where can i see a design of a solar power plant?

December 22nd, 2009
solar power
janna asked:


what are the first things to consider in designing a solar power plant?

DAN

December 22nd, 2009
solar power
jay jayesser asked:


When you think of solar powered homes you think of a home totally powered by state of the art expensive solar panels but that need not be the case. Solar power is now becoming less expensive these days and is more popular than ever.

Solar electric systems are also known as photovoltaic or PV systems and are reliable and pollution-free. They take their power from a free and renewable source of energy that has been with us since the beginning of time - The Sun. Home solar power solutions are becoming more and more affordable over time for providing solar home power. Dont worry because you don’t have to fork out hundreds of dollars to get started.

How Does It Work?

Well solar home energy is provided by solar panels also known as Photovoltaic (PV) solar cells. They create electricity directly from the sun and will function any time the sun is shining. Considerably more electricity is generated when the sunlight is stronger. In simple terms, the sun has to strike the PV modules at a perpendicular angle to generate the electricity. Electrons are released by the interaction of sunlight with semiconductor materials in PV cells and the electrons are captured in an electric current. The PV panels are connected to an inverter unit in your property that converts the resulting the direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC). The inverter is connected to and powers your appliances. It’s also connected to a meter which monitors electricity consumption. Ok that’s enough techie stuff!

PV systems allow you to produce electricity for a solar energy home without noise or air pollution-from a clean, renewable resource and it is a continuous energy source that never depletes. How cool is that?

Things to consider before purchasing

Prior to buying a PV system for a solar power home there are at least two considerations that you need to make.

1. Solar power will be intermittent because electricity is only produced when the sun is shining. This wont be too much of a problem if you are connected to the Electricity Grid as any additional electricity power requirement will automatically be delivered to you. If you aren’t then you can purchase batteries to make up the shortfall but these can be expensive.

2. It can require an initial large investment. It’s basically like paying for years of electricity upfront. Having said that you don’t have to you DO NOT need to invest $1,000’s in costly solar panels or windmills to transform your home into an energy producing “green home” You can just buy the components you need and make your own panels and use them to power a few electrical appliances. That way you can gradually build up to the level of alternative power provision that you want. You can even build them yourself with a few common materials and save yourself money.

Financing your PV system

If you want to use home solar panels extensively for moreorless total home solar power, probably the best way to finance it is through a mortgage loan. Mortgage financing options include your primary mortgage; a second mortgage, or a home-equity loan that is secured by your property. There are two advantages to mortgage financing.

1. Mortgage financing usually provides longer terms and lower interest rates than other loans, such as conventional bank loans.

2. The interest paid on a mortgage loan is generally deductible on your federal taxes (subject to certain conditions ). If you buy the PV system for solar power for homes at the same time that you buy it , you can consider including it in the cost.

Adding the cost of the PV system to your mortgage loan is likely to be relatively simple. It is also one way to avoid additional loan application forms and fees.

Why would you want to use solar power?

There are many reasons why you might want to convert to use PV units for solar power. - To help preserve the Earth’s finite fossil-fuel resources and reduce air pollution.

1. The desire to make ones property more energy efficient.

2. The security and satisfaction of reducing the amount of electricity you buy from the utility company

3. Getting one over the profitable utility companies because 4. By law the utility company has to pay you back for any excessive electricity power that you generate and don’t use at the current market price. That’s great for us consumers.

Whatever your reason, solar energy is widely thought to be the energy source of choice for the future. To find out more about solar and wind powered domestic units for life, visit http://www.windsolarlife.com



NED

Will a solar powered lightbulb power itself?

December 20th, 2009
solar power
bike_customizer asked:


Okay, so I have this question.
You have a lightbulb connected to a solar panel. The lightbulb is powered until its night, if you put the already on lightbulb by the panel, will it power itself throughout the night?

ERNIE

why not use solar power plants instead of nuclear?

