Charles Blaine asked:


There has been a lot of talk lately about renewable energy sources, but not everyone actually knows what they are or how they work. Solar Energy is certainly one of those types of renewable energy that has a little mystery surrounding it. So, What is Solar Energy?

It is actually the energy that is created from the sun. Specifically, the light and the heat from the sun are the primary components of Solar Energy. The truth is that this type of technology has been around since the ancient ages, but as the years have passed, our technology has continued to improve. Sadly, the other brutal truth is that to this day we are only utilizing a small fraction of the power that is available from Solar Energy.

There are basically two different types of technologies that can harness Solar Energy: Passive Solar and Active Solar. They are called this due to how the sun’s rays are captured and processed. Passive solar capture is basically where you allow the sun’s rays to simply do their job. Often you will choose to have a building positioned so that it is in the line of the sun’s rays. From there, the sun’s rays will hit the building, which is made of energy efficient materials so that the sun will positively affect the building. However, active solar collection is the complete opposite of this. With active solar, you will use solar panels or solar thermal collectors to harness the power in the sun’s rays. These active solar technologies will convert this energy into electricity that you can then use to power your home.

Often you will see solar panels in big groups in very sunny places where business are trying to harness that power. However, the truth is that you do not have to be a big business to get that solar power. You also do not have to live in a place where the sun never stops shining to take advantage of it. In fact, anyone can start to take advantage of Solar Energy. Perhaps the easiest and best way to do this it to install solar panels onto your property. There is a misconception that solar panels are incredibly expensive. The truth is that for under $200 you can build your own solar panel. From there you will be able to supplement your homes electricity with the electricity that you are creating on your own. This will effectively start to reduce your energy costs.

Additionally, if you happen to be one of the lucky ones that live in a perpetually sunny place you may be able to create quite a bit of Solar Energy. If you can start creating so much energy that you start to have a surplus, you can actually start to make some money. In many cases, your power company will want to buy that extra energy from you. There is a great probability that your $200 investment could result in the elimination of your electric bill as well as a new source of income. What could be better than that?



Sally

Donald Whitehead asked:


Utilizing wind power and solar energy or the power coming from the sun’s rays has many benefits. Let us take a closer look on each of them.

•Solar energy saves money.

In 2006, we saw the highest jump on residential electric rate. In some areas of the country, as

much as a 60% increase was seen. Some cities in the state of Florida experienced an increase just this month (Jan-09) to start out the new year with. Many experts agree that the trend will likely continue in the years to come. This means that you have to pay larger sums of cash to sustain your monthly electric consumption. However by producing your own power, with the use of eitherwind power, solar energy or both you can prevent paying the high cost of energy – especially now when energy prices Keep fluctuating. Should American households switch to other types of alternative energy the nation’s spending on imported oil will diminish greatly.

•Both Wind Power and Solar Energy are environmentally-friendly resources.

The issue of global warming is a serious problem and it can not go away on it’s own. It is a Global concern which means that people all over the world need to take part in it’s recovery. The use of renewable resources, such as the ones in this article is a fantastic way for everyone to take part in doing their share to help save this planet, Using these two resources will have a great impact on our planet recovering from sustained damage already done if it were a worldwide effort. They are both sustainable and renewable unlike gas, coal and oil that most utility companies use. They do not produce any byproducts so they can’t pollute the air or do any harm whatsoever. Since they don’t emit greenhouse gases, they simply can’t contribute to global warming. Using wind power and or solar energy reduces demand for fossil fuel and reduces the nation’s dependence on foreign energy sources.

•Government gives incentives to those who use alternative forms of energy.

Many people are still discouraged to install these remarkable marvels because of various reasons. Costs is one reason, procrastination is another one and ignorance, not having a full understanding of just how effective this technology really is and staying in the dark ages of evolution and not excepting the giant step that it has made in progression.

Some states like California offers federal tax credits as much as $2000 and up front rebates that covers 20% to 30% of the total system cost for systems that are required to be installed by contracted companies in this field rather than being able to take full advantage of DIY offers where home owners who are capable of installing their own systems via wind power generator and solar energy kits that can be purchased for as little as $100-200 dollars. These type of kits also comes with very explicit instructions in both text and video tutorials plus support. These types of offers are relatively good considering the substantial increase of energy costs in recent years. They are very practical when it comes to just how much money they can actually save home owners in other wise month to month high power bill expenses. Along with tax credits home owners can also expect substantial property value increases too!

