Many of us are searching for ways to reduce our utility bills and to be more self-sufficient  through the use of alternative power. All things considered, the benefits don’t stop there; not when considering Mother Nature’s tirade over the past several years. [...]]]>

***The following is a guest post for The Solar Power Blog by Barbara Fix.***

Many of us are searching for ways to reduce our utility bills and to be more self-sufficient  through the use of alternative power. All things considered, the benefits don’t stop there; not when considering Mother Nature’s tirade over the past several years. Installing solar panels or a wind turbine means no scrambling for oil lamps and sleeping bags the next time the power grid goes down.

However, no matter how good your intentions are with regards to self-sufficiency, they can leave us feeling sucker-punched when the final estimate is in.  It’s understandable. Most of us are struggling to pay for our mortgages while the value of the US dollar plummets into economic freefall.

Not to worry. Thanks to a few good people, do-it-yourself instructions to build your own solar panels or wind turbine are available online for free, and that’s something we can afford.

For now, let’s start with a thumbnail comparison of solar panels vs. wind turbines. I  based this research on my homestead cabin and went to a solar/wind turban provider who offered a calculator that asked for zip code to calculate my locations temperature norms and daily sunlight averages. The questionnaire also requested annual kilowatt use. The information is then calculated and recommendations are offered as to whether wind turbine or solar panels are the best solution for your location. Surprisingly, their recommendation showed that my location in northern Idaho had a rating suitable for both solar and wind turbines. Obviously whomever invented this calculator hadn’t been anywhere near north Idaho this winter and early spring. Just two days before Easter, we were blanketed with 3 inches of snowfall overnight and parents had to scramble for a plan B for Easter egg hunts. Placing an egg on the surface of snow, and mixing it with a little daylight, no matter how stingy, and you end up with cute little egg tunnels and not so cute sobbing children. March and April delivered punishing winds that threatened to snap the pine trees on my property that lead to visions of Zeus joining Mother Nature; both bent on using my metal roof for target practice.

It turned out the costs were nearly identical for both solar panels and wind turbine, and as I mentioned, both systems were promised to be good candidates for my area of North Idaho. Based on this past winter and spring, the decision was an easy one: wind generation ruled! For someone living in Toke, Alaska where the sun is missing in action for half the year, going with wind power is a wise decision. But if you live in Phoenix and get sunlight nearly every day—please don’t rub it in--solar panels are the way to go.
Even when your location screams for solar panels, you might want to add Murphy’s Law to the equation because although some solar panels are made with tempered glass and are designed to withstand 1-inch hail and 50 MPH winds, should your area get pummeled by golf ball sized hail every once in a while, look out!

Wind turbines have their own issues. They have moving parts, so with them comes routine maintenance. If you suffer from a fear of heights, better arrange for someone you trust to do the maintenance work.

There is an option of partnering solar panels and wind turbans, and for certain locations, it’s the best approach.

No matter what best suits your geographic location, a portion of energy needs can be reduced with simple restraint.  The government is about to take some of our options away by following the lead of other nations who have outlawed the incandescent light bulb, severing a 130 year dependence upon Edison’s contribution to modern life. A ban on higher wattage incandescent light bulbs will begin in the US sometime in 2012.

We can take advantage of tax write-offs by purchasing smaller, energy star rated hot water heaters or energy efficient tank-less models. And for those of us with availability to natural gas, gas hot water heaters might help. I use the word might quite literally. We don’t know where that “glass” ceiling stops with regards to the price of oil. Some warn it will skyrocket to $5.00 a gallon and stay there. I believe them… I wished I didn’t.

We can switch out our refrigerators and ranges for energy saving models, and get into the habit of turning the lights off and unplugging appliances and chargers when not in use.
No matter how we do it, while the economy continues its nosedive, it’s time to find a workable solution to cut the costs of utilities as we navigate our way to long-term solvency.

The good news is there are folks out there willing to help us unplug from the grid who share do-it-yourself instructions to build solar panels and wind turbines. If you chose to either build or purchase an alternative energy source, you can unplug from the grid and breathe much easier.

Make no mistake - given the trillions of dollars invested over the last five decades in nuclear energy, the industry [...]]]>

As the dire news continues to leach out of Fukishima, the silver lining in its nuclear cloud is that renewable energy technologies, despite their daunting start-up costs, are receiving renewed scrutiny.

Make no mistake - given the trillions of dollars invested over the last five decades in nuclear energy, the industry and its lobbyists will not go down without a fight, promoting new, "safe" reactor designs, etc. etc. etc.

