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Solar Energy a Reliable and Practical Source

These days we are experiencing a growing awareness to the fact that our energy resources, as they have been used in the last few years, are probably not going to last for long and that the energy markets are exposed to more and more rapid changes, some due to political reasons and others because of the changing climate of the planet.

Solar energy is a renewable free source of energy which is sustainable as it is not inexhaustible, unlike fossil fuels which are finite. It is also a non-polluting source of energy and it does not emit any greenhouse gases when producing electricity. The solar electricity that is produced can supplement your entire or partial energy consumption. Using solar energy means reducing your energy bills and saving money. Also having solar PV panels adds value to your home, they are low maintenance and unobtrusive. Germany is the global leader for solar-generated electricity.

Why choose solar energy?

Australia is the luckiest country in the world. Our geography gives us the opportunity to use the most natural, sustainable and clean energy in our homes – the energy from the sun.
Solar thermal applications are the most widely used category of solar energy technology. These technologies use heat from the sun for water and space heating, ventilation, and many other applications.
Solar energy is not a new concept, it has been properly introduced to the global public many years ago and successfully implemented in different parts of the world in different ways, so we can say that solar energy is known to most people, but it is still not as popular as it should be, as a cheap replacement for other sources of energy. The energy of the sun, from its direct sun rays that are projected directly at the earth or by giant wind turbines are free fro us to use, to manipulate for our needs, and this can be done by almost anyone in any place, it just needs to technology and the know-how.

Solar Power is a Popular American Choice

WOW! We are almost all in agreement about at least one form of renewable energy; ninety per cent of Americans think that builders should be offering the option of solar power in new homes.

For those unsure of the term: solar power is the term used to describe the resulting energy from the conversion of sunlight into electricity. In order to do this, the sunlight must first be ‘captured’.

Because there is always (so far!) sunlight, this is called a renewable source of energy. This means once we have perfected the technique to turn the sunshine into electric power, we can always use that technique as there is always sunlight and it is always free.

Solar energy in a primitive form has been used for centuries by various civilizations. Nowadays with technology at such a sophisticated level, solar power can be used to provide heating, lighting and electricity.

Water heating is easy to install in new homes as the panels for it are usually placed right in the roof. Believe it or not, America first had solar water heaters as early as 1890! In many climates the sun can provide up to 75% of domestic water usage, so it makes sense to build these units into new homes.

The more people that request the option of solar power in their homes, the more mainstream it will become. A builder can often just install the pre-wire kit during construction, so that it is easy for the owner to add on the panels later, if desired.

Solar power also saves the home owner from paying large electricity bills, as the domestic electric power will only kick in when the solar power has been used up. Increasing energy costs make solar power look attractive – apart from the fact that it contributes to a healthier planet.

Due to the steadily gaining popularity of solar power, the price of panels is predicted to be halving within the next five years. Many states offer generous subsidies and rebates to assist the American home owner in making the right choices about energy and there are also federal incentives to look into.

Designs are becoming more and more attractive as the market expands. Whereas once solar power gave a home the look of having something stuck on your roof, nowadays designs can actually enhance the look of a home.

Israel leads the world for total percentage of domestic use, with 90% of its homes using solar power. China, with its large population deploys 80 % of the market share of solar hot water systems. In USA solar power is most popularly used for heating swimming pools.

Internationally, the use of solar power in swimming pools and low temperature applications such as domestic hot water and space heaters, is the most common usage, this is because the power is most naturally converted into heating.

In fact, solar power has been used to power a car that ran for over 3,000 kilometers (in Australia) and a boat that crossed the Atlantic (in UK). Solar energy has also been used to cool houses and to cook with. However, by far the most acceptable method of using it at the moment is solar water heating.

There are many American companies listed on the Internet if you wish to find out how your home would convert to solar power.

Insulation innovation for your green home

When it comes to the green home, ratings matter. There are a number of eco certification for home based appliances and white goods. Plus you can get your home professionally assessed for energy efficiency.

Residential homes can be given a rating based on the National House Energy Rating (NatHERS) which is an index of the home’s thermal performance. It is done through a professional analysis by a qualified assessor working in conjunction with the builder of the home. NatHERS provides a baseline for assessment software to rate a home’s energy efficiency potential. Most homes in Australia currently fall below a 5 star rating, but the current tool has now been adapted to allow for a potential 10 star rating (which would be equivalent to zero conditioning energy). This system is based purely on the home’s infrastructure and does not include appliances or hot water systems. Find out more about energy ratings for your home.

