Solar And Wind 4 Me

I was trying to look online for solar panels for my home to take some of the strain off of using oil and electricity but I find it very hard to understand exactly how they are used.
Like one that I looked up is 100 watts…..is that like a light bulb watt? How many things can that power?
Is it really cheaper in the long run because the panels are very expensive?
If anyone has web sites that can explain this to me I would appreciate a link, or anyone to answer part of my question.

There are two types of devices that collect energy from the sun:

Solar photovoltaic modules use solar cells to convert light from the sun into electricity.

Solar thermal collectors use the sun’s energy to heat water or another fluid such as oil or antifreeze

There is only a one time cost to installing solar panels.
The way to get the most for your money is, really to have them installed at the time of the home being built.
You have to figure, over-time, how long it will take regarding the cost of the solar panels vs the cost of your energy now.

Green homes are the trend these days. In a world where people are fast using up the earth’s natural resources and irreversibly so, green buildings have gained importance in the real estate industry. Green building techniques include the use of building materials that are renewable and locally available. Green homes protect the environment, control energy costs and may serve as affordable housing. Today more and more builders are focusing on building green homes as these structures are proving to be profitable investments.

Many people believe that building green homes is a social and environmental responsibility and should be promoted by not just governmental authorities, but also by builders, developers and real estate professionals. Green homes save money and maintenance and are healthier to live in.

Building a green home is not complicated as one would think. The National Association of Home Builders has listed guidelines for building green homes that are very useful for home builders. The guidelines include an easy-to-use checklist that builders can follow during the construction process. With local home building associations creating regionally appropriate green building programs, the concept of ‘green homes’ is taking off among home builders.

Some people believe that building green homes involves a lot of money, at least more than conventional homes do. On the contrary, experienced green home builders say that building a green home is not as expensive as it is hyped to be. Custom builders can build green properties at the same costs it takes to build conventional homes because green building materials are now readily available and cost efficient. Green products such as user-friendly insulation, chemically neutral paints and flooring, natural landscaping products, compact fluorescent bulbs, solar roof panels, etc. are all readily available. Because most green products are energy efficient, installing them helps the home owner save a lot of money that otherwise would go toward footing a home’s utility bills.

Environmental consultant David Johnson in his book “Building Green in a Black and White World” provides extensive survey information on home buyers’ preference of green homes. One national survey puts the percentage of the market that is open to and interested in green buildings at a whopping 50%. This is proof enough for the growing popularity and demand for green homes. Builders can join their local green building programs to take advantage of this growing market segment. Home buyers can opt for green homes, which are energy efficient, environmentally friendly, durable and cost efficient.

Rakesh Lall
http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/why-buy-a-green-home-or-condo-85120.html

I have been studying the possibility of using solar electricity for home use. I have no idea of how it works, thanks.
If i have to go into solar business what do i need to do in order to convince the prospective buyers. There is so much lack of awareness.

Don’t go into a business you know NOTHING about!
Solar power is DC so most home apliances won’t work. The panels are used to charge a battery bank and the batteries provide the power. it can be done but effectively you would need to rewire your house to work like a camper van or a yacht! Contact me directly if you are
a. serious
b. knowledgable

Over recent years, many scientists have been designing new and expensive technologies with the aim to save the earth, or reduce the effects from global warming. One of these ideas lies in a concept of giant solar shades.

Much like ordinary sunglasses you place over your eyes in bright sunshine, the solar shades in question block out some of the suns harmful rays, only with one major difference. These shades will rest a million miles above our heads.

The logic behind this invention is to provide the global population with one giant sunshade consisting of 16 trillion outer space solar shades. These solar shades are super thin and lightweight glass discs which act like a lens on your average sunglasses to divert the suns rays.

Dr. Roger Angel (the brains behind the glass optics) is one of the worlds most renowned experts in the field of glass optics. He is responsible for designing the mirrors on telescopes, and believes glass could the answer to solving global warming.

