lighting Archive

Solar Panel Information – 3 Things To Consider When Going Green

By
Jonathan Gervais
Published: March 8, 2010Posted in: GeneralTags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Swapping to solar power is becoming increasingly popular as the cost of traditional energy is on the increase. This combined with the move to greener fuels to protect the global environment make solar an attractive option.

Here are three things to consider before you go solar.

1. Is your roof suitable – The obvious place for solar panels is on the roof. Depending on the direction and angle of the roof you will get different amounts of exposure to direct sunlight. It is important to maximize your panels exposure so that you will have sufficient power during the darker winter months.

How do solar panels cope with other weather conditions? Since the panels are fitted at an angle the snow will slide off and should not damage your solar panels, and the rain will help to keep them clean; so other weather conditions should not be too much of an issue.

2. Choosing the best kit – The easiest way to convert your home to solar power is to buy a solar panel kit. It is worth investing in a good kit as you want it to be comprehensive, otherwise you may have additional, unexpected costs.

The cheapest kit available may look good, but do your research, as with most things you get what you pay for, so don’t skimp to much!

3. Financing your change to solar power ” The effects of global warming are causing great concerns to our governments. Consequently many governments and local authorities have grants available if you are considering converting to a greener energy source. Before you choose your solar power kit you should do some research into what funds you may be entitled to claim.

If you are not sure where to start a good place is with the manufacturers of the solar panel kits. These people want you to convert to solar power and they are usually a great source of information. Try to find a regional office that will know what is best specifically in your area and will be familiar with the building types as well as the grants available.

Find out more Solar Panel Information If you want to find all about installing solar panels visit http://worldsolarpanels.com

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Solar Lights Versus Conventional Lighting

By
James Thornton
Published: November 19, 2009Posted in: GeneralTags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

As soon as you start to think about landscaping the thought of lighting is never far away. It’s easy to understand why; it brings something unique and magical to your garden. What was once a mass of darkness can readily become a place where you come to spend more and more time as the magic of some small illumination holds your attention and often brings relaxation too.

Considering solar lights is very realistic alternative to conventional lighting. They’re often effortless to install, extremely economical, and they’re good for the environment too. They work by collecting the energy from the sun, and effectively convert that energy into the lighting for your garden when night time approaches. The real beauty of this is that there is no need to install electric cables into the ground, which are both time consuming and expensive. Too, solar lights can be installed by almost everyone, whereas the former will need a skilled electrician to effect the work.

The lights need not only be decorative, for many people utilize them for security purposes. You can hang flood lights by your doors, windows, or even illuminate an entire pathway. This acts as a huge deterrent to burglars. As a precaution, you may like to consider purchasing a solar light with a battery that acts as a backup in the event that they have collected enough sunlight throughout the day and don’t produce the requisite amount of light for the entire evening. This is most important in the case of motion-activated lights for here they must work without fail.

Solar lights work by collecting energy from the sun, this stimulates a small cell battery that receives a charge and as night approaches they emit light. Not only are they good for decoration but they’re excellent for security purposes too. Flood lights can be hung near to any potential danger spot and they can be housed on doors, sheds, windows, or should you want your entire drive illuminated it’s all possible. If you are going to use solar lights for security purposes then you may like to consider those that come with a backup battery for extra safety.

One of the most popular choices are lanterns for landscaping, mainly due to the ease of installation, which in really no installation at all – push a stick into the ground and wait for the light to come on in the evening. Lanterns are only a small part of what is available though. You can choose from decking lights, fountain, pond, wall, and deck post lights. There are even small hummingbirds that glow in the dark, as well as numbers for you house. The solar revolution is already a very lively alternative to traditional lighting with solar panels in use by millions and millions of people. Using panels is certainly getting serious about solar for which they can provide many different purposes. If you’ve never considered solar lights before then there is no better time to start than now. They’re cheap, they’re effective, and they’re green.

Dave often contributes to various sites about Solar Powered Garden Lights and also Solar Patio Lights

categories: Solar Lights,Solar Light,Solar Patio Lights,Solar Deck Lights,Outdoor Lighting,Solar,Solar Energy,Lighting,Home Family,Outdoor Lighting,Solar Lighting,Solar,Energy Saving,Environment

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Choose Solar Christmas Lights To Brighten Your Festive Season

By
Steve Schafer
Published: November 18, 2009Posted in: GeneralTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Almost everyone enjoys the Christmas festive season. It is a time when we can feel happy even though it may be cold and dark outside. The festival is not the same without the installation of various beautiful lights and decorations. Today many people are concerned about the rising cost of energy bills, to help alleviate this problem it is now possible to install solar Christmas lights. These have become very popular over the last few years and are now being bought by many families up and down the country.