But the Fukushima debacle has finally bared the industry's darkest secret, it inability to manage its nuclear waste. The six reactor TEPCO Daichi Fukushima stored all its waste onsite, and the spent fuel rods and their lack of cooling have been a major contributor to the high radiation levels observed around the facility. Worse for nuclear power proponents has been the reluctant admission by TECPO that three of the complex's six reactors apparently did in fact suffer a meltdown.

So, what's next?

Hydroelectric facilities are a proven technology, but expensive and take years to construct.

Wind power also has substantial start-up costs, is erratic, and faces environmental opposition.

With the notable exception of bioethanol, little real money has gone into biofuel renewable, particularly in the U.S., where bioethanol produced from corn has a hammerlock on both subsidies and crop insurance, despite rising concerns about shifting land from food to energy production is driving up costs of foodstuffs. The leading contenders for bio-renewables, camelina, algae and jatropha, all are starved for investment as a result.

Which leaves solar energy, whose major dra wback up to now has been its high cost to generate kilowatts.

That however is changing, as research finds ways to lower costs.

DuPont's colorless polyimide film, a revolutionary new material currently in development for use as a flexible superstrate for cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin film photovoltaic modules, has established a new world record for solar cell conversion efficiency reaching 13.8 percent using the new Kapton colorless film, leapfrogging their previous world record of 12.6 percent and nearing that of glass. Robert G. Schmidt, new business development manager, Photovoltaics - DuPont Circuit & Packaging Materials commented, "Rather than transporting heavy, fragile glass modules on large trucks and lifting them by crane onto rooftop PV installations, one could imagine lightweight, flexible film-based modules that could simply be rolled up for transport, and easily carried up stairs."

On the other side of the world, according to Huang Xinming, head of a research institute at JA Solar, a large Chinese solar power company, JA Solar has just developed a new technology that could cut the cost of producing silicon, an important material in manufacturing solar panels, by 60 percent.

Cutting raw material costs, raising efficiency and reducing weight and transportation costs - t'would seem the future is lighting up, no pun intended.

And once again, China is apparently out-thinking its Wall Street competition, obsessed with maximizing profits and quarterly balance sheets. In any industrial process, increased production lowers in turn production costs. Rather than wait for entrepreneurs to line up in Beijing, china is apparently moving to make solar energy a component of its foreign policy in Africa as it moves to secure access to the Dark Continent's mineral riches.

According to Sun Guangbin, the secretary-general of photovoltaic products at the China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Machinery and Electronic Products, speaking in a recent interview, China intends to build solar power projects in 40 African nations in a boot-strap effort that will both reduce the continent's reliance on fossil fuels and open a new market for Chinese manufacturers, the biggest producers of solar panels. Sun noted, "China needs new emerging markets to consume their solar products besides Europe, and Africa could be one of them. We'll begin investigating this month in Africa to determine a suitable project in each country, such as installing solar panels on the rooftops of schools and hospitals."

Compare this with today's pronouncement from London that the Conservative government of David Cameron intends "Drastic cuts for large-scale solar power subsidies," according to a headline in the Guardian.

London and Washington are both still wedded to Big Oil and nuclear power. But if the 21st century is going to be about the struggle by Western economies to have access to Third World raw materials, it would seem that Africans, their schools, hospitals and home lighted by solar panels, may well look eastwards.

Source: http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Solar-Energy/Why-Japan-Will-Turn-to-Solar-Energy-Following-Fukushima.html

By. Dr. John C.K. Daly for OilPrice.com. For more information on oil prices and other commodity related topics please visit www.oilprice.com

Today we have a guest post by Stefan Mudry that I think all of you are going to find very interesting....

*****

The company rainforest-invest has been in reforestation since 2006. Currently we are developing a new project at the Finca Bayano in Panama with the idea of a 'second home' and a 'crisis emergency [...]]]>

Today we have a guest post by Stefan Mudry that I think all of you are going to find very interesting....

*****

The company rainforest-invest has been in reforestation since 2006. Currently we are developing a new project at the Finca Bayano in Panama with the idea of a 'second home' and a 'crisis emergency exit' for people who want to escape a collapsing system. Buying a farm with agricultural land on the Finca allows you to create an alternative home avoiding the possible consequences of the crisis like cold, hunger, inflation, violence and war. To feed a family of four, a farm of one hectare is needed. Two years are planned to prepare, hence the name 'Finca Bayano 2012'.

In 1929 people had no chance to prepare for the crisis, because this event could not be foreseen by the majority. Today you still have access to information. Make use of it and prepare yourself! Soon it might be too late. Should the situation continue to worsen, unrest and government restrictions such as control on capital movement, ban on cash transactions and travel restrictions may be expected. Therefore, it is extremely important to secure basic needs, now, because there is not enough land for everyone. Once the majority wakes up it will be too late.

