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Posts Tagged ‘Solar Power’

Many solar power plant projects are being considered in locations like New Mexico and California where there are consistent and regular patterns of sunshine.  It is therefore reasonable to consider the overall effectiveness and practicality of solar power plants on a large scale.  How much can solar power be used to provide for America’s energy base?

The answer proposed is fairly simple.  Pound for pound solar power stations do not compete well with the raw output of a combustion based energy station.  The energy locked up in combustible fuels such as coal, natural gas, and diesel is enormous.  As long as these fuels can be obtained for a reasonable price, they will outperform the renewables market for many years to come.

Combustible fuels can be thought of concentrated and stored solar energy from millenia before and in that sense are not really a bad thing.  Without combustion we would have to sacrifice our industrial base and many of our modern technologies.

Most of our comforts and commercial activities are founded on several industries.  This foundation includes processing raw materials like aluminum, iron, copper, steel, and more.  This includes plants that produce machinery, tools, cars, airplanes and all the gadgets and gizmos we use in everyday life.  It also includes sawmills and heavy machinery used for the harvesting of lumber and agricultural products. 

The reality is our regular daily lives are very electricity intensive.  This energy consumption is rooted in the infrastructure that bolsters our economy and our existence and the reality is it is supported by energy generated through combustion.

Here lies the basic problem with large solar power stations.  They cannot supply enough energy to support America’s industrial base.  This does not mean they are irrelevant or undesireable.  It means solar energy systems make the most sense in small commercial and residential applications where energy consumption is lower.

As an example, a 500 MegaWatt combustion power plant can fit in a relatively small space, less than a 1/4 square mile without much difficulty.  When considering a photovoltaic solar power plant, nearly 1,140 acres (almost 2 square miles) of solar panels would have to be installed to equal this same capacity.  This is 2 square miles of nothinig but solar panels, not even allowing for maintenance access roads and other maintenance space.  Because solar panels produce peak power with the peak amount of sun then we only get a fourth of the total output for eight times the amount of space!

Where there is plenty of sun and good weather we need to use solar power solutions to supplement our energy portfolio.  Our modern combustion technologies deserve recognition.  Modern technology in combustion power plants create clean and efficient power with very high reliability 24 hours a day.  The highly concentrated energy source of fossile fuels is simply too great to ignore as it relates to powering America’s industrial base.

Technorati Tags: Residential Solar Power, solar energy, Solar Power

If I was a betting man, I’d bet you are already using solar power. It is in your fuel, your food, and in some form or another almost everything you do. In more practical terms, though, we are talking about heat and electricity. Why should we use solar energy systems to power our homes?

The answer is that solar energy is reliable and free. From the early morning dawn to the late evening set, the Sun will shine each and every day. Solar energy may be the single most consistent thing there is on our planet.

For now the government isn’t taxing it and there are no greenhouse gas emissions. And solar energy needs no refinement, it’s ready to go. Rays of sunshine from above, perhaps nothing more perfect than pure solar power.

So what if your photovoltaic system is only 12% efficient, or your solar collectors absorb only 70% of the available heat? The reality is, your power source is free! No more utility bills, gas stations, and no more power outages. When your solar power system is finally in service there are no more continuing fuel costs. All that could take you down would be a volcanic cloud or weeks of unstoppable rain.

The difficulties in using solar energy are with selecting the right application and the right equipment. How much does a solar energy system cost and how difficult is it to integrate? How simple or elaborate should it be? In my location, is solar energy right for me? Here are some straight answers to help your case.

If you have a sunny climate with lots of solar energy, then put it to use. You will save money long term and do so in an environmentally safe way. We would estimate that at least 50% of the United States could be using solar energy in some way.

If your home is overcast and rainy most of the time then a solar power system probably won’t work well for you. Coastal climates and winters in the north are difficult for this. But this does not mean you should not investigate, there may still be some opportunity.

When it comes to making heat and hot water with solar energy – absolutely. We call this passive solar heating. These are cost effective systems that can be incorporated directly into your business or home. A lot of designs for passive solar heating are cheap and simple.

When it comes to making electricity from solar energy, the answer will depend on many things. All in, the furnaces and combustion engines of the local power company are just some times hard to beat.

If you are using tons of electricity in your home or your business then solar energy may be difficult to justify. This is where local Utilities are good, they can kick out the juice for all the high power users and the heavy duty industries. But if you are simple in life and efficient in how you use energy, then the up-front cost of solar power can pay off over time. It could be as little as 5 years depending on the electrical rate of your local utility.

