Solar Impulse Record Flight across America

Solar ImpulseThe world’s first solar powered plane,the Swiss built Solar Impulse,safely landed at Washington DC on  Sunday, after beginning it’s month long record breaking flight from San Francisco highlighting the potential for zero-emissions aviation. On its journey the Solar Impulse stopped at Phoenix, Dallas, and St Louis and will now go on to make a short visit to the Smithsonian’s  air and space museum.

The transcontinental journey, which took 10 years to plan and cost £73 million was preceded by flights across Europe as well as into Africa. Solar Impulse would not break any speed records as the plane’s top speed is only 50 mph,but all  the  journeys so far, as well as the planned circumnavigation of the world in 2015,have been aimed at highlighting the potential of solar powered transport.

The plane’s pilot Bertrand Piccard told a Washington DC press conference ”What we are doing with the Solar Impulse is not for the goal of making a revolution in air transport.But the Solar Impulse does have a goal of having a revolution in the mind-set of the people.”

The plane itself is quite a sight. Its wings are as big as a Boeing 747,but it only weighs the same as a medium sized car. The relative light weight of the Solar Impulse can cause manoeuvrability problems in strong winds.The plane is powered by some 12,000 solar cells and on clear days the Solar Impulse will  climb to 8500 metres and then glide slowly downwards to save power.

Looking forward to 2015 co-pilot André Borschberg stated ”With the successful completion of these test flights, we have shown that we are capable of coping with challenging meteorological conditions for our weather-sensitive plane and for our ground operations, we can find each time the right solutions to move forward,It has been a succession of fruitful learnings preparing us for the 2015 world tour.”

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Energy Saving Devices:More Green Living Tips

Energy Saving DevicesWelcome to our regular feature on Green Living Tips. Today we will look at energy saving devices and other ways of saving you money in the home.

One of the obvious,but most overlooked ways of monitoring energy use is the thermometer/thermostat. A fridge thermometer will ensure the optimum temperature for your fridge and freezer and help to stop energy wastage, while correctly adjusted heating and room thermostats, can greatly reduce your heating bills. Dont overlook the humble thermometer in your study of energy saving devices.

You should also regularly check your electricity and gas meter readings. so you can see at an instant if the measures your taking are cutting your bills or whether you have gone back to your old bad habits.

For the more technically minded,one could invest in a infra-red heat gun.While not one of the standard energy saving devices for the average householder,these guns are invaluable tools for spotting the hot and cold spots within a house. Armed with this information, one is easily able to insulate or draught proof  each room,drastically cutting down on energy wastage.

Plug-in electricity monitors, are another of the energy saving devices that should be considered.They will enable you to determine how efficient each of your individual appliances are, so when funds allow they can be replaced with a modern more efficient model if necessary.The most reputable of these devices are the kill a watt meter and the watts up meter. Plug in monitors are more likely to be used with the more mobile of appliances,ie toasters, kettles,tv’s etc.

The next step up would be the full-house electricity monitors,which include such things as the Efergy E2 wireless smart Power Meter, and they are one of the best energy saving devices you can utilise within your home. These monitor the general overall energy consumption within your home. You can see at a glance how much the energy consumption rises or falls when each appliance  is switched on or off. These particular energy saving devices are a more useful way of testing less mobile devices such as air conditioners, electric stoves and refrigerators. And this way you are taking full control of your energy use and therefore,hopefully reducing your utility bills.

Hope these Green Living Tips have proved useful to you. Next time we will be looking at  some ideas to cut lighting and laundry costs.

Check this out to make BIG SAVINGS on a host of Energy Saving Gadgets

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Solar Cells. Concerns grow worldwide over quality issues.

solar cellsJust as solar cells are on the verge of widespread adoption,it appears that the $77 billion solar industry maybe facing a quality crisis. There are increasing reports, worldwide,of panel failures as well as disintegration of panel coatings ,some within just a few years of installation, denting the premise that solar panels will more than pay for themselves over a 25 year period.At stake is billions of dollars of investment throughout the world.

