Alternative Energy

How Solar Energy is Created

Solar energy consists of the light and heat emitted by the sun, in the form of electromagnetic radiation.

With today’s technology, we are able to capture this radiation and turn it into usable forms of solar energy - such as heating or electricity.

Although one could go into technical dissertations on the subject of electromagnetic radiation, how it is converted into solar energy, and the exact qualities of its electromagnetic rays, this is not something the average person needs or wants to know.

But in order to benefit the most from the use of solar power, there are a few facts you should know. Knowing these facts can assist you to make a sound decisions, when looking at the use of solar power as a clean energy source for your home, RV, or whatever the case may be.

Available Solar Resource

The technical feasibility and economical viability of using solar energy depends on the amount of available sunlight (solar radiation) in the area where you intend to place solar heaters or solar panels.

This is sometimes referred to as the available solar resource.

Every part of Earth is provided with sunlight during at least one part of the year. (I say “part of the year” as the north and south polar caps are each in total darkness for a few months of the year.) The amount of sunlight available is one factor to take into account when considering using solar energy.

There are, however, a few other factors which need to be looked at when determining the viability of solar energy in any given location. These are as follows:

* Geographic location

* Time of day

* Season

* Local landscape

* Local weather

Because the Earth is round, the sun hits its surface at different angles, at different locations on the globe. This ranges from 0? (just above the horizon - a good example of this is the north pole during the winter) to 90? (directly overhead, at and near the equator).

When the sun’s rays are vertical (directly overhead), the Earth’s surface gets a maximum of solar energy. The more slanted the sun’s rays are, the longer they have to travel through Earth’s atmosphere before reaching the surface (becoming more scattered and diffuse as they go along).

The more scattered and diffuse the sun rays are, the less concentrated the solar energy is. Because of the fact that the Earth is round, the polar regions never get direct sunlight, and, during their respective winter months, they receive no sun at all.

The Earth travels around the sun, in an elliptical orbit. Because of its elliptical path, the northern hemisphere of the Earth is closer to the sun during one half of the year, and the southern hemisphere is closer during the other half of the year.

When one part of the Earth is closer to the sun, it receives more concentrated solar energy. This is the time of year that is referred to as “summer.”

But regardless of summer or winter, the 23.5? tilt of the Earth’s axis plays a larger role in determining the amount of sunlight striking Earth at a particular location. The tilting of the earth results in longer days in the northern hemisphere during one half the year, and longer days in the southern hemisphere during the other half of the year.

Areas such as the United States and Europe receive more solar energy between May and September - not only because days are longer, but also because the sun is almost directly overhead during this season. The sun’s rays are far more slanted during the shorter days of the winter months. Cities such as Denver, Colorado, receive nearly three times more solar energy in June than they do in December.

Diffuse and Direct Sunlight

As sunlight passes through Earth’s atmosphere, some of it is absorbed, scattered, and reflected.

The following is a general list of materials that cause the sunlight to be diffused:

* Air Molecules

* Water vapor

* Clouds

* Dust

* Pollutants

Sunlight affected in this way is referred to as diffuse solar radiation or diffuse sunlight.

Sunlight that reaches the Earth’s surface without being diffused is called direct beam solar radiation or direct sunlight.

The sum total of all diffuse and direct solar radiation in a given location is called global solar radiation. It is the total amount of sunlight hitting the Earth at any specific spot, both direct and diffuse combined.

Pollution and other atmospheric conditions (such as weather patterns) can reduce direct sunlight by 10% on clear dry days. They can reduce direct beam radiation by 100% on thick, cloudy days.

Note that the absence of direct sunlight does not imply total darkness, as some diffuse light will still get through.

Measuring Sunlight and Solar Energy

Scientists measure the amount of sunlight available in specific locations during the different times of year.

They are then able to estimate the amount of sunlight which falls on similar regions at the same latitude with similar climates and conditions.

Measurements of solar energy are normally expressed as “total radiation on a horizontal surface”, or as “total amount of radiation on a surface tracking the sun”.

