Science Horizons

I am sure you have heard a lot about all guides out there that promise to show you step-by-step how to make your own home solar panels and wind generator. One of those guides happens to be “Make Natural Power”. But does it live up to its claims? And is it the your best option? Here is my experience with the guide.

The only thing I liked about Make Natural Power was its cover. Everything else was completely useless. On the outside it looked like it had all the features, but the advice was very limited and not that helpful.

Good Aspects:

You will be able to build a solar and wind power system, but it will take you a very long time, unless you have great technical skills.

Dislikes

* Poor drawings

Not only were the diagrams for both the solar and wind power instructions boring and dull, but they were badly labeled and and not even to scale.

* Useless solar power

The instructions were not easy to follow, and the illustrations did not help either. Because of this, the reader is required to figure things out on their own, resulting in a useless solar panel system, if it ever get finished.

* Incomplete maintenance instructions

Although we managed to build a working wind turbine, it only lasted for about 2 months until it completely seized. It turns out the the maintenance instructions forgot to show us how to weather-proof the wind turbine properly.

* Customer support is really slow

A lot of the time we had to contact customer service for assistance. But they were very slow to respond, and by the time they did reply we had either forgotten what the problem or had figured it out ourselves. On average, it will take over 5 days to get the answers you need.

Conclusion

Make Natural Power at home was obviously created by someone trying to copy Earth4Energy, and it shows in the guide. It was badly written, incomplete, and an absolute waste of our time.

Tim McDonald recommends you rather try Earth4Energy for FREE, if you want to build a quality DIY Renewable Energy system and actually reduce your electricity bill.

Tim McDonald Home Improvement alternative energy, Environment, hobby, home improvement, lighting, make natural power, men, Money Saving Tips, renewable energy, society, solar energy, solar power, Technology, wind power

Admittedly, the immense popularity of solar power nowadays is largely due to the fact that it can save money on your monthly utility bills, although of course this is not the only reason why more and more people are turning towards solar power.

Knowing these reasons can help you see why so many people are choosing to use this type of power for their homes. Here are the reasons why residential solar power is so popular.

One: One of the reasons that residential solar power is a good idea for a lot of people is because once you get it installed, it is pretty much maintenance free. This means that the upkeep of your solar power will be very low.

Two: It’s a well known fact that solar panels rarely need to be replaced because generally speaking, they have a long life span.

Three: Solar panels are made in all different shapes and sizes, which means that no matter what your homes design is, you can pretty much install solar power almost anywhere.

Four: Solar power in recent years has seen great strides, which means that it is becoming more affordable for everyone. Gas and oil prices continue to rise, so more and more people are turning to residential solar power to help them save money.

Let’s face it; the sun can provide us with an endless supply of energy and this energy can then be converted to electrical power thanks to modern technology. Of course this is by far a cheaper and more cost effective way of powering our homes.

While the reasons listed above are for the most part, the most important reasons for most people, they are certainly not the only reasons why solar power has become so popular. Of course, while it does pay to be familiar with these reasons, one also needs to take some other factors into consideration.

First of all, one needs to take into consideration whether of not there is sufficient sunlight. In other words, if you live in an area with a high annual rainfall, or if your house is built in an area where there is much shade, then perhaps solar power may not be the right choice for you.

Considering that the efficiency of a solar power depends almost entirely on how much sunlight the house receives, its vital that you take the weather into consideration.

Two: You have to take into consideration your local ordinances. There are some cities that will not allow you to use solar power. So, check with your neighbors and check the laws regarding this before you decide to use residential solar power.

These are the most important factors to take into consideration before deciding to use residential solar power for your home. Now that you know the reasons that so many people are using solar power and the important factors to consider, you can make an informed decision about whether this is the best choice for you. It is for a lot of people, but not for everyone.

Ileana Limon Environment alternative energy, Environment, green energy, home improvement, photovoltaic solar panels, solar battery, solar cells, solar electric systems, solar energy, solar heating systems, solar kits, solar panel installation, solar roof, solar water heater

Now a days everyone is talking about the environment. From global warming to conservation, many are looking for ways to save the Earth essentially. Some have found a huge equalizer with solar electrical panels.

These incredible pieces of silicon can literally transform radiation from sunlight into usable energy to power our electrical needs. The silicon panel itself is made up of several solar cells, that, when exposed to sunlight reacts in a very powerful way.

Photons strike off the surface of the silicon panel, which produces a very formidable force. This force pushes electrons in their fields out of their orbits and out into free space. The solar cells on the panel direct the electrons into one direct path with each other resulting in a current that, through similar cables and structures as regular methods, makes its way inside to where it is needed.