No one is sure how widespread the problem is. There are no industry wide figures and confidentiality agreements  with manufacturers is making accountability in the industry over defective solar panels,all the more difficult.The quality concerns over solar cells could not have come at a worse time, as solar construction has boomed in the last few years. In the United States alone, generating capacity exploded from 83 megawatts in 2003 to 7,266 megawatts in 2012,

“We need to face up to the fact that corners are being cut,” said Conrad Burke, general manager for San Francisco based DuPont’s billion-dollar photovoltaic division, which supplies materials to solar manufacturers.

“I don’t want to be alarmist, but I think quality poses a long-term threat,” he said. “The quality across the board is harder to put your finger on now as materials in modules are changing every day and manufacturers are reluctant to share that information.”

Perhaps not surprisingly,most of the concerns over the quality of solar cells, centre on China, which is home to the majority of the world’s solar panel manufacturing capacity and is facing extreme pressure to cut costs due to excessive debt burdens caused by plunging solar cell prices. Already this year we have seen the collapse of Suntech who were the world’s biggest solar manufacturer.

Analysts have recently found that even the most reputable companies are substituting cheaper, untested materials and subcontracting the assembly of solar cells and modules to smaller makers.

“We have inspectors in a lot of factories, and it’s not rare to see some big brands being produced in these smaller workshops where they have no control over quality,” said Thibaut Lemoine, general manager of STS Certified, a French-owned testing service,who have seen the defect rate jump from 7.8 percent to 13 percent, since 2011.

And SolarBuyer, a company based in Marlborough, Mass., discovered defect rates ranging from  5.5 percent to 22 percent of solar cells,during audits of 50 Chinese factories over the last 18 months, said Ian Gregory, the company’s senior marketing director.

The heart of any solar panel is the photovoltaic solar cells that generates electricity when struck by sunlight. Among the most critical components are a thin film that protects the solar celsl from moisture, and the encapsulant that seals the solar cells inbetween the layers of glass.

Mr. Gregory said repeat inspections of factories found some manufacturers had been constantly switching to cheaper materials, including some whose use-by date had expired.

“If the materials aren’t good enough or haven’t been thoroughly tested, they won’t stick together and the solar cell module will eventually fall apart in the field,” he said.

Of course all solar cell panels will degrade and generate less electricity over time. But a review of 30,000 installations in Europe by the German solar monitoring firm Meteocontrol found 80 percent were under performing,while testing of six manufacturers’ solar panels at two Spanish power plants by Enertis Solar in 2010 found solar cell defect rates as high as 34.5 percent. And as recently as this March,an inspection of a solar plant in Britain showed that 12 percent of the newly installed Chinese-made solar cell modules had failed.

However the problems are not confined solely to Chinese manufacturers.First Solar, one of the United States’ biggest manufacturers, has apparently set aside $271.2 million to cover the costs of replacing defective solar cells  made up to 2009.

So this issue is not only industry wide but is being seen across the world.These are certainly worrying times for the solar industry and it needs to get a grip on the problem quickly, before the hopes of a bright future are extinguished,perhaps permanently.,

Dont risk installing Solar. Go for Wind Power instead

 

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Solar Home: Students setting new standard with ” Radiant House”

Solar HomeWhile most college students will head home for a summer job or a well-earned vacation, dozens of Santa Clara University students are building a net-zero solar home on campus called “Radiant House.” It’s a modest, yet  ambitious attempt by a team of undergrads to revolutionize the solar construction industry as part of the U.S. Dept of Energy’s Solar Decathlon competition. While it is  overwhelming at times, this generation are committed to developing new ways to build sustainably.

One of the ways Santa Clara University engineering students are paving the way for this solar home is through the innovative use of bamboo. While many structures use bamboo for its beauty, the students have incorporated it into the very structure of this solar home. Bamboo is  more sustainable than traditional timber. It’s also a low-maintenance plant and can grow in many climates. Its load-bearing properties were tested and it was found that by using a combination of different types of bamboo as well as processing techniques it can be used as the floor and roofing joists as well as the shear and gravity walls within the house..

The Radiant House will also be the first home to debut Sunplanter, which eliminates separate solar racking and roof structure systems by combining them into one innovative technology, allowing home-owners to save money, material, and space, while improving aesthetics and allowing for natural cooling which improves efficiency. The system is one way home builders can incorporate energy efficiency from the start of construction – rather than  as an afterthought.