Note: Due to the increasing number of households who want to switch into alternative forms of

energy, the incentive levels decline. Check with your state government for the rates it offers if you are thinking about making a switch.

•Wind Power and Solar Power systems alike are dependable and require little or no

maintenance. Wind Power systems are typically windmills/wind turbines that have built in generators mounted right behind the propellers which are powered by the wind and as they spin generates electrical current which goes through inverters to adjust the current as it is saved in batteries for use to power homes or any appliance, whatever the intention of construction was for. Applications for usage is not limited.

Photovoltaic (PV) cells or solar panels that are used in solar power systems are capable of providing electricity also. The only difference between solar and wind is solar gets it’s power from the sun and wind gets it power from generators which are mounted inside windmills. Neither require little or no maintenance. Solar panels  like wind power generators lasts for 20 years ar more before needing to be replaced. Both are excellent resources for sustained reliability. Generally wind power and solar energy systems are installed together for a more consistent, more reliable energy resource. When the wind isn’t blowing the sun can charge the solar panels and when the sun is down and the wind should be blowing the wind generator can help in the power production process.

This article MUST NOT be changed or altered in any way. ALWAYS include the resource box with the article when you publish it.  You may publish this article on your blog or website, you can email it to your subscribers and submit it to the various online article directories.

All Rights Reserved (c) Copyright 2008 Solarenergycure.com



Luis

Eric L asked:


 

Solar energy for the home can be a great way for you to reduce your reliance on the energy companies and oil prices. As well as decreasing your reliance on fossil fuels you will also be lowering your carbon foot print and making your own contribution to global warming smaller.

 

The only real draw back of using solar energy for the home is that it has a high initial cost to get up and running. There are many state and federal programs that can ease this a bit though, such as grants, tax breaks, and government loans. While the initial investment is high the system will pay for itself eventually by reducing or completely eliminating your current power bill.

 

Solar energy systems also require very little maintenance because there are no moving parts. A solar panel will usually just continue to put out power until something actually damages it. There is some power loss from the panel as it ages but this is a very small amount.

 

A large part of the install can be done by yourself if you are handy around the house but you will need a professional for parts of it, like connecting your system to the grid. There may also be certain items that will require a professional depending on the building codes for your local area.

 

The very basics of the system are the panels, the inverter, the interlock, and the monitoring equipment.

 

When the sunlight shines on a solar panel then there are electrons freed up in the panel. The electrons start to move and produce direct current electricity. The panel itself is made up of individual solar cells. Each of these cells will produce about a half of a volt, so if you have a 24V panel then there are going to be 48 individual cells in it. The actual current or amperage that the panel is capable of is determined by the size of the solar cells in the panel. The larger the cells then the more current your panel will be capable of producing.

 

The next components are the inverter and the interlock. The actual operation of an inverter is fairly complex but what it does is fairly simple. It takes the DC power generated from the panels and converts it to AC so that it will be compatible with the appliances and lighting currently used in our houses.

 

The interlock is basically the switch that ties your system to the grid. This helps determine where your power is coming from at a given time, from the power company or from your solar energy system. It should also contain some safeties that will prevent your system from feeding power back in to the utility companies lines in case of a blackout. Feeding this power back in could be very dangerous for any electricians that are working on those lines during a power outage.

 

The monitoring equipment of course does just that. It follows the status of your system and some of the more complex units can keep track of how much power you are generating and how much you are using.

 

If you need some help finding affordable solar power equipment and panels then check out SolarPanelsCheap.com



Claudia

Chris McGee asked:


There are pros and cons of using the sun to create solar energy. The question is … are the cons really so bad that a person should not consider sun power as an alternative energy source? If you answered yes to that question, you must enjoy paying your electricity bill. As for me, I don’t like spending my money on something I should be able to get for free – and neither should you.

The pros for using solar energy for electricity:

- Use the sun’s energy in turn saving our planet’s natural resources.

- Will lower your electricity bill, possibly even eliminating your bill completely.

- Will increase the value of your home.

- During power outages, you will have electricity.

- Homemade solar panels can be fun and educational projects for all ages.

