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The Future of Generating Energy for the Home

Solar Energy

Solar energy for residential houses is nothing new. It has just been relegated to the background in lieu of rising cost of real estate; newer more advanced building materials, design and the limitation of resources.

Since man started building homes, sunlight played a major influence in the design. In fact, even in the more advanced urban planning method of the Ancient Chinese and Greeks, the orientation of the buildings is as much as possible directed towards where it could capture the most sunlight.

The ancients might not be as intellectually sophisticated then to use catch phrases as passive solar and thermal mass but when they build, they were building in compact proportion, employing overhangs, producing insulations and building in manners that direct the airflow within the structure and producing well lit, well ventilated spaces using the relative position of the sun to the orientation of their structures.

Lately, as the conventional sources of energy became more expensive, homeowners were once again turning to the sun for energy requirements.

Since the 1950’s, harnessing the sun’s rays has been developing and today the solar cell technology has achieved very efficient levels that modern (so-called green house) designs apply the sun’s power to provide energy for the home.

While solar energy is free, the device that will convert it to run our appliances is not. To provide solar energy for the home, solar cells called photovoltaic made from semi-conducting materials, are grouped into modules. These solar panels are mounted on rooftops, yards or open spaces where it can capture the maximum amount of sunlight.

Whenever possible, the panels will be installed facing south to get the most out of the sunlight but tracking systems are also used to follow the direction of the sun. The solar panels collect the energy from the sunlight. The process basically is that when the panels are exposed to sunlight, the electrons are separated form the atoms. This movement of the electrons creates electricity.

To store power, pumps are often used – circulating water in the cells. The water goes into a storage tank where the power is stored, ready for use. Sometimes, the use of gravity is employed if it will just the same store the heated water in to the tank.

In spite of all the development in solar energy though, the use of this technology is not enough to provide power to the whole house. The best method so far can only fulfill about 80% of a households power needs. The employment of solar energy for the home will still require the use of the conventional power distribution method.

Powering the homes by solar means will still, for a while be augmented by a local power distribution agency. To many, this is already a good starting point. Homeowners that feel that the high cost of powering their houses through solar power, is justified when compared to the price that is now being paid for conventional electrification method where horrendous amounts of CO2 are being dumped into the atmosphere just to generate a pitiful amount of electricity.

However, due in part to the rising costs of energy, the technology for solar energy has been undergoing rapid phases of development. Experts are confident that within five years, powering the home through the solar method will be made widely available for those who prefer it as its sole energy source.

Solar Energy – New Discoveries

The day may not be far off when the use of solar energy becomes a norm. There is now a deep conviction among experts that given a few years time, solar power will be in high demand that the cost will go down, inexpensive enough to undercut the prices of oil-generated electricity.

The Ultimate Green Store

Previous predictions that it will still happen in a decade may no longer be true. The anger generated by the recent prices in oil and its vulnerability to market forces and other events may have already been enough to polarized people, governments and scientific communities into seriously considering a reliable alternative energy source.

You can not get a source more reliable than the sun. Even today homes that uses its power does not only benefit from the silent, energy generating, inexhaustible power of the sun, it also spikes up the prices of their homes. Those that have solar powered homes are even reimbursed for the surplus power that they supply to the power grid.

Presently, heliostats, photovoltaic cells and plate collectors are being used to collect the energy by focusing these panels towards the sun or constructing and installing the panel’s on spots where the sun shines most. Development in technology as we all know often has a snowball effect. It never stops rediscovering and reinventing that the speed of development could often be surprisingly fast.

Today, a polymer foil, thin as a sheet of paper and lighter by 200 times when compared to the regular glass collecting plates, are being developed. Chances are, these new inventions and discoveries could very well have a great potential for mass production. Previously, the glass-based materials used for heat collection need expensive substrates and require additional support for mounting due to its weight. The polymer foil, being very light could now be attached even to the walls of a structure.

So confident are scientists in the development of this technology that while the polymer foil is being developed, a plastic solar cell, based on nano technology is gaining breakthroughs. This plastic material can collect the power of the sun even on a cloudy day through harnessing the infrared rays is believed to be five times more efficient than the current technology.

While plastic materials for harnessing the power of the sun are not new, it is only recently that this plastic composite could harvest the infrared portion. Previously, only the visible rays are generated, the infrared part, which is half of the power of the sun, is invisible.

Currently, the best plastic solar cells could only harness 6% of the suns energy, with further study and development, this new plastic solar cells are expected to harness 30% of the suns solar power.

Scientists and researchers alike agree that ultimately, solar farms will be harnessing all our energy requirements and costs of power will drop. Today the price of solar powered energy is about 3 to 4 times per kilowatt hour compared with conventional electricity. That could change dramatically though the development of the existing technology and recent discoveries.