Santa Clara are the only team in the Solar Decathlon competition with two student ethicists. Allie Sibole writes reports looking into the impact that donors and the materials  used solar home have on the environment. The team considers this when choosing materials because they believe ethics are at the core of sustainability.  Ethicist Missy Giorgi focuses on outreach to the community because alternative energy and green construction can only become the norm if people understand it.

Though most of the team involved,will be too young to celebrate the completion of the solar home with a drink, they are hoping that their work leaves a lasting legacy.The students want to send the message that homes should be built with sustainability in mind. Santa Clara University’s Radiant House is elevating the standard of how homes are built and its students are happy to spend the summer getting dirty for a cleaner future.

Learn how to turn your house into a solar home

This is an edited report that first published on http://www.dailyenergyreport.com

 

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SolarAid wins major £500,000 Google prize.

SolarAid

New Hope for African Children

SolarAid, a charity that is committed to distributing zero emission solar lighting technology and which was originally formed out of the UK solar firm Solarcentury was this week awarded a £500,000 prize from IT giant Google that will allow it to speed up the deployment of solar lighting technology across Africa.

The charity was this week announced as one of the winners of  Google’s Global Impact Challenge, providing it with an additional £500,000 in direct funding.which will provide a huge impetus to their ambitious plans.

SolarAid specialises in the development and distribution of solar lights, which combine solar cells and highly efficient lamps to provide zero emission lighting for rural communities, replacing carbon intensive as well as, polluting kerosene lamps.

The charity said the funding from Google would allow it to distribute 144,000 solar lights to rural  Tanzanian families as well as helping to create jobs for over 400 solar entrepreneurs. The prize will take SolarAid a giant step forward towards  its goal of eradicating the kerosene lamp from Africa by 2020.

“Giving people access to simple solar technology impacts poverty and changes lives forever,” said Steve Andrews, the charity’s chief executive in a statement. “The Global Impact Award will not only help us get 144,000 solar lights into Tanzania but create a sustainable model for solar distribution and job creation that we can replicate across the continent. The impact of the technology and the effect of the award will be astounding.”

Significantly, SolarAid has also set up a not-for-profit trading arm called Sunny Money that is seeking to accelerate the deployment of off-grid solar technologies still further by selling low cost solar lamp technologies into many viable markets throughout the African continent.

This report first appeared on Business Green

Follow the example set by SolarAid and discover how to cut your carbon emissions and install your own Solar Technology.

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Renewables Club: New pledge to promote Green Energy

Renewables

The UK has become a card-carrying member of a new international Renewables Club that promises to promote and scale up the global use of green energy sources, such as wind and solar power.

Launched on Saturday 1st June, the Renewables Club is a coalition of 10 countries led by Germany, which together account for more than 40 per cent of the world’s investment in renewables and green energy.

China, Denmark, France, India, Morocco, South Africa, Tonga and the United Arab Emirates have joined Germany and the UK as founder members of the new group.

Ministers from each of the countries signed a communique pledging to accelerate the roll-out of renewables by sending strong political messages in support of the business as well as environmental benefits that are associated with green energy.

Specifically, the club will promote the boost renewables can bring in terms of prosperity and sustainable development, as well as in mitigating climate change, especially in light of the falling costs of renewable energy.

The move is likely to be warmly welcomed by the UK’s renewable energy industry, but could also increase pressure on the government to prove its commitment to the sector by backing a 2030 renewable energy target within Europe.

Commenting on the formation of the new club, German Environment Minister Peter Altmaier said the 10 founding countries would aim to lead by example in increasing their renewable energy output.

“The Renewables Club is a political initiative of pioneering countries that are united by an important goal: a worldwide transformation of the energy system,” he said in a statement.

“We in Germany do not stand alone with our Energiewende [energy transistion], but are a part of a strong group of leaders.”

Find out how you to can be part of the Renewables revolution.

 

This is an edited version of a report first published on Business Green.com

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Green Living: Tips for saving energy around the home

Green LivingWelcome to our new regular Green Living feature. In this special category,we aim to regularly bring you top green living tips for saving energy around your home.So dont miss out on future updates.Subscribe today by email and start saving on your home energy bills.

