Passive and Proud: Green Energy Ideas for Your Home

Solar energy comes from the sun. A biology class will tell you that in addition to affecting climate and weather, sunlight provides the energy that sustains most life on earth. It also can be harnessed to provide heating, lighting and electricity. Solar power has become a hot topic lately, but this technology is nothing new – Native Americans, people in China and even the early Greeks have historically turned their buildings to the sun for heat.

These early architects were using what is known as passive solar energy. This technique makes the best use of regular building materials to trap heat with no additional mechanical equipment used. Floors, windows and roofs play a role in attracting (or deflecting) the sun's rays.

There are a number of ways to take advantage of solar radiation, starting with the house's placement. Having the house face the equator (we'll assume we're in the Northern Hemisphere, thus the house should face south) means that it gets the day's sunlight. Window orientation is also important – for optimal efficiency, most windows should point within 30 degrees of due south. Maintaining a small percentage of north facing windows will ensure that your home is comfortable year round (and not cooking in the summer).

Rock or stone tile floors and brick walls will absorb the solar radiation and continue to give off heat after the sun is gone. While common windows allow heat to escape, special windows with low-e coating, multiple panes, inert gas fill, and/or insulated frames can reduce heat loss 50 to 75 per cent. By sealing your building envelope and insulating well, you will ensure that the heat stays in the house. It can then be distributed through the house using a regular ceiling fan.

Direct sunlight is not the only important light to think of when considering energy use. By using overall daylight to light a space you can cut down the need for electrical lighting and the heat that's created by it. Artificial lighting has only been the main source of illumination since the 20th century. And using natural light may have added benefits for your physical and mental health. In addition to windows, daylighting makes use of skylights, light pipes (also known as light tubes), atriums, and light shelves to illuminate the interior. This is best considered when building, but with a few small renos your house can be much brighter, naturally!

Passive cooling is another way to cut your bills and become more energy efficient. This is especially useful in warmer climates, where air conditioning can be a major power consumer. Passive cooling refers to using things for shading, to absorb the heat, and goes hand in hand with passive solar energy. It can be accomplished using exterior landscaping choices – trees and other vegetation – or interior/exterior building options, such as shades, blinds or special glazing on windows.

Whether you are building a new home, looking at doing some renovations or just want to cut your energy bill, passive solar energy and cooling techniques are an easy way to incorporated green ideas into your home. With the rising interest in environmental issues, they make an excellent selling feature and they'll save you money.

This article was produced for Carolyn Gjerde-Tu and the team at Discover Davis Homes. For more information on real estate in Woodland CA, visit Carolyn – your online source for Davis CA real estate, discoverdavishomes.com

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Home Solar Power Systems: How Many Kilowatts (kws) are Created?

This post, explains how kilowatts are calculated based upon the energy output of your solar array. We will also highlight the difference between solar cells connected in parallel versus in series.

The average American home uses about 25 kWh of electricity per day. The following example illustrates how to calculate the power produced by a residential solar energy system. Looking over a solar radiation grid, we can determine that a residence gets five daylight hours of solar radiation in one day which is then averaged out over the entire year.

Solar radiation maps are highlighted on may websites throughout the Internet. You can do a quick search for "solar radiation" to find one. In any area across the entire United States, they detail out the amount of sunshine hitting a given location based upon the time of year and its address.

Calculating the power from a solar energy system

Divide the average kWh per day by the average sun hours per day. For this example, we take 25 kWh divided by 5 hours of sun per day = 5 kW system This 5 kW system will generate 25 kWhs under optimal conditions in direct sunlight for 5 hours, or 25 kWh on an average day with some at peak production and most of the sunlight at less than optimal angles.

Future articles related to solar energy will continue to explain the effects of sun angle, reflection, and refraction on the design, output, and installation of solar panels.

Energy as it Pertains to Solar Modules

Individual solar modules that are measured in watts have a particular voltage (around 40 volts) and a particular amperage (around 5 amps). A solar module with 40 volts and 5 amps is called a 200-watt module, which means that it has the potential to produce 200 watts of electricity when in direct sunlight, away from trees or shading, and clear of snow or debris. Since most electrical components around your house are only rated for 600 volts DC, it is rare to see a solar array with a string larger the 15 solar modules. On the other hand, since inverters need a minimum voltage or pressure to turn them on, you will seldom have a solar array with a string solar modules with a size smaller then 6.

Electrical components, like solar cells, panel modules or batteries, can be connected in either series or parallel. This makes a big difference in the total quantities of energy produced from the solar energy system, as well as the stability of the technology over time. Each solar module or component has a positive and a negative pole. In essence, this is the same way batteries have their negative and positive poles arranged. Take a look at how you but batteries in a flashlight. Same idea here. The manner in which these poles are connected makes a big difference. Connect Solar Panels in Series

When you connect residential solar energy systems in series, you connect the positive (+) pole on one component to the negative (-) pole on the next. When modules are connected in series, the voltages are added. Adding voltage together in this fashion creates a long chain of solar modules all working together, depending upon each other, and creating a flow of current that increases along the length of the system.

These modules in series are called Strings. The average string is 8-12 modules so the voltage would be 320 - 480. Unfortunately, we encounter some negative aspects of of this type of construction.

Connecting Solar Panels in Parallel

When you connect solar panels or components in parallel, you connect the panels so current can travel to your inverter and to your house via multiple paths. Unlike adding solar modules in series which increases the volume of current as it goes, the solar panels connected in parallel has the effective of leaving the current or volume of electricity passing through the system the same.

Solar panels or strings of solar arrays tied together in parallel are called parallel systems. Their amps are combined together but the total voltage remains the same. Adding amps is like increasing the volume, the pressure stays the same but the volume goes up. Inverters can only handle so much volume so you will seldom see more than 1 to 3 strings in parallel; positive ends to positive ends with negative ends to negative ends.

