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Types of Renewable Energy and How I Use Them

These days there is so much more information on Types of Renewable Energy that you would be crazy not to have a look into it. With so many company’s and households changing to solar energy systems to save money and the environment, times are a changing. With so many choices that you can have with the solar that you can change 1 thing in your home or lots. With all of these products they have 1 thing in common they are run by natural occurring sources. Everyone no matter where you are in the world you have these natural resources at their hand. Why not use these natural resources that are there every day and help the environment and your pocket.

I know for myself that it has changed our lives for the better, as we have been able to save money and use the natural resources that are around us. On our property we have a stand-alone system to run our house and we have no means of mains power at all so we rely on our system for all of our electrical supply and it works terrific for us.

We have a 1 kilowatt wind turbine that works really well as it is windy all the time here. The wind turbine is driven by the wind to turn the propellers and then the energy generated is stored into our battery banks to use at a later time.

We also have fifteen 175-watt solar panels on our shed roof to catch the solar energy. Our solar panels have sun all times of the day as we positioned them facing to the north so we can achieve the best result. The more sun they have the better it is. We can run our house with these 2 products and now we no longer have a power bill. It is that easy to do and now we are helping the environment and reducing the greenhouse gases that we put into the atmosphere.

You always here that people and the government want to help reduce the greenhouse gases and the environment and these days even the government are helping you to help the cause. You should contact your government to find out if you can get a rebate to change to a solar system that would suit your needs. I know from experience that the government from Australia help with rebates as we received a rebate on our stand-alone set up and it became more affordable for our family to do.

You can also use different Types of Renewable Energy on a much smaller scale for other things around your homes like garden lighting and small irrigation systems. These smaller systems are great if you are starting out with renewable energy as you can do it yourself and will learn how it all works before you jump into the big systems to run your homes. Camping is becoming more popular with the renewable energy craze as a lot of camp sites now will not allow generators to be run so nearly all the caravans and motor homes are fitted with solar systems to power fridges and lights and whatever the may need to run on electricity.

The guide to renewable Energy!! – Facts, review and user feedback

Half a lifetime ago, when my wife and I first got a taste for remote RV living, we decided very early on that solar power had to be the way to go. Despite rapid advances in solar technology — even way back then — many fellow travelers were surprised when they learned our RV was “solar powered”.

Granted, that tiny house-on-wheels was getting on in years, and there was still a general belief among caravanners and motorhomers that solar power was “too expensive” and “too technical”. But whatever their reasons, I’m here to tell you that solar-charged 12 volt battery power was then, and still is, worthy of serious consideration — regardless of the size or age of your traveling rig.

In fact, even the most basic system — such as ours was then — provides not only a significant boost in self-sufficiency, it also saves enough money to recover your outlay in under three months. Even today.

For example, a 30-watt, self-regulating solar panel costs around $280 to $350 here in Australia. If you then factor in a no-maintenance, deep-cycle battery of at least 75 amp-hour capacity — to be installed in the RV — at maybe $180, plus suitable cabling, a salable plastic battery box (vented to the outside), and miscellaneous hardware for, say, $50 more, your total outlay shouldn’t be much over $600.

After that, every night you make use of your on-board power, on a “no hook-ups” campsite, you stand to save between $15 and $25 on tourist park fees. Sometimes more. On those figures, the whole set-up pays for itself in maybe 30 nights or less!

True, sufficient power would normally be available from your towing vehicle’s standard battery over one or two nights, but if the vehicle doesn’t move for two or three days the engine will almost certainly need a run for an hour or more to “top up” the charge taken out of the battery. And with single-battery set-ups, there is always a risk of over-using your power, resulting in a flat battery!

On the other hand, if you prefer the overnight security and companionship of a tourist park, an unpowered site — those nice, quiet spots down the back — saves maybe $3 – $8 per night. Which means you could still have your investment back in the bank within six months.

No matter how you look at it, solar was — and is — the way of the future. It’s clean, efficient, silent, and requires almost zero maintenance. And once the initial outlay has been covered, basic power needs from that point on are free.

However, there is a downside. (Isn’t there always?) A fixed solar array — on the RV roof, for instance — needs to be receiving the sun’s rays long and strong to adequately replenish the battery’s charge. Parked too long in the shade, or suffering through a lengthy stretch of rain-filled skies, can knock out a single-battery power supply in two or three days, even with judicious use. For that reason, some travelers have an additional, portable solar panel that can be constantly repositioned to catch the sun’s most direct rays, for as long as possible.

