Archive for July, 2010

Building Solar Panels for Energy

Recent studies have shown that more people are inclined to build solar panels for his or her home in order to not only save on energy costs, but also aid in the preservation of the environment. Solar panels are being constructed today that are easy to assemble and the actual cost overall is low. Once the panels are installed and being used its been proven they actually pay for themselves within a month or two. In fact, in some areas the power companies are paying residents a certain amount for the usage of extra power that comes from the solar panels too.

To build solar panels there are many options available for consumers today. Do it yourself guides are available as well as other means of information that includes designs, diagrams, as well as the materials needed to accomplish the task.

The kits that are now available via the Internet as well as in some home improvement stores have everything needed as far as being able to reduce your electric costs by up to 80%. And, the best part is, many of these kits are under one hundred dollars in overall cost too.

Essentially, solar panels are designed to use the sun’s natural energy to supply the same energy we all have used from our local electric or utility companies. With the assistance of the kits available, individuals have the ability to build solar panels for usually under $500.00 and the instructions to do so are simple enough that being a technical genius isn’t even part of the equation.

As time goes on, more people are realizing the amazing ease in how to build a solar panel because of these kits that are being introduced to the marketing industry. And, obviously the more people who choose to make a difference in the environment are having that “go green” affect on the next generation as well.

Using these kits allow individuals to design and create the exact type of solar panel to build and use.

In essence, there is nothing to lose and everything to gain when deciding to build your own solar panels for your home. Saving energy for the concerns of the environment and saving money at the same time gives the idea of how to build your own solar panels an entirely new concept and more people are doing it.

It is estimated that over the next decade nearly half of the homes in a town or urban city will have some type of solar energy being used.

pratibha
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/building-solar-panels-for-energy-672986.html

A solar water fountain could become the highlight of your entire landscape. Some people plant bedding flowers and flowering shrubs and perennials to beautify their gardens. A solar fountain will make an interesting feature to your garden or patio décor simply, easily and inexpensively.

If you have hesitated about buying a garden water fountain before, the benefits of solar power will quickly change your mind.

•    There are no running costs – No mains electricity or batteries to buy
•    No installation costs – Are easy to install for all skill levels
•    Eco-friendly – do not use non-renewable fossil fuels
•    Can be placed anywhere – user-friendly and easy to set up
•    Inexpensive and last for years

When you purchase your solar water fountain, it will be a self-contained unit. You may buy a direct power kit but you will probably want to go with the power pack. The power pack has the advantage of absorbing the suns rays then storing that energy for continued usage, day or night. You can take advantage of the fountain even when the sun goes down for those evening garden parties or poolside parties.

Because you are not using mains power, you are not contributing to the depletion of the Earth’s resources. There are no holes to dig, no electric cables to install and no dry cell batteries to buy. You do not have to worry about hooking them up to a power source to make them run. Solar fountains and solar water pumps require no power source and so can be installed anywhere. Find a nice spot in your garden where your fountain will have maximum impact

Setting up a solar water fountain is an easy project even for the most novice DIY person and you will have your fountain up and running in no time. Just add water.

Solar powered water fountains are comparatively inexpensive and will last for years. Even when you redesign your landscape, the fountain can be incorporated in a different area of the garden and continue to run effortlessly.

Solar water fountains will enhance the beauty of your garden or patio.

Solar fountains run off the energy of the sun and are quickly becoming very popular.

Solar fountains are extremely friendly to the environment. They don’t require any external power source so they don’t increase the demand for electricity from polluting coal or natural gas electric plants. Solar fountains are the organic way to enhance the ambience of your garden. Few sounds are as pleasing as the slow murmur of cascading water.

Outdoor water fountains come in all sorts of designs, from those with cascading waterfalls to those that include a birdbath pool, to those that spout jets of water into the air, to decorative wall fountains. serenityhealth.com has a great selection of solar water fountains available in many different styles for use landscapes and in ponds.

There is a large range to choose from, depending on the style you’re after for your garden’s new image. Make the solar fountain the centerpiece of your garden or simply use them as accents, to increase your gardens overall beauty.

Solar fountains are a great addition to a water feature. Take advantage of their benefits.

Ian Patterson
http://www.articlesbase.com/landscaping-articles/five-reasons-why-solar-power-is-right-for-your-water-fountain-711261.html

 

Homemade Solar panels are becoming an increasingly popular project for the householder to undertake in order to alleviate the financial pressures the power bill brings, as well as giving a helping hand to the environment around us.

Until recently how to make a solar panel was a process thought by most people to be only undertaken by experts in the area. Fortunately this is nonsense, solar power panels can easily be built by the average handy person with materials you can get from your local hardware store for around $200.

Quite  a few companies are now producing and promoting their own “how to make a solar panel” guide. These guides to homemade solar panels, retail for about $40 – $60 and are primarily available online via digital download.

