so you want to instal a solar panel?

Whether you are considering installing solar panels purely for ecological reasons, or as a means to reduce your energy costs you have questions that need answers. You may in fact be contemplating of using solar power in order to be kinder to the planet and your purse. Whatever your motivation, you still want the facts. So whata does setting up a solar-powered powered electricity system involve?
Many people usually ask yourself how long it will need to transform their home from one that is conventionally powered to one that utilises solar energy. In this instance it’s very hard to steer clear of the ‘How long is a piece of string adage.’ The length of time required to install solar screens to a property will vary. It depends on the size of the property and the amount of panels needed to effectively supply enough useable energy to it. In addition, fitting times will change based on the type of roof or other surfaces the panels are being affixed to. In most cases, installation is fairly straightforward and the ways in which the panels can be connected to the surfaces are varied. Some panels come with screw fixings but others involve the use of bonding agents. Several types of solar panel use mountings and some can even be held in place by Velcro fixings. As a guideline it is worth allowing at least an hour’s fitting time per panel. The smaller panels may take less time to install, and of course the location will have a bearing on the amount of time needed. When ladders and roof work are involved it’s not worth rushing the job.
Another query you may have when considering solar power as an energy option for your home is whether it is necessary to consult an electrician. The answer is a resounding yes. Even if you are fitting the panels yourself it is of paramount importance to at least have the equipment safety checked by a qualified operative or green electrician before it is put into use. Solar panels connect directly to your property’s existing wiring, that’s why this part of the job needs to be overseen by a qualified or registered electrician.
If you have decided to fit your own panels you’ll be pleased to know that very few tools are needed to carry out the job. As previously described, solar panels can be mounted in a number of ways, none of which demand any specialist equipment. A power drill will be required for some types of fixings though. More importantly, ladders or even a scaffold set-up will be necessary in cases where the panels are to be fitted on a ceiling, or situated high up on a building. Therefore safety helmets are a must.
In most cases the fitting of solar panels is a work that requires a minimum of two people. The larger panels can be very heavy and cumbersome to handle and again, because they are most likely to be fitted on roofs or high surfaces, safety is a major concern. Many hands, in such cases, really do make light work. If needs be you can hire labour to assist you, or if you have able and practical friends or family members, enlist their help rather than attempt the job single-handed.
In theory solar panels can be fitted anytime but they make best use of the sunlight when positioned on roofs or other areas where no obstructions will prevent them being fully exposed to the light.
In order to work out how many solar sections you would require for your home, you need to consider the following:
1. How much electricity you need or wish to generate.
2. The amount of sun you get at the area.
3. The electrical power or size of the solar cells you will be employing.
Adding solar panels will definitely help reduce your existing energy bills but in most cases solar energy does not entirely replace the need to be place on the power system so to speak. And bear in mind too that poor weather conditions, or a lack of enough sunny days, can significantly affect the efficiency of your solar energy system.
And recall, regulations regarding the installation of solar panels may vary depending on your locality, so be safe rather than sorry and consult your local council or municipality office for advice about the laws in your location

Home build Solar System for your own

Are you interested in learning exactly how to generate power and reduce your bill then this is the perfect resource for you! With the ever increasing costs of living, there is no better time than right now to stop throwing money out the window and start generating our own electricity.

Over the last few years I have figured out how to significantly reduce the cost of solar panels making it more affordable for the average home owner just like you.

Now you can build a single panel or a complete array of panels to power your home for a fraction of retail cost.

Fore more Information Visit Earth4Energy

Solar Energy In Parks

Bring an interesting design where solar power generation is integrated with community life. Even this is a project, but for its simplicity, versatility and design it will be call “Urban Crash” and what it offers, it’s a solar device, for places like parks or malls,

Thanks to solar panels in turn are converted into a seating area, ideal to provide a cool shade on the playground or park benches. At night, the Urban Crash is perfect as the center for an evening stroll or even a small event or a party (with lights, music and all). The glass roof structure comprising photovoltaic cells have inserted, producing solar energy during the day and stored in batteries. Thanks to this energy, you get power to run LED lights and sound system.

Can Anyone Live Off The Grid?

When you talk about alternative energy and living off the grid, many people feel instantly that they will have to give up most of their modern amenities to live in such a fashion. Many more think this is an endeavor solely for granola loving hippies, whose modest ways coincide with fewer technologies, TVs, ACs, etc. The truth is, living off the grid is a possibility open to anyone. Granted, you may have a larger investment if you are powering three chest freezers and all high-energy appliances, but this would simply mean you need a larger system.

The increased demand for renewable energy technology has led to the development of more efficient and easy to use components to make living off the grid a reasonable option for anyone willing to be mindful of their energy consumption.