One of the advantages of parallel connection is that electricity continues to flow, even though one of the components (or strings) is damaged. If a system is entirely in series, one damaged component stops the entire system. You may remember the ever-frustrating Christmas lights that were connected in series. Often difficult to trouble shoot, strings of lights connected in series are hard to fix when one bulb blew out. Now, the modern Christmas lights are connected in parallel. You are able to determine this easily. There are usually two different wires coming in and out of each bulb. You can feel this via their less frustrating maintenance and operation.

Options for Residential Solar Energy Systems

In this post, we explained in some detail how solar modules calculate the power they produce as well as how connecting solar arrays in series or parallel can have an large impact on energy output as well as complexity of design. Our next article will cover how sun angle affects solar energy systems and how to quantify the solar power produced from the sun.

New solar energy system rentals allow you to upgrade your home to solar generated electricity with no large system to purchase. You can rent the solar energy equipment needed to generate up to 100 percent of your electricity needs. Exciting aspects related to clean, green solar energy are emerging all around us.

About the Author:
At Solargies (Solar Energies), our objective is to spread the adoption of renewable solar energy as rapidly as possible. Daniel Stouffer is writer and promoter of green energy. Learn about Renting your own Solar Energy system at: => http://www.solargies.com/Residential_Solar_Energy.htm

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How to Understand Energy Jargon - Step One to Rethinking Solar

After you read about Peak Oil Facts And Renewable Energy , you'll probably wan't to here a bit more about energy in general. Lets start with solar power...

You're most likely not an electrical engineer so you'll find that the terms for residential electricity more than confusing and nonsensical at times. The following article explains the terms associated with home electricity and defines the general electrical concepts found in residential solar electric systems. The majority of this article defines on the important terms, principles, and technical definitions that will be further explained in relation to home solar power in another article.


The intent of this article is to help you to understand enough about electricity so that you can understand the technology used in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. You most likely will review a lot of information and learn many new solar energy terms when you begin the process of purchasing or renting a home solar power system.
When you start researching residential solar energy systems, or even taking a close look at your electric bill, you hear a lot about kilowatts and kilowatt hours. You may have used these terms mistakenly as the same thing in the past. They are pretty close in meaning. Both terms are just a measure of relative electricity sizes.
However, they are very different measurements, as you will learn through the electricity definitions included here. In order to understand what they mean, you also need to understand a few basic concepts about electricity.
When talking about electricity, you will be using terms like power and energy. The average person often uses these terms interchangeably in daily speech along with current, potential, charge, electrons, and even photons. You might have learned about all of these electricity terms way back in high school. In use as part of your daily life, you may have confused their meaning.

Common Residential Electricity Terms
Here are the most important electricity concepts you need to know when you begin the process of purchasing or renting a solar energy system for your home. It may be surprising to you that the actual meaning of a few of these is not quite what you expected.

Power: The rate at which work is performed or energy is provided. Power is the amount of energy required or expended for a given unit of time. It is measured in watts (W).
Energy: The actual work done by solar panels installed on your home. In other words, energy is power supplied over a period of time. It is typically measured in joules or watt hours (Wh).

Potential: The capacity of an electric field to do work (i.e. to provide energy). This is similar to the height of water behind a dam. It has capacity to do work. The higher the water, the more potential energy that is available. Potential is calculated and measured in volts.

Current: A passage or movement of materials charged with electricity. This is not unlike the speed of water flow in a river. It is measured in amperes (I or in common terms amps).

Resistance: The characteristic of a material, substance, object, or circuit to limit the passage of electricity. Items letting electricity to pass with low resistance are called conductors and materials that resist electricity from flowing are called insulators. Resistance is measured in ohms (R).

Electron: A negatively charged subatomic particle. The current is caused by the movement of electrons from different energy levels within its atomic structure. Photon: An elementary particle that is the carrier of electromagnetic radiation of all wavelengths. The photon is different from many other elementary particles, such as the electron, because it has no mass. That means that it travels at the speed of light across the vacuum of space. Trillions and trillions of photons are blasted out from the sun every second.

Charge: A property of some subatomic particles, i.e. the charge on an electron (subatomic particle is negative). Charge determines how subatomic particles interact. Electrically charged matter is influenced by and produces electromagnetic fields. Charges are either negative or positive and have measurable strength.
Field: An effect produced by an electric charge that exerts a force on charged objects in its vicinity.

Upgrading Your Home to Solar Power
To understand solar electric systems and how they work, you first need to understand the basic principles of electricity. This means learning the language used to explain these principles. In our next article which is a ongoing series related to renewable energy, we will dive into understanding the language of residential solar electric systems.
Becoming comfortable with the electricity jargon and technical terms is an important step when considering purchasing or renting a solar energy system for your home. You should feel comfortable talking with solar industry experts about your home solar options. In future articles, we will dig deeper into the details and emerging options for home solar power systems.

At Solargies, our goals are not to just promote the adoption of alternative energy sources and the help change the general mind set towards improved energy conservation but it is also my personal quest is to create a powerful, grassroots movement for social, economic and environmental change. Learn more at http://www.Solargies.com/Residential_Solar_Energy.htm

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did you know you can use solar power practicality for camping?

Well, after you read that green cars can can be used as chick magnet :),
You can now plan your new camping tour with your new green energy loving chick...

Solar power systems for camping are increasing in availability, but what about practicality? Can solar power systems for camping be put to use readily? Are they portable enough? Are they durable enough?

Solar power practicality for camping must address those questions and more. Are solar power systems for camping cost effective? Do they produce enough energy for normal needs?

RV Camping

Solar power systems for camping can readily be used in RV camping. But are they practical?

