Habitat for Health | Energy, Healthy Home, and Lifestyle

Over the course of a day, the sun emits huge amounts of potential energy in form of light and heat. This energy can be harnessed in a few different ways, including:

- Passive solar energy: taking advantage of the heat displaced by the sun to help regulate home temperature

- Thermal solar collectors: with the use of mirrors, the suns energy can be intensified and used to heat water or air

- The light emitted by the sun can be converted into electricity with photovoltaic cells

Passive Solar Power: this simply refers to taking advantage of and controlling the heat and light displaced by the sun. When done properly and effectively, this can have a great impact on your monthly utility bills. Some easy things that can be done to ensure your home makes the most of the passive power of the sun:

- A well insulated home. This should result in an inside temperature that stays fairly constant. It is vital to have properly insulated ceilings, walls, and floors. Other key areas include around windows, doors, and electrical outlets. This is the most important step in taking advantage of passive solar energy.

- Along the lines of insulation, curtains can have a strong impact on maintaining a consistent home temperature. Shutters and clear insulating window covers can also play a role in keeping warm air in or cold air out.

- Something most people do not realize is that plants can play a strong role in determining the temperature of a house. In addition to providing fresh air, plants placed effectively around windows and doorways can function as a sort of heat barrier, keeping a house cool in the summer.

Anyone who has been outside on a warm, muggy summers day can realize the amazing amount of heat displaced by the sun. With the proper tools, it is easy to take advantage of this energy to heat water or even a house.

A thermal collector is a device that features an array of dark metal plates, covered in a sheet of glass. The sun warms these metal plates, which absorb the heat and transfer it to a substance, for example water or air. This heated substance can now be used immediately, or stored in a well insulated container for later use.

Finally, light emitted from the sun can be captured and converted to electricity. Basically, this is achieved through a reaction that happens within the photovoltaic panels which results in charged electrons creating an electric current. This can then be stored in a battery or used directly.

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It is no secret that the earth has always been an abundant source of renewable energy. This is why it is able to deliver alternative energy sources in a variety of forms. Renewable power is visible in many different forms and this is seen all over the earth. Actually, these renewable methods are common in regions where mechanical electricity, powered by petroleum, lack availability.

The sun, wind and the many other common properties of the earth itself shall always provide the earth with the energy we need but have yet figured out a viable means to properly enhance such sources into usable power. Currently, the world fossil fuel supplies of the earth are becoming limited. That is why there is a critical need for newer alternative energy sources.

Generating energy from alternative fuels is not difficult especially when you consider the steps that have been taken during the last century to turn fossil fuels into crude, then further refining into different types of gas, diesel and petroleum blends. Now that whole process has to have taken some work not to mention costing millions of dollars!

While the transition of moving into a new form of energy is very foreign to most of us, it is a necessary step if we want to preserve our world, improve our atmosphere, control global warming and continue to maintain our lifestyle as we have grown accustomed to.

One example of a renewable fuel and the price tag involved is solar electricity. The cost of purchasing all of the solar equipment is still more expensive than our present mechanically generated power. This is one of the changes that we have to learn to bear in transitioning into alternative energy. It is impossible to just stop using petroleum-based energy and replace it with solar or wind power overnight. There are going to be many changes and expenses for everyone to bear.

Generating electricity has not changed very much it was first discovered in the early 1800s by a British scientist. There are seven different methodologies for changing energy into electrical power the most common is electromagnetic induction. This is the common process of transforming kinetic energy into electricity. This is not an easy process but it is the one most commonly used.

Photovoltaic technology has been moving at a quicker speed than in the past. The problem with photovoltaic solar panels is that the cost is much higher than mechanically generated power. Capacity is now growing, by a leaping 40%, being led by such areas as Germany, Japan, California and New Jersey. Hopefully, within the next few years, the market will expand to turn this situation around to where solar power is more feasible than petroleum.

There is a better way to create our source of power but not without facing past mistakes and learning quite a bit about new products and methods. Schools are hard at work teaching our children to appreciate the sun, the wind, and the earth for all they have to offer to mankind and why it is wrong to pollute the air that protects us. The sooner we can begin to generate alternative renewable fuel, the better off our planet and its residents will be.

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Every day when you feel the heat of the sun on your back you are benefiting from a form of solar power.That giant star in our solar system provides heat for the earth and light. However, we must ask ourselves, What is residential solar power and how does it work?

Basically Residential Solar Power Is …

Starting with the suns rays, the energy imparted from the sun flies off as radiation to the earth and other planets. Its like the sun is bombarding the earth with its warmth and light! This is known as UVA or UVB radiation.

A lot of the sun’s rays bounce back into space, but enough of is absorbed by the earth for us to fuel every home across the planet. Unfortunately, our created reality is not a match for our imagination. So we have a well understood concept, but it is a concept that we are a long way from manifesting.

Have you noticed how many more solar panels you can see on rooftops and in people’s gardens and back yards? They all look a lot better these days. No longer do we live in a time when only the rich could afford solar power for homes.

I’m about to get technical with you now. Don’t worry. I’ll go slowly!

At this point I am about to start talking in scientific terms, but bare with me. It wont be for long I assure you!

