Environmental Articles » Alternative Energy

PV Solar : One Of The Worlds Major Abundant Forms Of Renewable Energy

Jeff Gibson — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 15:52:38 +0000

Photovoltaic material or PVs are necessary to change solar radiation into DC electricity. Many materials are used to make up a photovoltaic cell. Demand has dictated the production of cells, which has increased since 2002. Renewable energy demand has increased production even more than that in the past couple years. The following will discuss PV solar the energy for the future.

To change the radiation that we get from the sun into electricity, photovoltaics use solar cells. The photovoltaic effect is a process that explains how photons of light force movement of electrons until they are charged and electricity is created. The electricity that is created initially is direct current, and to use it in most instances, it is converted with an inverter to alternating current.

Photovoltaics are created by using many different types of materials. Different types include but are not limited to cadmium telluride, copper indium selenide, polycrystalline silicon, etc. Polycrystalline silicon is one major contributor to the solar panel. By 2006, half the supply in the world was being used for creation of the solar panel. There were only twelve factories in production of the material in 2008.

An increase of twenty percent yearly is quite impressive for the photovoltaic, and this has been the case since 2002. It is considered to be one of the most rapidly growing types of renewable energy in the world. By the end of 2009, there were several installations that had photovoltaics installed and generated approximately 21,000 megawatts of power.

There are many countries in support of the photovoltaic as a source of renewable energy. In fact, there are several different governments that are providing incentives to both businesses and citizens to install packages. With the advancement of technology and the increase in manufacturing products, the prices have fallen to a more reasonable rate.

We knew in 2008, that energy from solar power was able to provide the world with one thousand times the amount needed, but only two tenths was used. Based on the statistics, valuable resources are being wasted. Predictions are that every few years those figures will double. Solar energy is likely to become one the main sources of power for the world.

Many would speak against the dependability of solar power, but science can predict with extreme accuracy when the sun will be in view. There are many other sources of renewable energy that can be used with solar power to compensate for cloudy days, etc. Large power plants are actually operating on these systems.

Get great deals on solar pv by searching online. There you will find many choices for pv panels to buy. Head online today and find more.

Read This Before Starting Your Own Solar Panel Project

Allen Anderson — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 15:39:33 +0000

As you may be well aware of our current economic and environmental state, things are the best as they can be. But on a positive note it makes us investigate for alternative energy sources that is become the solution of cutting down present and the future energy consumption, particularly in terms of fossil fuel usage like oil. Solutions such as energy solutions like solar power and wind power. Constructing your own home made solar panel is a great way to reduce your dependence on utility energy and reduce your energy bill at the same time. Well, learning how to build your own homemade solar panels is no longer science fiction.

Who is there in the world who does not wish to have the energy bills get reduced by 80% or more? Saving at least 50% on your electric bill is possible through the following of energy saving guides which show you ways on how to save money on your electric bill.

These guides provide:

Full and detailed instructions given which can be easily understood by a layman or the unskilled for building a home made solar panel. Learn all you need to know about how to make solar energy.

Details on how to obtain the materials needed to build your own solar panel or windmill and create your own free energy.

Few Tips on how to construct the alternative energy generators that is not readily available anywhere else.

Free life long updates to the instructional manuals and videos.

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

Detailed specifications explained by videos.

Think about it! Here you are with a home made solar system, generating power that will be stored in deep cell batteries for future consumption. And all of this costs just pennies on the dollar! The Easy to understand instructional how-to book are easy to understand so that even a newcomer will be able to understand.

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

Want to learn more about how to reduce your energy bill and make your own solar panels? Learn more about your own homemade solar panels at Go-SolarEnergy.com!

