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Tales from Dandelion customers: geothermal heating, cooling, and energy independence

(Credit: Dandelion)

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Behind every installation of a Dandelion geothermal heating and air conditioning unit is a story. These stories are different for each customer, but each tale involves a notable common factor — a move towards gaining independence from fossil fuels. Here are a couple of stories from Dandelion customers who turned to geothermal solutions, and never looked back.

The Engineer

An aerial view of Matthew VanDerlofske’s home, which is fitted with solar panels. (Photo: Dandelion Energy)

When software engineer Matthew VanDerlofske came across Dandelion Energy’s heating and air conditioning system, he realized that it was the perfect way to help his family step away from fossil fuels. For VanDerlofske, a key reason behind his adoption of Dandelion’s geothermal solutions is the savings offered by the system.

During the gas spike in 2008 and 2009, the software engineer admitted that his family was budgeting $600 in gas per month for their SUVs alone. They were also spending $1,600 worth of oil per year for heating, on top of 15 megawatts of electricity per year from the grid. Eventually, VanDerlofske and his family realized that it was time to “start weaning ourselves off fossil fuels.”

The family started in 2012, investing $6,700 to have 32 solar panels installed on their roof. They also traded in one of their gas-guzzling SUVs for a Chevy Volt. Later, the family added an additional 24 solar panels, allowing them to produce more power than they consume. The family also acquired a Chevy Bolt, their first all-electric car. VanDerlofske and his wife regarded Dandelion’s geothermal heating and air conditioning system as the next step in their pursuit of energy independence, as it allowed them to get all their heating and air conditioning needs from the ground.

The Environmentalists

Paul and Joanne Coons’ historic home in Clifton Park, NY. (Photo: Dandelion Energy)

Dandelion Energy customers Paul and Joanne Coons have always been passionate about the environment. At one point, Joanne, a high school environmental science teacher, took it upon herself to make her own biodiesel from restaurant waste, which she used on her diesel car. Together with her husband, she also experimented with burning home-brewed biodiesel at home, in order to help offset their house’s $4,500 annual heating cost.

The couple completely embraced the energy-independent lifestyle after they took on the task of renovating a dilapidated, historic house in Clifton Park, NY. The home, which had no buyers due to its condition, was transformed by the couple into one of the most energy-efficient homes in the country. Since then, the house has won several green building awards, and it has become certified as a LEED Platinum and NAHB Certified Green Building Emerald home.

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To make their historic home energy independent, the Coons opted to install an array of rooftop and pole-mounted solar panels, which they use to help power the house and charge their Nissan Leaf and Toyota Prius Hybrid. The couple, who also has a reservation for the Tesla Model 3, also opted to have a Dandelion Air unit installed for heating and air conditioning. Referring to their biodiesel-brewing days, Paul stated that ground source heat pumps are the best of both worlds, since “you can heat and cool your home with the power of the sun, and you don’t have to keep fueling the system.” 

Ultimately, customers who are already committing to sustainable energy through rooftop solar solutions can’t go wrong with a geothermal heating and air conditioning system. Read more about Dandelion Energy’s geothermal systems here.

Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Lucid CEO dispels any rumors of bankruptcy: ‘So far from the facts’

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Credit: Lucid

Lucid CEO Silvio Napoli responded to rumors of an imminent bankruptcy that was reportedly being mulled after a report stated the automaker was working with the firm AlixPartners to iron out its next steps.

The company felt a massive loss on Wall Street yesterday, as the report essentially pushed the stock down as much as 55 percent on Tuesday.

The report, published initially by Eletric-Vehicles.com, claimed Lucid was essentially in dire straits and was told by AlixPartners, a commonly used restructuring advisor, to either take shares private or file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Lucid denies rumors of bankruptcy after over 40% stock drop

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Lucid’s head of Communications, Nick Twork, immediately challenged the report and stated the company “has sufficient liquidity to carry its operations well into next year.”

Now, the company’s CEO is chiming in as well, stating that the report is “so far from the facts that they require a direct response.”

Napoli said:

“Lucid is not considering bankruptcy or a transaction to take the company private. Those reports are false. The Board did not explore either scenario. Period.

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As disclosed in our most recent quarterly filing, Lucid has sufficient liquidity to fund its operations well into next year.

We work with outside advisors to improve operational performance and execution. They are not advising Lucid on a take-private transaction or bankruptcy, and any suggestion that they have recommended either course of action to management or the Board is false.

My priority is clear: turn this company around. That is where the leadership team and I are focused.

I look forward to providing a full update during our quarterly earnings call on August 4th.”

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It seems pretty clear that Lucid is confident things will be okay, and, to be honest, they should not have much to worry about, especially considering the company has been backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) for years. It has solid financial backing, and its sales, while weak, are pretty much right on par with a company of this age.

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Lucid also sent a Cease & Desist letter to the publication for their report.

Lucid shares have rebounded nicely and are up nearly 21 percent at the time of publication. As soon as the company dispelled the rumors of bankruptcy yesterday, the stock began to climb back toward more reasonable levels.