Many people spend most of their RV camping time in RV camping spaces with full hook-ups. They plan trips according to where the next RV camp is, and reserve a full hook-up space for the end of each day. For them, solar power practicality is questionable. It makes a good back-up system, if there is a power outage at a campground. On the whole, however, it is an unnecessary expense - just another toy.

Others enjoy the freedom of being able to camp without hook-ups. They want to get off the beaten track - be pioneers. They want the opportunity to be in a remote, quiet place for a few days. They may want to go off road, or stop beside a quiet stream, even though it is in the middle of nowhere. They don't want to rush to make it to the next full hook-up campground.

Solar power practicality for camping is real for the second group of campers. Solar power serves a practical use for them. It breaks the leash of energy needs and lets them wander as they please.

Operating an RV's electrical system with a solar power system is simple. Charging its batteries with solar power is also simple. You need to plan your system, of course. You need to know how much energy you want. Then you need to purchase and install solar panels, batteries, and inverters that will produce that amount of energy for you.

Many Internet websites will guide you through the necessary steps of determining how much solar power you need. They will explain which components will provide that amount of energy. Solar power systems for camping in recreational vehicles are increasingly available in a range of sizes, and you are sure to find one to fit your needs. Most are easy to use.

Solar power systems for camping may make you think twice about appliances you take for granted in RV camping. For example, suppose you have a coffee maker that requires 15 minutes to brew coffee, and then keeps the coffee warm on a warming plate. This will consume a lot of your solar power. You may want to replace that coffee maker with one that will brew in 10 minutes and shut itself off. Pour your coffee into a thermos and it will remain hot without using more energy.

Non-RV Camping

Solar power systems for camping are also practical for non-RV camping. The same two groups of people are to be found. One group likes to make camp in a KOA campground, with electrical power close at hand. The other group likes to hike into the back country with lightweight backpacks, and camp wherever darkness overtakes them.

Solar power practicality can easily be seen in the array of lightweight, portable units hitting the market. Solar power can be generated by the backpack in which gear is carried. Flexible solar panels can be rolled up and carried to the campsite, where they can be stretched on the ground to generate additional energy.

Solar power systems for camping are small and portable, but can generate enough energy to run a small heater or light bulb. Solar collected by a backpack while hiking can recharge a cell phone, camera, or iPod. Small solar power units will run appliances made for use in a vehicle. The coffee maker that will plug into your cigarette lighter can be run by a flexible solar power panel.


Solar power practicality for camping is sure to increase, and products for this use will multiply. Those who appreciate the environment enough to want to be far out into it will demand clean energy, i.e. solar power.

About the Author:
© 2007, Anna Hart. Anna Hart invites you to read more of her articles about portable solar power at http://www.solar-energy-connection.com. Anna has also posted articles on that site about portable solar power for homes. If you want more information about solar panels that roll up, you won't want to miss her article on the subject.

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Build your own Electrochemical solar panel - 2

This site shows a great Idea on how to build your very own solar panel to produce electricity.

I tried it myself and I must say that this is a very cool idea. Highly recommended;

visit: http://scitoys.com/scitoys/scitoys/echem/echem2.html#solarcell


The idea is to use an insulator - Cuprous oxide - When light hits the electrons in the cuprous oxide, some of the electrons gain enough energy from the sunlight to jump past the bandgap and become free to conduct electricity.
Then, Tte free electrons move into saltwater, and then to a clean copper plate, into the wire, through the meter, and back to the cuprous oxide plate.
As the electrons move through the meter, they perform the work needed to create electricity.

Although it is suggested as a "science toy", I belive that with just a little thought, you can really make it usefull to your daily life.
good luck.

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Build your own solar thermal panel

If you realy want to save some money, heating water by making your own solar panels, you must look on the nice explanations shown in this Sietch post.
They give step by step explanation on how to build thermal solar panel yourself.
The idea is to build a panel that can heat by the sun and then heat some water for your use. I believe that this idea can be further developed, and I’ll intend to bring some of my idea soon.

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Solar Cell Roofing - Energy Producing Shingles That Look Like A Normal Roof

Solar cell roofing made from solar shingles or solar panels is being increasingly incorporated into the construction of new and existing residential and commercial buildings. Some systems can be hooked in with your conventional electric supply, and can literally make your meter spin backwards so you get a check in the mail instead of a bill.

Solar cell roofing made from solar shingles or solar panels is being increasingly incorporated into the construction of new residential and commercial buildings. In many areas, people are choosing to replace their conventional roof with a solar roof when it is time for maintenance. And most of these people would tell you that the long-term value, or short-term increase is resale interest, made it worthwhile.

A solar cell roof is called "buiulding integrated", also known by the more complete name "building integrated photovoltaic" (BIPV). BIPV suggests that you would have needed that part of the structure built anyway, and you've chosen to use material that will also serve the purpose of generating power through solar energy. The first advantage of solar cell shingles or panels on the roof is obvious: some of the initial cost is paid by lowering the overall material and labor costs involved in the construction. The second advantage is that the BIPV does not stand out - it is a normal and expected part of the design and structure of the building. These two advantages often make bipv solar roofing the clear choice over rooftop wind turbines, raised solar panels, and backyard windmills which both stand out and cost a lot more to build and install.

In some parts of the world, often due to government subsidies, many new houses are built with solar roofs. Until recently, this was not the case in the U.S., UK, and much of Europe because the cost remained prohibitive. However, with the invention of what is called "thin film solar technology", solar roofing tiles, panels and shingles have become easier to fabricate and work with and are much more aesthetically pleasing. This technology is best for pitched roofs where shingles or small tiles are the norm. Large flat roofs, such as the tops of many commercial buildings, can have one giant layer of solar film, or large integrated panels.

