Solar Hot Water Bible: Do-It-Yourselfers & Contractors - Learn from the solar water heaters industry leader

October 8, 2008

Make Money With An Energy Deregulation Business And Lower Your Texas Electric Bill

If you're new here at Alternative Energy HQ, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed for all the latest updates on energy news. Thanks for visiting!


One of the fastest growing companies in the United States is Dallas, Texas based Ambit Energy. Ambit entered the deregulated electricity market in Texas in 2006. Ambit started service in New York with electricity and natural gas service in 2007. In 2008, natural gas service was launched in Illinois. In early 2009, Ambit energy will expand natural gas service into Ohio. Ambit Energy offers great prices on electricity and natural gas, free hotel stays for switching, a monthly rewards program that offers everything from gasoline to resort vacations, and a chance to earn free energy and vacations for referring friends and family who also want to save money and earn free rewards.

Ambit offers fantastic benefits for customers in Texas. Texas electricity prices are very unstable right now and it is not uncommon for people to be able to save 20% to 40% or more just by switching. The standard rates from Ambit are up to 20% cheaper than the incumbent electricity providers. With high usage in the summer and winter, this can mean savings of hundreds of dollars. The high usage also helps customers earn rewards very rapidly. It doesn’t make you want to spend money on electricity, but if you can relax on the beach every now and then with a free trip, it does make it easier. Customers can also refer people to a personal website provided by the company. For every 5 people that sign up with Ambit, they get a free vacation. If 15 people sign up, the customer gets a credit on their electricity bill up to the full amount. That means Texas Electricity customers can get free travel and free electricity in addition to low rates. That is a hard combination to beat.

More on Make Money With An Energy Deregulation Business And Lower Your Texas Electric Bill

Permalink • Print • Comment
Ultimate Biodiesel Guide


November 9, 2006

US Wind Energy Grows To Record Levels


AWEA THIRD QUARTER MARKET REPORT: U.S. WIND ENERGY INDUSTRY COMPLETES WORLD’S LARGEST WIND FARM, EXPECTS TO ADD OVER 2,700 MEGAWATTS IN 2006

New Projects Strengthen Energy Security

The U.S. wind energy industry is on track to install a record 2,750 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity in 2006, which will produce about as much electricity as is used by the entire state of Rhode Island and help strengthen energy security, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) said today in its Third Quarter Market Report. In other record-breaking news, one of the projects completed this quarter, FPL Energy’s 735-MW Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center in Texas, has shattered all previous records for the country’s and world’s largest wind farm. One megawatt of wind power produces enough electricity on a typical day to serve the equivalent of 250-300 homes.

“To strengthen our energy independence we need safe, domestic, and inexhaustible energy, and wind power provides just that,” said AWEA executive director Randall Swisher. “The U.S. wind energy industry is working all-out to meet current demand for new wind farms. But the nation needs a timely and long-term extension of the wind energy production tax credit to allow companies to plan beyond 2007 and continue to build a strong and secure energy future,” added Swisher. The federal production tax credit, which was extended for two years in the Energy Policy Act, will expire in December 2007. Intermittent, short-term extensions of the tax credit create boom-and-bust cycles that hobble the industry.

America ’s wind farms currently save over half a billion cubic feet of natural gas per day (Bcf/day) and help reduce the supply pressure that is driving up natural gas imports. Greater use of wind power will increase the resiliency of our electricity supply, help stabilize electricity costs, and strengthen America’s energy security, according to AWEA, which has filed comments with the U.S. Department of Energy on the need for national interest transmission corridors to unlock the vast wind resources of the American heartland. Recent polls show the public now viewing energy independence as the top national security issue . Commented Swisher, “Every megawatt-hour of domestic, inexhaustible wind energy from our heartland is a megawatt-hour that doesn’t burn fuel and that strengthens our energy security, protects our environment, and creates good jobs.”

