The time has finally come for solar energy to be taken seriously as a real contender in providing abundant and reliable power to people the world over. Today great numbers of people all around the globe are converting to solar energy use at home. This has fossil fuel companies shaking in their boots and producing quite a bit of misleading information regarding solar energy. In this article, we will explore the real solar energy pros and cons.
ALL THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT SOLAR ENERGY
Solar energy is renewable energy because it comes from the sun. The sun is not expected to die for five billion years, so we can count on it to provide us with clean, free energy for a very long time to come. This certainly cannot be said of fossil fuels, which are non renewable. Once we have blasted, drilled and goaded every drop and scrap of oil, gas and coal out of the earth, that's it. There will be no more, and we will be left with a ravaged earth, polluted air and water and gas and oil companies claiming to have "discovered" the very renewable energy sources that are available to us by choice today.
Solar energy is abundant. In fact, its potential is simply unimaginable. The surface of the earth receives more than 120,000 terawatts of solar energy daily. This is equal to enough power to take care of all the energy demands of the earth for 20,000 years.
Solar energy is eco-friendly. It can be harnessed with a minimal production of pollution. Unfortunately, today most solar panels are produced in China where environmental standards are lower. For this reason, there is some pollution concern in terms of production; however, stronger environmental regulations can address these problems. Additionally, when compared to the massive amounts of pollution and destruction that result from every aspect of the gathering and use of fossil fuels, these concerns are minute.
Solar power is sustainable. We can count on it to meet our energy needs and the energy needs of future generations into perpetuity.
Solar energy is more than affordable. With today's technology, it is possible to power your entire home using nothing but solar energy. In fact, you could install a system that produces excess which you can sell back to the power grid. This means that, once set up, your solar panels will provide you with both free electricity and a regular income.
Solar energy is versatile and portable. It can be used for a multitude of purposes. Today, solar energy is used to bring electricity to very remote areas on earth and in space! It is also regularly used for single applications such as heating pools or providing automatic outdoor lighting at night. Portable solar chargers can be used to power and recharge all kinds of electronic devices in areas where there is no electrical outlet available.
THE MINOR DOWNSIDES OF SOLAR ENERGY
There are really very few downsides when it comes to solar power and those downsides are becoming fewer and smaller by the day.
One current problem is that installing a solar energy system can be very costly. The cost of solar panels has gone down by more than half in this century, however, it can still get a bit pricey to install a whole house system. Luckily, today there are a number of rebate and incentive programs offered by local, state and the federal government to encourage people to convert to solar energy. These programs can reduce the cost of installing solar by half or more.
In the past, one of the cons of solar power was that it was considered intermittent. This has changed considerably in recent years. Today's modern, efficient panels work consistently and well even in areas that do not have blazing hot sun every day of the year. Furthermore, energy can be stored in batteries, or people using solar power can simply stay hooked up to the grid to draw electricity back from the grid in the event it is needed.
Another disadvantage that is fading fast is the idea that solar panels need a massive amount of space. Like all technology, solar panels are becoming smaller and more efficient by the day. Additionally, they are available in a variety of formats and configurations including sturdy, attractive roof tiles that can simply be used to roof your home to provide energy inconspicuously all year round.
When considering solar energy pros and cons, it's easy to see that the pros far outweigh the cons. Modern solar energy is clear a strong and viable contender as a supplier of energy needs for people in all walks of life the world over.
WHAT IS INVERTER/ HOME UPS?
Inverter is an electronic device that changes direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). Inverter is also known as Power inverter or Home UPS. It is widely used for power back up during power cuts. It is used to run various electrical items such as tube lights, televisions, computers, and kitchen appliances. Inverters can be classified into 2 types i.e. power inverter and solar inverter. Power Inverter is the most commonly used inverter in India compared to solar inverter. "Power inverter" is also known as or referred as "Inverter" or "Home UPS" in India. Inverters for home purpose are available from 150 VA to 2 KVA. Inverters for office or commercial purpose are available from 2.5 KVA to 500 KVA.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF INVERTERS/ HOME UPS?
