Posts Tagged ‘environment’

Save Energy and Money with These 5 Tips and Wind Power

March 11th, 2010

Following you will find 5 tips to help reduce your utility bill year round with or without the use of wind power. Hopefully these will help you to make ends meet, especially for those who are already unemployed or fear unemployment is a round the corner.

1. Furnaces and a/c units that do not get serviced yearly can lose efficiency costing you more money in your utility bill. Having them serviced on a yearly basis will keep them in top running condition, prolonging their life which will save you from a costly replacement bill. The climate you live in does not matter because regular servicing will save money and energy no matter where you live. Along with regular servicing, get in the habit of changing the filter once a month because a dirty filter will cut down on efficiency and can cause premature failure of the units.

2. Consider replacing your manual thermostat with a programmable one. There are many who try to save energy and money by turning the thermostat way down in the winter when they leave the house, or way up in the summer, and this fine as long you do not go to extremes. Turning the temperature way up or way down will cause the furnace or a/c to run excessively to bring the temperature back to a comfortable level. Changing the thermostat manually works good if you don’t forget to do it, which is why I suggested replacing the old manual one with a programmable one, set it and forget it until the seasons change, this way you gain maximum benefits and savings.

3. The following can be done in a matter of hours with a few inexpensive things you will need to pick up at your local hardware store. You will need a few tubes of caulking (how many will depend on how many exterior doors and windows you have) and some foam gaskets that are used to seal outdoor outlets and switches. (again how many will depend on how many outlets and switches you have located on exterior walls) Once you have these items start by caulking around all exterior doors and windows to seal air leaks then, remove all the covers on switches and outlets that are located on exterior walls, place a gasket over the switch or outlet, replace the cover, and trim the excess off with a utility knife. The more air leaks you seal the more you will save.

4. This will only apply if you have and use a fireplace, and is more of a precaution than a savings tip. Using a fireplace, if you have one, can save you a considerable amount of money in the winter. However, the more you use it the higher build up of creosote you will get, and if you do not have the chimney cleaned regularly you stand the chance of chimney fires. Another thing you should look at is the top of the chimney, is there a screen cover and cap. If there isn’t you have the possibility of birds, that sit on the chimney for warmth, becoming overcome by fumes and falling in the chimney which can block it causing smoke to backup into the house.

5. Using wind power to cut the power bill makes sense because, with the technology of today, you can build a roof mounted wind mill for three hundred dollars or less. You can cut you power bill in half or more, depending on how much wind you get, obviously the more wind, the more power is produced, and the less power you will need to buy from the power company. So, when trying to reduce your power bill, consider wind power as a way to cut it in half or more.

With the cost of living rising every day and threat of losing your job, it is even more important to use wind power to reduce your utility bill. Click here to discover affordable ways to use renewable energy sources.

How to Make Solar Panels

March 9th, 2010

More and more people want to learn how to make solar panels these days due to the economic instability. Every day solar energy systems are being installed around the world. They are both environmentally friendly and a great way to lower your home energy costs. Making your own solar panel does not require you to be technically inclined.

Since the cost of purchasing and installing a home energy system can be quite high, many people have not made the move to solar energy. Ready made solar panels can cost thousands of dollars. The cost of the pre-made panels is what is causing people to want to know how to make solar panels. The supplies to build your own solar panel may run you around two hundred dollars, depending on where you shop. What is the main part of a solar panel? The main part of a solar panel is the photovoltaic cell. If you have a 200 watt solar panel, then you should have enough electricity to use in your home.

What Are the Components Needed to Make Solar Panels?

To start with, you need photovoltaic cells, glass, copper wiring, a battery and wooden boards along with a good soldering iron. Do your homework when searching for the solar cells. There are quite a few on the market and some are not of very good quality. As you are likely aware, building your own solar panels will be much cheaper than buying the ready made panels. Now the size of your house may determine how much solar energy you need, thus you may need to make more than one solar panel.