A total of 1,345 MW has been already completed this year, according to AWEA’s quarterly report, bringing total installed wind energy capacity in the U.S. to 10,492 MW, generating enough electricity to serve over 2.5 million homes. Construction is also proceeding on an additional 1,500 MW of wind farms to be completed this year. AWEA had previously estimated that about 3,000 MW would be installed this year, but it is now clear that a few projects originally slated for completion in 2006 will not be finalized until 2007 because of various delays. Wind power is expected in 2006 to provide 18% to 20% of the new capacity installed in the country — making it the second-largest source of new power generation after new natural gas plants according to the Energy Information Administration.

For 2007, AWEA currently estimates that installations will exceed those of 2006 and range from 3,000 MW to 3,500 MW.

A state-by-state listing of existing and proposed wind energy projects is available on AWEA's Web site at http://www.awea.org/projects.

Permalink • Print • Comment

July 31, 2008

Solar Panels as Solar Energy


solar energy
Radha Kishan asked:


The Sun, worshiped by Pharos and kings, mentioned in almost all the Religious scriptures, symbolizes the beginning of all known energies that ever existed. Man kind was marveled of its magnificent appearance and power to effect almost all the climate changes in this world and built temples to worship the sun gods. Though mankind gave away the gods that they believed in the past, they indeed still respect the sun as the source of aboundent energy. Modern day science has calculated that the sun unleashes a staggering one thousand watts of energy to a square meter of the Earth’s surface every second. That is enough energy of keep your iron on for one hour or lighting up a blub for 25 hours. Although the sun releases energy in such quantities mankind is still able harness a fraction of it. In the modern days mankind has harnessed solar energy through the use of solar panels. Although the technology used to turn sunlight into electricity is still in its infancy stages, scientist are working hard to introduce more new and better technologies to harness the sun. One day we can be hopeful enough to go and buy a solar panel that will be reliable to support large household. The Solar panel is made up of photovoltaic (PV) arrays. The word photovoltaic is a combination of the two words photo which refers to light and voltaic which refers to electricity. These photovoltaic modules are assembled to make up a photovoltaic cell also known as solar cell. These cells are installed and interconnected in a panel to create a photovoltaic array also known as a solar panel. The photovoltaic (PV) cells are made out of material used in semiconductors (Crystalline silicon and gallium arsenide are the best substance currently in use). When light strikes these substances a portion of the energy that is with the light is absorbed, as result electrons the basic building blocks of electricity are released allowing them to flow freely. These electrons are directed in to single direction to obtain the necessary current. This current, together with the voltage defines the power that the solar panel can produce. The main problem associated with the solar panel is its cost; with a PV panel costs ranging from $1 to $2 per watt companies are finding it difficult to produce viable solar panels for the market. Consumers on the other hand opt for budget solar cells, which provide lower output levels resulting in consumer disappointment. Despite all of this disadvantages if you are interested in installing and using solar panels follow these steps. First consider and have clear idea on what would you want to power up using a solar panel. There is a verity of smaller spot lights that could lighten your backyard. You can also invest on smaller solar panels that could be used to lighten up your garage lights or any remote place where it is difficult to provide electricity. Remember a solar panel is equal to a mobile power source. Unlike generators solar panels doesn’t pollute the environment when it’s active. With a little maintenance you will be able to sustain a good flow of power. When purchasing the solar panel make sure that you purchase the “Plug & Play” type. This will reduce the hassle of having to read lengthy user manuals. Most of the solar panels arrive with all necessary connectors and controller and cost around $200 to $ 300, so that you can get on business right away. Be sure that the panel is capable of charging even during overcast days, so you can have power at any time of the year. Having the solar panel it is very important to select a suitable spot to install it. Most of the solar panels take about five to six hours to get fully charged, so it is important to expose much of the surface of the panel to the sun. Always be prepared to obtain an expert advice if you feel that you are ready to invest on more solar panels. They can help you to get the best solar panels that will suite your requirements. Such trends towards implementing small solar panels to produce power can make the once "green dream" a reality.

water fuel Video Channel

Energy Tags: ,

Permalink • Print • Comment

December 2, 2008

Advantages of Solar Energy - Benefits for Personal, Environment, and Financial


People can obtain lots of advantages of solar energy. Solar energy actually converts the sun's rays into electricity with the help of solar panels. It provides us the cleanest energy since it does not produce any harmful emissions. Furthermore, solar energy is an inexhaustible source of power. As long as the sun still shines, we can get the advantages of solar energy.