If the crisis will not worsen and the economy recovers, the value of your farm will probably be considerably higher in a few years. However, in case the economy should collapse the value of your investment cannot be quantified, because you will be able to survive on your farm at the Finca Bayano. If you are not ready to emigrate today, you have the opportunity to proceed on two fronts. Why not prepare at home whereas having a farm prepared at the Finca Bayano by rainforest-invest? You might need a second home sooner than anticipated.

Finca Bayano is located 350 kilometres west of Panama City and 500 metres above the sea level. After a long search we gave preference to this area to build a village for 100 residents and their farms with a total area of 30 hectares. The area is hardly populated and there are no tropical diseases like malaria. It has an ideal climate with an average temperature of 25 degrees Centigrade and adequate rainfall. One river, that divides the Finca in two halves, flows from south to north and carries water all year round. The soil is fertile, firewood can be found in abundance and mostly there is a pleasant breeze blowing. There are neither polluting industrial plants nor power stations, active volcanoes or serious earthquakes. Our Panamanian neighbors are very friendly and all of them are self-supporting.

You may visit us in Panama anytime to see how we are working and what progress we make. As soon as your farm has been registered in your name, you can move to the Finca. We will accommodate you in the town house until the completion of your home, which you may build in accordance to your own plan or have it built by us. The cost for home construction is very low, because of easy regulations and because of natural materials that can be used. The management of your farm is included in the purchase price, even if you do not move to the Finca.  www.2012.com.pa

There is no Planet B but there is a Plan B: Finca B.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen

Stefan Mudry
rainforest-invest, S.A.
Geschäftsführer

www.2012.com.pa

in Panama:

Stefan Mudry
Calle 74 Este
Edificio Hyde Park 1701 a
Panamá
Tel: +507 6538 6271
Skype: stefan.mudry

in Deutschland:

Achim Wendland
Tel.   0681 8390420
Mob. 0176 47090211
Skype: achim.wendland

As the price of oil continues to rise, and as more people than ever wake up to what we are doing to the environment, solar power is rapidly becoming more popular than ever.  In fact, one might even say that a revolution is taking place.  An increasing number of people are finding value in becoming [...]]]>

As the price of oil continues to rise, and as more people than ever wake up to what we are doing to the environment, solar power is rapidly becoming more popular than ever.  In fact, one might even say that a revolution is taking place.  An increasing number of people are finding value in becoming self-sufficient, and solar power is one of the top choices for those who desire to get "off the grid".   

So just how popular is solar power becoming?  Well, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey, 44% of Americans believe that solar power should become a standard method for heating homes in the United States.

Not only that, but according to that same survey 31% of Americans say that they are at least "somewhat likely" to use solar power in their homes in the next five years, and 13% say that they are very likely to do so.

Those are very encouraging numbers.

The cost of implementing a home solar power system is coming down at a time when more Americans than ever are viewing solar power as a practical alternative.

If you are in need of some inspiration, just check out the following video report about what one couple living in the Herefordshire countryside is doing with solar power....

Of course solar power is not the only alternative energy source that is good for the environment. There are others who are turning to wind power and geothermal methods of producing renewable energy. But solar is probably the most prominent at this point, and it certainly holds a lot of promise.

If you are looking for a way to help the environment and to become more self-sufficient, we encourage you to check out solar power as a possibility.  We believe that you will be glad that you did.

From the Manufacturer

Tune_in: to the MICROLINK FR160 by Etón For the calm of a sailboat, the curves of a bike trail, the midst of a hurricane, for baseball fans tuning into a game, a bevy of kids camping in the backyard. For everyday adventure, Etón corporation is there to keep you connected, empowered and informed [...]]]>

From the Manufacturer

Tune_in: to the MICROLINK FR160 by Etón For the calm of a sailboat, the curves of a bike trail, the midst of a hurricane, for baseball fans tuning into a game, a bevy of kids camping in the backyard. For everyday adventure, Etón corporation is there to keep you connected, empowered and informed all year round, 365 days a year. Sleek and portable MICROLINK FR160 helps you define your adventure Radios for Everyday Adventure The Etón MICRO (more...)

If you came here looking for hope, you just found it.

Author: Ed Hunter

Alternative energy is energy that is renewable and naturally occurring. Alternative energy does not produce pollution and is a safer, cleaner and less destructive method of obtaining energy than using fossil fuels.

Alternative energy, by its very nature, is not harmful to the Earths environment. Due [...]]]>

The Sun and Wind as an Alternative Power Source

Author: Ed Hunter

Alternative energy is energy that is renewable and naturally occurring. Alternative energy does not produce pollution and is a safer, cleaner and less destructive method of obtaining energy than using fossil fuels.