Why solar energy? When posed with the current state of our ozone, many folks are thinking “green” and coming up with truly inventive ways to change how things have been done for a very long time. Coal energy is still one of the most used resources to provide electricity, and to some, it stands to be the most destructive as well. There is no argument that the current methods (with the exception of wind and solar power) for attaining consistent electricity have very damaging effects on the environment.

You might ask: “Is solar energy something I should be considering?” And for some the answer may be yes. It really lies in your level of commitment to this renewable resource and the pros of owning your own system. It also beats trying to harness wind energy by setting up a giant windmill in your front yard.

But make no mistake about it, solar energy is not cheaper than nuclear and coal provided electricity. It’s not cheaper for right now anyway. For instance, in California the average cost of conventional electric has gone up by 6% annually for the past few years. Solar energy, in many cases involves only the initial start up to install and pay for the equipment. It has been stated for the average 3-bedroom home will require a system that could range from thirteen to twenty seven thousand dollars to set up. This does not include rebates several states are offering.

So it’s safe to say those who have taken on solar panels for their energy requirements have more passion to change the effects on the environment than saving that money in their bank.

Solar electrical panels are conduits for individuals to help the environment and release their dependence on environment damaging norms for their electricity needs. While it may require a little more start up to install and maintain, the overall pros of solar energy greatly outweigh the cons. So what’s stopping you?

Richard Hardy Home construction, energy efficiency, green building, Home, home improvement, home repair, home repairs, solar energy, solar power

As the world reaches its energy crisis we need to reduce our dependence on non-renewable energy sources, and start generating renewable energy on a massive scale.

Currently there are 4 major types of renewable energy available at our disposal: solar energy, wind energy, hydro energy, and geothermal energy.

From The Wind:

Wind energy has been used for thousands of years. Initially windmills were built to tow boats, grind flour and pump water. But as industry developed, wind turbines were put into operation to generate electric power.

Some people still imagine windmills as the ornate ones found in the Netherlands, or the small wind pumps on farmland, but wind power technology has come a long way. Today, massive windmills, better known as wind turbines can generate millions of watts of electric energy, and smaller ones can be used at home as a substitute to grid-tied power.

Solar Energy:

The sun is the most readily available form of energy there is, so we should be using it to a larger extent. And as technology advances, households are provided with a number of ways to harness the power of the sun. These ways include solar electricity, solar heaters, solar dryers and solar cookers.

Passive solar design, solar power and solar heating are some of the the best ways to reduce your power consumption at home – these systems need very little upkeep, and they are also great for the environment. Solar cooking is a healthy alternative to using an oven or stove – the food is cooked slowly so more minerals and vitamins are retained, and no electric power is needed. This makes it ideal for camping and outdoor cooking in the summer months.

Water Power:

Initially hydro or water power was used industrially in rivers and waterfalls to power waterwheels that would then be used to move water for irrigation or grind flour.

In modern times the power of water is mainly used in to generate hydro-electricity. This is mainly done is large dams, where water is stored and released through small channels. The force of the water through these channels is extremely strong and capable of spinning large turbines, that then generate electric power. An example would be the Hoover Dam that is used primarily to supply Las Vegas with electricity. Over 90% of our renewable energy is generated with hydro-electric dams.

Many environmentalists and socialists are against hydro-electric dams, since they affect the natural forna and flora and can cause the forced removal of entire cities.

Geothermal Energy:

Geothermal power is typically produced in areas with ongoing volcanic activity, where magma is relatively close to the surface. One such area is Iceland, where a large proportion of its power is produced from volcanic geysers.

Where this lava comes into contact with water, it super heats it and causes large volumes of steam to burst to the surface through geysers. The pressure from this steam is diverted and passed through turbines to generate electricity. Once the steam has passed through it is sometimes cooled, turned back into water, which is then pumped back into the geyser to make more steam. This makes it everlasting cycle…

Now that you have read this brief outline of the various types of renewable energy, you can learn more about each type by visiting our website in one of the links below.

Tim McDonald Home Improvement alternative energy, Environment, hobby, home improvement, lighting, men, Money Saving Tips, renewable energy, society, solar energy, solar power, Technology, types of renewable energy, wind power

Are you considering making your own solar power systems, but are not sure if you can do this? There are many people that are making their own systems and are using them to provide the energy for their homes that they need.

You can make your very own solar power system providing you learn how to do it first. In fact, the purpose of this article is to explain to you just how you should go about it.

Now, you need to know that it doesnt take a genius or a real technical person to make solar power systems. You just need instructions on how to do it.