Saving home energy as well as energy saving devices have now become a real necessity in our lives. While previously, cars as well as homes were constructed with little thought about the high consumption of energy used, today green living solutions are preferred by individuals, companies and government’s alike. Realising that the majority of traditionally used sources of energy are finite, non-renewable and also highly damaging to the environment, allied with the ever escalating cost of energy ,makes trying to save on it through green living means, common  sense.

With new technologies becoming consistently available,  one of the best ways of adopting green living  and saving energy is to use as much renewable energy as possible. This is a increasingly cost effective solution that is  available for most households and businesses, since small-scale, portable solar panels and wind energy generators are becoming readily available on the market. They are also quite easy to add to any existing home, and can take over supplying part or the entire needs of your home.

However, if you are not prepared to make such sweeping changes right now, there is still a lot you can do to keep your energy costs low. Defective insulation can be the biggest waste of energy for any house. Ensure to get your insulation checked and repaired as soon as you can, including the walls, doors, windows, and ideally the floor as well. Keeping the heat outside during summer and inside during the winter,will start off your green living lifestyle and you will be spending far less on both heating and air conditioning. An added bonus could be the installation of an energy-saving roof, which has a reflective surface thus preventing solar radiation from entering the house. A further step is, of course, to use your roof and fit solar panels.

Next time we will look at more green living tips for saving home energy,including energy saving gadgets and monitoring your usage. If you cant wait until then,take a sneak preview here at the Big Savings you can make.

 

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Free Energy: Its sources and how to benefit from it

Free Energy SourcesFree energy! Using as much electricity as you want with no ensuing bills – who wouldn’t want that? The only thing better is actually being paid by the utility company. Believe it or not, that’s possible – through the use of alternative energy sources.

Using an alternative, or free energy source has several practical uses. Besides lowering, cancelling, or even reversing utility bills, it minimizes impact on the environment, reduces the amount of pollution that burning traditional fossil fuels produces, and prevents the effects of global warming. It is also renewable; you never run out of resources when you use it.

Free energy sources come in four major categories. Some of them are recent discoveries, while others have been around for centuries.

1. Wind energy, harnessed through windmills, is the oldest form; it has been used since the first century to grind grain and operate machinery. Its advantages are that it can be used around the clock, and it is one of the least expensive types. It can be located in all sorts of places wherever there is consistent wind, even out on the ocean. The energy generated from windmills can be stored in batteries to be used when the wind doesn’t blow, and can be sold to clients who don’t have access to alternative energy sources.

2. Solar energy is also ancient, such as starting fires with a magnifying glass. Solar panels were first used in the mid-1950′s. They are mounted to maximize sun exposure. It is extremely versatile; besides providing electricity for homes, it can also be used to drive cars, operate calculators and other small machines, even cook food. It too can be stored in batteries, for later use.

3. Geothermal energy is harvested through hot springs, geysers, and magma. It is a prime source of energy in volcanically active countries such as Iceland and New Zealand; development of facilities is currently underway in various parts of the western United States. Unlike wind and solar energy, it is not dependent on the time of day or weather. It is mainly used to heat houses, and is renewable not only because of its constant availability, but because the water can be re – injected into the ground to be heated again.A truly renewable free energy source.

4. Biofuels are created from corn oil and ethanol, and used to operate cars and machinery. The source is renewable, since it comes from plants instead of petroleum. It burns cleaner than fossil fuels, thus producing less pollution, and leaving less of an imprint on the environment. Because it comes from plant sources, users will never run out of fuel, since crops can always be grown to produce more fuel. Another form of biofuel is biomass (plant based) briquettes; this is used in place of charcoal.

Alternative energy provides many positive options to fossil fuels. Besides being highly economical and preserving the environment, it may provide a way for people to open their own small business by running energy farms. It is definitely a major free energy source.

Discover more interesting free energy facts.

 

 

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What Makes Geothermal Energy Green ?

