Solar – Page 19 – Green Lifestyle

Choosing Solar Vs Propane Heating Systems

If you noticed, I’m all to reduce U.S. dependence on oil, especially foreign oil. I’m also in favor instead of using renewable fuel and transportation. My efforts to reduce our dependency on propane to cause me to balance the cost of my ethical and environmental location. In other words, I hit a moral obligation to my problem.

After giving more than $ 1300 propane tank – mid-winter – felt it was time to seriously consider the installation of solar water. Who wants to pay a $ 2500-ish years of propane? I wanted to proceed with the installation of solar hot water and property. vacuum tube collectors, if not exact.

As I wrote that I got the idea that I need to pay $ 1.14/year/square foot home. How much should normally pay for heating, hot water and cooking? We have an energy efficient home and live frugally (heat set to 64 degrees, a small demand for hot water and a small oven / stove use), I believe that we could get, which is less than propane.

This brilliant idea was born after my man sits at a home in Telluride, I put some solar panels for hot water. He talked about the $ 1,500 low-cost group. Wiser. So I started my research. I found three companies, I would talk to (there is more to this area, but based on previous experience, three types of searches decreased).

In addition, an interesting shopping experience we have found that solar hot water is expensive, at least stick. The estimated cost of $ 15.000 to 35.000 $. Many said!

Price range reflects different choices in the installation and preparation. The cheapest option is not heat storage and the relatively small number of solar hot water. The most expensive storage, and a lot of heat affected a wide range of solar panels.

If the water heater covered with 100 percent of our needs for propane, we do not pay for the system area 6 to 14 years, assuming that the cost of propane has remained level. Because the cost is more than doubled since we started using the eight-ish back, I can say that profit should be faster. But the system only covers about half of our needs for propane, that is to win more than 12-28 years. Have I ever said, “one iota”?

If we do not want to stay here for a house “forever” I call my half of the bigger leap for me. But we hope that the next few years to build a new home, farm, where the offices where the mistakes we made in this house. What does that dream is in place, how do you make decisions, assuming that the new system costs are not financial compensation (which I did not like at all)?

Because now we have to choose either a little more energy efficiency measures in place to sink a lot of money on projects that we do not know if we do not see any profits. We combine various alternative and renewable energy sources in our house.

When the green and eco-friendly, can be such a challenge. Not the “right” is also disappointing. I know that the profit must be 10-15 years old, but I did not attract the biggest party we have the money, especially when we still have to pay the propane.

What would you do? How do you balance to reduce the environmental footprint of future residents and following by now?

Home Systems: Active Vs Passive Solar Heating Systems

Posted on May 18, by gogreen

Are you interested in using a solar heating system? If so, then you will have several options. One of the main ones is whether to choose an active or passive system.

What are Active Solar Heating Systems?

This type of system involves harnessing and storing (in the form of heat) solar energy. It uses fans and other objects to dispense heat that has been harnessed. Solar cells constructed of silicon are the most common type of solar heat collectors. Typically, the cells are contained on solar panels, which are located on the roof of a home.

What are its main types?

There are two primary types. Their difference lies in the material that captures and moves the heat that is located in the solar collector. Usually the material is a gas or a liquid. For instance, an air-based system usually involves transpired air collectors or air room heaters. On the other hand, liquid-based systems usually involve water (or antifreeze) to capture and move heat.

How much power does it provide?

Usually the goal of such systems is to heat up to three-fourths of a home’s interior. When more solar energy than a house needs is produced, the homeowner could then sell excess power back to his or her local utility company. Also, it is advisable to heat both the air and water in your home, so your system can function throughout the entire year.

What Are Passive Solar Heating Systems?

This type of system is a low-technology method of capturing solar energy. It functions by directly capturing the sun’s warmth, and then retaining it within the house for the function of heating. This is mainly achieved through methods such as quality insulation and windows. This type of system can lower your current heating costs, or even replace your home’s current system.

What are its components?

Windows are the primary components of such systems. The goal is to maximize the amount of sunlight and heat that one can collect during the daytime. Typically, the windows consist of a special variety of glass that absorbs as much heat as possible-and then keeps it indoors for a maximum amount of time.

Besides windows, another common component of Passive Solar Heating Systems are trombes, which are a special type of wall. There is a pane of glass in front of the wall. The mission is for the space between the glass and wall to collect heat. Another method is to paint the concrete walls black, so they will absorb sunlight more.

What are its benefits?

This is generally an ideal option when you are looking for a solar heating system for a new home. The reason is that Passive Solar Heating systems are based on factors such as the location of the windows in the home, the location of the building itself, the amount of insulation in the building, and so on. These issues can be quite challenging to change within existing homes-and especially the location of the home!

