Posts Tagged ‘Solar Energy’

« Older Entries

How Solar Fuel Can Warmth Your Home Plus Pool

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

We all requirement to decrease our energy costs, though we don?t want to have to sacrifice our up to date living standards. By the help of solar we can decrease our annual heating bills for our dwelling as well as pool in addition to also help to save the natural world at the same age.Learn more about Solar Covers For Pools

Fuel costs, such as the fee of gas are expected to rise by way of 60% around the next five years. This will have a enormous impact in how people heat their homes due to such a massive charge rise on finest of already high costs. The facts are the era of cheap fuel is over from sources such as oil along with gas, as well as while electricity is dependant on fossil fuels, energy costs will also continue to be very costly. So what do we do, house warming is a necessarily not a option in most climates, so heat has got to be shaped. Some homes who are lucky sufficient to have pools in addition to currently use gas or oil to warmth the pool will be left by a constant reminder of how nice it used when they had a warm pool, not a cold uninviting volume of water.Read more about Solar Water Heater Plans

Yet, we do have options obtainable to us to reduce our annual warming costs plus use alternatives. Solar is one option we have available to us, we can consume solar energy to heat our homes in addition to our pools by means of a very little beginning up fee plus practically zero maintenance expenditure. Primarily, when people talk about solar, they refer to producing energy. While solar is very capable of generating electricity directly by means of solar cells, it is not actually the most sensible means. Using solar fuel to warmth water is a very simple plus minimal cost way to capture solar energy. The hot water shaped could be used to reduce the load on your existing fossil energy boiler, in addition to reduce fuel consumption. The hot water can also be use for washing or heating your pool as well as the house.

More information on Solar Blankets For Pools

So how can you heat your pool by way of solar fuel? Well, one of the first methods is to change your existing pool cover for a solar pool cover. These have the appearance of a large section of bubble wrap. As they are created from clear plastic, they let in solar fuel to warmth the water. The bubbles within the cover hold trapped air, which act as a barrier to stop the heat escaping. To capture even more solar fuel for the pool as well as your house, a solar water burner can be used. One of the most well-liked, reliable and most inexpensive designs is the passive solar water heater. The design is simply a black water storage vessel within a solar collector box. This is very cheap to produce but is very efficient.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Green Living | No Comments »


3 Reasons You Ought To Consider Using Solar Energy For Warmth

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

Did you ever consider that maybe you ought to consider using solar energy for heat ? That thought has occurred to a lot of citizens. A few of them in fact acted on that thought. For many of us it’s only a passing speculation, not in fact a serious thought, plus they just dismiss the idea. Sometimes it’s because they don’t know how to go about it. Supplementary times it is because it’s a big unknown. Still extra times it’s as they do not know what are the supplies.

Study more about Solar Blankets For Pools

Let’s not get hung up within the negatives previous to we begin. It’s time to get analytical here. Let’s take a look at the for plus against register on how we could consider using solar fuel for warmth plus consider them one by one.
Firstly, for the positive side, let me point out that solar fuel is visibly free energy, and its a source of energy we have largely ignored. O.K., I hear your objection, that you may not be familiar by solar energy to actually confidence it. It’s a valid objection, I agree. However, let me bring to your attention the point that even on a tiny scale it is likely to capture enormous amounts of solar fuel to heat your residence along with even your swimming pool.

Read further about Solar Covers For Pools

Secondly, you truly should consider that the methods you are presently using to warmth you dwelling along with pool would be probably either gas or oil. In addition to, along with that, these are very expensive ways to heat. And, even better, the prices of these sources of fuel are fluctuating all the time, in addition to a 60% rise in prices is expected around the next 5 years.
Third in addition to ultimately, you’ll get payback from lessen the carbon output of your dwelling. Which will almost certainly mean that you will either avoid or only have to pay minimal green taxes, which will be on their way. Plus, additionally, as well as that, you are able to provide your own energy independent of the oil or electric business!

More information on Solar Water Heater Plans

Once you have had a chance to learn the reasons, in addition to consider them, you’ll notice that a great case can be made in favour of consider using solar energy for heat.
O.K. After looking at all that info, what?s your opinion now? Aren’t those payback tempting? Maybe you in fact ought to consider using solar fuel for heat!

