Solar & Wind Power

One of the more popular uses of solar power in the home is the solar attic fan.

As its name implies, a solar attic fan is powered and activated by sunlight. It is installed into the roof of the attic, with its panels facing the sky.

Why would one need a solar-powered attic fan?

Well, for that matter, what is the purpose of an attic fan?

Since heat rises, all of the heat in a home tends to rise up into the attic. If this heat has no easy outlet, it will simply get stuck up there. This causes the over-heating. When combined with a lack of proper ventilation, this leads to dampness, mildew, and the the like.

Furthermore, when the accumulated attic heat is not allowed to escape, the temperature of the entire home rises.

While there are some circumstances under which you want to warm up your home, there are other circumstances under which you would prefer to cool it down. A lack of sufficient ventilation in a hot attic can make matters difficult. Thus, an attic fan can play an important role in allowing you to control the temperature of your home.

Okay, now that we understand what the purpose of this fan is, why would we want it to be solar-powered?

The first answer is obvious – to use greener energy and to avoid using energy sources which damage the environment.

By using solar power for the fan, we can also save a bit of money on electricity.

But a more pragmatic reason for using a solar powered fan is the simple fact that it is basically “wireless.” You won’t have to worry about installing electrical wires and cables into your attic, in order to run your fan.

Solar-powered fans are relatively simple to install into one’s attic. But if you aren’t an enthusiastic DIYer ready to climb onto your roof with a knife and a hammer, you will probably want to get someone else to do it.

When installing a solar-powered fan into the roof, one has to actually cut a hole into the roof and install the fan in that spot. It’s smart to install it on the south facing side, which will receive more sun (unless you live in the Southern Hemisphere, in which case you would obviously install it on the north side). There is a certain degree of skill involved, as is normally the case when one considers the prospect of climbing up on the roof, removing shingles and roofing material, and cutting a hole through to the other side without damaging any rafters.

But overall the process does not take a long time, for someone who knows what they’re doing. The installation of the fan should be well worth the trouble in the long run, particularly if you live in a hot climate. It will run at virtually no running cost, while reducing the overall level of heat in your home. That reduces the costs involved with cooling your home (using less energy-efficient methods, such as air conditioning).

So, even if you don’t give a hoot about the environment, a solar attic fan might be a very worthwhile financial investment. Providing you do have an attic.

Anna
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/solar-attic-fans-715918.html

Just imagine it, coming home after work, putting your feet up on the couch, television on, stereo blaring and all the lights on in the house… now imagine you don’t feel any guilt about the impact your having on the environment or the pain in your wallet doesn’t exist. Welcome to living off the grid.

More and more householders are moving to homemade solar power in their attempts to be independent from the power grid and save a heap of money at the same time.

I guess some of you may be asking, isn’t all that energy consumption irresponsible? well it would be if we weren’t using homemade solar power to supply our appliances. Solar energy is an extremely clean form of energy, no pollutants or emissions to worry about here, whilst the sun hangs up there in the sky solar energy is a renewable energy, best of all solar is free once you have your system installed and running.

So whats the catch I hear you cry? well currently purchasing a traditional solar power system and having it installed is ridiculously expensive. Enter the new wave of DIY solar power kits. All over the internet you can find guides which show you how to build your own diy solar power kit and produce your own free homemade solar power.

Whether you are looking to totally convert to solar energy of compliment your existing supply, the bliss that is living off the grid and the satisfaction of giving it to the man! is now within reach, no longer will your power be regulated by government bodies, you will be free to use as much as you want.

These Homemade Solar Power guides are amazing in the fact they are so simple to follow. You will have your diy solar power kit assembled and up and running in no time. You get an ebook and videos to follow along in a step by step process. It even shows you how to sell excess energy back to the power grid!

So do you and your family a favor and stick it to the man! read more about Homemade Solar Power – Living off the Grid

Like most things released in this format there are some products to avoid, [Click Here] for a review on the best DIY Solar Power Kits available on the web.
Jon Elsdon is a Solar Energy – Homemade Solar Power Consultant and Environmentalist. Jon is editor of DIY Solar Power.