In this last case, the assumption is that one is using a solar panel that automatically tracks the sun.

In other words, the solar panel would be mounted on a tracking device so that the panel would remain at right angles to the sun throughout the day.

This system is primarily used for industrial setups, when it is used at all.

Solar Energy Measurements

Radiation data (the amount of solar energy available at a given location) for solar electric (photovoltaic) systems is often represented as kilowatt-hours per square meter (kWh/m2). Direct estimates of solar energy may be expressed as watts per square meter (W/m2).

Radiation data for solar water heating and space heating systems is usually represented in British thermal units per square foot (Btu/ft2).

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Anna supports of clean living and the use of renewable energy in order to combat pollution and Global Warming, as well as the humanitarian and economic consequences of dependency on fossil fuels.

Visit Anna’s blogs, Solar Energy and Alternative Energy, to find more information on solar power and alternative energy.

You can also find a wide variety of solar power equipment, solar battery chargers, portable solar power, solar water heating, solar powered weather stations, solar fountains, solar lights, home solar panels, and more, at her Solar Power Store.

Slip back in time 30 years and you’ll see that the green movement was positively against nuclear fuel. It seems strange that 30 years on a number of the very same people are placing their hopes on nuclear power to stop the global warming Crisis. It could well be that we have no choice other than to go Nuclear but we have to ask the question “why aren’t we placing more emphasis on cleaner types of energy?” Some governments (Denmark is a case in point) have already come a long way in utilising cleaner and safer types of energy including both wind farms and solar power systems. They have had great success so you have to ask why other countries are favouring Nuclear Power?

The old concerns about using Nuclear Power have by no means gone away. It is still a form of energy with inherent dangers and we still have no viable solution to getting rid of radioactive waste! What is holding us back from moving to other forms of energy?

The common argument is that the cost of moving to cleaner forms of energy is far more expensive than sticking with fossil fuels. But what of those unspoken costs staying with fossil fuels or switching to nuclear power?

It is common knowledge that our fossil fuel resources are running out. With the demand for energy on the increase there is only one possible result. More price increases! On the other hand, the renewable energy provided by the Sun, Wind and Water is free and will be there for a very long time.

Harnessing the power of alternative forms of energy may not be cost effective at this time but future developments will surely lead to greater efficiency. For instance, take solar technology. As semiconductor technology moves forward in leaps and bounds, solar panels are becoming ever more efficient. Not so long ago solar panels could only be utilised effectively in warmer climates. Today, we see them being used in many different environments. Indeed, the science of solar technology has advanced so much individuals are investing in their own DIY Solar systems. If people think it worth their while to plan and build their own solar power systems then why can’t it be done on a wider scale.

The financial considerations of sticking with fossil fuel energy resources is not just limited to supply. We will have to deal with CO2 emissions or the removal of nuclear waste material, a cost that will be with us for many years. Alternative forms of energy like solar, wind and Hydro power are all clean and pollutant free. Future generations will not have to pay for what we do now. The cost of short term thinking is a high price to pay for the future of the planet. Let’s keep nuclear power at a distance. The Sun would be far enough.

India is so large and diverse it is hard to classify it. India is, as you will no doubt know, the name given to the vast peninsula which the continent of Asia throws out to the south of the magnificent mountain ranges that stretch in a curve across the southern border of Tibet. Shaped like an irregular quadrilateral, this large expanse of territory, so richly deserves the name of a subcontinent.

Government controls on domestic investment have been largely abolished in the last 10 years, and since then it has been agreed that the public sector should wherever possible stay out of any endeavor that could be accomplished by private firms.

This has now led to a sense of optimism in which many view India as perhaps now still only in the initial stages of a long boom that could extend over several decades. However, India remains as a country with a vast army of unemployed. Many families depend on just one earning member for sustenance and survival.

We have seen other countries in the region go down the same road and eventually emerge out of mass poverty at the end of it. August, 2007, saw the 60th anniversary of Indian independence, so it is still a young nation.