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Green Living | No Comments »


How A Solar Pool Cover Plus Solar Pool Heater Can Save You Cash

Saturday, July 10th, 2010

Warming a swimming pool can be an costly firm using traditional fuels such as oil plus gas, however using solar fuel in the form of a solar pool cover in addition to solar pool heater can reduce swimming pool heating costs dramatically.

Learn more about Solar Blankets For Pools

Owning a swimming pool is definitely a privilege. It?s an excellent place to exercise, relax along with hold social events such as parties in addition to BBQ?s. Yet, keeping the pool in first-class condition along with a comfortable temperature does require some effort plus expenditure. Generally most home pools are outside; this means one of the first complications is keeping debris out of the water.

Read more about Solar Power Information

There are many pool covers accessible on the marketplace today that can keep debris out of the water, on the other hand for many of the covers this is their only function. With recent developments as well as a demand to provide cheaper ways to warmth the pool, developments in solar pool covers have arisen. They have a structure in addition to appearance similar to that of a giant piece of bubble wrap. Produced from a clean plastic by means of pockets of air. As the plastic is clear, this allows the fuel fro the sun to pass through and into the water to increase the heat. The pockets filled by atmosphere then act like an insulator, keeping the warming in the water. Around time this will raise the temperature of the pool to a comfortable ambient heat.

More information on Pool Solar Blanket

In some cases however, a solar pool cover cannot create the temperatures desired with some for a genuinely warm pool. In this case it is potential to capture even more solar fuel with a solar pool heater. This heater is based on a design using inexpensive parts from practically any local hardware store. The first piece of gear required is a black water storage vessel. This will be where the energy from the sun is captured into the water. As the tank is black, further solar energy will be stored into the water. The container is then placed within a collector box, which will raise the efficiency of the unit. If the unit can be placed below the level of the pool, a thermosyphon system is likely which will not need a pump.

Further citizens are looking to solar heat solutions for their pool for the uncomplicated reason its too costly to consume oil or gas to heat their pool, as the running outlay can be that of a tiny car. Also, using solar fuel is a a great deal greener option, and a similar system can be used to provide heat to your home.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Green Living | No Comments »


Modern Heating With Solar In Addition To Dropping Energy Expenditure Compared To Oil

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

Energy as well as further significantly its source along with abundance has been taken for granted for far too long. As consumers many of us don?t even reflect to turn on a light or a television or put gas in our cars, thinking where does that electricity actually come from. Well its all pretty much from fossil fuels, including oil, gas plus coal. Coal is now mainly was to produce energy in the coal power plants. Combustion coal to make power is one of the worst polluters; the emissions as well as particulates really can cause massive amounts of damage to the ecosystem. The reliance on fossil fuels mainly oil and gas really has to alteration, as they are not as plentiful as many assume, as well as their price continues to rise. As global need grows from countries such as India along with China, the costs of these sources of fuel could skyrocket within the next 10 years. As well the impact these fuels are having on the natural world is having further of any consequence raising global temperatures. We requirement to alteration to greener further environmentally mindful sources of fuel such as solar fuel for heat along with electricity.

Learn more about Solar Power Information

So can solar energy be harnessed for heat as well as electricity, plus can it really produce the levels of heat, which we demand in our daily lives. Well the answer is yes. Though it is a balancing act, in addition to it does involve been further aware of how much fuel we use, and not wasting energy when we don?t actually need it. Such case in point are leaving electrical item on standby is a waste of fuel along with boiling a whole kettle full of water for just one cup is another case in point. To generate power from solar energy we utilize solar cells, or photovoltaic cells, which can capture sunlight along with process it into energy directly.

Read further about Solar Pool Heater

So what about heat, how can we utilize solar energy to create heat for hot water in addition to to warmth our homes plus businesses. Well, solar hot water heaters are really very frequent, plus was by means of diminutive rural communities all over the developed planet. By way of current engineering, the efficiencies of these units can be greatly amplified. Even a tiny solar hot water heater can manufacture heat for all your sanitary water requirements. Such applications can even be used to heat swimming pools, which used to be heated via fossil fuels as well as create large amounts of carbon emissions accountable for climate alteration.

More information on Solar Pool Cover

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Green Living | No Comments »


Key Pv (photovoltaic) Panel Components

Friday, June 11th, 2010

From the operators of www.GreenLivingRocks.com — providing education regarding how to build a solar panel, solar, and solar hot water heaters.