You will also need a charge controller. This device regulates the amount of energy that is sent to each battery from the solar panel. Over charging the battery can reduce its life. So, you may need more than one, which may end up costing several hundred dollars, but that is much better than several thousand dollars.

Some people that learned how to make their own solar panels, now make panels for other people and charge money for it. Sometimes you can find second hand materials that will cut your costs as well. We will end this article by stating that homeowners can cut their home energy costs by a substantial amount by learning how to make their own solar panels. Regardless of your reason, why not do something about the rising costs of home energy.

Learn more about how to make solar panels. Stop by Eric Moffat’s site where you can find out all about wind power generators and what they can do for you.

Options To Know Before You Buy Solar Panel Kits

February 28th, 2010

For numerous years, the only kinds of solar panels commercially obtainable have been crystalline solar panels arranged in a rectangular casing and placed on a roof. This is why most people, as soon as they think of solar power for their home, imagine this as their only choice. Below are a few new advancements in solar power and mounting options you may well have never heard of before.

Thin Film Solar Panels – Man Is This Thin!

Envision the solar panel you see in a solar calculator. That is a thin film solar panel. Thin film solar panels are used extensively in satellites. Thin film technology is currently being extended into residential and commercial use and was named one of the greatest inventions of 2008 by TIME magazine.

Thin film solar panels are bendable, unlike polysilicon cells found in conventional crystalline solar panels. These thin film solar panels are being called as next generation solar power technology.

Thin film solar panels are more resilient to frozen rain, rocks, etc. If a portion of a crystalline solar panel is damaged, the whole solar panel will stop working whereas a thin film solar panel will go on functioning.

Thin film panels can also be flexible and tailored to various surfaces. They can be useful in places conventional crystalline solar panels cannot be mounted on top of. I have even seen a thin film panel sewed onto a jacket that powered a MP3 player.

The downside to thin film panels is that they do not take up as much energy because they are so skinny. These panels are not nearly as efficient as traditional photovoltaic panels but they are much cheaper. Thin film solar panels are printed onto the rolled backing, eliminating many of the high energy and chemical intensive processes that are standard in conventional PV manufacturing.

Thin film solar panels are low wattage and require more room than traditional solar panels and they are more prone to degradation. In order to counter a few of these competitive disadvantages they have versus conventional solar panels, manufacturers give better warranties for thin film panels.

The largest thin film solar photovoltaic (PV) project in the United States is the Blythe plant located 200 miles east of Los Angeles, California. The 21-megawatt solar power plant uses thin film solar cells created out of cadmium telluride. At full capacity, the plant will create enough electricity to power an estimated 17,000 houses.

Now let’s examine conventional solar panels and several of the mounting options that are available you may well have never heard of before.

Mounting Choices For Conventional Solar Panels – It’s In the Mount

Solar panel mounts come in three main types: pole mounts, roof-ground mounts, and flush mounts. Using these mounts, you can set up your solar panel onto an RV, on top of or against the side of a pole, on your roof, or even install them as a free-standing unit.

Pole Mounts – No That Is Not What Santa Claus Needs For His Sled

Pole mounts, especially top-of-pole, have been common for awhile now. Top-of-pole mounts are basically a steel or aluminum rack and rail system bolted or welded to a large casing that sets on top of a pole with set-bolts to keep it in place. Side-of-pole mounts are regularly used when you need to mount to the side of a telephone pole or communications tower. Tracking mounts are similar to top-of-pole mounts, but they also have a method of automatically aiming the mount to stay on the sun.

Top of pole mounts (as well as sun trackers) are one of the simplest mounts to install. They basically only need a single steel pole set in the ground (normally in concrete), and the mount slips onto the top of the pole. Most common sizes use a 2-inch to 8-inch pole, usually around 11 to 13 feet in length. They can go higher if you want to get the panel up higher to escape shading from close by vegetation.

Popular Roof-Ground Mounts

Roof-ground systems can be mounted onto a roof or ground without a great deal of deviation in setup. They are usually built from stainless steel in a grid-like system of supports. Roof-mounted panels for smaller systems are the easiest to put in, using little flush-mount brackets which elevate the panels to the most excellent angle for solar collection.