The inverters/ home ups are classified into 4 types i.e. modified sine wave, sine wave, pure sine wave, and square wave inverters. An inverter can produce square wave, modified sine wave, sine wave or pure sine wave depending on the circuit design. Generally, square wave inverters can be used for industrial or commercial but are not suitable for home purpose. Few square wave inverters produce humming noise which is annoying. Although modified sine wave inverters can be used for home purpose but they are not as efficient as sine wave or pure sine wave. At present, sine wave and pure sine wave inverters are the best inverters. They are highly efficient, increase the battery life, and do not produce any humming noise.
What Are The Most Popular Inverter/ Home Ups brands?
Few of the popular inverter brands are Luminous, Microtek, Amaron, Exide, Sukam, APC, V-Guard, Mahindra, Genus, and Arise. Luminous continues to be the best selling inverter brand in India. The credit goes to the sales team and there nationwide after sales network. Few of the popular inverter batteries are Exide, Amaron, Luminous, Microtek, Digi Power, Okaya, Sukam, V-Guard, Lucas, and Base.
LUMINOUS inverters and Home UPS are market leaders in India. Luminous Power Technologies Limited was founded in 1988. It has 5000+ employees, 8 manufacturing plants, 28 sales office locations, and more than 55,000 channel partners. Luminous offers a wide range of inverters and wide range of inverter batteries. Luminous offers range of inverters which include 400VA to 100KVA. It is winner of "Consumer Superbrand" award in the inverter and inverter battery category for the year 2011-2012. Also has won Rashtriya Udyog Ratna Quality award for the year 2012 and 2014.
MICROTEK INTERNATIONAL PVT. LTD., is India's largest power products manufacturer. It is India's first ISO 9001-2000 Certified Manufacturing & Customer Support Company. Microtek inverters have received worldwide acceptance because of its quality & reliability and are exported to many countries. Microtek has complete range of Digital and Sine wave Inverters, UPS EB, UPS E^2 and UPS 24x7 from 400VA to 10KVA. It also has world class range of Online UPS from 1KVA to 50KVA. Micro Controller / DSP based Energy Efficient Sinewave UPS SWE^2 are designed using latest Energy Efficient state-of-the-art Technology for Better Performance and High Reliability. It has designed and developed inverters using world's latest technologies by there in-house R">EXIDE has launched high end DSP based Pure SINE WAVE Home UPS.It has set up its Home UPS system manufacturing facility at Roorkee. It manufactures Square Wave, Modified Square Wave, and Pure Sine Wave inverters. Exide was founded in 1880, it continues to remain the most popular battery brand in India.
Su-Kam was founded in the year 1988 by Kunwer Sachdev. He is popularly known as the "Inverter man of India". It manufactured India's first "Sine Wave Inverter" that eliminated the irritating humming sound. Su-Kam Power Systems Ltd. Is a company led and managed by a group of innovative think tanks. Su-kam Power Systems Limited has presence in more than 70 countries. It manufactures over 200 products and has 7 manufacturing units in India and Nepal. In January 2012, Sukam partnered with Kohler Power Systems to launch diesel generators and gas generators in India. The focus of the company continues to manufacture products like Solar Power Conditioning Unit, Solar charger Controller, Photovoltaic Charger Controllers, Solar Inverters and Solar PV Home Lighting System. The company also specializes in manufacturing Lead Acid, Tubular, SMF, Tall Tubular & Automotive batteries, Battery equalizers, Battery accessories along with Diesel, LPG ">AMARON inverters are part of Amara Raja Batteries Limited. Amara Raja is a USD 565 million group with innovative engineering and design. Amara Raja Batteries Limited (ARBL) has collaborated with Johnson Controls inc, USA. It is the largest manufacturer of standby Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VLRA) batteries in India. Amaron's next generation battery lasted longer than its competitors. It is the only battery that contains the patented Silven X alloy. Amaron offers range of inverters which include 400VA, 600VA, 675VA, 800VA, 875VA, and 1400VA. Amaron has world class manufacturing facility situated in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India.
APC inverter popularly known as APC Home UPS is a convenient way to keep your lights, fans and electronics running during power cuts. APC formerly known as American Power Conversion Corporation was an American company. It was founded in 1981 by three MIT Lincoln Lab electronic power engineers. In 2007, APC has been fully acquired and now is part of the French company Sneider Electric Group. Designed specifically for India's harsh power conditions, the Home UPS's state-of-the-art circuitry delivers backup power instantly, and also recharges your battery faster, so you get the longest possible battery life. APC offers range of inverters which include 600VA, 650VA, 850VA, and 1000VA.
