A Who's Who for 5 Renewable Energy Sources

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Sustainable energy, also called renewable energy, has been one of the ongoing concerns in the past several years.

Since the world's conventional energy sources of coal, oil, and natural gas aren't inexhaustible, they're bound to run out. Countries are now finding alternative sources, so they can be eco-friendly. From wind turbines to off grid solar panels, which countries are leading the pack?

1. Bio-energy. Also known as bio-fuel, this energy is derived from wood, bio-ethanol, and biogas. The USA is ahead of the group here, with equal to at least 25 million tons of oil produced. Other companies doing just as well here are Germany, Argentina, Brazil and France.

2. Geothermal energy. Heat generated beneath the Earth's crust is used to produce electricity, so it has a low amount of carbon emissions.  Once again, the United States snags first place, with more than 3,000 mega-watts produced.

Development in other countries also in the running, such as the Philippines, Mexico, Indonesia, and Italy may make the US lose its place in the near future, though.

3. Hydroelectricity. The name is self-explanatory, as it's power taken from the movement of water, whether it's a moving body of water like the sea, or a reservoir, like a dam. China pulls ahead with more than 160 million tons of oil equivalent produced. Canada, America, Brazil, and Russia are right behind it.

4. Wind power. A resource that emits no greenhouse gasses at all, wind power can be used to generate just under half of a country's electricity needs, if it has enough wide-open space. According to the World Wind Energy Association, China has picked up its generation and use of wind power, with around 68 gigawatts' capacity.

5. Solar energy. In the first place, there'd be no wind, or bio-fuel, without the sun, since solar energy helps drive the winds and helps crops grow. But that's behind the point. When operating, photo-voltaic (PV) panels emit no greenhouse gases. The more efficient panels usually see more power generated. 

Germany is in the lead, where solar power is concerned, with more than 32 mega-watts of installed PV panels. Solar power in Australia is also in the running, along with Japan, Italy, and the United States. 

Solar Power and Other Renewable Energy Sources: 3 Ways to Introduce Them to Kids

With 'renewable energy' and 'conservation' being two common buzzwords these days, you'll want to make sure your kids understand the concepts. Teaching kids about renewable energy can be a bit tricky, though. There are terms better left until their older, for instance. Or they might not be able to picture what you're describing. 

Good thing there are ways to show them how these energy sources work, like how a water wheel can provide lifting power. Or how coloured paper can affect heat absorption, rather like off grid solar panels used to heat water. Here are a few examples.

• Wind. Making a pin wheel is the easiest activity. Using a square sheet of paper of any size, a pair of scissors, thin dowel, and a pin, you can show little ones how a wind turbine works. Just be sure to help the littlest ones when cutting the paper, and later attaching the wheel to the dowel.

• Water. Use a 2-litre plastic bottle, a small dowel, string, a small weight, and two corks, plus scissors - so keep a close eye on the kids. Cut the blades of the water wheel – 8 of them – from the upper half of the plastic bottle, and fill the bottom half with water. 

Cut lengthwise slits along one of the corks, and attach the end of the string to the other one, making sure the other end of the string is weighted. Stick each plastic strip in the cork so they all curve in the same direction.

Set your water wheel so one of the blades touches the water, and put it under the tap. Have the kids guess if the wheel can reel in the weight.

• Solar. Use a craft knife to cut a flap out of the top of a box, about 2cm from each side; fold the flap back and hold it open with some string and tape. Line the bottom of the box with black construction paper, and line the inside of the flap with the aluminium foil. Use folded newspapers to line the sides of the box for insulation.

This set up should give your kids a rough idea how solar panels Rockhampton work. Stick, say, a Pop Tart inside, on a clean plate or pie tin, and wait for it to warm. It'll be like you stuck it in the toaster.  

Time To Switch To Solar Power

Some people are starting to learn from their mistakes, as far as energy conservation is concerned. Where the main electricity is not available mostly in remote areas, or if it is yet, comes with a prohibitive cost, solar power has become the best option.

It's safer, because there are no emissions, and cheaper because of the savings you get from reduced energy usage. That's why many home owners now have off grid solar panels installed on their roofs. In this modern world of ours today, living in far-flung areas means no more deprivation of the little comforts in life.