After learning the basics of Active and Passive Solar Heating Systems, it is time to determine which one is best for you.

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Knowledge IS Power: A Review Of The Wind and Solar Workshop In Arizona

Posted on May 17,May 17, by gogreen

Recently, I participated in wind and solar energy in Arizona, a workshop founded by Mike Windmill Shop, where I learned many things. 5 stars is excellent, good 4, 3 is so-so, 2 and 1 star = poor, never again! Read on to know how the seminars are information, support and reliability.

Information really is power and how it affects us every day in practice, is a workshop.

3 days a wealth of information – no fluff!

The workshop is set up so that experts and non-experts have practical experience in construction as much as three windmills from scratch. Besides, when I say “from scratch”, this does not mean the kit. Windmills are manufactured and assembled by hand – with the exception of some small parts.

Built-in – Tested – Installed

The seminar given by Mike and Joy, we have developed three different types of turbines, testing, and install them at different heights of poles and saw the wind take:). It was quite a sight, and knowing that you are part of the process is a very special feeling.

Non-experts can build windmills too!

I’ve always thought of myself as having a fairly good understanding of the mechanical – more anyway. Even so, there is always places that I read once, or who have a lot of practical approaches to grasp. During the workshop each stage of the design, manufacture, construction and installation of a wind turbine on top. Mike has been more than patient and his teaching methods and at the end of each workshop is a general understanding of the whole process.

Support Project

Of course, the project, and it is certainly involved in matters that came later, when the design and build your own system. Do not worry, Mike Windmill Shop offers a variety of levels of support and troubleshooting steps for the entire project!

Not Tools – Do not worry!

building wind turbines is not a great selection of tools – power and tradition. Although there are ways to prepare and develop the generator by hand is certainly a long and frustrating, because power tools. It is, however, situations where people simply do not have space, time or equipment, but would like to get Wind Turbines system. Mike’s Windmill Shop is a solution to this problem, too!

Fully customizable – ready to assemble

If you answered any of the above scenarios, then there is a solution in the form of a fully prepared and ready to assemble wind power generators in many different sizes for different purposes. Wind turbines complete instructions and details. Joy is a very experienced people to help determine which applications are best suited to their situation and help you select the most appropriate model.

Ready – Set – Go!

Assuming that you have a home and property, it is advisable to start small. Do you have a separate “play room” cancellation of the pot or remove or repair shop, using power, and you often use? What about the house? If yes, what are some good “starter” scenarios. To design and develop the system, and this small separate building.

Always check local building codes if there are rules that must be met, including an electrician wiring component. Once the decision has been made, what the building is to “learn” and then see if the trade when it comes to Mike Windmill Shop to participate. If it is not possible to participate in these seminars are still a lot of information about the site to read and learn before you continue.

If you build a house and are interested in adding renewable energy options into the mix, or it will go completely “off grid”, then participate in a workshop in my opinion. The workshop not only helps the planning stages, but once the maintenance and troubleshooting down the line.

Element is part of the …

The interview is part of everyday life – we all know in this case. When a renewable energy system, increase the inverter and the battery problems with the firing of a day for minor maintenance. During the workshop, Mike Joy, and provides a good troubleshooting tips for “what if” scenarios and tips to keep maintenance to a minimum and the system humming. There was also discussion about how to keep energy consumption by adding a few items and leave the rest.

Gets 5 stars for information content, usability, knowledge and value for money.

Support to 5 stars before, during and after the workshop, as well as support the design and implementation, and customer service.

Performance gets 5 stars all the above workshops, I have seen in recent years.

The only thing that some people may think of the drawbacks present a seminar in Arizona. But that too is pretty much the star for me. The workshop included in the current or expected jobs.

New Eco-Innovation – Lazy Susan Sun Tracker for Potted House Plants, Solar Energy Collection

Posted on May 16,May 17, by gogreen

If you have a few houseplants at home, like me, then you’ve probably heard the theory that you must open in time for plants of time and allow them to go home to the sun or light another angle. This theory has been bugging me, like the plant in its natural environment will not position ourselves in that direction. Yes, Sun is moving in our direction, the inclination of more or less due to the seasonal variation of the planet, but the sun still rises more or less, the east and sets in the west.

But this theory does not disappear, I totally agree, but others swear by. Now he is my good friend who often comes over and begins to realign all the houseplants, I wish he had to stop, but he believes that the herbs work life and keep them strong, forcing them to readjust. Personally, I think only a really dirty trick in the world, and I wonder how you want, if someone screwed so I’ve become completely acclimated to their environment?

