In the present time homemade solar power is helping people to preserve electricity in an immense manner. Since electricity expenses are unsteady and escalating incessantly many house owners are undergoing the anxiety of finding another option. It will assist in minimizing power consumption to a good stage in addition to by chance lessen the information for the bills every month in addition to. Homemade solar power is a very good answer. Anyone may try to make use of homemade wind turbine to bring down cost of energy And everyone can employ additional options bringing down energy use in a dwelling. Straightforward rules that the capacity to aid someone subsequently but learning to make tools to construct homemade solar power acts a practical resolution.
Operation of Homemade Solar Panels
It is very necessary to note the manner in which homemade solar panels are used. Home solar power panels do their job for generating electrical power with the help of a few sun light wavelengths. Ensure every part of the homemade solar panels receive fixed light of the sun for working in an effectual way. The device for solar power even entail less hotness.
At the present time it appears less problematic than early days for making your individual gadget to generate solar power for homes because various modes of techniques and equipment you can get. Everyone’s individual homemade solar panels could give an effectual way to get personal solar power electricity. That is a great manner to save on upcoming power charges in your dwelling or even your car.
Homemade Solar Power Panel Crafting
It appears simple for making an individual’s own panel to trap sun’s energy. Each and every constituent required to make a person’s own panel for solar energy can be availed with ease in the form of several supplies. Common components basically are a soldering iron, solar cells, solder, stuff for tabbing, and flux. Modern kits generally contain detailed steps on how any person can construct a solar panel. In your address no one requires assistance from a professional for building equipment supporting homemade solar power. That any person should execute is going behind all those uncomplicated procedures that any person gets with the device. All steps are simple for interpreting and implementing. You may look up internet debates for inquiring the persons who were able to create same kinds of solar panels earlier. A homemade solar power machine is a wonderful money saver.
Homemade Solar Power :Unproblematic Way Out
In case someone desires additional energy production at that time he or she could bring in additional devices to produce extra energy. The government of USA in the year 2005 approved of a law interrelated with energy which accepted a 30% tax credit of the price of solar device coordination.
The benefit of building and also fixing homemade solar panels is all panels look friendly with ecology. Many kinds of electrical energy scatter a lot of detrimental things which lead to air pollution as well as a mixture of smoke and fog however solar energy does not emit hazardous discharge. Homemade solar power provides a huge foundation for a form of power that is green.
Popularity of Homemade Solar Power
Solar Powered Pumps - Using Sunlight To Power Your Garden Pond Or Fountain
It should first be noted that "solar powered pump" is actually a description of a two phase process. You have 1: the actual pump and 2: an energy source being powered by the sun, with a cable or wire connecting the two devices. Solar powered pumps can be used to pump water for humans, livestock or plants. Since the need for water is greatest on sunny hot days the technology is an obvious choice for this application.
To date the greatest use for solar powered pumps has been in agriculture where the pumps can be used on remote farms and outback stations to supply water to livestock. The remoteness is the key thing here as powering the pump by any means other than solar would be costly and inefficient. In a like manner, solar powered pumps are used extensively in developing countries to pump water from wells and rivers to villages for domestic consumption and irrigation of crops.
A typical solar powered pumping system consists of an array of Photo Voltaic (PV) cells that powers an electric motor, which drives a pump. The water is often pumped from beneath the ground or from a stream into a storage tank that provides a gravity feed. No energy storage is needed for these systems (save from maybe a rechargeable back-up battery source). Solar powered pumping systems are a cost-effective alternative to windmills (particularly on still days) for remote area water supply.
The most inexpensive solar powered pumps cost less than $1,500 while the larger systems can run to over $20,000. Most PV water pumps rarely exceed 2 horsepower in size. A well installed quality PV water pumping systems can provide over 20 years of reliable and continuous service.
Whilst it has been the needs of developing countries and agriculture that has initially driven the demand for solar powered pump technology, a greater environmental consciousness around the world has seen many householders use solar powered pumps (rather than a less environmentally friendly internal combustion engine) to create solar powered waterfalls or solar powered fountains in a pond display.