The cons for using solar energy for electricity:

- The area needs lots of sun.

- Are considered to be a costly investment.

- Technology change frequently.

- Are not as effective during bad weather and cloudy days.

Every single one of us should be concerned about our planet’s future and do our part to conserve fossil fuels. Every single one of us should have the desire to learn how to become more self-sufficient. Every single one of us should be concerned about our finances and try to keep our bills to a minimum to improve our financial futures.

How do you get solar energy?

- Professionally installed solar panels

- Solar power kits

- Homemade solar panels

In order to have a professional installation of a home solar panel system, as you know, is a huge hit for most of our wallets. The average blue collar individual, like me, can not afford this kind of an expense in today’s economy. It’s like a catch 22. The average person has a hard time affording their electric bill and at the same time can’t afford to install alternative energy devices to help relieve the cost of their electricity.

Instead of hiring a professional, there are solar power kits available and much more affordable. A solar power kit will come with everything a person needs to get started at setting up a home solar system.

The thing to keep in mind though, is … prior to hiring a professional solar panel installer or buying a solar power system kit, it is important to learn the details how solar power actually works. The best way to accomplish that is to build a homemade solar power generator, gain the knowledge and begin your road to independence.



Jorge

sidana.abhi asked:


Power energy is in great crisis. The reason can be over-consumption of electricity. So, it is extremely important to decrease consuming non-renewable sources of energy and to turn to renewable ones. Renewable sources can never be exhausted and are harmless to the environment such as solar energy, hydro energy and wind energy.

Solar energy means collecting energy from sunlight and it is known that sun can not be exhausted. It can be used for heating water to vapor. These vapors make turbines to move and produce energy. Solar energy could be very useful in houses for heating, lighting and cooking too. It is said cooking with solar energy is very healthy. This is very popular and effective method. It doesn’t harm our environment and it is almost free. You will only have to pay for the equipment to be installed. As we said solar energy won’t run out.

Hydro energy is produced from the running water. Rivers, waterfalls and dams can be used to generate hydro power. Many different electrical devices could use this type of energy. Hydro energy is renewable like solar energy is, it doesn’t make any waste or gas emissions and it is more reliable than solar energy – water can be stored in dams. That is why hydro electrical stations are built near running water. But using water energy can harm fish and other living organisms in the rivers.

Wind energy is used through ages. People made windmills long time ago, used wind to sail their boats. And this kind of energy is very convenient for generating electricity because it is a renewable resource, completely harmless to environment.

If we wish to keep our environment safe, healthy and pollution free for the coming generations we must face toward inexhaustible sources of energy



Kelly

Brenda B. asked:


Half a lifetime ago, when my wife and I first got a taste for remote RV living, we decided very early on that solar power had to be the way to go. Despite rapid advances in solar technology — even way back then — many fellow travelers were surprised when they learned our RV was “solar powered”.

Granted, that tiny house-on-wheels was getting on in years, and there was still a general belief among caravanners and motorhomers that solar power was “too expensive” and “too technical”. But whatever their reasons, I’m here to tell you that solar-charged 12 volt battery power was then, and still is, worthy of serious consideration — regardless of the size or age of your traveling rig.

In fact, even the most basic system — such as ours was then — provides not only a significant boost in self-sufficiency, it also saves enough money to recover your outlay in under three months. Even today.

For example, a 30-watt, self-regulating solar panel costs around $280 to $350 here in Australia. If you then factor in a no-maintenance, deep-cycle battery of at least 75 amp-hour capacity — to be installed in the RV — at maybe $180, plus suitable cabling, a salable plastic battery box (vented to the outside), and miscellaneous hardware for, say, $50 more, your total outlay shouldn’t be much over $600.

After that, every night you make use of your on-board power, on a “no hook-ups” campsite, you stand to save between $15 and $25 on tourist park fees. Sometimes more. On those figures, the whole set-up pays for itself in maybe 30 nights or less!

True, sufficient power would normally be available from your towing vehicle’s standard battery over one or two nights, but if the vehicle doesn’t move for two or three days the engine will almost certainly need a run for an hour or more to “top up” the charge taken out of the battery. And with single-battery set-ups, there is always a risk of over-using your power, resulting in a flat battery!