Solar cell roofs can be hooked up in two ways - on and off the grid. Off the grid solar power means that you will use the energy you gain from the solar panels and either not be connected at all to the electric company or connected in a way that is completely parallel and unrelated. Off grid appliactions might be appropriate for houses that are far from electric power lines but get enough sunlight to be completely solar, houses with combination systems with other renewable energy systems, or houses in places that get little sun so it would be unlikely that the solar power generated would ever be more than the house requires. On grid systems are hooked in with your conventional electric supply, and when the solar power system generates more electricity than you need, it actually sells it back to the power company. Your meter literally spins backwards and you can get a zero bill or even a check in the mail instead of a bill.

There is some debate among real estate developers, but the general rule is that any renewable energy source for the home pays off if it returns your original installation investment in ten years or less through energy savings. The invention and perfection of integrated thin film solar roofs has led to us rapidly approaching that return, and possibly even outdistancing it depending on where you live.

There are four things to consider when looking into a solar cell roof:1. How much sun does your area get each year, independent of the outside temperature?2. Where does your roof face - ideally it would face east/west of it is a slanted roof?3. What is the cost now, and projected cost of electricity where you are?4. What is the general attitude of home buyers in your area to renewables (especially if you might sell your home within 10 years)?

If you do choose solar cell roofing for your home or buisiness you will likely be pleasantly surprised at the effeiciency, cost, and savings associated with BIPV.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
For more information about solar cell roofing, please see http://www.solarcellroof.net For specific inforamtion about solar cell shingles see http://www.solarcellshingles.com, and for information about thin film technology, please see http://www.thinfilmsolar.net

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Solar Thermal Energy Plant

Solar energy can be produced in a number of ways. There is the familiar solar panel - they are becoming increasingly common as they become more and more affordable. Solar panels produce solar energy through the process called photovoltaics: the rays of the Sun hit the silicon crystals in the panel thus inducing a flow of electrons. Another way to extract energy form sunlight is the solar thermal process.

Solar thermal energy is gathered by the use of parabolic mirrors. The mirrors are positioned to face the Sun, and a clear tube is placed at the focal point where a liquid flowing through the tube is heated. Next, the pipes are run through a boiler where the the steam generated spins the generators creating electricity. This step is not unlike what one might see in a traditional coal-fired plant. All in all, it is a fairly simple and low-tech process as far as the technical requirements for designing and building such a plant is concerned.

There aren't too many of these plants around the world. One was built at the end of the 70's in response of the oil shortage and it is located in the California desert only hours from Nevada Solar One.

This solar energy plant is located 20+ miles outside of Las Vegas in the Eldorado Valley south of Boulder City, NV. If you are driving from Vegas, take Hwy 95 south, drive through Boulder City following the signs and just a stone throw outside of town take the exit to "Searchlight." Within a mile or two you should see the 350 acre solar energy plant on the right-hand side.

As of writing this article (June of 2007), it is not operational yet. It appears that there is still quite a bit of construction is to be done. When complete, it will generate enough power through solar energy to satisfy the needs of 60 thousand of homes. The drawback is that power generated this way is still about three times more expensive than if a coal-fired plant was used.

A major advantage of generating solar energy this way as opposed to the use of solar panels is that it is quite low-tech compared to photovoltaics. The silicon crystals needed to generate a flow of electricity when it is hit by sunlight are formed by baking the compound in an oven then allowed to slowly cool to form the crystals. It requires specialty equipment, which is quite expensive. Even with larger production volumes, solar energy through photovoltaics is quite a bit more expensive than conventional power. Solar thermal power faces the same problem. However the technology requirements are low, economics of scale should more easily close the gap.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Watch a video of Nevada Solar One here: Solar Energy

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Shining Some Light on Solar Energy

Without a doubt, solar energy is the way of the future. Solar energy production is an extremely simple process to understand. A solar, or photovoltaic, cell collects energy from the Sun. A solar cell is a semiconductor device that is constructed using photovoltaic materials. It contains no liquids or chemicals, and no moving parts. Solar cells convert sunlight into electricity.

A solar panel generally consists of a series of individual cells, which are supported by a module that allows the cells to work in unison. The energy that is captured by the panel is stored in a battery. Solar panels generate direct current (DC) energy. Many solar energy systems have inverters in them which allow direct current (DC) electricity to be converted to alternating current (AC). Most consumer products such as appliances and electronics operate on AC current.

Unless you have a vast expanse of land to house an array of solar panels, it is unlikely that you will be able to power your entire home with solar energy. However, it is possible to power a single room in your house with a small array of panels fixed to the roof of your house. Multiply the wattage of each individual electrical device by the number of hours you expect to use them each day. That combined number will be your benchmark, or the bare minimum your system must be able to generate.

There are a number of options available to consumers that are considering converting to solar energy. A basic system that can be used to power a computer and a few other small items can be purchased for approximately $1000.00. Naturally, the price will increase with the production capacity of your system. In most regions, the price of an installed system will cost somewhere in the area of $10.00-$12.00 per watt.

Solar energy is one of a few truly renewable resources that can be used in energy and power generation. Every hour of every day, the Sun blankets our planet with enough energy to sustain our global energy needs for a year. As the technology behind photovoltaic energy advances, consumers will be unable to resist the urge to convert.

A lot of resources are being put into the development of solar energy technology. Most of the major oil and energy companies have entire divisions committed to solar energy. Researchers and engineers are spending countless hours trying to develop the technology today that will vastly improve conditions in the world tomorrow. It is no secret that we cannot continue down the path we are on. Fossil fuels are no longer a feasible option for energy production. The future is solar. The future is now.