Alternative energy, by its very nature, is not harmful to the Earths environment. Due to increasingly high gas prices and concerns over damage to the environment many people have begun looking for an alternative energy source to meet their needs.

Fortunately searching for an alternative energy source has never been easier than it is now, and finding a provider for an alternative energy source is much easier now than in times past as well.

One very common alternative energy source is wind power. Winds are produced by the uneven heating of the Earths atmosphere and surface by the sun. Wind is free and is readily available in most locations around the world. People have been using windmills for centuries to generate electricity and power.

Wind is the fastest growing energy source in the whole world. And has the potential to supply about 20% of the demand for electricity in the United States at an affordable and economical rate.

Wind power also helps to offset toxic emissions of carbon dioxide. Wind generators are easy to maintain and due to the small amounts of moving parts on them and they are designed to last for years. A windmill is an excellent investment as an alternative energy source as they will pay for themselves in 6-15 years in most instances.

Solar energy is another alternative energy source that is both cost efficient and effective. Solar power is obtained by photovoltaic panels which can be installed on the roof of a home.

There are many skilled professionals available to install the photovoltaic panels and offer advice on there care and upkeep. There are also smaller, portable solar panels available for powering batteries and running small electrical devices.

The photovoltaic panels used for solar power converts energy from the suns rays into electricity. The sun is a constant source of power and heat and solar energy as an alternative energy source is renewable and clean.

Solar energy is a free natural resource that is abundant and inexhausteable. In the United States alone there are more than 10,000 homes that are being powered entirely by solar power as an alternative energy source.

Finding an alternative energy source can a very educational experience that is very rewarding and has positive lasting effects on the Earth and our environment. There are many state and federal financial incentives available to anyone who wants to use an alternative energy source to help save money when buying and installing their alternative energy source.

Article Source: http://www.articleclick.com/Article/The-Sun-and-Wind-as-an-Alternative-Power-Source/1252831

About the Author:

Learn more about solar panels and wind turbines at Energy4Freedom.com

From Publishers Weekly

The inscription on a granite obelisk in Beaumont, Tex., claims: On this spot on the tenth day of the twentieth century, a new era in civilization began. On that scrubby mound of dirt gushed a fountain of oil that sprayed for days, tripled U.S. oil [...]]]>

From Publishers Weekly

The inscription on a granite obelisk in Beaumont, Tex., claims: On this spot on the tenth day of the twentieth century, a new era in civilization began. On that scrubby mound of dirt gushed a fountain of oil that sprayed for days, tripled U.S. oil production overnight and set off a frenzy that revolutionized the industrial age. Previously, crude oil and its derivative, kerosene, held little more value than cheap ways to heat and light homes, but as wildcatt (more...)

Amazon.com

The family of Solio the Universal "Hybrid" Chargers, Solio Mono, Solio Classic, Solio Hybrid-1000, the Solio Magnesium, are powerful enough to charge all handheld electronic devices at home or on the move, anything, anytime, anywhere. It is a Hybrid because it can accept power from [...]]]>

Amazon.com

The family of Solio the Universal "Hybrid" Chargers, Solio Mono, Solio Classic, Solio Hybrid-1000, the Solio Magnesium, are powerful enough to charge all handheld electronic devices at home or on the move, anything, anytime, anywhere. It is a Hybrid because it can accept power from either the sun, a computer, or the wall storing this energy within Solio's internal rechargeable battery. Solio uses this energy to power gadgets at the same rate as wall adaptors and wi (more...)

From the Manufacturer

The Coleman CC-4000 controller will connect to your panel to avoid overcharging your batteries when using the Coleman solar chargers. Use with CL-1200 model

(more...)

Almost 85% of the energy demands we have is met by non-renewable energy sources like oil, petrol, coal etc. Unfortunately, these resources are limited and with indiscriminate use will deplete and eventually dry up. Using these fuels also tends to emit carbon [...]]]>

Clean Energy – Do the Right Thing for the Environment by Green Earth Community

Almost 85% of the energy demands we have is met by non-renewable energy sources like oil, petrol, coal etc. Unfortunately, these resources are limited and with indiscriminate use will deplete and eventually dry up. Using these fuels also tends to emit carbon into the atmosphere which is toxic and a pollutant. This is the primary cause of the green house effect and global warming.

So what is the solution to this? How do you do the right thing for the environment? The answer to this lies in Clean energy.

Clean energy is known alternatively as Green energy, Renewable energy or Alternative energy. Basically, clean energy is non-fossil based. Clean energy is considered to be non-polluting, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly. Generally sources of clean energy are natural sources which are harnessed to produce energy – wind energy, solar power, hydropower, tidal power, geothermal energy and biomass.