Good insulation is a key feature in any energy efficient home. And homeowners are keen to take advantage of Kevin Rudd’s important announcement last week, with funds for ceiling insulation becoming available from the federal government. The Federal Government will be providing eligible homes wiht free ceiling insulation worth $1600. Landlords and renters can benefit too with rental properties being included in the package.

Yet with all the available insulation out there, which one should we consider?

Eco Home Tip #16 – Ask about the R value – the measure for insulation materials is the R value. A high R value means better insulation potential. For example, Pink Batts offers a range ceiling insulation products that have an R value of up to 6.0.

Eco Home Tip #17 – Natural insulation – Take your insulation innovation even further and look for ceiling insulation made from sustainable materials, such as Goldenfleece wool insulation. All natural wool fibre has great insulating properties, with the CSIRO claiming, “wool insulation performs better because of it’s ability to rapidly absorb and desorb moisture from the air.” And you’ll be helping out the rural farmers!

Eco Home Tip #18 – DIY insulation – there are lots of simple insulating ideas homeowners can adapt to protect their homes against the elements. Seal draughts with door snakes or hang some thick curtains on your windows to keep out the coming cold.

Insulation is the first step to a great energy efficient home that will save you money. Well designed homes that incorporate insulation, thermal mass design and sustainable energy alternatives, such as solar panels, can save some homeowners up to 50% on their annual energy consumption. Plus you get to enjoy the comfort of having a pleasant living environment year round.

You can find more great eco home ideas on the Green Pages.

Things to remember Planning your Home

There are many professional luxury, modern and country home builders all over Australia who will undertake the entire project and will offer assistance from the inception to the completion. However, everyone has their dream homes planned in their head. So, here are a few things that you must keep in mind whenever you are planning out your new home.

Requirement

First and foremost are the requirements that you need to chalk out. What do you want to build: modern, contemporary or country homes, amongst others? How much space will you require? How large is your family? The number of bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, living areas and guest bedrooms need to be decided. How much open space do you want around the house? The landscaping needs to be considered, too. Depending upon all these factors, you will need to purchase a plot or open space on which to construct your home.

Architecture

After you have finalised your requirements, you will need to hire a professional architect and building company, like Glenvill, who can offer you complete building, architecture and interior solutions. You will need a qualified architect who has sound knowledge and can realise your dreams on paper and then transform them into reality.

Amenities

Other things you need to make sure are taken care of are the amenities and utilities. Water, sewage, electricity, gas, etc, are all important things that need to be inculcated into the house while it is being built. Do you want to install solar panel for heating, do you want central air conditioning or heating, do you want a pool, gym, sauna, etc? These all need to be decided upon in the beginning.

Interiors & Exteriors

The interior and exterior of the home largely depends upon the style of home you are building. You will need to decide if you want a country home or a modern, contemporary home, as this will determine the way the interior and the exterior of your home is planned out. Once the style is decided, the interior designer and the architect need to sit together and make the whole plan come together. Making structural changes is a good idea only when the house is in its initial stages and this will save you a lot of money.

Landscaping

Landscaping includes the grounds and the trees that you want around your house. Many plots are barren and don’t generally have trees. In such cases, there are services that offer to replant fully grown trees. You need to decide the amount of open space you want, as that leaves the rest for the architect to include into the house structure. Also, plan if you want a pond or an artificial lake, as that cuts into your available space as well.

These design tips are brought to you by Glenvill, which is a premium luxury home builder and has an in-house interior design team.

Giant Solar Power Project

Many people have heard of the solar tower project being constructed in Australia. It is more than 1,000 meters tall and will produce 200 megawatts of electricity by heating air at ground level, which then causes the air to rise in the tower. It also serves as a greenhouse. It is slated to go into operation to power about 200,000 homes in 2012. Spain has a prototype that is functional and has already been tested near Madrid. There are as well various photovoltaic solar fields with arrays of solar panels that generate electricity directly from sunlight.