Nevertheless, in the four years we owned that well-traveled little van we had very few problems. (Mind you, we have always carried “conventional” backup in the form of a small petrol generator, and our vehicle has always been dual-battery equipped to share the campsite power needs.)

And about that tricky technology? Well, if a techno-slouch like me can have the whole system installed and operational in under two hours, anybody can! What we did was: (1) mount the solar panel directly onto the RV roof (with sealant carefully applied in and around the screw holes), then (2) run the panel’s cabling down into the van (through the corner of the all-seasons hatch) into a cupboard. Being a self-regulating solar panel, a regulator was not necessary between panel and battery, so the cables were fixed directly onto the battery. The battery was housed in a robust plastic storage bin with a close-fitting lid, which I further sealed with silicone. Two lengths of 6 mm plastic hose vented the box to the outside through the caravan floor (inside the cupboard). Battery terminals were fitted with heavy-duty extension straps that passed through the side of the box to the outside to facilitate normal connection via alligator clips, a portable 12 volt socket, or sometimes a low capacity inverter. All holes in the floor and the battery box were fully sealed (both sides) with silicone sealant.

As for maintenance, all that’s required is an occasional wipe-down of the solar panel, and a general examination of wiring and seals from time to time. I also put a multimeter across the battery terminals every so often to see how it was tracking. (Of course, this reading is only accurate after the battery has “rested” for a half hour or so, i.e, no charge in or out.)

OK, we’ve learned a bit more about solar power since then, so we did some things differently second time around. But these differences were, essentially, because our fulltime travel now needs more than twice the power, with quite a lot more in reserve. So gizmos and gadgets are scattered throughout. But when we think back on that tiny, “drag-it-anywhere” caravan, with its most basic, D.I.Y. solar power set-up, we still get to feeling warm and fuzzy. (Self-sufficiency in the bush will do that!)

For our money, solar power and RVs are made for each other; it’s impossible to imagine a wandering life without either.

Is Solar Energy Popular? Just How Big Is It?

Japan, Germany and USA
These three countries have the most residential and industrial photovoltaic units worldwide, due to having the world’s largest governmental incentives used for renewable energy systems. In Japan and Germany, the most popular are grid-tied units, while in the US – the off-grid ones. Japan and Germany lead in terms of panels installed per person.

Germany has around 1,500 MW of PV units installed throughout the country, which equals around 1% of the total electricity produced in the country. This number is predicted to reach 25% by 2050.

China
China produces 30% of the world’s solar. Right now, the capacity of installed panels in China is around 50 MW. The government is planning to increase these numbers to 20 GW by the year 2020 (renewable energy is predicted to produce 15% of the country’s total energy in the next decade).

Australia
Australia currently produces over 100 MW of PV generated energy (that’s merely 0.1% of the country’s total electric production). Australia is perfect for photovoltaic installations, so why isn’t’ solar energy popular here? This is because these systems are very costly here. The country plans to build one of the largest solar plants, which will produce 450 MW of power, enough to power 45,000 homes.

Canada
Canada uses PV energy mainly for space heating and water heating. It has over 15,000 residential and over 300 industrial solar water heating systems. Canada mainly uses standalone off-grid units.

Israel
Israel has no oil and strained relations with the neighbors that do. They are searching for renewable energy solutions to become independent. The country has lots of sunshine and uses the suns energy mainly for water heaters.

Kenya
Solar energy is also widely used in developing countries. For example, there is a large market for photovoltaic units in Kenya, where customer use entry-level modules for their needs.

India
India uses both – grid-tied and off-grid systems. India also employs the power of the sun in solar cookers, water heaters, water pumps, and off-grid sun-powered street lighting systems. Most of the country doesn’t have access to an electric grid, making solar power here very practical. Over 16,000 PV home systems were financed for homes in rural areas.

Bangladesh
This Asian country uses domestic PV systems, especially in the homes that don’t have access to regular electricity. There are special programs that subsidize “solar home systems” in this country. These systems employ a panel mounted on the rooftop and can power several lights, TV, radio and a cell phone, and provide about 50 W of electricity in direct sunlight.

Pakistan
Pakistan has 10 hours of sunlight per day on average, making the use of solar energy popular here as well. The country already has some sun powered plants, and is a perfect place for the photovoltaic technology to expand.

Grid Connection Solar Systems-Renewable Types of Energy

With respect to the current economic situation in the world today families are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. For most people one of the biggest expenses that they have is the dreaded power bill most suppliers only read the meter once every 3 months and for the average family the bill could be several hundred dollars and for some could even creep into the thousands. There is a huge advancement in Australia in the use of different Renewable Types of Energy to help people try and take the pressure of the hip pocket that also has a double-edged advantage with helping to reduce the production of green house gases.

