pratibha asked:


We all know how effective Solar Power is in this age of awareness, where we all want energy sources heavily and at the same time easy and cheap at cost. We are quite well versed with solar power now and so we need to know how this solar power system works, what it is actually and how can we use it effectively. Especially, the residential consumers should focus their minds more to understand it, because they have to deal with on daily basis and all the time. So a better understanding of things always helps.

Starting with the main source, it’s always better to use the roof, since it goes well with the usual solar power installation criteria. But, there are many independent residential solar power systems users who install who install panels to posts, grounds or wall. It depends on the consumer’s preference.

Coming to the volts, generally household uses more and less 110 volt (AC) power and that is where we have converters, as it easily turns 12 volts to 110 volts, which is pretty enough for home usage. Solar panels collect sunlight at 12 volt (DC) energy which is then transferred and stored by the deep cycle batteries. There is a regulator that is planted to make sure that the batteries are not under or over charged. This control system also adds to the life of the batteries.

In this transferred and stored form the energy will run any appliance or device that uses 12 volt powder or that has a plug that fits into a vehicle cigarette lighter. But, we should make ourselves clear that a 12 volt power does not run most household appliances pr electronics.

Now comes the high tide part, the cost, well it depends on your consumption requirements. Liberal use of insulation always helps in the long run, whether it concerns with keeping in or out the heat, insulation is your biggest card to play. Besides there are all kinds of other ways to make your home energy efficient including conserving energy at home? Energy efficient designed home is going to be future’s ideal, so u better start thinking about it.



Charlie

Gordon Brown asked:


The amount of solar energy produced varies greatly depending on which region of the world you may live. Locations that receive plenty of sunlight are the most beneficial when it comes to installing residential solar energy systems. Anybody residing in an area like Florida or Phoenix would really be missing out on some serious savings. You can save thousands of dollars a year with a residential solar energy system if you live in one of these areas. It really is a no-brainer and if you thought you couldn’t afford it, but have some handy-man skills, think again!

Prices and quality will vary when converting your home to residential solar energy. There are many factors that effect the productivity of any solar powered home. The big one is the location in which you live, but another factor can be the type of system that you wish to install.

Some residential solar energy owners disconnect from the utility grid completely and make use of back-up batteries. By including a battery backup system, the price of your solar energy system will increase. However, if you truly want to be free from the utility company, this is your route. The energy is stored within the batteries when more electricity is produced than what is being used. This energy is saved for times in which the panels do not receive any sunlight, such as at night.

Most families decide to stay connected to the utility grid instead of using a battery storage system. By staying connected to the grid you’ll be able to draw additional electricity (when needed) from the power company. This is also necessary for anybody looking to install a partial solar energy system, for those who cannot afford a full system to cover their entire home.

For those who stay connected to the grid and produce more energy than they use at any one time, their meter box will actually rotate backwards. When this happens, it means you’re actually feeding electrical power into the utility grid and getting credit for it on your bill! This is known as “net-metering.”

There are some factors to take into account when looking into the price of a residential solar energy installation. A lot of people can be awe-struck by the initial cost of a system. However, tax rebates are available to families running their homes on green energy. This can help offset the costs drastically and can be in the form of a credit, direct payment, or cuts to your property taxes.

As more residential solar energy options become available and more solar breakthroughs occur, solar energy is becoming more practical than ever. At the same time the cost of all forms of energy continue to rise. Do you actually think they will get lower any time soon? Are you ready to get more for your money and go green?

In today’s day and age we have more opportunities to reduce our footprint and save money than ever before. The cost of installing a residential solar energy system has become affordable for the average family. Depending on the installation, converting your home to utilize solar power can range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to upwards of ninety thousand dollars (professionally installed systems are extremely expensive).

If you’ve been worried about our environment or looking to save money, I strongly suggest giving residential solar energy a try. If you can afford a professional installation, go for it! However, if you’re looking to go green and can’t afford such a system, try a do it yourself solar energy project. DIY solar projects sound complicated but are actually very simple and more affordable. The level of quality depends on your care and craftsmanship, but DIY solar panels produce just as much power as any other solar panels!