Ground mounts, as the name suggests, are solar panel mounts that are installed on the ground (as opposed to a pole mount or roof mount). They have supporting, modifiable legs that allow you to optimize their vertical orientation for solar exposure. Ground mounting systems typically require lots of steel supports, concrete foundations, and galvanized footings, that can be troubling, when you are attempting to keep your system low cost. Ground mounted systems require structural strength to avert load bearing failure.

Even though module mounting systems are available for ground and roof installation, roof mount installation is the most popular and cost effective system. The roof mounted panels are attached to a mounting system typically consisting of an aluminum or steel support structure that attaches the panels to the roof.

The Low Down On Flush Mounts

Flush Mounts are low-priced and easy to install – these are ideal for single panel installations and smaller solar arrays. Flush mounts are put onto a level exterior such as the top of an RV, a roof, or the top of a boat and are not used for ground installations. These mounts serve to separate the solar panel from the mounting surface and permit airflow to pass beneath and cool the solar panel for smooth operation. Flush Mounts are typically used with small solar arrays on roof tops and RVs, because the structural design of a flush mount cannot support large solar panels.

Lots of options exist in the ever changing world of solar power technology. To learn how to calculate the number of solar panels you need for your home and other solar power secrets they don’t want you to know about, go to where to buy solar panels

Solar Panel Mounting Systems

February 19th, 2010

Once the decision is made to install solar panels, one must determine how to mount them effectively. The mounting system should be simple, reliable, and provide for all your performance needs.

A popular method is to mount one’s solar panels on top of their roof. It is a simple and convenient solution, and so most folks attach their solar panels this way. Most often these mounting parts can be purchased right off the shelf.

The roof mount method is not perfect, however. For those of us who want the best performance from our solar panels, or who live in northern climates (as do the writers), there are some alternatives to think about.

The first thing to think about is snow. Every time snow gets on the solar panels, they have to be cleaned or they won’t put out much electricity. If your solar panels are mounted to your roof then you can imagine this difficulty.

In the mountains of Washington and Colorado, we have been working on a solution. We are designers and craftsman who desire convenience and performance with our own home based solar power systems. And like everyone else, we don’t want to spend an arm and a leg. We call this solution the Rotek system.

With the Rotek system your solar panels will be installed away from the roof, so the solar panels can be rotated easily and smoothly to any tracking angle. With this configuration we can make seasonal adjustments and more accurately track the Sun.

A second advantage comes in Winter when the solar panels can be rotated toward the ground, and operated at steeply sloped or negative tilt. This prevents the buildup of snow on the photovoltaic surface. It is also good for periodic glass cleaning, maintenance, or for dumping a load of snow if the panels were left up in a storm.

Whether for one snow storm or for a period of weeks, as long as there is snow on the ground you can leave your solar panels at negative tilt. As we have all witnessed, snow pack is highly reflective. Your system will continue to receive lots of beam radiation despite this abnormal tracking angle.

A second big issue with solar panels is their operating temperature. The cooler the panels, the more we maximize their discharge current. Roof mounted solar panels acquire much more heat, and the amount of energy lost at these higher temperatures can be as high as 20%.

Remotely installed solar panels will run cooler, and the electrical output will be better for this. There is fresh air to circulate on the back end (instead of a hot roof), and they can be located closer to the ground. The Rotek system, if used, would provide this additional advantage to your solar panel system.

Sooner or later the time will come to install your solar panels. The roof installed units will make a lot of sense, but those who want improved performance and adjustability should consider other options. The Rotek system is one such option, easy to install and simple to use without the extravagant cost.

Walter Hull is a mechanical engineer with expertise in solar power systems. For a limited time you can get his free checklist to solar power from your own yard.