The 27M Solar Panel Kit

Jordan Eske — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 13:05:43 +0000

The Nomad 27M solar panel is a convenient source of power made in mono-crystalline solar technology. This particular product uses 27 watts of electricity, and is rechargeable in all types of weather. When it’s sunny, it can take as little as four and half-hours to recharge fully. When partly sunny, it takes up to 7 hours and 15 hours in overcast weather. These times may vary depending on the battery you are using. For instance, the Sherpa 120 will take 10, 17 and 36 hours in sunny, partly sunny and overcast weather respectively. Others like Ranger 350 will take 31, 45 and 100 hours to recharge fully in the three different types of weather respectively. This is not a long time to wait considering there are no bills to pay for the recharge!

It is ideal for charging electronics and has eight small panels providing power, so you can use one at a time. One of the greatest attributes of the Nomad 27M solar panel is its size. It measures 22.5″ x 44.5″ x 0.03″ which drops to 10.5″ x 7″ x2″ when folded. Folding it makes storage easy. Homes where space is a problem will find it quite appropriate because when folded, you can easily store it in a drawer or case. It is also light in weight (3.4 lbs) and can be carried along when traveling, going on a hike or any other outdoor adventure. Simply attach whatever it is you need to charge on the solar panel, be it a phone or torch, fasten the panel on your backpack and keep walking!

There are two main differences between the 27M and the 13.5M models. First and foremost, the 27M produces a higher wattage, and secondly, it can also store energy for a greater length of time than the 13.5M. The two key differences make the 27M noticeably more efficient than the 13.5M. On a slightly different note, both models use a charging voltage of 12V, although the 27M does have an open 18V circuit.

Nomad 27M solar panel comes with three support rods made of aluminum, which provide stability when charging. You can use them to hold the panel in place when charging outdoors. It also comes with four sturdy grommets, which enable you to hang the panel at different angles. If you are worried about the clutter connecting electronics often brings, then you don’t have to anymore. It has a built in pocket that holds the connector cord in place when charging your items. This prevents the danger of someone tripping over the cord and being injured. You can place it at a far corner or if there are children in the house, you can easily put it under a chair or under the bed.

Unlike many similar products, the Nomad 27M solar panel has been manufactured with durability in mind, and considering it’s also water resistant, it should last you for many years. Even if you leave it standing outside in the rain, the unit will continue working, although of course, if you’re not using it, then it should ideally be folded up and stowed away in the case which comes with the unit when you purchase it.

Jordan Eske has been helping people find solar products since the beginning of 2010. And the Nomad 27M Solar Panel helps people who want survival gear.

Logical Reasons For Switching To Solar Energy

Andy Goldwin — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:36:42 +0000

Well, one major reason is because of the financial aspects. After the principal investment has been recovered, the energy from the sun if practically free of charge. The recovery or payback period for this investment can be very short depending on how much electricity your household uses.

There are also many financial incentives that are widely available from the federal and local government that will lower your overall cost. Depending on your area, if your system produces more energy than you use, your utility company can buy it from you, building up a credit on your account! This nifty little idea is called “net-metering”. Essentially, it will save you money on your electricity bill if you even have one at all.

One large fact about solar energy is that it doesn’t require any fuel. It’s not affected by the supply and demand of fuel and is therefore not subjected to the ever-increasing price of gasoline. The savings are instantaneous and for many years to come.

For the environmentally conscious, solar energy is clean, renewable (unlike gas, oil and coal) and sustainable, helping to protect our environment. It doesn’t pollute our air by releasing carbon-dioxide, nitrogen-oxide, sulphur-dioxide or mercury into the atmosphere like many traditional forms of electrical generation does. Solar energy doesn’t contribute to global warming, acid rain or smog and as a matter of fact, it actively contributes to the decrease of harmful green house gas emissions.

Solar energy can be utilized to offset utility-supplied energy consumption. For those worried about outages it will also continue to supply your home or business with electricity in the event of a power outage.

Your solar energy system can operate entirely independently, not requiring a connection to a power or gas grid at all. Systems can even be installed in remote locations (like cabins and remote vacation homes), making it more practical and cost-effective than the supply of utility electricity to a new site. Almost all solar energy systems are virtually maintenance free and will last for decades. Once installed, there are no recurring costs and they operate silently, have no moving parts, do not release offensive smells and do not require you to add any fuel. More solar panels can easily be added in the future when your family’s needs grow.