Ricardo

J. Vadney asked:


Using an alternative energy as a source of electricity is one of the hottest topics in this day and age. This is due to the fact that the supply of the fossil fuels cannot anymore accommodate the everyday energy or electrical consumption being made by all the people worldwide. Thus, the very best way, which you can do is to look for an alternative type of energy such as the solar and wind energy that can generate electricity. These two types of energy are clean, eco-friendly, free, and renewable. As a matter of fact, these characteristics are the reasons why most energy and environmental experts advise the use of a residential wind and solar power system.

There are actually a lot of benefits which you can gain once you utilize a residential wind and solar power system. Some of these benefits are as follows:

? The supply of wind and solar energies are infinite. This only means that there will be no such thing as a shortage in the supply of neither wind nor solar energy. This is due to the fact that as long as the sun is up there in the sky and just as long as you can feel the wind then, there is an adequate supply of both wind and solar energy. So, there is nothing to worry about the supply of wind energy as well as solar energy.

? You can save a huge sum of money annually with the residential wind and solar power system. This is actually the major benefit that you can get from a residential power system. This only implies that with the help of a homemade power system, you can now get rid of the high costs of your monthly electric bill, giving you the chance to earn a huge sum of money every month within a year.

? A residential power system, which uses renewable sources of energy like the sun and the wind, is irrefutably nature-friendly. This is because of the fact that power systems via renewable types of energy produce no harmful gases or fluids that can damage the condition of the environment. It is actually safe to say that you can help save and protect the nature or environment with the simple use of either a wind or solar power system to generate electricity for your home.

? You can acquire some incentives from the government through the use of a residential wind and solar power system. This is really true since the government by now, has a strong campaign against global warming. In light of this, the government has decided to give some benefits and incentives to households, which utilize homemade wind and solar power systems.

Indeed, utilizing a residential wind and solar power system is a great option for you to consider since it has a lot of benefits to offer not only to the human race but to the environment as well. In fact, some of its numerous benefits and advantages were already mentioned above. So, the final decision is now up to you. If you really want to experience the exceptional benefits being offered by homemade power systems then, you should now start thinking about having a wind and solar power system for your home. After all, there is no harm on considering some helpful renewable sources of energy like the wind energy and solar energy as a way to generate electricity for your home.



Shirley

Helen Rudd asked:


It costs you more money and uses more energy to heat and cool your home than any other system in your home. Typically, 44% to 50% of your utility bills pays for heating and cooling your home. Regardless of the type of home comfort systems you have in your house, you can save money and increase comfort by properly maintaining and upgrading your equipment.

Keep in mind that an energy efficient air conditioner alone will not have as great an impact on your energy bills as using an approach that involves the entire house. If you combine proper equipment maintenance and upgrades with appropriate insulation, weatherisation and thermostat settings, you can reduce your energy bills by up to 50%.

General Cooling Tips:

Use house fans. House fans help cool your home by circulating cool air throughout the house. They are most effective when the outside air temperature is cooler than the inside and when operated at night. An attic fan can blow away hot air that accumulates in the attic. This can go a long way to help the efficiency of your air conditioning system. Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible. By maintaining a minimum difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, you’ll lower your overall cooling bill. Don’t reduce your thermostat setting to a colder temperature than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and unnecessary expense. Set the fan speed on high, except in humid weather. When it’s humid, set the fan speed on low. Consider ceiling fans to help spread the cooled air more effectively through your home without greatly increasing your power use. Keep lamps and TV sets away from your air conditioning thermostat. Shade air-conditioning units by planting trees or shrubs, but make sure you do not block the airflow. A unit operating in the shade uses up to 10% less electricity than one operating in the sun. Close shades or curtains on east, south, and west-facing windows during the hours when the sun’s intensity is at its peak. Open curtains and windows during early morning and overnight hours when the air outside the home is cooler. Turn off the air conditioner if the house (or air-conditioned rooms) will be unoccupied for an extended period. Use a programmable thermostat (link to product page) to turn Air off and on automatically when you know the house will be unoccupied.