The most popular large-scale solar power projects are by way of the solar trough or parabolic trough system, which concentrates solar heat to a focal point, which in most cases is oil, filled pipe. The oil is heated to around 700ºF where it is pumped back to a heat exchanger, which creates steam power. The goal of all of these technologies is to reach a higher level of efficiency. Currently the most efficient system is the Solar Dish, which has reached 30% unmatched by any other technology. Well hold onto your hats because what I am about to tell you here could probably double that or more. The new system What is proposed here is something that combines existing technologies and creates multiple sources of energy from the same plant. First we change the parabolic troughs into solar tubes; the bottom half being reflective and parabolic in nature; the top half glass Fresnel. This accomplishes two things: first the tube actually concentrates even more sunlight upon the oil pipe, second now we can pipe to the solar tubes cooler air from under ground, the air is then heated to high temperature as it flows along. When the super-heated air reaches the other side of the solar tubes it is then directed up to the top of a hill where it is released into a super efficient vertical wind turbine that makes use of magnetic levitation, which will produce electrical power. The super heated oil or other liquid is then pumped to an efficient heat exchanger, which transforms it into steam power through a turbine system. And now the third source of solar energy is employed in the tube by way of reflective yet absorbent gallium arsenide solar film, which would create high temperature photovoltaic electricity directly. We can then store the excess super hot oil or other liquid substance below ground in a well insulated storage tank so that the system can continue producing steam power at night. As well any excess power production not being used can be utilized to electrolyze water and create hydrogen for the future automobiles that use this in one form or another. Or the hydrogen can be piped in existing natural gas pipelines to power distant communities.

Now hold onto your hats again because all that I have told you are not nearly as far as we could go with this. I am only one person and I have sort of held onto and developed these ideas for some time with some sort of mistaken idea that I myself was going to create all this on my own. I suddenly realized – not too long ago – that if I really was serious about creating a power evolution (a developing into a higher form or state) I needed to share my ideas with others or inspire people with my same passion. If we could expend even a fraction of the time and effort spent on the space program or other efforts such as the creation of the nuclear bomb we would have this done in no time. Our energy production and usage would be totally transformed. And so I challenge all of you alternative energy buffs and financiers to not only test and perfect what I have laid out here but to go way beyond this by coming together as a group and pooling and correlating ideas and technologies. We cannot rely on government funds on this, as they do not have the same priority direction. We can after having created something on the order of a power grid that is not only more environmental but is producing electricity for around

Solar Energy Renewable source

Now a days we are experiencing a fast growing awareness that our natural energy resources, because they have been used in recent years, probably will not last long and that energy markets are exposed to more rapid development, some for political reasons and others, because of climate changing.

Solar thermal applications are the most widely used category of solar power technology. This technology uses the sun’s heat for water heating, ventilation, space heating and many other applications.

Solar energy is a renewable source of sustainable energy, as inexhaustible, unlike fossil fuels which are very limited. This is also a non-polluting sources of energy and emits no greenhouse gases in the production of electricity. The electricity produced by the sun can complete all or part of energy consumption. Using solar energy means lower energy bills and save money. Also has a photovoltaic solar panel add value to your home, are low maintenance and unobtrusive. Germany is world leader for solar electricity generated.
Why choose solar power?

Australia is the luckiest country in the world. The geography gives them the opportunity to use the most natural, sustainable and clean energy in their homes – the energy from the sun.

Solar energy is not a new concept, was introduced to the global public many years ago and successfully implemented in various parts of the world in various ways, means that solar energy has met many people, but not yet popular as they should, as a cheap source to replace other energy. Solar energy from sunlight directly projected on the ground or from giant wind turbines free fro us to use, to be manipulated for our needs, and almost anyone can done this, anywhere, All they need to know is a technology,knowledge and how to apply.

Understanding & Using Solar DC-AC Inverters ? Part 1

DC-AC inverters are electronic devices used to produce .mains voltage. AC power from low voltage DC energy (from a battery or solar panel). This makes them very suitable for when you need to use AC power tools or appliances but the usual AC mains power is not available. Examples include operating appliances in caravans and mobile homes, and also running audio, video and computing equipment in remote areas.

Most inverters do their job by performing two main functions: first they convert the incoming DC into AC, and then they step up the resulting AC to mains voltage level using a transformer. And the goal of the designer is to have the inverter perform these functions as efficiently as possible . so that as much as possible of the energy drawn from the battery or solar panel is converted into main voltage AC, and as little as possible is wasted as heat.

Modern inverters use a basic circuit scheme like that shown in Fig.1. As you can see the DC from the battery is converted into AC very simply, by using a pair of power MOSFETs (Q1 and Q2) acting as very efficient electronic switches. The positive 13.8V DC from the battery is connected to the centre-tap of the transformer primary, while each MOSFET is connected between one end of the primary and earth (battery negative). So by switching on Q1, the battery current can be made to flow through the .top. half of the primary and to earth via Q1.

