Solar Energy - New Discoveries And Conservation
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Facts about Solar Energy and Solar Power Plants
Unfortunately, only a tiny portion of it is harnessed and the world still relies on power plants that burn fossil fuels. The good thing, though, is that there is a constant increase in demand for solar energy; and over the years of continuous development, solar panels are much cheaper today.
During peak hours, the maximum power density that the sun can give is about 1kW per square meter. In other words, one square meter of solar panel can produce as much as 100 GWh (gigawatt hours) of electricity in one year. That is enough to power 50,000 houses.
If a solar power plant is build on 1% of the total land area of the Sahara desert, it will satisfy the world's energy requirement.
The efficiency of solar panels depends on several factors such as pollution, clouds, temperature and atmospheric humidity.
Solar power plants are very similar to other conventional power plants - with one significant difference: The majority of power plants draw their power from fossil fuels like oil, coal and gas.
When power plants burn fossil fuels, they produce greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Solar power plants or solar thermal power plants (or Concentrating Solar Power plants) utilize the power of the sun's rays to generate electricity.
The process could not be any simpler. The solar panels receive heat from the sun, which will be reflected to the receiver. The receiver converts into steam the concentrated solar energy. The steam is stored on tanks which will be used to turn the turbines and generate electricity.
The whole process does not involve any burning of any fossil fuels. Thus, solar power plants do not contribute to global warming.
The increase in the use of solar energy will bring down the demand for oil.
Today, there are more than 10,000 households with solar energy systems and the number is constantly increasing. If the demand for solar energy as well as other forms of alternative energy, the demand for oil will drop and the cost fuel will likely to follow.
Residential solar energy system can turn your electric meter backwards. Given that you are connected on a power-grid, the excess energy that your solar energy system produces will go to the electric lines to be used by other homes. As a result, any excess energy you give will be reflected on your bills. Your electric supplier will even pay for the electricity you supplied.
Residential solar energy system can save you money.
While the initial cash out for installing solar energy system at home is big, the device will pay for itself in the long run. Not only you will save money on solar energy system, you also help the environment by not contributing to carbon emissions.
Solar energy systems are reliable and can last for a very long time.
PV cells are last from 25 to 40 years. Many manufacturers of solar panels give 25 years product warranty. This is the assurance that solar panels are very dependable.
In addition, solar panels require little or no maintenance and the can be installed on most places where there is sunlight throughout the year.
Do you want to learn more from the experts?
Please take a minute to read more about this here, I think you will find this step-by-step video useful:
Earth 4 Energy
Lower Utility Bills by Ordering an Energy Audit
Some Audits Save you Money!
Energy AuditThere are many steps you can take to effectively lower your monthly utility bills. One option you can take is to get a home energy audit. The home energy audit is a step to evaluate the energy consumption in your household and determine the measures that you can take given the structures and materials you have in the house.
This will involve a comprehensive inventory of the household appliances that utilize electricity and water supply. Then each of these energy-consuming sources will then be checked on. The audit will reveal any problems that could possibly be in your system. This can also reveal the efficiency of the heating and cooling system installed in the house.
There should also be measures recommended to counter the problems and conserve the energy. Some problems can be repaired. Some will need immediate replacement. Others will even require professional services to bring about your desired results. An individual will do the energy auditing themself. However, there may be aspects that are beyond your basic knowledge. Expertise may even be required in other crucial areas. In this regard, it is best to get a professional energy auditor.
The professional energy auditor has extensive knowledge when it comes to mechanical or electrical aspects and energy consumption. They are also more capable of performing a thorough auditing of the household. They have in hand the crucial equipment like blower doors and infrared cameras to manage the hard-to-detect problems.
Order an Energy Audit from Your Local Utility Company
There are many auditing companies who will be willing to give their services to those who need it. You can canvass the market for such services and find a deal that will be within your budget. They can pore into every detail of your home to help you lower your utility bill.
However, you can also order an energy audit from your local utility company. Most of these companies will have a department to provide such services. It is best to seek their services. Ordering an energy audit from your local company will, of course, entail the usual check-up of your house. As such, it will be helpful if you know the things they check so you can prepare for the day of actual auditing.
They can first check for air leaks. They call these drafts. Energy can be saved by up to 30% every year if you are able to keep energy for leaking. The walls and ceiling junctures, floorings, baseboard and edges are normally inspected for such leaks. They can then proceed to other details in the house. The electrical outlets and switch plates are critical points. The auditor can also check on the window frames and possible stripping in your door. They must be in good condition and must have no cracks or gaps. The fireplace, attic and basement will also play a big role in determining some problems.
You can also make your own list for the problems you are currently encountering and let the auditor check the causes of your difficulty. Prepare also your energy bills for the past two years. This will help in evaluating the consumption. The auditor will also take into account the size of your house and the appliances you use. They will need to evaluate these factors in the way you use your appliances. Just be sure that someone is at home when the day designated for auditing comes.
Conclusion
Ordering an energy audit from a professional auditor or from your local utility company will help you a great deal. With lower utility bills, life will definitely be easier for you.
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.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.
Here is a Solar Energy resource for you to check out:
Solar Energy %u2013 The Future of Generating Energy for the Home
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.
What is your #1 Interest in Solar Energy?
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Saving Energy: Driving and Car Maintenance
More than two-thirds of the total oil consumption of U.S. goes to transportation - mainly in the form of gasoline.An average American consumes 500 gallons of gas annually. And with the unpredictable cost of fuel and the growing concern for the environment, saving energy by becoming a better driver and keeping your car properly maintained becomes a must. Consider the following tips to increase fuel efficiency and therefore, save energy%u2026
Proper Driving
Lighten up. Remove unnecessary things from your car. Extra weight consumes fuel.