Here are a few more steps you can take to substantially improve your home’s energy efficiency.

Take a Holistic Approach to Total Home Energy Conservation

To achieve the maximum in total home comfort and energy savings, we recommend that you step back and look at the big picture of energy consumption in your villa. The fact is, your total home comfort and efficiency is the product of many systems: heating, cooling, lighting & electrical, plumbing and possibly others working together. It is the interplay between these systems, combined with the size, age, physical features and location of your home, and even your lifestyle, that combine to produce the total energy efficiency of your home. Changing or upgrading one system, without considering the other factors will usually result in some improvement, but may not deliver the maximum possible benefit.

If you’re building a new villa, or considering a major remodel or system upgrade, consider an Integrated Systems approach. It may cost a little more now, but will undoubtedly save you a bundle over time. Skilled engineers and technicians will look at the big picture when designing a solution for your home.

Conduct a Home Energy Audit

The place to begin when evaluating your home’s overall energy efficiency and deciding how to reduce consumption and costs is with a Home Energy Audit. This takes into consideration much more than just your heating and cooling systems, and will give you a benchmark from which to make decisions and measure your energy saving progress.

Here are some of the heating & cooling factors your audit should take into consideration:

Insulation in walls, floors, and attic. Vapor Barriers in walls Quality of Windows — Single or double pane Heat loss around doors and windows Quality of insulation in doors Integrity of ductwork “— Any leaks Cleanliness of ductwork Use of “passive” solar energy Use of curtains and other window coverings to prevent heat loss Efficiency of heating and cooling systems — Condition of filters, etc.

Consider Purchasing an Annual Maintenance Agreement

You’ve heard the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it?” Well that doesn’t apply to your air conditioner any more than it does to your automobile. However, when your system is operating properly, it is easy to forget. Regular maintenance will save you the time money and headaches of premature system failures and major repairs. It will ensure that your system is always working at peak efficiency and help you avoid excessive energy costs.

Make sure your Air Conditioner is properly sized

Bigger Is Not Necessarily Better – A bigger room air-conditioning unit won’t necessarily make you feel more comfortable during the hot summer months and will most likely perform less efficiently and less effectively than a smaller, properly sized unit. Room units work better if they run for relatively long periods of time as opposed to being constantly switched on and off. The longer running time an air conditioner is allowed to maintain, the easier it is for the unit to hold a more constant room temperature. Running longer also allows air conditioning units to remove more moisture from the air, which reduces humidity and increases the comfort level in the room. Check specifications carefully when choosing the right air conditioner for your space. Central air-conditioning systems also require proper sizing. Professionals, however, should perform the sizing of your central air system. Also, do not use the system’s central fan to provide circulation. Instead, use circulating fans in individual rooms. Make sure you set the fan of your central air system to shut off at the same time of your cooling unit (compressor).

Use an Air Conditioner with a high Efficiency Rating

Select a room air conditioner that has an A rating or 10 or higher.



Annie

Y.T. Lee asked:


When the dawn comes and the sun rises, it basks the surface of the earth with its bright and warm light. Most people know that the sun covers only a certain portion of our earth at any given point of time, thereby bringing in dawn, day, evening and night. However few people know that along with its bright and cheery light, the sun also covers the surface of earth with valuable energy in the form of light. If harnessed properly, this energy can be converted to electricity with the help of solar power kits. Few people know about this and keep on paying inflated power bills month in, month out. For ages, most power plants, that provide us with electric energy to run our household electric appliances, have relied on natural sources of fuels for generating electricity.

However, these natural sources of fuel are diminishing and that day is soon approaching when there will be none left. Demand being more than availability, the costs of fuel have gone up, more so recently. The one who feels the pinch are the consumers who have to payer higher electricity bills at the end of every month. The year 2008 has seen a huge slump in global economy and prices of essential commodities have shot up through the roof. As it is, people are finding it tough to make both ends meet and couple to that the increase in fuel bills and you understand the problem the common man faces? Add to this the fact that power bills eat up nearly 30% of our monthly income and you will understand how important it is to go in for alternate sources of power.