Obviously, if you decide to make your own system it will end up costing you far less than it would if you bought a system which was already made.

As you can well imagine, if you intend making your own system, you will of course require certain materials such as:

Tin snips

Copper flashing

Motor

Tower

Silicon sealer

Motor

Copper flashing sheet

Silicon caulk

Sandpaper

Plywood

Now, these are the basic materials that you need to make solar power systems.

You may find that there are a few others that you will need, but this will be something that you need to determine by doing your research and learning how to make your own system. Each of the above materials can be found in your local hardware store.

Building your own solar power systems is definitely cheaper than getting one that is already made, but you still need to research to make sure you are up to doing this project.

Dont try and build a system for solar power until you have a guide to show you how. It is not all that hard to do, but having instructions will ensure that you do it right the first time.

There are many good guides that will give you step by step instructions and you can even find videos to show you how to do it.

If you feel you’d like to go ahead and build your own solar power system, then there’s no time like the present to start doing some research in order to learn as much as you can about the process.

Dont let anyone tell you that you can’t build your own system for solar power because you now know that it is very possible for anyone to make their own system.

Sean Walker Home Improvement home improvement, residential solar, solar, solar electric, solar electricity, solar energy, solar energy systems, solar panel, solar panels, solar powered, solar products

A common problem between homeowners is that while they may have decided they want to have a solar power system installed, many have no idea as to how they should choose the right company.

There are a couple of things that you need to do before you choose the right company for installing your solar power system. This article is going to tell you what you need to do before deciding what company to use.

The first thing that you need to do is to find as many companies as you can that will install residential solar power systems.

It is vital that you compare as many companies as possible side by side in order to determine their differences and what exactly each of them offer for your money.

As soon as you have a comprehensive list of companies which you would like to compare to each other, you should proceed to research each one. In so doing you can narrow down your choices to perhaps two or three.

Your next task involves researching the two or three remaining companies on your list in order to establish what past customers have to say with regards to the company, and also to the service they provide. You can be rest assured that if someone has had a bad experience they will more than likely have told someone else and as such, forums are a great place to start looking.

It is also a good idea for you to check out the company with the BBB. Make sure that they havent had any complaints against them when they install a solar power system.

Most people would only report a company to the BBB if they had a very bad experience, so if the BBB has indeed received complaints regarding a company, then it would be in your own best interest to find a different one.

Last but not least, you should contact each of the companies on your list in order to ask any questions you may have. If any of the remaining companies refuse to address your concerns or if they try to avoid you at all, then you shouldn’t consider entering into a contract with them. A reputable company will always be willing to discuss any concerns you may have as they realize the importance of keeping their customers happy.

Once you have done all of these things, you will be able to make an informed decision about which company would be the best one to use for getting your residential solar power systems installed.

Dont rush your decision; instead, take your time and do your homework carefully before choosing. This is the smart way to find the company that will install your solar power system for your home.

Sean Walker Home Improvement grid tie solar systems, home improvement, residential solar, solar electric, solar energy, solar energy costs, solar energy systems, solar heating, solar heating systems, solar inverter, solar modules, solar panel roofing, solar photovoltaic, solar pv

Yes solar energy for your home is very expensive but if you compare what you spend every month on electricity the cost will even out due to your saving. Residential homes are rearing towards solar power and realizing that eventually we will have no more resources available to supply the full load of electricity needed.

Take advantage of these offers and save an incredible amount of money. If you are building your home from scratch you will be able to install as many panels as you need and extra for the times when the energy cells are low. This will be a double take for you as you will save both ways in that you won’t be paying high electricity bills and you won’t need to take a loan for installation fees.

The instruction and tips is user friendly in that they give you step by step instructions. You will have to have the correct measurements firstly in order to establish the size of the solar panel you will require. You will also need to calculate your current electricity bills and what your savings would be as opposed to the use of solar cells.

Let’s explain how a solar panel works. Solar cells are needed and these are made up of semi conducting materials. They then require sunlight which shines onto the cells and in turn create electrical current generating electricity. The cells which range from about sixty are assembled together which form a solar panel.

You are able to take full advantage of rebates and incentives provided by your local governments once you have installed your system. The system has many environmental benefits in that you are contributing to the world’s electricity security. This technology has also opened a new avenue for those that are unemployed and strengthens world economy.

No pollution or hazardous materials are generated from solar energy. It does not require any gas or liquid substances to make it functional, it only needs sunlight to become functional and sunlight is free and guarantees you power. The solar energy cells will also guarantee you when all the other supplied have exhausted their supplies. These solar panels have been used with great success in the Ant-arctic (the sun doesn’t shine there) where run ways have been lit for safe landings. So this tells us that solar energy cells can be used literally anywhere in the world.