Okay so I have a better idea to help the plants out of a new invention. Try to imagine a Solar Tracker Sun Lazy Susan potted indoor plants, which sit on the floor of the plant in turn. The style is in turn directly under the battery, and the location of the detection system Sun, the plan is always facing the Sun. Side pot would be solar panels, always facing the sun and energy gain.

The energy is collected, or they move slowly rotating every hour or as needed, only turn taught at the wheel. Of course, this does not take much energy, but could use more energy to recharge cell phones, personal iPads or other small tech devices are too small for the inverter. So everybody is happy now. Hardware, iPad or smartphone, and you, and, finally, when someone tries to turn your plants, you can tell them that the system automatically starts, do not touch anything.

I think it’s inventions and innovations can be built around $ 150 and they sell for those who love plants and want to live green. Taking all this into account and I think it is.

Tips When Considering Solar Panels For Homes

Posted on May 13,May 17, by gogreen

The sunlight is converted into electrical equipment such as solar panels on homes in an example of green technology at work. Most sources of electricity are used around the world use fossil fuels like coal plants and oil. Many people believe this type of energy conversion is dangerous, is not sustainable, and promoting global warming could have serious consequences.

Wind, solar and tidal waves is considered renewable energy sources. They do not produce polluting combustion of fossil fuels and increased use is beneficial to the environment. They had traveled to the production of electricity in a sustainable manner for use in domestic and commercial applications.

The world depends on energy can be converted into electricity to power many devices in everyday life. The appliances are not coincidental. Washing machines, heating systems, and include, for example a personal computer are all in need of energy to operate. It is ironic that almost everyone today is concerned about global warming and environmental costs of fossil fuel. Nobody, however, is not ready to give up modern comforts. For example, a single failure day demonstrates how customers are innocent, in which the water appeal ineffective.

solar cell technology is used to change sunlight into electricity. sun’s rays from the sun using solar panels and cause the light is converted into electrical energy. Owners can use for everyday use, heating water to a boil. Sunlight is important that the panel in place.

In addition, solar panels, there are other provisions that have been purchased. The total cost also affects the amount of electricity a homeowner wants, because it determines the complexity, size and value of an integrated system. Self-installation is less expensive, although some technical knowledge is likely to be needed. There are many sites, tips or self-help enthusiasts.

The solar system is a combination of custom batteries for energy storage, batteries, inverters, photovoltaic cells and the relationship of different son. More united as a group, the more electricity is generated. domestic electric heating practices and domestic water, lighting, ventilation and air conditioning.

Income from home on the economy and the environment and the economy. Utilities sector, subsidies and preferential tariffs are possible examples. Property values ??can also be improved. production capacity emergency power is sold to the grid generating additional income.

It is first necessary expenses, to purchase solar panels for their homes. Other components are purchased as an integrated operation system. In the long term benefits, but not way out of their original cost. These include, among others, reduce electricity bills, credit and subsidies and the potential value of the house. The environment is very think. The increased economic burden of rising energy costs, housing and environmental concerns can hardly be a homeowner.

Keep Your Solar Feed-In Tariff Payments Even After Moving House

Posted on May 12,May 12, by gogreen

The fate is unconventional, so joining to stay in your home for the following twenty-five years is a scaring prospect. For numerous homeowners intrigued by solar boards this would be able to be a feasibly off-putting viewpoint of the Feed-in Tariffs. Luckily, yet, even assuming that you instate solar boards on your home to exploit the Feed-in Tariffs, you could probably still move home and keep on to assert your installments. To be clear, the Feed-in Tariffs make a point not to mean you cannot pitch your house.

The Feed-in Tariff plot gives monetary motivating force to homeowners to commission solar boards, and offers profits on top of the cash you could at present be recovering by producing your particular power. The plan is made up of a few portions:

• Generation tariff-this is an installment you gain for every unit of renewable power your solar boards produce, paying little heed to how (or if) that force is utilized

• Export tariff-the fare tariff is a reward product you appropriate for every unit of power you then decide on to trade into the National Grid to be utilized in different homes

The product you accept is ensured to be paid for the following 25 years through a lawful contract with your life ensemble. On the other hand, for unique contestants onto the plan, the measures are conceivable to abatement by around 8.5% every year following April 2012 so if you’re searching for a speculation, its preferred to unite the plan sooner as opposed to later.

In what manner would I be able to still gain FITs installments following I move house?

