Alternative | Energy Resources Journal

Is A Solar Panel Electrical System Right For You?

Until approximately a hundred years ago in the West, people only had recourse to renewable energy for heat and light for their homes. They burnt wood and sometimes coal or peat (OK, fossil fuels) and got up when the sun came up and went to bed with the sun as well. In, fact a large part of the world’s population still lives like that.

Things altered with mechanized industry and night shifts. Electricity providers sold the populace on being able to do more instead of just sleeping when it got dark, and the Western population got hooked on buying huge amounts of energy, mostly electricity and engine fuel, which was usually produced from oil and coal.

This idea soon travelled around the world and with rising affluence came emulation and other countries wanted the same. Now we are in the sad predicament where we have to admit that we rode the fossil fuel gravy train to its last stop without thinking about what we would utilize when fossil fuels ran out.

This is where the typical civilian comes in. You have to think about how you want to draw energy in the future. Do you want to be powered by keeping sucking unrenewable resources out of the Earth, or do you want to have as little to do with it as you can? Would you prefer to have everything you have now, but know that the resources that are powering your lifestyle are renewable?

If, like millions of others around the world, you would rather say ‘No!’ to traditional power production methods, then you have to take a stand. But not only in words, you really have to do some something about it physically.

This will mean investing a lot of money up front, which might not be a problem for you or you may even think that taking a stand is worth looking for a bank loan. These are admirable sentiments, but I would like to propose that there is another way to self-sufficiency.

You could make your own!

Why not? The technology has been around for decades and is fairly easy. Most reasonably competent teenagers can put together a bank of photovoltaic cells into a solar panel and then plug that into your home’s electrical system. And if a teenager can manage it, so can you. All you (and the teenager) will require is a solar panel kit and a schematical diagram. A plan in other words.

A solar panel kit can be bought locally from a DIY shop or from the Internet. A typical solar panel will take a few hours to assemble and will produce 100 watts of electrical energy. The electricity produced from these panels is then passed through an inverter that changes the current from DC to AC, making it usable by household appliances and the utility grid.

Do yourself and the planet a favour, get off the grid and start saving money and the planet’s resources, you will be surprised how easy it is once you get going. And do not forget, you can do it in stages of, say, one 100 watt panel a month until you hit self-sufficiency. It is not a question of ‘All or Nothing’.

Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on many topics, but is currently involved with a favourite topic, types of renewable energy. If you are interested in Sustainable Energy At Home, please click through to our site.

Can You Convert Your Home Into A Solar Home?

When it comes to converting your home into a solar home, there are several alternatives, because not all homes have the same problems, the same requirements or the same potential sustainable power sources. Therefore, if you are going to try a total conversion or even get off the grid completely, you will either need to do some do research or call in an expert to make a survey for you.

If you call in an expert, try to get an independent one, so that you can work out the prices of satisfying your energy requirements yourself. You will have to pay for such a report, of course, but you could carry out a report yourself with a bit of work on your behalf. In order to produce a solar home, you may find the rest of this piece interesting.

There are fundamentally two kinds of solar design: passive and active solar energy. Passive solar energy can be used to provide heating, cooling and natural light for your home. Active solar energy is used for powering home appliances, tools and lighting. It is the perfect blend of these two types of solar energy that you will attempt to accomplish, if you are trying to convert your home into a solar home.

You can make use of passive solar energy methods in many ways, although they are more easily built in during the actual construction phase of a new home. The largest area of glass should face south or be within 30 degrees of due south. This will catch the maximum amount of heat. This heat can then be distributed around the house by stone floors and stone walls.

The central heating ducting and furnace fan can be used to assist, if necessary. If the house becomes too hot in the summer, awnings or even solar panels could be dropped down in order to put the windows in shadow. When thinking of passive solar energy, you should try to think of means of supplying warmth and coolness without using electricity. For instance, a skylight at the top of the stairs will permit the warmest air in the house to escape, since hot air rises. This will result in cooler air to be sucked into the house at lower levels.

