Archive for June, 2009

Jun 30 2009

Using Solar Energy Is Starting To Become More Frequent Each Year

The cost of electricity is rising and the best alternative that we have now is using solar energy. The real reason for this being burnt that fossil fuels like coal,which in turn is being employed to provide power,so if we’d like our future to be the greenest, this is the time we step forward and start using solar technology needed for Electrical power moaning that have consistently supported that electricity is of the most importance and wishes to stay are:

1) Need for light and power after it becomes dark 2) Need for appliances to work so the food we eat remains edible. Not having the power to use electricity for either work or entertainment would be a great hamper on life as everyone knows it.

Varieties of solar power products are the actual reason that many folks do not use solar power is generally because they’re not aware of what all it has got to offer. Thsi being said that they don’t seem to be mindful of what all products are available that may be used with aid from solar energy for a mean home.

In fact, you could install solar energy systems that range between tiny movable systems for your vacation home to large fixed solar electricity systems that are built right into your house as either a standalone system or a grid system. It is this wide-ranging pliability linked with the undeniable fact that it is a renewable often available power source that makes it such a great thing. You can start out little with individual systems like solar water heater,solar shower, solar lighting, solar fans.

That is not all today we also have solar radios, solar cookers and solar purification systems. Solar energy is far more useful as it may be utilised to recharge your electric batteries and you may also power up each single appliance in your place with the help of the right solar system. It is merely a matter of determining where you want to use it. Solar energy can be employed in your business or home. There are a mess of uses for solar power round the household. After you discover solar power for the home, you can notice that you can power up nearly any electrical appliance or machine with the right solar power system and supplies.

After reading the above article you can straight away start to see where and how applying solar energy would be beneficial for you,your money and your children. Just remember that todays savings could lead to a bright and healthy future.

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Jun 30 2009

Making Your Own Solar Panel Isn’t Rocket Science

We are all reeling from the effects of the economic and environmental situations we are facing currently. Although it may seem like the situation is dire, we can still bounce from these issues and preserver through it all. Solutions such as energy solutions like solar power and wind power. Constructing your own home made solar panel is a great way to reduce your dependence on utility energy and reduce your energy bill at the same time. Well, learning how to build your own homemade solar panels is no longer science fiction.

Wouldn’t you take the opportunity to reduce your energy bill by 50% or even more? Saving at least 50% on your electric bill is possible through the following of energy saving guides which show you ways on how to save money on your electric bill.

There are many tips and instructions you’ll find in an energy saving guide such as:

Detailed explanations that could be understood by the average Joe for building a home made solar panel. Learn all you need to know about how to make solar energy.

Other details on how to obtain the components available in the neighborhood material store for preparing the home made solar system.

Tips to help you maximize and be most efficient when building your own alternative energy generator.

Free life long updates to the instructional manuals and videos.

A guarantee that youll begin to save hundreds of dollars on your energy bill after using the system for 8 months.

Detailed specifications explained by videos.

By creating your own home made energy, youll be amazed at your own production. Youll be making energy, and storing it in deep cell batteries for later consumption! All for the costs of pennies on the dollar! The DIY instructional how-to book are easy to understand so that even a novice will be able to understand.

Make power at home with solar energy to eliminate your power bill. Get a complete energy saving guide, such as the Earth4Energy guide, to learn how to make solar power!

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Jun 29 2009

Solar Energy Advantages And Disadvantages Uncovered

The sun is free for everybody to use. Irrespective of religion and nationality, the sun shines upon all of us in all its glory. Since the very dawn of history, the sun has been showering its light and warmth upon us. Thanks to modern science and technology, man now has the knowledge and know-how of harnessing a part of the tremendous energy contained in the sun and pitting it to various uses.

Think about solar energy and the first image that springs to the mind is that of those arrays of shiny photovoltaic panels adorning the rooftops and the countryside. Indeed, photovoltaic cells still remain the most popular way of generating solar power. Solar power, for one thing, is not cheap. However, even though the initial set up costs can be quite high, the long-term financial benefits of using solar power are too strong to deny.

