We can use the sun in the sky to provide a never ending source of cheap and clean energy. When I say we I mean literally everyone.
Now, the good news is that this is not too difficult anymore. Pretty much anyone can get involved, whether they are technical whizzes or not.
You will need to organize things a little to get yourself going. First requirement is a place that you can use that will be secure and that is exposed to sunlight. A roof being the obvious example. Next is a really high quality instruction manual.
There are plenty about, we personally recommend Earth4Energy as our number 1 choice.
The instructions contain the information telling you what equipment is needed to get the solar panels built. Much of it may well already be found in your home, whether that is actually in the house or in the garage.
Anything else can be bought from the local Do It Yourself Store. The instructions are written in plain easy to understand English and should not take more than a few days.
If you get yourself into any trouble at any time then if you choose a manual from a company like earth4Energy , they have a support team that will be able to help you.
The final step once the solar panels have been built is to plug the batteries into them so that you can start storing power for your home. From there you will be in a position to start benefiting from the energy savings. You can also go on to build more panels if you like. We actually produce more energy then we require to power our house and our able to make extra money by selling this energy back to the power company.
Tags: renewable energy
The sun is a never ending source of energy, it’s clean and it’s cheap, so the sooner we all start using it the better.
Now, the good news is that this is not too difficult anymore. Pretty much anyone can get involved, whether they are technical whizzes or not.
To get started make sure you can get access to a roof. Once you have secured this, look around and get yourself a really good quality instruction manual.
There are plenty about, we personally recommend Earth4Energy as our number 1 choice.
Once you have secured the instruction manual then you will have all the information that you need to know to get the job done. Much of the equipment is easily available and you may even have some of it lying around at home.
Whatever else that is listed that you cannot get at home you will be able to buy from a DIY store that is found in every town. Everything that is written in the manual is very well explained and in easily understandable language.
If you find yourself in trouble then companies like Earth4Energy have a support team that will get you back on the right track again.
The final step once the solar panels have been built is to plug the batteries into them so that you can start storing power for your home. From there you will be in a position to start benefiting from the energy savings. You can also go on to build more panels if you like. We actually produce more energy then we require to power our house and our able to make extra money by selling this energy back to the power company.
Tags: renewable energy
The sun shines brightly in the sky providing warmth for the earth. It is also this warmth that we can use to provide energy that is cheap and renewable.
Now, the good news is that this is not too difficult anymore. Pretty much anyone can get involved, whether they are technical whizzes or not.
Of course there are a few prerequisites, like the need to have a roof or some place to put a panel that can easily gather sunlight. Following this you will need to have a very good quality instruction manual to work with.
When you are choosing the instruction manual, it would be hard to beat Earth4Energy, although there are many others around.
Once you have one of these they will explain to you exactly what you will need. It’s surprising to most people, but they actually have a lot of the stuff they need lying around in the house or garage.
Anything else can be bought from the local Do It Yourself Store. The instructions are written in plain easy to understand English and should not take more than a few days.
If you do choose a guide from a high quality company then whenever you find some problems or get stuck then there support team who will be happy to help you out are just an email away.
The end of the process involves getting the batteries connected to the whole system which will allow you to store the power once you are collecting the sunlight. This is of course absolutely vital to the whole process and you will not be able to store your energy with out doing this. If you like you can stop after one panel or continue to build more and more and even get involved in wind turbines and renewable wind energy.
Tags: renewable energy
Wind power is the quickly becoming the largest renewable energy platform in the world. You might see these wind turbine generators popping up especially in rural areas. This is a great resource that needs to be tapped into by more companies and individuals at least for partial power use. Wind turbine electricity is very economical, and earth friendly.
The wind turbine electricity is created only by wind resources. Wind is really a type of solar power. Just like solar panels use the sun, turbines use the wind, both natural sources of power. Here is an explanation of how it all works; the sun heats surfaces at uneven rates, the hot air that is formed then rises up and this forces cooler air to rush in and fill the gap. The rushing of the wind is what helps to produce the electricity. A wind turbine has to be positioned in the right area in order to catch the wind.
