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Archive for the ‘Home Solar Power’ Category

You don’t need to be a technological wiz to make solar power panels. There are some great manuals out there that teach you how to do it and it is pretty simple. It’s an upfront cost to buy the parts but they will save you money for years to come. Can you imagine life with no electric bill. Check this out! there are solar water heaters. Think of the gas costs you would save using a solar water heater!

Yes! This is the way of the future. Solar and wind power. Good clean efficient energy. The wind and sun will never go away in our lifetime. It is a great free energy source. Do you think the government could charge a wind and sun tax? They are giving tax breaks to those who choose to go green, use solar and wind energy. Learn more about how to make solar power panels today and get off the grid soon!!!

If you are rich or getting big bonuses from taxpayer stimulus money then you don’t need to know how I lower my electric bill. If you are an average person who is suffering through this economic downturn this may be good information. It is probably stuff you already know but do you practice it? I know all of it but actually putting it into practice isn’t that easy. It is easy for me to do it but getting everyone in the house to do it is a different story.

I have 4 daughters and trying to get them to turn off lights and and do the things that need to be done to cut down on electric costs.

Some simple things I do and get my family to do to lower my electric bill are:

Turn off lights when you leave a room: even if you are only leaving the room for a couple of minutes. Sometimes a couple of minutes turns into a couple of hours.

Make sure you do full loads of laundry: My kids are good for this. They will do 1 top and a pair of jeans. This can cost you more on electric and water.

On nice days Hang laundry outside to dry: This will save you on electric and gas.

If you have a dishwasher cut down on it’s use: Do dishes by hand a few times a week. This saves you water and electric. When I was a kid growing up me and my brothers and sister took turns doing dinner dishes every night.

Don’t take showers until the hot water runs out: Get in get clean and get out. Don’t stand in there and let the hot water run over you. It may feel good but what does it cost you to do this every day? This saves on gas and water.

If you are not watching TV turn it off: In lots of households the TV goes on in the morning and doesn’t go off until late at night. Don’t go to sleep with the TV on!

These are some of the things I do and make sure my family does to lower my electric bill. As you can see some things help lower other utility bills as well. There are some other things that I have been looking into and you should as well if you want to cut down on your electric bill.

I have been looking into green energy. Solar power and wind energy. It has been a very interesting journey. You can build solar panels and windmills for less than $200.00. Maybe you can’t do enough solar panels all at once to power your whole house but just one or 2 running only a few things in your home will cut your electric bill. I am definitely going to go solar and wind power at my house to lower my electric bill.

If you are asking yourself how to lower my electric bill you should definitely follow the tips outlined above. I am sure you can come up with some of your own. If you decide to go green and use solar and wind power like me you will have to do some of these. When you are getting power from your electric company it is unlimited so if you leave the lights on for 2 days they will go until the bulbs burn out and you will pay. When you are producing your own power it’s not unlimited so you have to be more conservative. That doesn’t mean you have to sit in the dark but you have to be more aware of how you use your power. You can also sell the unused power you generate back to the power company.

If you want to learn more about how I am going green and more about how I am lowering my electric costs check out lower my electric bill.

You can get solar and windmill kits. This will cost you more than if you build them yourself from scratch. Check out the resources/partner reviews page for more information on the benefits of DYI solar panels or wind turbines will do for you. You can also have a professional build and install your solar panels or wind turbine but this is going to cost big time. At the very least $5000.00 and up from there! Your best bet is to build them yourself cheap.

It’s easy to learn how to build and install your own windmills and solar panels. Learn how you can make money selling the unused energy back to the electric company. You can even set up your own little business building solar panels and windmills and selling and installing them so check out Earth4Energy today to learn more!

If you have not yet decided to reduce your electricity bills, here is an excellent opportunity for you to build your own home solar power system and start generating electricity. The electricity we get through our own home solar power system is absolutely free, however an initial investment is required for building and installing the system. Check out Earth4Energy on our resource/partners review page for more details on building your own solar panels and wind turbines

Once you build and install your own solar power system, you have an opportunity to reduce your monthly bill by as much as 80 percent. A few people, whose electricity requirement is not so high, are even producing electricity in excess and selling the surplus to electricity marketing companies.

Ready made home solar power systems are available in the market, however the cost of these are very high, in the range of few thousand dollars and up. Instead of using a ready made system, you can build your own home solar power systems for less than $200. The raw material is easily available at your nearby electrical shop and hardware store. Once you buy the raw material, you will need the detailed instructions so that you can build and install the system your own. One of the best guides available is Earth4Energy.

