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Homeowners and businesses are turning to solar power to reduce their energy bills. Purchasing a DIY solar power kit is perhaps the fastest way to implement this kind of renewable energy to your system. However, there are five important things with which you should be familiar before you make such a purchase.

Dimension of the Solar Panels

The DIY solar power kit should list the panels’ precise measurements, which will help you determine if you have the proper roof space for the solar module. Further, ensure that you know the solar panels’ weight, which is necessary information if you have roof tiles as they will factor in determining if your roof can support the solar panels. You will be able to more easily determine if your roof is stable enough structurally to handle the added load if you know the weight and dimension of the panels.

Total Power Generation

You should calculate the amount of power you use in your home before you install any DIY solar power kit. Then decide on the number of appliances you’ll be connecting to your solar power system. Choose an appropriate DIY solar power kit once you’ve come up with this figure. Kits of a variety of sizes are available; further, some kits can be interconnected if one alone is not sufficient.

Durability

Solar power panels are constantly exposed to harsh outdoor elements like rain, hail, sun and snow. Due to this exposure, the frame should be constructed of aluminum or another durable material, while the solar cells should be covered with tempered glass.

Long-Term Warranty

It can take years before you see a return on investment, or ROI, from the installation of a DIY solar power kit. It is important to consider the length of a product’s warranty before buying one. Most experts recommend getting a 20- to 25-year warranty on new solar panels.

Installation and Maintenance

Select a DIY solar power kit that has easy installation. Kits that contain all the necessary components to start your own solar power system are on the market. Additionally, you should also consider one that will require only minimal maintenance over the years in service. Solar panels that require an annual scrubbing to keep them working at their maximum potential are your best bet.

Anna Vera Williams helps others understand how to utilize solar power to live cleaner and more eco-friendly lives.

This article was originally published on Anna’s blog, at Five Things to Consider When Purchasing a DIY Solar Power Kit.

Tags: alternative energy, DIY, DIY Solar Power, Do-it-Yourself, Eco-friendly, energy, Energy Efficiency, Gadgets, green, Home Improvement, Renewable Energy, Solar, solar power

One of the most popular Hybrid cars on the market is the Toyota Prius. It is both compact and economical, with a starting price of just $22,400. This price puts the Prius within the realms of reality for the average, although environmentally-conscious, individual.

The third generation of Toyota Prius, the 2010 model, has EPA ratings of 51 mpg city, and 49 mpg highway. That’s pretty good even for a hybrid, and it’s a step up from earlier Toyota Prius models.

But now a new pricing structure is lined up for this hybrid. The Toyota Prius I, II, III, IV, and V are reportedly already available.

The most economical version is the Toyota Prius I, which should run for around $21,000, while the Prius V starts at $27,670.

The new line of Priuses will include a range of features, but it gets better.. A solar-roof package is available for the Toyota Prius II, III, and IV Models – although not for the V.

The solar roof system costs between $3,600 and $4,500. It uses solar panels to supplement the vehicle’s power and get even better mileage. This package also includes a solar-powered ventilation system, a navigation system, a power tilt/slide moon roof, and remote-control AC (for those of us who just can’t be bothered to lean forward and turn the knob?)

With this new combination of hybrid technology and solar power, a whole new range of fuel efficiency may be within grasp. The solar powered hybrid is said to make mileages of up to 70 mpg possible, under the right circumstances.

If you live in or often drive through a sunny climate, a solar roof might go a long ways in reducing your gas bill and pollution emissions.

Under some (although somewhat theoretical) circumstances, the driver of a solar-powered Toyota Prius might never need to buy gas at all.

But minimally, a driver of a solar powered Prius who uses the vehicle’s “eco” settings and follows basic guidelines can expect to stop for gas far less often – so infrequently, in fact, that he should take care not to forget to stop for gas at all.

About the author: Megan Barlow helps others learn how they can live greener and more environmentally friendly lives.

To learn more, visit her blog, Green Gadget Blog.

Source Article: Toyota Goes Solar

Tags: alternative energy, Auto, Automotive, Car, Cars, Eco-friendly, Energy Efficiency, Fuel, green, Green Gadget, Green Gadgets, Hybrid, Solar, Solar Roof, Toyota, Transportation, Vehicle

Homeowners and businesses are turning to solar power to reduce their energy bills. Purchasing a DIY solar power kit is one of the simplest ways to add this type of renewable energy to your system. But before you make such a purchase, you should be familiar with these five important aspects.