When you see a modern turbine you will notice that there are only three blades. This is because the metal cannot handle more weight than that as it is too much stress and could break the metal. The blades are typically made of a lightweight sturdy plastic or fiberglass, have a concave surface, and are off center as his gives a better angle for harnessing the wind and it also helps the blades to turn more efficiently.
The blades connect to a double rotor assembly. The blade rotor connects to the blades and spins as they catch wind. The blade rotor connects to a magnet rotor through a pulley assembly which is on larger turbines or at times directly on the smaller turbines often used for homes.
The magnet rotor does not turn anything. It spins around a magnetic alternator which generates a magnetic field. When the magnetic field passes over the wires of the alternator, an electrical charge is generated. The electrical charge that is created is moved into a regulator that changes the natural electricity into a usable DC power form.
Now you have had a crash course in how a wind turbine works, you can imagine the potential. As you see it is a bit more complicated than one might first realize. It is however quite simple at its core. Harnessing the wind for energy use has been around for a long time. In days past it was used to turn wheels for different types of uses such as running a saw at a saw mill.
These days it may sound more sophisticated, but the premise is basically the same. There is a bit more math involved and more sophisticated components used to make it capture the wind to make electricity. The turbines do not resemble the old windmills of the past, but they do work more efficiently
Tags: solar power
With the limited supply of fossil energy people are now starting to find a better way to create energy. Photovoltaic panels offer us a new way to create electricity from the sunbeam. The output is in the form of DC voltage and it has to be inverted to AC voltage to serve our home appliance.
To process the DC voltage into AC voltage there are some additional parts needed. Basically what parts to buy are determined by what set up you prefer to. The first option you may consider is on-grid or grid-tie system. On-grid is widely preferred by people because it is cheaper than other systems. Having on-grid means you send the solar electricity to the utility grid.
What makes on-grid system cheaper? It is because we don’t have to store the solar electricity in solar batteries so the only main parts we need to buy is solar inverter only. By eliminating the batteries we cut down the solar cost because these batteries are expensive, however this system also has a downside: During power outages you will be left alone without electricity supply.
The next choice you have the solar system integrated with utility grid similar to the first option but backed up with solar batteries. The advantage of this system is it gives you power redundancy, the battery bank will release the current to power your home during utility blackout. To have this system you will need to buy solar regulator, solar batteries and solar inverter which differs from the solar inverter we are talking about in the first option. Bringing in these parts to the system obviously increase your spending budget.
The last option is you have it off-grid. This system is normally picked up by people living in remote areas where utility lines are not available. Here you will need to purchase the solar charge controller, solar batteries and also solar inverter. Same as other options mentioned above you also need to buy other items such as wiring, terminal connections, etc. The inverter for this system is different from the other types mentioned above. You may need to backup this system with gas generator or wind turbine in case of sun outages.
Having these figures above we can safely estimate about $20,000 - $60,000 is needed to start your home solar project. This cost is greatly varied and depends on how big you want to have your solar system to be. Voting for a full solar electricity system is not a good idea because the cost will jump high.
Solar kits quality and the installation cost will also affect the solar cost. Different solar inverter quality means different price. The same thing applied to the installation cost. Different companies means different cost.
If you are thinking of getting a lower price then US government has a good news for you. Having renewable energy source installed in your house will allow you to get 30% federal tax rebate followed by the local tax incentive. You also get credits from the net metering system by sending the solar electricity to the grid.
You don’t really need to have your home 100% powered by solar electricity. Start from 15% or 20% and you will see the utility bill’s difference. Anytime you are comfortable with the budget you can always upgrade the home solar system.
If you assume that you need a one time investment only for this system you are probably wrong. Some solar parts have lifespan shorter than the others so you may need to replace some of them after years of operating time while other part such as photovoltaic panels can pass 20 years without problem. It is recommended to add this factor into your solar cost planning.
The best way to determine your solar cost is by contacting some solar companies. They can give you great advice based on what information you feed them.