If you are miles from an electrical supply then solar power can save you a bunch of money. You can save money by avoiding expensive transmission cables routed to your property.

If you are interested in an emergency reserve of energy, then this also is a good use for solar energy. With just a few solar panels you can charge a large bank of batteries. So when you get those destructive storms and environmental disasters, just kick in the emergency reserve and ride it through.

Whatever your specific purpose, the reasons for using solar energy are many. Be it an emergency back up, a money saver, or just to reduce pollution, installing a solar energy system is a beneficial experience.

Technorati Tags: Renewable Energy, solar energy, solar panel, Solar Power

Cleaning agents usually contain very powerful chemicals meant to remove stains, kill germs or dissolve rust and mineral deposits, but all these substances are a threat for our health.Paint, oil, grease, germs, stains and blotches are the nightmare of cleaning and the enemies of good health, and people use very powerful agents to eliminate the problem. Given the immense environmental problems, some companies have taken up manufacturing eco-friendly cleaning products. Organic solvents and powerful cleaning agents can also be derived from vegetables and plant ingredients, and here we have the solution for eco-friendly cleaning.Save energy, click here for more info!

There is a widely spread lack of confidence in the capacity of eco-friendly cleaning products to remove resistant stains. Even in the absence of toxic solvents, there is no compromise in terms of efficiency, because high-quality eco-friendly cleaning solutions do a great job. It is paradoxical how we soil and litter our planet while making efforts to remove the dirt from daily life. Why switch to eco-friendly cleaning? If you take up eco-friendly cleaning you can say goodbye to chemicals and toxic fumes from your home.

Babies and children will no longer be exposed to the chemical residues that remain in the clothing after washing. Plus, you get to replace toxic spray bottles for good. With eco friendly cleaning, you can say goodbye to home poisons. You can eliminate the hazardous substances by using household pickup days, and replacing them with safer versions. Eco-friendly cleaning equals a better environment for your children. Moreover, the water pollution would drop by the use of non-toxic cleaning agents. If you don’t have eco-friendly cleaning products ready-made for a certain task, there are homemade solutions available too. Find out more about renewable energy!

The Internet abounds with eco-friendly cleaning tips, you just need a bit of time, interest and patience to see how to deal with the issue. Further try to change the cleaning accessories too, and replace them with some natural ones. Sponges, mops and rags should be all reusable and natural. A responsible human being living in the 21st century should mind the durability, health and environment impact of the products he/she purchases for home use. Major savings will also come together with such changes too.Renewable power is our future. Find out more!

Technorati Tags: green energy, green power, powerverde, powerverdeenergy, Renewable Energy, renewable power, solar energy, solar lighting, solar lights, Solar Power

Goods and services with no negative impact on the environment are known as earth friendly products. The eco-labels on such products tell consumers that the items are organic or natural. In some countries the very concept is pretty vague and people lack the basics of green education. Plus, the present international standards do not allow for a standardization and the implementation of an all green regulation. The regulators are meant to provide guidance because the single specification of environmentally friendly on a product label is not enough.Save energy, click here for more info!

Earth friendly products do receive a better exposure on the market. The consumers’ awareness increases slowly but surely, which means that in time, lots of environmentally harmful products will be banned for good. Momentarily, organic food has become subject to intense advertising campaigns. This seems to be the right alternative to the conventional food saturated with chemicals, pesticides and additives. The average consumer does not even know how many options there are available in terms of earth friendly products from the bio-degradable bags to sustainable building materials. Find out more about renewable energy!

Green living, clothing, green building, pet care, toys, gifts, furniture, body and bath products and lots of others make the main categories of earth friendly products that you can shop for. Some items are now widely available on the shelves of the supermarkets, but others can only be purchased online. Just search for them, and you won’t feel disappointed. You can first find some information on the Internet, and then check the local supply store to see whether they have the items available. Renewable power is our future. Find out more!

To sum it up: there is no toxicity for body or environment in earth friendly products. Raw materials, no toxic dies or toxic chemicals: this is what defines such items best. Although we can only speak of diversity but not of predominance on the market, earth friendly products do have a promising future. The offer should increase proportionately with the demand. Plus, eco-friendly products receive full support from international organizations such as Greenpeace that contribute to the conservation, regeneration and protection of the planet’s environment.