Conversely by switching on Q2 instead, the current is made to flow the opposite way through the .lower. half of the primary and to earth.

Therefore by switching the two MOSFETs on alternately, the current is made to flow first in one half of the primary and then in the other, producing an alternating magnetic flux in the transformer.s core. As a result a corresponding AC voltage is induced in the transformer.s secondary winding, and as the secondary has about 24 times the number of turns in the primary, the induced AC voltage is much higher: around 650V peak to peak.

By the way if you.re wondering why MOSFETs are used as the electronic switches, to convert the DC into AC, it.s because they make the most efficient high-current switches. When they.re .off. they are are virtually an open circuit, yet when they.re .on. they are very close to a short circuit (only a few milliohms). So very little power is wasted as heat.

(In DC-AC inverters designed to deliver high power, there are actually quite a few MOSFETs connected to each side of the transformer primary, to share the heavy current. However because they.re essentially connected in parallel, you can still think of them as behaving very much like the single transistors shown in Fig.1.

They just behave like very high-power MOSFETs, able to switch many tens of amps…)

Note that because the switching MOSFETs are simply being turned on and off, this type of inverter does not produce AC of the same .pure sinewave. type as the AC power mains. The output waveform is essentially alternating rectangular pulses, as you can see from Fig.2. However the width of the pulses and the spacing between them is chosen so that the ratio between the RMS value of the output waveform and its peak-to-peak value is actually quite similar to that of a pure sinewave. The resulting waveform is usually called a .modified sinewave., and as the RMS voltage is close to 230V many AC tools and appliances are able to operate from such a waveform without problems.

It.s true, though, that this kind of waveform is not close enough to a sinewave for some appliances. That.s mainly because the rectangular pulses contain not just the fundamental mains frequency, but quite a lot of its harmonics as well.

So if the inverter is operating at the Australia/New Zealand mains frequency of 50Hz, the output will also contain components at 100Hz, 150Hz, 200Hz, 250Hz and so on.

These harmonics can disturb the operation of some appliances. It.s because of this shortcoming that manufacturers have come up with a more complex type of inverter, which does deliver a pure sinewave output. More about these later.

Solar Hot Water Systems Save Money And Environment

Environmental issues have always accompanied humans’ quest for warmth and light. Cave markings clearly show how wood fires left behind ash and smoke residue. The smoggy cities of the Industrial Revolution were another sign that energy for human comfort came at a price. Today we face the biggest environmental threat of all through climate change, fueled by the emissions of carbon dioxide from fuels for automobiles, airplanes, trains and most of all, electricity. This is where Solar Hot Water Systems take center stage in the new environmental movement.

More and more homeowners are thinking seriously of switching to Solar Hot Water for both, economic as well as environmental reasons. For example, were you aware that a hot water heater is the biggest “power hog” in the home? That’s right; hot water heaters account for 35 to 40 percent of the average home energy cost. When you factor in the environmental impact of burning oil to create the electricity that runs a conventional hot water heater, that’s an enormous expense!

In contrast, the thought behind the invention of Solar Hot Water Systems is simple: Take light from the Sun, which radiates constantly down on earth, and convert it into heat. This transfer is accomplished by a device called a solar collector panel, in which a darkened surface collects the visible and ultraviolet light and translates it into infrared radiation through a heat exchange. Solar panels are covered in glass to insulate and trap the heat, which in turn warms up water stored in a tank for home use.

What happens when the sun doesn’t shine? Even on cloudy days, ultraviolet radiation showers down on earth, so it’s possible for the collectors in a solar hot water system to continue to produce power to heat water. When the weather is extremely rainy or cold, a gas or electric booster augments the system to keep Solar Hot Water always available for home use.

Environmentally, Solar Hot Water Systems create the lowest amounts of carbon dioxide emissions of any kind of water heater. Changing from electric- or gas-fueled water heaters to solar-powered systems can reduce a household’s CO2 emissions from 3 to 5 tonnes per year. Imagine how much CO2 could be reduce if all capable households switched to Solar Hot Water!

Economically, the savings from switching to Solar Hot Water Systems depends on the home’s location, amount of water used, the kind of system that’s being replaced, tariffs or taxes on energy, and the model of solar water heater the homeowner chooses. However, federal government estimates show that homeowners can save about $300 per year on their energy bills. Plus, federal rebates and incentives can result in upfront savings that offset the cost of installation.

