Solar And Wind 4 Me

I wouold "Google" that one. There are many companies that install the panels.

People who have become increasingly fed up with the rise in electricity prices in recent times have already switched their supplier to a cheaper alternative but there’s even more good news with some suppliers now prepared to pay for any surplus energy that a household generates itself which can then be sold back to a supplier.

DIY electricity generation is on the increase and there is estimated to be somewhere in the region of 80,000 households who are generating all or some of their own electricity supply in the UK by using rooftop wind turbines and smaller solar powered units. This figure is set to grow now that B&Q have also started selling these kinds of power generators.

To buy a typical wind turbine and have it installed costs around £3000. Larger systems which would enable you to generate enough electricity to sell some back to the supplier could run anywhere between £4000 to £18000 depending on the size. A cheap loan could lead you on the path to self-sufficiency when it comes to power generation and the Government are doing their bit also by offering grants and tax breaks for those who are keen to take up the cause.

Usually, a grant is only given providing that you have already ensured that your home is already as energy efficient as possible but if you qualify, the grant can cover up to 50% of the cost of installing solar panels and up to 30% for other equipment. If you don’t qualify, a cheap loan might be another alternative.

There is still a lot of debate over whether or not microgeneration of this kind will ultimately save you money in the long run. Set up costs aren’t cheap and it may be many years before you’re able to reap the savings benefits.

A meter is installed which works out how much energy you are using and how much is being sent back to the supplier so you can easily work out how much you can save on your energy bills. NPower and Powergen are currently the suppliers which pay you the most for any surplus energy you generate but other suppliers are also getting in on the act. And, even if you’re not generating enough power to have any surplus left over to sell back, you will still save on your energy bills. For example, a 1.4 kw wind turbine with an annual output of 2000 kwh could supply around 60% of the consumption of the average UK home which represents a saving of £200 a year.

Microgeneration isn’t a quick fix solution to the problems of rising electricity costs. However, for those who wish to take action in making the switch to a self-sufficient lifestyle and can afford to do so, the solutions are already out there and being taken up by those who view it as a long-term investment.

Nigel Cooper
http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/can-microgeneration-save-money-on-your-home-utilities-126734.html

I will like to make a solar panel at home. I know that they are not that expensive today but I thought it would be fun.

do a search at www.makezine.com for a photovoltaic cell you can make at home. You won’t get much voltage or current out of it, though, and it involves heating a piece of metal very hot so it could be dangerous - so the process is best done by an adult or under careful adult supervision.

These home made cells are not very efficient, and have no practical use, but it could make for a fun science project.

Many people are trying to cut down the amount of energy they use in the home these days. High energy prices have eaten into household budgets, and many people also want to do their bit to help prevent Climate Change. Everyone seems to be getting in on the act, with politicians installing solar panels and wind turbines on their houses.

However, you don’t have to invest in such expensive and sophisticated technology to make big savings on energy in the home. In fact you can save a large amount of money with some simple measures that are free, or else cost very little to do, with a very high return on your initial outlay.

You can start reducing your home energy consumption and your bills today with 10 simple actions:

1. Swap the 5 to 10 light bulbs that you use most with low energy bulbs. Low energy bulbs now cost only about 50p each, and can save up to £10 a year in electricity bills. Over its lifetime, a low energy bulb will save you £50-100 in electricity costs. It’s one of the best investments you can make. Plus always turn out lights when you leave the room

2. Don’t leave appliances like televisions and computers on standby and remember not to leave appliances like mobile phones on charge unnecessarily. Things let on standby are still using electricity, and could be using 10-20% of your electricity per year.

3. Turning your thermostat down by 1ºC could cut your heating bills by up to 10 per cent (or an average of £30). N.B. the recommended temperature for a living room is 21°C. And make sure you have set your thermostat to only heat your house when necessary, during the day when you are there. If you current heating controls don’t allow you to program this, consider replacing them

4. Fit a hot water jacket to your hot water cylinder that’s at least 75mm (3″) thick, and you could save around £20 a year. And it should cost only around £10 to do.

5. Make sure you are not overheating your hot water. Your cylinder thermostat should be set no higher than 60ºC/140ºF

6. Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows, making sure that they do not cover your radiator.

7. A dripping hot water tap wastes energy, so make sure they’re fully turned off and any leaking taps are quickly repaired

8. Use thick rugs with underlay on wooden floors to improve their insulation

9. Wash your clothes at no more than 40 degrees. All modern detergents are designed to clean successfully at 40°C and there is no need for a pre-wash. Washing at 65°C requires twice as much energy

10. Only fill your kettle with as much water as you need (but remember to cover the elements if you’re using an electric kettle)

You can also have other valuable energy saving home improvements done for free if you receive certain government benefits. These include loft and cavity wall insulation, and new central heating. Your energy supplier or one of the major national insulation companies should be able to tell you if you qualify for one of these.

So there you have it – you really can save a lot without having to invest a lot

Alex Perry
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/how-to-save-energy-in-your-home-on-a-shoestring-134493.html

A. The wind and sun are not constant, so there would be times when no electricity would be generated.
B. The wind and sun are constant, so there would be plenty of electricity for the home.
C. Wind and solar power are inefficient and too expensive to use and maintain.
D. Wind and solar power are efficient, but they are not able to produce enough electricity for a single home.