The Scientific Explanation of Residential Solar Power

Solar panels are made up of an array of solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells. These cells more often than not come as a form of silicon or some other semi-conductive-type material. They are arranged positive to negative, end to end, in a uniform way to create the solar panel itself.

You get the best effect by placing this panel at the south of the building to capture the largest amount of sunlight. When the sun hits the solar panel, the sun’s radiation is absorbed into the solar cell as energy.

Scientifically, the light energy (aka ‘photons’) strikes the solar cells forcing electrons to be knocked loose.

Now freed up, these electrons rush to the other end of the solar cell and in this motion, electricity is made, the selfsame electricity you use to power your appliances in your home.

We’re not finished yet though. The electricity is still in a Direct Current (DC) format. Traditional homes require Alternating Current (AC), so some more work needs to be done to make this a useful exercise.

Now, the residential solar power system starts to do its thing. The electrical energy from the solar panel or photovoltaic array is sent to a DC disconnect device. This interrupts and changes the flow of electricity from the array.

Right about now, you can use one of two methods to send the electricity around your home. You could directly connect your residential solar power system to your homes electricity system. You will then have to pass the electricity through an inverter to transform your DC current into AC current.

You are almost ready to use the electricity. It passes through the inverter to be used by your AC outlets in your home.

The other option is to invest in a few deep cycle batteries and direct all that extra solar energy you don’t use in the day into them so they can store it for a later time when you might need it more.

In Conclusion

Using residential solar power will reduce your domestic utility bills. When you do introduce your solar power system you will know that you are ahead of the curve, foreseeing the future that, without doubt, will be crying out for alternative energy sources that are renewable and sustainable.

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With the current state of the economy and our dwindling global oil supply, everyone is a little scared about what the future holds. But fear can also be a positive motivator. Case in point is the new homemade solar panels industry that has sprung up. Everyone knows that we need to cut back on energy usage and especially fossil fuels like oil that cause environmental damage as well as global warming. Low cost homemade solar panels appear to be the solution. These homemade solar power systems use deep cycle batteries to store the electricity and can be used 24 hours a day, even at night.

Now anyone can lower their power bill by 80% or more by building their own, homemade solar panels and solar power system for less than $200! There is a business called Earth4Energy that sells a step by step guide that explains how to do it.

The features of the guide are: Full and detailed instructions which can be easily understood by a layman or the unskilled for how to make a solar panel, exactly how to obtain the components available in your neighborhood hardware store for building the homemade solar power system, detailed instructions on how to construct a wind power generator that is not available anywhere else, and a money back guarantee if you are not saving hundreds of dollars per month on your energy bill after using the system for eight months.

There are also videos that explain things if you are a visual learner.

Think about it. Here you are with a homemade solar panels system, generating power that will be stored in deep cell batteries for future consumption. And all of this costs just pennies on the dollar! The DIY instructional manual and videos are easy to understand so that even a beginner will be able to understand and follow.

I built my own homemade solar panel system and am saving about 40% off my monthly power bill. The reason I am saving only 40% is that I’m starting off small, with only a few panels and a very small battery bank. I plan on expanding my solar power system when I get more money.

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A stand-alone off-grid system is any type of renewable electricity system that is completely independent of the utility grid. Although this may sound like a dream come true, collecting all of the actual facts can help you to determine whether this is the best move for you.

Setting up an off-grid system means you are going to generate your own supply of electricity apart from the utility grid. You will no longer use the services and utility as provided by the utility grid. In case you lose electrical power due to malfunctions, you yourself will be the one to resolve it because you no longer have the access to the services provided by the utility company.

You are probably saving money from utility expenses. If this is your reason for deciding to move to off-grid system, then, make up your mind once again. Using an off-grid system to generate electricity and store it for future use will also cost you more money. Higher initial investment is the first thing to consider when deciding to move off-grid. With off-grid systems, large battery where the electricity will be stored and a generator machine are needed.

Your budget for this energy system should be higher because you will definitely spend thousands of dollars for the initial costs of setting the system up. With all these expenses, you would naturally expect that the system will work efficiently but there are times the system fails. And since this is powered by solar energy, it will operate while the sun is at its peak. That’s why it needs a battery bank where the energy can be stored.

Depending on renewable energy doesn’t always go as planned if you are counting on the sun or the wind. You will need a backup generator that runs on petroleum and is very noisy and smelly. Many times you will not have enough power to operate certain appliances because the power is not ‘on-demand’ when you need it.

Aside from the expenses and the limitations of the system, you also have to consider the maintenance and labor to be applied in going off-grid. Your independence will require you to gain knowledge about the mechanics of the system in case some problems arise. Instead of hiring someone to do the necessary maintenance for your system, you will save more if you know how to do it yourself.

Being independent with your electricity system is not impossible, especially if you have the capacity to be so. But if your sources are limited and you are not yet stable in handling related problems and expenses regarding the system, might as well think of it first. While you are still on the stage of learning more about the system, it is good to stay grid-tied while installing your own off-grid system so you have an available back-up when your system fails.

To those who are just starting the use of renewable fuel for daily electricity, it is best to use grid-tied system. You will not need a backup battery, your inverter is already connected to the grid, and the unconsumed energy will return to the grid. When you are ready to shoulder the costs of the off-grid system, then that’s the time you can move on. Perhaps the cost of the system is not that high anymore.

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