Latest news with #Fusion2
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Appleton pub denied license for devices that police say are illegal gambling machines
APPLETON — A new business that tried to license five amusement machines had its application denied by Appleton police, who determined four of the devices were illegal gambling machines. The same or similar devices, though, are in operation at other businesses in Appleton, Jason Lachance of De Pere told the city's Safety and Licensing Committee. "I think everybody here has been to a bar, a restaurant, whatever, that has them in there in the city of Appleton," Lachance said. "I know I have." Appleton requires applicants for a mechanical amusement device license to identify the brand/name and type of device. Pizzeria Pub & Bar, 1200 N. Sharon St., listed five devices. Only a dartboard passed the police review. "It's been a relatively recent change where the application has been altered to include requesting enough information to frankly figure out what in the world individual machines are," Assistant City Attorney Zak Buruin said. Buruin acknowledged that illegal gambling devices are operating in the city, but he said that was an enforcement issue, not the licensing issue before the committee. On a 5-0 vote, the committee upheld the denial of the license. It will be considered Wednesday by the Common Council. According to the Wisconsin Department of Administration, video gaming devices are not legal anywhere in the state, except in authorized tribal gaming facilities. "Bars and taverns may offer five or fewer devices for amusement only, meaning they must be free to play or not provide anything of value as a prize," the DOA says. Pizzeria Pub & Bar sought approval for five devices: "Dart Board" "Golden Fortune" "Fusion 2" "Fire Link" "Fusion 2" "Based on my knowledge and research into gambling machines, all of these listed machines (except the dart board) are illegal in Wisconsin" under state statutes 945.03, 945.035 and 945.04, police Lt. Ben Goodin said in a memorandum to the committee. Goodin said the devices also are illegal in Appleton under ordinance 9-52(3). In upholding the denial, the committee indicated that Pizzeria Pub & Bar could reapply for a license for the dartboard, but that would require new $25 application fee. The initial fee of $125 — $25 each for five devices — pays for the city staff review and is not refundable. Earlier this month, the Common Council voted 13-2 to deny a liquor license for Delaire's coffee and board game bar, 823 W. College Ave., due to concerns the business might install illegal gambling machines. Before the vote, business owner David Boulanger of West Bend told the council that he agreed in writing that Delaire's wouldn't have any illegal gambling machines. "If the council wants to include that as a condition on my license, I have no problem with that," Boulanger said. "Yet despite this, I'm still being denied, while I personally identified 15 other businesses within a half mile of this City Hall that currently have gambling machines and are operating without issue." Council member Chris Croatt said Boulanger's statement was consistent with what Boulanger told the Safety and Licensing Committee "since they changed their business plan." Boulanger's statement didn't sway council member Katie Van Zeeland. "The applicant did provide a model business that advertises gambling on their Facebook page, and that, for me, is the biggest reason why I'll vote against this," she said. Council member Denise Fenton also was unconvinced. "I have no confidence that the applicant is telling us the truth about his intentions," Fenton said at committee. Contact Duke Behnke at 920-993-7176 or dbehnke@ Follow him on Twitter at @DukeBehnke. This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Appleton pub denied license for devices over illegal gambling concerns
The Independent
25-02-2025
- Business
- The Independent
What are the best solar panels to buy?
There are plenty of brands to choose from when it comes to solar panels, with familiar tech brand names mixing with relative unknowns. Much of your choice will depend on which installers you choose to go with, as they will have brands they prefer to buy from, if only to make use of bulk purchasing. The numbers you will be looking for are the price, warranty, efficiency – up to 25 per cent or so is possible, degradation (they age, albeit slowly) and power output. There's plenty of competition in the solar market. A boom in commercial panels used in solar farms, which power up to 5 per cent of the UK grid, means that the technology has come on leaps and bounds in recent years as more money is poured into developing better and cheaper panels. There is also a big difference between older, cheaper panels and newer ones, which will cost more but yield more power and generally offer a longer life. After 30 years, the amount supplied can drop to less than 80 percent of its advertised supply, but high-end models can offer more than 90 per cent. When choosing a solar panel, it's best to weigh up the full cost of installation as well as the panel cost, since you'll probably need to pay for the hire of scaffolding and the purchase of other equipment to connect your shiny new panels to your home electricity mains. Once you have an idea of what the full cost will be, you'll have a better idea of how good a plan it may be to go for cheaper cells. Ones that last longer and provide more power may be worth it to avoid renting more scaffolding in 10 years for replacements. DMEGC Infinity China's DMEGC, part of the Hengdian Group conglomerate, could be the biggest energy company you've never heard of. It's shipped more than 50 gigawatts of solar panels since its founding in 1980. This model provides a good compromise between power output, long warranty and decent power longevity, offering more than 87 per cent of its box-fresh output after 30 years. REA Fusion2 Solar Panel This is the best panel for efficiency and maintaining power over the long run. Depending on how many cells you buy and your other fitting costs, it may well be the most expensive option however. Made in Australia, the manufacturers say these cells are built to last. Aiko Neostar Price, installed: £1250 per kW Efficiency: 23 per cent Wattage per panel: 460W Type: N-Type Made in: China Degradation: 88.90 per cent after 30 years Warranty: 25 years for the product itself, 30 years for the degradation figure China has invested billions of pounds in making cheap solar cells, and the country's Aiko Neostar range offers amongst the best power output, as well as a long warranty and very respectable efficiency Jinko Tiger Founded in 2006, Jinko has grown to be another vast Chinese player in solar panels. Again, the long warranty, slow ageing rate and good power output make this a good all-round choice. Sharp NU-AF Price, installed: £600 per kW Efficiency: 19 per cent Wattage per panel: 370W Type: PERC Made in: Thailand and Vietnam Degradation: 81 per cent after 30 years Warranty: 10 years Probably the most recognisable brand on the market, and also the budget option, Sharp's NU-AF model uses cheaper PERC technology rather than the N-Type process that dominates the rest of our list. This is the best budget buy, but you compromise a little in terms of the warranty, efficiency and the power output. The cells also age quicker than their competitors, but those with roof space to spare might decide to plump for them.