Technorati Tags: green energy, green power, powerverde, powerverdeenergy, Renewable Energy, renewable power, solar energy, solar lighting, solar lights, Solar Power

Recently, two US astronauts on the International Space Station took six hours to install a new solar panel on the outside of the station.The panel cost a massive $300 million US dollars, and increased the energy capacity of the station to such a degree that it could handle six resident astronauts as opposed to three.  Thankfully, solar power for more down-to-earth projects doesn’t cost that much !
From space exploration to domestic electricity, solar power is a growing industry. But whether a solar system costs millions of dollars or a few thousand, the issues of quality and installation don’t change.Compromising quality for price is a real risk as inferior products will not perform well and could even be a danger. 
Cheap solar panels may seem like an attractive proposition, but they are really not ideal.To get the most of your investment – regardless of what it is – you should always make sure you get expert advice from people with a proven track record.
There are many lower-cost solar panels flooding the market, the bulk of which come from the East.Some of the cheap, imported panels are self-certified which gives them a sense of authenticity (unfounded of course), and this is cause for concern in some countries, including Australia.A ‘CE’ mark from Europe is worthless in Australia, as it is not independent and therefore is meaningless. 
Some of the problems with faulty panels are inferior or unreliable performance, leaving consumers with no recourse.    The potential for a fire hazard is also a concern, as it is with any electrical system.The fire risk doesn’t come from the solar panels themselves, but rather from faulty wiring or damage to the electrical components.
In order to minimise risk, it’s always best to select a supplier based on reputation, certification and experience in solar power installations.A list of all the solar panel models that meet the standards set by the Australian regulators can be obtained from the Business Council on Sustainable Energy.
A word of advice comes from Perth solar energy company, Solar My World, who suggest that anyone wanting to install a solar system should do their homework thoroughly before making any investment.”There has been significant growth in the solar industry, which has meant a growth in the number of installers plus inferior products in the market.  Choosing a certified, experienced contractor is vital for the sustained long-term performance, durability and safety of any solar system.”
Solar my World has been appointed as an official supplier of solar systems from one of the biggest renewable energy companies in the world, Conergy.Solar my World supplies and installs solar hot water and solar power systems from Conergy, which are manufactured in Germany at a factory which is the most advanced of its kind in theh world.Conergy solar systems are well-priced and comprehensively tested to ensure they meet superior quailty and performance standards, and offer these advantages :
• Made in Germany
*Advanced cell design
• Low performance tolerance +/- 3%
* Up to twenty-five year warranty
• 4mm thick low reflection solar glass (other panels are generally 3mm)
* IEC salt mist test certified
* Specially developed frame
* Superior corrosion protection
• Superior quality finish
From the space mission controllers to ordinary folk who are concerned about the environment and renewable energy, solar power can light everyone’s world.

Technorati Tags: Perth solar panels, Renewable Energy, solar energy, solar hot water, solar hot water Perth, solar panels, Solar Power, solar power Perth

Did you know that the U.S. indeed has an enormous potential for developing renewable energy sources? A couple of different types of renewable energy – especially solar power. For example, we have such things as wave energy (from ocean waves), and wind energy. All these renewable sources have lots of un-tapped potential.

The western world has for over a hundred years relied mostly on such fossil energy sources as oil and coal. However, the “times they are a-changing” as Bob Dylan sang. Coal and oil have been used because they were cheap and abundant. Not to mention the convenience of using these sources of energy.

It is now evident that the Earth’s stored fossil energy reserves are running low. It gets increasingly difficult to extract them. Also, there is the looming threat called “Global Warming”.

Personally, I believe this is a real issue. It is not that hard to realize that massive amounts of carbon dioxide are released when we burn coal and oil. This originates from carbon which has been hidden in the depths of the Earth for many millions of years. Now we humans are opening a Pandora’s box by releasing tremendous quantities into the air.

The 20th century saw a dramatic rise of CO2 in the Earth’s atmosphere. The reason this is a concern is the “greenhouse effect” of CO2. This gas is invisible to us but reflects infrared radiation back to the surface of the Earth. Which means that as the CO2 level goes up, so will the Earth’s temperature go up also.

You will be affected in different ways depending on where you happen to live. In some parts of the world, it can lead to disastrous consequences – drought, desertification, famine. And then there is the alarming fact of rapid melting of the polar ice caps. In case this continues unabated, we will have a rise in ocean levels, likely a couple of feet. Then, coastal cities like New York would be partly submerged. And if you live in a place like the Netherlands, you’d likely find your area submerged also.

What can we do about these problems? The answer to that challenge is to stop using fossil fuels ASAP. Let us turn to renewable sources, such as solar panels – they have enormous promise. I guess you belive solar panels are way too costly? Not anymore. There is money to be saved if you set up those home solar panels with your own very hands.