Learn how to make your own Solar Energy

More and more people are installing Grid Connection Solar Systems to the homes. A Grid Connection System is a series of Photovoltaic panels mounted on the roof of your home that is connected through an inverter and a meter to the main power grid.

These grid connection systems can be sized in one of two ways, based on your electricity used or on your available budget or if you are fortunate a combination of both. The minimum size system is 1.5 kilowatt and can go as big as your need or can afford, in fact I know of a 60-kilowatt unit that is installed on an industrial shed near where I work. Sure there is a substantial outlay of capital to start with to give you some idea a 1.5 Kilowatt installation would mean roughly an out of pocket to you of around $3000 dollars after the generous government rebate.

$3000 you might say is a lot of money and it is but if you consider the amount that your power bill is reduced each quarter it is not that bad. For a 1.5-kilowatt system it would not be too much to expect that your bill would be reduced by around $100 per quarter that would mean a saving of $400 per year. So at that rate your Grid connection System would have paid for itself in less than ten years and with bigger systems it would be much quicker. At the rate that electricity is going up I am sure the initial outlay will be well worth it.

The use of renewable types of energy are becoming nearly a way of life these days and most local councils are making it compulsory for new houses built in their shires are installing either grids connection units and or solar water heaters. As technology advances these systems will become more efficient and generate more and more electricity for the rated size, which will increase the return to you and will also become cheaper to install therefore pay themselves off much sooner.

In my opinion I think that the direction that we are heading with using Renewable Types of Energy is a great advantage to the future and we should utilize it to its potential.

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 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.

Is Solar Energy a Reliable and Practical Source of Electrical Power?

You have probably heard it said by environmental groups that we should switch to solar energy as a power source because it is free, there is an unlimited supply, and it is a cleaner source of electrical power because there are no by-products (compared to fossil fuels like oil and gas which release greenhouse gases into the earth’s atmosphere when burned for power.) However, can solar energy be a reliable and practical source of electrical power indeed?

When we use the term solar power nowadays, it usually refers to man-made technologies that rely on the flow of sunlight from our sun to create electricity or even mechanical power. Early pioneers in the conversion of solar power into usable forms of power were Auguste Mouchout, Frank Shuman, Charles Tellier, and John Ericksson. But the real breakthrough in conversion of solar power into pure electricity was achieved by the Bell Laboratories research team when they created the solar cell. Other people have been able to build on this development so that solar cells now have an efficiency of more than 40% and their prices have fallen to not more than $3 per watt.

Solar power technology is categorized as either being active solar, passive solar, direct solar, or indirect solar. One way solar power is directly used nowadays is to heat water for households. Solar power has an efficiency level of up to 86% when it is applied for creating hot water, which makes it a very attractive option for countries with cold climates where people find it hard to survive without hot water. Another way solar power directly affects our lives is when solar cells are integrated into everyday electronic gadgets such as calculators, or as a steady source of power for satellites in orbit around the earth. Households can now have solar panels installed on their roofs so that they can take advantage of sunlight to power their home. However, the demand for solar panels may be affected because of the shortage of refined silicon supplies.

The more cost-effective solution for large-scale use of solar power for power generation needs is construction of solar power plants. Solar power plants may either be of the older type of concentrating solar thermal power plant or the newer multi-megawatt photovoltaic facilities. The first kind, which relies on concentrating solar thermal technology, basically relies on mirrors or lenses to direct sunlight into a much smaller area of focus. However, this type of solar power technology can be disadvantageous to rely on when skies are overcast and there is little direct sunlight.

It is also interesting that solar power can also be used nowadays to power light vehicles. Proof of this is the biannual World Solar Challenge in Australia, where solar cars developed by researchers from both industry and universities have been able to reach speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour during the race itself. Which is not bad, considering the speed limit for South Australia where the race is conducted is set at 110 kilometers per hour.

A very practical usage of solar power is to disinfect water supplies so that they become drinkable. Water can be disinfected either through solar water pasteurization or through solar water disinfection. Solar water pasteurization relies on solar power to make the pasteurization process work, involving sustaining application of heat to water for a certain period of time so that water temperatures stay within the 60 degrees to 70 degrees Celsius range. Solar water disinfection is a less intense use of solar power because the water is aerated first by vigorous shaking in a container which is then left to be exposed to direct sunlight.

