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Posts Tagged ‘diy solar’

Save With Solar Power

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Install solar power

With the world faced with a severe energy crisis, it is wise to invest in an alternate power solution, at home. We are all fighting the energy crisis. Installing an alternate energy solution at home is no less than a great humanitarian effort.

Among the alternate power solutions, the solar power system and the wind power system are the most popular being less cumbersome. Wind power is a great idea, but most of us cannot implement it at our homes because of the requirements. Wind power systems need a large area with average wind speeds in the area of about 11 miles per hour. In comparison, the solar power system is easier to implement. All you need is strong, uninterrupted sun light.

The complete Solar Power solar power system has different components. Depending on their needs, most people implement a few of these components. Consider the following solar power components.

Solar cooker: The solar cooker is the most popular solar energy system implemented at homes. Look at its strengths

• Healthy cooking – The food cooked using a solar cooker is considered very healthy. A small cooking box can be used to cook for a family of five.

• Variety cooking – You can boil, roast, and bake using the same system!

No fuel – Solar cookers don’t use any other fuel than the sun’s light, thus helping you save power.

• No emissions – The solar cooker neither emits any gases nor does it leave any residue. It makes for the most environment-friendly cooking system.

Solar generator: The solar generator is a device that runs all your electrical appliances using the solar energy. This device uses photovoltiac cells to convert the solar energy into electrical energy. Solar generators are also referred to as solar lighting systems. The electrical energy developed by the solar generator is stored in cells for later use. Installing a solar generator at home saves power and saves money. You can run your electrical appliances without worrying about paying the electric bill!

Solar thermal system:
Implementing a solar thermal system or solar heating system at home takes care of your home’s temperature needs. Set a comfortable temperature at your house without worry about expenses. Thanks to its popularity, the heating systems will not only suit your budget but also please your eyes. These systems no longer ugly.

Homemade Solar Panels – Free Energy?

Sunday, December 27th, 2009

I must say that I was a little apprehensive when I undertook my first homemade solar panel project. I was a novice at DIY and thought that building my renewable energy source would be very difficult indeed.

Luckily I cam across some very good step by step guides on the internet and set about building my first solar cell.

At the back of my mind I kept thinking that I could succeed with the project with the right tools and instruction. My reasons for building my own DIY solar panel are two fold: to save cash and lower my carbon footprint!

I was amazed at how cost effective building my homemade solar panels was. Another advantage of getting complete instructions is that you develop confidence in your construction and will start to know that you will save money and it will work. So much so that it was not long before I had my first panel made

You have to remember that a solar panel is simply a big box filled with some wiring and solar cells. Putting it all together is remarkably easy once you get started.

Once constructed, you will need to find a spot that allows your homemade solar panels to face the sun. An ideal position for locating your solar cells is your roof, particularly your south facing roof. Take care when climbing at height and I would advise wearing a hard hat and harness. Remember that you panels contain glass and should be handled with care throughout the installation process.

Most of the equipment that you will require can be bought at your local DIY shop. I use Radioshack for example. I can now build my own panels and cells for under 0. Costs will be clawed back over time as you are creating a free energy resource. More importantly you will not be paying thousands of dollars to a professional when you can build your own for a fraction of the price! The cost of the components is far outweighed by what you will be saving long term in electricity and heating costs around your home.

So what are you waiting for? I now save up to 80% of my heating and electricity costs by harnessing the power of the sun for free!

Free Energy – Homemade Solar Hot Water Kits

Saturday, December 26th, 2009

DIY hot water systems are not new, people in the United States have been using homemade water heating kits for over 100 years. Thirty percent of all hot water needs of the residents of pasadena in 1897 was produced by using homemade solar water heaters! If our ancestors could harness the power of the sun over a hundred years ago, then we should be now!

However the discovery of massive supplies of gas and oil in the United States meant that creating energy from the sun was sidelined in favor of fossil fuel heating methods. The threat of global warming has led to a surge in the number of people building their own solar hot water panels to help the environment.

Latest statistics show that there are over 500,000 such water heating devices used in California. Many of these are used in houses and swimming pools. Using a DIY Solar Panels for swimming pools and showers is a great way to lower pollution caused by fossil fuels and also to lower your electricity bill. Also you will produce less carbon.

The materials used for solar panel heaters are piping, a strong box and a form of glass panel. The sun’s power is conveyed through the glass of the panel which in turn heats the water in the pipes until it is hot. Just imagine the sun as the power source for your hot water tank. However unlike when you flip the electricity switch, the sun heats up your hot water for free!

Most of the equipment that you will require can be bought at your local DIY shop. I use Radioshack for example. I can now build my own panels and cells for under $200. But remember energy from the sun is free so you will recoup these costs over time. More importantly you will not be paying thousands of dollars to a professional when you can build your own for a fraction of the price! The cost of the components is far outweighed by what you will be saving long term in electricity and heating costs around your home.

So what are you waiting for? You could be using these simple DIY solar panel systems to heat your home or swimming pool. Making a do it yourself solar hot water panel is actually easier than you would think. There are stacks of guides and plans available on the internet.

Save energy costs with this method

Monday, September 14th, 2009

In this economy people are looking for ways to save money.  People are sending less when they go out.They just are not spending as much on entertainment. They don’t spend their money as freely as they used to.To put it another way, everyone is making an effort to save money wherever they can.One method they are looking to use to save with is their electricity.  In a time when every dollar counts a few dollars saved in energy can mean a lot.

One of the ways people have been saving is by having solar energy installed on their homes.Most of the time this is quite expensive to have done.  But people have been very resourceful and have found many ways to get cheap solar panels for their solar energy system.Usuallly what it would cost to have some electrical company go and install it for you would cost thousands of dollars.  But by finding low cost systems this is saving them money as well.

Another way they have chosen to go is intstead of buying some solar panels they have chosen to learn how to build a solar panel themselves.It is not as difficult as it seems.Also there is plenty of ways you can find instructions on how to go about doing that.  By doing it themselves this again can save them thousands of dollars.

Now everybody may not be the DIY solar panels maker but these guides are so good you could even have someone build it for you.Of course like before this would save you money versus going out and buying factory made solar panels. 

Either way you will be saving money and energy in the long run.  So if you go with buying some inexpensive solar panels and installling it yourself that will save you money.  Or if you choose to build it yourself, that will save you money.  So in a time when you need to save money, this is a good way to go.