If you like to be self-reliant, you should be interested in DIY home solar panels. Install them on your house, and say goodbye to those high utility bills. People in the U.S. have proven themselves to live up to even the toughest challenges. Therefore, my firm opinion is that even this challenge will be met successfully.

Technorati Tags: diy solar panels, home solar panels, Renewable Energy, solar panels for homes, Solar Power

For as long as I can remember, I have had a dream about building my own house. And not just any house. This house should be beautiful; but it should also be eco-friendly.

To be eco-friendly, or gentle on the environment, means a couple of things. The first thing in my view is to create a good environment inside the house by using sound construction materials. What you really want to avoid is getting some hazardous materials into your home. For example: formaldehyde – a very dangerous compound – is found in certain types of particle board. Formaldehyde is a gas which makes you sick, even in minute amounts.

Another important aspect is how you heat the place. Where I live, electricity used to be very cheap some years ago. Guess what – everyone figured they should use electric heating in their dwellings. As far as I understand it, this solution isn’t used much these days, as the electricity cost has increased a lot.

Same thing with oil. Back when I was a kid, I remember how everyone used oil to heat their home because it was cheap. The rising cost of oil is making this an expensive solution.

If you insulate your house better, you can beat the mounting costs of energy. Houses built during the merry days of cheap energy tend to have very flimsy insulation. People didn’t care to put money into better insulation when oil was so cheap anyway.

Things have changed nowadays. There are even cases where better insulation has reduced the energy cost by 50%. Believe it or not, there are super.insulated houses that hardly need any extra heating. So if you spend some cash upfront on insulation material you get it back in the long run.

Ideally, you’d want a solar powered house. Suppose you could turn all the sunlight which falls on your house to useful energy – then you wouldn’t need any other source. Even your car could run on that energy.

In practise, this isn’t possible today. But in laboratories, scientists have reached a more than 40% efficiency with solar cells. In other words: these cells can transform nearly one half of the sun’s light into useful electric power.

Of course, these cutting-edge solar cells are still very expensive. But solar panels with more modest efficiency are mass-produced, and getting fairly inexpensive. Nowadays a number of manufacturers are producing photovoltaic cells with up to 20 per cent efficiency, using streamlined methods like continous printing.

In case you would like to get home solar panels, there is money to be saved if you set them up yourself. Just like with most home improvement projects, doing it yourself cuts costs.

Besides the money saved, there is another nice bonus: self empowerment, ie. doing your own thing.

Once installed, solar panels for homes typically are expected to last for over 20 years. Which means that even though they cost you a chunk of cash, you can save money down the line.

Technorati Tags: home solar panels, photovoltaic cells, Renewable Energy, solar panels, solar panels for homes, Solar Power

Every year the sun sends down to the earth 170 Petawatts of energy in the form of light and heat and about 80 Petawatts eventually reach the ground. To get a better idea of what this amount of energy relates to, 40 Petawatts (80,000 trillion watts) or half a year’s worth is equal to all of the fossil fuels that we can ever extract from the earth. It’s free, non-polluting, and contributes 0% to global warming. So if you live where the sun shines a lot you are in an ideal position to build your own solar cell panels and make drastic cuts to your electric charges while simultaneously doing your part to protect the environment for future generations.

Since we are using up fossil fuel sources more rapidly than new ones can be discovered, it is only reasonable to start turning to one of the most abundant energy resources at hand that is free—solar power. It is a renewable resource that has not yet been fully tapped by a lot of countries which gives it almost unlimited potential in the future. You can capture this energy when you construct a solar cell that you locate either on your roof or near your house angled so as to catch as many sunshine as possible and transform it into electricity. You will need 10 or 12 panels to capture at least a kilowatt of power.

The biggest problem in the use of solar power is that it can only create power during daylight hours. The answer to this is to put an auxiliary system in place that will store the energy and then kick-in when the sun is not available. The most common supplementary system is comprised of deep cycle batteries that can supply power after the sun goes down or when a brownout happens to occur.

Quite a few individuals hesitate to implement a solar alternative energy solution for their home fearing that they are too expensive and unwieldy. They do carry a hefty price tag if you opt for professional installation but it may come as a surprise to you as to how cheap and uncomplicated it is to put up an alternative solar panel solution to that high monthly electric bill. If you live where there is a lot of sunshine and there aren’t trees or nearby mountains to block out the light, then you need to look into making your own solar panels and saying goodbye to high electric bills.

