Saturday, March 26, 2011

SOLAR CELL AT HOME

An increase in the world economy and an exponential increase on electricity requirements are as a result of an increase in world’s population. For many years electricity production plants have used fossil fuels as the prime mover to compel the generators that convert kinetic energy from the fossils to electrical energy. But it was not until it was realized that an increased consistent use of fossil fuels will not only deplete their supply but also leads to emission of gases that are harmful to the environment. Researchers have moved towards implementation of a safer and cleaner energy sources. One of the ways is to put into practical use of the massive and inexhaustible sun energy. This can be achieved through the use of solar radiations to control sun’s energy and generate electrical energy.
Use of solar panels has lead to the realization of acquisition of an alternative energy source that isn’t produced from fossil fuels. As a result of massive investments by various industries on the growth and study of this new skill as well as advocating for affordable solar panels production has brought the technology to the community and small scale industries.

The technology got a boost when the European countries spearheaded the inclusion of solar panel equipment while constructing a household and structure. Solar cell homes are gaining popularity in these countries and can be termed as eco-friendly households with the first major eco-friendly household being in Germany where over 5000 people use solar cell homes, specially designed to increase sun radiation on the rooftops.

More and more commercial industries are investing in the emerging and promising technology of solar energy. Households have also not been left behind in investing in the long term benefits of solar panels.

Solar cell homes are a step towards the implementation of the advocacy to protect the earth from further destruction.

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Friday, March 25, 2011

Solar Power Cost

Today, electricity has become both a necessity and a commodity. In our time, it has become a priority in comparison to food, water, shelter and clothing. Since its utilization in the late 19th century, electricity has become the most widely used energy source and has led to the development of modern conveniences from light-bulbs to refrigerators to stoves and irons and washing machines to computers and stereos and even some cars.
At present, the extensive use and abuse of fossil fuels has taken a toll on us by introducing greenhouse gases, depleting natural resources, providing hazardous work conditions for some (those mining the coal and stationed on oil rigs) and led to the imbalance of our climate commonly referred to as “the climate change.” In order to decrease the effects of these threats, new alternative energy resources such as solar panels are being used. Solar power integration in households and buildings is starting to increase and the demand for this type of clean and renewable energy is increasing too. Research and development has brought about great improvements related to solar panel production, but there still are considerable costs associated with the purchase and installation of these devices.
The cost of solar panels and the resulting power depends upon the application, materials, and quality of equipment, all of which determines the life span of the overall installation. For pre made solar arrays, a single array can cost $900 (which equates to about $12 per Watt.) This does not include installation. A professional installation for a small-scale home would cost around $20,000. This includes the complete system and equipment. The installation at a medium-scale home would run about $25,000 while a large-scale house installation would be approximately $50,000.
The cost of solar power is very expensive at first glance because of the per installation basis. The relatively high expense of professional installation is due to the fact that solar energy utilization is an emerging technology. To make the most of any solar panel installation, energy efficient appliances should be used to extend the lifespan and effectiveness.
Maintenance is also a considerable area of concern because solar panels are very delicate and sensitive to dust and other obstructions. However, manufacturers are starting to strengthen their solar panel products for increased durability and functionality. To fully use the solar panels, the geographical area and the orientation with respect to the sun must be considered extensively. A trustworthy solar power provider must be chosen in order to provide the best value for money.
Excluding the cost of installation and maintenance, the cost of solar electricity generation is relatively zero. Unlike fossil fuel power plants where a considerable amount of fuel must be constantly maintained in order to generate electrical energy. With solar panel technology, as long as the sun and the earth exist, one can generate electrical energy.
So yes, while the cost of solar power is expensive at the first glance, there are many benefits. Compared to the expenses that accumulate over time with regard to fossil fuels, the savings and benefits of solar panels extensively surpass the other. Solar energy is safer, cleaner and eco-friendly. As governments are starting to consider these benefits, the trend of solar power utilization will eventually decrease solar power cost. Everything on earth is linked. And the earth is linked to the sun, its original energy source.

Alternative Heating Solutions: Solar Heat Panels

The sun is the primary provider of heat energy for our planet. Aside from controlling night and day, the sun is also the mediator of temperature. The heating and cooling processes associated with the sun controls the water cycle of the planet, making a big impact on ecology. The heat and light that reach the Earth from the Sun is an essential for the continued existence of life on this planet.

During the night and winter seasons (which obviously happen at different times and different places all over the Earth at the same time) the heat and light needed is insufficient. During these times, humans make use of alternative heat energy called fuels. The most common fuels we use are fossil fuels and wood. The abuse of these alternative heat sources contribute greatly to the increase in global temperature causing unwanted climate changes. The destruction caused by these alternative heating solutions prompted scientists to create a more ecological-friendly solution. One of the most promising of these ecological-friendly alternatives is solar heat panels. The panels work by harnessing the sun’s natural energy to provide heat and light for households during winter seasons, among other things.

The sun emits heat energy on a typical day. But the challenge now is to find the means to make this energy useful. The energy that can be harnessed from the sun can be stored and used when needed. The solar heat panels have two unique aspects, and these are: heat generation and storage.

The collecting panels are flat, thin box-like planes, that are transparent in color. They are usually placed on the rooftops of houses or buildings facing the sun. The sun’s heat energy is absorbed by the black metal plate that is inside the box. The plate then activates the sun’s radiation to heat the liquid tubing matrix in the collector. The usual liquids used are water, air, and antifreeze chemicals. These solar panels are able to heat up the fluids to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, close to boiling point of water.

The heat stored in the solar panels is beneficial in providing needed warmth and light, particularly during winter months when fossil fuel costs typically rise and sometimes become unaffordable for those who need it most. The daily use of these fuels on a massive scale has already had a damaging effect upon the Earth, an effect that will be felt for generations to come. Eco-friendly alternatives like the solar heat panels are the best solution to save the planet.

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Cleaner Energy with Wind Power Electricity

Electric power from wind is an example of clean energy. When generating electricity from wind, there are no harmful chemicals or gases emitted during the process. As a matter of fact, most environmentalists push for the implementation of more wind turbines to power communities and provide them with their basic need for electricity. Just imagine a world with clean sources of energy: it would be wind-powered, smokeless, odorless, and environmentally friendly.

To understand the basic operation of converting wind to electricity, one needs to understand the generator itself. A generator is an electrical machine that converts kinetic energy to electrical energy. There are a lot of articles on the internet that discuss in detail how they operate. As an electric generator, it needs a “prime mover” in order to operate and produce electricity. The prime mover is actually any mechanical force that rotates a certain part of the generator. There was a period in history when people manually rotated the generator for power production. This of course was very impractical. We need other sources of mechanical force to act as the prime mover of the generator. In the mid 1900’s, engineers began to design generators with wind as their prime movers. Later in 1970’s, the first practical wind powered generator was in operation, and so began the era of wind-powered electricity.

Wind power generation is most ideally located where there is a strong wind almost all the day, every day. The most common locations are beaches and coastal areas where there is a sea breeze during the daytime and land breeze during the night time. With enough wind power, electricity generation can go as high as several kilowatts to megawatts, enough to provide power to a small to medium sized community. Islands with wind generators located on the mainland can provide their own power. Submarine power cables are very impractical and dangerous at the same time. So by using wind energy, the island can still have electricity. Archipelagoes will benefit this kind of electric power generation.

There are many advantages that wind energy offers. It answers both the problems of decreasing sources of fossil fuels and the need for a clean energy sources. For years, it remained a minority in providing electric power to communities, but as technology and the demand for clean, renewable energy sources increase, we will likely find it used more and more.

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