Alternative Energy HQ » Using Solar Power http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com Alternative Energy - solar power for homes, wind energy, and bio fuel issues Fri, 26 Aug 2011 02:42:50 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 The Advantages of Solar Power Houses http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/the-advantages-of-solar-power-houses.php http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/the-advantages-of-solar-power-houses.php#comments Sat, 29 May 2010 08:12:07 +0000 newenergy http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/the-advantages-of-solar-power-houses.php
Robert G Fenton asked:

In this article, we will examine solar power and the benefits of solar power houses.

Sources of energy are being depleted at an alarming rate, so it of great benefit to utilize some abundant energy sources that are available free- most notably solar power. Aside from being easily available, solar power is also very helpful to the environment.

Many do not even consider solar power at home as they think it is too expensive or too difficult to implement. However, it has become surprisingly easy to set up this power solution in your home. In addition, using solar power will assist you in reducing your monthly energy bills. Furthermore, you can feel great about the fact that you are doing your part in saving power for future generations.

The following is a list of solar power options available for residential use:

1. Solar Cooker: The solar cooker is a utensil used in cooking that requires no fuel for cooking. The small box is capable of cooking for up to 5 people. It is also very versatile as you can not only boil food in the cooker but also bake and roast. One drawback is that it does take longer to cook than conventional methods, however it is a free source of energy and will definitely help in lowering your electric bill.

2. Solar Home Lighting: Installing a solar home lighting system is done through the use of solar cells that convert solar power into electrical power in your home. The cells are charged with solar energy during the day that can then be used for lighting at night in your home. Another great way to save on your electric bill.

3. Solar Heating System: Investing in a solar heating system may sound like a big investment, but rest assured you can realize great savings on your energy bills. In fact, you will recoup you investment in approximately 3-4 years making it a free service afterwards.

These great solar power options are just the beginning for uses in your home.

Why not take the time in investigating the benefits of solar power houses? You will be doing the environment a great service as well as saving money on your home energy

Solar Power for homes



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Considering Solar Power For Homes? http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/considering-solar-power-for-homes.php http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/considering-solar-power-for-homes.php#comments Tue, 11 May 2010 11:02:19 +0000 newenergy http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/considering-solar-power-for-homes.php
PJ Germain asked:

Solar power is something that has been around for many years and the installation of solar panels on top of people’s homes as a source of energy conversion has also been around for many years. In recent years, there has been increased discussion of using solar power for homes, but despite this increased dialogue most people are completely unfamiliar with the process used to have panels installed or what costs are involved.

For those interested in having solar panels for the home installed it become critical to examine the companies that provide such panels as well as the process involved with installing the panels. While this is not necessarily complicated of a process many people assume that it will be a wildly difficult installation mainly because they associate solar panels with futuristic, science fiction imagery.

Of course, reality is much more mundane, but television and film have promoted a much more fantastic image of solar energy for homes as opposed to a realistic one. Because of this, many people dismiss the notion of using solar energy due to opinions about complexity of the installation as well as the elephant in the room….cost.

Having an Estimate Performed

Before making a decision on whether or not solar power for homes is an idea that one should embrace based on cost, it is critical to have a company that provides solar power panels to visit your home and provide an estimate. After all, you do not want to base your assessment on an inaccurate cost so having an estimate of installation performed would probably be the wisest move to make.

Thankfully, many companies that provide solar power for homes offer these estimates for free! Yes, you can have someone visit your residence and perform a comprehensive examination of the home and then provide a reliable quote in terms of what such an installation would cost. There are no obligations at all to buy so this is something that should be taken advantage of.

Costs

The costs associated with solar power for homes are not necessarily cheap, but it is also no where near as stratospherically expensive as some erroneous sources have suggested. Ultimately, however, costs are based on individual assessments and because of this having the aforementioned cost estimates performed so as to make sure you base your decision on whether or not to have solar panels installed is based on accurate cost assessments as opposed to speculation.

Solar power



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Solar Power For the Home – Creative Ways to Use it http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/solar-power-for-the-home-creative-ways-to-use-it.php http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/solar-power-for-the-home-creative-ways-to-use-it.php#comments Sun, 28 Mar 2010 00:54:03 +0000 newenergy http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/solar-power-for-the-home-creative-ways-to-use-it.php
Ernest Jarquio asked:

I love learning about new energy alternatives that become available more and more each day. I have found do-it-yourself kits where an exercise bike can power a small electronic item. I have witnessed potatoes and citrus fruits charge USB MP3 players. I have even found wind-power generators that you can be attached to you apartment’s balcony to power your home PC. But the one thing that has always fascinated me was the uses of solar power for the home.

The two main uses of solar power are of course to power the entire house, and heat water for the home. But this article is not going to discuss those topics. No, instead we’re going to talk about some creative ways actual people are using solar power for the homes they live in.

The Cell Phone

One creative way I have seen was the use of a small solar panel used to charge the person’s cell phone. Now I think I can relate to this one: You are out getting some errands done when your cell phone beeps – it is warning you that the battery is low. You know that you are expecting an important call, but you don’t have the time to drive all the way home just to plug in the phone. And your vehicle didn’t come equipped with a lighter, so… Typically you would be in a bad situation. But not so when you have the solar-powered charger. Just place the solar panel on your shoulder with a strap, pocket the phone, and finish what you are doing. When you get back to the car, the panel will face the window and continue to charge the cell phone – handy and a life saver.

