Archive for January, 2010

what are the problems of solar power as we keep talking about solar but not using it?

Everywhere people talk about solar but not used much why?
Everywhere = only sunny place.
and not all the part of the world.

In some places, the electric companies charge a very low rate, and it is more economical to simply use that rather than invest large sums up front.

In other areas, it would be more economical in the long run to use solar panels, but in this economy, companies simply don’t have the capital to invest.

As a homeowner, would you rather pay $10,000-20,000 up front for solar energy, or would you rather pay $80/month??

What are the drawbacks to using wind turbines or solar panels for providing all power to a home?

A. The wind and sun are not constant, so there would be times when no electricity would be generated.
B. The wind and sun are constant, so there would be plenty of electricity for the home.
C. Wind and solar power are inefficient and too expensive to use and maintain.
D. Wind and solar power are efficient, but they are not able to produce enough electricity for a single home.

again trying to help..again thnx 4 the previous………
nothing else…………but A.
NO COMMENTS ON THE OTHER OPTIONS….
except these there is another drawback…….its when your brother breaks the solar panel after quarrel with you……then no electricity will b produced………….hope this funny answer u liked……..its just to make yahhooooooooooo answer FUNNNNN…………

I am writing an essay on alternative energy and it would really help if you answerd soon and gave me the resources!

There are different types of alternative energy, and each has its own purposes.

Bio-desiel is used primarily for operating vehicles.

There are a number of methane gas sources and uses. King County, WA is harnessing methane from a land fill to power its land fill operations and also for sales income. Mesa, Az is using methane from a sewage treatment plant to power the plant and several area residences. There are some farms/feed lots out there capturing and using methane for their own and surrounding purposes. In some cases, methane is burned for heating, steam engine/motor operation, or combustion engine operation. In other cases, it is converted into electricity; I would guess that it is through a burning process.

Wind, wave, and river energy tends to be turned into electricity.

solar panels and wind turbines make electricity. But, passive solar often involves the pre-heating of water in outdoor bladders/container using the sun and then using it indoors. Often the indoor uses include radiant heating, pre-heated water for house hold heat or house hold hot water.

Is this the type of things you are asking for? Finding more information on these topics and/or specifics is easy by plugging them into a search engine.

I need help on this. When u answer can u be thorough about why the 3 alternative energy sources are renewable please.

Wind, solar and tidal (or wave) power.

They are considered renewable because no matter how much wind or sunlight or how many waves you use, you’ll never consume it all. Petroleum products like oil and natural gas are not renewable because there is a finite amount of it in the ground. When it’s gone, it’s gone.

It may not be windy, sunny or wavy every day, but there’ll always be more.

I would love to use some solar energy in my home. What can you tell me about how much it costs to begin? Is there some sort of federal tax credit? What all do I need to buy (panels, batteries, etc)? Can a homeowner do the installation or must it be done by a professional? Would also appreciate any websites for retailers of solar energy items. Thank you very much for any information.

When I was gainfully employed, prior to experiencing the bliss of retirement, I worked for a hardware store that marketed a solar energy system for single family residences.

The cost profile (this stuff is expensive) suggested that, if you planned to live in your home for 19 years post-installation, you would amortize the cost.

There were federal and California state tax credits available at the time, as well as a rebate from Pacific Gas and Electric (primary utility provider in No. Calif.) which produced a net cost near $20K.

You need to determine if your local power company is obligated to buy back surplus power from your solar system first. If they are not legally required to do so, that will make amortization more difficult.

I came accross a new, proven and tested home made wind power system and solar power system which eliminates our electricity bills. It was written by a Renewable energy enthusiasts Michael Harvey the diy called Earth4energy. You can get your copy to save energy and help environment while eliminating your power bills. Get it from here:

http://how-to-build-cheap-solar-energy.blogspot.com/

I was trying to figure out how solar panels work today and I found that electrons get displaced in 2 layers of a solar panel by photons coming from the sun to create power. If the electrons come from the solar panel and go into the electrical grid, how are they replaced in the solar panel? Wouldn’t the solar panel eventually lose all of its electrons and stop working? Electrons have mass, so wouldn’t the solar panel slowly deteriorate?

I think solar energy is awesome and I really want to know how it works. Any help in enlightening me on this subject would great, thanks!

It’s because the photovolcaics are closed-loop systems. A photon will come in and basically knock an electron across what is called a "junction" and create current, but it is "caught" (really simplified version) on the other side of the junction and kind of "bounced back" into place.

It’s like Formula 1 racing or NASCAR. The car will be sitting in the Pit, just waiting to go, then will tear out, run a few laps until it requires more fuel, then stops in the Pit again, gets refueled, and just waits for the signal from the Pit Boss to get going again.

The limiting factor on solar cells isn’t the cell itself, as in the electrical circuits and semiconductors, but rather the very slow degradation of the (usually plastic) that holds each small cell in place, so that it can create a useful photovoltaic cell. Since modern plastics can be treated with UV coatings to prevent degradation, and are practically immune to water, the only thing that can really hurt them is somebody whacks it with a hammer or drops it while installing it on the roof.

They’re excellent. The south face of my roof is sufficient, along with a small vertical-axis wind turbine, to generate more power than I need, and it actually gets sold back to Sempra Energy/SDG&E.

We want solar power

No don’t build in a good spot, sopme stupid desert mouse no one has ever seen might get hurt.

Don’t believe me, check the attempts of California to build solar generation plants.

Don’t forget how Ted Kennedy screeched and blocked them from building a wind turbine in his favorite sailing spot.

Liberals do not want to save the environment or conserve energy they just want to control your life.

I want to build a house and put solar panels on my roof. What angle do I need to build my roof at so I can just place solar panels flat on my roof? Which direction does the solar panels need to be facing?

This depends on your latitude and where you are. If you’re in the northern hemisphere, it faces south, with a tilt direction at the sun with respect to the average tilt of the earth. If you’re in the southern hemisphere, the solar panels (both photovoltaic and solar thermal) face north. If you’re on the equator, then they may lie flat on your roof. In US at a latitude of 40 degrees, you may want a tilt of about 20 degrees (because of change of seasons). You can alway angel the panels easier than modifying an existing roof. Be sure NOT to shade any part of photovoltaic panels at ant time.