Solar Learn: How Does Solar Power Function?

The fundamentals of solar energy.

Solar energy is probably the cleanest, most viable form of renewable power available and also it can be used in a number of forms to help power your house. Numerous gardens now use solar lights or solar garden water features. The accessibility and wide utilization of solar power in gardens displays exactly how versatile it can be as a source of power. The technology and the systems have become smaller, more compact and also better looking than when they were very first developed and utilized. Early examples of solar power systems can be observed in California where, in the 1980s, enough solar energy panels were installed to power more than 10 million houses.

How do photovoltaic tiles work?

To put it simply photovoltaic tiles and other forms of solar power work by converting some of the energy in sunlight in to a clean kind of electricity which you can use in our homes. The Photovoltaic cells include a positive along with a negative slice of silicon positioned under a thin piece of glass. Since the protons of the sunlight beat down onto the Photovoltaic cell they knock the neutrons off the silicon. The negatively charged free neutrons are attracted to the silicon but they are trapped by the magnetic field that is formed from the opposing fields. Small wires on the silicon capture these types of neutrons and when connected in a circuit an electric current is formed.

This particular reaction provides Direct Current electricity though, and it should be passed through an inverter to be transformed in to an Alternating Current used in our homes to power any kind of electric items. Some of the power is actually lost in this part of the process as the inverter is only close to 95% effective but it is a a lot higher efficiency than was once available.

The nature of the PV cell means there is little or no maintenance required and there aren’t any moving elements; which means that a typical Photovoltaic cell can last as much as 40 years with no work apart from an annual clean.

How to use them to power our house?

There are lots of ways to make use of solar energy at home and not just for powering. You may use it to heat your hot water, heat your swimming pool or even your central heating or if you’ve plenty of roof space plus a sensible amount of sunlight you can get a grid tie system; a grid tie system indicates that not only can you power your entire home but during those instances when you generate an excess of electricity you are able to sell it back to the grid. An efficiently solar powered residence will be able to reasonably create between 75 and 100% of their own power and because of the grid tie system this implies you may well not have to pay for electrical power again.

Learn more about solar energy. Stop by Nathan Henry?’s site where you can find out all about tankless water heater and what it can do for you.

0 Comments
Leave A Response

Tagged with: • • • • • • •
 

Commercial Geothermal HVAC

Remember, a geothermal heat pump doesn’t create heat by burning fuel, like a furnace does. Instead, in winter it collects the Earth’s natural heat through a series of pipes, called a loop, installed below the surface of the ground or submersed in a pond or lake. Fluid circulates through the loop and carries the heat to the house. There, an electrically driven compressor and a heat exchanger concentrate the Earth’s energy and release it inside the home at a higher temperature. Ductwork distributes the heat to different rooms.
In summer, the process is reversed.

The underground loop draws excess heat from the house and allows it to be absorbed by the Earth. The system cools your home in the same way that a refrigerator keeps your food cool – by drawing heat from the interior, not by blowing in cold air.

The geothermal loop that is buried underground is typically made of high-density polyethylene, a tough plastic that is extraordinarily durable but which allows heat to pass through efficiently. When installers connect sections of pipe, they heat fuse the joints, making the connections stronger than the pipe itself. The fluid in the loop is water or an environmentally safe antifreeze solution that circulates through the pipes in a closed system.

Another type of geothermal system uses a loop of copper piping placed underground. When refrigerant is pumped through the loop, heat is transferred directly through the copper to the earth.

As with any heat pump, geothermal and water-source heat pumps are able to heat, cool, and, if so equipped, supply the house with hot water. Some models of geothermal systems are available with two-speed compressors and variable fans for more comfort and energy savings. Relative to air-source heat pumps, they are quieter, last longer, need little maintenance, and do not depend on the temperature of the outside air.