Clean energy is increasingly gaining popularity amongst individual consumers as well as businesses and organizations. It’s the best choice for those looking to do their bit for the environment and also increase their nation’s energy independence. In the US nearly one million homes have purchased Green certificates to support this form of energy.

One of the more common sources of clean energy is wind power. For centuries we’ve seen wind energy being harnessed and used by humans in the form of wind mills and sail boats. This source of energy makes use of airflows to run wind turbines. Basically, higher the wind speed more is the power output. Thus wind power is a very good source of energy in areas with strong winds which are constant, such as offshore and high altitude sites. Wind turbines are being used to pump water, for grinding grains and also to charge batteries. Germany, Denmark, India, Spain and the US account for about 80% of the world’s installed wind energy capacity. Find out if your area too is suitable for utilising wind energy.

Water Power, also known as Hydro energy is a very popular and highly effective source of renewable energy. Water has immense potential as an energy source as it about 800 times denser than air. This means that even a slow flow of water or a moderate sea swell has the ability to generate quite a bit of energy. Hydro power is one of the best, cheapest and cleanest sources of energy. Of course, building dams to harness this energy may prove expensive and pose environmental issues. Energy from water can be harnessed using large-scale hydroelectric dams, micro hydro systems, damless hydro systems deriving energy from rivers and oceans, tidal stream power, wave power, saline gradient power etc.

A third source of clean energy, and one that is the most freely available is solar energy. With solar energy there is no issue of boundaries of countries and who the resource belongs to. Solar energy is also very important as it is virtually pollution-free and therefore environmental friendly. Solar energy has gained increasing popularity since the 1970’s ever since oil prices started increasing. In many countries, solar energy is used in daily chores like for drying clothes, vegetables, for pickling etc. Similarly, there are now solar panels available which can be used to absorb sunlight and use the energy for heating and cooking purposes. In fact such is the potential of solar energy that newer factories being set up are using technology to utilise solar energy, helping the environment and reducing their own costs. Solar energy can be used for cooking, heating, distillation, power generation, cooling, refrigeration, drying etc. For harnessing solar energy products like solar cookers, water heaters, hot air systems, power tower, etc are available. You too can easily setup any of the solar power based equipments in your backyard or on your terrace. While the initial cost of setup may be on a higher side as compared to the AC powered equipments, in the long run solar power run equipments prove highly economical. Apart from that certain states also offer tax rebates, concessions and soft loans on purchase and installation of such clean energy harnessing products at home or in offices.

Biomass is another clean energy source. It is derived from the waste of human and natural activities. The major sources of biomass include by products from agricultural crops, raw materials from the forest, major chunk of household waste etc. Biomass is very efficient as a renewable fuel as it does not add any additional carbon dioxide to the atmosphere as it absorbs as much when being developed. In countries like India, villages have biogas plants which make use of farm and animal waste to produce gas for home and small industry use. In countries like the US, biomass is being used for heat and power generation.

Seeing how beneficial and economical clean energy sources are, it is definitely the right thing to do for the environment. Take a step towards clean energy today so that our coming generations get to breathe Oxygen and not CO2.

Keep up to date and learn better ways to protect the environment at Green Earth Community.

Article Source: Clean Energy – Do the Right Thing for the Environment

Review

Nelson's obvious experience in lecturing on solar cells has made this book a most useful and recommendable reading. -- Hans J Queisser, Max-Planck-Institute of Solid-State Research, Stuttgart, GermanyPhotovoltaics will play an increasingly important role in a future low-carbon energy economy. Jenny Nelson has provided a splendidly clear, [...]]]>

Review

Nelson's obvious experience in lecturing on solar cells has made this book a most useful and recommendable reading. -- Hans J Queisser, Max-Planck-Institute of Solid-State Research, Stuttgart, GermanyPhotovoltaics will play an increasingly important role in a future low-carbon energy economy. Jenny Nelson has provided a splendidly clear, concise and readable account of the basic semiconductor physics of the solar cell, complete with student exercises and solutions. In the (more...)

All the power you need is already there. This third edition helps readers understand the basics of solar (photovoltaic) power and explore whether it makes sense for them, what their options are, and what's involved with installing various on- and off-grid systems. •Solar power is a $3 billion industry, [...]]]>

All the power you need is already there. This third edition helps readers understand the basics of solar (photovoltaic) power and explore whether it makes sense for them, what their options are, and what's involved with installing various on- and off-grid systems. •Solar power is a $3 billion industry, and it's poised to grow to $39 billion by 2014 •By 2011, the United States will surpass Germany as the largest market for solar power products

About the Author (more...)