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Solar Spark
Solar energy is a when you come right down to it pure way for character to create energy through light and sanction a bigwig to shelve a lot of sponsorship in the fancy run. Spark savings are strong - aren't they? Wouldn't it be gain to get rid of your electric work for good? Everybody hopes to shelve sponsorship and if you might shelve the globe in the process, of spring you want impart it a go. You won't be depressed.
Switching from idiosyncratic energy sources that approach a person is using can be a spine-chilling at first. Attain it's a pitiless responsibility to cover up. Assured the process of changing energy sources isn't charming. Yet, it definitely pays off when your finished. Hand over are many contractors and roofing specialists at the present time that are in position to aid with being paid your solar powered system up and running? Converting energy from the sun is an chief way to get your energy from an normal source that never goes in another place. That's why it's a renewable source. You strength never pay numerous electric work once more. You strength be allocate the green walk back and forth in an stunning way. Exact mull over if upper family would make this switch the world would be a cleaner and higher continue to ensue.
Solar energy comes from panels that are positioned on your home's roof or front part sow to capture in the strongest amounts of heat and light. This heat and light converts to energy in your home. I mull over having a home powered by the sun is pure. Isn't it strong to decipher that you can now use all of your electric tools too.
The sun is an stunning source of energy. Why not be a bigwig who is cargo privilege of it. What time all, the Sun is a reusable energy source that strength not debar active in your natural life. Go for it. Solar energy is whatever thing that foremost mission upper than you may perhaps plan on eating. Yet, it gives the highest self-righteousness to relatives that decipher they are saving all this sponsorship and overly creating a cleaner world for their litter and grandkids. Are you allocate to make our globe continue for a when you come right down to it fancy time? Piece of legislation your guise in preserving the earth can impart you a hunch of airs and understanding that you may not formerly test. Having solar powered panels on your home and land can wait on the world for generations. Perk up, it strength sanction these introduction generations to thrive in a clean and pleasant new world. A clean and pleasant new world using clean and renewable energy sources.
Amends to Solar Create Records Line
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DON'T THINK SOLAR WORKS FOR YOU? YOU COULD BE WRONG! A LOT OF MYTHS SWIRL AROUND SOLAR ENERGY THAT PREVENT PEOPLE FROM MAKING A WELL-INFORMED DECISION ABOUT WHETHER IT'S RIGHT FOR THEM. PURE ENERGIES, AN NRG HOME SOLAR COMPANY, TACKLED 10 OF THE BIGGEST MYTHS ABOUT SOLAR ENERGY THAT YOU SHOULDN'T BELIEVE. I'VE ADDED ONE OF MY OWN, BECAUSE IT'S THE ONE THAT INITIALLY MOST GOT IN MY WAY WHEN I WAS THINKING ABOUT GOING SOLAR.
"MYTH 1 - I SHOULD WAIT UNTIL SOLAR TECHNOLOGY GETS MORE EFFICIENT. "Solar technology actually hasn't changed much since the 1960s. In fact, it's one of the most stable technologies we can use. That, plus the 30 percent federal solar tax credit and many state incentive programs, make solar a technology worth installing right now.
"MYTH 2 - SOLAR DOESN'T WORK WHEN IT'S COOL, CLOUDY OR FOGGY." Solar panels still produce significant energy when it's foggy, chilly, or overcast. Surprising fact: solar panels on a rooftop in cool and foggy San Francisco produce only one percent less electricity than those on a rooftop in hot, sunny Sacramento.
There was a noticeable lack of ocean thermal energy conversion ("OTEC") presentations at this forum. At the very end of the conference a panel consisting of Desikan Bharathan, Luis Vega and I pontificated on the merits, roadblocks and promise of this sustainable system.