Geothermal Heating and Cooling uses the Earth’s constant temperature to achieve EER’s (Energy Efficiency Ratings) in the 30’s.  The heating COP (Coefficient of Performance) is approaching 5.  A 5 COP indicates that the Geothermal Systems are producing 5 units of energy for every unit of electricity consumed.  The other 4 come from the Earth.  That’s why this technology is called “renewable”.

www.commercialgeothermalhvac.com

www.geothermalexperts.net

 

0 Comments
Leave A Response

Tagged with: • •
 

Zero Point Energy Devices – Free Power Blueprint

Even with the rising energy costs, many people are still apprehensive about generating their own electricity at home. One of the reasons might be is that people think you will need to build large wind farms with hundreds of turbines so you can generate enough energy. Perhaps, these people have not heard about zero point energy devices. These devices are meant to generate electricity without the use of wind or hydroelectric turbines.

Click Here For Free Power Blueprint Instant Access Now!

Zero point energy devices use magnets as energy sources. Unlike wind, solar, or hydroelectric energy, zero point energy does not require any external source of power. You will not need sunlight, wind, water or coal to power your energy generator. All you will need are powerful magnets to produce clean and efficient energy.

These devices do not produce any kind of emission so you can be completely sure that what you are producing is clean and green energy. It is also highly efficient and in fact, it is quite possible for you to have power for an almost unlimited amount of time through this clean energy generator.

It is quite possible for you to tap about 50% of your total domestic power needs from a single zero point energy generator – talk about efficiency. And what is even more is that it is quite an affordable build. Typically, this kind of device will only cost you about $200. What is even better is you can build your own zero point energy generator in just a span of about two days even if you do not have technical knowledge. What you will simply need is a guide to help you.

There are many other benefits offered by zero point energy devices. It is about time that we used them in our homes so we can realize more cost savings from our monthly electric utility bills.

Click Here For Free Power Blueprint Instant Access Now!

0 Comments
Leave A Response

Tagged with: • • • • • •
 

Ways To Conserve Energy In Your Home

While Canada is one of the best countries to live in, the fact remains that our climate is unpredictable and residents are forced to spend large amounts of money in the winter to heat their homes, and to spend just as much money in the summer to cool them down.

It is just early June and already residents of Canada have been forced to shell out cash due to intense heat waves. Not only is the heat incapacitating, it can be dangerous for the elderly and for those who do not remember to keep their bodies hydrated. Therefore, spending money on cooling costs is not luxurious spending. It is essential to the wellbeing of the average Canadian.

In addition to the extra spending, Canadians must remain conscious that the energy being used to cool their homes not only leaves a hole in their wallets, it also increasingly damages our environment by using up precious resources. The question remains as to how we can reduce our energy costs and conserve at the same time, while still maintaining a basic need.

There are some easy ways to reduce your cooling costs, and remain environmentally friendly at the same time. Canadians are now starting to follow these easy tips. If you live in a sunny home, close the blinds. While sunshine is lovely, it can greatly increase the heat generated in your home. If you want the sunlight, close the blinds during 12pm and 2pm, which are the hottest hours of the day.

Buy an air-conditioning system sized appropriately for your home. If you only have a small space you wish to keep cool, purchase a small system. Consult with the person selling the system and ask for their best opinions with regards to space and size.

Ensure that your air-conditioning condenser is not crowded or blocked by other pieces of furniture and that it is located in a shady spot of the room.

Awnings can be installed over sunny spots of your house. Turn off the air conditioner when you are not home. Maintain repairs to your unit, and change the filter monthly.

Make sure the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) is 13 or better. If a machine is less efficient than this, it will cost more to run. If you don’t use particular rooms of your house, close the ducts and shut the doors.

Make sure your ducts are not covered by furniture. Turn off your televisions and computers when they are not in use because they generate heat. When you are not using lights, turn them off, as they also generate heat. Most of your home’s heat is absorbed through the roof; make sure your attic is properly ventilated.

If Canadians follow these simple tips they can drastically reduce their energy bills in the summer.

There are also ways that you can calculate your cooling by going to Natural Resources Canada: http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/cooling-ventilation/rooms-ac/cost-calculation.cfm

This will help you figure out how much you are spending, and how you can reduce you costs.

Adriana Noton is a freelance writer who writes on a variety of financial topics including personal budgeting and debt counselling. For more information about personal finance, ConsolidatedCredit.ca is a tremendous resource on the topic for Canadians.

