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Home Storage Systems for Solar Power

September 29th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

The standard solar power system used to provide electricity today consists chiefly of two components: PV (photovoltaic) panels and a storage system. The PV (photovoltaic) panels generate the electricity. A storage system stores any excess for later use when there isn’t enough sunlight to power all your needs.

Batteries

That storage system is usually in the form of a large array of batteries stored in a vented, safe location such as a basement or specially constructed room. Though batteries are optional, in order to be completely ‘off grid’ some kind of storage system is needed and batteries are almost universally used.

There are two basic kinds of batteries used in most systems: lead acid and nickel cadmium.

Lead acid batteries are by far the most common because of their much lower cost. They’re very similar to lead acid car batteries with some interesting differences discussed below. They have positive and negative terminals (to which leads are attached) and contain metal plates that connect to the terminals. The plates sit in a chemical solution, typically sulfuric acid.

Electricity is made available by a chemical reaction between the lead plates inside the housing and the sulphuric acid mix. When they chemically combine, they generate free electrons that flow through the terminals and down the attached leads to your home outlets. PV (photovoltaic) solar panel-generated electricity drives the chemical reaction backwards, (re)charging the batteries.

The same principles apply in the case of nickel cadmium batteries, though there are some interesting practical differences. NiCad batteries are much more expensive. But they earn that higher price by delivering more value. They last much longer and they can discharge more current before they need to be recharged.

Both types are what are known as deep-cycle batteries. Car batteries supply a lot of current for a short period of time, enough and long enough to start your car. Then the motor takes over to power the electrical devices. They are shallow cycle batteries.

But solar power system batteries have to deliver a smaller current over a much longer period of time, hence they are designed differently. During the night when the PV (photovoltaic) panels are not delivering electricity to run the home or charge the batteries, these deep cycle devices do their job.

Charge Controllers

Draining a battery completely (or overcharging it repeatedly), though, would shorten its lifetime drastically.

So, there’s a device that’s part of the system that keeps that from happening. They’re called charge controllers.

When the battery reaches a certain level, the controller cuts of any drain to prevent the stored charge going below a designed-in level. It also cuts off once the battery reaches a pre-set level of charge stored. Most are designed to allow lead acid batteries to discharge to no more than 50% of capacity. That ensures a long life.

PV (photovoltaic) panels will last 20 years, but even good batteries may last no more than 10 years, often less. Replacing them increases the cost of the system, so extending their lifetime is key to keeping the overall investment as low as possible.

Gavin Dye is the webmaster at solar power 4u where you can learn about solar power and other forms of alternative energy you can use around your home. You can also learn how you can do your bit to stop global warming and learn more about solar power.

Solar Power - Heating Your Home With The Sun

September 23rd, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

The idea of heating your home with the sun is hardly new. Since the dawn of humankind the sun has been used to provide needed warmth. But modern technology has completely transformed the way that can be done, even from the methods used a few generations ago.

In the 1920s some municipalities supplied hot water to homes by large storage tanks that were heated by the sun. As the unit cost of electricity and gas decreased, such applications became relatively too expensive to compete. But old ideas often become new again, with a twist. Modern hot water heating systems using solar power have now been in use for more than 30 years.

But what’s even newer are ways of heating the home using solar energy that go well beyond simple windows. It’s certainly possible to just allow sunlight to stream into a window. But that often leads to areas of the home that are too bright. It generates areas that are too warm, while others receive too little heat.

Modern solar heating systems can redirect solar energy to provide an even, comfortable temperature throughout the house.

Some such systems use water or a salt water mixture. The tubes and channels that contain the liquid sometimes lie in small parabolic mirror-type troughs that concentrate the sun’s rays to raise the water temperature. That’s how many solar water heating systems work (minus the salt, of course). But that same technology can be adapted to supply home heat.

Most water systems are designed to keep the heat from escaping. That way, the water doesn’t have to be continually reheated and hot water is available on demand. But home heating systems reverse that idea and allow some of that heat to escape.

In one application, a series of tubes runs under wooden, clay or other materials used for flooring. By design, the heat gradually flows through the flooring and rises up into the air to provide a comfortable interior environment.

Clever designers have taken the idea one step further. They know that water isn’t the only common fluid in our environment. Air is also a fluid. Not a liquid, but a fluid as scientists define it. That gives it some of the properties of a liquid in that it flows easily.