Dimension of the Solar Panels

The DIY solar power kit must indicate the exact measurements of the solar panels, because this will let you know if you have enough roof space for the solar module. You will also need to know the solar panels’ weight, since they will determine whether your roof can support the solar panels if you have roof tiles in place. The dimension and weight are needed to determine if your roof is structurally stable for the added load.

Total Power Generation

Calculate how much power you consume in your home before installing a DIY solar power kit. Additionally, determine how many appliances you want to connect to the solar power system. Choose an appropriate DIY solar power kit once you’ve come up with this figure. There are a variety of kit sizes available on the market; additionally, certain kits are designed for interconnectivity if one is not sufficient.

Durability

Due to their outdoor installation, solar panels suffer constant exposure to harsh elements like sun, snow, rain, and hail. Due to this exposure, the frame should be constructed of aluminum or another durable material, while the solar cells should be covered with tempered glass.

Long-Term Warranty

Be aware that it can take years to see a return on investment for a DIY solar power kit. It is important to consider the length of a product’s warranty before buying one. Most experts recommend getting a 20- to 25-year warranty on new solar panels.

Installation and Maintenance

Select a DIY solar power kit that has easy installation. You can purchase kits that come with all the components you’ll need to start your own solar power system. Additionally, you should also consider one that will require only minimal maintenance over the years in service. Solar panels that require an annual scrubbing to keep them working at their maximum potential are your best bet.

Anna Vera Williams helps others understand how to utilize solar power to live cleaner and more economical lives.

This article was originally published on Anna’s blog, at 5 Things to Consider When Buying a DIY Solar Power Kit.

Tags: alternative energy, DIY, DIY Solar Power, Do-it-Yourself, Eco-friendly, energy, Energy Efficiency, Gadgets, green, Home Improvement, Renewable Energy, Solar, solar power

One of the most popular Hybrid cars on the market today is the Toyota Prius. It is both compact and economical, with a starting price of just $22,400. This price puts the Prius within the realms of possibility for the everyday, although environmentally-conscious, individual.

The third generation of Toyota Prius, the 2010 model, has EPA ratings of 51 mpg in the city, and 49 mpg on the highway. Even for a hybrid, that’s not bad, and it’s a step up from earlier years’ Toyota Prius models.

But now a new pricing structure is lined up for this hybrid. The Toyota Prius I, II, III, IV, and V are reportedly already available.

The lowest priced model is the Toyota Prius I, which should run for around $21,000, while the Prius V starts at $27,670.

While the new line of Priuses will include a range of features, it gets better.. A solar powered roof package is available for the Toyota Prius II, III, and IV Models – although not for the V.

The solar roof costs between $3,600 and $4,500, and uses solar panels to supplement the vehicle’s power and get even better mileage. This package also includes a solar-powered ventilation system, a navigation system, a power tilt/slide moon roof, and remote-control air conditioning … for those of us who just can’t be bothered to lean forward and turn the knob?

With the combination of hybrid technology and solar power, an entirely different range of fuel efficiency may be feasible. The solar powered version is said to make mileages of up to 70 mpg possible, under the right circumstances.

If you live in or often visit a sunny climate, a solar-powered roof might go a long ways in reducing your gas bill and pollution emissions.

Under some (somewhat theoretical) circumstances, the driver of a solar-powered Toyota Prius might never need to buy gas at all.

But minimally, a driver of a solar powered Prius who uses the vehicle’s “eco” settings and follows basic speed guidelines can expect to need gas far less often – so infrequently, in fact, that he should probably take care not to forget to stop for gas at all.

About the author: Megan Barlow helps others learn how they can live greener and more environmentally friendly lives.

To learn more, visit her blog, Green Gadget.

Source Article: Prius Goes Solar

Tags: alternative energy, Auto, Automotive, Car, Cars, Eco-friendly, Energy Efficiency, Fuel, green, Green Gadget, Green Gadgets, Hybrid, Solar, Solar Roof, Toyota, Transportation, Vehicle

With oil prices moving higher and higher, power costs tend to follow the same trend. Given that our daily life relies very much on the consumption of electricity, getting your power from alternative sources is an attractive option.

The sun, water, and even wind are viable sources of power. What’s more, they are renewable sources of energy as they are constantly present in our environment. More and more people now want to set-up their own windmill at their homes. With the many instructions to build a windmill available out there, it is up to you to find the one that is easy to comprehend.

Here are some helpful instructions to build a windmill:

Basically, there are several distinct types of windmills, based on the direction their blades spin:

1. The Horizontal upwind, where the shaft stands horizontally and the wind hits the blade before the tower;

2. The Horizontal downwind where the wind hits the tower prior to the blade; and

3. The Vertical Axis, mounted on short towers and its blades are pointing upwards.

Essentially, a windmill has four componants that must be given extra attention:

- base
- tower
- blades
- nacelle

In building this structure, the main objective is to maximize the conversion of the wind’s power into electricity. Therefore, it should be high enough to take advantage of the wind’s action in obstructed terrains – a customary tower usually stands at 5 feet.