Search terms:

0 Comments
Leave A Response

Tagged with: • • • • • • • •
 

American Wind Turbine Ideas – Creating A Better Future For Our Planet

The carbon emission of the United States had grown 0.8% year by year for the last quarter century. Now, this may not seem much, but this would amount to millions of tons of carbon discharges and it’s due to this reason that American wind generator plans was put in with the need of reducing pollution done by power generation in the state.

In 2008, total of wind energy installed in the U.S. Overreached 8500 MW. Therefore, wind power in America has been growing very robust. And yet, most “green groups” claim this rate of development in American wind energy is barely suitable and lobbies for bigger use of sustainable green energy.

In expanding the wind energy, the ruling body had to face many obstacles. First and foremost is the issue relating to the costs? Installing wind energy is kind of pricey. Therefore, wind power is kind of expensive and this has been one of the greatest problems.

Another problem is made by the birds when they immediately fly towards the rotor blades. Carrying the mandatory appliances in addition has been a controversy as the deserving regions are quite remote. The kit also takes up a significant area. If this kind of power is to increase further, solutions would be found for these issues. At least for a few of these difficulties, technical developments and advancements can offer answers.

One of the added benefits of this form of energy is that it has lead to job prospects in rural isolated areas where work is tricky to find. Farmers can expand their incomes by leasing the land, and crops can be grown round the turbine, up to its extremely base. So , the wind power could have been a God-sent opportunity to develop and radically change the rustic America. The use of this sort of power doesn’t must be at the state level.

You can now enjoy the benefits of American wind generator plans thru using a little wind machine which may supply sufficient electricity to meet the requirements of a place.

Since the use of wind power has seriously increased in the country, many firms are now concerned in this sector. The aptitude for such power does look really good. Replaceable and viable categories of alternative power or energy are the main elements in making a better potential for our world.

Find more tips and tricks on domestic solar energy and homemade windmill

0 Comments
Leave A Response

Tagged with: • • • • • • • • • • • •
 

HVAC Energy Efficiency

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning are some of the largest consumers of energy in modern households. In fact, some estimations place the average home’s use of energy for HVAC at around 50%. Fortunately, there are a variety of steps that can be taken to reduce this drastic figure, not only promoting a healthier environment, but saving a pretty penny on electric bills as well. If you’re curious about how this may be accomplished, read on for a few ideas.

The most obvious means of increasing HVAC efficiency is by using an energy-efficient system. Newer heaters and air conditioners are not only constructed of more modern materials that improve insulation and reduce electric use, but also feature computerized systems for enhanced temperature control. As such, not only do these systems use the energy they are given more efficiently, but they also allow an unprecedented level of control over the times of day when heating or cooling is used.

Upgrading an inefficient system to a newer, more energy-efficient one is a step that many will not take without incentive. While more efficient systems will save money over longer terms due to lower bills, this is often not enough cause to justify such an expensive upgrade. As such, many state and federal tax credits are available to further encourage such a move.

Information on such credits can vary widely based on where you are located. An online search is the best place to start, with lots of information being made available at the Energy Star website (http://www.energystar.gov.) Your HVAC contractor is also likely a great source of information, as knowledge of the various tax credits available in your region is a great way to encourage purchases that might otherwise not be made.

Another less obvious source of increased energy efficient heating and cooling is solar power, or more specifically, passive solar energy. With the correct architectural and other considerations, the rays of the sun can be harnessed not only to heat a structure, but to cool one as well. Such use can dramatically slash your need for traditional, electronic systems.

Solar energy’s ability to heat is its most obvious use. Proper placement of windows can admit rays which have a dramatic effect on internal temperatures. In instances where windows are not available, glass tubes can be used to channel rays into other enclosed spaces, offering the benefits of solar heating in rooms without an abundance of natural light.

Solar energy can be used to cool as well. By heating air in certain locations, the sun’s rays can cause the air to rise, displacing it with cooler air. As such, a location can be cooled by the constant replacement of the heated air by cooler, moving wind.

Many other solar techniques are available for heating and cooling. Using solar energy in this way is often more efficient than is converting it into electrical power, a process in which some energy is lost. As such, passive techniques can be used in areas where traditional solar energy use is otherwise impractical.