What’s more, while Solar Hot Water Systems may have a higher upfront investment than tradition gas or electric water heaters, the operating cost remains fairly stable year after year. This means that unlike the burden of constantly rising electricity bills for water heating, Solar Hot Water produces significant savings over the life of the unit. A recent real estate survey in Australia also found that a majority of homeowners with Solar Hot Water Systems think their units enhance the value of their properties.

Using renewable energy from the sun to create hot water, cut down carbon dioxide emissions and save money is a combination that makes good sense!

Using The Australian Sun To Power Your Home

Many homeowners in Australia take advantage of the sun for heating their homes without even thinking about it. When you pull back those curtains on a cool morning to let the warm sunlight in, you are actually using the sun the warm your home as well as for lighting.

Of course, the sun can be used to power your home more effectively when you install photovoltaic or PV panels. When the sun’s rays hit these panels they are absorbed by certain materials that are semi-conductors such as silicone. This separates the electrons from the atoms so that they can flow through this material and electricity is produced. Converting light to electricity is known as the photovoltaic effect.

Solar panels convert light to direct current (DC) electricity. This must then be converted to alternating current (AC) before it can be used to run household appliances. This is done by passing it through an inverter before it enters the home’s utility panel for further distribution to lights and appliances.

Solar power is also stored as DC electricity in batteries to supply the home with power during the night or if there is a blackout during the day. Or maybe for when you get a spell of wet or cloudy weather that reduces the amount of solar power available for conversion.

If more electricity is produced than can be used or stored, then this can be transferred to the power grid with a utility meter to keep track of the amount of electricity that goes in or out of the house. The inflow and outflow of electricity are offset so that you only pay for the amount of electricity that is used. In some cases you would not pay anything because what is used from the grid is paid for by what is put back from your PV panels.

How Sustainable House Day Promotes Green Living in Australia

This is because the annual Sustainable House Day is observed on this day. What started out as a visionary initiative in 2001 has gained so much momentum through the years that it is now considered one of the major triumphs in behalf of environmental protection.

What is Sustainable House Day?

The Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES), a leading solar energy and green electricity proponent in Australia, established the Sustainable House Day in 2001, with the goal of transforming ordinary homes into sustainable households promoting energy efficiency and green living practices.

Build your Own Green Electricity

These sustainable households use green electricity as their primary source of energy supply, with green electricity sourced mostly from alternative energy-generation methods like solar panel installations.

Through the years the event has opened sustainable households for general viewing, educating Australians and giving them a great opportunity to adopt sustainable practices into their own homes.

Characteristics of Sustainable Households

Australians are gradually embracing sustainability and green living. It is nowhere more evident than in the transformation of residential homes into sustainable households.

Here are some of the primary qualities that make a household sustainable:

1. Use of green electricity to power gadgets and appliances in the conduct of everyday household chores.
2. Reuse and recycle products and materials for monetary savings and to lessen waste.
3. Reduce use and consumption of household items that produce high levels of carbon footprint.
4. Conserve water by storing rain water for cleaning and other use, and reducing unnecessary water usage.
5. Practice household maintenance with environmental protection in mind.

The Eco-Tourism Spirit

Sustainable House Day awakens the environmental consciousness of Australians to the idea that “going green” can actually be a living reality. Model houses that promote sustainability and green electricity use are open for viewing by the general public.
The concept of Sustainable House Day is eco-tourism at the grass-roots level. Everywhere in Australia sustainable households using green electricity and living in harmony with the Earth is showcased to visitors as interesting travel destinations. These households give people a venue to exchange information about green matters, such as renewable energy through green electricity, and other environmental concerns relevant today and in the future.

A particular and important mission of these open houses is to bring home the point that the transformation to a sustainable household is a very easy and affordable move to make. There are immensely practical and common-sense ways to live green, without necessarily straining the household budget.

Going Green One Home at Time

Sustainable House Day is made possible through the efforts of hundreds of Australian households who, through the years, have voluntarily made the move to green electricity and sustainable living.

Every year, the event’s organizers welcome more and more homes to the growing list of sustainable households across Australia. As more and more support comes from all levels of the Australian society — local and national government, private organizations, businesses, and the general public — the future is promising.

Greater investments in green electricity and sustainability efforts are turning homes into energy-efficient living units — protective of the environment today and far into the future.

About the Author

Bill Wight, CEO, Tribal Energies Research – our team is committed in exploring ways to bring green electricity to households in Australia and for the benefit of the environment. Read our blog for updates on cheap and green electricity.

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