The base must be strong and heavy compared with other parts, to assure a sturdy structure because it is the main foundation. It is advisable to use materials like sandbags or concrete, and in the case of a five-foot windmill, the base must be at least 18 inches square thick and 20 pounds heavy.

The tower supports the blade in gathering wind energy. There are many approaches when building it. You can either use guyed lattice or steel and pipe tubings or erect them using a jin pole or crane.

The nacelle connects the blade to the tower and contains copper wires and magnets that run the blade and help change the wind’s energy to electricity.

The blade is the propeller used to capture the wind’s energy, so it is necessary that the blades are able to catch the flow of the wind easily, rotating with the least potential resistance.

Materials to be used for these parts must be lightweight, so you can carve them from plastic or PVC pipes. Note that in strong winds and storms, the blades can become a danger if separated from the structure, so be sure to lock in the blades tightly, keeping safety precautions in mind.

Considering that a simple windmill could cost at least $40,000, building one for personal use can be quite expensive, but utilizing what is around you can help you save some expenses.

It is thus recommended to recycle parts in order to reduce your expenses. Following these simple instructions to build a windmill will enable you to build one from scratch.

Windmills are just the beginning. To learn more about solar and wind power, go to Solar and Wind Power For Residential Homes or if you are looking for a simple way of building your own residential wind generator, see our Energy4Green Review.

Tags: alternate energy sources, alternative electricity, alternative energy, alternative energy solutions, energy, Green Living, wind energy, wind generator, wind generators, wind power, wind turbine, wind turbines

With oil prices moving higher and higher, power costs tend to follow the same trend. Given that our daily life relies very much on the consumption of electricity, getting your power from alternative sources is an attractive option.

The sun, water, and even wind are possible sources of power. What’s more, they are renewable sources of energy as they are constantly present in our environment. More and more people now care to set-up their own windmill at their homes. With the many instructions to build a windmill available out there, it is up to you to find the one that is easy to comprehend.

Here are some simple instructions to build a windmill:

Basically, there are several different types of windmills, based on the direction their blades spin:

1. The Horizontal upwind, where the shaft stands horizontally and the wind hits the blade before the tower;

2. The Horizontal downwind where the wind hits the tower prior to the blade; and

3. The Vertical Axis, which stands on short towers and its blades are pointing upwards.

Essentially, a windmill has four parts that must be given extra attention:

- base
- tower
- blades
- nacelle

In constructing this structure, the main objective is to maximize the conversion of the wind’s power into electricity. Therefore, it should be tall enough to take advantage of the wind’s energy in obstructed terrains – a customary tower usually stands at 5 feet.

The base must be strong and heavy compared with other parts, to assure a sturdy structure because it is the principal foundation. It is advisable to use materials like sandbags or cement, and in the case of a five-foot windmill, the base must be at least 18 inches square thick and 20 pounds heavy.

The tower supports the blade in capturing wind energy. There are many approaches when constructing it. You can either use guyed lattice or steel and pipe tubings or make them using a jin pole or crane.

The nacelle attaches the blade to the tower and contains copper wires and magnets that run the blade and help convert the wind’s energy to electricity.

The blade is the propeller used to capture the wind’s energy, so it is necessary that the blades are able to catch the flow of the wind easily, turning with the least potential resistance.

Materials to be used for these parts must be lightweight, so you can make them from plastic or PVC pipes. Note that in strong winds and storms, the blades can pose a danger if separated from the structure, so be sure to lock in the blades securely, keeping safety precautions in mind.

Considering that a simple windmill could cost at least $40,000, building one for personal use can be quite expensive, but utilizing what is around you can help you save some money.

It is thus recommended to recycle parts in order to reduce your expenses. Following these simple instructions to build a windmill will enable you to create one from scratch.

Windmills are just the beginning. To learn more about solar and wind power, go to Solar and Wind Power For Residential Homes or if you are looking for a simple way of building your own residential wind generator, see our Energy4Green Review.

Tags: alternate energy sources, alternative electricity, alternative energy, alternative energy solutions, energy, Green Living, wind energy, wind generator, wind generators, wind power, wind turbine, wind turbines

Windmills were previously used in early times to pump water out of the ground to irrigate systems and to grind wheat. Through progressive technology, they soon found other useful purposes for these windmills. With a little human ingenuity, they have been made to produce electricity. But how do windmills works?