A solar powered pond, powered directly from solar panels, will work whenever there is direct sunlight; the brighter the sun the stronger the flow. Some solar powered water fountains will include a remote solar panel with enough wire that allows for the solar panel to be placed well away from the fountain. Solar power offers a great alternative when convenient electrical installation is not possible - as is often the case with gardens.
Decorative additions to a solar powered pond display such as solar powered glowing frog lights and solar powered floating lily pad led lights can usually be purchased at the same place that you purchase your solar powered pump kit.
For more information on installing and using solar powered pond pumps and solar powered fountain pumps go to http://www.about-solar-power.com
Solar Roof Tiles - Solar Power Without the Solar Look
If you're like a lot of people these days who are considering the installation of solar power in their homes, you may not know the difference between solar roof tiles and a solar panels. And the distinction is important because the one thing that prevents many folks from enjoying the benefits of solar power is that they are afraid of ruining the appearance of their home.
So what is the difference between a home equipped with solar panels vs. one with solar roof tiles? It is not hard to notice. Solar panels are those large, cumbersome units that often are perched atop the roof of a house, making it look to some people like something out of a science fiction movie.
To install the panels properly, it is often necessary for additional roof framing or roof penetration. And if yours is the first house on the block to install solar panels, you might have to endure lots of funny looks and derogatory comments from the neighbors.
On the other hand, solar roof tiles are much less obtrusive than solar panels. As the name implies, solar roof tiles are incorporated into your existing roof, whether it consists of asphalt shingles or most other common types. One shingle weighs about 2.5 pounds per square foot, so they are generally easy to work with when it comes to installation.
They tend to be a dark bluish-gray in color, so they blend in easily with most existing roof types. And the best thing is that they provide for a seamless look, so the untrained eye will not be able to tell the difference.
But perhaps the best thing about solar roof tiles is how they help you save on your energy bill. One tile puts out about 50 to 200 watts of energy, which is about as much as a small window fan. While this may not sound like much, if you incorporate the tiles into your entire roof, you should be able to supply enough energy for your entire house.
And if you are fortunate enough to live in a sunny state such as California, Florida, or Arizona, you may even produce more energy than you need. You can then sell this excess energy back to the local power company, further reducing your energy costs.
So not only do solar tiles look great, they'll help you do what's really important: save money. To find out more about solar tiles visit solar roof shingles.
Want to learn more about solar tiles? Be sure to visit the authors website at solar roof shingles.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Smitts
News: Japan goes for the sun
Government pushes to regain national lead in solar-energy research.Tens of thousands of Japanese homes and businesses are preparing to put new solar panels on their roofs, spurred by a subsidy plan going into effect this month. It is a step towards regaining Japan's once-dominant position in solar energy, something that has become a matter of pride for the country's policy-makers. from: "Japan goes for the sun" - Nature 458, 1084-1085 (2009)
3 Ways You Can Benefit From Solar Panels
As the potential energy crisis worsens with unprecedented climate change and more and more oil beginning to hit its peak, innovative businesses and people worldwide are looking for alternative methods of producing energy. Wind power, ethanol fuel, and solar power are among the top performers when it comes to alternative (and renewable) energy, and solar power in particular is being recommended by more converts to family and friends as the days go by.
Currently, one of the best ways to utilize solar power is through solar panels. Roofs and other parts of the house pointing upwards are the best places to put your solar panels, so that you can get the most out of the sun's ultraviolet rays. Below are some of the many ways that you can benefit from using solar panels, roof or otherwise, and reap the rewards – starting today:
Saving Money
It's no mystery that electricity bills are quickly rising in cost, due to the shakiness and instability of the present day global economy. Since prices on everything else are going up, electric companies have had to raise their prices to fight against inflation as well. The bad thing about this is that the costs aren't passed on to the consumer (you), and as a result you end up spending more on energy that really should only take a few dollars to produce.
When you buy solar panels for home usage, you are investing in a form of energy that takes much less work to produce, provides actual renewable energy, and at a once in a lifetime cost (unless of course you need something repaired). This is a great deal for anyone, whether you consider yourself an alternative energy guru or not. It's just common sense.
