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Environmentally Friendly

Archive for the ‘Solar’ Category

Saving Money on Gasoline

Tuesday, April 27, 2010
posted by GreenIsClean

save-money-on-gas

While gas prices have declined quite a bit from their peak, with summer coming, it’s quite possible that prices will rise again to unprecedented levels. The cost of a barrel of light sweet crude oil fluctuates with the market, but in the summer, the price always goes up.  It’s important to think about how to save gas to prevent both the monetary cost and further damage to the environment.

You can save a lot of money on gas by purchasing a gasoline efficient hybrid vehicle, or for people who can’t afford that, it’s also possible to convert a regular car to run on water or electric power. The conversion kit to run a car on water or electric power is also quite affordable on even the most modest budgets. Imagine the money saved in the future! In the near future, provided technology continues to move forward at the same pace, it’s quite possible that most cars won’t depend on fuel at all, but rather run entirely on solar cells, water, or electric power.

Keep your portable electronics charged up!

Monday, April 26, 2010
posted by Dave

Do you have the same problem as I do, every time we go camping or hiking or spending any amount of time outdoors, that the batteries in one of our electronics just has to go low or die on us,  just when we are enjoying a song, or in the middle of a phone call.

I am sure that has happened to just about everybody, and will again.          ” Bummer! “

Well I have found a solution for that problem, and it is called the Power Curve Solar Charger,  lite weight and waterproof,  portable and can be attached  to any kind of gear.  Works well in low indirect lighting too.  Just the right battery charger and backup unit for the price you will find on the market today. Designed and engineered for rugged use in various applications, the Power Curve solar charger has a rugged, durable, waterproof casing that can attach to any outdoor gear. This device works in various light conditions, be it direct or indirect sunlight, charging its internal battery so you have power when you need it. The Power Curve comes standard with an assortment of adapters for products from cell phones and iPods, to digital cameras, game players, and GPS systems.  Now you don’t have to be left with low or dead batteries again, all you need is one of these solar battery chargersPower Curve Solar Charger to carry along and you can be prepared for what you already know what is going to happen!

Solar Inverters Explained

Tuesday, April 13, 2010
posted by GreenIsClean

solar

When we plug in household appliances, we are tapping into an AV power supply that’s been provided by a power company. Most Americans are virtually held prisoner by the power grid; they seemingly have no choice but to pay whatever amount is cited on the monthly electrical bill. Technological breakthroughs in the field of solar energy are decreasing this dependence every day.

If you are looking for how to make a solar panel and create your own energy, a solar inverter is a necessity. A solar inverter converts direct current electricity from the sun into usable alternating current. Stand-alone inverters can function outside the power grid, which means that any electricity they convert is stored for personal use. Even if an inverter remains connected to the grid, it significantly reduces the owner’s electric bills.

If you are a person that loves to swim, and if you own a swimming pool, then your family knows just how much fun they have during the warm seasons. Wouldn’t it be more fun if you could open the pool up earlier than usual, and the kids could stay in the pool a little later in the evening, or maybe you could leave the pool open a little longer in the early fall.

I found a product that can help you do so. It’s called – Solar Pool Heater, this kind is made for above ground pools, there is also another kind that is made for In-Ground pools.  This one in the picture is for above ground pools and you can lay it beside the pool or mount it on a slant frame, preferable were ever it is convenient, and out of the way, but you should consider positioning it were it will lay in the sun all day. That way you will get more benefit from using the Solar Pool Heater as it will absorb the most of the sun rays against the black surface.

The Solar Pool Heater Systems for the In-Ground pool uses a different approach, with that system it is installed up on the roof, and collects the sun rays up there were it stays HOT!  It installs easily in line with your exiting pump and equipment. The pool water circulates through solar channels and returns to the pool nice and warm.

Both of these Solar Water Heating Systemssolar pool heater panelSolar Water Heating System Chart uses No Electricity at all, just the power of the sun. You should expect 10 to 15 degrees warmer water. That would be very pleasant instead of getting that initial shock you get when you jump in the cold water, at first getting in.  Here is a chart to help you decide what size system you may need.

Have Fun!!!

Solar Panels for All

Tuesday, March 30, 2010
posted by GreenIsClean

solarpanelsA few years ago, implementing solar technology in your home was only a dream. Sure a few people had their homes outfitted with solar panels, but this was mainly affluent people who lived in areas that received perennial sunshine. Thanks to recent innovations, however, solar energy is making its way into the mainstream.

The internet is littered with sites providing information on how to make your own solar panels. If DIY isn’t for you, there are also a variety of affordable pre-constructed panels now for sale. Solar panels are also being utilized in an assortment of consumer products, such as flashlights and outdoor lighting.

Solar Photovoltaic Growth in 2009 and Beyond

Friday, March 26, 2010
posted by Dave

Solar PV growth has been amazing from 2008 into 2009. Solar PV systems have had a steady increase even with all the recent economic uncertainty in the US last year. 2009 ended with an amazing 18% increase over 2008’s installed solar capacity, and at this current pace it should be easy to hit many of the 2020 goals set by utility company’s and our government.  It was the 4th quarter of 2009 that added 63% of the new PV projects, and has provided a large boost into 2010 and the momentum to do even better. It was California that dominated the new Solar PV market in completing large-scale PV systems by adding 52% of the new systems installed in 2009 alone.

These numbers came from Emerging Energy Research. It is great to see the US is keeping pace with Solar Power installations despite concern about the strength of the US economy. We can clearly see that as the solar industry keeps growing at this rate of progress it’s no wonder that the renewable energy will be one of the factors that will carry us out of our current economic slump.