You should ensure that you place the home solar power system either on your roof or in your backyard in a slanting position so that the panels absorb highest amount of solar heat and thus converts the maximum heat into electricity. So, if you reside in a hot sunny area, you are going to produce the highest amount of electricity from your own home solar power system. They can even be built to follow the sun.

Installing a home solar power system at 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.

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 systems require 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 home or 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.

The 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 unless you are storing power in batteries, or have a wind turbine. If you don’t have the wind generator and are not storing energy then 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.

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.

To learn more about home solar power systems, wind generators and how you can build and install them yourself at a great savings check out the resource/partner review page.

Home solar power secrets can be discovered quite easily. It doesn’t matter if you are building a new home or remodeling, you can turn it into a residential solar power home by making a few simple changes to your plan, such as using solar power panels. If electric and gas become hard to manage you may want to think about heating your home with the sun.

Solar energy is known as the heat that comes from the sun down to the earth. When sun’s energy reaches the earth it spreads evenly but you may need it to go to a certain area like your home. Exactly how do you get that much sunlight to heat a home, it’s really easy to do and takes a few extra steps to help get it started.

For example, if you are building your home you have multiple choices to choose from regarding your solar power systems. If you choose to heat from the sun you will need to construct your home facing in the direction that the sun comes up. This allows your home to get the most sunlight during the heat of the day.

Buying solar powered glass windows allow the sunlight to come through and stay in the home without escaping back out. After the sun goes down, your home is kept warm by the sunlight that came into the home during the day,however you need to keep the door shut in order to keep the heat in and you also need to use insulated curtains on the windows at night so that the heat will not escape at night while you sleep.

Remodeling your home to use the sun’s energy as a natural heating source is fairly easy to do. You can build and install solar panels easily and cheap. See the resource/partner review page to learn more about building your own solar panels.

Although you can’t change the direction that your house is built in to face the early morning sun you can still trap the sunlight that shines through and reduce the amount of time that you use another source of heat.

You may want to consider constructing a sun room onto the side of your house that catches the morning sun allowing it to heat up naturally and then install ceiling fans that will circulate the air into the parts of the house.

During the day this may provide enough heat to maintain the warmth in your home but when remodeling your home, it will help to install solar power windows that are specially designed to attract the sunlight and allow it to come into the house but not let it escape. This is a great and totally natural way to heat your home.

Using natural sunlight to heat your home is an excellent way to save money on your heating bill and also to improve the environment. You can install a backup

heating source just in case the sunlight does not heat your home efficiently during the day because of too many clouds.

Your back up system can be used to assist the solar energy which will also cut down on the use of electric or gas which is simply a smart move. You can use a combination of solar and wind to power your home. You can even get off the power grid completely which means no more electric bills. Check out Earth4Energy for more details.

You might ask - what is solar radiation and how does it relate to solar generated electricity? That is a good question and a topic discussed in our next article in our series dedicated to home solar power. This article, on the other hand, explains how kilowatts are calculated based upon the energy output of your solar array. We will also highlight the difference between solar cells connected in parallel versus in series.

The average American home uses about 25 kWh of electricity per day. The following example illustrates how to calculate the power produced by a residential solar energy system. Looking over a solar radiation grid, we can determine that a residence gets five daylight hours of solar radiation in one day which is then averaged out over the entire year.

Solar radiation maps are highlighted on may websites around the Internet. You can do a quick search for “solar radiation” to find one. In any area across the entire United States, they detail  the amount of sunshine hitting a given location based upon the time of year and its address.

Calculating the power from a solar energy system

Divide the average kWh per day by the average sun hours per day. For this example, we take 25 kWh divided by 5 hours of sun per day = 5 kW system This 5 kW system will generate 25 kWhs under optimal conditions in direct sunlight for 5 hours, or 25 kWh on an average day with some at peak production and most of the sunlight at less than optimal angles.

Future articles related to solar energy will continue to explain the effects of sun angle, reflection, and refraction on the design, output, and installation of solar panels.

Energy as it Pertains to Solar Modules

Individual solar modules that are measured in watts have a particular voltage (around 40 volts) and a particular amperage (around 5 amps). A solar module with 40 volts and 5 amps is called a 200-watt module, which means that it has the potential to produce 200 watts of electricity when in direct sunlight, away from trees or shading, and clear of snow or debris. Since most electrical components around your house are only rated for 600 volts DC, it is rare to see a solar array with a string larger the 15 solar modules. On the other hand, since inverters need a minimum voltage or pressure to turn them on, you will seldom have a solar array with a string solar modules with a size smaller then 6.