How Remote Power Generation Systems Work

Ever wonder how this thing functions? Solar as well as wind power have seen major improvements over the years since such were discovered, thanks to the advancements of off grid technology! The betterment have made the systems cheaper and more efficient than ever.

An off grid power system works this way:

•    As the sun shines on solar panels, DC electricity is created.

•    Electricity is then fed into a regulator, the one responsible for controlling the amount of charge.

•    Next comes the charging of deep cycle batteries

•    The current is routed through an inverter where it is converted to 240V 50Hz AC electricity. You can now use your 12 volt appliances since this power is suitable for most standard home equipment. 

Installation of the Solar Power System

Installing an off grid solar system can be easy but, if you're not sure of your capability, don't hesitate to engage the expertise of accredited installers. Should you pursue installing your own system, bear in mind that the glass face of the solar panel module should be positioned at 90 degrees towards the sun for most of the day.

Likewise, consult the installer if you want to determine the optimum angle that's best for your location. Of course, before anything else, you have to know what system is suitable for your own needs and requirement. The area where you live is of utmost consideration. For your peace of mind, most solar power companies offer a no-obligation quote or advice.

You'll be glad to know that the government now offers incentives for homes using renewable energy like the solar power in Australia. Switch now to green energy, save costs and live healthy!

3 Quick and Easy Ways to Conserve Energy

The issues of pollution and conservation have been around for a long time now. In recent years, new technologies have been produced and refined in this regard. Most, however, are usually geared towards tapping into renewable energy.

That's all well and good, of course – it's understandable to want the best solar panels Australia installed on your rooftop system. There are other ways to conserve energy besides use renewable sources, although a few may be easier said than done. Still, in the long run, they'll definitely help.

Here are a few small changes you can make in your everyday life to mitigate pollution while saving on energy costs.

1. Switch to fluorescent. If you haven't already, replace your incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent ones, which use less energy and last longer. You may soon find it hard to buy the former, in any case. A few countries – Canada and Australia, for instance – have banned the selling of incandescent bulbs since around 2010, and others may follow their example.

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2. Walk. Yes, that tip again. Unless you live in a compact community, walking to work can really seem challenging, and perhaps off-putting. Who wants to show up at the office all sweaty? One alternative is to ride the bicycle to work instead.

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If you have an hour-long commute or longer, though, you can take public transportation then get off at the stop near your workplace. Or see which of your co-workers lives in the same area, and carpool; each of you takes turns driving for the others to and from work.

3. Replace or repair door seals. At least, the ones on your refrigerator door. If they're loose or damaged, they prevent the door from closing properly. That, in turn, causes cold air to leak into your surroundings, and makes your fridge work harder to keep everything cold.

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When it comes to energy conservation, nothing's too small, so don't just leave it to solar power in Australia, or hydroelectricity in China. Whether it's done daily such as walking to work, or a one-time thing such as applying reflective coating on your roof, everything you do definitely matters.

3 Amazing Solar Panels For Your Home

Seeking ways to conserve energy is a noble endeavour for any individual. Caring for the environment is not only about picketing and getting the message across multi-media platforms, it also greatly includes starting the change in one's home.

With all the choices for alternative energy today, one can only have too much option. Geo-thermal energy is a moot point unless your house is near a hot spring. Biomass is also another moot point because it's another world altogether. The sun and the wind are the likely choices. Solar power in Australia is one possible and feasible candidate.

Wind power however, is dependent on how strong the winds in a particular area and will it generate enough power to convert energy. The choice then, is resorting to solar power.

Solar power may be the most applicable type of alternative energy for any home or business undertaking. The sun, even when cloudy or raining, is still radiating heat throughout the day, and therefore, a potent source of power.


When you decide that a solar panel in your home or office is long overdue, the next step to take on is to choose what type of solar panels you're going to install. Here is a list of what to expect from the different types of solar panels:

Solar Panel with regular photovoltaic cells

The heart of any solar panel is its photovoltaic cells. There are many types of photovoltaic cells, but the regular ones usually do the trick for residential usage. This type is commonly installed on roofs, converting sun power at least 12 hours of the day.

Mounted Solar Array

Solar arrays can be mounted on walls or on the sides of a house or a building. Solar arrays are positively more powerful than a single solar panel or two, as they can generate at least 10 to 15 percent of the electrical usage of a household.