Jon Elsdon
http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/homemade-solar-power-living-off-the-grid-741122.html

Nowadays, seeing the dearth in the earth’s reserved energy resources, different organizations are trying to utilize the renewable energy resources like solar energy, tidal energy, wind energy etc. for different purposes. Among them Solar Energy is the most abundant and is gaining more popularity. The decline in the availability of fossil fuels and hike in the cost of electricity have paved the way for solar energy to become the alternative source of energy for all of us.

Solar heaters: more feasible for home

People are now trying to build homemade solar heater so that they get relief from the shortage of energy. New innovations are coming up for running industries and households and out of all innovations for utilizing the energy of the sun; solar heaters are the best option for household activities. Besides, converting solar energy by using solar heater takes less designs and processing in comparison to other application of solar energy.

Working of solar heaters

When the molecules are excited, their vibration causes the evolution of heat as a by-product and to stabilize themselves they have to release this energy. This happens when the sunlight falls on the highly thermal conductive substance and excites them. This movement and heat is transferred from one material to other causing an incessant flow of heat.

Application of solar heaters

Water heaters and air heaters are the best application of solar heaters used for household purpose. All varieties of solar heaters have solar panels. The mechanism is very simple, entrapment of solar energy into photovoltaic cells and converting it to electrical and heat energy.

Reasons for building a solar heater at home

Though you can get one in the market, but building one yourself at home will give you satisfaction and you can design it according to your wish. Secondly, initial cost is lessened because you can use recyclable materials like aluminum cans, which are easily available at home for making solar panels.

sidana.abhi
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/homemade-solar-heater-736899.html

Getting home solar electricity is more affordable today than it was 10 years ago.  In fact, the federal government and many state governments are currently offering tax rebates to persons that choose to convert to home solar electricity.  If installing a photovoltaic system to supply your home solar electricity is too far out of your financial abilities, there are also programs available to purchase your utilities from an accredited green energy supplier.  Green energy suppliers offer only utilities fueled by renewable resources, such as solar electricity, hydroelectricity and wind generated electricity.  However, if you made the decision to switch to solar electricity for your home it is important to determine your electricity needs before you start shopping.

 

The first thing you have to determine is how much power you will need from your home solar electricity system.  Different arrays and solar panel set-ups offer different wattage outputs.  Take the time to determine your average daily electricity usage.  You want to achieve a number that includes the entire year and affords for the different amount of energy used during winter and summer months (more lights, heaters, air conditioners).

 

When shopping for the right photovoltaic system to supply your home solar electricity definitely research the quality of the product.  A product offering 13% efficiency and a lifetime warranty will be far more valuable than the panel offering 15% efficiency and a one-year warranty.  Ask neighbors, friends and even strangers currently using home solar electricity, to learn more about the differences in systems.  Sufficient time should also be spent interviewing installers and researching manufacturers as well.

 

A final decision needs to be made as to what kind of system you would like to use to supply your home solar electricity.  There are generally three types of solar panel systems used to supply home solar electricity.  The first type is a grid-tied system in which your solar panels are tied into your current power meter.  You are using both electricity supplied by your panels and your supply is then backed by electricity from your electric company.  The second available solar panel system for supplying home solar electricity is a grid-tie with battery backup.  With this system you are collecting electricity from you panels, filling your batteries for emergencies and then the excess is sent back to the electric company through your meter.  The final system is a stand-alone system.  Very similar to the grid-tied system with battery backup except that you are completely disconnected or maybe never connected to a major utility provider for your area.

 

Once you educate yourself on providing your home solar electricity, you are probably ready to start shopping.  Remember that converting to home solar electricity is an investment and you will reap the rewards over time.  And don’t forget the pride you will have with reducing your carbon footprint by converting to home solar electricity.

Jon
http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/what-to-know-before-purchasing-home-solar-electricity-705601.html

Energy-efficient, low impedance fencer for use in light weed conditions. Built-in 6-volt battery will charge up to 3 miles of fence, or approximately 4 to 5 acres. The so

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Just like its big brother, our new Mini Everlite gets its energy from the sun via a portable solar panel. But this model is so tiny you can slip it into your pocket or pack without a thought. Three high-intensity LEDs run for 20 hours on a six-hour, full-sun charge. A light-sensing auto on/off function with optional manual shutoff keeps it shining brightly from dusk to dawn if needed, while protecting against accidental daytime operation. Includes Velcro pads to attach it anywhere from a tent roof to a car dash or hat. China.