It is predicted that only 2% of the suns rays need to be diverted in order to save the planet from increased global warming. The solar shades will have to cover a distance of 100,000km in width. The proposed area for the solar shades to orbit at is known as the “L1 point”. This is the point of zero gravity between the sun and the earth.

The solar optics will have tiny solar panels attached which can act as rudders to provide a gliding ability for the optics to change direction if needed.

A huge problem associated with this invention will be the process of transporting these solar optics into space. Dr. Angel has calculated the total weight of the tiny sunshades to be around 20 million tonnes. Presuming if this method is chosen to save the world, and the space shuttle is still the best space exploration vehicle, it will take 870,000 trips into space to deliver the entire solar shade as the space shuttles cargo weight can be only 23 tonnes a go.

There are currently four other extraordinary ideas in play, competing against this one to be the saviour of our home on earth, it will be interesting to see whether any of these will ever make it to the production stage.

We need to look after our environment, and the use of natural energy (such as solar electricity) should be our first focus, along with any reduction of our fossil fuel intake and carbon emissions.

http://www.clean-energy-ideas.com

James Bratley
http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/outer-space-sunglasses-save-the-earth-through-a-solar-lens-120794.html

Is it really possible for me living in Denver to build and install and setup my own solar panel to help make electricity for my home?

It’s possible, but not as easy or cost-effective as the sites selling information suggest.

You can build your own solar panels from individual cells or broken cells. Possibly you would end up with a panel that costs less than a commercial one, but it would not have the UL safety certification, and thus would not legally be allowed to be connected to the grid in any place that I know. So you would have to go with charging a battery, and that alone doubles the cost of the system. It could be a fun and educational thing to do, but would not be a money saver.

You could also build a solar water heater - plans and videos abound on the web. However, Denver gets hard freezes in winter, so you would need to drain your home built system during those months. There are solar water heaters designed to take sustained freezing temperatures, but unless you’re an engineer, that type would be really hard to make.

The site http://www.nlcpr.com/Deceptions6.php has something to say about various scams, including solar.

These days we are experiencing a growing awareness to the fact that our energy resources, as they have been used in the last few years, are probably not going to last for long and that the energy markets are exposed to more and more rapid changes, some due to political reasons and others because of the changing climate of the planet.
Solar energy is a renewable free source of energy which is sustainable as it is not inexhaustible, unlike fossil fuels which are finite. It is also a non-polluting source of energy and it does not emit any greenhouse gases when producing electricity. The solar electricity that is produced can supplement your entire or partial energy consumption. Using solar energy means reducing your energy bills and saving money. Also having solar PV panels adds value to your home, they are low maintenance and unobtrusive. Germany is the global leader for solar-generated electricity.
Why choose solar energy?
Australia is the luckiest country in the world. Our geography gives us the opportunity to use the most natural, sustainable and clean energy in our homes – the energy from the sun.

Solar thermal applications are the most widely used category of solar energy technology. These technologies use heat from the sun for water and space heating, ventilation, and many other applications.
Solar energy is not a new concept, it has been properly introduced to the global public many years ago and successfully implemented in different parts of the world in different ways, so we can say that solar energy is known to most people, but it is still not as popular as it should be, as a cheap replacement for other sources of energy. The energy of the sun, from its direct sun rays that are projected directly at the earth or by giant wind turbines are free fro us to use, to manipulate for our needs, and this can be done by almost anyone in any place, it just needs to technology and the know-how.

Energy Matters
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/solar-energy-a-reliable-and-practical-source-418757.html

hey, i am wanting to help our earth a little bit, and I was wondering how to do a solar panel connection for powering my home…. i just want to reduce my energy bill a little bit,

Would these solar panels work?
and how would i connect them?

http://store.altenergystore.com/Solar-Electric-Panels/Roofing-Solar-Panels/Unisolar-PVL-136T-136W-24V-Thinfilm-Rooflaminate/p4087/

(i live in st. louis, MO)

General Information
The installation of solar modules (panels) requires a great degree of skill and should (if DC voltage exceeds 100V:) only be performed by a qualified licensed professional.

Cautions
1. Avoid electrical hazards when installing, wiring, operating and maintaining the module.