Tags: green energy
We live in an age marked by a heightened awareness of environmental issues. Everywhere, there is a conscious effort to switch to alternative modes of power generation that do not pollute the environment, are sustainable and do not rely on the consumption of our already dwindling reserves of fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum. Wind power, a popular alternative energy, dates back to the time of the early settlers who used the power of the wind for crushing grains with the help of gigantic windmills having ’sails’ measuring 10 to 20 feet. However, it was not until 1979 when Danish engineers developed petite electricity generators fitted with light PVC blades capable of producing electricity that wind power became practically feasible. Those were the very first “Wind Turbines” which the world saw.
Other nations were quick to follow in the footsteps of the Danish engineers, and soon after their first appearance, wind turbines came up in great numbers all across the US and the UK. Alternative energy such as wind power and solar power made it easy to save on electricity bills and also lessen the dependence on the local utility company or on the grid. However, wind energy also has its fair share of disadvantages. The most critical drawback was due to the unpredictable nature of the wind itself. Inclement weather and low wind speeds often result in severe disruption of power generation by the turbines. The turbines, themselves, contributed to noise pollution in and around the area where they were located and were often dubbed as ‘roaring monsters’. However, use of better bearings and redesigning of the inner mechanism has reduced the noise to a great extent although some ‘wheezing’ still accompanies the turbines spinning at high speed. This is one of the reasons why wind turbines are rarely seen in residential areas.
So much for wind power. Let’s look at another very popular form of alternative energy, viz. solar power. Solar power has had a very curious history of its discovery. Calvin Fuller, Gerald Pearson and Daryl Chaplin of Bell Laboratories accidentally discovered, what is widely regarded as the mother of the modern solar cell, silicon semiconductors which had very strong solar properties while researching on the behavioral pattern of non-metals. Following this seminal discovery, the first solar cell was soon developed and everybody was amazed to find out how effective they were in generating electricity, especially when made to work in clusters. Solar power became an instant hit and caught the people’s imagination like wildfire. Very soon companies and manufacturers everywhere got themselves busy making and installing solar panels all across the land. The US government also encouraged the use of this new technology by staring to offer incentives, grants and rebates for every installation undertaken within the country. Solar power promised a world of benefits to the user. The main benefit came in the form of slashed electricity bills and hassle-free supply of current that needed no raw material or virtually zero maintenance. The only drawback that solar power suffered from was its inability to perform in the absence of the sun, especially after dark.
In order to ensure uninterrupted power supply round the clock, and also to substantially reduce electricity consumption costs (in the form of electricity bills) one might follow the following steps.
Installing both solar panels and wind turbines for the home offers a foolproof plan to keep you covered for 24 hours. While the solar system generates power during the day, the wind turbines ensure seamless power generation at night.
Add a battery bank to the system as a stand-by unit. Batteries can easily store some amount of the generated power that can be used during times when both the systems are unavailable.
Get the system connected to the grid so that all surplus power can be sent back to the grid, helping you make a neat little profit from selling power to the utility.
It doesn’t take much to make money from the system. With both units running simultaneously, the consumer will not only need any current from the grid but will actually be able to sell back to it his or her own generated current.
There is a growing need for solar and wind power for residential use. Their popularity is continuously increasing. Even though there are still a few technical glitches, they are like nothing that cannot be resolved in the near future.
People across the world now know the advantages of installing a solar or a wind power system at home. By doing this you are now only contributing to clean up the environment, but the benefits are financial as well as you can reduce your power bills. So would you like to set up such a system? Take help from a manual that will help you install it step by step by showing you where to set it up, how to do it, how to wire the system, where to get the parts and the batteries from and will inform you about the safety instructions too.
Tags: solar power
At Green Products, we have come across a product from Cool Earth: Solar Balloons. Cool Earth was created with the mandate of producing electricity using solar power, specifically solar cells. Solar power is not a new concept, but how the sunlight is collected and concentrated is truly unique.