It has been noted that in some countries that after installing a solar energy system the value of your home will immediately increase and in some cases tax exemption is granted to the owners. This is a bonus due to the inflation and cost of housing in these deflating times. Houses that have the system have a better change of selling as the new owner won’t have high electricity bills to pay.

Solar energy is not only important to our homes but to everything that exists on the planet. We will save the natural resources like coal and natural gas supplies in the long term. And having solar energy in the home ensures that you can still cook and bake or watch your TV without interruption or spend hours with no electricity in the long term due to load shedding. We are also helping to eliminate toxic pollutants, and make the environment safer for future generations to come.

Bob Hobson Environment alternative energy, energy, Environment, Environmental, home energy, renewable energy, solar energy

Learn how solar energy is generated and discover hidden secrets of gaining from this powerful energy source.

How do we get solar energy and what exactly is this?

Solar energy, as the name itself suggests, is derived from the sun and is sourced from the radiant energy that is emitted by the sun. Solar energy thus obtained is transformed into various other useful forms of energy such as electricity, heat, light, mechanical and chemical power, and used for a most diverse range of purposes. The radiant energy is emitted through the rays of the sun which are primarily made up of radioactive waves. Of the entire amount of sun’s energy incumbent on the earth’s surface, the upper layers of the planet usually absorb around 70% of it through the various water bodies, landmasses and the atmosphere, while the rest is reflected back into space. Solar energy is an important alternative source of power for today’s world and is finding wider acceptance everywhere with every passing day. In this respect, it is of much importance to learn about all the pros and cons of solar energy.

What are the plusses and minuses of solar energy?

Solar energy applications are multiplying rapidly as it is being used in an increasing number of areas. Apart from the widespread domestic use of solar power, it is also being used extensively in various other fields such as agriculture, architecture, urban planning, solar lighting, solar thermal, solar chemical, solar vehicles, cooking and so on. Based on the application of solar power, it can be broadly divided into two classes – active solar power and passive solar power. The former stresses the use of solar panels and photovoltaic cells to capture and convert the sun’s energy into various forms of energy, while the latter is more concerned about reducing the dependence on active solar power and instead, directly use sunlight by citing buildings optimally to the sun, designing well-lit and well-illuminated spaces in the buildings and so on. Let’s face it, solar energy has become inseparably intertwined with our lives. However, much remains unknown about this wonderful source of power.

The advantages of using solar energy are far many than the handful of disadvantages that it might have. The sun, which is a gigantic storehouse of energy, can act as an excellent alternative source of energy. Modern science and technology has made it possible for us to tap into this vast resource and harness the sun’s energy to put it to various uses. Solar energy is for free, and once one has invested in setting up the system, there’s no recurring cost. As long as the sun shines, one can keep enjoying its energy for free without entailing high costs or endangering the environment. As the concern over gradually diminishing natural resources continues to grow, alternative sources of energy are being looked into with renewed enthusiasm. Moreover, this environment-friendly and ‘green’ source of energy is a boon to our already heavily polluted environment. Solar power has the ability to produce electricity at remote locations, for example, the satellite in the space is catered by high efficiency photovoltaic or solar cells that are not connected to any grid. This also supports installation of solar cells in rural or remote areas which is actually more economic than the usual high voltage wire installation. Recent advancements in solar power technology has made it possible to generate appreciable amounts of power even when the sun is not shining very brightly. What’s more, the energy produced during the day allows itself to be stored for use at night.

How to gain from solar energy?

Let’s take a look at some of the disadvantages of using solar power. The most serious complaint against its use is the high cost associated with it. Solar panels and other related equipment are usually quite expensive. Even the cheapest of solar power generators would easily cost one no less than a grand. Another problem of using solar power is the fact that most solar systems are not yet capable of generating sufficient amounts of electricity under less than optimal circumstances. In other words, a steady supply of bright sunlight for a fairly long stretch of time is something that is absolutely required by most solar systems today to be of any real use to us. Moreover, their performance can get seriously affected by the presence of pollutants in the air. In fact, few solar power systems today are able to give 100% output because of this reason. This is also the reason why installing a solar power generator at a remote locality usually makes better sense as it yields more output than in the city where the level of pollution is higher.

Solar power is really a great choice for reasons both financial as well as environmental. That is why so many people are enthusiastically considering installing a system in their homes. The best thing is that you can too. But for that you need to know where to put it up, how to install and wire it, where to get the parts and the batteries from and also the safety regulations that have to be followed. A step-by-step guide in this respect can be really helpful. You should seriously consider getting hold of one such good guide before you take the plunge into the wonderful world of solar power.