The roller pressed flexible plastic materials and the polymer foil are only two of the best hopes in arriving at a cleaner, greener and safer environment that could ultimately free the planet from its dependency on the depleting supply of oil.

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22 April 2010 comment [1] TrackBack-URI

How To Install The Solar Panels

Solar batteries store the solar energy from the sun inside them to use that energy at a later span of time. Solar batteries get charged through a solar panel. Actually, solar panel charges the internal battery pack that can be used when needed. The market is full of different kinds of solar batteries and panels. Make sure that you get the best quality product at cheapest price.

The smaller version of these batteries is used to power up the cell phones, laptops, PDA etc. These batteries allow them to run for hours when fully charged. Many of the batteries have universal connectors along with them so that you can use them with the product you want to.

Extra holder (charger) is another feature that many of the devices come along with. Using this holder, you can charge a set of standard Ni-Cad battery of your device and then use it whenever you require. Fit the discharged battery in the holder and place the unit under the sun. Observe your batteries getting charged under the solar power.

Larger solar panels and batteries can be used for providing power to mobile homes, boat etc. You have to install these large solar panels on the flat roof of the vehicle or the boat. The solar panels would start charging the bank of deep cycle batteries when the sun is shining brightly. When the batteries are fully charged, they can be used to power up your electrical equipments.

These solar-batteries can also be used during camping or for a remote cabin. The idea is same but the difference is that the solar panels are portable and are connected to a controller unit. Controller unit holds the batteries and charges the batteries using the solar panels with the help of sunlight.

When the batteries get fully charged, remove the connection of the controller unit from the solar panel. After that, you can use them to power up your devices.

You also can imply this setup for your home but the quantity and size of the solar panels and batteries vary. You need more solar panels and more deep cycle batteries to use the solar power.

Solar-power is a free and greener source of energy, and should be used as widely as possible.

The Solar Powered Homes

Can you see a place in your neighborhood with panels placed on top of their roofs? Many solar powered homes exist as of these days, particularly as the regime is serious enough in their wish of permitting their voters to shift into this power source thanks to the massive help it can do to the environment since pollution is reduced enormously.

If ever you are delighted with the idea of having your own solar powered homes but you are skeptical to dip your fingers into the whole thing then portable solar power system is what you need. This is a great introduction to solar power which can be used by those people who are interested of using the sun as their energy source but are somewhat overwhelmed with the whole thing. These systems are available among general public in wide range of small sizes which can be used to power small components such as cell phone, laptops, portable stereos, and a whole lot more. Also, they can be used to power medium sizes appliances.

Do not be frightened to try cartable solar electricity system down to the fact that many of them are created in an easy to use environment which is why it is you’re sure to use it without effort regardless of how much of an amateur you are. You won’t call for any wiring process because many of these systems are prepared for immediate use.

Once you are ready to have solar powered homes, these are some of the things which you should take into account:

1. The dimensions of the panel you are going to use will rely on the quantity of electricity that you’re going to need to power up the entire appliances and electric system that you use in your house. Because of this, it’s a must that you seek the aid of a pro so he or she’ll define the size you can install.
2.If you don’t have the money to spare, you can always go for DIY solar energy panels whereby you may do the entire thing on your own so protecting you from spending on the production cost.

1. There are panels that can be done using used materials found in your yard. Try to learn more about this process if you want a gigantic quantity of money for the materials that you’re going to use. You can search the web for your option and you are certain to find what you want in virtually no time.

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23 May 2010 comment TrackBack-URI

Some Tips to Go Green and Solar Power

Some Tips to Go Green and Solar Power

Go Green and renewable energy are words that, these days, are being used more and more. Unless you have been living in a cave, you should know why, it is because our non-renewable energy sources are running out. It is predicted that at our present rate of consumption, they will run out within thirty years. This fact is not well publicized, but maybe it should be.

Going green, besides saving you a ton of green, is good for the environment. If you want to save a ton of that green stuff that buys your groceries or, help save our natural resources, which will help with the environment, as well as benefit everyone, especially our children. Then you should know there are simple thing you can do to accomplish this.

Some of the simple things you can do to go green and save money can start with your car. Check your tire pressure regularly and keep them inflated to the recommended pressure, this along with getting the car tuned up regularly can save you a lot money on your fuel costs. If you run errand often, try to do all the running around in one day and plan your stops in a direct as possible route to avoid backtracking. If you have so many stops you cannot remember the order of the stops, then make a list.

When it comes to the house, you can save green by sealing drafts around doors and windows. Besides sealing drafts, you can add insulation to keep warm air in, in winter months and cool air in summer months. Just those two things will cut down on the amount of time the furnace or a/c needs to run. Recycling glass, plastic, and paper, items that take hundreds of years to break down and decay, will save our environment. If you recycle metals such as, aluminum, copper, steel, and cast iron, you can get paid. Scrap yards pay for scrap metal.