One of the reasons that building your own solar panels has become so popular is that there are really very few parts involved. A regular solar panel consists of just a few basic parts, namely an enclosure, photovoltaic (pv), a substrate and wiring. Here’s a summary of what’s involved.

Solar panel container or enclosure
This is what most people see when they think of a solar panel. It’s the clear glass top, the frame and the backing that the photovoltaic cells are mounted on. The case can be hefty enough to need a custom built metal rack for mounting on a rooftop, or petite enough to be a plastic box that can be placed almost invisibly near an outdoor floodlight. It needs to be resistant to ultra violet (UV) rays so that it does not weaken with continuous exposure to sunlight. And the glass (usually Plexiglas) needs to be durable enough to withstand harsh weather, including hail and wind storms that could crash tree branches and other debris into it.

Substrate
This is the piece of lumber, peg board or other material that the solar cells are mounted on contained by of the enclosure. It also needs to be UV-resistant to endure prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

Solar cells
The pv (photovoltaic cells are comparable to the silicon chips that power nearly all computers. They combine the silicon, metals and other materials in a way that captures direct sunlight and converts it into electricity. The electricity can either be immediately used by direct current devices (DC) like LED lights, or stored in DC batteries and converted into alternating current (AC) to power conventional appliances like refrigerators, TVs and other electrical equipment in homes and businesses.

Tabbed and untabbed solar cells
When building your own solar panels, you can save money by purchasing untabbed solar cells and soldering the tabs on the cells yourself. This can be a good choice if you have more time than money, but it’s a tedious job. You can save time by buying tabbed solar cells which will cut your soldering time by one-half to two-thirds.

Solar cell wiring
Once the solar cells are mounted on the substrate, they are wired to each other in a series so that they can produce electricity. Copper wire is added to connect the solar cells to storage batteries for using the electricity later, or to connect directly to the device that the solar powered panel is powering like an attic fan or a solar powered toy.

Blocking diode

The blocking diode is a little component that prevents electricity that is stored in a battery from draining backward into the solar panel. Bigger photovoltaic systems use a charge controller for the same effect.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Green Living | No Comments »


What Kinds Of Hot Water Solar Powered Collectors Can You Build Yourself?

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

From the operators of www.GreenLivingRocks.com — providing education regarding how to build a solar panel, sharp solar, and residential solar power.

There are 3 main types of hot water solar collectors commonly used in homes: flat plate and evacuated tube systems.  There are a number of various “recipes” for building each kind.  But here is a quick explanation of their similarities and differences.

First, there are pool solar collectors.  These are usually a type of flat plate design, but there are enough differences between solar pool heating systems and solar hot water heating systems that some clarification is needed.

Pool solar collectors, are usually designed as rows of UV resistant black polypropylene pipe that is heat welded together.  Since pool heaters require lower water temperatures than hot water for showers or for heating a building, the collectors do not need to be encased in a container.  In fact, the polypropylene plastic is not proposed to withstand the high temperatures needed for other domestic hot water use, and should not be enclosed by glass.

Though solar pool heating systems are about the simplest solar energy system that you can make or install, the solar collectors themselves are not so straightforward to make.  The polypropylene pipe does not react to adhesives, and the procedure and equipment needed for heat welding is cost prohibitive for a do-it-yourself project.  And using a substitute material may not be wise because of its tendency to break down with ongoing exposure to the sun and chlorine from the swimming pool.  For this reason, it is probably easier to purchase the solar collectors even if you prefer to install the system yourself.

Evacuated tube solar collectors are also tricky to build.  Although they are used for domestic hot water and for heating a house with hot water, the materials call for special handling.  They use unique glass tubing with double walls.  The air trapped between the walls act as insulation, comparable to the way dual pane windows trap air for insulation.  The innermost tube can be filled either with water or with a heat transfer fluid to prevent freezing in cold climates. Obviously, this kind of system is more complex to build and install than a simple hot water heating system.  Again, it might be easier to buy the solar collectors unless you have a lot of skill and confidence.