A Sleek Look
Once you get involved with solar panel construction, you'll see that it adds a whole new level of aesthetic appeal to your home. Your neighbors will be jealous that you're saving on energy costs, and the fact that you're house now has a sleek, cool new look that you otherwise wouldn't possess. Whenever I've seen a home decked out with solar panels, I always perform a double take because of how impressive and nice they usually look. When everything's said and done, solar panels just look cool.
They also show that you're a person with a 21st century mindset, and understand that we won't be able to keep our current energy schemes up for very much longer. This ties in directly with the third benefit of using solar panels, roof or otherwise.
Helping The Environment
Since you won't be adding to the potential energy crisis with over-consumptive tendencies, you'll be doing your part in helping the environment and saving the planet. I believe it's up to each individual to recognize their over-consumption, and to do something about it. We all play a part in the coming energy changes that are, without a doubt, taking place.
When you buy solar panels for home usage and energy needs, you are affirming your role as a caring member of the human race. Solar energy efficiency is something that we all need to look into. By doing so, you've taken the first step in saving our planet from climate change and global warming.
Careers in Renewable Energy - Book Review
I just finished reading "Careers In Renewable Energy: Get A Green Energy Job" by Gregory McNamee. I've read almost every book that comes out on the topic of green jobs. I can say with conviction, that this is one of the best books available in the green career genre. We all hear about green jobs, but most people have no idea how to go about getting one. In this book the author will provide you with a roadmap to get involved in a career that makes a difference. All of the major components of renewable energy are covered, from solar, wind, and hydrogen. I really like this because a lot of other books that I read just focus on solar power. The best part of the book for me is the focus on college students and how they can begin preparing for a green career. The author outlines specific courses to take and different ways that students can strengthen their skill sets to be prepared to land a job in the renewable energy sector. The author also dives into many of the available resources on the Internet that can help, including the best jobsites to search for green jobs. This was very helpful because most students use the Internet these days to search for jobs. My one criticism of the book is that the author almost completely ignores current workers. I think it would have been helpful if he had a chapter devoted to career changers and how one can transition into a career in renewable energy. Dan Keller is the CEO of the popular Green Jobs site. He also runs a Teen Jobs site. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Keller
In closing, I would recommend this book to every college student that is looking to obtain a meaningful career upon graduation.
The Solar Power Timeline
The Truth About Solar Efficiency
Everyone has heard about the benefits of solar power in terms of environmental conservation and lessening our dependence on imported fossil fuel. But these are both concepts that apply on a grand scale. It's very hard to equate what this means to an individual. We have to examine the past, present, and future of solar energy, in order to see that there is huge promise for the future of solar energy.
I, for one, could not have begun to tell you what the hard facts were in relation to solar power until I started digging. It turns out that what we hear about solar energy is just the tip of the iceberg. Which are disappearing, I might add, to the tune of 20% during the summer of 2008.
A Brief History
Before we go exploring the ins and outs of solar energy, let's take a look at how this force of nature has evolved over the centuries.
Solar technology isn't new. It probably started some time in the 7th Century B.C., when people learned how to use glass and sunlight to light a fire. There is some evidence that ancient cultures across the globe have used glass and polished metals to concentrate the heat and light of the sun. This concept has been around so long that the Justinian Code of 6th Century A.D. decreed that every individual had "Sun Rights".
Skip ahead several hundred years and you will find documentation detailing the construction and use of equipment that harnesses the heat and power of the sun.
Solar Power Today
Now that we know where we've been, let's look at where we are.
Right now, all across our planet, governments and organizations are installing solar panels and contributing funds to further research into a renewable energy source that is hoped to rival conventional energy in the next decade.
In the future, we can look forward to more solar energy homes and cars that perform up to the standards we expect from traditional fuel sources. Right this very moment I am living in a house that has solar panels to heat my water, and it does get very hot. I do, however, worry about having hot water at 2 a.m. Not that I take showers very often at that hour, but a writer's work isn't always done when the sun sets.
Solar Timeline
The following timeline for solar energy from the U.S. Department of Energy, lists the milestones in the historical development of solar technology from the 7th Century B.C. to now.
* 700 B.C.
A magnifying glass is used to concentrate the sun's rays on a fuel and light a fire for light, warmth, and cooking.
