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!

solar energy is in the news and it is something that sounds good since by using it you are able to save on paying expensive energy bills, though not everyone may be attuned to what is solar energy and who would thus need to learn about it in as simple terms as possible. The simplest answer to what is solar energy is that it is a means whereby rays from the sun are captured and either stored, or converted into energy and maybe even into heat.

Like Sitting In A Very Hot Car During Summer Months

You should think about solar energy in terms of sitting in a very hot car during the summer months, or imagine what it is like to touch the burning tar roads during the summer heat because these items get extremely heated and the thing that heats them is the power from the sun. Though not exactly solar power, it is something along these lines that solar power works on because the rays from the sun are captured and they are then converted into heat with the help of the very best of technology which is how your home gets heated, or is provided energy all through the day.

This is basically what is [tag-tec]solar energy[/tag-tec], and this is then followed by storage or conversion process and the solar power that has been captured is converted with the help of different types of solar panels, or it may be stored to be used later on. There are also a number of options available with regard to what is solar energy, and solar power may be used for different usages including heating of swimming pools for which there are special systems that have been designed. Even otherwise, you can use solar power on small scale as well and there are many systems available that you can purchase at an affordable price and then hook them in order to heat up your water, and you may also wish to use solar pond pumps that will help in keeping your pond clean without costing a lot of money.

More: continued here

Energy Tags: Solar energy

We're living in tough economic times. As of this writing, the US economy is facing a crisis, the likes of which we may not have seen since the Great Depression.

energy issues are constantly in the news, as most of us look for tips on energy savings, some of which might include a replacement furnace, HVAC, ways to recycle water, heaters, energy efficient appliances, and more. But how about making one of the most mundane units in your home more efficient as well - your toilets?

No, you don't have to put a brick in your toilet tank or install any flushing rules in your house, but yes, you can still save money with your toilet usage.

Did you know that the average old-model toilet uses about 5 gallons of water per flush? With 4 people flushing 5 times a day, that's 100 gallons of water sent literally down the toilet! Keep reading for answers to common questions on how you can actually save money while sitting on the toilet.

More on How A Modern Toilet Will Truly Preserve Your Money

We're all feeling the financial pinch in a tough economy and looking for creative, lower cost energysavingsoptions.com/trane-air-conditioners.shtml" target='_blank'>energy saving tips, whether those include a more efficient furnace, low-energy appliances, replacement heater and AC unit, or other pressing home needs. One opportunity, though, that is often overlooked is saving on water.

If you live in an area where droughts are common, then you know about water restrictions. Whether it's limiting the amount of times you water your lawn or experiencing water shut-offs during the night hours, drought rations have a direct impact on our day-to-day lives.

Keep reading for 6 water-saving tips you can use to do your part, help restrict your water usage, and stay prepared for water shortages.

More on How To Conserve Water Usage Under Drought Circumstances

solar_energy7.jpg">

<

div>Jim Woods and Paul Carton asked:


"Keep your face to the sunshine…" — Helen Keller

No matter where you look, alternative energy is the topic du jour. Driven by the economics of record-high crude oil, the spotlight is shifting to non-traditional renewable energy sources, particularly solar power.

But while solar stocks were some of the biggest gainers for much of last year, recently the solar power industry has taken big hits - with several key leaders such as First Solar (FLSR) SunPower (SPWR) and Evergreen Solar (ESLR) down as much as 50% off their 52 week highs.

To find out what's going on with solar energy and the other renewable energy sources, we recently surveyed 182 respondents working directly in the alternative energy industry.

More on 2008 is the Year of Solar Energy, According to New Changewave Survey

Energy Tags: energy, solar power

We are all looking at the news and even the most optimistic of us are realizing that things may change for a while. We've been here before, we've seen the rising prices, the unemployment and the foreclosures - but for many of us the problem becomes more individualized. What can we do to preserve ourselves; to keep the roof over our own heads?

Home energy costs are a large monthly outlay for all of us at this time of year. Americans spend more than $160 billion a year to heat, cool, light, and live in our homes. This is about 21 percent of the national total and many households could save 20-30 percent on their household energy bills.

Small savings may seem futile when we consider the big picture, but many little savings will actually lower your bills. Things may be falling down around you, but you will know that you are actively taking control of your own expenditures. So let us look at some small energy savers. More on Time To Tighten The Belts - Part 1 Conserving Energy in The Home