December 20th, 2009
solar power
basham_amanda asked:


i hear mcain talking about nuclear power plants and how it will help the world blah blah, but it just sounds gross, like in 5 years we will all be mutants, like in “i am legand”…why is solar power plants not an option?

HUBERT

December 20th, 2009
solar power
Pete Phelps asked:


In this age of rising electric bills everyone is feeling the pinch. Unfortunately, too many people think that rising utility cost is just a fact of life that can not be changed. Yet, you can save money on electric bills by making your own solar power for the home. Solar power used to be an expensive option, but not anymore. More and more people are installing their own solar power and saving money on their electric bills or cutting out the bill entirely.

The central component of making solar power for the home is the solar panels themselves. You can make the solar panels with a few simple components or purchase a kit, either option will save you hundreds over the cost of pre-made panels. The basic materials used in a solar panel are plywood, glass, copper wire, silicone, UV protectors, and of course, the solar cells.

Solar cells are what turn light into electricity, thus saving you money from not using the grid power. This is why the cells are the most important part of creating solar power for the home. While solar panels are available for purchase, they are often pricey and the upfront costs alone may negate any potential energy savings for years to come. By making your own panels in order to provide solar power for the home, you can reduce the upfront costs and begin recouping the cost of your panels much sooner.

Making your own panels in order to provide solar power for the home is not complicated and only requires modest skills that most people can learn quite easily or already possess. While electric rates continue to rise every year, a solar panel made today will continue to produce electricity for at least thirty years, all for the cost of the initial investment. Solar power for the home is inflation proof and will leave more money in your pocket over the long run.

With a small investment, a single solar panel can be built in order to supplement utility company electricity. While you will still be drawing energy from the grid, you will not be using as much. This alone can save hundreds of dollars over the cost of electricity every year. When building your own system in order to create solar power for the home, you have the additional benefit of adding to it and enlarging it as time and finances allow, instead of purchasing a large and expensive ready made system out right. You have a lot more freedom to grow your system as your needs and situation allow.

If you are building a home in a rural area that is not currently already hooked to the grid, you will pay thousands of dollars up front just to have the electric lines laid to your home. In this case, it is always less expensive to make and install solar power for the home. A solar panel kit you build yourself is much less expensive than bringing electricity in from the power company and will continue to save you money every year there after. Solar power for the home is the best option in rural areas that would otherwise be prohibitive in cost to run power to.

Solar power for the home is also a sound environmental option. Many states and the federal government offer programs to reimburse some of the initial costs of installing solar power. This can offset the initial investment of switching to full solar power dramatically, thus making your energy savings more evident in a shorter time period. All in all, solar power for the home will save you money on rising electricity costs in very little time and with very little effort.



GUADALUPE

Is Solar Power the best option to stop Global Warming?

December 19th, 2009
solar power
Scorpio Wild Card asked:


What are the Positives of using Solar Power?
What are the Negatives if using Solar Power?
That is the question.

REFUGIO

December 19th, 2009
solar power
N Jamal asked:


Do you want to know how to make solar power panels? Is the monthly spending on electric bills driving you crazy? If it is, I bet you would want to know how to make solar power panels. Millions worldwide are switching from conventional power to solar power, reason being its free of course and it helps in preserving the environment alike other non renewable sources of energy like fossil fuels that is a major contributor of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are threatening the survival of life on this beautiful planet, due to the looming fear of global warming.

You can either buy one of these solar power panels for your home which would leave you poorer by anything within $1000-$1500 or else you can decide to make solar power panels for yourself for …. Drumroll please … less than $200! Yes, you can do the same job that a professional would do for an amount that will not burn a hole in your pocket. Gone are the days when only government organizations and big companies could afford it, now every person can afford to make solar power panels.

To make power panel you need some raw materials that can be easily picked up at the local hardware store and found around your household surrounds. Copper wire, Solar cells, plywood, glass sheets and some wooden boards is all you need to build a frame can be made into a solar power panel that can generate adequate energy that can power your entire home and business.