Want to find out more about Solar Panel Installations, then visit Alan Andal’s site on how to choose the best Chicago Solar Panel Installation Company for your needs.

Solar Heating Tubes And Green Energy

Craig Axelrod — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:54:27 +0000

Many landlords are now starting to think seriously about environmental issues, and using solar heating tubes and green energy to warm your building’s water can do much to please and environmentally conscious tenant. Whether you own residential apartments, commercial property, or industrial buildings, your prospective clientele will probably be impressed by any building that makes use of green energy. Installing and utilizing green energy sources where possible will give future renters one other reason to rent your building space.

The fact that it will help save the planet isn’t the only reason to install solar panels. You can lower your gas and electric bills significantly by eliminating your dependence on these sources of heat for your building’s hot water consumption. You can use these savings to become more profitable, or pass the savings on to your tenants.

Of course, using solar power to heat water is not a new concept. Scientists are known to have experimented with the idea of using the sun’s energy to heat water since the mid 1800s. However, although steady strides have been made to improve the available technology, until recently it was less than effective in cold and cloudy countries. And yet these are the places where they are needed most. With the development of vacuum-sealed solar heating tubes, however, an increasing number of people are able to convert to a solar energy system.

Solar heating tubes’ cylindrical shape allows them to be positioned in such a way that some of their surface constantly faces the sun, allowing them to absorb the suns rays for longer. Because they can capture the sun’s power more efficiently, they are able to harvest enough solar power to heat a building’s water even when the day is overcast or cold. The fact that they are vacuum sealed increases their efficiency even further given that vacuums provide the optimal situation in which to insulate the heat source. This means that less energy is wasted. The center of the tube will get hot, while the outside of the tube, insulated by the vacuum, remains cool to the touch. All of this leads to a lot more of the solar power being retained and used to heat the building’s water.

Your building’s boiler system or hot water heater uses up a sizable portion of the electricity and/or gas used in your building. You can significantly reduce your energy bills and those of your tennants by installing solar heating tubes and using green energy to your advantage. You only need purchase and install your solar heating tubes once, after that the savings will last forever.

There’s never been a better time than now to start employing green energy sources such as solar water heating tubes. Governments all over the world are offering incentives to incourage building owners to install a solar energy system which uses sustainable, green energy sources. Certain countries will even provide you with a grant towards the installation of your solar heating tubes or solar panels. Ultimately, all buildings will have to conform to strict environmental regulations regarding the energy they use. It would be more advantageous to act now, while the government is willing to help you with the costs.

Craig Axelrod is a partner for Emmy Energy, a New York solar power system operation installing solar heating tubes solar energy systems & clean energy systems throughout the North East.

Longing For Self Sufficient Living?

Toby Chacone — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:19:36 +0000

Self sufficient living is experiencing a resurgence of interest as many see pollution rising and natural resources being depleted. Many are also turning to this way of life as they consider the economic benefits of learning to live a more sustainable lifestyle. So what is self sufficient living anyway?

Self sufficient living is a phrase that refers to utilizing renewable sources to supply basic needs. For most individuals, this means a real change from depending upon city power and water. It also means becoming your own grocery store by growing a garden. For the purists, it involves learning to make things we use everyday – like soap and even clothing.

The fast pace of many people’s lives has caused them to reconsider their lifestyle and turn to a simpler, more self sufficient way of living as a better alternative. They see this as a more healthy way to live. Others are pursuing this in the interest of preparedness in light of increasing natural and man made disasters, as well as the looming threat of political unrest resulting from economic collapse.

What’s Involved – Let’s look at some important considerations to make for those interested in adopting a more self sufficient way of life.

