Gregory's Server@skyfaller @kelbot if i was feeling snarky (I am), I would say that these 'solar panels' make about as much sense as running a website off of solar panels - theoretically a good idea, practically just a gimmick.
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 @c24h29clo4 Beyond climate mitigation, resilience is another important reason to want to run your own server using an independent energy source. If you want to experiment with LoRa or mesh networking, to support your community even during extreme weather events or blackouts, you're going to want to be able to operate off-grid. It also presents the possibility of operating a mobile server that you can e.g. transport by bike to wherever it is needed. @skyfaller sure, and you'd be correct in thinking that way. My perspective is the actual webserver for a plain text website contributes very little to the actual power use when you consider the infrastructure required to route those packets to the device, and the device usage. Feel free to disregard that analogy and substitute your own appropriate "it technically works but it's not worth it under most circumstances". @skyfaller interestingly, running a microserver or similar power level device is an application that might make sense for Thermoelectric solar generators - if you don't have space constraints, prioritise environmental impact over cost, and can make one that'll last a decent time, I can even see it being a good option. |
@c24h29clo4 We'll just have to disagree there.
If my server is plugged directly into a solar panel, I can be confident of its energy use, embodied emissions, etc.
If a data center claims to buy solar power from elsewhere, the situation is much murkier. I have to trust many entities who are often not transparent in an accountable way, and may not offer the info I want at all.
Individual consumption is not meaningful to the climate crisis, but learning what to advocate for is.