Avoid idling. Driving 0 miles per hour doesn't mean that you don't consume fuel. A car engine that is running consumes fuel whether it is moving or not. Do not waste fuel by idling to preheat your engine. Once you start your engine, drive.
Turn off your engine if you are stuck on traffic. This makes hybrid cars so fuel efficient. Hybrid cars automatically shut off its engine when at full stop, eliminating the fuel consumption caused by idling.
Park, turn off your engine and eat inside the restaurant instead of going to a drive thru.
If your vehicle has cruise control feature, turn it on. Cruise control helps you maintain a constant speed and save on gas.
Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving, abrupt acceleration, speeding and hard braking lower your fuel efficiency by as much as 33% in the highway and 5% in the city.
Avoid high speeds. Fuel efficiency drops when you drive more than 60 mph.
If you are driving a car with manual transmission, shift to the highest drivable gear. High gear at low speed requires less pressure on the gas pedal compared to low gear at high revolution.
Calculate your breaking distance. Do not accelerate if you know that you have to slow down or go into full stop right away. Excessive breaking is the result of excessive acceleration. Avoid them both. Car air-conditioning system increases fuel consumption by as much as 15%. Turn it off whenever possible. Avoid using the roof rack. Instead, utilize the space of your trunk or the back of your car. Items on your rack produce drag and reduce fuel economy by as much as 5%. Maintain the manufacturer's recommended tire pressure.
If you can afford the cost, switch to hybrid cars. They have higher fuel economy than regular gasoline-engine vehicles. Also, hybrid cars have no- or low-emission rating which helps reduce carbon dioxide emission. Electric cars and other vehicles that run on alternative energy are better choices if you want to save on fuel and help the environment.
Fuel efficiency is maximized if the car is light, aerodynamic and has a small engine. So when you are considering buying a new car, you can take into account these 3 elements, which can be found on small cars and not on the gas-guzzling SUVs.
Car Maintenance
Replace or clean your air filters regularly. Clogged filters prevent air to enter the cylinder which results to poor car performance and more fuel consumption.
Keep your wheels properly aligned.
Subject your car to regular tune up, change oil and car maintenance checks to avoid fuel economy problems caused by dragging brakes, transmission problems, low transmission fluids or worn spark plug.
Try carpooling, telecommuting or public transit to reduce fuel consumption and maintenance cost.
Use the right type of oil for your car.
Saving energy begins at home and extends on the road. Make these things a habit to save cash, help the environment and extend the service of your car.
Saving Energy for Kids: Teaching Your Kids to be Energy Efficient
Saving energy and saving money should not be your sole responsibility as parents.Your kids must also learn to contribute in keeping the electric bills down. This way, your effort will not get wasted and at the same time, your kids will learn good values while growing up.
Because teaching your kids to be energy efficient requires some effort, here are easy to follow suggestions you can do:
Education
Teaching your kids the importance of saving energy should be your first goal. Take note that making them understand the value of being energy efficient is more effective than enumerating the ways to save energy and leaving it at that. Teach them how conserving energy helps the environment. Tell them stories or read educational books about the importance of energy.
Lead by example
You know very well that kids tend to follow what elders do. Practice what you preach. You may have listed and posted a litany of things-to-do to conserve energy but if you don't follow them yourself, you cannot expect your kids to follow it too. Do not just tell them to turn the lights off before leaving their room; show them by always turning the lights off every time you leave a room in your house. Education and leading by example are a good combination if you want to make good habits stick.
Make it fun
Find educational materials where your kids will learn the value of conserving energy as well as the ways on how to save it. Computer software, educational websites, books and television shows that educate and entertain kids would really make a difference on how well they will respond. This is especially applicable to kids from 5 to 10 years old.
Get your kids involved
Family activities should not limit to eating, playing and entertainment. Chores can also be a good way to bond with your kids. Manually wash the car, water the plants, clean the table, wash the dishes, clean the house etc. These are some of the things you can do with your kids while conserving energy.
Teach your kids according to their age.
Kids of different ages have different attitude on things around them. If your 5-year son doesn't know how to turn off the lights before leaving the room, all you need to do is to talk to him well about its importance and showing him that you practice what you teach.
Your 10-year old daughter may require different approach like showing her your electric bill and explaining to her that it will greatly help if she will change her bad habits. You are teaching your 5-year old good habits while you are teaching and emphasizing your 10-year old good habits and responsibility.
Same thing applies to kids of different ages. The point is, make sure that you teach your kids proper ways to conserve energy using an approach suited to their ages.
*Energy saving tips for kids.
1-Turn off the water while brushing your teeth.
2-Always turn the lights off before leaving the room.
3-Turn the computer off after use.
4-Do not hold the refrigerator open.
5-Unplug unnecessary appliance.
6-Use natural light if possible.
Saving energy is not so hard if your kids are involved. And just like any family activities you do, energy conservation should be fun, educational and driven by good motivation.
Facts About Solar Energy Bargains to check out
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Reader Feedback
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totalhealth Mar 20, 2009 @ 5:33 pm | delete
- great lens. there's a lot of good and useful information on solar energy.
5 stars for a well presented and comprehensive lens
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alvinhan
Mar 10, 2009 @ 7:04 am | delete
- Great comprehensive lens about solar energy. Good job!
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Rajays
Mar 8, 2009 @ 12:33 pm | delete
- Hi John, I love this lens. Learnt so much about solar energy. Very interesting and informative. You have done a great job in presenting the topic and making it interesting with good presentation. *****
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icreatecash
Mar 7, 2009 @ 9:04 pm | delete
- Great information, will read more up on it, like what I see so far to become more aware of the ecoonomy, thanks for writing it.
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