Amazon.com

The Sunforce 50044 60-Watt Solar Charging Kit gives you several more reasons to love the sun. It provides the power you need, while helping you save money and protect the environment. This kit is ideal for cabins, recreational vehicles, remote power, back-up power, and 12-volt battery [...]]]>

Amazon.com

The Sunforce 50044 60-Watt Solar Charging Kit gives you several more reasons to love the sun. It provides the power you need, while helping you save money and protect the environment. This kit is ideal for cabins, recreational vehicles, remote power, back-up power, and 12-volt battery charging. It comes with everything you need to start producing up to 60 Watts/4 Amps of clean, free power in all weather conditions. Sunforce kits are easy to set up and operate. C (more...)

Easy-to-understand, accurate, and comprehensive, this is the guide for anyone interested in installing a solar electric system. Power from the Sun provides a basic understanding of electricity, solar energy and the sun, and solar site assessment. It discusses the types of photovoltaics (PVs) and PV systems, advances in PVs, charge controllers, inverters, batteries, [...]]]>

Easy-to-understand, accurate, and comprehensive, this is the guide for anyone interested in installing a solar electric system. Power from the Sun provides a basic understanding of electricity, solar energy and the sun, and solar site assessment. It discusses the types of photovoltaics (PVs) and PV systems, advances in PVs, charge controllers, inverters, batteries, and generators, as well as the installation and maintenance of a PV system. This book is written for the layperson (more...)

From the Manufacturer

Tune_in: to the MICROLINK FR160 by Etón For the calm of a sailboat, the curves of a bike trail, the midst of a hurricane, for baseball fans tuning into a game, a bevy of kids camping [...]]]>

From the Manufacturer

Tune_in: to the MICROLINK FR160 by Etón For the calm of a sailboat, the curves of a bike trail, the midst of a hurricane, for baseball fans tuning into a game, a bevy of kids camping in the backyard. For everyday adventure, Etón corporation is there to keep you connected, empowered and informed all year round, 365 days a year. Sleek and portable MICROLINK FR160 helps you define your adventure Radios for Everyday Adventure The Etón MICRO (more...)

The perfect source for solar power—fully illustrated. Solar Power (photovoltaics) is now a one-billion-dollar industry, and it’s poised to grow rapidly in the near future as more pressure is placed on limited fossil fuel resources and as advances in solar technology drive down the costs of [...]]]>

The perfect source for solar power—fully illustrated. Solar Power (photovoltaics) is now a one-billion-dollar industry, and it’s poised to grow rapidly in the near future as more pressure is placed on limited fossil fuel resources and as advances in solar technology drive down the costs of residential solar systems. This book helps readers understand the basics of solar power and other renewable energy sources, explore whether solar power makes sense for them, what (more...)

The Solar Electricity Handbook is a practical and straightforward guide to using electric solar panels. Assuming no previous knowledge of solar panels, the book explains how solar panels work, how they can be used and explains the steps you need to take to successfully design and install a solar electric system [...]]]>

The Solar Electricity Handbook is a practical and straightforward guide to using electric solar panels. Assuming no previous knowledge of solar panels, the book explains how solar panels work, how they can be used and explains the steps you need to take to successfully design and install a solar electric system from scratch using photovoltaic solar panels. Accompanying this book is a solar resource website containing lots of useful information, lists of suppliers and on-line (more...)

From the Manufacturer

Tune_in: to the MICROLINK FR160 by Etón For the calm of a sailboat, the curves of a bike trail, the midst of a hurricane, for baseball fans tuning into a game, a bevy of kids camping [...]]]>

From the Manufacturer

Tune_in: to the MICROLINK FR160 by Etón For the calm of a sailboat, the curves of a bike trail, the midst of a hurricane, for baseball fans tuning into a game, a bevy of kids camping in the backyard. For everyday adventure, Etón corporation is there to keep you connected, empowered and informed all year round, 365 days a year. Sleek and portable MICROLINK FR160 helps you define your adventure Radios for Everyday Adventure The Etón MICRO (more...)

The bestselling alternative energy reference book in North America?now in an updated edition Want to take advantage of solar power in your home? Whether you?re looking to save on your energy costs by adding a few solar components or you want to build a solar-powered house [...]]]>

The bestselling alternative energy reference book in North America?now in an updated edition Want to take advantage of solar power in your home? Whether you?re looking to save on your energy costs by adding a few solar components or you want to build a solar-powered house from the ground up, Solar Power For Dummies, 2nd Edition takes the mystery out of this energy source and shows you how to put it to work for you! This new edition gives you hands-on tips and tech (more...)