While heating and cooling represents a large energy expenditure, there are a variety of steps and techniques that can be used to lessen waste and boost efficiency.

AirZero offer the most reliable HVAC Contractor St. Petersburg services around. We also offer our services at prices you can afford. If you are in need of any ac repairs or installation services just contact our HVAC Company St. Pete Team today. We look forward to serving you. Be sure to visit our website to take advantage of special discounts.

0 Comments
Leave A Response

Tagged with: • • • •
 

Renewable Energy Sources For Dummies?. Let Us Break It Down For You

It seems like every time I turn on the news or open the morning paper there is something about ‘renewable energy sources’. I felt like I had been living under a rock because I wasn’t sure at all of what this was or how it would affect me. So, like many of you I decided to research it.

Renewable energy basically stands for ‘natural resources’. So renewable energy resources are ways of obtaining energy through natural things we can find in our environment.

Examples of renewable energy resources which you have most likely heard of are wind and sunlight. A few sources of renewable energy that you may not have heard of as I had not are water, rain and tides.

Wind Power

A renewable energy source you may have seen in recent years is the wind power resource. Usually wind power is seen in the form of a wind turbine or windmill. A windmill works like this; as the wind powers the mill in circles, energy is created.

So, the more wind more energy will be created. Because of this, countries tend to put their wind turbines in areas where stronger and more consistent winds are known to be. These areas are usually in high altitude sites and near the oceans.

Overall, wind as a renewable energy source is one of the more preferred sources as it is proven to work efficiently. There are no tricks to wind power; as long as there is wind there will be an energy source.

The only criticism of wind power however as a universal renewable energy resource, is that in order to fully provide sources of energy to the world or even parts of the world, there would have to be wind turbines everywhere and critics fear we do not have enough land for that.

Water power

Another renewable energy source which you have most likely seen several times in your life but maybe weren’t aware it was a source of renewable energy is water power.

Water power as a source of energy can be in the form of hydroelectric energy, micro hydro systems, damless hydro systems, ocean energy in the form or marine current power, ocean thermal energy conversion and tidal power, and wave power.

Water as a source of renewable energy is a little more difficult to explain and to understand. While wind power is something you can see and is something abstract that you can actually imagine taking place, water power as a renewable energy resource is a bit more complex.

Imagine that there is actually energy in the water of the oceans, streams and lakes. Now, imagine that energy is 800x more powerful than energy in the air provided by the wind turbines.

If you want to get technical, this is because water is 800x denser than air but for simplicity sake let’s just say water is 800x more full of energy than the air and wind.

So, if you take all this energy and put it in one area such as is done with a dam, you can use that power from the water as energy. This is called hydroelectric energy and can be seen in the form of a dam. There are also renewable energy sources that utilize water however are not in the form of a dam.

These sources are called Damless hydro systems. Damless hydro systems utilize the energy from water such as rivers and oceans without using a dam. The ocean is a huge source of renewable energy. A main source of energy from the ocean is called Tidal Power. Essentially, we use tidal power for energy by ‘capturing’ the energy from the tides.

There are two ways in which to capture energy from tides. The first way is to capture energy from the tides in a vertical direction. What this means is, when the tides come into the shore, water levels in pre-setup basins rise and then the tide rolls out.
The water that was captured in the basin that was setup is then put out through a turbine (like the wind turbine but for water) and the potential energy is stored until it is used.

Tidal power

The other tide energy source is from tidal motion in a horizontal direction. This means that we are using tidal stream power kind of like wind turbines but we are using generators for the tidal streams.

Again, imagine that water is 800x times more full of energy than the air and wind are. This means the little bit of water that is captured from the tides can provide that much more energy than the air and wind going through the wind turbines.

Wave power is another water powered source of renewable energy. Like the tides and the windmill, wave power is gathered by wave power machines which capture the energy released from the waves. This source of renewable energy has reached a commercial level recently as well.

Using ethanol for your vehicle is another renewable energy source which has been particularly popular in the media lately. Surely you have heard of hybrid cars well, using ethanol instead of pure gasoline to run your vehicle is one step to being close to hybrid.