Wind power is a renewable kind of energy and it is a powerful source as well. It is considered as one of the most sensible and ideal sources because it produces zero emission and it is abundantly free. The best thing about the structure is that it can reduce the energy bill of any home by 50 to 80 percent.

Basically this structure consists of 2 to 3 blades that are linked to a shaft. These blades are used to collect the wind energy that flows over them. The shaft meanwhile is wired into a generator, which then is connected to a battery. The generator is also referred to as the heart of such a mechanism, as it is the one that converts the energy collected.

Upon gathering and converting, a battery is needed for storing all the collected energy, which then can be connected or linked into a home’s electrical system.

How Do Windmills Work – The progression:

- First of all, it reduces the speed of the wind using the blades, which work in the same way as airplane’s propellers.

- When the wind flows over the blades, these blades collect kinetic energy.

- Then the blades, which are connected to a drive shaft, revolve slowly and send a lot of the turning force into the gearbox.

- The gearbox then modifies this turning force, and instead of revolving slowly with a lot of force in every revolution, it goes faster with less force in every revolution.

- At that moment, the generator, which is linked to the gearbox, creates electricity through the many magnets and copper wires inside of it.

An important factor that plays a vital role on the way this machine works is the size of the structure itself, as the amount of electricity produced depends upon it. The bigger it is, the more powerfully it can drive the shaft, which means the greater electricity it can produce.

You might also notice that some windmills are situated on top of valleys and mountains. This is because the blend of hot and cold air can create moving air. Sometimes they are placed near bodies of water, because this also generates wind due to the change in temperature brought about by the sea and the sun.

One important fact on how windmills work is that a single turbine can produce 100 megawatts of electricity. Imagine then how much electricity a wind farm with large turbines grouped together can produce to provide bulk power to an electrical grid.

Learn more about wind energy by visiting
Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Energy
and
Solar and Wind Power For Residential

Tags: alternate energy sources, alternative electricity, alternative energy, alternative energy solutions, energy, Green Living, wind energy, wind generator, wind generators, wind power, wind turbine, wind turbines

The residential wind generator idea is gaining popularity worldwide, as living in this day and age has become quite expensive, with even the basic necessities becoming too costly to acquire. One of these necessities is our need for electricity. With fuel prices going up, everyone is looking for ways to economize their expenses to be able to afford electric bills.

Many are choosing to either buy or build their own wind turbines, but are having some doubts and concerns. So here are some pieces of information that may be able to help satisfy the information needs of most people when thinking of getting a wind turbine.

- This device is usually installed above a high tower where it can gather kinetic energy from the wind’s motion and convert it into electricity through a generator.

- Normally, a home that has installed a wind turbine is constantly served by the turbine itself and by their local utility. If the wind speed doesn’t fall into the cut-in rate, which is 7-10 mph, electricity would then be supplied by the electric utility.

- The basic rule of wind turbines is that “as the wind increases, output for the turbine also increases while the current supplied by the utility is lowered.

- If there is excess electricity collected, it is automatically sold back to the utility, because residential wind generators normally have no battery packs.

- Small wind turbines could in fact lower power bills by 50 to 80 percent. The amount of money it can save depends upon the consumption of electricity, the average wind speed on site, and other factors.

- A residential wind generator is rather large and may not be suitable for urban or small-lot housings, as wind systems are sensitive to the speed of the wind within the area it is situated.

- Wind turbines are pollution-free, and a small type can actually offset nearly 1.2 tons of air pollutants and tons of greenhouse gases that cause global warming.

- A typical wind turbine system makes less noise than the average washing machine, and it also does not interfere with the television’s reception in spite of what others think, as their blades are made from wood, plastic, and fiberglass.

- Upon installing the turbine, there is no need to rewire the appliances in a home since wind turbines are retrofitted to any home without altering the wiring or appliances.

- With regard to towers, tall towers are necessary to stop any hindrances that could prevent it from freely gathering wind energy. The most economical type of tower would be the guyed lattice tower, while a hinged tower can be easier to install and maintain. Most small turbines are not high maintenance, since they have very few moving parts, and can operate and last up to 20 years.

A residential wind generator can be a good investment, although the return through your power bill savings would only be visible after 6 months to 15 years. Another advantage is that a well-working turbine would increase in property value.

Windmills are just the beginning. To learn more about wind and solar energy, read Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Energy or if you are thinking of building your own residential wind generator, see our Earth4Energy Review.

Tags: alternate energy sources, alternative electricity, alternative energy, alternative energy solutions, energy, Green Living, wind energy, wind generator, wind generators, wind power, wind turbine, wind turbines