Harnessing solar energy for our electricity needs is the best way out and more and more people are moving in the direction to help reduce their monthly expenses without sacrificing on the power they require. There are special photovoltaic power kits available in the market and even a cursory search of the net will reveal many sites that sell them. These kits are quite cheap and any person who knows how to use a soldering iron can assemble them. All kits ship with a comprehensive and illustrated guide to help the user set up the solar panel. Once the kit has been assembled and set up, power from the same can be used directly to run a variety of electric appliances that are within the specified wattage range.

Alternatively you can charge a lead cell with the power emitted from the solar cell and then used the trapped power at night. You will be surprised to observe the reduction of your monthly power bills and within a few months of installation, the kit will pay off for itself. If you want to relieve yourself of the headaches of huge power bills every month, yet want to have the lights on at your residence, solar power kits are your best option. Try them out today and decrease the pressure on your finances.



Philip

Joel McDonald asked:


Are you in the market for a new home? If you are considering adding solar panels to your new home there are a number of things you should be aware of during your house hunt that will make the whole process go more smoothly.

What sort of financial incentives are available?

This is always a good place to start. The Federal Government offers a tax credit for residential solar systems installed after January 1st, 2009. The credit is for 30% of the installed cost of the system, which can mean that you will probably get thousands of dollars back when tax season rolls around. Note that this is a credit – not just a writeoff – so any credits received from the government go straight in your pocket!

Second, some states offer subsidies for solar systems. These usually come in the form of x dollars per watt. For example, the state of Colorado offers a $2.00 per watt rebate. These subsidies are usually in addition to the Federal tax credit. The best way to understand the subsidies in your area is to call one or more solar installers in your area and ask them about what options are available to you. Most installers are well aware of any and all credits available. If they are not aware of your options, that just might be your sign to keep shopping for installers.

What makes a good candidate for a solar house?

When looking at houses, you want to examine the property for its suitability for a solar array. The critical issues here are: roof orientation, roof age, shading, and home owners association rules. (Although your HOA may object, some states prohibit HOA’s from prohibiting energy efficient features from being installed in or on a home.

Roof orientation is critical if you can’t put the array in the yard. The ideal situation is a large south facing area. Northern and Eastern orientations are poor candidates for solar array locations. If the roof gets shadows on it during peak hours 9 am – 3 pm, you need to determine if those shadows can be eliminated. If they can’t, the location is not suitable. Shading on panels will severely impact their performance. Even a small amount of shading can cut a panel’s output by 80% or more! Also consider the condition of the roof. If the roof is nearing the end of its life then you will want to re-roof before installing the array. The installation itself is a very substantial portion of the cost of a system and if you have to disassemble the array to re-roof your house you will be incurring a large, and easily avoidable, expense. If you can have the sellers do the re-roofing before you even move, then in all the better. Finally, make sure that there are no HOA rules that would prohibit the installation of a solar array or that would prevent you from installing the array in the optimal place on the roof. If you are forced to install the array on an east or north facing roof face then you should strongly consider looking at another property or abandoning the idea of installing the solar array.



Allan

Anna Hart asked:


Solar energy facts for kids in New Zealand are considered unnecessary by some. When winter hovers over New Zealand, it may seem that day after day is cloudy and grey – especially in some parts of New Zealand. On such days, it is difficult to imagine that solar energy could supply enough electricity for a New Zealand home. Most areas of New Zealand, however, have plenty of solar energy that can be harnessed.

Solar energy can be calculated with a map such as the one on the Sun Wize website. This is called a world solar insolation map. “Insolation” means it is exposed to the sun’s rays. The map shows how many hours of each day a country is exposed to the sun’s rays – in the worst month of the year. In other words, the map shows how much solar energy the country gets each day.

When you find New Zealand on a world solar insolation map, you will see that most of the country gets between 3 and 5 hours of solar energy each day. Remember that 3 to 5 hours is the amount of solar energy in the worst month! On average, counting good and bad days, New Zealand gets approximately 2000 hours of bright sunshine each year.