Help The Environment With Solar Panels For Your Home

February 16th, 2010

Many people now have worries over where their electricity comes from. We are constantly being bombarded by news stories of how we are having a negative effect on the planet and environment. Most of our electricity still comes from fossil fuels that add to the amount of carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere. If you want to switch your electricity source to a “greener” technology then you should choose solar panels for your home.

If you install solar panels there will be immediate benefits felt. Of course the financial savings that can be made are potentially vast; you may no longer need to pay a costly utility bill. Also you should research to find out whether there are any tax breaks or grants that can be given to cover the cost of the panels and the installation. State governments and local authorities now have many schemes to encourage people to turn to alternative energy sources.

If you have a property or building that is not connected to the power grid or which is in a region that often has power cuts and shortages then solar panels can be the solution. There is no longer any reason for us to depend on a government or private company to provide us with electricity.

Even just five years ago photovoltaic cells were not so efficient. This has forever changed as there have been rapid advances in the field of solar technology. Now even on a rainy or cloudy day the cells will be able to produce enough electricity to make a difference.

You can install solar panels that will produce a small percentage of your electricity requirements or it is also possible to fix up a series of panels so that your energy needs are met independently of the national power grid.

There are many companies that can install solar panels on your property though if you have a basic understanding of DIY then you can do the job yourself in just a short time.

The price of solar panels is decreasing. To make it even more affordable you can craft your own do it yourself solar panels.

Learn How To Make A Solar Panel

February 15th, 2010

Over the last decade there has been a continuous rise in the number of households that are choosing to use solar power for a percentage of their electricity requirements. There are many reasons for this trend but the main factor is due to money. Every year our utility bills cost a lot more than the previous years. By switching to alternative energy, financial savings can be made. Then there is also the environmental aspect. Today there is no need for us to be adding to climate change through the use of fossil fuel energy sources. If you want to try out solar energy but are worried about the upfront cost, then you can learn how to make a solar panel by yourself.

If you plan to buy a new selection of solar panels then they can cost upwards of a couple of thousand dollars, this money however, can be made back through the yearly savings you’ll get from your utility bills. Regardless of how much you’ll save, you still need quite a bit of money upfront to have them installed on your house.

Instead, if you buy all the individual pieces and carry out the assembly yourself it may only cost as little as $200. This is why learning how to make your own photovoltaic panel is such a good option for many people wanting to save money.

Before you think about putting the parts together you will need to gather the hardware. Photovoltaic cells are essential; they will do the work of converting the sunlight into electricity. In principle it is similar to the method in which a green plant uses the sun’s rays to create energy.

You will find that the solar cells available today are much more efficient then those used just 4 or 5 years ago. Advances in solar technology are being made on a continual basis.

As well as the cells you will also want to pick up a soldering iron, copper wire, wooden boards, and some glass panels. You will also have to buy a couple of 24volt or 12volt batteries to store the electricity that you produce. The dimensions of the solar panel will depend upon how much energy you want to harness.

You can learn how to build your own solar panel and build your own big or small solar panels.

Why Use Solar Energy?

February 13th, 2010

If I was a betting man, I’d say you are already using solar energy. It is in your fuel, your food, and in some form or another almost everything you do. In more practical terms, though, we are talking about heat and electricity. Why should we use solar energy systems to power our homes?

The answer is that solar energy is reliable and free. From the early morning dawn to the late evening set, the Sun will shine each and every day. Solar energy may be the single most consistent thing there is on our planet.

The other great benefit is that solar energy is cheap. The Sun does not send out monthly bills, and last we checked there are no taxes on solar energy. If there is a less expensive source of energy on this planet, then we would like to know.

Yes, it is true that solar energy systems are not the most efficient. But you will be using the lowest costing and most reliable fuel source on the planet. No monthly charges, and no swings in the markets. And most important for some us, we are covered when there are power outages, emergencies, and large storms.

The difficulties in using solar energy are with selecting the right application and the right equipment. How much does a solar energy system cost and how difficult is it to integrate? How simple or elaborate should it be? In my location, is solar energy right for me? Here we present a few straight forward answers to help your case.