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Tesla responds to strange Supercharging pricing error with classy move

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(Credit: Tesla)

Tesla has once again demonstrated strong customer focus by swiftly addressing and fully refunding a bizarre Supercharger pricing glitch that affected drivers in Atlantic Canada.

The issue surfaced earlier this month when the Tesla app began displaying dramatically inflated per-minute charging rates at stations in Prince Edward Island and parts of New Brunswick.

One widely shared screenshot from a Charlottetown, PEI Supercharger showed rates reaching ridiculous levels: $6.00 per minute for the 180-250 kW tier, along with $3.57/min for 100-180 kW and $2.29/min for 60-100 kW.

These figures were several times higher than normal Supercharger pricing in the region.

To put the error in perspective, charging at the highest incorrect rate would have been shockingly expensive.

At 250 kW, a common charging speed at Superchargers, a vehicle pulls roughly 4.17 kWh per minute. Under the glitch, a driver spending just 10 minutes at peak power would face a $60 bill. A typical 20- to 30-minute session to add meaningful range could have cost $120 to $180 or more, before any congestion fees.

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Tesla gets another layer of gamification with Free Supercharging on the line

By comparison, standard Canadian Supercharger rates usually fall between $0.25 and $0.60 per kWh, making a similar session cost roughly $15–$40. The erroneous per-minute structure, combined with the inflated numbers, turned what should be a convenient stop into a potential financial shock.

The glitch appears to have started sometime around early July, and quickly drew attention on social media as owners questioned whether Tesla had implemented steep hidden increases. Some drivers even reported seeing $0 charges in their history, indicating broader billing confusion.

Tesla’s official Charging account on X stated that correct pricing would roll out at midnight on July 13, so the fix is already in effect. More importantly, the company announced it would waive all fees for every Supercharger session since July 2. This blanket waiver covers the entire affected period without requiring users to file individual claims, with automated refunds expected soon. The decision affects stations in PEI and nearby areas in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

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It’s a classy move, and rather than issuing partial credits or forcing owners to submit support tickets, Tesla simply absorbed the cost of the system error and made drivers whole. In an industry where hidden fees and bill disputes are common, Tesla’s proactive, no-questions-asked approach reinforces owner trust and highlights the company’s commitment to service excellence.

The incident, while disruptive for a short time, ultimately showcases Tesla’s ability to own mistakes and prioritize customer satisfaction. Atlantic Canada Tesla owners can now charge with confidence again, knowing the company has their back when technology glitches occur.

In an era of complex EV billing, such transparency and generosity are refreshing and set a positive example for the industry.

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SpaceX unveils Starlink next-gen V5 kit: here’s what’s new

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Credit: Starlink

SpaceX’s Starlink has launched its latest residential hardware kit: the V5. Designed for reliable high-speed internet, the new terminal represents a significant leap forward in user equipment.

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The new V5 Starlink kit features a dramatically smaller and lighter form factor, measuring approximately 384 mm x 306 mm x 34 mm and weighing just 1.1 kg, which is less than half the weight of the previous V4 model, which was 2.9 kg.

This compact design makes installation easier and more versatile, whether mounted on a roof, pole, or even integrated with a pipe adapter. An integrated LED light aids setup in low-light conditions.

Power efficiency sees major gains too. The V5 draws only 35-50W, reducing energy consumption and making it ideal for off-grid or solar-powered setups. Despite its smaller size, performance remains robust. Starlink claims peak speeds of 375+ Mbps, supported by a new Wi-Fi 6 Router Mini that covers up to 2,200 square feet and connects up to 235 devices simultaneously.

The kit maintains strong signal reliability in diverse environments, from urban rooftops to remote rural areas, as demonstrated in the promo footage released by SpaceX, showing seamless operation under cloudy skies.

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These improvements expand suitable applications considerably. Households can enjoy lag-free 4K streaming, smooth video conferencing, online gaming, and smart home device management without interruption. The V5’s efficiency and portability also benefit RVs, small businesses, and temporary installations in disaster-recovery zones where quick deployment is critical. Its lightweight build lowers shipping costs and simplifies user handling compared to bulkier predecessors.

Starlink’s Broader Impact on Global Internet Connectivity

Since SpaceX began launching Starlink satellites in 2019, the constellation has grown rapidly. By mid-2026, over 10,400 satellites orbit Earth, with thousands more deployed annually. This massive low-Earth-orbit network delivers broadband to approximately 160 countries and territories, reaching millions of users who previously lacked reliable internet access.

Starlink plays a vital role in bridging the digital divide. It provides essential connectivity to remote communities, maritime vessels, airlines, and regions affected by natural disasters or infrastructure gaps. By combining advanced satellite technology with iterative hardware upgrades like the V5 kit, SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of global internet access, fostering education, economic opportunity, and emergency response capabilities worldwide.

As production ramps up, the V5 promises to make high-performance internet even more accessible to users everywhere.

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