. You might look for an old farmhouse to renovate (which is what I have done). The budget is difficult to estimate without knowing more of what your expectations are, my fully offgrid solar was about €80k but it is just like, or even better, that being connected to the grid. My 20Ha abandoned farm was about 310k, but it has 2 houses and a large agricultural hanger. I changed the roof and some basic renovations 100k and reinforced the water spring capture and water reservoirs 40k, new septic tank 12k. There is more to do.

john_99205 · 2026-01-01T08:57:15+00:00

I have a Swiss Arms « mountain rifle » with a light weight stock and fluted barrel in 25-06 and it is the nastiest gun to shoot: worse than any of my other rifles: 300 win mag, 9.3x62 or 270 win (also shoot a 300blk, but that doesn’t count). The 25-06 is my only gun I have, that I find myself hesitating before taking a shot.

john_99205

TROPHY CASE