* 300 B.C.
Greeks and Romans use mirrors to light torches for religious purposes.
* 200 B.C.
As early as 212 B.C., Greek scientist Archimedes makes use of the reflective properties of bronze shields to focus sunlight and set fire to Rome's wooden ships, which were besieging Syracuse. (Although there is no proof that this actually happened, the Greek navy recreated the experiment in 1973 and successfully set fire to a wooden boat 50 meters away.)
* 20 A.D.
The Chinese report using mirrors to light torches for religious purposes.
* 100 to 400 A.D.
In the first to the fourth centuries, Roman bath houses are built with large, south-facing windows to let in the sun's warmth.
* 600 A.D.
Sunrooms on houses and public buildings are so common that the Justinian Code establishes "sun rights" to ensure that a building has access to the sun.
* 1300 A.D.
In North America, the ancestors of Pueblo people known as Anasazi build south-facing cliff dwellings that capture the warmth of the winter sun.
* 1700 to 1900 A.D.
Solar contraptions such as photovoltaic fiber, solar cells, and solar steam engines are invented. Eventually a water heater is power by solar electricity.
* 1900s
Solar technology improved thousands of times over, with a vast array of solar materials and solar collectors being constructed and implemented all over the world. Entire towns are powered by solar energy by the year 2000. Buildings are constructed with photovoltaic glass and green roofs, and are self-sustainable thanks to the advancements is solar power conversion.
* 2000s
Houses are powered with residential solar power systems sold in Home Depot, and NASA builds rockets and planes powered entirely by solar energy. Solar power is regarded as an inefficient possible solution to the upcoming oil issue.
* The Future
Within 10 years, continued advances in solar technology will allow us to generate all the electricity needed to power the entire US, and photovoltaic power will be competitive in price with traditional sources of electricity.
Solar electricity will be used in an electrolysis process that separates the hydrogen and oxygen in water so the hydrogen can be used in fuel cells for transportation and in buildings.
Pros and Cons of Solar Power
So this is where we must think about and examine the ups and downs of solar power.
* First, the sun is free. Once you pay for your solar panels, you are done paying to power your home. Conversely, the sun does take a hiatus. Even so, you can switch to battery power to take up the slack if you want.
* Second, if you have a system that produces more energy than you use, you can sell the excess energy to the utility company. But that usually requires you to live in a very sunny climate.
* Third, the cost of maintenance is very low. Since it is just a flat panel that doesn't move, you don't have to worry very much about mechanical malfunctions. Unfortunately, the initial cost of these panels can be very expensive and serves as a deterrent to buying.
I hope that these facts encourage you to look to the future of energy production. Environmental conservation is everyone's responsibility. We all do what we can. Hopefully sometime soon it will be more cost effective. We can scarce afford to lose the only habitable planet we have and some species, like the polar bear, are already losing.
Some Ways to Make Use of Solar Power Light
Did you know people all over the world are saving a fortune by taking advantage of solar power light fixtures? Today, you can do much more than simply buy lamps that run on solar power. Instead, you can generate your own solar energy, and use it to power every single conventional lamp in your home. In order to start reaping the rewards of harnessing solar energy, all you need to do is learn how to build your own solar energy generating system.
Do you need a gradual plan to help you go "off the grid". Chances are, you feel like many other people that are taking their first tenuous steps away from commercial electricity. After all, who wants to be stuck in the dark, and without an electric company to blame? When you join solar power forums, you will meet hundreds of others who are dealing with the same fears and concerns.
It is important to realize that you have nothing to lose by relying on solar power light and energy. That is, unless you are going to miss paying all those huge electric bills that sap your budget worse than a vampire having a midnight snack. Why go on living in fear, when you can embrace all the freedoms and rewards that come with harnessing solar energy? Don't you want to be a free citizen and enjoy all the good things money is supposed to buy?
As you may be aware, even people that currently rely on solar energy were once in your shoes. They had to take all those small tedious steps that eventually helped them gain energy independence. Today, they are ready to help set you free of endless energy bills, as well as reliance on environmentally damaging commercial energy systems. While you are benefiting from their expert advice, you will also have an opportunity to interact with others that are going through the same process of liberation.