Basically, ethanol is not pure gasoline so right there we are going to improve our environment. Ethanol is a blend of alcohol and sugar combined with already existing gasoline to create a lesser percentage of pure gasoline to run a vehicle.

The use of renewable energy resources is bringing many nations together because they are seeing eye-to-eye on this issue. Currently nine countries have decided to implement a universal renewable energy resource agreement.

These nine countries are Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Implementing a universal renewable energy resource program or agreement has been a very big undertaking however is having very positive results.

Through the various countries and continents coming together and cooperating in identifying ‘best practice’ solutions for the renewable energy resource movement, nations have been coming together and agreeing on many of the most important issues facing on our planet today.

Search terms:

0 Comments
Leave A Response

Tagged with: • •
 

Feeling the Geothermal Heat in Australia

When it comes to geothermal energy, Australia may not hold the top spot in the utilization of this renewable energy, but the potential is certainly there. As it has with other renewables, Australia has turned its attention to geothermal energy as a means to reach certain energy generation goals by the end of the year. These goals somewhat mirror the guidelines set by the Kyoto Protocol.

Why isn’t geothermal energy as prolific in Australia as in other parts of the world? One reason is that the geothermal energy found in much of Australia is not what is considered “wet.” Wet geothermal is found in areas that contain volcanic activity in which super heated water lies near or on the surface of the Earth. The steam created by this water rotates turbines that generate electricity. Because Australia is not volcanically active, binary power plants are used. As you would expect from something that is binary, it is a two-step process. Unlike wet systems in which the water is already hot enough to produce steam that rotates a power turban, water is injected into hot granite to create steam in a binary system. In Australia, this granite lies 3-5 km below the surface. A heat exchanger transfers the energy from the heated fluid to what is known as a working fluid (such as ammonia). The working fluid vaporizes in the exchanger and is then expanded in a turbine, generating electricity. As you might guess, the multiple steps involved in a binary geothermal system are costlier than in a wet system. Australian authorities have stated, however, that geothermal energy will be cost competitive with that of carbon-based energies.

Geodynamics, a company based in Australia, may have found an area in South Australia that would lessen the cost of geothermal energy generation. They claim that the Cooper Basin contains granite measured to be the hottest rocks ever recorded on the planet. And because the overlaying rocks that act as an insulation blanket have been found to be fractured, pressurized water inside them could flow to the surface and the heat would then be extracted to power turbines. The water would then return to the incredibly hot rocks below, allowing the process to start again. Because this water is naturally occurring, the need for outside water sources is eliminated, lowering the cost of geothermal energy production.

As further exploration of geothermal energy in Australia is conducted, more hot spots are sure to be found and this renewable energy will become method of energy generation for years to come.

0 Comments
Leave A Response

Tagged with: • •
 

Green Energy Trends are Rising- Now with BioChar

Being “green” and green energy has been all over the news over the past few years. Homes, office buildings and even whole towns are trying to lower green house gases and make energy safer and more efficient. With the recession going on, that green energy and projects to cut down on greenhouse gases are expensive and may be scaled back in order to save money. There was some interest to find a form of green energy that was being used that was cutting back on gases that harm the ozone layer and that are also more economical than some of the other technologies which are currently being tested. What was found was pretty hard to believe at first, but in complete truth, chicken manure is now being used to fight against global warming.

A machine has been invented that turns chicken waste into what is now known as “biochar”. Biochar can be compared to a coal like substance, which makes a wonderful fertilizer. Being a good fertilizer is one thing, but biochar takes it one step further by trapping gases- those that normally harm the ozone layer such as carbon. It was found that biochar is the perfect match during a time period that people are focused on the environment while still devising the technology economically friendly. Keep in mind however that making biochar requires the use of a large machine that slowly heats up and burns the material. This machine is still in the experimental phases and is quite costly at about a million dollars for one machine. Luckily, chicken farmers can apply for grants and funding to help offset the costs of the machine. While there is currently a biochar machine operating at a chicken farm in West Virginia, it is not known if other machines are in or plan to be in production but similar ones do exist on other farms.