Did you know that solar energy can actually give you the unique advantage of not only generating enough power for ourselves, but also sell off any surplus to the local utility company or the grid at a profit through what is known as the “Net-metering Scheme”. It is really a very simple process, requiring no raw materials and having no running cost. All one needs to do is connect the system to the local power grid and send back the excess power generated by him to the local company. An example will make things clearer. Say, your monthly electricity consumption is X number of units or A amount of dollars. Now, if you install a solar panel at your home that can produce 6X number of units per month that is equivalent to $5A and you draw 2X number of units from the utility for night time consumption, you are still left with 6X minus 3X or 3X number of units equivalent to $5A minus $A or $4A in your hand. Selling off surplus power seems like the only sensible and smart choice because you cannot store this power for use on rainy days. If left unused, it will usually go to waste. Therefore, the smart decision is to sell it back and make a neat stash.

Before making the switch to solar power, there is one very important consideration to make viz. the return on investment. Don’t forget that solar systems rarely come cheap. In fact, the initial investment and setup costs can be daunting by most standards, even though most states have provisions for financial assistance for the cause because solar energy is widely regarded as an eco-friendly, clean and renewable form of energy that does not pollute the environment and can actually save the government substantial costs in pollution-control. However, you can always find out the break-even point by subtracting the value of the annual sale of electricity from the initial investment made by you. Take a look below for a typical example.

Initial investment $30,000 Annual sale value of solar electricity $ 5,000 Time to reach break-even point 6years From the 7th year onward Zero cost!

The ecological benefits of using solar energy are too strong to deny. In fact, one of the biggest advantages of using solar energy comes from its clean, renewable, non-fossil fuel oriented and sustainable nature. Solar energy production does not cause air pollution because, unlike other conventional modes of energy production, there is no discharge of sulfur dioxide (SO), carbon dioxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (NO) or mercury. And for the same reason, solar energy does not contribute to the contemporary problem of global warming or greenhouse effect. What’s more, with solar energy you never need to worry about smog or acid rain in the area where it is utilized. What could be ‘greener’ than this?

Another big advantage of using solar energy comes from the fact that it is virtually free and requires very little maintenance.

Solar energy can set you free. Let me explain. These days, thanks to advanced research, it doesn’t take much to set up a fully functional solar power unit near your own house and start generating your own electricity. Solar power setups are self-sustained and an independent means of energy production. This distinctiveness of operation helps installation of units anywhere under the sun, irrespective of whether other facilities are available or not. Besides, it offers excellent portability. Powerful Solar energy units mounted on trailers, complete with control panel, converters, battery banks and switches are now in use in such remote areas like the South African Game Reserves where scientists are busy checking the genes of large animals like the rhinoceros or the giraffe. Independent solar energy operated units help light up their camp sites while powering their laptops for research work and power other equipment.

Last but definitely not the least, it has already reduced the dependence on Middle Eastern countries whose oil supplies had so far been responsible for fossil fuel generated electric power. In fact, considering the pace at which mankind is adopting solar power in homes and workplaces, the day is not too far away when diesel powered generators would be a matter of the past.

All said and done, let us now take a look at some of the disadvantages that accompany solar energy uses. A disturbing factor is the present high cost of installation of a solar panel. Though efforts are underway to improve their affordability (there are many government schemes that extend financial help to those willing to install a solar power unit), the picture is still far from encouraging.

You must be all set to switch to solar power by now. But don’t get started all alone. What you need is a training guide – a manual, that will let you learn how to install a system. You will also need to know a few other things such as what is the best place to set up the system, where to buy the parts, how to get free batteries, safety precautions and also wiring the system. Get informed and you are ready to install solar system in your home. This the best way to ensure a quick, successful installation.

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Jun 28 2009

Living Off The Grid – It Is Free And Can Be Easy.

The ongoing rapid consumption of the planets non-renewable energy. The eminent shortage of power. The steadily increasing requirement for power supply. Virtual daily warnings regarding our environment should be adequate signs that it is about time we did something about the situation.

So, what can we do? For starters, how about living off the grid? If I have startled you with that proposition, let me tell you that living off the grid not only helps the environment and helps save power; it also cuts down our electricity bill substantially. Now, thats a tangible benefit apart from all the good you will do to the world.