Carl Ackerman is an expert on alternative energy and director of popular blog HomemadeEnergyForYou.Com. He provides honest information and advice on things like solar power cost and much more. Check out his blog for more info!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carl_Ackerman
Is Biomass Really a Clean Energy Resource?
As we strive to find alternative energy resources, many potential solutions are on the table. Biomass energy is one such solution or is it?
Biomass energy is unique in that it has existed in primitive forms since the early days of mankind. Burning wood in a cave is a form of biomass energy, which is simply the conversion of an organic material in a manner that produces heat. For example, a fire converts the organic wood into heat. Therein, however, lays the problem.
Global warming is a much debated issue with everyone having a strong opinion and no one seemingly willing to listen to the other side. Whatever your view on this subject, what is clear is we are producing an absolute ton of carbon-based gases in our modern civilization. This is a key issue since the amount of carbon in the atmosphere is a key factor in climate regulation on our planet.
To understand the problems of biomass as an energy form, one has to understand the biomass cycle that occurs on the planet. Simplified, the biomass cycle regulates the amount of carbon in our atmosphere. The biomass, primarily in the form of plants, uses carbon to grow and the biosphere effectively acts as a sponge for carbon. This sponge effect, however, has limits. As with a sponge in your kitchen, the biomass can only suck up so much carbon at one time. When there is too much carbon in the atmosphere or we shrink our “sponge” with deforestation and such, we run the risk of overwhelming the atmosphere with carbon gases. If our atmosphere has excessive carbon, heat is trapped and all hell begins to break loose. From a practical standpoint, this means our relatively mild climate on Earth will start becoming more chaotic. After the most recent hurricane season, that definitely is not a good thing.
Taking the biomass cycle into consideration, the negatives of all biomass energy production are that they create more carbon gases. A caveman sitting next to a fire in a cave is using biomass energy to produce heat, but the black smoke is a very nasty carbon pollutant. In modern terms, biomass energy doesn’t really resolve the amount of carbon we are putting into the atmosphere. Yet, there is an argument on the other side of the biomass coin.
Proponents of biomass argue it is a better energy source than fossil fuels. The basis of this argument is that plants [biomass] have taken in much smaller amounts of carbon gases over a shorter period of time than fossil fuels. Thus, burning them is a carbon neutral situation. The problem, of course, is that even if this concept is correct, we are not cutting down our carbon emissions. At this point in time, we need to be reducing carbon gasses, not maintaining our current output.
It is undisputable biomass has its problems. It is a better alternative than fossil fuels, but how much so?
Rick Chapo is with SolarCompanies.com, a directory of solar energy companies. Visit us to read more articles on solar power and renewable energy.
The Future of Solar Energy
With the current concentration on global warming, the existence of which is denied by only a few naysayers, developments in solar power are moving at a pace to fill the need for efficient green solutions to our seemingly insatiable desire for energy.
The failure of solar power to be more widely adopted to date seems primarily to be due to cost concerns, where the payback periods are now quoted to be 7+ years, and thus beyond the normal financial horizon for many potential participants, whose average occupancy of any particular house is expected to be 7 years. When a lower cost can be achieved, the benefits of mass production will cause a snowball effect in purchasing systems, and that time would seem to be drawing closer.
Durham University in the UK, ever photovoltaic solar research project, with more than $12M to be spent in the next four years, starting in April. The principal investigator, Professor Ken Durose, has committed to "make a major contribution to achieving competitive photovoltaic solar energy". Nine industrial partners and eight institutions will be involved in the project, which is aimed at reducing the thickness, and thus cost, of solar cells.
Much as this may seem to be a promising advance, an alternative approach is being adopted by commercial interests, in the form of a company called G24i which is also in the UK, in Wales. They have developed what are called fourth generation solar cells, which are a thin-film product, the latest buzzword in the solar marketplace.
Their invention is a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), which is, simply, printing a thin layer of titanium oxide on to a thin-film of metal foil, and then performing some molecular manipulations to achieve the desired reaction to light. The product is manufactured on a roll-to-roll process, similar to that used in the textile industry. They commenced production last year, and are planning to expand this year to a production capacity of 200 Megawatts.