Flat plate solar collectors, also used for residential hot water and heating, are usually easier for a do-it-yourselfer to build.  The design is fairly uncomplicated and basic.  Flexible tubing for the water is attached to an absorber plate and positioned inside of an insulated metal box.  A glass cover is used, which allows the sun to heat the water.  As the water is heated, it is pumped into an insulated storage tank and held for use as considered necessary for bathing or washing dishes.  With the assistance of a good set of instructions, constructing and installing a hot water system using flat plate solar collectors is a good project for people who are handy and motivated.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Green Living | No Comments »


Swimming Pool Solar Heaters Plus Discount On Energy Expenses

Monday, May 31st, 2010

Owning a swimming pool has many benefits, but it does need work to clean in addition to maintain. The additional factor is the temperature of the water, some people may enjoy jumping into a freezing cold swimming pool, on the other hand its not enjoyable to most. That doesn’t mean the swimming pool has to be as warm as a hot tube, but a nice ambient temperature to enjoy. Yet, even heating the swimming pool to even an ambient temperature does call for some heaters of some sort. Conventional heating of a swimming pool can be very expensive, on the other hand using solar heaters can provide the warmth you call for by means of only minimal start-up costs plus practically free running costs, additional than the motor used to pump the water. A swimming pool ca actually be used as a solar thermal storage medium. Therefore having a a solar water heater is ideal to raise the heat of the swimming pool to a nice ambient heat plus then keep it there for months.

Learn more about Swimming Pool Solar Heaters

The savings which can be manufactured from using swimming pool solar heaters is clear. Electricity is the most expensive means to heat a pool, on the other hand oil along with gas heaters are not far behind. Also, the cost of fuel is only set to amplify, for example gas prices over the next couple of years are expected to rise with 60%. Along by this cost increases, governments are now introducing green taxes onto fossil fuel energy to diminish consumption in addition to reduce carbon emissions. Therefore it is clear that in the future it will only become more expensive to warmth your swimming pool.

Read more about Swimming Pool Solar Heaters Help

One of the best plus simplest types of solar water heater to warmth your swimming pool is a passive solar water heater, and you can even build these units your self. The design is easy, but effective in addition to one of the most reliable and low maintenance forms of solar heater. The video shows how to build your own solar powered hot water heater, which could be used to warmth your swimming pool for free saving on fuel bills. The main mechanism of swimming pool solar heaters are a black water storage tank which is used to capture the solar energy. The tank is then placed within an insulated solar capture box which allows the solar energy in, plus then keeps it there to enlarge the heat of the water within the hot water tank.

More information on Swimming Pool Solar Heaters DIY

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Green Living | No Comments »


Installing Solar Panels – Information & Advice

Sunday, May 9th, 2010

The use of solar panels by homeowners has soared in recent years. The reason being that the technology has become much more efficient and much more affordable. Whereas once people wanted to help the environment but could not justify the costs involved, now they have no excuse not to use solar energy to power their home. The installation of solar panels is not as difficult as it you might think it to be. You can even do it yourself if you have a technical / electrical background, though, for the most part, it is easier and safer to call in a professional. The planning process, and finding the right solar panels to use, will take a couple of weeks, and the actual installation just a few days. Therefore, if you are really serious about powering your house with solar energy, then you can be doing just that within a month.

The most important decision you will need to make is what solar panels to use and how many of them to install. There are lots of brands and variations available, so this is not a decision to be rushed. The cheaper solar panels tend to be less capable of harnessing energy, and so you will need to buy lots of them to achieve the same amount of power as a few high range solar panels. You will be able to find precise details of all models of solar panels online, so you will have all the data you need to make relevant calculations. In a typical roof installation of solar panels, holes are drilled into the roof and mounts are bolted in. To keep the bolts properly aligned, you need to draw a carefully measured chalk line across the top of the rafters. The mounts should be secured with stainless steel lag bolts, and then have metal flashing placed over them. Metal rails must then be mounted using stainless steel bolts. Having done so, you can then install the solar panels on the metal rails.

For 95% of people, it is highly advisable to find an electrician to help with the installation of the solar panels. As well as being much safer, it can also work out to be cheaper, as you will have to buy various special cables and drills unless you already happen to have them. Bear in mind that this is beyond the scope of what most standard electricians normally do though. Finding one who has past experience of installing solar panels is the best course of action. Try not to be put off by the initial costs that you will face because solar panels are a good mid to long-term investment. You will probably recoup the money you outlay within 5 years as a result of the money that you will save on reduced electricity bills. After that 5 year period, you will then be making ‘real’ savings each and every month.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Green Living | No Comments »


Solar Geyser Benefits

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

Ever thought about taking a different approach to keeping the family’s electricity bill low? Seeing a sizeable decrease in your electricity bill amidst rising electricity costs in a wavering economy, is what will need to happen if South Africa’s households will want to retain the same quality of life they have been enjoying. Installing a solar geyser will greatly contribute to the reducing of your electricity bill as research shows up to 40% of household electricity use is attributed to geyser usage. It is easy to see then why a solar geyser is worth investing in.