The sub continent has always been, through history a land of brave and chivalrous rulers who patronized arts and architecture and had a real knack for rewarding the deserving people. There are many forts and palaces around the land that demonstrate this, and if you visit them they will open up a whole new range of experiences of the local culture, and a respect for old Indian traditions.

Unfortunately, India is generally not cost-competitive with China for low-tech manufacturing work such as producing toys and household goods, because resource india labor and transit costs are higher. However, high-tech manufacturers are diversifying to India for other reasons.

India is also poised to play a major role in the large-scale commercialization of renewable energy technologies and can offer technology transfer to other industrializing nations. The country has achieved installation of over 10,000 megawatts of renewable-based capacity. India has been said by some experts to be short on natural gas, and that is expected to last only until 2012.

India is also poised to play a major role in the large-scale commercialization of renewable energy technologies and can offer technology transfer to other industrializing nations. The country has achieved installation of over 10,000 megawatts of renewable-based capacity. India has been said by some experts to be short on natural gas, and that is expected to last only until 2012.

Alternative fuel vehicles are making their mark! Otherwise known as hybrids, they combine the best of both worlds with respect to electrical and internal combustion engine models. Their function is not to be confused with rocket science either! Simply put, if they are not recharging off the battery, they are drawing energy from it.

It’s inevitable that these new types of cars are going to change the automotive landscape. Today’s alternative fuel vehicles, like tomorrow’s, will only be limited by the imagination and how serious the world is in keeping the planet safe for the following generations. The future is now and the horizon for alternative fuel vehicles looks bright and promising.

alternative fuel vehicles
When it comes to alternative fuel technologies, vehicles that are making their mark include Nissan, Lexus, Toyota, Honda and Ford Escort. The alternative power supply models are smart, sophisticated models that are both functional, environmental friendly and aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

As the world gets on board as a collective whole to combat the use of fossil fuels, alternative fuel vehicles will become the car of choice for many people. You won’t be giving up comfort or performance either! You’ll be getting the best of both worlds while stretching fuel mileage and making your heard-earned dollar stretch further.

Sorting through the type and models of alternative fuel vehicles that will fit you and your family’s lifestyle should present no great challenge. Your choices will include models that employ biodiesel, hydrogen, propane, electrical, and natural gas technologies. The challenge may be in finding a local alternative fuel station. Yet for those who are environmentally responsible, owning alternative fuel vehicles is a great place to start.

alternative fuel technologies
As alternative fuel vehicles become a part of the automotive mainstream, there will be a hybrid model for the needs of just about everyone. You can expect to see models with bigger and more powerful engines which will be capable of delivering power at the top of the charts.

There will also be vast improvements in performance and fuel economy. Why not be a part of the trend that saves the world for tomorrow?

The pursuit of ‘green’ buildings that will preserve the environment may possibly veer off in an unpredictable direction that will change the face of America’s housing. Contradictory though it may sound, concrete is raising its ugly head as an attractive and ‘green’ alternative for residential housing.

Although concrete has been used in European homes for over fifty years, it has not been in any way popular in U.S.A. If the thought of gray concrete homes in small town America is abhorrent to you - think again.

One of the European countries that make the largest proportion of concrete houses is France. Yes, that includes those cute little homes in the villages of Provence that people drive for miles to see! Underneath the sunny yellow paint on the exterior ’stone’ finish and the brilliant blue shutters framing the tiny windows - is blah gray concrete.

What’s more, inside the cool cottages where the interior walls are painted cream and edged with dark woodwork for relief is also blah gray concrete! So what’s the problem?

Change is always resisted by the majority, but concrete is gaining ground in developments around USA. This is because concrete has re-invented itself into the environmentally acceptable AAC. It is also known as E-Crete, but AAC - short for Autoclaved Aerated Concrete - can produce a home that is fireproof and whose construction is 80% air!