To begin on the right footing and get a head start, you will need a good guide that shows even the smallest details about the required stuff about how to make solar power panels, do’s and don’ts. Go for a guide which has step by step videos included, free updates for life and a free access to member forums where other DIY enthusiast can chat will be an added benefit.



MONROE

December 18th, 2009
solar power
N Jamal asked:


Did someone recently asked you about DIY solar power kits? In reality do we really need to install a solar power kit? Most likely the person in question here will reply that we do not need to install a solar power DIY kit, as there is no scarcity of energy which is available commercially. Right?

Well, this type of thinking only shows the lack of our basic understanding of our world. Everybody needs to be well-informed and educated when it comes to using solar power for generating electricity. Almost all of the electricity produced today is generated from fossil fuels, which is a non-renewable source of energy, which once finished is gone forever. Moreover burning of fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are threatening the very existence of life on the planet, with the looming dangers of global warming it’s about time that we start looking for other renewable sources of energy and a great resource is to generate solar power using sunlight, which is one of the few things that is freely available and does not cost a dime to human beings.

Another very common myth that is doing rounds in society about solar power is that it’s costly to generate. Well, with the advancements in technology it’s not expensive anymore and you can make your own DIY Solar Power kit for less than $200 using the raw materials which are very affordable and readily available at local hardware and electrical stores. You can reduce your energy bills and save up to 80% on your energy costs and at times eliminate them completely. Being able to produce energy on your own and being self-sufficient in terms of energy is a great feeling by itself and by making your own solar power you will do your bit in helping to save and preserve the environment.

To start on the right footing and get a head start you need to find a good DIY solar power guide that will show you even the minutest details about how to set up a solar power plant in your home, the tools and the raw materials that you would need. Try to go for one that has videos inculded. A free lifetime online support and an online forum where you can chat with other DIY enthusiasts will be an added bonus.



TRACY

December 17th, 2009
solar power
Jon Elsdon asked:


Just imagine it, coming home after work, putting your feet up on the couch, television on, stereo blaring and all the lights on in the house… now imagine you don’t feel any guilt about the impact your having on the environment or the pain in your wallet doesn’t exist. Welcome to living off the grid.

More and more householders are moving to homemade solar power in their attempts to be independent from the power grid and save a heap of money at the same time.

I guess some of you may be asking, isn’t all that energy consumption irresponsible? well it would be if we weren’t using homemade solar power to supply our appliances. Solar energy is an extremely clean form of energy, no pollutants or emissions to worry about here, whilst the sun hangs up there in the sky solar energy is a renewable energy, best of all solar is free once you have your system installed and running.

So whats the catch I hear you cry? well currently purchasing a traditional solar power system and having it installed is ridiculously expensive. Enter the new wave of DIY solar power kits. All over the internet you can find guides which show you how to build your own diy solar power kit and produce your own free homemade solar power.

Whether you are looking to totally convert to solar energy of compliment your existing supply, the bliss that is living off the grid and the satisfaction of giving it to the man! is now within reach, no longer will your power be regulated by government bodies, you will be free to use as much as you want.

These Homemade Solar Power guides are amazing in the fact they are so simple to follow. You will have your diy solar power kit assembled and up and running in no time. You get an ebook and videos to follow along in a step by step process. It even shows you how to sell excess energy back to the power grid!

So do you and your family a favor and stick it to the man! read more about Homemade Solar Power - Living off the Grid

Like most things released in this format there are some products to avoid, [Click Here] for a review on the best DIY Solar Power Kits available on the web.

Jon Elsdon is a Solar Energy - Homemade Solar Power Consultant and Environmentalist. Jon is editor of DIY Solar Power.



BRANDEN

how much would it cost to produce 10% of schools electricity by solar power?

December 16th, 2009
solar power
Randy B asked:


why not retrofit a school with solar power to produce about 10% of it’s electricity. and pay back the gov’t that savings until it is paid back then from that payback point the savings goes to the schools budget. I would think that most schools would be able to have that paid back sooner than the ratio of ten yrs. because of mainly 5 days a week and alot of schools still are not doing year around.

STEWART