If you are looking to get in on this rapid growth of Solar Power SystemsSolar Power Energy Plant installations as a business, their are several online educational classes that you can check out.One educational and training online school about Renewable Energy Industry is called “Boots on the Roof” they have a large variety of classes for the eager to learn individuals about this new wonderful industry of ours.  Renewable Energy Industry just may save our slumping economy and our environment!

Solar Power System Component #7

Tuesday, March 23, 2010
posted by Dave

The next component we can talk about is simply the AC Breaker Panel and the Inverter AC Disconnect ( Breaker Box ).  The AC breaker panel is the point at which all of a home’s electrical wiring meets with your power company that provides the electricity to your home, and also if you have a Solar Power-electric system.  This wall mounted panel box is usually installed in a utility room, garage or basement. It contains a number of circuit breakers, that should be labeled, and is routed to each room in the house to provide electricity through out the house.   These breakers allow disconnect of electricity for servicing, and also protect the building against the wiring  to prevent electrical fires.

Just like electrical circuits in your home or office, an inverters electrical output needs to be routed through an AC circuit breaker. This breaker is usually mounted inside the buildings main panel which allows the inverter to be disconnected from either the grid or from electrical loads if servicing is necessary, and also safeguards the circuits electrical wiring.  In addition to that, utility company’s usually require an AC disconnect between the inverter and the grid that is for their use.  And this is usually located near the utility KWH meter on the outside of the building.  With the right setup your Solar Power SystemAC Panel can be safe and secure for servicing and maintenance.

Free Charge, Go with Solar

Sunday, March 21, 2010
posted by Dave

Some people live in the country and have animals like cows and horses that is allowed to graze out in the pastures. Most people have to use a electric wire around the fence to keep their animals from pushing through the fence. That’s a problem because the animals want to get to the greener grass on the other side of the fence. Without an electric wire a 1000 lb animal can push through just about any fence if they really wanted to, so I can see the importance of using a low voltage electric wire all around the fence to keep them contained.

I wonder, how much cost is added to the electric bill to run a 120 volt electrical fence charger that stays pluged in 24/7, and is constantly using klw’s to keep the wire hot.

I found a solution to help keep the electric bill from increasing higher because of using a electric charger.  By using a Solar Fence Charger, this one here is called, Dare Products Fence Charger, runs off of a Solar PanelSolar Panel Fence Charger to keep a 12 volt battery charged up and it will keep a constant charge to the wire around the fence. That will keep the wire hot and off the grid.

No Extra Costs!

Solar Hot Water Heaters

Tuesday, March 16, 2010
posted by GreenIsClean

Solar_Water_Heater

Everyone is looking for ways to save money right now, and one of the easiest ways is to reduce your heating bill. While all of your home appliances and electronics will raise your electricity usage, the hot water heater is one of the biggest culprits. There are several things that you can do to reduce the energy that your water heater.

Switching to a tankless water heater is the best way to cut down on heating costs, as you are not paying to constantly keep the water heated. This requires a substantial investment, however, and is out of the question for many people. An alternative is to look into solar hot water heaters. These units utilize solar power and can reduce or eliminate the money you spend on hot water.

Encyclopedia of Solar Energy

Monday, March 15, 2010
posted by Dave

If there is anything you wanted to know about Solar Power, Photovoltaics or Renewable energy than you should be able to find it here in this encyclopedia book. This is a combination of two CD roms and a ring bound book with lots of information:    Researched material, Reports, Designs, and New Technologies. Everything you need to know about photovoltaics is here in this set.

TWO CD-ROM SET: This newly updated electronic book on two CD-ROMs contains the finest collection of official federal documents available anywhere on the subject of Solar Energy and photovoltaics (solar power cells), including the United States Department of Energy (DOE) Photovoltaics Program; National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Center for Photovoltaics; Photovoltaics for Buildings; Photovoltaics Silicon Materials Research; Solar Decathlon; Amorphous Silicon; NREL Solid State Theory Group and Solid State Spectroscopy. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; Environmental Safety & Health; DOE Climate Challenge; National Center for Photovoltaics; Photovoltaics Research & Development; Photovoltaic Silicon Materials Research; Amorphous Silicon; Solid State Theory; Spectroscopy. National Center for Photovoltaics (NCPV) Partnership Opportunities; PV Roadmap; Physics and Design of Solar Cells; R & D Partner Fact Sheets. Photovoltaics for Buildings coverage includes: Learn About PV; Homes and Commercial Buildings; Whole-Building Design; Solar Electricity; New Applications and Lessons Learned Report, much more.

RINGBOUND BOOK: This important printed report provides a guide to the development of viable solar energy technologies. It includes a Department of Energy report, entitled Solar Energy Technologies Program Technical Plan 2003-2007 and Beyond. Topics covered include: Solar Cells * photovoltaic (PV) power * flat-plate PV * concentrating PV * off-grid * on-grid * conversion efficiencies * solar thermal electric * the existing solar industry * DOE research goals and targets * Thermal dishes * towers * troughs * central generation * passive solar * solar water heating * solar heating and lighting * nanotechnology solar cells * organic solar cells * abbreviations and acronyms. The report states: “At the heart of this document are detailed technical plans for four solar energy areas: Photovoltaics, Concentrating Solar Power, Solar Heating and Lighting, and New Concepts. Each technical section includes a technology status overview, programmatic goals and objectives, description of key technical challenges, detailed technical targets (often for each component of the identified solar energy system), detailed technical barriers, a roster of activities that address the target barriers, and a summary chart that highlights key programmatic milestones and decisions anticipated over the next 5 years.”

I hope that this information can help anyone to make a decision about as to how to go about changing their lifestyle over to using renewable energy, Solar Power21st Century Guide to Solar Energy is just one ideal, but in the long run that ideal will save you money, anything we can do to go green will be great for the environment, and the rewards are on going month after month. We only have to try it to reap the benefits!