These solar lights appear the same as ordinary Christmas lights. In fact the only difference is that you do not have to connect them to the power supply of your home. They come with solar cells and a battery which are used to power the bulbs and LEDs.

Many people may not be aware that even in the middle of winter the sun still provides enough energy to produce electricity. This is even true on a cloudy day. The solar cells with store the energy in a battery or two so that even at night the lights will function.

Apart from the financial savings, solar Christmas lights have another useful aspect. As they use a renewable source of energy they are much better for the environment than are regular Christmas lights.

Solar Christmas lights can be had in as many different varieties as ordinary Christmas lights. They come in many sizes, colors, designs, and styles. You can buy those that will be continuously on, or others that will twinkle like stars. The controller board will have settings on which you can fix the time that they will switch themselves on and turn themselves off.

Most brands can be safely used both indoors and outdoors. They are capable of working in any weather and conditions. They look perfect when they are attached to trees, porches, guttering, and garden accessories. If you choose to use them inside your house you must remember to leave the solar cell outdoors! You can even use them for other occasions such as birthday parties.

There are two main types of solar Christmas lights. There are the rope lights that have a row of LEDs contained in a transparent plastic tube, these look delightful when hanging from a door frame or window. The other option is string lights; these are better suited for trees and walls. All can add to a beautiful display that improves your Christmas experience.

Before you buy anything online, be sure you check Steve Schafer’s excellent free report on solar lights, and solar Christmas lights

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Lower Your Electricity Bill With These Tips

By
Allen Anderson
Published: November 18, 2009Posted in: GeneralTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Paying for bills including the electric bill can seem like one of the most difficult days to get through each month Reducing your electric bill should be on your to do list so as to lessen the blow. Do not worry. We will share some key tips and will make you reach your goal. Some of these tips include how to effectively use your current appliances and others include how to make your own energy.

If you have a roommate or a family be sure to have a talk with them about energy and reducing their energy intake. You can entice them with a reward such as a family vacation for all the money youve saved from your energy bill.

One quick suggestion is to ask them to turn off the lights before exiting a room even if they do plan on coming back at some point. Even if you are coming back into the room they should still make it a habit to turn off the lights if they are leaving a room. Like they say every little bit helps.

Making a habit of this is great as itll become second nature for you and your family to save energy in your household.

One should plan to invest smartly on power. Replace all the incandescent bulbs present in the house with compact fluorescent light or those CFL bulbs. These bulbs consume less electricity as they consume less power.

Buy the energy saver gadgets that are available in the market. Such gadgets will monitor the intake of the entire power supply in your house and makes you take decision on how to control the usage.

Even if you own many electrical items you can still save on energy consumption. This isnt necessarily true, it is more about how you use your appliances and gadgets.

Here is an example of using appliances and gadgets intelligently:

Take note to switch off the computer monitor when not in use. It consumes maximum power and it just takes a second to switch it again.

Another way to reduce your electricity bill is to take a look at energy saving guides such as Earth4Energy. They have great solutions to help you save energy and to generate your own personal free energy.

Want to learn more about how to reduce your energy bill and make your own solar energy? Learn more about your own home solar energy system at Go-SolarEnergy.com!

categories: how to make a solar panel,how to make a wind turbine,homemade windmill,solar panel,solar power,solar energy,wind power,wind energy,reduce energy,electricity,diy,power,home improvement,lighting

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The Main Benefits of Outdoor Solar Lighting

By
Brian Calderdale
Published: November 7, 2009Posted in: GeneralTags: , , , , , ,

The popularity of using solar lighting to light your outside spaces just seems to increase all the time. Outdoor solar lights are being used more frequently in popular outside designs and can be seen more often in outdoor public spaces. Solar lights are an extremely practical and sensible way to take the sun’s rays and convert them into usable energy – after all, it’s where all our energy originates from.

A standard solar light unit has a built-in solar cell which will absorb the sun’s energy and convert it into electrical power which is then stored in the unit’s battery. The entire process is automated; right down to the event of switching the light on and off, this is achieved by a photocell device that is sensitive to light. At the end of each night, any unspent energy is rolled over to the next day.