About the Author: Jim Fritz has been a devout environmentalist for most of his adult life. He has been researching the benefits of solar energy for many years, and he is a contributing writer to thesolarguide.com – a brilliant online resource for information about Solar Energy, Solar Panels, Solar Consumer Goods and more

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Grameen Shakti and the Solar Revolution

Grameen Shakti is a renewable energy resources company based out of Bangladesh. They are a part of the Grameen family of companies, which has been working for decades to alleviate the burdens of poverty in developing countries. The Grameen Bank, one of their founding companies, has become world-renowned for their charitable work and for helping to establish groundbreaking programs focused on the needs of people.

In recent years, the Grameen Bank has financed and supported a number of projects aimed at removing social and financial barriers and creating opportunities for those less fortunate. Grameen Telecom is one such example. The central aim of this company is to provide collateral-free loans to rural villagers for use in establishing local communications networks. This model has become known as the Village Phone.

They have now committed significant resources to sustainable energy development. The cornerstone of this effort is the Photovoltaic Program. In Bangladesh, only 30% of the population is receiving energy from the electrical power grid. In this developing nation, the infrastructure to provide energy to every household simply doesn't exist. In an effort to address this problem, Grameen Shakti has financed the installation of thousands of solar energy systems in rural communities.

This has created immense opportunities for people in rural villages. Children now have the ability to pursue their studies long after the sun has gone down. Businesses now have the ability to operate beyond their traditional work hours, thus increasing productivity and sales. A world of opportunity has opened up for an entire generation of rural villagers. As a consequence, they are no longer rural villagers. They are now members of our global village.

One of the most amazing consequences of this program has been the level of technological engagement that has occurred among the youth in Bangladesh. For young people in rural communities, the future is bright. Due to the advancement in technological knowledge and understanding, the demand for skilled workers has increased at a phenomenal pace. To address this concern, Grameen Shakti has also established training programs that educate young people in the principles of electronics and engineering.

It is both exciting and encouraging to witness the immediate and tangible effects of an enlightened business model that measures its true profitability by its social impact. It is an idea that is completely foreign to the western capitalist mindset, and one that serves as a shining example of the power of an idea. Western corporations take heed; there are lessons to be learned in rural Bangladesh.

About the Author: Jim Fritz is a committed environmentalist, and a life long member of various environmental organizations. He is also a member of the editorial team at thesolarguide.com – an enlightened source of information about the latest developments in renewable energy, environmental education, solar consumer goods and more.

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The effects of Solar Energy

With all the talk regarding solar energy for many years its time has finally come. The gradual invitable delpletion of natural resources has made alternative sources an absolute must. It's now a matter of time and we'll determine the eventual new leader. Much expensise and resources is now being spent to find the best natural resource such as solar energy.

While many potential sources are possible, research into all the avenues will eventually surface with the most viable option for our use. Presently we are using a number of various resources to create heat, electricity and desalination of seawater. Renewable energy has the sun as it's primary source which is not depletable. Approxiametly 30% of our enery resources come from the sun.

Most of our enconomic resources and time are spend developing our resources in the area's of wind power, water power, solar energy, biofuel, liquid biofuel, solid biomass and geothermal. Naturally these all have their pro's and cons. The biggest concern is pollution that comes directly the materials, industrial processes and construction equipment used to create them. The side effects can be pollution and waste that will impact our environment.

We also we need to consider other key issues of environmental impacts, aesthetics and habitat hazards, land usage, proximity to demand, availability, reliability, longevity along with energy input verses output. Other possibilities such as fossil fuels and nuclear power have their own positive and negatives and are not as viable. The resources for our use are many, the challenge is not if we have alternates to use but which ones and in what order.


The U.S. currently relies heavily on coal, oil, and natural gas for its energy. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable, that is, they draw on finite resources that will eventually dwindle, becoming too expensive or too environmentally-damaging to retrieve. In contrast, renewable energy resources — such as wind and solar energy — are constantly replenished and will never run out.

Renewable energy is important because of the benefits it provides. It is believed that the major element in the learning and discovery process definitely will be and is solar energy.

Article Source: http://www.articlesup.com/ solar energy system

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Homeowners – Beat the Winter Heating Blues with Solar Hot Water

There is no doubt that heating costs are a tremendous burden on the cost of living in today’s cash-strapped economy. As more and more Americans face an increasing credit crunch, the costs associated with our very survival are becoming more and more unbearable, and our incomes are not increasing at a rate fast enough to meet the demands on our money.

One of the biggest expenditures for Americans is the cost of heating water and their homes. Whether you rent a home or apartment, or own your own, home and water heating costs can account for 40% of our monthly and annual bills – sometimes even more in the winter months. This percentage could also grow even higher as oil prices continue to reach all-time highs. In fact, recently the price of crude oil hit $100 a barrel, driving the prices of fuel oil, natural gas and other heating fuels higher overnight.If your heating costs have you in an increasingly tight financial situation every month, you may want to consider one of the most cost-effective and affordable solutions to higher heating costs – Solar Water Heating. With Solar Hot Water Systems, you can cut your home and water heating bills by as much as 60 to 80% from the very first month after installation.A Solar Hot Water System is essentially a water heater that is designed to supplement your current water heater. The Solar Hot Water Collectors preheat your water through the power of the sun, which means that your current oil, propane or natural gas heater is used far less while still providing the same level comfort and safety. As you less and less of these traditional heating fuels, your monthly and annual bills will begin to go down – saving you hundreds of dollars a year, and thousands of dollars over the lifetime of the Solar Water Heater.The best part is, a Solar Hot Water System can be purchased and installed for under $4,000 in many cases (less or roughly the same as a new traditional water heater), and through your energy savings, will completely pay for itself within 1 to 3 years. After the Solar Hot Water System has completely paid for itself, it will continue save you hundreds of dollars a year – and over the lifetime of the system, a Solar Hot Water Heater can pay for itself several times over through energy savings over the 25 to 30 year lifetime of your Solar Collectors.For your home, Solar Hot Water can be used for a variety of applications – this versatility allows you to save money on almost every aspect of your heating bills. With a moderate sized Solar Water Heater, you can eliminate between 60 and 80% of your water heating bills for all of the following:· Washing Laundry· Washing Dishes· Showers and Personal Grooming· General Household CleaningAnd, the hot water can also be used as part of a Radiant Floor or baseboard heating system – which can be used to space heat your entire home free of cost.There are two main types of Solar Collectors used for Solar Water Heating:1. Flat Plate Solar Collectors – these collectors are extremely efficient in Southern, warm, sunny climates, and typically the least-expensive Solar Collector, making them very cost-effective and attractive to homeowners.2. Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors – these collectors are more efficient than Flat Plate Solar Collectors in Northern climates where temperatures are colder, winters are longer, and the days are shorter. While Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors are typically more expensive that Flat Plate Solar Collectors, their extended performance and increase efficiency in Northern Climates allow for faster paybacks and higher returns on investment.
If you are looking into purchasing a Solar Hot Water System to supplement your current water heater, You can find information, pricing and assistance from live Solar Hot Water Professionals at their website http://www.sunmaxxsolar.com.