Solar Energy Facts for Kids

Solar energy facts for kids might include many things, depending on the age of the children involved. A small child of 6 years might understand only simple concepts such as the heat generated by solar energy. Older children of 14 to 17 can grasp the technology of solar panels and generators, and how they convert solar energy to electrical power.

We will not attempt to sort the following facts by age or importance, but simply present them as a collection of ideas to be explored.

* In New Zealand, a solar energy water heating system can save as much as 75 per cent of your family’s water heating costs.

* The word “photovoltaic” comes 2 words. “Photo” refers to light and “voltaic” refers to electricity. A photovoltaic array system changes solar energy collected from sunlight into electricity.

* Cover the roofs of every New Zealand home in photovoltaic (PV) panels, and together they would convert enough solar energy into power each year to supply more than 25 per cent of New Zealand’s needed electricity.

* Solar energy can provide the total electricity needed by a normal three bedroom New Zealand home that is energy efficient.

* Solar energy is quiet, easy to install, and needs little upkeep from the New Zealand home owner.

* Any New Zealand child can, with a little help, build a solar energy stove to cook a small banger.

* Solar energy has been used for many years by New Zealand mums to dry clothing outdoors.

* Germany, a country that is much cloudier than New Zealand, converts solar energy into electricity more than any other country does.

* Solar energy is greater than you might think on cloudy days, since the sunlight that gets through reflects off the bottoms of the clouds.

* Solar energy can turn ocean water into healthy drinking water.

* Solar energy can be used on boats and ships around New Zealand.

* Solar energy is absolutely free to New Zealanders. No other country can charge money for it.

Suggestion for New Zealand teachers: Have a contest to see which group of students can discover the most solar energy facts for kids. Younger children will have fun simply listing solar energy facts for kids. Older students might be required to expand each discovery statement.

Disclaimer: The author receives no compensation from any company mentioned in this article. The information is presented solely for educational purposes.



Florence

R Hancock asked:


We are now living in an age where the preservation of the environment is of utmost importance, due to the threat posed by global pollution. More and more countries around the world have begun to shift their reliance to renewable energy sources, as such sources  of energy are nonhazardous to the environment, therefore, helps to slowdown the effects of pollution. 

With the increased awareness of the need for environmental preservation, the sales of solar power for residential homes have seen an increase, as people worldwide are beginning to embrace the idea of going green. However, though there is growing demand for solar power generators, many environmentally conscious individuals have been unable to afford their own solar power systems, due to the exorbitant cost.

Such persons may need to consider the low cost alternative of building and generating their own solar power for residential homes. This can be made possible with the help of a DIY renewable energy guide that can be purchased and downloaded off the internet for a reasonable price. These DIY renewable energy guides are in great demand, due to the fact that building a homemade solar system is the most cost effective way of going green, through the use of renewable energy.

There is no need to even worry about the hectic challenges that are involved with building and generating solar power for residential homes, as the very reason these DIY guides have become so popular is because of how easy they are to follow. Virtually anyone at any level can build a solar generator by following the step-by-step instructions that are outlined in the DIY renewable guides.

Therefore, if you are concerned about the deterioration of the environment and desire to make a difference by switching to solar power for residential homes — the most affordable way of going green is by building and installing your own solar generator. As mentioned before, this can be made possible by following the instruction of a DIY renewable energy guide which can be purchased online.

 

Using the free power of the Sun to provide energy to your home makes perfect sense. Find out how quickly and easily you can begin saving money on your energy costs with a simple solar project. DIY-Energy has resources which will show you how to Create Your Own Solar Power for a lot less than you might think. Start today and save hundreds, or thousands off your energy bill each year.



Eric

Pete Phelps asked:


In this age of rising electric bills everyone is feeling the pinch. Unfortunately, too many people think that rising utility cost is just a fact of life that can not be changed. Yet, you can save money on electric bills by making your own solar power for the home. Solar power used to be an expensive option, but not anymore. More and more people are installing their own solar power and saving money on their electric bills or cutting out the bill entirely.

The central component of making solar power for the home is the solar panels themselves. You can make the solar panels with a few simple components or purchase a kit, either option will save you hundreds over the cost of pre-made panels. The basic materials used in a solar panel are plywood, glass, copper wire, silicone, UV protectors, and of course, the solar cells.