Buildings made from AAC will not rust, decompose, warp or rot and this makes them very low maintenance. Concrete does not offer the type of environment that encourages little critters such as termites; it also cannot be chewed through by mice etc, which are two more points in its favor.

Concrete walls do not give off toxic gasses and neither will home owners experience ‘cold spots’ in their rooms. This can be attributed to the unique design of the blocks which means that an AAC home comes with its own insulation against both the summer heat and the winter cold.

AAC offers better acoustics than a normal wooden home, in that it reduces the traveling of mechanical noises, decreases the penetrating ability of outside noises and does away with the echoing sound of an empty room. Or, in a nutshell, it is a quieter life inside!

For those who are interested in the environmental ethics of it all - AAC is made from adding a naturally occurring expansion agent to natural cement and sand which produces air bubbles within - rather like making concrete bread! It means all the trees can stay in the forest.

The Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Products Association (AACPA) boast that a minute amount of energy is needed to produce this organic product and the process of manufacturing produces no pollutants, by-products or toxic waste.

Hey! Move over log cabins and watch out America - it sounds too good to be ignored!

PorchLight Real Estate Group combines local market knowledge with cutting edge marketing skills. For more information on Denver CO real estate or to do a search for Cherry Hills Village homes, visit us online at PorchLightGroup.com.

With the recent introduction of Plug n Play Solar Chargers into the market, the use of solar power has come within the reach of just about anyone. You no longer have to be a tech savvy “do-it-yourself-er” in order to harness solar power.

What exactly is a plug-n-play solar charger? In its simplicity, it’s usually a solar panel combined with a battery pack, sold as a unit, which is capable of collecting solar energy and storing it in a battery. That’s all there is to it.

The feature that makes this type of set-up so useful is that you can use it to power or recharge your electrical devices, laptops, power tools, radios or even TVs, from the battery pack. The solar power and battery pack are sold together - so you don’t have to worry about compatibility, cables, watts, voltages, or anything like that. And you don’t have to wonder whether the setup will work or not.

By using the battery pack, instead of trying to power your equipment directly from a solar panel, you ensure that you have a steady flow of power or electricity flowing into your equipment. Even on a sunny day there can always be some clouds. When they move in front of the sun it there would be a decrease of solar energy being picked up by the panels, which would momentarily reduce the amount of electricity being produced by your solar charger. But if your equipment is connected to a battery pack (which is in turn connected to a solar panel) the battery would take up the momentary slack in solar energy.

There are other advantages to using a plug-n-play solar charger kit, besides its steady flow of electricity. Because of the fact that the solar panels charge the battery pack, you will be able to make use of solar energy at any time, night or day, regardless of weather conditions or available sunlight. You simply ensure that the solar charger is charging during daylight hours, and then charge your laptop, cell-phone, iPod (or whatever you need to charge) at night while you are sleeping.

A little known fact I will throw in is that many people think solar chargers and solar panels only work in hot climates. Not true. Solar panels collect solar energy far more efficiently when they are cold. Thus, they actually operate more efficiently in colder temperatures. This fact makes them perfectly suitable for just about any climate. All you need is daylight.

There are some factors you have to take into account with such a solar charger setup:

1. Whether or not the battery pack is capable of powering the device you want to power

2. How long it takes for the solar panel to fully charge your battery pack.

Once you know that, you can decide whether you have found the right solar charger setup for you or not.

There are now a wide variety of ready-to-go, plug-n-play solar charger systems and do-it-yourself packages available, to suit anyone’s needs. They are used for small portable power units,cell phones, camera batteries, iPods, and laptops, etc. They are also used for larger systems which give remote or emergency power for AC and DC appliances such as radios, small TVs, cabin lighting and much, much more.

Plug-n-play devices and do-it-yourself kits are a great way to get started using solar energy at an affordable price. They bypass the need for advanced knowledge in electronics, and keep things simple.

This article is written by Anna Stone. At Solar Chargers and Portable Solar Power you can find further information on different types of solar chargers and solar battery chargers.

You can also find more information on how solar power works at How Solar Energy Works.

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