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Learn How To Make Solar Power Work for You

There has never been a better time than now to take advantage of the numerous benefits of solar power. Many states have made solar power affordable, cost effective, providing a 10% return on investment and in many cases solar power will pay for itself almost instantly. The utilization of solar power has never offered more benefits than now. Not only can the installation of solar power pay for itself almost instantly, but given the current world political climate and the threat of terrorist actions to disrupt cheap oil supplies make it very prudent. Many states offer a 10% return on investments to encourage its use. The simple fact is that installing a solar electric system in your home is now cost effective for the first time. And you’ll sleep better at night knowing that you have now become part of the energy solution as world oil supplies continue to dwindle. In the state of California the cost of solar power in 1978 was well over $300 per watt. Today, with incentives offered by the state, that price has now dropped to less than $6 per watt- a staggering 98% reduction in cost of solar energy. In addition to the reduction in cost of installing a solar power system, your home’s value increases $20 for every $1 reduction in annual utility bills- this according to the National Appraisal Institute. Therefore, installing a solar power system in your home costing $16,000 would increase you home’s value by $17,520. That’s a net gain of $1520 the day you install the system. On April 25, 1950 Bell Laboratories introduced the first silicon solar cell. Bell called its invention “The first successful device (solar cell) to convert useful amounts of the sun’s energy directly into electricity.” The NY Times heralded it as “The beginning of a New Era, leading eventually to the realization of one of mankind’s most cherished dreams-The harnessing of the almost limitless energy of the sun for uses of civilization.” 99% of the world’s energy comes from sunlight or solar energy. Everyday enough free sunlight energy falls on the Earth to supply our energy needs for 4-5 years at our present rate of consumption. At the equator, the Sun provides 1000 Watts per square meter on the Earth’s surface. The amount of solar energy we take today in no way diminishes the amount we can take tomorrow or any time in the future.

About the author:Owning a solar home (visit http://www.solarenergyassociation.com/home.html) and being self sufficient can give you a great feeling of accomplishment knowing that you are contributing to a Greener Planet. Learn about the numerous benefits of utilizing clean, renewable Solar Energy at http://www.solarenergyassociation.com. Not only can the installation of solar power pay for itself almost instantly, but you will sleep better at night knowing that you are part of the solution - not part of the problem.

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Before You Purchase A Solar Power System

The past year has seen a huge growth in interest in renewable energy solutions, driven by a range of concerns relating to climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, sustainability and energy independence. The uptake of renewable energy is being further encouraged by a growing range of government subsidy and rebate schemes which make renewable solutions more attractive and affordable for consumers. Foremost among the solutions currently on offer are those that derive energy either directly or indirectly from the sun. These systems are of three main types: photovoltaic systems, wind systems and microhydro systems. Photovoltaic systems use solar panels to convert sunlight directly into electricity, while wind and microhydro systems use turbines and generators to convert the energy in moving air and water (ultimately driven by the sun) into electricity. While they can be very cost effective in the right circumstances, the practicality of wind and microhydro systems is highly dependent on location. If you live in an area without access to reliable winds (many of us) or a reliable stream or river flow (most of us), then wind and microhydro are not viable options. In general, photovoltaic systems are the most practical, versatile and flexible renewable energy systems currently available today, and can be installed in almost any location with good results.While photovoltaic energy systems are a proven technology which has been around for decades, they are not yet well understood by the general public. There are a range of essential questions which must be considered before purchasing a residential renewable energy system, because even with subsidies and rebates such systems entail a substantial investment.The first question is quite simple: how much energy is the system required to supply? The importance of getting the answer to this question cannot be overstated, as poor system performance almost always relates to a poor match between the energy the system was designed to provide and the energy that system users expect from it. The design of any renewable power system must begin with a detailed and thorough audit of energy requirements. During the energy auditing process, it is important to identify opportunities for saving energy and in some cases for deriving energy for specific tasks from other sources, because it is always cheaper to save energy than to generate it using photovoltaic systems. For example, lighting is an area where considerable energy savings can be made easily and quickly simply by installing compact fluorescent light bulbs instead of incandescent or halogen bulbs. Typically, compact fluorescents will consume only 20% of the energy consumed by incandescent bulbs for a comparable light output, so it is much cheaper to simply install compact fluorescents than it is to purchase the extra photovoltaic capacity required to run incandescent bulbs. Further substantial savings can be made by avoiding the use of electricity for heating tasks, such as heating water. Solar hot water systems, or even gas-fired systems, are almost always a much more practical and economically viable solution to heating water than using photovoltaic-generated electricity.Following the energy audit, the next question is what type of photovoltaic system best suits your circumstances? For anyone in a urban environment, grid-connected systems which feed energy directly into the power grid probably make the most sense. These systems are becoming increasingly common as more power utility companies embrace the technology and are updating their metering and accounting systems to accommodate them. Grid connect systems work on a simple principle: when your photovoltaic system produces more power than you need, the excess is fed into the grid and your meter in effect runs "backwards", creating a credit for your electricity account. At those times when your energy demands exceed your supply, extra power is drawn from the grid. At the end of each billing period, energy generated and energy consumed are reconciled and you either pay for the energy you have used or receive a payment for the energy you have supplied.For those living in more remote locations, access to the public electricity grid may be either non-existent or prohibitively expensive. In this case, a standalone photovoltaic system will be required. Such systems differ from grid-connect systems in that they must reliably supply all electrical energy requirements as there is no grid to fall back on. Such systems also involve a greater investment in hardware because, unlike grid-connect systems, they require a battery bank and charge controller (regulator) for energy storage, and typically also include a backup generator.
About the author:Miguel Scaccialupo is a qualified solar power systems designer and solar panel consultant.