The Feed-in Tariff plot is managed by vigor communities under Government enactment and when you unite you mark a contract with your power supplier. Hinging on the contract you mark with your power group, there might as well be procurement for you to move house, with some contracts permitting you to hold possession of the contract and keep on to gather installments in spite of having sold your house. To continue getting the installments, you will should brief your life supplier and arrange the proprietorship of the FITs contract with the individual purchasing your house. This implies that, gave your starting contract takes into account it, and you arrange proprietorship of the contract with whoever purchases your house, you would be able to keep on to stack up coin on the solar boards you financed even following having sold the house on which they are introduced.

The capacity to offer your house soon after the finish of the FITs plan is a tremendous playing point to homeowners who would like to make quite an impressive lifelong duty in a dubious universe, in particular when the introductory capital transaction of solar boards is proportionally significant. For homeowners fascinated by the Feed-in Tariff plot and solar boards, giving careful consideration to the contract and guaranteeing statements are put forth that take into consideration adaptability for example keeping your contract following advertising your home is imperative. The past 12 months have been the first year of the FITs and there have been a recorded 29,229 renewable power instatements uniting the Feed-in Tariffs conspire. Over the accompanying year, this figure is imaginable to be even more terrific as homeowners make the most of the amazing profits of the plan soon after the tariff abatement (just for newfangled participants to the plan) in April 2012.

Why I Love My Solar Power System

Posted on May 11,May 12, by gogreen

It all started when I was existing in Haiti in the early 1990’s. It was when a Coup that ousted President Aristide that the US administration infringed an exchange ban on Haiti blocking fuel supplies to the nation right around alternate things. The outcome was that they had a uncommon force emergency and we spent months without power. I went out and bought 12 solar boards from a neighborhood shipper for US $330ea, I even now had several 2000W inverters and 24 Deep Cycle Batteries. I introduced part of this supplies in my house and the alternate part in my office midtown. We had possibly a hour or a few of power each 4 to 5 days.

Well, I am able to enlighten you this much regarding the power supplied by my solar capacity framework both in my house and in my office:

In the first place, I unplugged the vast 2-entryway icebox that I had and acquired a little vigor-proficient freezer.

Second, I utilized a humble gas-powered generator I had that I just ran for about 30 to 45 moments a day unequivocally to pump up water from my underground 40,000 gal store to a little 300 gal unit on the top so I could probably take a shower by gravity. I should remind you that gas supplies were generally zero receivable to the ban. The expense for each gallon gotten to US$15 on the shady market.

Third, I altered every last trace of the brilliant light spheres to life saver bulbs.

Forward, I adapted my inclinations from viewing TV for quite some time to simply one hour a day, I turn the lights on just when required, I verified my electric storage devices never ran dry of refined water and that the links and terminals were perfect and tight. That would be every last trace of the support the solar capacity framework should run easily.

Fathom that I was just living off 6 solar boards. For cooking, we utilized gas stoves. Propane gas was not part of the ban for unmistakable explanations.

Now I don’t expertise to call this provided that its not FREE ENERGY.

I should make an additional side note being as how I know you’re pondering why I had inverters, generators and electric storage devices. Well its in light of the fact that in Haiti the capacity framework had constantly been problematic, so every person and each house has a generator, an inverter and a few electric storage devices. Moreover to that, I had my solar boards and this is where the divergence was. Following such a variety of days without capacity and no gas for the generators, all electric cells went dead and the majority of the burb was in complete haziness, so I was one of the few that had lights on all night until I chose to head over to doze.

I had the same situation in my midtown office where I would have done well to capacity a few workstations, some lights and a laser printer. Back then it was a 300W Apple Laserwriter, so I utilized a modest generator to turn it on, do my printing and afterward turn it once again off. The inverter was not associated to the capacity network whatsoever. The electric cells were once again being charged by the 12v solar boards through a charge controller then afterward changed over to 110VAC by the inverter so the PCs were never off.

This is a brand new case of FREE ENERGY.

Some individuals state that nothing is unlimited. I believe that just human made things are not unhindered; all items else is. You don’t see creatures in the woods pay for their sustenance.

Anyway, I trust this piece will open some individuals’ eyes on the huge conceivable outcomes of solar vigor. Recollect that the boards might be coupled to a windmill generator for additional capacity, and the synthesis might be particularly effective after the windmill can produce power day and night furnishing you exist in a proportionally windy domain.

Benefits of Installing Solar Shingles

Posted on May 10,May 12, by gogreen

Have you been mulling over establishing solar power to your constructing, but you categorically disdain the look and massiveness of photograph-voltaic boards elsewise reputed to be solar boards, than solar top shingles could be simply what you’ve searching for. Solar top tiles are shingles that capacity precisely like more extensive design solar boards.