Filling the tubes with air or other gas makes it possible to still absorb and deposit heat where it’s wanted. At the same time, because the gas is not a liquid, if a leak occurs there’s no major damage to the home.

Such applications aren’t as efficient at storing heat as liquid systems because they’re not as dense. But neither would you have to endure the cost of major repairs in case something goes wrong. If the system springs a leak, it’s only necessary to patch it or replace a small section, an inexpensive operation especially compared to the cost of replacing flooring or walls after a water leak.

Such problems are not as rare as they may seem. In climates where the weather becomes quite cold in the winter, water inside pipes does sometimes freeze and break the pipe. Yet, at the same time, there are many such cold days that still supply plenty of sunshine that could be used in a solar heating system.

Investigate the possible applications for your home and you’ll discover a wide array of options. If you want to learn more about how you can help with global warming have a look at 200 Ways to Fight global warming, a ebook and audio program that will help you fight global warming today.

An In-Depth Look at the Causes of Global Warming

September 15th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Global warming: two words you probably hear about on the news and read about in the magazines. Dire predictions about the end of the world as we know it usually accompany any discussion on global warming, but what does global warming really entail. Is it really the bad? Science has spoken and the answer is a resounding yes. global warming now stands as our planet’s most pressing problem, and many are even using the world crisis to discuss the problem that now afflicts all life on planet Earth.

What causes global warming?

The most basic cause of global warming has to do with the ability of the Earth to deal with so-called greenhouse gases. On this planet, the earth’s atmosphere sustains a natural supply of these so-called greenhouse gases. The natural greenhouse gases work by capturing the heat emitted from the Earth—just enough to warm the surface of the planet and keep it warm enough for life to be able to thrive on the planet. Without the effect of these greenhouse gases, the earth would be too cold to sustain life on it.

The problem with greenhouse gases is that now there are simply too many greenhouse gases, mostly in the form of carbon dioxide, being released into the atmosphere. This process began after the Industrial Revolution in the mid-1700s, when human industry began creating large amounts of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. This occurred when fossil fuels began to be burned to run factories, supply energy for cars, trucks, planes, and to run power plants. It is estimated that most of these greenhouse gases can stay in the Earth’s atmosphere for fifty years and longer. In short, since the industrial revolution, human activity has produced more greenhouse gases than the Earth is capable of removing.

Imagine that the natural layer of greenhouse gases is wrapped around the Earth like a thin sheet that keeps the Earth just warm enough to sustain life. Now imagine an extra thick blanket surrounding life—that is what too many greenhouse gases have done to the Earth. The release of so many extra greenhouse gases into the Earth’s atmosphere has causes the Earth to warm by about one degree during the past century. This may not sound like much, but scientists have proved that the rate at which the Earth is heating up increasing.

Even though one degree may not sound like too much, the truth is that even slight variations in temperature can have very strong consequences. One degree can make all the difference in preserving our way of life on this planet. Studies have shown that even a slight change in the level of carbon dioxide can be very consequential to Earth’s survival.

So what is next?

Researchers expect that if we don’t do anything to help solve the crisis of global warming, it is estimated that the global average temperature will increase by two degrees Fahrenheit to over eleven degrees Fahrenheit by the year 2100. Even if the change in temperature is not as drastic as expected, it is still predicted that many major natural catastrophes will result.

What are some of the major natural catastrophes that can befall planet Earth if the Earth’s global temperature continues to rise? Climate change researchers believe that rising global temperatures will result in greater natural disasters, including more frequent and turbulent hurricanes, rising sea levels, serious droughts, and severe land erosion.

There is only way to stop the current climate crisis and that is to drastically cut the amount of greenhouse gases that are being released into the Earth’s atmosphere. This can only be done with worldwide cooperation and a commitment by all the world’s most prominent governments. Every person can also make a small difference in their own daily life by reducing their own use of greenhouse gases.
If you want to learn more about how you can help with global warming have a look at 200 Ways to Fight global warming, a ebook and audio program that will help you fight global warming today.

A Synopsis of Climate Changes Blamed on Global Warning

September 9th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

As the effects of global warming continue to be felt around the globe, scientists and researchers warn that if left unchecked, global warming could definitely lead to instances of more dramatic and devastating weather. global warming will be responsible for myriad climate changes around the world, scientists warn us. Here is just a brief synopsis of the many different kinds of climate changes that are projected for the world if global warming continues to develop unchecked.