WordPress Autoblogging

Design High-Performance Alternative Energy Systems for BuildingsA comprehensive reference for architects and engineers, this GreenSource book provides practical design and installation guidelines for some of the most commercially viable alternative energy technologies. Construction materials, system deployment, typical installations, and environmental impact are covered.Alternative Energy Systems in Building Design includes information on LEED design, [...]]]>

Design High-Performance Alternative Energy Systems for BuildingsA comprehensive reference for architects and engineers, this GreenSource book provides practical design and installation guidelines for some of the most commercially viable alternative energy technologies. Construction materials, system deployment, typical installations, and environmental impact are covered.Alternative Energy Systems in Building Design includes information on LEED design, energy conservation, and so (more...)

About the Actor

Toyota, W L Gore & Associates, Inc., Nuvera Fuel Cells, Inc., DaimlerChrysler Corporation, EPA, Ford, General Motors, Honda, The California Fuel Cell Partnership, CIMware Ltd. UK, CIMware USA, Inc., and others. The video, presented and demonstrated by industry experts: Robert Wimmer, Toyota Motor North America [...]]]>

About the Actor

Toyota, W L Gore & Associates, Inc., Nuvera Fuel Cells, Inc., DaimlerChrysler Corporation, EPA, Ford, General Motors, Honda, The California Fuel Cell Partnership, CIMware Ltd. UK, CIMware USA, Inc., and others. The video, presented and demonstrated by industry experts: Robert Wimmer, Toyota Motor North America Inc., USA, Mitchell Houser, W L Gore & Associates, Inc., USA, Bryan McKay, Nuvera Fuel Cells, Inc., USA, Beth Sommers, DaimlerChrysler Corporation, USA, and (more...)

The Sunforce 50013 1 Watt Power Sports Charger is the perfect solution for charging the batteries of motorcycles, personal water crafts, ATVs, snowmobiles and tractors. The 50013 is not only weatherproof, but maintenance free and extremely easy to install. With its built in overcharge / discharge protection, you cannot go wrong with [...]]]>

The Sunforce 50013 1 Watt Power Sports Charger is the perfect solution for charging the batteries of motorcycles, personal water crafts, ATVs, snowmobiles and tractors. The 50013 is not only weatherproof, but maintenance free and extremely easy to install. With its built in overcharge / discharge protection, you cannot go wrong with the 50013 battery charger. This top of the line solar panel works in all daylight conditions to keep your batteries charged. Your purchase includes (more...)

The fast and easy way to get up-to-speed on alternative energy Because of current events, geopolitics, and natural disasters, the cost of fuel is front and center in our lives. This book provides a concise look at all forms of energy, including fossil fuels, electric, solar, biodiesel, nuclear, hydroelectric, wind, and renewable fuel cells. [...]]]>

The fast and easy way to get up-to-speed on alternative energy Because of current events, geopolitics, and natural disasters, the cost of fuel is front and center in our lives. This book provides a concise look at all forms of energy, including fossil fuels, electric, solar, biodiesel, nuclear, hydroelectric, wind, and renewable fuel cells. You will get explanations, definitions, and analysis of each alternative energy source from a technological point of view.

(more...)

From the Manufacturer

Power House: Green Essentials Edition. To live sustainably, we must use Earth's resources at a rate at which they can be replenished, and thus provide for future generations to live as we have. In this kit, you can learn about alternatitive energy [...]]]>

From the Manufacturer

Power House: Green Essentials Edition. To live sustainably, we must use Earth's resources at a rate at which they can be replenished, and thus provide for future generations to live as we have. In this kit, you can learn about alternatitive energy and sustainable living by conducting experiments and building energy-related models. Thirty of the best experiments and the ten most important building projects from the original Power House kit are presented i (more...)

The Solar Electricity Handbook is a practical and straightforward guide to using electric solar panels. Assuming no previous knowledge of solar panels, the book explains how solar panels work, how they can be used and explains the steps you need to take to successfully design and install a solar electric system [...]]]>

The Solar Electricity Handbook is a practical and straightforward guide to using electric solar panels. Assuming no previous knowledge of solar panels, the book explains how solar panels work, how they can be used and explains the steps you need to take to successfully design and install a solar electric system from scratch using photovoltaic solar panels. Accompanying this book is a solar resource website containing lots of useful information, lists of suppliers and on-line (more...)

If you want to put together a solar power system yourself this DVD is for you. Although it covers an off-grid system it is just as helpful for someone who wants to be partially on grid but would rather set up the system themselves. This is not an overview but rather programmed instruction. [...]]]>

If you want to put together a solar power system yourself this DVD is for you. Although it covers an off-grid system it is just as helpful for someone who wants to be partially on grid but would rather set up the system themselves. This is not an overview but rather programmed instruction. This DVD shows, step-by-step, how a 650-watt, off-grid, do-it-yourself solar-panel system was set up. The system partially replaced a 2-gallon-a-day gasoline-driven generator system and was es (more...)