Implication they utilize the same vigor changing over lands as solar boards to create power by utilizing solar photon beams to make DC, the DC or steer current is then transformed into AC, or rotating present for utilization within your home or work put.

The solar top tiles go in some contrasting shades, shapes, and sizes, and they are made to look much the same as universal top shingles, making them effortless to mix into an existing top.

In view of this they are a substantially more subtle and eye-satisfying bundle then a time honored solar board framework, and in addition offering the same profits of the uglier solar boards for example vastly let down capacity bills, and positive changes on nature’s turf.

This is regarded a win scenario by all records? When solar shingles first turned out on the business they were altogether unmanageable and were recognized particularly wasteful by today’s norms making conventional solar board’s by and by a preferable decision financially.

Nonetheless the making of revamped advances like flimsy-picture (CIGS) and the coming of revamped strategies of production the elective life industry have been ready to bring down the expense of solar tiles respectably, while making them more productive at processing force than ever heretofore.

The more current solar board top tiles are in addition a considerable touch less demanding to instate, remarkably decreasing the introduction time. Put in that the way that you try not to ought to contract a solar establishment team to establish the solar shingles owed to the built simplicity of establishment.

The solar board top tiles are likewise settled to the top such as conventional top shingles, in addition to the solar tiles are greatly strong and can stand up to anything a consistent top tile can, this denotes, torrential deluges, rapid winds, and savage winters, continuing to tick for 30 years in addition to.

An additional profit of commissioning solar top tiles is the way that you are fit to pitch added power to your capacity outfit, expanding your reserve funds all the more.

So as you would be able to see there are a considerable number of profits to establishing solar top tiles to your house or business, this is particularly poignant in the event that you are even now moving toward re-shingling your top.

Indians Will Have Power Generated From Wind, Hydro, Solar and Biomass Sources

Posted on May 9,May 9, by gogreen

The investment in renewable vigor is developing. Separated from the developing expositive expression flowing on green economy, the stimulus has hailed from Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, which has made the skeleton for the organization of 20,000 MW by 2022 in India-in several stages of five years every. The target of the mission is to raise the limit of lattice-joined solar capacity cycle to 1000 MW by 2013 and a more 3,000 MW by 2017 through the obligatory utilize of the renewable power buy commitment by utilities supported with a special tariff.

Even those companies which generated power through the use of coal are shifting their gear. A case in point is NTPC. It plans to venture into wind, hydro, solar and biomass sources. By 2017, India’s premium and largest power company expects to generate 1000 MW of capacity from renewable energy sources. An investment of INR 480 crore in 2010-11 has already been allocated in this sphere.

The renewable energy consultants observe that the growing concern for environment has made a company like NTPC to diversify into the green sector. On November 24, 2010, the power giant has signed an agreement with the Asian Development Bank and Kyuden of Japan to set up a joint venture company, which would form 500 MW renewable energy projects in the country.

“In an effort to reduce tariff for solar power, NTPC’s subsidiary NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited has picked 620 MW capacity of grid solar power projects in December 2010 through the mechanism of tariff discounting process,” says a renewable energy consultant. The selected applicants plans to set up projects of 505 MW capacity in Rajasthan, 65 MW in Andhra Pradesh, 20 MW in Gujarat, 10 MW in Karnataka and five MW each in Orissa, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has crafted a strategy to promote solar energy’s off-grid applications such as solar lanterns, home lights, other small capacity photovoltaic systems and solar water heating systems with a 30 percent capital subsidy and/or loan at five percent through NABARD. During 2010-11, NABARD has received Rs 35 crore to subsidise solar lighting systems to be dispersed through regional rural banks across India. The solar energy systems are directly marketed by the manufacturers and system integrators. Guidelines are set by the MNRE for purchase of such systems based on their performance.

Among India’s other companies, Tata Power, India’s oldest and largest private sector utility, plans to step-up its solar generated power capacity to 300 MW in the next five years. It commissioned recently a three-MW solar unit on the banks of the Mulshi lake, near Pune. The company at present produces 3200 MW across the country. “The majority of its future capacity setups are likely to come from the western Indian states of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan, as these places have abundance of sunlight and conducive policies,” says a renewable energy consultant. A 25-MW solar project in Mithapur in Gujarat is being implemented, which is expected to begin commercial operations in December 2011. Tata Power has also commissioned a one-MW grid-connected rooftop plant in Delhi.

In the renewable energy realm, India has large solar energy potential. It is estimated that about 5000 trillion kilo watt hours per year of energy is incident over the country’s land area, with most parts receiving 4-7 kWh per square a metre per day.