The current installed solar plants use flat-panels. Each panel is heavy, large, easily damaged, and costly to repair. This means the cost to produce a watt of electricity is 5-7 times greater than using natural gas and is not a feasible alternative to fossil fuels. This is no longer true with the Cool Earth solar balloon system.
One side of the balloon is made from reflective silver Mylar plastic. The other half is transparent to allow in sunlight. The silver material is parabolic-shaped to concentrate the sunlight on to a single point to achieve maximum light concentration. This is why high performance solar cells are used.
This unique design can concentrate the sunlight so well, it produces 300 to 400 times more power per square inch of solar cells than traditional flat-panel solar systems. By regulating the air pressure inside the balloon, they can focus the concentrated sunlight directly on the photocell. The air regulating system is designed to maintain the proper balloon size as the outside air temperature increases or decreases.
The orb has a simple circular metal frame that is used to hold the Mylar in the proper shape. An arm extends from the ring to the top center of the orb. This holds the solar cells that produce the electricity at the proper focal point. The shape of the balloon and consequently the focal point is altered by adjusting the internal air pressure.
Like all solar designs, the system will not be used as a base power plant because the energy collected during the day cannot be economically stored for nighttime operations. On the other hand, the system will be an ideal “peaker” power plant to be used during the hot summer months when energy demands are high.
At Green Products, one of the most interesting aspects we see is the way the system is brought together to create a solar power plant and the near elimination of physical limitations on plant installations. Check it out.
Michael
Tags: renewable energy
Many people are turning to solar Lights to improve the look of their home. Solar lighting improves the look of lawns, gardens, and pathways. It goes without saying that proper outdoor lighting is essential for safety. Solar lights increase the value of a home as well as add to the beauty of it.
If you haven’t ever thought about how long you leave your outdoor lighting on, you should. The average home using electric ran lighting, uses on average 12 hours a day of constant electric lighting. If you have seen a large increase in your electric bill since installing your lighting you need to get solar lights because they use no electric energy.
Many people are turning to solar lights particularly because they are easy on the electric bill. Solar lights get their energy during the day by collecting rays from the sun, which recharges the internal battery in them. When night hits, the battery will be used for solar lighting and your lawn, garden and patios will be lit up without the need to flick a switch.
There are many different reasons for using solar lights. People use solar lights to accent their landscaping. They light up their gardens, walkways and the perimeters of patios and porches with solar lighting. They light up ponds and waterfalls and in some cases even swimming pools.
There are many benefits to having solar lighting other than having a reduced electric bill. These other benefits include things such as:
1. Solar lights are environmentally friendly. Solar lights are a free energy source that does not use carbon fuels or cause pollution.
2. There is no wiring involved with solar lighting, so lights are easily installed saving you more time.
3. No chemical processes. Solar lights are a natural and renewable energy source because they get their power from the sun. There is no combustion or waste involved in solar lighting.
4. They are a energy free source so they do not use any type of carbon fuels, and also they do not cause pollution. So they are environmentally safe as well.
5. There is no wiring involved with solar lighting, so installing them are very simple.
6. Solar lights are light in weight. They are relocated easily because they are so light and can easily be hidden away in bushes and plants.
There are a couple of downfalls to solar lighting. One of those being that the energy cells in solar lighting are very small making the span in which the light stay on small. The other is since these run off of energy from the sun, rainy seasons will get minimal lighting.
Because they are so easy to install, once they are down you will be saving money instantly. Using these lights are good for your pocket book, but also good for the earth.
Tags: renewable energy
In the process of doing research for an article I did on solar green products, I came across the Stirling air engine. The engine was once called a hot air engine because it requires no internal diesel or fuel to run. Let’s take a deeper look at this unique engine that requires no fuel and has recently been adapted for use on solar collector dishes.
The Stirling engine goes back to the early 1800’s, when steam was the order of the day. Steam was used to power factories, trains, and many types of work that required lots of horsepower. However, with steam came the danger of a boiler blowing up when something went wrong. Robert Stirling saw a different approach. His invention still used fire to heat the hot chamber but instead of steam, he used the heat to move pistons.