The process by which DSSC works has been compared to that of photosynthesis in plants, and it is more sensitive than conventional silicon cells, producing electricity from a wider range of the light spectrum and lower levels of lighting. It is very flexible and one-fiftieth of the weight of conventional glass silicon cells, and can even be produced in designer colors! The initial market is for devices that could not be made with the older technology, supplying power for portable electronics, particularly for mobile phones in the developing world.
With a growth in the traditional solar cell market of 35% per annum, and a continuing global shortage of silicon projected up to 2010, G24i would seem to be very well placed to take away business from the conventional suppliers. Their technology is available at much lower cost, and expansion would seem to be limited only by their ability to grow in a controlled manner.
On what seems to be a more esoteric front, it's reported that scientists are considering the possibility of a space engineering project that would dwarf any other that has been attempted to date. While the sheer size of the project would require governments to take the first steps at an international level, researchers from the USA, Europe and Japan are proposing building giant solar arrays in orbit and beaming the energy to Earth.
Lieutenant Colonel Paul Damphousse of the Pentagon has spoken of the need for "hundreds of sorties every week" in order to move the tons of material that would be required. A recent study by the Pentagon concluded that such a project was nearly technologically possible right now, and that robots could be used to facilitate the construction in space. More realistically, perhaps, Leopold Summerer of the European Space Agency has projected that the generation of power in space may be about 20 years away, but the concept is being actively pursued.
Finally, what may prove to be the most promising current development in solar energy has just been announced by Global Warming Solutions, Inc. of Houston. Successful tests have been conducted on hybrid solar modules, which produce both heat and electricity from one unit. The combined efficiency of the modules is reported to reach 85%, significantly better than the 40%+, then a record, achieved a year ago by Spectrolab using concentrator solar cells to produce electricity only.
The technologies used include some originally developed for industrial lasers, stated Dr. Alexander Kornaraki, the COO. "The quantum pump separates the heat and the electrical photons of the incident solar light", giving the most efficient spectra to the photovoltaic process. The modules produce up to 28 Watts of electricity and 93 Watts of heat per square foot. The projected payback period is no more than five years.
Global Warming Systems have several pilot systems, and one with 108 square feet of panels provides 100% of the energy, both electrical and heating, to a single family home. Even more promising, these panels are efficient even as far north as Alaska, which is a new achievement for the industry.
Learn more about Solar Power and how you can use it to produce electric power, to heat, or even cool your home!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Nikolaou
Negatives of Solar Energy
These days green is the new black! That's right everyone across the United States are discovering new ways to save the planet by creating cars that release less toxic fumes, making new things from recycled materials, and by powering our homes in new ways. One of the more popular methods to living 'green' is through the use of solar power.
Solar energy has the ability to give us cheaper if not free electricity to our homes through the use of solar panels. However, before you jump on the band wagon and go out and try to start this new power trip there are a few things you should know. There are some people who believe there are many negatives to solar power.
Many people believe that thermal solar energy has many health risks when it is used to heat water and the air in their homes. This can happen when it has not been set up properly or the manufacturer made errors when producing it.
Majority of solar water heaters were built to do three things. Give people hot water, obtain sunlight and convert it into heat energy, and to circulate the fluids that can transport heat energy to the storage system as well as store hot water till someone needs it.
If it is unable to store the water properly it can cause fungus and molds to grow making anyone who drinks or uses the water sick. To make sure that this does not happen you can make sure that the units used to store the water have been built from materials that are made to prevent this.
PV solar energy also as health risks that you need to be careful of. PV (photo-voltaic) panels require millions of silicon dioxide in order to be used. That number is lowered when they are exposed to heat. The materials that are released during the refining process will increase the rate of toxicity and can affect your health. This is one of the more serious negatives of solar energy that is responsible for eleven to twenty one deaths per each quadrillion joules of energy that are created.
But do not let this deter you completely. Study up on the different types of solar panels and the negatives as well as the positives. You might find that they are worth it in the end.
There are Solar Energy Benefits and Solar Energy Negatives that people will consider before they make a decision to install it. Learning how Solar Energy is Harnessed will help you to understand how it works.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Naomi_West