In California it is customarily acknowledged that converting your home to “green energy” is equal to eliminating two autos from the highway. Solar cell panels have more advantages than just being eco-friendly. They require very little maintenance which saves you time and money. Also, solar systems give you a return on investment very soon, thus making the systems free after some time. Solar energy is a smart alternative energy option and you can enjoy saving money while getting the satisfaction of building your own solar cell array.

Technorati Tags: homemade solar cell, how to build a solar cell, how to make a solar panel, mak, make a small solar panel, make a solar cell, solar, solar cells, solar electric, solar energy, solar energy panels, solar panel, solar panels, Solar Power, solar power systems, solar powered

Life on earth is fueled by the light and heat from the sun. Approximately, 3850 Zettajoules (ZJ) per year is the total amount of solar energy available to the earth. The suns energy travels to the earth by way of electromagnetic radiation like radio waves but the frequency range is different. Some of this energy is absorbed as it comes thru the atmosphere. Heat and light are the primary forms of solar energy.
Solar energy has many advantages over conventional energy. The energy from the sun is free the only expense is from recovering the energy. The cost of recovering the suns energy is recovered faster than with conventional energy. The recovering units don’t have to be connected to natural gas or power grids, they stand alone. The supply of solar energy is limitless. There are no emission gases that will harm the earths armosphere.

http://www.solar-ebook.com/solarpower.php?seed=Solar-Power-Investment

There are many different methods to recover the power from the sun

Focusing collectors: This has a movable mirror, known as heliostats, is pointed to the sun and can provide a temperature around 4000 degrees C. This degree temperature is used for a solar furnace in industries and research. These solar furnaces don't contaminate our environment. A heliostat is used to focus the energy to a boiler that will turn water into steam. To generate solar electricity, focusing collectors can be used.

Flat plate collectors: These collectors can be used in schools and homes to provide heat using water that is heated in pipes. They cannot give as much heat as the focusing collectors since they are smaller.
Solar distillation: Solar distillation is about the same as flat plate collectors but provides distilled water instead of heat. Sea water is put in tanks or ditches on the roof of a house and the heat from the sun heats and evaporates the water and turns the water vapor into liquid water that is distilled.

Solar electricity: By using focusing collectors and Photovoltaic cells, made of thin pieces of semiconductors, convert radiation from the sun into electricity.

Solar energy would not be affected by the supply and demand of fuel for it is free and it doesn’t polute the atmosphere. It is natural and pure. It will also give us better health.

There are several ways that we can work together in order to get the best of natural and renewable resources.It is an inspiration to many other people when we begin using solar power ourselves.  The expenses to using the solar energy are less than the cost of using other resources for heat, including electricity and gas. When you use electricity and gas you may have a low cost up front but in the end you end up paying for it from now on.  With solar power you may have an initial investment to turning your home into solar power but after that you have no reason to pay for it any further, unless you use electric or gas for a back up heating source. Solar power was available yesterday, it’s available today and hopefully it will be available for us in the future.

http://www.solar-ebook.com/solarpower.php?seed=Solar-Power-Investment

Technorati Tags: Solar Power

Take a look at Earth4Energy now …

Ever increasing numbers of people are finding out about renewable energy, these days, whether it’s passive solar, active solar or reduce household power bills.

Much of what is written is either a waste of trees or a load of impractical theories, so when it came to homemade solar panel systems I was very guarded.

What I found, confirmed my skepticism, a fair bit of what is presented is impractical to build, there were though a few publications that offered good quality, sound information.

Amongst the group, the best of these would be Earth4Energy, which clearly details how to construct a combination solar and wind power system, ideal for the average home.

The concept uses mainly recyclable materials, so is incredibly economic to put together, making it possible to have part of the system up in a weekend. The solar panel could take a bit more time, by the time you have located the necessary bits and pieces, but that’s nothing considering what you will save long term.

For the average homeowner this package offers a ever conceivable bit of help you will need to allow virtually anyone to build a renewable power system, {comprising both wind and solar power, that will generate power from both solar and wind}.

These wind and solar systems are not destined for mansions and don’t expect the first system you build to be able to generate enough power for your entire requirements, it won’t unless you are very energy conscious, it it wasn’t developed to be that big, but it could slash upto 30% on your power bills. That is just the start, once you know how to build one, just build another.

This package is a wealth of information, written by a man who lives what he preaches and even if you are only thinking about building a renewable energy system, this book will inspire you to take the first steps.

To find out more visit the Earth4Energy website.

Take a look at our Make Wind Turbine homepage …

Technorati Tags: earth for energy review, earth4energy review, home made power, renewable power, renewable power generation, solar panel, Solar Power, wind power