Review

"...this book really does offer a comprehensive picture of the possible future of energy...well priced." (UK-Energy-Saving.com, August 6th 2009)

Get the truth about alternative energy and make it part of your life Want to utilize cleaner, greener types of energy? This plain-English guide [...]]]>

Review

"...this book really does offer a comprehensive picture of the possible future of energy...well priced." (UK-Energy-Saving.com, August 6th 2009)

Get the truth about alternative energy and make it part of your life Want to utilize cleaner, greener types of energy? This plain-English guide clearly explains the popular forms of alternative energy that you can use in your home, your car, and more. Separating myth from fact, this resource explores the (more...)

Renewable energy is the centerpiece of eco-energy planning. Yet all renewable energy sources are not created equal and some are far more sustainable in the long term than others. We will explore the available types of renewable energy considering the advantages and disadvantage as we go.

However [...]]]>

Renewable Power and Alternative Energy Advantages and Disadvantages

Renewable energy is the centerpiece of eco-energy planning. Yet all renewable energy sources are not created equal and some are far more sustainable in the long term than others. We will explore the available types of renewable energy considering the advantages and disadvantage as we go.

However are we all clear about the difference, such as it is between renewable energy and alternative energy. Alternative energy is all energy sources other than carbonaceous sources, whereas renewable energy is energy that is replaced almost as quickly as it is used by being part of the natural carbon cycle of the earth. Renewable fuels produce carbon dioxide but since the renewable source is always being replenished the energy use is merely interceding in the natural cycle.

Alternative energy sources encompasses all the renewable sources but also nuclear, and for example, energy from municipal solid waste (MSW) which - due to its source may not be strictly a renewable source. and new types such as hydrogen power from new energy conversion process

An example of a renewable fuel is wood which is renewed by the re-growing of the forest from which the tree was felled. Another prime example of this type of energy is solar power. Many governments are setting out to increase the use of renewable power. The increasing use of renewable energy is, for example, an integral part of the United Kingdom Government's longer-term aim of reducing CO2 emissions by 60% by 2050. In 2000 the Government set a target of 10% of electricity supply from renewable energy by 2010, and in 2006 that nation announced our aspiration to double that level by 2020.

Renewable energy is produced from sources that are replenished as they are used, such as the wind, water flowing in streams, rivers and seas, the sun and sustainably grown crops. In order to harness these sources and reduce our dependency on finite reserves of oil, coal and gas, renewable energy professionals need to understand the scientific principles of renewable energy technology and have the management skills to ensure that UK and international carbon emission reduction targets are met.

All alternative energy is best derived from inexhaustible sources such as wind, the sun, sea, or replaceable sources such as waste products and crops. Using sources of renewable energy should be viewed as a long-term method to tackle climate change, and will play an increasingly important part in helping reduce carbon emissions by 2050.

However, before we get really excited about the potential for renewable sources of power. Renewable energy is not all it's made out to be, it's not that cheap compared to conventional fossil fuel generating plants. Also, the production of enough renewable energy is also very hard to achieve rapidly. In comparison to a large fossil fuel power station oil, natural gas or coal each renewable power plant is really tiny. Literally thousands of large wind turbines, for example, are needed to replace just one coal, gas or oil fired power station.

The only real alternative to fossil fuels which is a well tested and mature technology, and can be built really quickly is nuclear energy.

Nuclear power should be considered "clean" and "green" when compared with fossil fuels. The carbon dioxide emissions from a nuclear plant are mostly during its construction, and are very low compared with fossil fuel sources. So, it is an alternative energy capable of reducing global waming effects if developed in a big way in the next few years.

Nevertheless, advantages and disadvantages as there may be to renewable energy. It is certain to be an area of significant investment and importance for future generations. The ability to develop technology that harnesses energy from wind, solar, water, and other renewable resources defines future generations of technology. The share of US power which will be obtained from alternative renewable sources including large hydro and biomass) in global primary energy is projected to be between 8% and 17% for the years up to 2010, possibly increasing to above 50% by 2100.

Its is clear to all to see that the renewable energy is bandwagon is rolling and it is becoming increasingly popular as fossil fuel prices rise. For example, the state of Iowa now has over 600 wind turbines that help supply its power.

Steve Evans writes about energy and has equally knowledgeable guest authors also writing on the subject in the regularly updated blog called Renewable Energy News This thriving and popular blog is where you'll also find articles on tide tidal power.