Solar cells are what turn light into electricity, thus saving you money from not using the grid power. This is why the cells are the most important part of creating solar power for the home. While solar panels are available for purchase, they are often pricey and the upfront costs alone may negate any potential energy savings for years to come. By making your own panels in order to provide solar power for the home, you can reduce the upfront costs and begin recouping the cost of your panels much sooner.

Making your own panels in order to provide solar power for the home is not complicated and only requires modest skills that most people can learn quite easily or already possess. While electric rates continue to rise every year, a solar panel made today will continue to produce electricity for at least thirty years, all for the cost of the initial investment. Solar power for the home is inflation proof and will leave more money in your pocket over the long run.

With a small investment, a single solar panel can be built in order to supplement utility company electricity. While you will still be drawing energy from the grid, you will not be using as much. This alone can save hundreds of dollars over the cost of electricity every year. When building your own system in order to create solar power for the home, you have the additional benefit of adding to it and enlarging it as time and finances allow, instead of purchasing a large and expensive ready made system out right. You have a lot more freedom to grow your system as your needs and situation allow.

If you are building a home in a rural area that is not currently already hooked to the grid, you will pay thousands of dollars up front just to have the electric lines laid to your home. In this case, it is always less expensive to make and install solar power for the home. A solar panel kit you build yourself is much less expensive than bringing electricity in from the power company and will continue to save you money every year there after. Solar power for the home is the best option in rural areas that would otherwise be prohibitive in cost to run power to.

Solar power for the home is also a sound environmental option. Many states and the federal government offer programs to reimburse some of the initial costs of installing solar power. This can offset the initial investment of switching to full solar power dramatically, thus making your energy savings more evident in a shorter time period. All in all, solar power for the home will save you money on rising electricity costs in very little time and with very little effort.



Joann

martin lewis asked:


Many families around us spend a healthy part of their money for heating water for daily uses. Hot shower, bath, cleaning clothes and a lot of other things is done by electricity or gas supplied by large companies. However the energy we are using is not renewable and may go dry in the long run. The average household consumer finds electricity bills going up steadily above inflation figure. Thus everyone is looking for a suitable alternative source of energy. So the best way to extract this alternative source of energy is from solar energy. Solar power is an effective way to heat water and has been successful for close to 100 years now.

Solar water heating is a heating process during which water is heated up with the solar energy. It is possibly the simplest application of solar energy. It is the process of harnessing the thermal rays of the sun and applying it to water. The question that remains to be answered is “Where to place the water heater?” The possible answer could be that place the solar water heater at a place where you can extract maximum sunlight from the sun. Maximum sunlight should be received by the solar heater. One popular location could be roof where the solar water heater receives maximum sunlight.

You place it in the center of tank and when you use water, it touches the heater. Solar water heating heats your water before that it reaches the taps. The heater keeps on revolving around the water. Water will move in circular path around the heater as a result, it will be heated up. Thus, solar water can be beneficial not only because of its easy usage but also because it is cheap and helps you to save a lot of money in the form of electrical bills. Solar energy is free and it reaches all homes. You just have to buy such heater which may heat up your water within the tank by using solar energy. So, use heater which use solar energy for heating water and save your money for whole life.

Purchasing and installing a solar water heater will cost a about €5,000 but the maintenance cost is low and it could last anywhere from 20 to 25 years. You should always buy heaters for solar water heating from companies which sell solar panels. These companies sell heaters which can heat up water within your tanks. You just have to order heaters for solar water heating and the company will give you a heater. They can fit heaters in your tanks which may use solar energy and may heat up water of your tanks. They are professional people and have more knowledge than you do. So always take the services of such companies for purchasing and installing solar water heaters. The company can tell you some special instructions which can increase the age of your heating and can help you to make maximum savings. They own the responsibility of repairing or replacing it if anything happens to the heater.

AEI

Alternative energy Ireland is the company which provides you with the benefit of owning a solar water heater and getting it installed at your home at an affordable price.







Sandra