Night Light

Another handy home usage for smaller solar panels is the solar-powered night light. This item you attach to the window, the panel facing the sun. When the sun goes down, the power is stored until the switch is flipped. Then, it is a soft light in the night for scared little ones. This item can also be used to power an alarm clock every night, so that if a power outage occurs, you don’t wake up late. Another time saver. I like it that you can also power a small portable radio so you can listen to your favorite station without the need for new batteries or a power cord.

Battery Charger

Finally, there is the solar-powered battery charger. Forget having to search all over the house hoping to find a useful battery. Just place some rechargeable batteries into the charger, then place in direct sunlight. Soon enough you will have the power you seek to use your electronic entertainment devices. This is great for both at home and on the go – especially for those who use digital cameras a lot. These devices always eat up battery power quickly, so being able to charge a few while you use some others is always a wise choice.

So whatever small needs that may arise, solar power for the home may be a great alternative for you as well. And who knows, maybe one day you too may own the larger panels to power your entire house.

Water 4 Gas



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Solar Power For A Greener America http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/solar-power-for-a-greener-america-2.php http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/solar-power-for-a-greener-america-2.php#comments Wed, 24 Sep 2008 01:13:09 +0000 newenergy http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/faq/solar-power-for-a-greener-america-2
solar power
Arnold Hexden asked:


Solar power has many more uses around your home than just solar heating. The technology has made significant advances and you can now cook, heat your pool and even refrigerate your groceries using energy from the sun. However, your solar home may have issues that you may be unaware of. In this article, we’ll talk about the economic and environmental benefits and drawbacks of using solar power.


The biggest benefit of solar energy is that the fuel is free and the source is unlimited. There is little to no maintenance required with solar panels because there are no moving parts. In fact, most manufacturers include warranties on their products that are good for up to twenty-five years. In the event of a blackout, solar power is not affected. That means that during extreme storms, your family can still enjoy all the comforts of your solar home.


Environmentally speaking, the use of solar energy produces no emissions because there is no burning of fossil fuels. Solar energy prices are steadily declining and as new technologies emerge, the costs of solar systems will continue to decrease.


It is a fact that solar power home kits have become more commonplace in recent years, however, these kits can be dangerous. As the instructions in these kits are laid out in what seems to be easy-to-follow steps, some people forget the fact that they are working with electricity. To be on the safe side, purchasers of solar home power kits should read the instructions thoroughly.


It is recommended that you hire a professional installer or electrician instead of installing the kit yourself. Professionals have received more training, so they are much more capable of handling the risks that come with using solar power home kits.


It is also worth bearing in mind that although solar electricity is a clean source of power, eventual disposal of the cells is environmentally unfriendly! It is known that most solar cells that are used to create a solar home contain the highly toxic substance known as cadmium. Extreme care should be taken as it can cause serious environmental damage if it’s not disposed of properly.


The supply of sunlight should also be taken into account as with solar power it is imperative. Generally most places do have adequate light to operate with solar panels, but there are areas in the extreme north and south that experience only darkness for up to a month a year.


While solar power is a huge step forward in reducing our dependency on fossil fuels, there are some drawbacks. Like with any investment, consumers should thoroughly research their options and consult professionals. Solar energy is a rapidly advancing technology, so it’s reasonable to assume that the issue of cadmium contamination will be addressed. It’s important to remember that building a solar home is not just a financial investment, but an investment into the future of a clean planet that will sustain generations to come.

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What Is Solar Power – Your Questions Answered http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/what-is-solar-power-your-questions-answered-2.php http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/what-is-solar-power-your-questions-answered-2.php#comments Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:05:33 +0000 newenergy http://www.alternativeenergyhq.com/faq/what-is-solar-power-your-questions-answered-2
solar power
Milton Barnes asked:


Basically, solar power is energy that is actually harnessed from the sun. Although the sun is millions of miles away from earth, if we had the ability to harness all the energy coming from the sun, there is more than enough power there to provide all the energy we need for the entire earth. In fact, there is enough energy to provide plenty of energy for 10,000 earths. While you can use solar power for a variety of appliances and other items, you have to realize that this is different than using this power to produce heat.


There are two different principles that are used with solar power. If you want to produce hot air or hot fluids, then solar thermal principles are used. However, if you want to product electricity, photovoltaic principles are used instead. If you want to produce solar power, there are four components that are needed, including a battery, a charge controller, a solar panel, and an inverter.


It is the solar panels that actually get the radiation from the sun and use it to charge up the battery. Then, the charge regulator actually makes sure that the battery charges as it should. Of course, probably the most important pieces of equipment are going to be the solar panels and usually they output energy in watts. These panels can be wired in a variety of ways, although usually parallel or series wiring is done to either increase the amperage or the voltage.


So, are there benefits to using solar power? Yes! There are a variety of amazing benefits to using solar power. In fact, many people all over the world are already using this type of energy to supply their electricity. Some of the benefits are as follows:


- Creation of new hi-tech jobs

- Protection of the environment

- Solar power is abundant, free and renewable

- Fuel supply is diverse

- Rapid and cheap deployment


As long as the sun is hanging there in the sky, we will be able to have the energy that solar power produces. In fact, there is so much energy there, more than 10,000 times the amount of energy we need is available. You should learn as much as possible about solar power so that you will know about the great benefits offered and how your life will change for the better if you decide to go with solar power instead of using other energy sources.


CONCLUSION


Whether you have a business or a home, you’ll find that solar power can offer many advantages for both. Solar power is one of several alternative fuel energy sources that is cheap and renewable. From a business perspective this can add to the bottom line tremendously. From the home perspective using this can cut down on expenses. Since solar power is friendly to the environment, you will not have to worry about toxins or pollutants from this type of energy and you won’t have to worry about the issue of global warming either.

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