As Drs. Bharathan and Vega are acknowledged world experts of this technology, I provided the early American history of the effort, focusing on the politics and long-term potential. In 1881, Jacques d'Arsonval first proposed the concept, and his student, Georges Claude tried, but in the 1930's did not succeed in gaining a positive energy balance. I joined the staff of U.S. Senator Spark Matsunaga in Washington, D.C. during the heat of the Second Energy Crisis in the summer of 1979 just before Lockheed, led by Jim Wenzel, produced for the very first time, 18 net positive kW of closed cycle OTEC.
I was thus asked to help draft the first OTEC R">
"In the early to mid-1980's Paul Yuen (right") and I, as dean of engineering and director of the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, respectively, gained the assistance of Senator Matsunaga, Japanese Counsel General in Honolulu Mitsuro Donowaki, Governor of Hawaii George Ariyoshi and President of the University Hawaii Fujio Matsuda in creating the Pacific International Center for High Technology Research, a partnership to develop pre-commercial sustainable enterprises for the Pacific area. Over the decade of my activity with PICHTR, I helped develop 37 million open-cycle OTEC and 25 million methanol from biomass gasification projects.
Two anecdotes in particular are worthy of mention:
"1. During the mid-80's I visited Tokyo a number of times, giving speeches at various universities and government agencies about PICHTR. One meeting in particular was key, for Professor Yasuo Mori of the Tokyo Institute of Technology accompanied me on a visit to Ambassador Mike Mansfield (left"). Senator Matsunaga, who was a former colleague in the Senate, had alerted Mansfield about this meeting, so the Ambassador magnanimously let us use his limousine to take us to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and, further, asked his secretary to call that office to announce our arrival. We were royally welcomed by a host of officials, taken to a conference room, where the director of Second North American Desk scolded us for twenty minutes.
Essentially, he said we were doing this all the wrong way, and what we had to do was ask President Ronald Reagan to tell Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone that our countries should work together on this project. Before I could ask any questions, he stormed out of the room and the meeting was over.
"Luckily, the assistant, Shinichi Nishimiya (left, who is today the Japan Ambassador and Counsel General to New York Cit"y), was present, and he asked that we later meet to discuss this matter. On the ride back to the American Embassy, I was distraught, but Professor Mori was in awe and ecstasy. This is where experience and cultural differences come into play. Mori said this was the first meeting he had ever been in with a Japanese government official where he told us exactly what to do. But, sure, what were the odds of a Democratic senator getting a Republican President to do anything? Anyway, I did have a long three hour lunch with Nishimiya and briefed him on the effort.
A few months later, in 1986, Senator Matsunaga, a Democrat, voted with the Republicans on a free trade bill. President Ronald Reagan rewarded Matsunaga by asking him to catch a ride with him to the Tokyo G8 Summit. Matsunaga's administrative assistant called me and asked what favor should Matsunaga ask of the President. I indicated OTEC and PICHTR would be ideal.
"On Air Force One (the plane itself is now at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley") Matsunaga wanted to ask the President to support a U.S.-Japan project on OTEC, but Donald Regan guarded the door to the President's area. When Regan went to the restroom, Matsunaga knocked on the door. Nancy answered, and Ronald was putting on his pants, but they told him to please come in. Matsunaga gave them a book of proverbs and asked the President to please support the OTEC/PICHTR project. Returning, Donald Regan was in controlled fume about the nerve of Matsunaga to bother the President.
"Unfortunately, Reagan was already showing symptoms of dementia, but fortunately, National Security Agency head John Poindexter (right") was present. His grandfather was a former governor of Hawaii ("in fact, he was the governor who telephoned President Franklin D. Roosevelt about 7December1941 attack"), and with a wink, Poindexter indicated to Matsunaga that he would follow-through. Surely enough, in the meeting with Nakasone, the first item on the agenda was the PICHTR OTEC project. They agreed in principle to cooperate. The interpreter was Shinichi Nishimiya, who, when he returned to his office, wondered what to do, as no money and period were mentioned. So he arbitrarily wrote in his report that Japan would provide a million dollars/year for eight years towards the PICHTR OTEC project. Every penny was awarded.