Electrical components, like solar cells, panel modules or batteries, can be connected in either series or parallel. This makes a big difference in the total quantities of energy produced from the solar energy system, as well as the stability of the technology over time. Each solar module or component has a positive and a negative pole. In essence, this is the same way batteries have their negative and positive poles arranged. Take a look at how you put batteries in a flashlight. Same idea here. The manner in which these poles are connected makes a big difference. Connect Solar Panels in Series

When you connect residential solar energy systems in series, you connect the positive (+) pole on one component to the negative (-) pole on the next. When modules are connected in series, the voltages are added. Adding voltage together in this fashion creates a long chain of solar modules all working together, depending upon each other, and creating a flow of current that increases along the length of the system.

These modules in series are called Strings. The average string is 8-12 modules so the voltage would be 320 - 480. Unfortunately, we encounter some negative aspects of of this type of construction.

Connecting Solar Panels in Parallel

When you connect solar panels or components in parallel, you connect the panels so current can travel to your inverter and to your house via multiple paths. Unlike adding solar modules in series which increases the volume of current as it goes, the solar panels connected in parallel has the effective of leaving the current or volume of electricity passing through the system the same.

Solar panels or strings of solar arrays tied together in parallel are called parallel systems. Their amps are combined together but the total voltage remains the same. Adding amps is like increasing the volume, the pressure stays the same but the volume goes up. Inverters can only handle so much volume so you will seldom see more than 1 to 3 strings in parallel; positive ends to positive ends with negative ends to negative ends.

One of the advantages of parallel connection is that electricity continues to flow, even though one of the components (or strings) is damaged. If a system is entirely in series, one damaged component stops the entire system. You may remember the ever-frustrating Christmas lights that were connected in series. Often difficult to trouble shoot, strings of lights connected in series are hard to fix when one bulb blew out. Now, the modern Christmas lights are connected in parallel. You are able to determine this easily. There are usually two different wires coming in and out of each bulb. You can feel this via their less frustrating maintenance and operation.

Options for Residential Solar Energy Systems

In this article, we explained in some detail how solar modules calculate the power they produce as well as how connecting solar arrays in series or parallel can have an large impact on energy output as well as complexity of design. Our next article will cover how sun angle affects solar energy systems and how to quantify the solar power produced from the sun.

New solar energy system rentals allow you to upgrade your home to solar generated electricity with no large system to purchase. You can rent the solar energy equipment needed to generate up to 100 percent of your electricity needs. With renting a system you are only trading one bill for another. You no longer have an electric bill but now you have a rental bill. You can build your own solar panels for around $200.00 and install them yourself. Now you have no electric bill or rental bill. Now that money is going right back into your pocket! Learn more about building your own wind and solar power systems here,  resourse/partner review page.

Stop being held hostage by the electric company and discover how you can build your own solar power. Check out the resource/partner review page to learn how.

*Power Companies

It’s very simple: All of us absolutely need electricity and the power companies know it. They have been increasing the price for years and not investing in new nuclear facilities since the 1970’s which are relatively low maintenance costs! But today, the average household spends more than $1,000 per year on electricity and the rates will keep going up and up guaranteed.

*How home solar power system work?

The Sun produces a range of energy which we can only see a small part of as visible white light. Solar panels turn another part, or wavelength, of the light into electricity that can be harnessed. A photovoltaic cell (PV Cell) produces electricity on the principle that electricity will be produced when two semiconductors are exposed to a particular wavelength of light. Groups of PV Cells are linked together to form panels, the bigger the panel and the more cells, the greater the amount of electricity can be produced.

You will also be fighting global warming in a very real and meaningful way! Choosing new technology can reduce use of fossil fuels and help protect the planet. You will help curb global warming and create a safer environment for the future.

*You can do this system for as little as $200!

In fact you just need to invest $200 then you can transform your energy-using home into an energy producing “green home”! You don’t need skills in engineering, specialized and expensive equipment, or even a big initial investment, just the determination to STOP being held hostage by the Power Companies, a small but manageable investment, and the Earth4Energy manual! Forget about spending $3,000 or more for factory made windmills and solar panels! Build them yourself and have fun doing it!

Lot’s of people are concerned about the Climate Crisis, our release of Green House Gases (GHG), our creation of excessive carbon (CO2)? So what can a person do around their home to make a difference? You can upgrade your home to solar generated electricity. If your home passes the requirements related to the solar site evaluation you could have a solar energy system installed that is now being offered on a rental basis by a number of companies.