Jim Martin Science advantages and disadvantages of solar power, home solar power, portable solar power, power save solar, residential solar power, Science, solar energy, solar power, solar power for homes, solar power panels, solar power system, solar power systems

Solar energy for your home is working towards a green future as well as the future of generations to come. Buy installing solar energy you are not only saving for the home but for the coming years. Not only are we using renewable energy but we will be assisting with the global warming crisis.

I know you are asking yourself what happens on days when there is no sun and it is cloudy. Well you will still have energy but less than normal. The sun still emits its rays even on over cast days. Not only will this be an improvement to your home you will reduce the consumption of electricity as well as carbon footprint.

A complete installation of solar energy to you home will then cost you nothing. The money you used to spend on power can now be saved towards something needed. And by having a grid connection; local electric services actually pay you for power used from your home.

After you have done some reading and research you can then decide whether you can do this yourself or maybe you need a contractor to do the job. As well as installing solar energy to the inside of your home you can also install outside. You can use solar energy to heat your pool, as well as replace the geyser. Solar energy will provide both heat and cold which is a bonus in Africa.

Depending on the type of solar energy system you have chosen you must make sure it will be sufficient for your home requirements as these panels work on a measurement basis – for instance we are looking at electricity generated per square meter. You must look at the maximum capacity it can generate.

The panels are installed either on the south facing side or the north facing side of your home. This depends where in the world you are residing. They are mounted on a swivel rack which allows the panel to catch the sun rays in all directions. Similar to the weather cock method.

It is becoming a standard practice when new homes are erected as well as other building structures a solar panel is automatically part of the structural plan. When it comes to old structures and homes, the panels can still be installed but will have to be included on the original plans and passed by the local authorities.

There are also DIY solar energy kits available, if you have someone that can install the system for you and save you a lot of money in the short term. Although in some countries the governments are giving clients and home owners a long term subsidy to install solar cells. Browse around first and find good deals and the right option to suit your needs when purchasing your solar energy for your home.

Bob Hobson Environment alternative energy, energy, Environment, Environmental, home energy, renewable energy, solar energy

How do you compare different solar panels? You measure the wattage power per panel. number of Watts Output when it is illuminated under standard conditions of 1000 Watts/meter2 intensity, 25C ambient temperature and a spectrum that relates to sunlight that has passed through the atmosphere.

Solar modules has dropped from around $27 Watt Peak (Wp) in 1982 to around $2.49 Wp today and can be expected to dive much further in the future. At $1 Wp, grid parity will have been achieved and Photovoltaics (PV) will be able to compete with the prevailing price of electricity.

Two types of solar panels are manufactured, expensive crystalline silicon types and proprietary thin-film solar panels. Thin Firm CdTe (Cadmium Telluride) is a direct band gap semiconductor, which enables it to convert solar energy into electricity more efficiently (i.e., more watts per kg of material) than the indirect band gap semiconductor materials used historically.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado to recognize CdTe’s (Cadmium Telluride) potential for achieving the lowest production costs among current thin film technologies. Because of thin film technology, mass-production of solar panels through the use of machines similar to a printing press, will aid in cutting cost for watt produced.

Thin Firm CdTe (Cadmium Telluride) modules to generate relatively more electricity under high ambient (and therefore high cell) temperatures. Which means it is more efficient should there be high temperatures.

Some sixty companies have announced to start thin film production by 2010. Thin-film solar cells consist of layers of active materials about 10 m thick compared with 200- to 300-m layers for crystalline-silicon cells. The technology allows for more flexible and robust shapes and is more cost effective.

A crucial metric that most look at is the measurement of kilowatt-hours per kilowatt installed. Find the wattage produced by your solar panel into watts per dollar. Most likely, when you are reach $0.15/kWh or better, you are competitive with your electric company.

There are cabling costs battery banks and inverters to consider. Calculating solar output, use an average of 5 hrs per day of sun. Eg. 4 x 80w panels produce 320 watts x 5 hrs should produce 1600 watts or 1.6 Kw per day. A 1000w system would produce about 4 Kwh per day. Most families use between 3-10 Kwh per day. Harness your very own experience with a do it yourself solar panel kit and discover this energy saving technology.

Use the sun’s free energy to create solar power for homes and to generate your energy needs. Look over wind power kits and when you make more power than you use the electricity company will pay you for the power!

Sherman Sherrill Technology alternative energy, home and family, home improvement, solar energy, solar power, Technology