A is the best of your four, for your question, but since individual wind and solar power generate power to a battery, which is the direct source of power to your house, you can store up enough power to maintain your electrical usage, through the winter, power outages, and you can sell some access back to the Community Power Company.

If enough households demand an individual windmill and solar panel, the initial costs will come down to reasonable expense!!

Well placed landscape lights are an attractive addition to any home. With a wide variety of light styles to choose from, it is possible to find a set perfect for your home. In fact, there are so many types and styles of outdoor lights to choose from you may feel bewildered when you actually go to buy lights for your home. Here are some tips to help you choose the set best for you.

First, before you go to the store, you need to decide if you want to purchase solar lights or electric ones. Solar lights are great if the area in which you wish to place your lights gets lots of direct sunlight each day. These lights have solar panels which collect the sun’s energy during the day. At night, this stored power lights the bulbs and provides a soft light that will outline your walkways, flower beds, or whatever other lawn fixture you wish to light up.
Electric lights, on the other hand, are great for places in you yard that don’t get much direct sunlight. Electric lights will also provide brighter light than solar lights. Electric lights also don’t require much power, so they won’t run you electric bill up.

Next you’ll need to decide which features of your house or yard you want to illuminate with landscape lights. If you want to spotlight your house, or a particular feature on your house, you’ll want to purchase spotlights.

Position the lights after dark so that they will illuminate exactly what you want them to. If you want to light up the end of your driveway so people will know exactly where you live, you might think about carriage style lights. These lights are generally like a front porch light on a pole which you can place where ever you’d like.

If you want to light up a walkway, making it easier for guests to find their way after dark, choose lights specific for this purpose. These lights will generally have shields that send the light downward onto the path instead of upwards into the eyes of the people trying to enter your home. Pathway lights can be operated by use of a sensor that will cause them to turn on at dark and off at daybreak.

If you’d rather, you can also have your lights turned on and off by a timer. If you use a timer, you will know your lights will turn on and off at the same times everyday. Using a timer or sensor can also help save electricity.

Landscape lights are a great way to add more light to the outside of your house. These lights can help signal where your drive is, make it easier to find your walkway, or just spotlight the front of your house after dark. Beware; however, there are a variety of landscape lights, so when you go to buy your set it helps to have some idea what you want so you don’t get overwhelmed by the variety.

Riley Hendersen
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/tips-to-brighten-your-home-with-landscape-lights-137563.html

http://www.solarhome.org/solarpanelbrand_bpsolarpanels.html

I’m Sure I’d Need More Than One, So Should I Go For The Higher Watt Models Or Does It Really Matter.

try a company like travis perkins they deal with this sort off thing

A typical solar system will reduce the need for conventional water heating by about two-thirds. Often the plumbing from a solar heater connects to a houses existing water heater, which stays inactive as long as the water coming in is hot or hotter than the temperature setting on the indoor water heater. When it falls below this temperature, the homes water heater can kick in to make up the difference. Incorporating passive solar designs can reduce heating bills by as much as 50 percent. High-temperature solar water heaters can provide energy-efficient hot water and hot water heat for large commercial and industrial facilities.

Many large commercial buildings can use solar collectors to provide more than just hot water. Solar process heating systems can be used to heat these buildings. A solar ventilation system can be used in cold climates to preheat air as it enters a building. And the heat from a solar collector can even be used to provide energy for cooling a building. The Co-operative Insurance Building in Manchester has the largest commercial solar system in the UK. I think it looks very futuristic and cool!

You can generate electricity for a single building like the co-op but there is the potential in the future to generate enough power for a power plant. The author of a recent Christian Aid report, John McGhie, said that for $50bn (£26bn) the whole of sub-Saharan Africa could be turned into a solar-generated economy. And $50bn is exactly the same amount as the continent would have to pay on extra fuel bills from oil,” he said.

Electrical retailer Currys is about to add a new item to its usual array of washing machines and other white goods - solar panels. Currys is taking a risk as the solar panels will cost far more than anything else the store sells. They say it will cost the average three bedroom household about £9,000 to buy and install solar panels - compared to £16,000 in specialist stores. There are also grants available through the Low Carbon Buildings Programme.

What other solar gadgets can you buy?

Well, Sharp, the world’s number one solar cell producer, has just turned its hand to glass studded with LED lights and cells. Instead of generating enough electricity to run a home, it creates a psychedelic light show at night, powered entirely by the day’s sun.

You can also buy solar chargers for iPods and phones. Other recent outlandish additions include a solar-powered tent, scooter and LED house numbers, while mundane ones like bike lights, torches and radios have been around for years.

People can also use captured passive solar heat to cook food. A basic cooker consists of an insulated box with a glass top. Heat from concentrated sunlight gets trapped in the box and can be used to heat food enclosed in the box. These have not been very popular to date.

Davinos Greeno
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/solar-power-saves-on-electricity-bills-84454.html