Green Energy Info

Archive for July, 2008

Many Americans have decided to become more energy independent, and want to play a part in avoiding a very foreseeable energy crisis. They’ve decided to go solar. Creating a solar powered home is an endeavor that requires an initial investment, but the costs are being lowered everyday. Solar power provides long term benefits. Not just for the home owner, but the environment too. You can build and install solar panels yourself easily and cheap. See the resource/partner review page for more details.

Now that solar power is more efficient, you can reduce or even eliminate your electric bill, increase your home’s value and contribute to a cleaner environment, all at the same time. It’s a great time to join the move to renewable energy resources, and the perfect time to take advantage of the generous government and local utility financial incentives that can cut thousands of dollars off the price. Now that solar power is becoming even more main stream, it is growing in accessibility. Manufacturers of solar powered products have realized the potential for a solar age, and are creating new options for those who are considering a solar powered lifestyle. If you are ready to step into the solar age, you are probably wondering how and where to begin. Below is a list of ways to make your home a solar one.

Solar Attic Fans- Solar attic fans are a great example of a simple way to make your home more energy efficient without spending a lot of money. The need for air conditioning is reduced by venting hot air out of your attic. Installing a solar attic fan may also increase the life of your roof materials by keeping them at a lower temperature which also reduces moisture buildup in your attic. This prevents mold and rot in your home, and can also reduce allergens and pollution.

Solar Heating- Solar heating systems are composed of solar thermal collectors, a fluid system to move the heat to its point of usage, and a reservoir for heat storage. The systems may be used to heat domestic hot water, swimming pool water, or for space heating. If you live in the southern half of the United States or in an equally sunny area you could potentially save between 50% and 80% on your water heating by implementing a solar hot water heater. The initial cost is hefty, but depending on how you use it, the system may pay for itself in as little as five years. The return is greater when you factor in rebates and incentives offered by states and local governments.

Solar Pumps- Depending on where you live, especially in remote areas, the cost of traditional water piping may be exorbitant. Unless you install a solar water pump. A solar power panel collects solar energy and powers a battery which can keep a consistent and plentiful water supply.

Solar Paneling-The most obvious way to break in to the solar age is to install solar panel cells on your roof. Solar cells, also known as PV cells, or Photovoltaic, come in many sizes, colors, and performance characteristics, made to fit a variety of homes and lifestyles. Another important factor to consider is that when PV panels are used in conjunction with energy efficient appliances, not as many panels may be needed to power your home! Large scale home improvement stores, as well as smaller, independent energy groups, offer installation. But if you are a savvy do-it-yourself type, you may decide to undertake the project on your own! You can build your own solar system very easy and cheap. Get the Earth4Energy guide and learn how to do it all!

But don’t bust out the screwdriver just yet. Whether you do it yourself, or hire someone to do it for you, there are a couple of technicalities to be looked  into before going solar with your home. Such as building permits. In order to legally install renewable energy sources in your home, you must contact your city or county building permit agency to obtain permission. You will be able to learn about requirements specific to your neighborhood. Don’t forget about property and sales taxes. Depending on what state you live in, you may or may not be exempt from these when it comes to the purchase of your renewable energy system. There are great tax breaks for going solar.

Although it is not difficult to keep up your solar systems, frequency of replacement should be considered. Solar thermal systems need valves replaced every 3-5 years and storage tanks replaced every 10 years. Luckily, solar PV systems typically do not require maintenance, other than a yearly cleaning of the solar panels. PV panel life is typically 25 years. These and wind generators are what Earth4Energy will teach you how to build.

By making a few simple and easy changes to your house, you can have a home solar power system in place and even do it yourself believe it or not. Think of how much you will be saving by converting your house with a solar energy system. So how does solar power work? Well solar energy is the heat that comes from the sun down to our great planet earth. When it reaches the earth it spreads evenly. How do you get that much sunlight to heat a home and run appliances? It’s easy to do and takes a few extra steps to help get it started. Basically the home solar power system is a system in which electricity is generated directly from the heat of the sun. This heat is collected by solar panels producing direct current that can be collected by a charge controller to fill up the batteries to operate home items and appliances such as washer and dryer, stoves and fridges, TV, DVDs and all. But let’s not forget your heaters.

Everyone knows how expensive it is to heat up a home and what about your hot water, and don’t forget those huge electricity bills, I know it is depressing but there is a solution called do it yourself home solar power system. Wouldn’t you like to say goodbye to the utility company, of course you would but before you do you will have to take a house inventory of all your electrical appliances, electronic devices, etc. just to see how much energy you are consuming and how much of it you will need when you are ready to build your home solar power system. You might have to upgrade the old fridge to a new one that is more energy efficient, ah yes don’t forget the old light bulbs, change them too.

There are some very good home solar power systems books and DVDs on the internet that will help you learn and show you step by step how to build a great solar power system for your home for very cheap in you own back yard. The good thing is, you don’t have to know a thing about solar energy in order to build one. Check out Earth4Energy to learn how to build your own solar panels cheap and easy!

Installing a home solar power system in your residence is good for the environment. A typical 10 KW system over the 25 year lifetime eliminates more than 400 pounds of nitrogen oxide which produces smog, eliminates more than 1000 pounds of sulfur dioxide which creates acid rain and eliminates more than 200 tons of carbon dioxide which contributes to global warming. Above all government is giving tax incentives to install home solar power to consumers to reduce carbon footprint.

Requirement

Home solar power systems can be installed on almost all homes except for a very small home which have less than 120 square feet of roof. The largest of the system requires about 1000 square feet of roof. The system requires direct sunlight and it works almost everywhere. If there is not enough space on roof or if there is a problem of direct sunlight then it can even be installed on ground or some other elevated space. In most cities you require building permit to install home solar power system to your building. Your dealer and installer know how to obtain the necessary permits. You will also require permission from the utility company since this system works with your current utility.

Working of the System

Home solar power system is installed on the roof where the solar energy is transformed into direct current (DC) power. Then this DC power is converted into alternating current (AC) power for residential use. This generated AC power is then used around the house to run all the appliances like refrigerator, television, electric lamps, computers etc.

At night this home solar power system will not work. During night you sill need to draw power from local utility. Most of the home solar power systems are interconnected with you utility. Your utility would provide power as usual at night and during day when your electricity demand exceeds that produced by your home solar power system. In case of cloudy days the home solar power system generates less power. Part of the power produced by your home solar power system during the day time is used to charge the batteries which provide power for your critical loads in the event of a power outage, day or night. You can also run solar and a wind turbine. The wind turbine creates energy at night. You can build both systems yourself easily and cheap. Go to the resource/partner review page for more details.

Home Heating

There is a misconception that home solar power can heat a home, which is not true. The system is used to convert the solar energy into electrical energy and this energy is then used to run your appliances, lights and other electrical devices. If you have electric heater in your home then you can use this system to heat the home which is rare. There are other technologies which convert solar energy into heat but this home solar power system is not used for home heating.

Home solar power systems don’t have any moving parts and solar modules are also tough. Components may last many years without problem.

Other Advantages

In addition to the direct savings through utility cost, homeowners have one more advantage and that is the property resale value. For every dollar saved annually in utilities the value of the house is increased anywhere from 10 to 20 dollars.