Towards a Greener Earth

Non-polluting energy is one of the major advantages of solar energy. Additionally, it is also soundless. The solar cells extract the energy from the sun without any sound. You can understand the benefit of switching to solar energy when you compare it to the other fossil fuel. The solar cells have no moving parts so the maintenance is easy and almost negligible. Furthermore, the cells have a long lifetime use.

Unluckily, the initial investment on solar panels and the installation of the system requires lots of money. You’ll find that it costs more than thousand of dollars. Nevertheless, after in the long run, you’ll get the advantages of solar energy excitedly since it can reduce your energy bills. You’ll get the advantages of solar energy exceed more than the way you spend money for the initial cost.

As the solar panels have a long life use, once the investments costs are met, there is no more drain only gain. When the system is installed and functioning well, you are free from power failures and blackouts and no more at the mercy of power generating companies.

The initial cost of solar energy is the weakness of applying solar energy. Solar energy at present costs twice as much as traditional sources of power generation which is oil and coal. Nevertheless, as natural sources of oil and coal run out, the cost of producing energy from such sources will increase.

The other drawback is that it is only possible to produce electricity during the daytime. But with good battery backups or provincial grid system, the distribution and flow of electricity is maintained to an optimum level.

The advantages of solar energy generation gain its fame in most of people. Lately, to produce electricity, you don't need huge power plants with expensive machinery. The electricity can be supplied at home without annoyance or any noise to people living in the area. Furthermore, the installation of the system is also maintainable and very easy.

Explore more about the advantages of solar energy, since there are many things you haven’t known and will be answered only if you visit the links here! These guidelines will make you smarter about solar energy!

Permalink • Print • Comment

Biodiesel, the New Energy Revolution


biodiesel37.jpg">biodiesel
Jerry Cahill asked:


Fuels are the energy-boosters for vehicles. Without it no automobile can run on the road. But these fuels have always been a major factor in pollution problem. That is why alternative fuels or eco-friendly fuels have been discovered.

Biodiesel is one of them. It is equivalent to diesel, which is derived from biological sources. It is a non-toxic, eco-friendly processed fuel, and can be used in vehicles having diesel-driven engine. It is useful as it has less emission than petroleum and diesel. It can also possibly be used in the place of fossil fuels.

Biodiesel looks like a dark yellow colored fluid and is light. It easily gets immersed in water and thus has low density than water, and possess high boiling point with low vapor pressure. It is also non-flammable.

Several countries in the world now prefer biodiesel in their cars than other fuels and thus are also producing them. Australia. Canada Germany, India Spain, United Kingdom, United States, Brazil are some of the countries that produce biodiesel.

Biodiesel has many environmental benefits that make it very resourceful. 1. It produces less emission of carbon monoxide (CO) and Carbon dioxide (CO2). 2. It contains less aromatic hydrocarbons like benzofluoranthene. 3. It reduces the emission of small particles of solid combustion products. 4. It can produce more nitrogen oxide (NO). 5. Sulphur content in biodiesel is low than that of others. 6. It ignites more quickly than other fuels, when added to the engine.

Biodiesel is prepared from hydrocarbon oil or fats. The most common ingredient used in its making is fresh soybean oil. Other things that are used for its production are mustered seed oil and waste vegetable oil.

These oils are mixed, mainly with methanol and sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, which acts as a catalyst and then filtered. The product produce is biodiesel and glycerol. It can be used in two ways- directly that is in pure form or with petroleum. Biodiesel is gradually becoming the favorite all over the world for its eco-friendly nature as today's world is facing the problem of pollution.

Moreover, it is also free from those additional problems that are common in case of fuels like petroleum diesel, and thus can be said that in the coming years it can be the world's primary energy source for transports. For this reason many companies are becoming interested in commercial level production of biodiesel for its good business prospect

Apart from this biodiesel is still a subject of research. Different researchers are working on it to discover other positive aspects of such a valuable product.



Website content

Energy Tags: ,

Permalink • Print • Comment