The other feature of a solar house is the generation of electricity by the deployment of solar panels grouped into solar arrays. Solar panels make use of photovoltaic cells to convert light into energy. This energy can then be used to power ordinary electrical appliances of all kinds or some or all of it can be stored in batteries for later use. Conversion from AC (alternating current) to DC (direct current) and back again, if necessary, is a simple matter.

Solar energy can also be used to heat water for the pool or for the home. The most usual type of system uses pipes filled with a type of anti-freeze to collect the sun’s heat and pass it on to tanks of water by means of a heat exchanger.

A solar home uses energy efficiency to minimize the necessity for heating, cooling and electricity. The use of higher grade lagging, more energy efficient windows, kitchen appliances and lighting than those utilized in traditional homes, will save you a lot of money and energy. As you can see, some of these changes, particularly the passive ones are structural, so hard to apply in many homes, but there is always something you can do to reduce your energy bills and gradually convert your home into a solar home.

Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on many topics, but is currently involved with a favourite topic – alternative power sources. If you are interested in Sustainable Energy At Home, please click through to our site.

A Bright Future For Solar Energy: An Alternative Energy Source

I was first introduced to solar energy in the movie, Race the Sun with James Belushi and Halley Berry in the lead. It was a story about low- income and under achieving Hawaiian students encouraged by their teacher to join the Solar Car race. In the movie, a car shaped like a cockroach and covered with solar panels used the sun’s rays as an alternative energy source to run the car.

Solar energy is the light and the heat from the sun. Solar energy is free and its supplies are unlimited. There are n air and water pollution caused about by using solar energy. But there is still some impacts on the environment although indirect.

Photovoltaic cells used to convert sunlight into electricity uses silicon and also produce some waste materials. There are also large solar thermal farms and these farms can also be harmful to the environment and desert ecosystems if not properly managed.

Solar energy can be used on different aspects. Solar energy can be used in agriculture. Greenhouses (which is entirely different from greenhouse gas) convert solar light to heat to be maximized in enhancing the growth of plants and crops. Greenhouses has been around since the Roman times and modern greenhouses were built in Europe in 16th century. Greenhouses are still an important part of horticulture nowadays,

Daylight systems are also being used to maximize the energy released by the sun. It is used to provide interior illumination replacing the artificial lighting. Daylight systems include sawtooth roofs, light shelf, skylights, and light tube. Daylight systems when they are properly implemented can reduce lighting-related energy consumption by 25 percent.

Solar energy can also be developed into solar thermal technologies which can be used for water heating, space heating, space cooling and process heat generation. Solar energy can also be used to distil water and make saline or brackish water potable or drinkable.

The solar water disinfection or SODIS involves exposing water-filled plastic polyethylene terephthalate or PET bottles. This process takes a long time, since the exposure time varies on the weather conditions. It requires a minimum of six hours to two days during days with overcast conditions. Currently, there are two million people in developing centuries use SODIS for their daily drinking water needs.

Also sunlight can be converted into electricity using photovoltaics or PV. PV has been mainly used to power small and medium-sized things like a calculator powered by a single solar cell. There are homes powered by photovoltaics. Using solar energy for water and space heating is the most widely use application of solar energy. While ventilation and solar air heating is also growing in popularity.

There are three main ways in using solar energy. The main way of using and converting solar energy is by using the solar cells. Solar cells convert light directly into electricity. Solar cells are also called photovoltaic or photoelectric cells.

Meanwhile, solar furnaces use a huge array of mirrors to concentrate on the Sun’s energy into a small space and produced very high temperatures. Solar furnaces are also called “solar cookers”. A solar cooker can be used in hot countries to cook food.

With all the benefits if using solar energy, there is still a downside for this alternative energy source. It does not work during night time. The cost of setting up solar stations is expensive, but the benefit of using solar energy when accumulated is so much more.

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Tagged with: Alternative • geothermal power • insolation • solar energy • solar power • solar radiation • substitute • sun energy • surrogate

Living Green Using Wind Power

Today the hook phrase is going green. Everybody is fascinated in ways they can be kinder to the planet and still get their energy needs met. Wind power is a renewable energy source and a basic wind turbine will provide power for many years.