2. A photovoltaic module generates DC electricity when exposed to sunlight or other light sources.

3. When installing or working with module wiring, cover module face completely with opaque material to halt production of electricity.

4. It is recommended that the module remains packed in the box until time of installation.

5. Do not touch terminals while module is exposed to light or during installation. Provide suitable guards to prevent contact with 30VDC or greater. As an added precaution, use properly insulated tools only.

6. Do not drop module or allow objects to fall on the module.

7. Do not stand or step on module.

8. Since sparks may be produced, do not install module where flammable gases or vapors are present.

9. Never leave a module unsupported or unsecured. If a module should fall, the glass can break. A module with broken glass cannot be repaired and must not be used.

10. Work only under dry conditions, with dry module and tools.

11.Module installation and operation should be performed by qualified personnel only. Children should not be allowed near the solar electric installation.

12. If not otherwise specified, it is recommended that requirements of the latest local, national or regional electric codes be followed.

13. Use module for its intended function only.

14. Do not artificially concentrate sunlight on the module.

15. The word "module" as used in this Guide refers to one or more photovoltaic modules (panels).

Warning
1. All instructions should be read and understood before attempting to install, wire, operate and maintain the photovoltaic module. Contact with electrically active parts of the module such as terminals can result in burns, sparks, and lethal shock whether the module is connected or disconnected.

2. Photovoltaic modules produce electricity when sunlight or other sources illuminate the front face. The voltage from a single module is not considered a shock hazard. When modules are connected in series, voltages are additive. When modules are connected in parallel, current is additive. Consequently, a multi-module system can produce high voltages and current which constitute an increased hazard.

With the hight cost of electricity continuing it rise without any guilt of raping the pocket of consumers or any conscious effort to change the direction of its output to clean up the environment and help restore Natures healthy balance people have started looking into and implementing renewable solar systems to cut their cost of power. Solar energy comes in many packages with solar panels that utilize the suns energy, wind turbines that use natures wind resource to produce an abundance of renewable electricity, and an excellent source for power if you live near a stream, water based systems to produce power.

 

If you are looking to reduce the cost of electricity look no further. Home Made Renewable Solar Energy is one of the best and most reliable renewable energy sources available. The most cost-effective  way to take advantage of the power of the sun is to build solar panels on your own. So, the question is: Do you want to say goodbye to electric bills and say hello to renewable energies? It is not difficult to change the direction of relying on your power company and simply become a do-it-your-selfer. It is easy enough for kids, teens, and yes adults. The parts can be aquired at your local hardware store or you can purchase a solar kit, that incldes all the parts required to be generating your own energy from the sun. Several small solar panels will power up small appliances or  small tools in ;your workshop. Or for the very adventurous and determined alternative energy seeker, you can build solar panels to service a much larger electric load.

 

Many resources and guides are available  with detailed instructions. Not only will building your own power source but you can also feel proud that you are doing your part for the environment as well. Declaring your independence from fossil fuels andmaking a much needed impact on the owrld and in your neighborhood is such a wonderful contribution to planet earth. Mother Nature will thank you for taking advantage of her natural resources. Make the choice to go solar sun, solar wind today, it is dollars in your pocket.

Solar Energy">To a Better Way Of Life!

Dale McAdoo
http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/solar-renewable-engery-you-can-build-your-own-690499.html

Hello,
I want to install solar panels on my roof. We get PLENTY of sun light here in florida. So we were wondering about how much would it cost to have them installed? are atleast how much for the setup because I have friends that offered to install them there Air Force Electricians so it shouldn’t be a problem. I’m not wanting to run the who house on Solar Power just help cut the bill cost. So could you give me some Ideas?

Some ideas. Hmm, I came across a great site that offers a lot of good information about solar energy and the installation of it, including links to applicable government sites and related sites that offer great grants/tax credits, etc. Check it out, I’m sure it’s worth it:

http://yourhandymanzone.com/Your_Handyman_Zone_How_To_Pages_Home_Improvement_Zone_Alternative_Energy_Systems.htm