Supported by former Vice President Al Gore, the technology has an additional benefit. The machine that generates the biochar can also be used to heat areas. In the case of the chicken farmer in West Virginia, the farmer uses the machine to help heat some of his chicken coops. Another reason why the technology and process has been growing in popularity is due to the fact that farmers can sell biochar and that increases their profits. It is currently estimated that it can sell for nearly one dollar per pound and sold to those needing fertilizer. One dollar per pound can turn a pretty hefty profit since the machine can produce up to 9,000 pounds of the fertilizer per day. It was realized that along with the potential profits, farmers would be saving thousands on their heating bills per year as well.

Biochar does not only come from chicken manure; it can come from wood and switchgrass as well. So if a farmer does not have thousands of chickens to turn into biochar, then there are other options out there in order to produce this fertilizer. The waste is burned very slowly and at very low oxygen; it is that process that traps the carbon in the material so that it does not escape into the atmosphere and harm the ozone layer. The same carbon ironically enough is what makes the product such a great fertilizer.

It may sound too good to be true and matter of fact, some claim that it is. Many hypothesise that the technology and process is too hyped up. Others also worry that with the production of biochar, that other ways to cut down on carbon emissions and greenhouse gases might be scaled back too much or be completely forgotten about all together. On the adverse side of the argument, others claim that biochar is a technology that could pave the way of the future and that people should be excited about it. While it cannot be said right now with certainty whether or not biochar technology will stick around, it is surely something that people should be keeping an eye on. Green energy trends such as biochar seem to take the public by storm and gain a decent amount of ground. 

0 Comments
Leave A Response

 

Solar Yard Lights: Alternative Energy Ambiance

Alternative energy sources are popular, can save their users money, are better for the environment, and present less difficult technical problems than conventional energy sources. Solar powered outdoor lighting is one of these alternative energy systems that many people may never have considered using, but which have many benefits to offer the users of such lights.

Landscaping lights can add beauty to your yard as well as using them for safety and visibility at night. The illumination from these lights can make walkways and driveways more visible and safer, as well as discouraging intruders if attached to the building exterior. Statues, fountains and special plantings can be illuminated and highlighted by landscape lights also.

There are many advantages that come from lighting your yard with solar powered lights. The most obvious is that every bit of electricity required to light your yard will add to your electric bill, and solar-powered lights consume no electricity. Many years ago, expensive solar lights redeemed themselves over several years by saving homeowners money. Now, however, solar-powered lights are no more expensive than conventional electric lights. Once your solar light is installed, you will never pay another cent to use it until it is time for the light to be replaced.

Another advantage of lights that use solar power is that they are simple to use, without any hassle. Once you choose a site that gets ample sunlight, attach your light or sink a pole and support and you’re finished, unless the light comes with a switch. Solar lights collect energy throughout the day and store it in batteries. They do not require any wiring. Traditional lighting, on the other hand, requires carefully hidden and protected wiring, and sometimes even needs to be installed by an electrician.

A drawback is a site that is in complete shade all day may not get enough sun to properly charge batteries and for those few locations solar yard lights may not work. Check with a landscape expert, or even just places selling solar lighting to know how to assess a location for suitability. There’s also good news because advances in batteries and other storage devices as well as the solar cells themselves are making the requirements easier to meet and will likely continue to improve.

Another area of concern is how long a fully charged light will function, and how much time you will leave the lights on every evening. Lights are rated by these criteria; look them over carefully and decide which one best suits your needs. There are many online resources that can help you in this search. Take advantage of these and comparison shop when looking for solar yard lights. Some examples of places you may look are department stores. Lots of solar lights are available in department store chains at great markdowns. It’s easy to find inexpensive solar lights that can make your yard shine!

Read more about Solar Yard Lighting and other topics on Solar Energy.

Search terms:

0 Comments
Leave A Response

Tagged with: • • • • • • • • • • • •
 
Page 1 of 512345

Looking for something?

Use the form below to search the site:

Still not finding what you're looking for? Drop a comment on a post or contact us so we can take care of it!

Visit our friends!

A few highly recommended friends...

Archives

All entries, chronologically...

© 2010 newpathenergy.com

Powered by Yahoo! Answers