Wind power using a wind turbine is a good supplement or alternative to solar power. Dark, overcast days are frequently windy. If you build the wind turbine on your own, you can even save money.

Building a wind turbine can be a fun project for the whole family. To go one step further in your conservation efforts you might consider using recycled materials wherever possible. The materials needed to build a wind turbine are all available at your local hardware store and can be purchased for less than two hundred dollars.

Blades can be made of wood, cardboard or PVC piping. The blades need to be the correct weight for the size of turbine you’re making. The base can be made of a wooden or metal pole.

Before you begin, find a good manual that will explain how to build a solid structure. The manual should give you detailed building instructions in a format that is easy to follow. Step by step instructions are the easiest to follow. The manual should include a list of all the materials you’ll need to build your wind turbine. Some manuals will offer you alternatives that you can use for building materials. The book should give suggestions on where you may find the needed materials, but you should be able to find most at your local hardware or home improvement store.

With a little basic knowledge and a bit of experience with simple power tools, you can build your own wind turbine. It is a good way to make the most of a bit of open space near your house. You can construct your turbine anywhere the wind blows. It is a great, inexpensive way to take part in your own green revolution.

If you have an acre of land or two, you can even build more than one and send energy back to the grid. Your power company will pay for the energy you send to them.

This is an easy way to save money on your energy costs. It is easy to do with a little knowledge and a set of instructions. You’ll feel great knowing you’re cutting down on your dependence on the grid, and you’ll save some money while you help create a greener household.

Want to see how to build your own wind generator? We are alternative energy experts. Go to our site at RenewableEnergyAtHome.Com for easy ways to get your renewable energy project started. Check out how to how to build a wind generator at our home site now.

Tagged with: Alternative • diy • Energy • Environment • Green • hobbies • home improvement • how to • Power • renewable • Technology • Wind • wind generators • wind power

Geothermal Energy: An Alternative Resource for the 21st Century

Product Description
More than 20 countries generate electricity from geothermal resources and about 60 countries make direct use of geothermal energy. A ten-fold increase in geothermal energy use is foreseeable at the current technology level.

Geothermal Energy: An Alternative Resource for the 21st Century provides a readable and coherent account of all facets of geothermal energy development and summarizes the present day knowledge on geothermal resources, their exploration and exploitation. Accounts of geothermal resource models, various exploration techniques, drilling and production technology are discussed within 9 chapters, as well as important concepts and current technological developments.

* Interdisciplinary approach, combining traditional disciplines such as geology, geophysics, and engineering
* Provides a readable and coherent account of all facets of geothermal energy development
* Describes the importance of bringing potable water to high-demand areas such as the tropical regions

BUY: Geothermal Energy: An Alternative Resource for the 21st Century

Tagged with: 21st • Alternative • Century • Energy • Geothermal • Resource

Resources for Alternative Energy

Resources for Alternative Energy

There are many different forms in which alternative energy is available.

One of these is solar power. Solar power is driven by photovoltaic cells, and these are progressively getting less expensive and more advanced. Solar energy power can be used for electricity, heating, and making hot water. Solar energy produces no pollution, as its input comes completely from the sun’s rays.

However, much more work still needs to be done in order for us to economically harness the sun’s energy. For the time being, the resource is a little too conditional—storage batteries are needed to be used as backups in the evenings and on inclement days.

Wind energy has become the most-invested-in (by private investors and governments together) alternative energy source for the time being. The great arrays of triple-bladed windmills are being placed all over as “wind farms”, to capture the motion of the wind and use its kinetic energy for conversion to mechanical or electrical energy. Of course, there is nothing new about the concept of a windmill for harnessing energy.

Modern wind turbines are simply are more advanced variations on the old theme. Of course, the drawback to wind energy is…what do you do when there is a calm, still day? Needless to say, during these times the electric company kicks in for powering your home or office. Wind energy is not altogether independent.