The following article provides the step-by-step requirements so that your home can be evaluated for it’s solar energy suitability.

Top considerations U.S. homeowners will need to consider to have a solar energy system installed on no upfront purchase bases, i.e. rental:

* You need to own your home, be the title owner, or essentially be the legal decision maker for the property.

* You must live within an area covered by a utility company offering net-metering.

* You should have at least a one year history of your energy consumption, i.e. energy bills.

* You must have the desire to have a solar energy system installed on your home.

An innovative company has a new strategy to remove all of the barriers to solar generated energy. This solar equipment manufacturer is offering a solar energy unit to American homeowners on a rental basis. No need to purchase a system outright any longer. Unless, you have the means, where-with-all, and wish to maintain the system yourself. If you want to purchase a solar energy system, you can find many new companies popping up all over the place. The environment needs it. We should all upgrade to solar.

There are some restrictions, not everyone will qualify and there is a long waiting list of potential solar system renters already reserving a system. The good news is the process to get your home evaluated for a solar unit is pretty clear. .

Solar Power Site Evaluation and Energy Audit

The energy audit, solar energy system design, and the installation and construction process start with the home review of the residence performed by one of the company engineers. During this site review, the engineer will take measurements of the lot, home layout, take notes of the roofing materials & condition, the roof orientation to the sun, and assess the present shading factors and those that may build up over time; like the growth of trees or new additions to the property.

The solar installer will communicate to the homeowner in detail the installation time line and what to expect related to the solar system installation. They will also give an overview of the day to day operations of the home solar energy unit once it comes online. If the homeowner has any questions about anything during the site review, the engineer is the one to ask when they are on site.

Home Solar Power Design and Rental Agreements

Once the site-review is completed, the solar engineer will design a system that both fits the home’s layout and meets as much of the homeowners electrical needs as possible. In some cases, a solar energy system may not be suitable for a residential home. Often excessive shade, inappropriate roof angles, or just limited physical space for the solar panels will not allow for a solar power unit installation.

The rented unit may in fact only provide a portion of a particular location’s energy needs. This is an important consideration and highlights the need for energy auditing and overall energy conservation on behalf of the homeowner. The company will still install and rent out the solar energy system but it will not guarantee that the unit will allow the homeowner to self-generate 100% of their energy needs.

The actual system design is presented to the homeowner at the conclusion of the site review. The can then approve of the plan & the general system design. If there is any discrepancy or concerns with the design, the homeowner is encouraged to bring these to the attention of the solar engineers. A proper question and answer session included during the site evaluation.

Solar Panel Rental and the Solar Unit Security Deposit

Following the design approval, the homeowner is asked to pay a security deposit for the solar system installation. This deposit is 100 percent refundable with interest at the end of the rental term. The security deposit covers any damaged caused by homeowner tampering or malicious intent and for homeowners who have the need to move their system more than once. The security deposit helps cover the cost for the installation crews to move solar systems multiple times.

After collecting the deposit, the engineer will work on the appropriate permits, apply for any utility interconnection agreements, and submit appropriate paperwork to county permitting offices. This whole process may take a few weeks, but at the conclusion, the team of installation technicians will be prepared to have the system installed.

Solar Energy System Installation and Maintenance

Once the permitting paperwork is in order, the installation team will contact the homeowner directly to set the solar system installation date. The installation technicians will then install the solar panels and prepare the unit for final inspection by the local permitting office. Once the local county and utility representatives have inspected the installation, the homeowner is ready to begin taking advantage of flat-rate solar system rental, a more reliable energy service, and a source of 100% clean, solar energy.

Final Considerations to Rent a Home Solar Energy System

* Start collecting your utility bills and file them away. The energy audit provides the best results if at least 2 years of energy consumption is tabulated.

* The renting of a home solar energy system is a new idea. Be sure to do your research.

* Even areas in the northern parts of the Unite States still have adequate exposure to the sun. Don’t write off your location for a solar unit rental because you don’t live in Arizona.

* Reserving a system and getting your site inspection scheduled early is the key to getting your site inspection & evaluation completed.

This post is for those of you who are interested in renting a solar power system. This is what I think about renting. You are trading one bill for another. If you can get off the grid and do away with a $100.00 or more a month electric bill you will spend that savings on the rental fee. Don’t think the rental fee will be cheap! There is another way to go!

Build and install your solar energy system yourself

This is going to save you money. It’s easy and fun to do! You can build a solar panel for about $200.00 Learn more at the resource/partner review page.

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.