If you have a sunny climate with lots of solar energy, then put it to use. You will save money in the long run, and living in an environmentally friendly way. We would estimate that at least 50% of the United States could be using solar energy in some way.

For our fair weather friends in the North and on the coast, the decision is more involved. Solar energy, truthfully, many not be right for you. There just simply isn’t enough solar radiation to put to good use. Do not give up hope, though, there is always hydro and always wood.

The most simple and cost effective solar energy systems are designed for acquiring heat. They can be used for making hot water, storing thermal energy, among many other things. If your have cool Winters and lots of sun then you are a particularly good candidate for using passive solar heat.

Another popular form of solar energy is Photovoltaic (PV) electricity. These semi-conductor panels will convert solar radiation into useful electricity. It is true that there is a significant manufacturing investment in making PV panels, and they can cost some money. So the decision to make PV electricity should be more carefully considered.

If your household or business consumes lots of electricity then solar power is hard to justify. This is where local Utilities are good, they can kick out the juice for all the high power users and the heavy duty industries. But if you are simple in life and efficient in how you use energy, then the up-front cost of solar power can pay off over time. It could be as little as 5 years depending on the electrical rate of your local utility (i.e. California)

They will also pay themselves off if developing a new property and avoiding the installation of electrical transmission cables routed to your home. Depending on the distance, these transmission cable costs can be significant.

Emergency reserve energy systems are another potential benefit with solar energy. A person could charge a large bank of batteries and keep them on standby. When it comes to emergency reserve energy, for some of us the cost is no element. We just want to be covered in times of natural disaster.

The truth is, mankind is making good progress with solar energy technology. By engaging in independent and gridless energy systems, we can save a little money, help improve our environment, and set a good example for our kids. It is not such a bad idea to simplify our existence.

Walter Hull is a recognized expert in solar power power systems. For a short time you can get his free checklist to solar power from your own yard.

Doing Your Part For The Planet With Wind Power

February 12th, 2010

It seems that more and more people are really starting to take notice on ways that they cannot only save money but also save the environment. Many people have for years fought against drastic action against such ideas stating that they were simply too costly to make it a reality.

Truly though, even if you have to spend a little bit of money getting something such as a wind generator set in place, you will save so much money on your electric bill that it will truly pay for itself over time. There are even a lot of programs out there that could possibly help reimburse you for the expenses you incurred from the installation of such generators.

We’re all interested in preserving our environment, so there are plenty of programs in place to encourage people to start using wind power. You’ll save money over time by installing a wind generator too. You’ll save on energy costs, as well as being able to sell power which you don’t use to your local utility company.

Electricity suppliers are required to buy the extra energy generated by consumers who use wind generators and other alternative energy sources who produce more than they can use. You’ll be doing your part by powering your home with clean energy and by selling the excess to your local utility; you’re also supplying clean renewable energy to other households in your area!

Your neighbors get green energy; you’ll get a little extra money, everyone’s happy. It’s easy to install a wind generator too – there are even instructions available online which show you every step of the installation process, so anyone can do this themselves. If you’re installing your wind generator or generators on your roof, you should be able to produce more than enough electricity to power your home.

In case you ever need more electricity than you’re generating at the moment, you’ll want a backup supply. Leave your existing electrical system in place so that you won’t suffer power outages.

Any time that you’re meeting your energy needs from your wind generators (which will be most of the time), you’re not using the energy produced by your utility company, so you’re doing your part for the environment. The larger the wind turbine you’re using, the more power you’ll be able to generate for your home.

You can start small with your wind power system. There’s no need to buy the largest wind turbine available right off the bat. Buy something you can afford and upgrade later on when you’re ready to produce green, clean energy for yourself and to sell to your utility company.

See how you can build residential wind turbines for you home and save money on your power bill. Making your own wind power generators may save you hundreds on the cost of buying one at the store as well and still make lots of power.

Solar Panels – How To Build Your Own Solar Panels

February 9th, 2010

With continuing price rises on energy, solar panel is coming more to the fore; providing practically free power. It can be expensive to have these installed however, so is a good idea to build your own solar panel.