As the world continues to experience rising global temperatures, scientists believe that global warming will have two basic, overarching impacts on the earth. The first is that global warming will cause a series of dramatic regional climate changes. The second major global impact that global warming will have on the earth is a sizable rise in sea level. In all the global climate change models put together by researchers and scientists around the world, both of these changes seem likely if global warming is not slowed or stopped. Clearly, both of these effects would prove devastating for many of the earth’s ecosystems.

Here is a brief synopsis of the major instances of climate change that the researchers and scientists around the world have noted. According to researchers and scientists, the following is a list of climate changes that can be attributed to global warming if it is not stopped or slowed.

1. Thunderstorms, hurricanes, and windstorms will become much more frequent because of global warming. These storms will also become more severe than in recent history. This can be evidenced by the enormity of such recent climate events such as Hurricane Katrina. The recent tsunami in Southeast Asia is another example of extreme weather that many researchers attribute to the effects of global warming. This fact has not been lost on the insurance industry, which has shown great interest in the topic of global warming as they accrue huge losses because of weather-related events.

2. Another major climate change is expected to occur in Europe, where researchers and scientists believe that winters will become wetter and warmer than they have historically been. The warmer and wetter European winters, researchers believe, will be caused by changes and shifts in the North Atlantic circulation.

3. Researchers also believe that the El Nino climate phenomenon will become more intense and more frequent as a result of the effects of global warming. This could also be true for the La Nina climate events.

4. In general, researchers and scientists believe that weather will become much more pronounced in various areas around the world. For example, in dry areas such as the arid Southwestern states of the United States, drought is thought to prevail in the future. That is, in areas where drought already exists, researchers believe that droughts will become more frequent and more intense.

5. Many researchers believe that some areas will become hotter and may even be dealt massive heat waves for which the population will not be accustomed. This has already been noted in the North American Midwest, where massive heat waves killed dozens of people in the 1990s, mainly young children and the elderly who are the most susceptible to the effects of a heat wave. It is also believed that global warming will bring more severe heat waves in areas where the population is not prepared to handle such heat.

Clearly the threat of global warming looms in the horizon. Although we have already felt the effects of what global warming can do, researchers and scientists warn that the effects of global warming can become much more pronounced. It is up to world leaders and the global community at large to step up and face the great challenge that is global climate change. This is a problem that leaves no one unscathed and must be dealt with as a world community.If you want to learn more about how you can help with global warming have a look at 200 Ways to Fight global warming, a ebook and audio program that will help you fight global warming today.

Defining the Different Types of Water Power

September 8th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Using water to harness power is a tradition, which goes back over two thousand years ago when the Greeks learned how to turn massive wheels to rotate shafts for their wheat flour grinders. In the 18th century, there were literally thousands of communities around the world that used water energy (hydro energy). Hydro power uses the form of falling water by gravity to produce useful energy. The falling water is directed through a turbine, causing it to spin. The spinning turbine is connected to a generator, which produces energy. Small-scale hydro systems have several advantages. The generation process produces no pollution. It doesn’t require a large dam or reservoir; some systems can be powered by only a small stream so that a little bit of water goes a long way. More recently, many people have been using water on a smaller scale to generate electricity without the problems and costs involved with fossil fuels or large dams. Small-scale water power is one of the most environmentally sound and friendly ways to produce electricity.

In today’s world, there are small hydropower projects are in place in remote communities such as India, China, Peru and Nepal, Malaysia, Vietnam, and also in highly industrialized counties including the United States. This type of hydro power offers an emissions-free solution. Hydro power systems take the energy in flowing water to make electricity.

Hydro energy is a significant renewable energy source, competitive to fossil fuels and nuclear energy. In approximately the last thirty years, the production of energy in water power plants has tripled. Nuclear power plants have, in that same period, almost hundred times more production growth, due to restrictions that hydro energy has. It can not be used in all locations due to the need of an abundance of fast flowing water, and the need to have the power to last throughout the year. To negate effect of water level’s fluctuation, water gates, as well as accumulation lakes are built, which significantly increases whole power plant’s expenditures, and also raises the level of underground waters near the accumulation. Underground water level has a large influence on flora and fauna, so hydro-energy isn’t completely harmless for environment. It is estimated that only about 25% of world’s hydro energetic potential is used. Most of the unused potential is located in the under developed countries.