What makes Geothermal Energy greenThe total power demand from different areas of the world comes from various energy sources. Some countries mostly depend on hydroelectric power, while others depend on nuclear power plants. However, with the increasing demand for energy, other sources have  had to be developed. These include geothermal energy sources. For several decades, geothermal energy has received the award as the cleanest renewable energy source used in the world today. Since it is proven to be environment friendly, many environmentalists promote the use of geothermal energy sources. But have you ever wondered what makes geothermal energy green? This question will be answered in just a short while.

What makes geothermal energy green?
Geothermal energy is the form of energy which comes from the core of the Earth. The warmth and heat from the core is generally produced by radioactive decay. According to experts, the amount of geothermal energy present in the Earth’s surface and core is enough to supply the energy needs of the entire world. However, due to lack of resources, not all countries can have geothermal power plants.

The main reason in what makes geothermal energy green, lies in its production and conversion of energy to electric power. This process does not lead to the emission of toxic chemicals to the environment. It may release some chemicals such as carbon dioxide but compared to other energy sources, its emission is relatively low. Geothermal energy does not provide poisonous chemicals to the air as its emission is within normal levels.

Another consideration in what makes geothermal energy green is that it does not cause destruction to land and water. The water used during the production of geothermal energy sources is introduced back to the earth without being contaminated. Geothermal power plants do not emit toxic fluids that can be absorbed by the land or can flow to water supplies. Unlike nuclear energy sources, geothermal power plants will not cause severe problems to its surrounding natural resources since it does not emit radiation.

A further reason to consider in what makes geothermal energy green is it can be produced easily without the need of expensive infrastructure. Huge machineries usually emit toxic gases especially if they are run by crude oil and other types of fuel. Aside from using it for pumps, geothermal energy production does not require any form of fuel. The transportation of geothermal energy sources has also been made easier. Energy sources can be conserved and used for other purposes when you choose to use geothermal energy.

Sustainable and renewable energy sources such as geothermal power plants are generally considered as safe and “green” since they do not cause damages to the environment. They are healthy not only to the air, land and water but also to living creatures such as plants, animals and human beings.This is probably the main consideration in what makes geothermal energy green.

With all these advantages, you should first consider “green” energy sources for your electric power needs. Many electric power companies offer energy from geothermal sources. To know more on how to get green energy source, you can visit their official websites.

 

Read how easy it is to install other forms of Renewable Energy

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Build your own wind turbine and save money

Build your own wind turbine

So you want to learn how to build your own wind turbine? Solar energy is becoming more and more popular because of how well it can enhance your home’s energy source as well as the environment. You are saving the environment and going green when you decide to implement solar or wind energy into your house. Wind turbines are very exciting to have because of how they attract energy to use in your home. Building a wind turbine is not exactly easy, but it can be done by anybody with the right instructions, who is willing to put in the work.

How to build your own wind turbine.

Many people like to buy their wind turbine generators and motors online via eBay. It is the best way to get most of the work done. It is really tough to get really good generators for a low price outside of eBay. Many people even buy solar panels on eBay when they try to build solar panels. Either way, there are big benefits to getting it online.

You also need to buy other important things when you are trying to build your own wind turbine. You need good blades as well as a good mounting to keep it spinning in the air. Other  requirements would be a tower to bring the wind turbine into the wind, batteries, and a top quality electric control system.

You need to begin by connecting your blades to the main tower. You need to make sure that the electric control system is connected with the tower so that you can place it on top. The motor should be a part of the tower to make it possible for it to start generating and use the power it gains into your home.

Why you should build your own wind turbine.

The main reason why you should build your own wind turbine is the fact that you can save so much money. Thousands of companies price their services pretty high, and if you do not have the money to shell out on anything else, then it may not be the best decision. Building your very own turbine is not exactly easy, but the tips above can help make it so much easier for you. The truth is that professionals can make you pay a whole lot just to have your wind turbine built to its best specification, so this is why the individual route is the best way to go.

Wind turbines can really help you save money. Their energy can be used to power the majority of your home. There really are a lot of people who are building their own turbines, but you should remember that the instructions above are just the beginning of making your wind turbine a reality. If you really want to learn how to build your own wind turbine, please check out these build your own wind turbine instructions. They really are the best ones available on the market today

Wind turbines are just what you need to use to finally save money on energy and go green.

Read more about all forms of Renewable Energy

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