The first thing is ensure you have the necessary tools and equipment. This will mean sourcing the best solar cells for you, which should be given a good portion of time to decide. There are many out there.

Other than this, you will need plywood, a circular saw, good sized length of 1 x 1, screws and screwdriver, caulk, outdoor paint, soldering equipment and solder, glue, copper wire, diode, batteries and Plexiglas.

Using the cells to guide, draw a grid on the plywood. Once satisfied with the layout; cut the plywood to size to create a suitable grid. Having got this out of the way, construction can begin in earnest.

Take your 1 x 1 and cut to size; determined by the size of your plywood panel. The panel should be attached to these using your screws, and applying suitable amounts of caulk and painted with outdoor paint to protect from the elements.

It is necessary to join cells together in a series. Each cell will have a tab; which should be attached to the preceding one with solder. It is important this work is done carefully, to ensure no damage. Once completed, the series of cells can be glued in place on the grid pattern on your wooden frame.

Once all set into place, the copper wire and diode line can be attached from the panel to the electrical system. The diode is necessary here, as it will prevent power being lost through reverse transfer from the batteries.

Finally, a suitable sized piece of Plexiglas should be attached with caulk. This will ensure it is weatherproofed, and cannot be damaged by debris and the like. Having learned to build your own solar panel, perhaps you’ll make enough power to sell back to the grid?

By learning to build your own solar panel you can save money, help the environment, and generate electricity using free energy from the sun with do it yourself solar panels.

How Electricity Is Produced From Wind Energy

February 8th, 2010

Wind energy has been used for many years as individuals have used wind power for sailing, wind mills for manufacturing and pumping water and more recently conversion into electricity using wind turbines. Wind power is a renewable energy that is considered a good option instead of burning fossil fuels. Of all the renewable energy sources it is the most efficient and you only need a light breeze to produce electricity.

The very first uses of wind for energy was in the form of wind mills and sailing as people have been using wind for more than thousands of years to propel ships. Windmills have also been used for many years for milling grain as well as pumping water for irrigation. These irrigation windmills was the main reason that farming and ranching could occur in the US, as there are vast stretches of land that do not have ready access to water.

The very first usage of wind to create electricity occurred in 1888. The first wind turbine was used to create hydrogen in the 1890s but it was soon converted to producing electricity. Small wind turbines are used to provide power to rural buildings and today there are larger wind farms that are being used to produce electricity for large networks. What is known as the modern wind industry really began in 1979 when wind turbines began to be regularly produced.

Wind occurs because the surface of the earth is not evenly heated, as the poles get less sunlight than the equator. This causes cooled and heated air to move which in turn produces wind. It is projected that the amount of power that could be harnessed form the wind is more than the human population currently uses. So just think about having almost cost free power.

The amount of power that is generated by the wind is dependent on the speed and as the wind speed doubles the amount of power produced increases eight fold. However there is a cap as wind turbines can only go so fast and generate so much energy. You do not need high winds at all time though as a lot of energy can still be produced with 15 mph breezes. As such, wind power is a valuable method for alternative energy.

The main issue with wind energy is storage as wind power cannot be dispatched at different times but needs to be used immediately. Many companies have looked into different types of batteries, storing it within the energy grid and even hydroelectricity. Many times surplus energy from domestic wind turbines are fed back into the electrical grid and the energy company will purchase this energy and you will receive electricity credits.

A wind turbine used to collect the power of wind will contain a rotor shaft, gearbox and brake assembly. Generally within a wind farm the different turbines are interconnecting for power collection and communication networking. Wind energy uses induction generators to collect the power and change it to electricity.

The best types of generators are doubly fed machines as they will function when errors occur within the grid. You need to be aware of the power factor, dynamic behavior and frequency constancy when a system fault should occur.

Wind power should be thoroughly considered in order to promote a greener society. Educate your children to become future scientists by purchasing them science lab equipment.