Archive for January, 2010

Jan 31 2010

Your Thermonuclear Source of Solar Energy

For whatever the reason, we have a giant and extremely dense sphere of hydrogen in the sky called the Sun. How lucky for us this is, since the Sun is constantly undergoing Nuclear Fusion and cranking out megatons of solar energy on a regular basis.

This solar energy arrives to Earth as electromagnetic radiation, where it is absorbed and utilized in the biosphere in numerous ways. The Sun and solar energy it emits is arguably the most essential element to our existence.

Electromagnetic (EM) radiation comes in many different wavelengths. We describe EM radiation based on its wavelength with Gamma rays being the shortest, and Radio waves the longest. Earths solar energy falls in the middle, composed of infrared, ultraviolet, and visible light waves. This is a good thing because all wavelengths between Gamma rays and Ultraviolet rays are harmful to humans and most other things on Earth.

Solar energy plays a primary role in all biological and thermal interactions on the Earth. With the presence of carbon dioxide, water, and solar energy, plants are able to produce energy through a process called Photosynthesis.

Solar energy is also the primary element that forms weather patterns. The Sun warms the surface of the earth, whereby wind patterns develop. Solar energy is absorbed in the oceans, and this helps form the currents. Evaporation caused by solar energy is what fundamentally leads to clouds and thunderstorms.

The mountains, plains, oceans, and lakes, they too absorb solar energy and convert it to heat. Gradually everything becomes warm and wind patterns develop. Glaciers melt and create rivers. Rain storms distribute water, fill up aquifers, and sustain forests and plant growth. Ocean currents are set in motion.

The effects of solar energy are wide spread and dynamic. The Earth is one big giant bio-energy machine all fueled by the same thing ” that big Nuclear Furnace that rips across our sky once per day and which we call the Sun.

Thinking about it like that, we should probably all wake in the Morning and give thanks to the Sun. It is the single item in our existence we take most for granted. What if the Sun disappeared for one day? Just think of the mayhem and chaos this would create. And think of all the solar energy that would be lost all over the world.

So if theres one thing for sure, its that solar energy is here to stay. We are solar energy, its the reason we can see, and reason we can eat. It is embedded in virtually everything that surrounds us. When the Sun goes, we will go with it.

The modern home can benefit greatly from solar technology, and the implementation has only just begun. Whether retrofitting your house, or building a new home, harnessing solar energy can bring tremendous savings and true energy independence. As a side benefit, we can feel good about lessening our impact on the environment.

How much can we rely on these new technologies to power our daily needs? Does making power from solar energy really save in the long run? How difficult are solar energy systems to integrate, and what types of technologies are the best? We pondered these very questions ourselves, and decided to share some of the answers.

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Jan 30 2010

Make Solar Cells And Build Your Own Solar Panels

In a brief attempt to sort out some myths about how to make solar cells we will discuss some of the motivations that folks have with regard to their interest in solar energy. We will also touch on the mechanics or science of the subject. And finally we will mention what the solutions are that people choose from.

Many people want know how to make these cells simply because of the amount of money that they believe they will save on their home electricity. Many even envision selling power back to their own local electric company. Although both of these ideas are not only possible but are actually being done all over the world, there needs to be at least a clear basic understanding of exactly what solar cells are.

These individual solar cells are most often called photovoltaic or simply PV cells. The word photo of course means light and the word voltaic means to produce voltage. These Photovoltaic cells are a smaller part of a system modules that can be expanded to produce both a greater amount of current and or a larger amount of voltage. Each solar cell is capable of producing about 1/2 volt, this way the most common configuration of cells is one that has about 36 cells producing approximately 18 volts. Too these modules can also be set up in a way into larger panels to produce as much power needed for most practical purposes.

There are many reasons why most people who want to learn how to use solar power end up with what usually turns out to be a much better solution than to try to manufacture cells. This usually involves buying pre assembled panels because producing cells individually is usually done with the aid of exact materials manufactured to very exacting specs. As a matter of fact if you perform a search engine search for the phrase “how to make solar cells” you’ll end up with a lot more science project kinds of help instead of practical tutorials.

As stated before a lot of people become interested in producing solar power because of a desire to save money. But, unless they have the full knowledge, material and facilities to manufacture these cells this option is not available. Usually people quickly find that what they want to achieve can be better accomplished by building solar panels rather than solar cells.

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Jan 30 2010

Ways To Save On Electric Bill Using Off Grid System – How To Build Residential Windmill Power Generators?

Home energy costs are rising. The debate over climate change rages on. Whether you are more concerned about one or the other, chances are that at some point, you have probably wondered about ways to save on electric bill using off grid system to power your home. You are not alone. This is a growing trend.

The easy fix is right before the eyes of some in our country. In the areas of the nation that enjoy an abundance of sunlight, solar power is an obvious choice. With the proper combination of solar panels, controllers, batteries, and a fair amount of conservative energy usage a typical family home could sensibly run on a totally stand alone system with no help at all from their local power company.