Recent developments in solar light technology has led to huge increases in both battery life and efficiency. These efficiencies are credited in part to the increase in the popularity of the different types of lighting such as solar string lights.

Installing outdoor solar lighting is so much easier than installing standard type lights. For a start there are no trenches to dig to lay cables, and you won’t have to pay an electrician to connect the wiring as there is no wiring. When it comes to placing the lights in your design, if you are unhappy with the look you have, just move the lamp to somewhere else and re-fix it in place.

Five top facts about outside solar lights

1. Free lighting for your outside spaces

2. DIY installation is possible for most individuals.

3. Automatic operation – set the lights in place and forget them.

4. Lots of different designs and styles to choose from.

5. Much improved safety at your property.

Once you’ve bought and installed your solar lights, they won’t cost you one penny more in running costs. Wherever you live in the world, sunshine is free, and for as long as it remains that way, you’ll never have to pay another bill to cover the costs of using your solar lighting. Maintenance should be almost zero as well, checking the batteries each year should be all you need to do.

In my opinion, the most rewarding reason for using outdoor solar lights is the positive impact they make to our environment. Unlike standard electricity, solar power gives off zero emissions and uses zero fossil fuels. Whether you are in the developing world or in one of the world’s major economies, solar lighting has a strong part to play in providing part of our energy needs for the foreseeable future.

To learn a lot more about solar power christmas lights, the authors webpages are full of useful information and tips on what to look for.

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The Facts About Home Wind Turbine Design

By
Tim McDonald
Published: October 23, 2009Posted in: GeneralTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

When one thinks of a home wind turbine, what most probably comes to mind is a gigantic tower with jumbo-jet sized spinning blades. But, with everyone becoming more aware of conserving energy, the technology has advanced so much that it is now possible to have your own small-scale wind turbine at home. Even better is the opportunity for us to make our own, without having to rely on the professionals.

How a home wind turbine works

A home wind turbine produces power by moving a small turbine. This turbine is attached to a hub, where 3 or 5 blades are fixed, which in turn is placed at the top a tall tower. To keep the blades spinning, a guidance system or tail is attached to the hub, to keep it facing the wind.

If you do not know what a turbine/motor is or how it works, let me explain. Copper coils spin past magnets, and create an electromagnetic charge. This charge is then sent through wires to the batteries where it is stored. To use that charge in your home it needs to be passed through an inverter that changes the current from direct to alternating current. The reason wind power has become more popular on a small scale, is because of the improvement and efficiency in the design of the turbine.

Depending on your area’s wind conditions, the tower can vary in length. If you live near the sea where it is windy, the tower can be shorter, but in low-wind areas the tower needs to be taller to catch as much wind possible.

The advancement of the blades has also come a long way. They are now, stronger, lighter, and more aerodynamic, helping them to turn in even the softest of winds. Before the improvements, most small turbines had five blades, but now they mainly have only three. And like the tower, the blades come in a variety of sizes, depending on the wind conditions and power needs.

While so far we have been explaining the typical horizontal axis wind turbine, there is another design that is starting to gain popularity for small-scale projects. It is the vertical axis wind turbine or VAWT. Very different to the standard horizontal axis turbine, the VAWT spins on a vertical axis, and almost looks like a waterwheel put on its side. Since the VAWT tends to operate low to ground, it needs far more wind to make it turn efficiently, so it is not the ideal option for homeowners or small businesses. The VAWT has also been accused by ecologists of interrupting and harming various migratory birds, making it less attractive for green enthusiasts.

Before going out and installing a wind turbine, it is best to ask yourself the following questions:

How big is the property?

Wind turbines generally operate better in large areas that cover an acre. This is because wind flow is not deflected by any nearby buildings.

What is the average wind speed?

Ideal wind conditions should be at least 11 mph, but otherwise a taller tower with larger blades will help to catch the high-altitude winds.

What else can I use the wind turbine for?

The more uses you can think of for your wind power, the more attractive it will be to get one. Windmills have been used for centuries to pump water through irrigation systems, and farmers still use them today.

Does my house need a constant power supply?

If you are tired of the unreliable electricity company cutting off your power without warning, then a home wind turbine can really help. Though a small wind turbine is not capable of power your entire property for a long time, the energy can be stored and used during a blackout or whenever it is needed.

Taking the above points into consideration will help you determine how much power you require, the length of tower needed, the diameter of the blades, and the benefits and costs of using a home wind turbine.