On the other hand, if you prefer the overnight security and companionship of a tourist park, an unpowered site — those nice, quiet spots down the back — saves maybe $3 – $8 per night. Which means you could still have your investment back in the bank within six months.

No matter how you look at it, solar was — and is — the way of the future. It’s clean, efficient, silent, and requires almost zero maintenance. And once the initial outlay has been covered, basic power needs from that point on are free.

However, there is a downside. (Isn’t there always?) A fixed solar array — on the RV roof, for instance — needs to be receiving the sun’s rays long and strong to adequately replenish the battery’s charge. Parked too long in the shade, or suffering through a lengthy stretch of rain-filled skies, can knock out a single-battery power supply in two or three days, even with judicious use. For that reason, some travelers have an additional, portable solar panel that can be constantly repositioned to catch the sun’s most direct rays, for as long as possible.

Nevertheless, in the four years we owned that well-traveled little van we had very few problems. (Mind you, we have always carried “conventional” backup in the form of a small petrol generator, and our vehicle has always been dual-battery equipped to share the campsite power needs.)

And about that tricky technology? Well, if a techno-slouch like me can have the whole system installed and operational in under two hours, anybody can! What we did was: (1) mount the solar panel directly onto the RV roof (with sealant carefully applied in and around the ***** holes), then (2) run the panel’s cabling down into the van (through the corner of the all-seasons hatch) into a cupboard. Being a self-regulating solar panel, a regulator was not necessary between panel and battery, so the cables were fixed directly onto the battery. The battery was housed in a robust plastic storage bin with a close-fitting lid, which I further sealed with silicone. Two lengths of 6 mm plastic hose vented the box to the outside through the caravan floor (inside the cupboard). Battery terminals were fitted with heavy-duty extension straps that passed through the side of the box to the outside to facilitate normal connection via alligator clips, a portable 12 volt socket, or sometimes a low capacity inverter. All holes in the floor and the battery box were fully sealed (both sides) with silicone sealant.

As for maintenance, all that’s required is an occasional wipe-down of the solar panel, and a general examination of wiring and seals from time to time. I also put a multimeter across the battery terminals every so often to see how it was tracking. (Of course, this reading is only accurate after the battery has “rested” for a half hour or so, i.e, no charge in or out.)

OK, we’ve learned a bit more about solar power since then, so we did some things differently second time around. But these differences were, essentially, because our fulltime travel now needs more than twice the power, with quite a lot more in reserve. So gizmos and gadgets are scattered throughout. But when we think back on that tiny, “drag-it-anywhere” caravan, with its most basic, D.I.Y. solar power set-up, we still get to feeling warm and fuzzy. (Self-sufficiency in the bush will do that!)

For our money, solar power and RVs are made for each other; it’s impossible to imagine a wandering life without either.

To see the best energy saving products, facts, review and user feedback: http://www.neverpay2much.info



Anthony

sidana.abhi asked:


Have you ever thought of the repercussions you are causing to our mother nature because of the high energy consumption in our homes? In most homes, electricity is mainly used for heating water. Electricity that we use is produced with the help of either fossil fuels or nuclear energy. This produces a large amount of carbon dioxide which when released into the atmosphere causes several problems involving global warming.

There is a way out of this entire energy crisis and that is to use renewable resources instead. From ages past the idea of passive solar water heater is in practice. Solar water heaters harness the sun’s radiations and convert it into heat which is then used to heat water. This method is harmless and is very efficient too. There are two types of systems namely the active and the passive solar water heater.

In the passive solar water heater systems water or the heat transfer fluids are circulated without the usage of electrical pumps and other devices. The batch systems of the passive solar water heater category consist of large insulated storage vessels with the painted side facing the sun. This absorbs the radiations and converts it to the water molecules inside. With continuous motion, the heat is circulated.

The other kind of passive solar water heater systems include a thermosiphon system which is based on the idea that warm water rises up. Water is circulated through collection tanks and then into a holding tank which is placed above it. In this manner water is heated continuously.

Your electricity bill will be cut down to large extents when such a passive solar water heater is used. You can be satisfied of the fact that you are not harming the environment in any manner. These can be fixed by using components that are easily available. When you opt for such a solar heater, you can be sure of the fact that you are choosing an eco friendly method that will cost you very less too.



Tamara