First, let’s consider our most basic need – food. Most people rely solely on the grocery store. Why not become your own supermarket by growing your own? You might not feel capable of such an undertaking, but there are plenty of good books on the subject to get you started. Even if you don’t have a garden area, start in pots for now – at least you’ll be getting started. The other important skill in providing for your food needs is learning to store that food. We’ll look more at methods to do this in future articles.

Food – There has been increased interest in gardening in recent years as evidenced by an increase in garden seed sales. This is truly a part of self sufficient living that anyone can start right away. While there are many helpful books on the subject, this is one area in which it largely comes down to experience. Thus, the sooner you get started, the better. Even if you only have a small patio, you can start gardening in pots, even during winter months, you can grow some things in the house. The other aspect of food involves learning to preserve and store food. This is something that people used to be better at, but with the convenience of supermarkets, many do not consider just how fragile a family’s food supply can be. Natural disasters remind us of this when interruptions in transport result in shelves being emptied in only a matter of hours. Methods for food preservation and storage include canning, dehydrating, air vacuum sealing, and use of air tight storage containers.

Water Sources – Another important consideration involves water. Where are you getting yours from? Sustainable water sources include springs, wells, and even creeks or streams – in which case you’d need to consider a filtration method. Keep in mind that there may be legal limitations pertaining to the use of surface water where you live. Many overlook the importance of this issue. Furthermore, it’s wise to consider the volume of water required to sustain not only your family, but also additional needs such as agriculture. You can see that there may not be a whole lot you can do about this unless you’re in a country setting with a considerable piece of land with water on it. This takes us to our final point.

Country Living – When considering what is involved in becoming more self sufficient, it becomes clear that living in a metropolitan area makes it more difficult for the average family to pursue a more sustainable way of life. While the subject of locating and purchasing country property is beyond the scope of this article, families are finding that with careful planning and perseverance, making such a transition is possible. Rural living is ideal in terms of becoming more independent.

You can experience self sufficient living, enjoying the benefits of becoming independent from utility companies and supermarkets. Keep your dream before you and persevere and a simpler, healthier way of life can be yours.

self sufficient living can be your way of life. Learn more at http://www.selfsufficientlivingblog.com.

Reduce Your Heating Expenses And Attract Green Tenants

Craig Axelrod — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:33:50 +0000

If you’re a landlord solar energy can help you cut your heating costs and attract more tenants to your buildings. Using the most up-to-date green technologies will enable you to reduce the amount of fuel or electricity you use to heat your property. The easiest way to do this is by installing solar heating tubes. Whether you are a residential landlord or a commercial landlord solar energy will help you attract an emerging clientele who are worried about their ecological impact, because of practical or ideological reasons. As government regulations concerning energy consumption becomes tighter, commercial tenants are under increasing pressure to consider buildings which minimize their impact on the environment. Even residential tenants are showing an increased interest in homes which take advantage of alternative energy sources.

What Advantages Will Solar Heating Tubes Provide?

For every landlord solar energy can have benefits, but the extent of the benefits you can receive by installing solar heating tubes will depend chiefly on what kind of heating system your building employs. Most buildings will be able to benefit from the advantages of using the solar heating tubes to heat their water supply. Landlords with properties which make use of radiant heat can further benefit by using the solar heating tubes to heat the building itself. In any case, the savings can be quite considerable, especially when factored over an extended period of time.

For all landlords heating costs are an issue, particularly if your buildings are in a colder environment, but solar heating tubes can help you cut these costs whether you live in a warm climate or not. The addition of tubes is a somewhat recent development, and represent a a new take on the flat solar panels which have been around since the 1960s. This means that they can be positioned so as to be in prolonged contact with the sun, thus increasing their efficiency. Additionally, vacuum tubes are used for optimal insulation purposes, making sure that very little of the harvested energy is wasted until it is used for heating purposes within your building. And less solar power lost means less electricity and gas used, which in the end affects your bottom line by slashing your heating costs.

Start Saving Today!