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Solar Power System Components For Recreational Vehicles

Solar power systems are a great addition to recreational vehicles that are used for any length of time in remote areas. They are relatively simple to install and if well maintained can provide years of clean, reliable electrical power without having to resort to the use of noisy generators which produce pollutants and greenhouse gases.

Most RV solar power systems of any size will require three or four basic components: solar panels, batteries, regulator (charge controller) and inverter. The solar panels are the source of electrical energy, which is converted directly from sunlight by the silicon cells in the panels. Batteries store this electrical energy and make it available for use at any time of the day or night. A regulator is required to maintain the batteries in a good state of charge and to prevent harmful overcharging. An inverter is necessary if only if mains voltage AC power is required. Solar panels are manufactured in three basic forms: monocrystalline, polycrystalline and amorphous. These terms refer to the type of silicon cells used. While monocrystalline panels are typically the most efficient, there are good reasons to consider amorphous panels as they are much more tolerant of heat and shading than other panels, and they are also more robust. The only drawback associated with amorphous panels is that a larger area of panels is required for the same energy output.While many types of batteries are available, the most practical and cost effective solution remains the tried and proven lead-acid battery. In a recreational vehicle, sealed AGM (absorbent glass mat) or gelled electrolyte batteries are a good choice as they cannot spill electrolyte (sulphuric acid) and can even be mounted on their side or upside down if necessary. These batteries are also low-maintenance because the electrolyte does not require regular topping up. AGM and gel batteries must be charged with care, however, and it is especially important to avoid overcharging. This is the job of the regulator or charge controller.Regulators control the charging voltage supplied to the batteries, ensuring that it is high enough to maintain a good state of charge without overcharging. Overcharging is a problem as water in the electrolyte is boiled off, making the sulphuric acid stronger and decreasing battery life, but also creating explosive hydrogen gas. It is therefore important that batteries are always well ventilated. A wide range of regulators is available, with the more advanced models providing multiple charging modes (boost, float and equalisation) and features such as programmability and data logging.While it is possible to source 12 volt DC versions of most appliances, there is a growing trend towards the use of inverters, which make it possible to use standard mains voltage appliances with the solar power system. Typically, a greater range of standard appliances is available, at a lower cost, and standard plugs and fittings can also be used. The efficiency of many inverters is now over 90%, meaning that they can be used with little overall efficiency penalty.RV solar power systems are flexible and can be configured in many ways. The solar system batteries (or "house" batteries) can be configured in parallel with the vehicle battery to allow the vehicle alternator to charge them while the on the road. Other configurations allow parallel batteries to run power hungry devices such as winches, and solar panels to charge the vehicle starting battery when necessary.
About the author:Miguel Scaccialupo is a qualified solar power systems designer and solar panel consultant.

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Facts You sould know about Solar Energy

You have likely been told many times different facts about solar energy. Of course, it is hard to know which facts about solar energy are actually “facts” and which are more like opinions.
This article is going to relay to you some of the top facts about solar energy. It will delve into not just positive facts about solar energy, but negative ones, as well. Are you ready? Here we go:
Facts about solar energy (in no particular order):
· Solar energy is a renewable resource (it may go away at night, but we will always have it.)
· Solar energy will not pollute our air with carbon dioxide and other harmful greenhouse gases and bad emissions.
· Solar energy can be used to heat water, dry clothes, heat swimming pools, power attic fans, power small appliances, produce light for both indoors and outdoors, and even to power cars, among other things.
· In 1990, a aircraft powered solely by the sun crossed the United States.
· Solar energy products can be very expensive. The initial cost is, perhaps, the main disadvantage of solar energy.
· You need a relatively large area to install solar panels if you want a good level of efficiency.
· Depending where you live (Arizona vs. Alaska, around many shady trees or in the desert, etc.), you will get different results with solar energy systems.
· Of course, once you install the products, they can be very inexpensive to run. In fact, energy from the sun is free.
· If you have a really good solar energy system, one that produces even more energy than you use, your utility company can buy it from you.
· When you use solar energy, you are making you and your home independent. You do not need to depend on foreign or other sources of energy which can raise their costs quickly.
· To run a solar energy system, you do not even need to connect to a gas or power grid.
· Solar energy cannot be produced at night or if there is a lot of pollution in the air or clouds over the sun.
· Of course, realize that you can have a battery backup system with your solar energy system that will take care of the problems that could arise when the sun does not rise, so to speak.
· You can install solar energy in remote locations.
· If there is a power outage, you can still have electricity!
· As your energy needs grow, you can add more solar panels
· Solar panels operate silently.
· Solar powered cars are not yet up to par with other cars. They have a much slower speed.
· Solar energy systems require very little maintenance and will last for a long time.
· Technology for solar energy is constantly improving.
Those are just a few facts about solar energy. I hope that they were helpful!
Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, the enviornment, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on solar power, please visit Solar Home.