Living off the grid. What does it mean?

For the supply of electricity, sewerage and water. We remain dependent on the service companies to supply our needs. They all have a infrastructure they use to convey their services to us. This is what is normally referred to as “The Grid”.

So, by living off the grid we would become self sufficient in some of the areas of the needed services and would therefore not be dependent on the companies supplying these services.

Let us first study a few of the advantages of living off the grid.

1. We would reduce our dependency on some of the resources that are being rapidly exhausted. Living off the grid would in essence mean that we would rely only on the abundant natural resources. After all, do you want to be dependent on the government and corporation services for all time?

Think about it for a second. You would have no more power outages that only too frequently disrupt work you may be doing, your favorite game on TV. Or while entertaining guests. Well, with alternate natural power, you will be able to prevent these factors effecting you.

2. Freedom of usage of naturally available resources. How would you feel when you don’t have to pay for the power you use? Wouldn’t it be delightful to use as much power as you want without worrying about the electricity meter? You can make use of the abundant power available in the nature to light up your home and make your food. The solar power solutions and the wind power solutions could be the answers to your power quest.

3. What is perhaps the greatest advantage of using natural resources. Is the cutting down or even complete removal of you electricity costs. What you would save on your electricity bill would very soon negate your investment in alternate power. And then have a free supply thereafter.

4. Creating a greener planet and healthier environment. By reducing the usage of the dwindling non-renewable resources. We would play a part in ensuring that the future of our future generations is secure.

In closing. If you are considering living off the grid by making use of the abundantly available alternate power sources. Let me assure you that not only would it be beneficial to the planet. It would also prove to be a very cost-effective and viable alternative.

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Jun 28 2009

Solar Power Systems For Residential Homes

Using the Sun’s energy to power your home can be split into two categories. There are passive and direct solar power systems. Passive systems generally take advantage of the Sun’s thermal properties to generate heat. Thus solar water systems use the Sun’s heat to make hot water to be used in the home. Creating rooms in the home or Sun traps that absorb thermal rays can also act as a form of heating for the home. However this article is more concerned with the direct use of solar power to create electricity in the home.

Electricity is created by utilizing sun light energy. The technology that does this is known as the photovoltaic (PV) cell. A cell is made from a silicon compound that throws an electron loose of the atom whenever sunlight of a certain frequency strikes the cell. When many cells are linked together in series, this forms an electric current.

Many PV cells connected together in series is referred to as a solar module. When many solar cells are connected together than are known as a solar panel.

No doubt you have seen a solar panel on one or more roofs of homes in your area. This is where they are normally installed but they can go anywhere provided they get access to direct sunlight.

Solar panels create direct current (DC) electricity. A power inverter is used to convert this DC to alternating current (AC). AC electricity is needed to power most of the appliances in the home.

AC is distributed to the numerous power points in the home via an electrical service panel or breaker box. If you are connected to the grid a utility meter will record your electricity usage.

An example of how this works is during midday. In theory this is the best time for your solar panels to create electricity. As you may be out or at work this will also be the time when you use little or no electricity. So the utility meter might go backwards indicating that you are generating electricity for the utility company.

Your home solar power system can be connected to the grid as described above or it can be off grid. On the grid or grid tied (also known as a net metering system) is a way to make money with your solar panels. Many utility companies have their own set of rules governing this arrangement so you need to check with the company you are using beforehand. Many states have laws that dictate how the net metering system should work and what guidelines the companies should follow.

Off grid systems are exactly that. The home is not connected to an electricity supply and all the power must be generated by the solar power system. More thought needs to go into the system and a back up system is needed if the solar panels cannot meet your energy demands or there is bad weather.

Typical back up systems are a fuel driven power generator or some type of renewable system, like a wind or water power system. An off grid solar system also has to store DC in batteries so that it can be used at night when there is no Sun. This is an extra responsibility.

Most people go for an on grid system with net metering as this is less responsibility and can stack up economically. With more experience they may go more off grid. Of course this is more responsibility and work but the potential to save money is greater.

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