"2. Just around this time, Louis Rotundo (left") of the Florida Solar Energy Center "(FSEC") and I met with Len Rogers, director of ocean/wind programs of the Department of Energy at Trader Vic's in D.C. Without much ado, Len told us that he would be shutting down the OTEC program because the government had done all it could and it was now up to the private sector to commercialize it. Out of nowhere, Louis, who is a history major and noted authority on obscure battles of World War II, blurted out, what about open-cycle OTEC ("Louis drove a red Ferrari and later became chairman of the board of FSEC, so there was that something special about him"). This was not planned, but I knew enough to convince Len that this was worth a shot, and more so, I could get Japan to cost-share. No one knew anything about open-cycle, so PICHTR scooped up all the OTEC funds for the next decade and succeeded with their 40 kW ("net") OC OTEC project in 1992. It remains the last and largest OTEC project to attain net positive.
I mostly harped on OC OTEC because all the work since the mid-90's had only been on CC OTEC, a technology that has yet to be tested at larger sizes. It is possible that half to five MW OC OTEC projects could well be readied for major island resorts and military bases faster than any CC OTEC system. ("Possibly, Dr. Bharathan will someday host a workshop on the commercialization of OC OTEC".)
I then observed that OTEC electricity would be very expensive for some time to come, and the bridge to the future needed to be paved with co-products. Thus, the Blue Revolution could well be a necessary stage towards 1000 MW OTEC grazing plantships. Blue Revolution Hawaii has proposed the Pacific International Ocean Station to serve as the international platform to integrate next generation fisheries, marine biomass plantations, global warming neutralization and hurricane remediation studies and the like. The International Space Station, soon to be abandoned, is reported to have cost 150 billion. We believe only one percent of this sum, or 1.5 billion, could achieve all the necessary objectives.
Click on Desikan Bharathan ("lef"t) for a PowerPoint presentation similar to what he provided in Denver.
Click on Luis Vega ("right") for an overview on the subject. His primary wish was for a one-stop permitting system. Also, consistent funding.
With a reported 3,000 conferees, the World Renewable Energy Forum was:
PRESENTED BY
WORLD RENEWABLE
ENERGY NETWORK
SPONSORS
KILOJOULE SPONSORS
JOULE SPONSORS
PROMOTIONAL SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS
MEDIA SPONSORS
Well, I need to eat, so for lunch I felt compelled to taste some buffalo, and went to Ted's Montana Grill and had a buffalo chili, salt/pepper onion rings and Caesar salad:
I also had my most enjoyable meal of the entire trip with Pam and Stan Bull, both of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. We went to dinner at Mizuna, named after that arugula-like vegetable used in Japanese ozoni soup on New Year Year's morning. The restaurant, however, was distinctly French, and outstanding.
We had their five course special with wine. I had:
Sweetbreads with a 2010 Neyevs Chardonnay:
Endive salad with a 2010 Dr. L. Riesling-Mosel:
Sea bass with Chamisal Chardonnay:
Steak with an Arcturus Cabernet:
There were fancier names to each dish, but we were too busy talking for me to bother with this detail. We each then had a late bottled vintage Port with a dessert I don't even remember for I was supersaturated at that point:
Yes, it was a wonderful meal and I thank Pam and Stan for a truly terrific experience. Maybe they'll join me on my next global adventure.
P.S. I bought Facebook at 41 today. Also, Harry Olson ("former Spark Matsunaga Fellow at the University of Hawaii") and Andy Trenka ("he guided the OTEC and biofuels projects for PICHTR") had lunch with me today at Panzano's.
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Renewable energy company Good Energy has switched-on its third solar power plant - a five megawatt facility near Royal Wootton Bassett.
Simon Wheeler, head of development at the Chippenham-based company, announced on his blog yesterday (Monday) that the Rook Wood facility, at Broad Town, had started generating electricity.
The 25-acre plant will generate enough electricity to power 1,100 homes, bringing the company's generation capacity to 29 megawatts across solar and wind farms.
The company also operates Woolbridge Solar Farm in Dorset and Creathorne Solar Farm in North Cornwall.
Mr Wheeler said: "The solar farm has been carefully designed to allow the landowner's sheep to continue to graze around the solar panels.
"We will also be sowing wildflower seeds across all three fields, to enhance biodiversity and provide valuable habitats for local wildlife."
The plant will also generate cash for good causes. A community fund will provide lb5,000 a year for the 30-year life of the facility.
Origin: energy-saving-technologies.blogspot.com