Even though solar technology has been around for several decades, and environmentally aware governments have long encouraged landlords to seek out energy efficient, renewable power sources for providing heat and electricity, the means for doing so has only just become available. If you want to cut your energy expenses and bring in environmentally friendly tenants, you should seriously consider installing the newest solar heating tubes as soon as you can. With so many of the world’s governments now on board with renewable energy programs, and quite a few promising big incentives to building owners to go green, there may never be a better time to upgrade your heating system with solar power than right now. So why wait?

Despite the fact that installing a solar energy system can save you a lot of money, and even if it wasn’t true that using green energy will help you attract a new type of tenant, it is also the right thing to do. You will be saving money and the environment at the same time, and that’s not a bad combination at all.

Craig Axelrod is VP of Business Development for Emmy Energy, a NY solar energy operation offering solar heating tube systems solar electric systems & clean products in the Northeast.

Solar Heating Tubes: The Ideal Solar Energy System

Craig Axelrod — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:31:49 +0000

In the modern business and political environment, landlords are struggling to comply with government and the demands of tenants. Getting hold of more environmentally conscious ways to supply energy to your buildings presents a challenge.

There has been a lot of talk lately about the many benefits of wind energy, but allow me to introduce you to solar heating tubes: the other green energy source. There is no better, or more untapped, source of renewable energy than the sun. Every day, 365 days per year The sun gives us energy in the form of light and heat throughout the year. But most of this energy goes unused, while we continue to burn our way through the planets limited supply of fossil fuels. The situation will only get worse for those who continue to depend on fossil fuels, so it’s time to put all the newly developed green technology to use, while many of the world’s governments are offering financial incentives.

Employing solar heating tubes to produce green energy comes with many benefits, for both building owners and their tenants. Even if solar power is only used to heat the buildings water the savings can be huge, depending on how much warm water is used. Of course, buildings with differing purposes will use different quantities of warm water, but hot water is used in one fashion or another in just about every building, whether it’s tenants taking baths, doing their laundry, washing dishes, or using warm water for general cleaning purposes. Many properties also employ radiant heat, which use coils of heated water underneath the floors to heat the rooms. If your buildings are heated in this way, you will be able to save a lot of money by reducing the amount of oil, gas or electricity you use for heating your buildings.

In places like New York solar energy has always been regarded as ineffective as the weather is changeable and there is often not enough direct sunlight for solar panels to be effective. Solar heating tubes, on the other hand, work differently and are able to capture much more sunlight. The cylindrical shape of the receptors allows the receiving unit to absorb the sun’s energy throughout the day, as they have a larger surface area than conventional solar panels, which need direct sunlight to work effectively. Coupled with the fact that the energy is then kept in copper rods and the tubes are vacuum sealed, providing perfect insulation and allowing very little of the energy to escape. The tubes are so well insulated, in fact that the surface of the tubes remain cool even while inside the copper rods can reach over 300 degrees Fahrenheit. The combination of these two recent advances in solar technology allows building owners to make use of solar energy in less warm environments. If you are a landlord in New York green energy is now a practical alternative.

Solar heating tubes are one green energy source that you would be a fool not to use. Using the alternative green technology, the solar heating tube, will not only reduce your carbon footprint and help save the planet, it also has the potential to leave a lot of added green in your bank account. When you look at it that way, it’s awfully difficult to think of a good reason not to use solar heating tubes.

Craig Axelrod is a principal for Emmy Energy, a Long Island solar energy operation delivering solar heating tube systems solar pv systems & green systems throughout the Northeast.

Photovoltaics And Their Function In The Advancement Of Solar Power

Sherry Ryan — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 13:38:12 +0000

One of the largest forms of renewable energy available is solar. In order to convert the radiation from the sun to electric power, photovoltaic cells are required. The photovoltaic effect is the process by which the radiation is converted. Read on about photovoltaics and the advancement of solar energy.