Using renewable energy sources to create electricity is a fairly simple process. You require a power source-sun, wind or water-from which you will harness a low voltage direct current that is then converted, using an inverter, into usable house current (AC). Excess current generated by your system is stored in battery banks where it can be retrieved during more high demand times or times when the direct energy source is unavailable.

Living off the grid with renewable power resources is almost completely automated as well. Except for the repairs of your batteries, there is almost no special attention needed, other than monitoring your energy use to make sure you do not exceed your supply with your demand. The key to success in living off the grid is making sure you size your system to meet the demand of your energy needs.

Living off the grid can be an exhilarating experience. The sensation of energy freedom is like no other and you can be proud of your efforts to combat global warming and best of all, you may never have to worry about a power outage again. It is vital to conduct your research and determine which alternative energy sources will work best for you in your geographical area, but it is definitely worthwhile to learn how to live off the grid and feel the rush of freedom being off the grid can give.

New Homes in California will be Energy independent by 2020

Had you ever ask yourself why new homes couldn’t be built earlier with solar systems on the roofs, and why couldn't they come already installed with energy efficient appliances? Well California is winning a giant leap ahead and truly is taking a leadership role in the efficient energy market.

Read full story http://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/2007/10/new-homes-in-california-will-be-energy-self-reliant-by-2020/

It’s Easy to Learn How to Make Solar Panels

Many people have been looking into installing solar panels in an effort to combat growing energy costs. When most people see the prices of the professionally installed panels they realize it may not be a extravagance they can afford. There is an easier, more cost efficient way to produce power from the sun and that is to learn how to make solar panels for your own.

Any motivated do-it-yourselfer can become skilled at how to make solar panels for their own home, workshop or business. When compared to the cost of purchasing and installing a pre-made solar energy system, learning how to make solar panels for your energy requirements and the materials you need to execute the project are far less. By learning how to make solar panels for your own, you have greater control over the size and design of your system as well.

Once you have a good manual and you have learned how to make solar panels, the materials are fairly simple to find. Most can be found at your local hardware store like, plywood, sheets of glass, and a roll of copper wire. It is also easy to locate inexpensive solar or photovoltaic cells to use in your project. Many are accessible on-line or you may have a retailer available nearby. One you’ve learned how to make solar panels and you have your supplies, it usually takes about a day to assemble a 100-watt panel. This is the perfect amount of electricity to operate small appliances or a small workshop.

The most significant step is finding a quality manual with full instructions for learning how to make solar panels. In many cases you get what you pay for, so don’t be afraid to spend a few extra dollars on a well-reviewed instruction manual. Overall, the cost of the making your own panels is so low, the price of the how to guide is minimal-you will still be paying way less learning how to make solar panels on your own than purchasing a professionally installed system.

With a little bit effort, you can be on your way to learning how to make solar panels to meet your energy needs. Then sit back and bask in the pride the next time the power goes out on your block. Your lights will still be on because you learned how to make solar panels and your energy supply is still in your battery bank.

Brief Guide to Plant Trees

Joaquin Araujo (Spanish journalist of nature) in his fantastic book “Logical ecos, to understand ecology” (Ecos logicos para endener la ecologia). Teaches that "The most appreciated aspect of the many attempts to repair the environmental degradation is reforestation". Anyone can plant trees, in places once enjoyed the life of trees. I don’t pretend teaching a course on reforestation, but rather encourage people to plant trees and shrubs where needed and just give some basic advice. It’s normal that our trees dray or don’t grow, that should not be discouraged, so let’s get to work

· Choose different species to promote biodiversity.

· The species should be indigenous to the area to be planted to ensure that they will resist the weather and to avoid endangering the ecosystem.

· The ideal time depends on the species but in general it is best between March and May, being less desirable between September and November.

· Dig a hole about 7.9 in and fill it with removed soil

· Two ways to plant trees:

With seeds

1. Place the seeds in the hole down a layer of soil, 2 to 4 times the size of the seed

2. Place 3 or 4 seeds to multiply the possibilities of birth of the tree

3. Above, you can make a quilt with straw and dry leaves to prevent seeds from icing in winter.

4. Humidity accelerates the germination

By peg

1. from a plant with many branches, chose a young branch (flexible and slightly different color) and cut without producing tears between 5.9 - 7.9in if it’s a bush and between 9.8 - 11.8in if it’s a tree

2. Peal the inferior point from the peg, remove the leaves, bottom half, and cut the rest of the leaves in half, to prevent from losing water.

3. Insert the peg Into the Ground

4. This system requires abundant irrigation making it ideal for species close to the river.

· It is possible to chose both systems, in pots and transplant them into position where our plant is consistent and has its roots well-formed (about a year to germinate)

* Remember Recycling paper saves trees, water and energy.

translated by Rafael Hernandez Garza from http://www.lcc.uma.es/~ppgg/libros/ecoarticulos.html#plantarboles