Solar power is one of the cleanest ways to produce energy. The solar panels simply convert the energy of the sun into the energy we can use – with no negative impact on the environment and no production of harmful byproducts. When used for residential purposes, solar power can provide hot water, warm pools, and overall heating. We can also get energy for cooking. Though installation of solar power equipment for residential purposes requires a bit of investment, it pays back over a short period of time.
The benefit of solar power systems is that they can be installed to complement the conventional power systems we have in our homes. During the times of extreme heat or cold, the solar power heating and cooling systems can be supplemented with the conventional heating and cooling systems. If your residential home is supplied by solar power that covers only 50% to 70% of your power needs, the savings are substantial, over a period of time.
Using Professional Help
Depending on the type of solar power chosen, a DIY-er can easily install a home water heating system for around $200. You can opt for systems that can store power in batteries. The stored power can be used later for heating, cooling, cooking, lighting and such other uses. Many DIY-ers are quite creative and use re-cycled materials to set up their own solar power generating systems. This comes at a reduced cost.
However, building your own solar power panels, using re-cycled materials, from online designs carry no guarantee or warranty against performance. Commercially available solar panels, which you choose to install yourself to save money, will still be covered by a warranty.
In case you are all thumbs, you can always use the services of a qualified and licensed professional contractor to set up a solar power system for your residential home. This will, of course, cost more than doing it yourself. THe truth is, it's quite a simple and fun project to take on.
Most people, who install solar power in their residential homes, do it to heat water for their pools. Normally, large roof top arrays of solar photovoltaic panels are installed to heat pool water and provide heated water for other household needs.
ADDED BONUS!
Some states even offer rebates, and tax credits. If your solar power system generates more electricity than you can use, it can be fed back into the local power grid and your account credited! Imagine that.. you get paid by the power companies instead of the other way around.
As you can see, the advantages of solar power, by far, out pace its disadvantages. Check out my home solar power review to learn how you can take advantage of solar power for your home.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Top 5 Alternative Fuel Sources
There are many different types of alternative fuels that can be used these days although not all of them have made it to the mass market yet. Some might never make it based on integration and feasibility problems, but the fact that they could be used means perhaps with testing and research they could be made into viable solutions.
One of the first alternative energy sources for vehicles was electricity. Just plug your car in at home and you can then drive around for a set amount per battery charge. It works for remote controlled cars so why not for their larger counterparts? Unfortunately battery technology for such large vehicles has been slow in coming. The average car powered by electricity only get a couple hours per charge and incompatibility with the average three prong outlet caused further concerns. It’s still being worked on, so maybe some day it will be in mass production.
Next on the alternative fuel list is the electric/gasoline hybrid engine. Using gasoline to fuel the car part of the time and the electric batter the rest of the time gives a nice midway alternative while other technology is explored. At certain speeds the electric motor automatically takes over and is recharged when the car's brakes are used. It is not a permanent solution though since it still uses some gasoline, although significantly less than a normal combustion engine.
Another currently popular fuel is biodiesel. Biodiesel uses vegetable oil as an alternative energy source in a diesel engine, with some changes of course. Since vegetable oil isn't produced from petroleum oil it’s a better choice in the long run, but it does make your car smell like a French fry. There is also the issue of having to refine the oil, especially if you pick it up used from a restaurant. Particulates, just like in gasoline, need to be filtered out and adds cost to the maintenance of this alternative fuel program.
Ethanol is another alternative fuel being looked into by the US government. So much so that they are offering encouragement for farmers to plant corn to create the ethanol, which has recently been linked to rising food costs using wheat which has declined in the amount planted since corn pays better. However adding another pump at a filling station seems unlikely to go over well. It would require costly excavation for the tank and lines, which would render the station unable to benefit from regular fuel sales.
Another alternative fuel source is the water fuel cell. Based on the electrolysis of water into its main components of hydrogen and oxygen it is a very promising alternative. Water is to be had cheaply all over the world and can be filtered easily to create a suitable fuel for a hydrogen fuel cell. Also unlike the other alternative fuels its only byproduct is water vapor, hardly a environmental concern over greenhouse gases and other carbon based pollutants from combustion. Hydrogen fuel cell conversion kits can be had pretty inexpensively as well making it an ideal alternative fuel.
To read more on water for gas technology and your FREE GUIDE to saving tons at the pumps come check us out at www.DesignsByOrion.com.
One of the first alternative energy sources for vehicles was electricity. Just plug your car in at home and you can then drive around for a set amount per battery charge. It works for remote controlled cars so why not for their larger counterparts? Unfortunately battery technology for such large vehicles has been slow in coming. The average car powered by electricity only get a couple hours per charge and incompatibility with the average three prong outlet caused further concerns. It’s still being worked on, so maybe some day it will be in mass production.
Next on the alternative fuel list is the electric/gasoline hybrid engine. Using gasoline to fuel the car part of the time and the electric batter the rest of the time gives a nice midway alternative while other technology is explored. At certain speeds the electric motor automatically takes over and is recharged when the car's brakes are used. It is not a permanent solution though since it still uses some gasoline, although significantly less than a normal combustion engine.
Another currently popular fuel is biodiesel. Biodiesel uses vegetable oil as an alternative energy source in a diesel engine, with some changes of course. Since vegetable oil isn't produced from petroleum oil it’s a better choice in the long run, but it does make your car smell like a French fry. There is also the issue of having to refine the oil, especially if you pick it up used from a restaurant. Particulates, just like in gasoline, need to be filtered out and adds cost to the maintenance of this alternative fuel program.
Ethanol is another alternative fuel being looked into by the US government. So much so that they are offering encouragement for farmers to plant corn to create the ethanol, which has recently been linked to rising food costs using wheat which has declined in the amount planted since corn pays better. However adding another pump at a filling station seems unlikely to go over well. It would require costly excavation for the tank and lines, which would render the station unable to benefit from regular fuel sales.
Another alternative fuel source is the water fuel cell. Based on the electrolysis of water into its main components of hydrogen and oxygen it is a very promising alternative. Water is to be had cheaply all over the world and can be filtered easily to create a suitable fuel for a hydrogen fuel cell. Also unlike the other alternative fuels its only byproduct is water vapor, hardly a environmental concern over greenhouse gases and other carbon based pollutants from combustion. Hydrogen fuel cell conversion kits can be had pretty inexpensively as well making it an ideal alternative fuel.
To read more on water for gas technology and your FREE GUIDE to saving tons at the pumps come check us out at www.DesignsByOrion.com.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Hello
Hello? I'm not sure if this is getting out to anyone. Is anyone reading this? Drop me a quick not to say if you stumble upon it and I'll be sure to keep you up to date.
Cheers,
Chris
Cheers,
Chris
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Welcome to the Environmental Conditions blog
Hi,
Welcome to my blog on the changing environmental conditions.
Here I will be posting new articles, pictures and general comments on the every world conditions.
See you soon...
Chris
Welcome to my blog on the changing environmental conditions.
Here I will be posting new articles, pictures and general comments on the every world conditions.
See you soon...
Chris
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