Having purchased three of these guides and built my own solar panels I found they are comprised of a simple, easy to follow illustrated step by step hand book, often complimented by videos which show you very clearly what items you need to assemble and how to put together your homemade solar panels and install them on or around your house.

Once you put your “how to make solar panel” guide into practice you will soon reap the benefits, particularly financially. I estimate I have slashed over 70% from my power bill, when you package this with the ability to use power more liberally and maintain power during power outages, whether you choose to become totally dependent on solar or just wish to supplement your power needs, it makes sense for every household to have their own system.

The major attraction of homemade solar panels is it allows you to take full advantage of the suns power, a renewable and environmentally clean source of energy and best of all its free!. Imagine no more exorbitant power bills, whether you choose to become totally dependent on solar power or simply use it to supplement power from your power company, you can be free to use as much as you wish.

Visit the following link for more information on How to Make a Solar Panel – Homemade Solar Panels

If your serious about saving money on your energy bill and you want to do your bit for the environment, check out the following link DIY Solar Power Kits reviewed

Jon Elsdon
http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/how-to-make-a-solar-panel-homemade-solar-panels-741098.html

A solar collector is a device which is essential to any solar heating system. It gathers the sun’s energy, converts it into heat, and then transfers the heat into water, air, or solar fluid. This device is mainly used in water heating systems, pool heaters, and space heating systems.

The amount of solar energy which strikes the earth’s surface in any given area depends on the location and weather conditions. But it averages out to around 1,000 watts per square meter, under good weather conditions, when the surface of the earth is perpendicular to the sun?s rays. To fully harness this energy, the solar collectors need to be positioned properly.

Types of Solar Collectors

There are three basic types of solar collectors.

The first type is the flat-plate collector. This is the most common type, and is used in homes for water and space heating systems. It usually consists of an insulated metal box, with a plastic or glass cover, and a dark absorber plate. It can be used to heat air or to heat liquid, at temperatures lower than 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

Then there?s the liquid flat-plate collector. It works by heating liquid as it flows through tubes that are adjacent to the absorber plate. The simplest liquid systems would use potable water which is heated as it passes through the collector and then flows back into the building. Some solar pool heaters use this type as well.

Finally, there is the air flat-plate collector, which is commonly used to heat air. In this case, the absorber plates can be made from either metal sheets, or from layers of screen. The air would be passed through the absorber by the use of a fan, or by natural convection. It should be noted that less heat is conducted by air than by water. This method is thus probably the least is least effective, amongst the different types of solar collectors.

Positioning

Solar collectors can be placed on the roof, but they must face the sun. If you?re in the southern hemisphere, it should be placed on a north-facing roof, while the opposite is true for those living in the northern hemisphere.

In a very sunny location, sunny, a 2 to 10 square-meter array might suffice to provide hot water for a standard-sized family home.

Due to the fact that space and water heating eats up most of the energy consumption of the household, utilizing a system such as this is an important factor in maintaining sustainable housing. Financially, if you are looking to invest in solar power for your home, the installation of a solar water heating system is usually the best way to start, as the investment-to-savings ratio is usually best with solar water heaters. This would of course have to be researched independently, for your living circumstances and location.

Anna
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/how-a-solar-collector-helps-save-energy-in-your-home-741987.html

Solar Power Electricity:

Solar power electricity can also be called as solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. It strikes into the same abundant and free energy resource as solar thermal technology. PV cells consist of semiconductor materials that convert sunlight into electrical energy thorough the photovoltaic process. On their own, the voltage and current level produced by individual cells are not particularly useful, but when many cells are connected together to form modules (panels), more practical energy can be produced. We call this energy as Solar Power electricity.

Various materials and technologies exist for solar power electricity, all have their own specific characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, and lot of it varies from consumer to consumer based on their preference and requirement. Despite the fact that they cost more than the other renewable energy sources, they actually offset the most expensive energy bought and used in home electricity. Beside the rise up of electricity prices solar power electricity has become more attractive more domestic consumers.

Solar power electricity lacks any mechanical components, it is silent in operation and highly reliable. It has no moving parts so it works perfectly well without any need for maintenance. The modular nature of PV allows for system design and rating to be amended at any time easily. Additionally, PV can be integrated into the fabric of the building as well as being mounted on the roof, or into a specially design frame. PV produces on-site electricity, bypass all the losses associated with electrical transmission over the national grid and saves hundreds of kilograms of carbon emissions per year in the process.

A well designed system in a suitable location should produce between 700 and 850 kWh of electricity per year. Solar power electricity system of 1.5 and 2.5kWp could generate fifty percent of the electricity requirements for an average home. This adds to its attraction because this is the world of less expenditure and more production, and merely Solar Power Electricity totally satisfies the need of the day.

pratibha
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/solar-power-electricity-678184.html