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All this solar powered, freestanding shower needs is a tap-water source and sunlight. The 2.1-gal. water-storage tank heats water up to 140F; when you’re ready to shower off chlorinated or salt water, simply adjust the incoming cold-water dial to the perfect temperature (up to 16 gal. of 86F water). No plumbing required; easy assembly; breaks apart for storage/transportation. China.

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ALWAYS BE CONNECTED CHARGE IN SUNLIGHT OR ON YOUR PCSOLAR PANEL CHARGES IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT IN ONLY 4-5 HOURS RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM BATTERY CHARGES ON YOUR PC IN JUST 2 HOURS INCLUDES ZIPPER CARRYING CASEINCLUDES 1 USB AND 1 DISCHARGING CABLE, 6 INTERCHANGEABLE CONNECTORS FITS MOST MOTOROLA V66, MOTOROLA V3(i), SAMSUNG A288, NOKIA 6101, SONY ERICSSON K750 AND IPHONE 3G TYPE CELL PHONES ALSO CHARGES IPOD NANO, VIDEO AND TOUCH PLAYERS

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For school, I need to heat 2 lieters of water with a solar panel.

anyone know how to do this

Making a black plastic container with a large surface area will do it. I worked at an archaeology field camp out in the mountains one summer and we took hot showers every day by filling these things called "sun showers". They were black plastic 10-liter bags with a screw on lid at one end to fill it up and a hose with a clamp valve and spray head at the other. We would fill them every morning after breakfast and then lay them out in the sun. By supper time they would be over 100 degrees and we would each take one and hang it on a hook above us in a shower room we built out of boards and tarps and be able to take a nice long hot shower.

Here’s an article and photo of the bag:

http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/228/1/Solar-shower-bag.html

With the rapid advancement of solar power, new products are entering the market containing “integrated solar panels”.

For example, solar shingles. Essentially, these are ordinary roof shingles which are made out of photovoltaic materials. They perform the same function as ordinary roof shingles, with the added capability of producing electricity.

The advantage of these thin “solar panels” is that they can now be integrated right into one’s building materials – so instead of having solar panels on your roof, you would now have a solar roof.

Aside from being more desirable from an aesthetic standpoint, this also eliminates the need for bulky and heavy “traditional solar panels” to be installed.

How are Solar Shingles Made?

Advancements in solar power technology, such as the inventions of solar ink and other combinations of semi-conductors, have made it possible to combine or include photovoltaic materials in with a wide range of other products and materials. Solar cells no longer need to be made out of bulky heavy-weight silicon panels. They can in fact be printed on just about any type of material – such as metal, plastic, and others. Researchers have even found methods of producing organic photovoltaics, although that is, at the moment, still in an entirely experimental phase.

Benefits of Solar Shingles

– Attractive style

– Fully integrated shingle roof

– Lower electric bill

– Free electricity

– Pollution-free power

– Increased home value

– Protects the environment

– Exceptionally durable

– Great investment

– Significant state cash rebates available

– Federal tax incentives available

Costs and Financing

To be honest, right at this moment solar shingles might still seem expensive to some, but as any new technology develops its products become cheaper with time. However it does look as though the cost will be considerably lower than installing a comparable set of conventional solar panels. In one recent example, the entire cost of a home solar shingle installation was approximately $16,000, with a $12,000 tax rebate. This brought the entire cost to only $4000. That’s considerably lower than the usual cost involved in installing a home solar power system – but one has to keep in mind as well that the cost of tiling or shingling a roof is covered at the same time. These are, after all, shingles as well as solar panels.

Clean energy cash incentives and tax rebates are available at a federal level, and most states also have a clean energy or sustainable energy source rebate program. This, combined with energy savings, does make them affordable, and will in most cases pay for itself over time.

Anna
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/solar-shingles-698820.html