What do you need to know about solar geysers and solar water heating? Well the most important being that it will save you money! Secondly, it saves electricity and conserves energy, so helps out the environment as well. If you are interested in the more technical side of things, a short explanation might suffice. Solar water heating is water heated by solar energy. A solar geyser system is composed of a solar thermal collector, a water storage tank and a fluid system to move the heat from the collector to the tank. There are two chief types of collectors. The first is a flat-plate collector that has a transparent cover made of especially toughened glass, a coated metal absorber plate and a well-insulated weatherproof casing. The second is a vacuum-tube consisting of a series of glass tubes that are connected together.

The geyser may be installed on top of the roof, granted that the structure can hold its weight. The solar water geyser can be linked to an existing geyser, or can completely replace it. Should it be necessary, the storage container can be placed elsewhere, for example inside the roof or even a cupboard but it is essential that the collector be positioned where sunlight can reach it.

If you are looking to invest in a solar geyser for your household, and need reliable and expert references to trustworthy suppliers of solar geysers, heat pumps and sealing insulation, look to www.ensav.co.za for dependable references.

ENSAV is a revolutionary lead-generating system for solar water heating and other energy conservation solution suppliers. ENSAV focuses on finding you multiple quotes from one enquiry, and they have a unique rating system to help you the enquirer find the best installer the first time.

ENSAV also has a valuable information source of news, movies and articles to inform you of the different types of possibilities and their pros and cons. With Eskom recently increasing the rebates for buying a solar geyser it is becoming much more profitable. There is also a big legal campaign to make solar water heater installation compulsory in all newly-built houses as well as for geyser replacements. Many insurance companies already cover a solar geyser as acceptable replacement for a faulty geyser.

Go to ENSAV today at www.ensav.co.za to experience it first-hand.

Find out practical knowledge in the sphere of vacation home – study the page. The times have come when concise information is really within one click, use this possibility.

Tags:
Posted in Alternative Energy | No Comments »


A Simple Homemade Solar Power Generator- How To Create Solar Panels Cheap.

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

Consumers similar to me and you are finding it more difficult to meet the daily living costs like gas and electricity which in turn is spurring demand for more affordable and safer alternative or renewable energies like solar energy generators and system alike. The very thought of using the suns energy as a source of energy for running your home appliances and business tools would have been scoffed at in the early years but with the growing trends in the global economy learning how to build a DIY homemade sun powered generator is not so bad.

Solar energy generators run on the same principles of a battery where energy is stored from the sun until it is required for use of your home appliances and office equipment like computers and photocopiers.

So if you are bearing in mind buying one of these solar power systems for your home then you should consider the costs involved. Buying a solar power kit from a supplier can be expensive and you also have to bear in mind the costs of maintenance and repair plus installation of the equipment. Return of investment of these systems really ahs to do with how much you spend a month on your energy bills and depending on how much you paid for your solar power generator it may require a couple of years to make your money back. If you have a big budget then no worries but if you want a quick return then you seriously need to consider learning how to build solar power panels.

To begin making your own solar panels you need a few bits and pieces that can be easily picked up at the hardware store and found around your household area. Plywood, Copper wire, Solar cells (be purchased cheap!), glass sheets and some timber boards to build a frame can be made into a solar power panel that can generate enough energy that can power your entire home and business.

Homemade solar energy reduces the power bills and protects the nature from depletion. There are many benefits in using homemade solar power. First it saves your money spent in buying costly equipments available in the market to generate electricity from solar power. You can produce the electric power required to run the electrical tools. You need not produce electricity in excess. As long as the sun is available we can generate as much electric power as possible. It is very easy to make homemade solar energy.

To make a generator at home we require to construct a solar panel. To sum up the above noted- the tools required include solar panel, Rechargeable lead or acid battery, Battery box, DC meter and Inverter.

Make sure that if you build a generator that you get a guide that can demonstrate to you the steps needed to create a DIY solar homemade power generator. Make sure this guide is clear and concise and shows you step by step how to assemble one from the ground up.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Alternative Energy | No Comments »

« Older Entries