Those that are serious about saving the environment, money, and our non-renewable sources of energy, consider using solar power for your electrical needs. Many believe it is not economical to use solar power because of initial cost, and I hate to be the one to let them know, they are completely wrong. Advancements in technology have made it very affordable and once implemented will save you at least 80% on your power bill. Solar power will pay for it self inside of a few years especially if you use a solar hot water heater in conjunction with solar panels for electrical needs.

If you live in the U.S., you can get government credits for switching to solar power and if your system produces more power than you can use, it can be sold back to the power companies. Therefore, I ask you, how you can go wrong. Using solar power can cut your power bill in half or eliminated all together and put green back into your pocket.

Building a Homemade Solar Generator Can Save You Money

Many people wonder if they can use solar energy to power their house. If you switch to solar power on your house you will find yourself dramatically decreasing your energy bill. To start using solar energy to power your house, all you have to do is make a solar generator at home.

Solar generators can be built at home for between $250 and $300. A 12-volt solar panel takes about five ours of constant sunlight to charge and runs for about five hours powering a 115-volt AC. If you want more power, you can easily wire more solar panels together and connect them to the generator.

MATERIALS TO BUILD SOLAR GENERATORS

12-volt solar panel SunGuard 4-am charge controller 32 am-hour sealed battery. DC input 175-watt DC to Ac power inverter Voltage meter Insulated wire Drill

First of all you want to make all of your purchases. The 12-volt solar panel can be purchased from an RV or marine supplies store and cost between $100 and $175. Do a search on google for your SunGuard 4-am charge controller. These will cost about $25, but be sure you research your online retailer and only purchase products from reputable retailers.

A 32 amp-hour battery will cost approximately $60 and can be found at a marine store or online. A DC input can be found at a car parts store. The 175-watt DC to AC power inverter will cost about $30 and can also be found at a car parts store. Don’t forget to find a voltage meter, some insulated wire and a drill.

STEPS TO BUILD A SOLAR GENERATOR

Step 1: Decide what you want to put the solar power generator in and purchase it. You can use a battery box, a plastic cooler, or a wooden crate. A plastic cooler works well if you want to place the generator outdoors, as it will be durable against the weather elements.

Step 2: Use your drill to make a hole at the top of the box. You’ll probably want to place the hole off to the side somewhere. Then stick the voltage meter through this hole. Use the insulated wire to connect the voltage meter on one side and the wing nut terminals of the battery on the other side. It is important to always keep in mind that the negative pole should be connected first, and only touch one wire at a time.

Step 3: Check the manufacturer design to ensure that the solar panel has been properly wired. Then connect the solar panel and the DC inlet to your battery terminals, once again ensuring that the negative poles are connected first. Once all wires have been properly connected, close the lid of your solar panel generator box and place it in a bright, sunny location so that it can charge completely.

SOLAR ENERGY TO POWER YOUR HOUSE

This particular solar generator has the capacity to power a fan, small TV or a laptop, and can also run small appliances. The sunlight will be caught by the solar panels and converted into solar power that can produce 400-watt hours of energy. In order to boost the power of the generator, more solar panels can be purchased and wired together to increase the energy gained from the sun.

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3 June 2010 comment TrackBack-URI

Magnet Generator

A device called the magnet generator is taking the world by storm. This device is an alternative energy device that is the latest in a long line of machines that aim to reduce our reliance on conventional fuels They have become very popular recently thanks to a large number of websites jumping on the bandwagon of free renewable power.
before we answer this question though we need to clear up one point first.Magnet Generators go by many names, for example zero point energy, perpetual motion machine or even over unity motors, but they are essentially all the same thing.

Of course, when anything new comes along people will be wary or sceptical of it, and this is no exception. The term perpetual motion machine has long had a bad name for itself, as most people know that these cannot be made. Unfortunately, magnet generators have quite wrongly been associated with this term and this causes confusion.While they are not perpetual motion machines, magnetic generators do provide power for a very long time without requiring any additional fuel source.
As technology has improved, so it has become easier and cheaper to build a working magnet generator that can supply free electricity for many years.
Since they do not need the sun, wind or waves to make them work, these generators can run indoors, or out, at night, during the day in winter, summer or fall, basically anywhere at any time.

Despite what many websites proclaim and what some people will say I can categorically state that these devices are not a scam Thousands of working models around the world further confirm this.If you can open your mind and reject what all of the doom merchants say then you will see that a magnet generator really can provide a limitless supply of free electericity for you.

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23 June 2010 comment TrackBack-URI