Solar technology can be characterized by the way that it is captured. The solar radiation is either captured passively or actively. A passive solar capture would be when sunlight is converted without using any form of mechanical device, such as a solarium. While an active solar capture would be a conversion using either mechanical or electrical equipment. In both passive and active capture of solar energy, photovoltaic cells can be used.

The photovoltaic effect is best described as a material being subjected to electromagnetic radiation. Voltage is created with the charged material. Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel was the first to notice this effect in 1839.

In one year, the amount of solar energy that falls to the surface of the earth is so enormous that it will surpass by double the amount of non-renewable energy sources of coal, oil, natural gas, and mined uranium on the earth. The levels of solar power that can be captured in the world are different, depending on the area that it is being captured in. Areas closer to the equator will capture more solar power.

Orbiting satellites and spacecraft were the first uses of the photovoltaic. They are now used for many things, but most often for power. A module of photovoltaic cells or solar cell produces direct current which must be converted to alternating current.

Solar panels that are made up of photovoltaic cells at one time were entirely too expensive to use at home or for general commercial use. Government incentive programs have made it possible for consumers to install systems at this time. Individuals are being encouraged worldwide to switch to renewable energy sources. Fortunately, over the past several years, the cost of solar panels have also decreased on their own.

When the public was first able to view photovoltaic cells, it was in the form of the solar calculator and other small gadgets. Roadway lighting systems are now being tested in different parts of the United States. They can now be seen in different devices like parking meters and street lamps. Across the world, there are several power stations using solar power. The need for photovoltaic cells is growing with the ever increasing need for renewable energy.

Photovoltaic cells are used to take the energy coming from the sun and converting them into electric power. If you want it to be done right, then you should get a PV installer to do it for you.

categories: photovoltaics,solar pv,green electricity,renewable energy,alternative energy

Environmental News For A Change Of Pace

Sarah Parker — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:18:30 +0000

Awareness is about opening our minds to something we did not previously think about. Awaking ourselves from a comfortable slumber can be, well, *un*comfortable. It’s so much easier to stay asleep and move about our lives without thinking about challenging our own thoughts and preconceptions.

Awareness can be a very personal, intimate thing…a private thought or belief that affects my own life. It can also be about things outside of myself, such as the environment. Say the word “environmentalist” and it conjures up many images in one’s mind, from a tree hugger to a respected scientist. For the average person if we simply replaced some of our current news with green news, it would begin to alter how we perceive things. Environmental news is simply information regarding local and/or global issues such as alternative energy or even things like how to create a green home. Most of these types of topics will not be found in the major news networks or publishers. Why is this type of news helpful and where can I find it?

Why Green News?

If we hope to be solution finders in our lives, to have a positive impact on those around us and on the planet, we can start by adjusting how we think and challenge our current thoughts by taking in green news. If our thoughts begin to change, our behaviour will, at some point, follow and our way of life will be altered in a positive way. This type of change cannot be forced on us but by starting with our own minds, we can create long lasting benefit to ourselves and our environment.

Let’s first come to grips with the fact that all news is biased. The morning or nightly news that our culture is attached to has reasons for airing certain stories and giving them focus over other stories. In the end these networks exist to make money so they must publish news that meets that objective. It’s likely that you will not find rich sources of environmental news related information via the traditional news networks or sources.

Where to Look for It

If you want to be in touch with local or global issues that relate to green news, then you will need to find a source of information that has their own stated bias-the environment. It’s simply their own focus. These news publishers are making up for the lack of information that comes from the big news agencies. They are presenting news that is important for their readers or listeners.

There are a huge assortment of news sources available to be read on the Internet. Start with the list at http://environment.about.com/od/activismvolunteering/tp/environews.htm and it will lead you to a handful of sources that will provide interesting and meaningful information for you.

Do you like to keep yourself updated with all the environmental news happening around the world? Then check out GreenerIdeal.com, learn more about green design and see how you can help make a difference to our Mother Nature!