The great thing about technology is that it is always improving. So much so that motors have become smaller, efficient and cheap enough for us to attach a few small turbines right on the roof, and produce the same power as a larger turbine on a tall tower.

While commercially available wind power kits can cost up to $100,000, you can learn to make your power for a fraction of the cost, with part and materials sourced at home and the nearby hardware outlet. Even better news is that the United States and other countries offer tax relief for green energy homeowners, so not only can you cut your electricity costs, but your tax expenses too.

Forget about using the home made energy guide to make your own power at home! Try the Earth4Energy Instructions for free, and see how you can cut your power costs by up to 80% with your own home wind turbine and solar power.

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Indoor Solar Lights

By
Steve Schafer
Published: October 23, 2009Posted in: GeneralTags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

How much do you know about solar lighting? Most people don’t realize that it can be used both indoors and out. While many of us may not have considered using solar power to provide indoor lighting, it is becoming a growing trend world wide. It is a great way to save both money and energy.

Although history records the use of solar power as far back as the 7th century BC, indoor solar lighting technology is still in its infancy. In the United States, however it is being used to light small buildings in parks and other locations as well as for more industrial applications. These locations are ideal due to their lack of close proximity to sources of conventional electricity. A small number of commercial buildings in America have also installed solar lighting and we are seeing more every day.

Today most industrial indoor solar lights are a combination of light tube technology and solar powered lights. In some applications light tube and solar powered lighting is used in security sensitive areas such as prisons. The fact that light tubes can transfer a lot of light into an interior room through a very small opening makes them perfect for this application. Combining these light tubes with solar powered lighting creates a hybrid lighting system that is unmatched in effectiveness and efficiency.

There are actually many uses for indoor solar lights; like lighting up your garage, shed or gazebo – not to mention the inside of your home. The fact that you don’t need an electrical source is a big advantage. All you need is a direct source of sunlight. No worrying about light bulbs or power outages. Indoor solar light installation is usually fairly easy and requires little if any maintenance and upkeep.

Some buildings on your property may be located far away from the main dwelling, making it expensive to provide electricity for even a single bulb. Indoor solar lighting is a great way to solve that problem swiftly and in most cases at very little cost. You can use them in your home as well, in the form of solar track lights or solar skylights.

It is no wonder that that indoor solar lighting is becoming so popular, with all of the different options that are becoming available. Check out your local home improvement store and you will likely find plenty of styles of these eco-friendly lighting products. It is truly exciting to see how rapidly the science is developing with nanoparticle research and solar ink technology, making it cheaper and easier for everyone to go solar. The great thing about using indoor solar lights is that you get to save money and help the environment!

Need an easy solar lights project? Go to easysolarlighting.blogspot.com. For more info on solar technology, try solarlightssite.com.

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The Make Natural Power Guide Reviewed

By
Tim McDonald
Published: October 22, 2009Posted in: GeneralTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

So you have decided to build your own home solar power and home wind turbine. You have searched the internet and come across the Make Natural Power guide. But does it really work? And is it the best diy energy guide out there? Let me tell you what I think of it.

The best thing about Make Natural Power is its cover. Everything beyond that was disappointing to say the least. Although it appears to have all the features of the the other guides, the information is very thin and not well-explained.

Likes:

You will be able to build a solar and wind power system, but it will take you a very long time, unless you have great technical skills.

Why it disappointed us:

* Poor diagrams

The illustrations did not go well with the instructions. Label were missing, the scaling was out, and the pictures were just plain boring.

* Rubbish Solar Panels

Since the diagrams and instructions were difficult to follow, the reader has to make too many assumptions resulting in a low-quality solar panel, if any at all.

* Poor maintenance advice

While I eventually got my wind generator to work, it ended up breaking after 2 months. This could have been prevented if I was given correct advice on how to effectively maintain the wind turbine.

* Delayed customer service

On many occasions we required customer support to help us fill in the blanks. However, by the time we received a response we had forgotten what we had asked them for in the first place. By our experience, you can expect to wait on average 5 days for support.

Conclusion

Make Natural Power at home was obviously created by someone trying to copy Earth4Energy, and it shows in the guide. It was badly written, incomplete, and an absolute waste of our time.

Tim McDonald recommends you rather try Earth4Energy for FREE, if you want to build a quality DIY Renewable Energy system and actually reduce your electricity bill.

categories: make natural power,solar power,solar energy,wind power,renewable energy,alternative energy,home improvement,environment,technology,lighting,hobby,money saving tips,men,society

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