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Solar Roadway - A New Technology That Could Save Us All Millions - and Help Save Our Planet

A Solar Highway?
Something new and exciting is brewing under the sun. Pun intended. What I am talking about is a new concept that has a lot of promise and that can revolutionize the way we commute and how we use our roads.
There is a company that goes by the name "Solar Roadways", founded by a guy named Scott Brusaw that is in the process of trying to replace all asphalt roads, parking lots and driveways, with Solar Road Panels. They call this concept an "electric road"
As you know, it isn't sunny and beautiful year round, anywhere. So what happens in the dark and stormy months of the fall and winter? Well, during weather like this, the Solar Roadway would use the energy that it has stored within its layers, to heat up the surface by melting the snow or ice and clearing the roads of hazardous materials. The Solar Roadway is comprised of 3 different layers.
The first layer is a Road Surface Layer which is the top layer that the vehicles actually drive on. It is transparent, and is made to provide enough traction against the wheels on your car, in comparison to asphalt.
The second layer is one that stores the solar energy in very efficient electrical storage components.
The last layer, and most exciting of the three, is the Base Plate.
The Base Plate distributes all of the stored solar power from the second layer around to businesses and homes that are connected to the Solar Roadway.
Renewable energy sources are becoming very popular right now, even with the stars in Hollywood. Everyone and everything is "going green" these days. Scientists and scholars are constantly looking for a clean and renewable energy source to keep the world running at the rate it is going right now. The one part of Scott's business that is lacking, is being able to come up with the top transparent layer. It has been extremely difficult to find the material to make something so strong that any vehicle would be able to run smoothly on the solar road without problems. Essentially Brusaw would like his Solar Roadway to get to the point where natural disasters and storms would not leave millions out of power and resources. No matter what kind of snow storm or hurricane hits us, the energy saved and distributed by the Solar Roadway would remain untapped. Think of the possibilities of something like that.
Lives would be saved, businesses would lose money, and you could continue to go about life as normally as the day before. Another thing to consider is the possibility of replacing cars with hybrids, as well. If we had solar powered homes and businesses, and we replenished those sources just by driving around the road in our environmentally friendly hybrids...Mother Earth would thank us.
How do hybrid cars work and which ecological benefits they could bring for you and the earth in the near future

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The Pros And Cons Of Solar Energy

So you like the idea of solar energy, but you're not sure that you know enough about the negative aspects? It's true that many sellers of the technology would like to gloss over the less palatable aspects, but our comprehensive list below will keep you well informed. We think that the positive aspects of solar power and energy use greatly outweigh the negatives, and to help you decide for yourself here are the pros and cons of solar energy.
The negatives include:
The worst thing about solar energy is that it is typically expensive to install. This means that the effective cost of the power is high compared with just buying it from your local utility company.
Solar panels can take up a lot of space.
You may find that your roof is not at a good orientation or angle to the sun, which would make the installation on your roof less effective or not possible.
You can't make solar power at night, so you have to have a way to store it.
Your power output will also be affected by bad weather.
On the other hand, here are the positives:
The greatest thing about solar energy is that it is virtually free to use.
Solar energy causes no pollution when you generate it.
You can get financial incentives from the government to help you pay for your system.
Companies are starting to produce rental plans that allow you to avoid the large capital costs.
There was a law passed a couple of years ago that allows you to "sell" your excess power back to the utility, reducing or eliminating your bills, and covering your need for power at night.
You don't need to order any fuel to be delivered to your house, and you can't run out.
Solar power does not suffer from inflation and increasing prices.
Typically there are no or few moving parts to a solar installation, cutting down on maintenance.
Solar power can be generated anywhere, even if there is no local electrical supplier, so you can have power in remote areas.
Using solar power reduces the amount of fossil fuel burnt, and decreases greenhouse gas creation. Some of the "cons" above about solar energy can be solved. For example, you can get government grants (depending on your location), or even rent your system to avoid the capital cost.
Undoubtedly, solar energy technology is here to stay and it's future looks even more promising!
Learn more about using Solar Panels to power your home.

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Residential Solar Energy - Find a Commercial Supplier

We would all like to have a residential solar energy system powering our homes, but while the long term savings are significant both financially and environmentally, the initial cost can be too great to allow us to follow this path.
What we can do in this situation is to purchase our main electricity from an accredited Green Energy provider. This has become very popular of late, and just about all the major electricity companies will have a Green Power option.
At present we are purchasing Solar Energy from the local large scale energy provider, Origin Energy. They are mandated by law to provide the electricity from the source they claim it is from. Should demand exceed supply for this source they are required to produce extra infrastructure to provide this energy.
While Green power is more expensive than regular fossil fuel powered electricity, it is worth paying the extra to ensure reduced emissions from our activities.
Power companies generally provide options for residential solar energy, wind power and hydroelectric power. We chose Solar power as it is the least invasive source of energy. There are greenhouse gas emission problems associated with hydroelectric power, so it is best to select either the solar or wind power options.
Changeover to the new energy source or even to a new energy supplier is usually easy, though some energy companies have locked-in contracts that you may not be able to break without additional cost to you.
You can find contact details of your energy provider on your electricity bill. If you call them and ask about renewable energy sources for your home, be sure to get details about the comparative cost of the electricity. It is also worth quizzing them on where they source this electricity and how you can be sure that it is truly Green Power.
Find more information about solar power installations, how solar power works, kids' activities and more at my website Green Planet Solar Energy.
Roger Vanderlely
Find more resources at my website http://www.green-planet-solar-energy.com/ There is information on the Greenhouse Effect, Fossil Fuels, free Maths and Science resources for young children and much more!

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