Sense its incarnation there have been many variations of the Stirling engine and many patents. The engine’s simple design demands tinkering - everyone wants to add or change something to make it better. The engine has very few moving parts, requires only a single external heat source, is very efficient, and is quiet. With the new space age materials available, the problem of piston overheating is no longer a problem like it once was.
The heat source needed to start and maintain the Stirling cycle depends on the temperature difference between the hot and cold chambers. The greater the differential between chambers, the faster the engine will operate. In some cases the difference that occurs when the cold chamber is cooled by wetting it is enough differential to start the engine.
The Stirling cycle is pretty simple. When a heat source is applied to the large end, it causes the air to expand which moves a piston. A flywheel is used to maintain movement between cycles and add a convenient place to tap the power from the engine. What is so amazing about this design is that the design is very scalable. Engines have been produced that are as small as your hand to a large as a car but the concepts remain the same.
The reason the Stirling engine works so well for a solar application is that heat from the sun can easily be concentrated to heat the hot chamber. A parabolic mirror much like that seen with the roof mounted satellite dishes is used to gather and focus the sunlight. With the sunlight focused onto the hot chamber of the engine, the temperature raises and the engine starts running. Connect the output shaft to a generator, and electricity is the product.
With better-designed engines and new types of material, a movable (tracking) parabolic mirror, and a single Stirling engine you can produce 25 kilowatts of electricity.
In a future article about green products I will list the different solar technologies and how they compare to the competition.
Michael
Tags: solar power
Alternative green energy refers to any form of electricity generation that is sustainable and has a limited negative impact on the environment. There are a range of methods. Some of these have been well received like wind, solar and hydro power. Others are more controversial and include using geothermal power and biofuels.
Wind power is a highly versatile form of alternative green energy. Wind is able to propel the vanes of a windmill which can then drive an electric turbine. Wind power does have advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are that wind is free and abundant. The disadvantages include the noise of the rotating vanes if windmills are placed close to residential areas. Conservationists have also argued that too many windmills together are an eyesore that mars the beauty of the countryside.
Solar energy is a popular alternative green energy system. The energy of the sun could potentially be harnessed to power every home on the planet. Solar power is used to heat water that is fed into pipes for heating and hot water supply. Solar heated water can be transformed into hydrogen gas which is used for driving turbines. Solar energy can also be converted into direct electricity with photovoltaic solar panels. It is often argued that the production of solar cells is expensive and creates its’ own environmental problems.
Governments around the world seek alternative green energy systems that are cost effective and easily implemented. For many countries hydroelectric power has provided the ideal solution. As this particular alternative green energy is run by water pressure to drive electric turbines, the natural resources are readily available to be taken advantage of. Dams are built across flowing rivers so water flow can be controlled. Dam construction attracts a lot of concern. The interference with river flow can have a devastating impact on ecology. Also, flooding farmland to create lakes, has caused land being lost for agricultural use.
Geothermal power is an alternative green energy that has had some limited application. The principle behind it is to utilize the heat stored in rocks very far below the earth’s surface. Molten rock called magma at the earth’s core can heat up rock to super hot temperatures. Water is pumped through bore holes down into the ground where it can be heated by this energy source. The same water is then forced out through a second bore hole as a jet of steam.
The use of geothermal power to operate power plants is very expensive to set up mainly due to the high costs of drilling. Opponents to geothermal technology further argue that the drilling processes involved could potentially cause earthquakes.
Biofuels are a controversial type of alternative green energy. Plants that are rich in oils or sugars are specially grown to be processed into fuel for powering engines. Biofuels are regarded as renewable energy because there is no limit to the amount of times a specific plant can be grown, unlike fossil fuels which are finite. The main argument against biofuels is the land that is needed to grow them which could alternatively be used for growing food for human consumption. Also, burning biofuels still produces carbon emissions although the amount is thought to be cancelled out by effect of growing the fuel crops in the first place.
Tags: solar power