There are three main kinds of hydro electrics: Fluid, accumulative (hydro electric dam), and the reversible (pumped-storage plants) hydro electric. By explanation, fluid hydro electrics are the ones that do not have upstream accumulation or its accumulation can be emptied for less than two hours with nominal power. This means that almost direct use of kinetic energy of the water is used for the turbine’s movement. These hydro electrics are the simplest to construct, but are very dependant upon the fluidity of the water. With hydro electric dams the critical parts are accumulation, dam, clench, gravity intake, water chamber, rail chamber, pressure pipelines, engine room and water vent. There are two types of hydro electric dams: Near the dam and derivational. Near the dam is located under the dam itself, and derivational is located much more below the dam with pipelines as connectors to accumulation. Hydro electric dams are the most often used source of gaining electricity from water’s energy. Problems occur during the summer months, when natural flow gets too small for hydro electric’s functioning. In that case, the dam must be sealed and it is necessary to at least maintain water level, which is biological minimum. A problem can arise when the underground water level decreases, but the growing desire for renewable fuel, as well as the concern for a cleaner environment, makes the performance of hydro power an exceptional solution for solving energy needs.

If you want to learn more about how you can help with global warming have a look at 200 Ways to Fight global warming, a ebook and audio program that will help you fight global warming today.

Global Warming Effects on the Business of Agriculture

September 6th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

You have surely heard already about the potentially devastating climate change events that global warming will bring in the coming years, according to scientists, if it is not stopped. According to the world’s leading researchers, the basic effects of global warming as presented by the world’s leading scientists include the rising global temperature on earth, and the overall rise in sea level.

These are clearly two major impacts that global warming will have on the planet earth if indeed the projections are correct. However, although most of us have probably already heard about the potentially devastating physical effects that global climate change will have on this world, we have not heard much about global warming and how it will affect the business of agriculture. The truth is that, if all the projections unfurl themselves as the scientists and researchers predict, the business of agriculture will be perhaps the hardest hit economic sector in the whole world.

According to what we already know about global warming, a global climate shift will leave the world reeling from the dramatic shifts in climate. Climate change will be responsible, the researchers inform us, of much warmer and wetter winters across Europe due to a shift in the North Atlantic circulation. Moreover, according to the researchers, storms will begin to hit harder and longer. The hurricane season will grow longer and more intense. Thunderstorms and windstorms too will grow more intense. This severe shift in climate change will also cause the El Nino tropical storm season to become longer and more intense. The American Southwest will experience an even longer bout with drought that will leave the land reeling and much more susceptible to longer and drier forest fire seasons.

Other major impacts caused by global warming, as projected by many global researchers, include a loss of biodiversity as many species become lost to the rise in temperature. Many volcanic eruptions are already being attributed to the effects of global warming, and experts warn that a major climate shift will cause even more intense and frequent volcanic eruptions. Underwater earthquakes will become more prevalent, and many more tsunamis are projected if global warming continues unabated. Furthermore, earthquakes in general will become much more common.

Although scientists and researchers have made all of these dire predictions, few people have stopped to discuss the possible effects that global warming will gradually enact on the agricultural market. Agricultural, above all else, demands some kind of stability. Climate change is posed to steal away all sense of stability in climate. With frequent climate shifts in a relatively short period of time, the business of agriculture seems one of the most threatened, if not the most threatened, economic sectors in all of the world market. Of course, without a stable agricultural market, it seems unfeasible agricultural practices and the sector in general will be able to match the production levels that we currently know. Clearly, the business of agricultural is very much threatened by the impact that global warming can have on this planet in a relatively short period of time.

With these threats coming to light, more and more leaders on all levels of government have been bringing the subject of global warming to the spotlight. It seems crucial that all world leaders and all the global community at large get together to fight the effects of global warming before it becomes too late. We are already seeing the effects of global warming, and it is our responsibility to stop it before it gets too late. How can we stop it? By reducing our energy use, turning to renewable energy sources, and cutting our dependence on fossil fuels as soon as possible.If you want to learn more about how you can help with global warming have a look at 200 Ways to Fight global warming, a ebook and audio program that will help you fight global warming today.

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