If you do not live where the sun’s light reaches you regularly, there are still other alternatives at your disposal. Wind energy seems to be on the tip of the tongue for many people. This natural resource is undoubtedly more abundant than sunshine across our country.

While putting up a wind turbine on a small city lot may not be an ideal solution, there are many people living in suburban or semi-rural areas for whom this becomes an ideal and very viable solution.

It is fair to say that micro hydro electricity does not ready pop into the minds of many people. However, this is also quite an efficient source of renewable energy. Should the water supply available to you be plentiful, this can be a wonderful way to provide for lots of reliable energy for years to come. The energy produced this way is also very consistent, something which the other two alternatives are still working on.

Going the route of alternative energy and off the grid power not only frees you from the bounds of your local power company, but also drastically reduces your carbon footprint. Be sure to check out your area, consider your needs, and know your climate well before jumping into any of these. A little background research can save you more energy than you will ever know.

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Jan 30 2010

Build Homemade Solar Panels And Eliminate Your Energy Bills

Your energy bills can be eliminated if you know how to install your own homemade solar panels. But then not everybody who wants to harness free solar power to generate electricity is able to. Many have failed. Something have went wrong.

Even though some hobbyists have built their own solar energy panels, they were unable to supply enough energy to their home so they can be self-sufficient. And they are still struggling to find out why. At least they are much better than folks who do nothing but complain about exorbitant electricity bills.

Nobody love pay their power bills but few bother to do something about it. If you are reading this, you are surely not in this category, so I know you are someone who takes action to make your life better. So I shall share with you some simple steps that can really take their house off-grid and save on your power bills.

You will require to conduct some research first. This helps you appreciate how others have benefited from using renewable energy (like solar power). It gives you a feel that it’s indeed possible to eliminate your energy bills. With some faith, you will achieve your objective even if it appears to be slow at first.

Next you’ll need to get an instructional guide to show you exactly how to build homemade solar energy panels that can take your home off-grid. Here is where folks who have built their own solar panels failed — they attempt to figure things out themselves.

Many just go around in circles and some made expensive mistakes. Both groups of people eventually give up the project as it took too long and they did not see the result.

Learn from those who failed. An installation guide usually costs less than $50 and it contains insider tips on how to build a professional-looking photovoltaic panel at one tenth the cost of retail models. If you were to figure things out yourself, you need to get very lucky to complete your project successfully. Yet the chances are people will end up paying hundreds of dollars for mistakes that could be avoided with a $50 guide.

Remember to start small when you first start building. When you are familiar with what you’re doing, then scale up the installation.

Eventually, you’ll get to the point where there is more than enough electricity coming from your solar panels. Then you can sell your surplus energy to your local power company who will be glad to buy from you.

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Jan 29 2010

Save On Energy: Generate Your Own Energy Source With Home-made Solar Cells

For quite some time, solar cells have been completely important for making a sustainable energy supply. Numerous international locations, chiefly the tropical ones, have been employing the effectiveness of direct sunshine in order to produce electricity. There is logic to this.

The sun’s light along with heat are effectively the source of most other energy on the earth. So just why is it that sunlight isn’t commonly employed to create electrical power?

The creation of solar cells makes it achievable, finally. So, in addition to commercial versions, you will discover residential solar cells that are becoming employed far and wide.

Can Anyone Implement This?

Are home developed solar cells truly possible? The response to that question is affirmative. Currently, quite a few homeowners could very well produce their own energy through using residential solar cells.

It actually is less difficult and complicated as a person might believe. You may choose to make your very own solar power panels given that on the whole, commercially obtainable solar cells are too pricey.

This high cost may be the main rationale as to why not very many families as well as residences have been employing solar cells for the manufacturing of electrical power.

Do you want to move forward in generating your private energy? You may well start your endeavor at this moment. In the event that you do not want to spend thousands of dollars to obtain a commercial solution, you must then spend some amount of money to buy the needed manuals for creating the home-made solar cells.

Accessibility of the Supplies

An individual could locate and purchase such resources in either bookstores or on the web. The instructions would definitely serve as directives while you try to produce the solar cells yourself. The procedural narratives are almost always detailed, the guidance comprehensive, and the insights and ideas are genuinely clarifying.

You may well start by tracking down and buying the essential components and specific tools that should make creating solar cells alone achievable and easier.

Just How Complex is the Labor?

You might be happy to learn that the effort isn’t as difficult or as confusing as you may possibly imagine. You can actually accomplish all of the actions by yourself, although it would be quicker if someone in your household would assist you.

What is even more, it may well simply require a number of hours or up to about three days to totally finish the development and assembly of your residential solar cells. On the whole, your total investment in the project may not even get to, much less surpass, a thousand dollars.

This is a pretty small personal investment compared to the considerable quantity of money you might preserve from making your private energy.

Consequently why delay your decision? You would definitely do yourself a favor to give this alternative a serious look to assist in comprehending exactly why more and more families are moving in this direction.

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