Off Grid Solar Panels

Off grid solar panels are those that are free-range. They can be attached or installed anywhere – on the roof, mounted on the ground, on the walls and even just laid down on the garden. These types of solar panels are extremely durable and long lasting. They are also decent converters of solar energy.

Regardless of your choice, whether it's the regular type or the off grid solar panels, there are two things certain – your power bill will surely decrease and you're preserving Mother Nature.

5 Stunning Do-It-Yourself Solar Power Projects

 

I know you've heard solar power's remarkable contributions to humankind. You've already learned the various advantages of using it in our daily lives. Probably, a solar panel is the greatest invention within the context of solar power domain. Are there something else?

Yes, there are. I visited one of my colleagues in Sydney for the purpose of studying solar power in Australia. To my surprise, I've discovered a guy who has this incredible ideas of building things using a solar power. I call him the “solar power guy!”

Here are 5 of his projects.  Try them out, who knows!

1. Solar Water Heater

You must be great at electrical wiring, pipes, PV panel installation, solder joints, copper tube cutting if you want to install a solar water heater. Plus, you have to be patient and really determined.  In other words, installing a solar water heater is something that requires passion and special skills.

2. Solar Attic Vent Fan

This project is absolutely great. In contrast to the solar water heater project, you'll  get to do a little bit of everything with this vent fan. You can install it in a day or so, depending on how complex your attic framework is. Don't forget to use the exact materials for this.

3. Solar Oven

If ever you don't know, an oven powered by solar is indeed possible. With just little knowledge of a regular oven's mechanism, you're on your way to constructing your own.  In case you don't know, you can even design and create an “auto tracker” to track the sun over the span of the day!

4. Drinking Water Purifier

You can make your own small or even big purifier with drippers, valves and various kinds of features. In fact, you can actually refine a gallon of water a day, a thousand even, with your own project. Hence, if you're into getting everything for free, hold this!

5. Off-grid Reading Light

An example of this is a camping light. Attach a small PV panel and a tiny pod containing a rechargeable battery, few LED's, switch, and a light sensor. Make sure it's durable enough to be hung. Be aware that it will be hung over your favourite reading place!

Surprise!

If you think off grid solar panels are for roofs only, forget it.  Why don't you try one of these things. You can share them to your friends as well. Let it be!

3 Common Myths About LED Lighting

It cannot be denied that solar energy is now making waves in different parts of the globe, more so in highly developed nations. Countries like USA, UK, Canada, Australia and the likes, have pursued for the advocacy of using this renewable source.

Solar power systems Australia, like any other renewable source, is definitely a clean source of power. This means no emission, therefore there is zero pollution. Completely and dramatically cleaner, solar power can energise an entire country.

Using this type of energy source emerged various products that are said to make peoples' lives greener and healthier. One of the more popular products are the solar powered LED (short for Light Emitting Diode) lamps/lights. Since these are new inventions, naturally, all sorts of myths surrounding them arise.

3 Common Myths About LED Lighting

1. LED lamps have low energy and therefore, take time to reach peak brightness.

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Fact: LEDS don't work the same way as the traditional fluorescent tubes and other energy saving bulbs. The former do exude full brightness once they are switched on. This is because they don't contain mercury. On the other hand, the traditional lights depend on heating up this hazardous chemical which turns into gas as the heat rises. So, if you use LED lamps, you're actually reducing pollution by not having to use mercury.

2. LEDs contain toxic components.

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Fact: Manufacturers assure the consuming public that LEDs are totally hazard free, and further, are recyclable. Many don't know that LEDs contain more than 70% aluminium, the reason why metal recycling facilities readily take them in. Contrarily, it's the Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) that contain mercury, a toxic material that can contaminate lakes and kill aquamarine creatures. To properly dispose of, they have to go to hazardous waste facilities. 

3. Being a novelty, LED technology is costly.

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Fact: Studies have shown that the cost of bulb replacement, maintenance, and electricity usage will be definitely lower when calculated over time. True, the cost may seem outrageous at the instant, with your initial investment on high quality LEDs. In the long run, LEDS will pay for themselves, say in 4 to 5 years time.

Bottom line is, the more you use solar powered LED lights in your home or business, the more you contribute to a greener environment. So, start using LEDs and off grid solar panels today.