What Are Solar Panels? Solar panels are what you put on your roof, or pole mounted, or even ground mounted to capture the power of the sun and turn it into something mankind can use. Specifically, solar panels take on one of two types: solar thermal collectors used to capture heat, and photo voltaic solar modules which convert the heat …
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Cooling the Home with the Sun
The best way to cool your home is to avoid using heat. But if can’t completely avoid the use of heat, and you certainly can’t prevent the heat which comes from the sun. Wind and solar cooling are among your options. Solar heat can actually help cool your home. When a solar cooling system is set up properly, then the …
Read More »Solar Panels Stolen From Napa Wineries
A new type of crime wave is hitting the Napa Valley. And it hurts the burgeoning new solar power generation by Napa wineries. Thieves are stealing solar panels put up by wineries to generate power for their operations. More than 100 wine lovers gathered in the Napa Valley town of Yountville on June 20 to mark the summer solstice with …
Read More »Make The Call For Clean Energy
This is an extraordinary moment. There are mere days before the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on the most unprecedented clean energy and climate legislation in our nation’s history. But, our opponents have stepped up a blatant distortion campaign on TV and behind closed doors to scare Congress from taking action. They know this vote will be close. But, …
Read More »What are Solar Pool Heaters?
Solar Pool heaters can greatly reduce your energy costs. They’re more cost effective than either gas or heat-pump swimming pool heaters. You’ll be able to save on annual operating costs once a solar pool heater system is installed. Best of all, a solar swimming pool heater can be used in most climates. The typical solar pool heater system consists of …
Read More »Why & How a Solar Power Inverter is Used
A solar power inverter forms an important part of any home solar energy system which supplies enough electricity to get you off the grid. The inverter converts direct current, which is produced by a solar panel, into alternating current. There is also a charge controller, which can use excess power to charge your system’s battery, and provide energy without any …
Read More »Solar Powered Lights for the Home & Garden
You may be wondering how solar-powered lights work. Solar lights are used after the sun has gone down. So how can they operate? First of all, understand that lighting devices which relies on solar power generally use a backup battery to operate. Solar cells are used to charge the battery during the day, and the battery powers the light during …
Read More »Pro’s and Con’s of Solar Energy
When you think about solar power systems, you may think of those funky looking houses that have those weird looking panels on them. solar power systems has many uses beyond those of producing electricity for houses or for automobiles. The advantages and disadvantages of solar power are many, small electrical units can be powered by solar energy in lieu of …
Read More »Reduce Energy Costs with Energy Links new Electricity Index
Energy Link today launched the Energy Link Fixed Price Electricity Contract Index. The ‘ELL index’ provides energy purchasers with an indication of trends in the price of fixed-price electricity contracts. The index does not include local losses or line charges so it is an ‘energy-only’ index. The index is published in Energy Link’s new Energy Trendz monthly review of trends …
Read More »The Differences Between Renewable Energy, Alternative Energy, & Clean Energy
– originally posted at Alternative Energy To many people, the differences between “alternative energy,” “renewable energy,” and “clean energy,” might not be obvious. But each term is unique and has its own individual definition. These three terms are not all exactly the same. Alternative Energy When we speak of alternative energy, we refer to sources of usable energy that can …
Read More »Some Thoughts About Remodeling Your Kitchen
Are you a homeowner? If so, there is a good chance that you take great pride in your home. Despite taking great pride in your home, there may come a time when you may want to spice it up a little bit. When that is the case, a fairly large number of homeowners make the decision to remodel their homes. …
Read More »Ways to Produce Wind Energy for Home Use
Winds have been used for many purposes for hundreds of years. From ancient sailing vessels to windmill power on farms. With the depletion of fossil fuels a clear and present truth, wind power has become news for the now. Wind power for home use is now more accessible than ever before. From using home wind generators for powering appliances to …
Read More »How Electricity is Created by the Electric Plant
You can find many advanced books on electricity generation that will give you tons of details. Really, there are entire college degrees that focus on electricity generation and delivery. If you are looking for extreme details on this, please check out your local library. Read on if you are looking for the basics. Lets talk about what exactly electricity is …
Read More »How Electric Power is Transported to A Home
You can find many advanced books on electricity generation that will give you tons of details. Really, there are entire college degrees that focus on electricity generation and delivery. If you are looking for extreme details on this, please check out your local library. Read on if you are looking for the basics. Before we even start with how electricity …
Read More »What are Photovoltaic Cells?
As the world advances, new technologies arise – or, in some cases, older technologies are exhumed and improved upon. Although most people are under the impression that the field of photovoltaics is a new subject, based on recent invention, this is not actually the case. But first of all lets take a look at what “photovoltaic” means. The word “photovoltaics” …
Read More »Advantages And Disadvantages Of Solar Power
Every day, households around the world are using up the planet’s resources for energy. If this continues, these energy sources will be depleted quickly -unless alternative renewable energy sources are utilized. One of the energy sources that modern technology has recently put to good use is solar energy. Solar energy isn’t anything new, but new technology advancements have placed solar …
Read More »Homemade Solar Ovens – How to Make a Solar Oven In 12 Easy Steps
One fun and simple project that you can do at home to make use of the sun’s radiant energy is homemade solar ovens. This step-by step guide shows you how to make a solar oven using things lying around your house. At worst, you may have to go to the local dollar store and spend a couple of bucks. Materials …
Read More »Solar Water Heating
Solar water heating systems are an effective way of conserving energy and reducing your energy bill. Contrary to popular belief, this is not a new technology. Solar water heating systems have been used commercially for over a century now, with the first commercial water heater (the Climax Solar-Water Heater) going on sale in 1891 in the United States. By the …
Read More »Biofuels as Renewable Energy
Every time there’s an increase in oil prices, people feel it, even if they don’t drive a car. Some suggest we use biofuel to lessen the impact of the rising fuel costs. But what is biofuel, and how does it differ from fossil fuel? Biofuel is produced from recycled elements of the food chain, and from plants. It is used …
Read More »A Solar Roof for the Home
It has been said that the world is experiencing an energy crisis. And as oil prices go up, so do our electrical bills. One method of addressing this problem is by installing a solar roof over your home. A solar roof can become your very own home power generator. A solar roof is made out of photovoltaic materials, which replace …
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