Hydroelectric energy is available as a source of alternative energy, and it can generate a substantial amount of power. Simply put, hydroelectric energy uses the motion of water—its flow in response to gravity, which means downhill—to turn turbines which then generate electrical energy.

Needless to say, water is ubiquitous; finding sources for driving hydroelectric turbines is, therefore, not much of a problem. However, hydroelectricity as a source of alternative energy can be complicated and expensive to produce.

Dams are often built in order to be able to control the flow of the water sufficiently to generate the needed power. Building a dam to store and control water’s potential and kinetic energy takes quite a lot of work, and operating one is complex as well,and conservationists grow concerned that it.

Of course, a dam is not always needed if one is not trying to supply the electrical needs of a city or other very densely populated area. There are small run-of-river hydroelectric converters which are good for supplying neighborhoods or an individual office or home.

Probably the most underrated and under-appreciated form of alternative energy is geothermal energy, which is simply the naturally-occurring energy produced by the heating of artesian waters that are just below the earth’s crust. This heat is transferred into the water from the earth’s inner molten core.

The water is drawn up by various different methods—there are “dry steam” power plants, “flash” power plants, and “binary” power plants for harnessing geothermal energy. The purpose of drawing up the hot water is for the gathering of the steam. The Geysers, approximately 100 miles north of San Francisco, is probably the best-known of all geothermal power fields; it’s an example of a dry stream plant.

To Discover how You Can Power Your Home With Alternative Energy Click Here

To Learn how You Can Convert Your Vehicle to Run on Water Click Here

For Information on How To Build Your Own Electric Car Click Here

Tagged with: Alternative • Energy • Resources.

What is Alternative Energy

We need energy to do things in this world. In every aspect of our life, we find ways to harness it and use it in a constructive manner. But conventional sources are getting depleted fast, which leads to a need for renewable energy sources. There are quite a few promising sources that can be considered.

The term “alternative energy” can refer to any energy source that doesn’t burn any fuel or involve the splitting of atoms. Because of the pollution caused by our standard energy supplies, there’s a growing interest in finding good alternative energy sources. Hopefully, this doesn’t stop at wishful thinking.

Renewable energy sources, such as solar power, geothermal energy, wind power, tidal power, and hydroelectric power, are being seen as possible future replacements for conventional and less clean energy sources. Technology is still being researched and developed, to fully maximize their efficiency.

Solar Power

Among the alternative energy sources in use today, solar energy is possibly the most well known, especially in places where the sun is always shining. The Earth receives a considerably amount of solar energy on a daily basis, but only a small percentage of it is put to good use. It is used to power heating systems for homes and businesses, to run cars, and to operate space satellites. And as research advances, the future looks bright for solar energy.

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Energy is produced by the internal heat of the Earth, which could be used to generate steam to run a steam turbine. The turbine would then generate electricity. It could provide supplementary power even if not functioning as the primary source.

Wind Power

Wind power is one of the cleanest forms of energy production, able to generate electricity without harmful byproducts. The disadvantage is that its use greatly depends on the weather conditions in a particular area.

Hydroelectric Energy

Tidal and hydroelectric power share the same basic principles in how they generate electricity. They utilize the force of the water’s movement, and convert it into electric power. In hydroelectric plants, water is usually stored behind dams. As soon as the water has been released at a high pressure, it is used to turn the turbine blades below, which are then used to generate electricity.

As technology advances, we become increasingly more capable of harnessing the full potential of our clean and renewable energy sources. It is vital that we continue this research and development, and eventually put an end to the use of fossil fuels or other polluting elements, with their harmful effects on the environment.

Tagged with: Alternative • Energy

Is A Solar Panel Electrical System Right For You?

Can You Convert Your Home Into A Solar Home?

A Bright Future For Solar Energy: An Alternative Energy Source

Living Green Using Wind Power

Geothermal Energy: An Alternative Resource for the 21st Century

Resources for Alternative Energy

What is Alternative Energy

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