All these uses of solar power indicate that eventually solar power may become a widespread source of power not just for large enterprises but also for the average human household. All that is required is for people to be able to afford the technology and its upkeep for solar power to become a practical and dependable source of power on a daily basis.

Sun Beginning to Shine on Australia and Solar Energy

In a land as sun-drenched as Australia, solar energy utilization naturally springs to mind. The amount of renewable energy generated by the numerous sunny days found in the nation is considerable, right? Sort of.

The potential is certainly there, but Australia is actually making use of solar energy at a relatively lower clip than other countries. Power produced from solar energy is called photovoltaic (PV) power, and as of last summer, Australia had approximately 115 MW of installed PV power. This contributes only 0.1% to 0.2% of Australia’s total electricity generation. The higher cost of solar panels in relation to other sources of energy accounts for some of the reluctance to embrace solar energy completely.

Learn how to build your own Solar Power and save

This slower pace may soon change, however, due in part to proposed feed-in tariffs. These are essentially premium rates paid to generators of PV power for excess electricity generated. So if a homeowner installed solar panels and generated more electricity than was needed for the home, he or she could then sell the excess energy and feed it into the electricity grid.

Australia has also set renewable energy goals inspired by the Kyoto Protocol. In 2001, the Australian government created the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target. This calls for production of 9,500 GWh of electricity generated by means of renewable energy. The plan is to continue the strategy until at least 2020, which is the target year of several goals in other countries adopting the Kyoto Protocol.

Further demonstrating their hope to shed Australia’s reputation as behind the curve when it comes to solar energy, the Australian Government announced last year plans to construct the world’s largest solar power station. It will produce 1,000 MW of electricity and be a $1.4 billion investment. Currently, the biggest solar energy power plant is located in California and Australia hopes to triple the output of this station with the prospective plant to be built there. Not only would this plant help Australia leap to the forefront of solar energy utilization, it would create a multitude of jobs and boost the economy. After this plant is established, the intent is to create a network of solar energy plants nationwide. Locations would be chosen based on access to ample sunshine and proximity to the existing electricity grid.

Though Australia has lagged a bit in the solar energy industry, these plans in the works will drive them toward the front in the coming years.

Get Started on Using Solar Energy

If you wish to make a contribution to saving the environment and at the same time, would not mind seeing your electricity bills diminish dramatically, there is no better time to take advantage of using solar electricity than now. More people have had photovoltaic (PV) panels installed in their homes and have been seeing the benefits of lower costs of ownership through the introduction of renewable energy certificates and other rebates. Businesses are also being encouraged to introduce energy efficiencymeasures and incentives exist for the introduction of targeted initiatives.

There is of course, no better place to get started than in your own home. If you would like to know the basics of having PV panels installed, here is a round-up of what you need, what to expect, and how to go about your plan. But there is one important attribute that you must possess to be able to make the option work: the passion to make a change and generate electricity from renewable sources. Whatever, your motivation, action is important.

Solar Panels

First of all, you would need an entire solar panel system that usually includes the PV panels, wiring, an inverter, and brackets. The number of solar system manufacturers continues to increase and with the growing amount of competition, prices have become more competitive making installation of a solar power system more affordable.

The inverter is responsible for converting direct current energy absorbed by the solar panels from the sun’s rays into alternating current to feed your electrical system. An inverter meter would indicate the amount of renewable energy you are generating on a daily basis.

A Sunny Location

Although a lot of people living or operating their businesses in locations that do not see sunlight for most of the year have been using solar electricity, installing a solar power system in an extremely sunny area has its advantages. It is recommended that you set up the PV panelsfacing the north for them to get maximum exposure. There should be no structures or trees blocking the sunlight. The rooftop is the most common location for installing the solar panels.

Batteries

For off grid premises, battery arrays are often required to store any excess solar electricitygenerated by the system. If you are connected to the grid, you will receive the benefits of feed in tariffswhereby your power company will pay you for the electricity you generate. The process is called gross and net metering. Governments in Australia encourage the use of solar power by offering incentives in the form of solar rebates and/or renewable energy certificates, which are obtained by homes and businesses using renewable energy sources.

How much do I need to spend?

The amount you need to invest for a solar power system would depend on your energy requirement. In Australia, it is possible to get a smaller system for as little as $4,000.

Energy Efficient Homes ? Easier With Kit Homes

Kit homes can be your perfect solution to building energy efficient homes. Because so much of the energy saving components come in the design phase you can look and compare methods and alternatives that will suit your family best.

There is also the added advantage of having design experts on hand to consult with and discuss energy efficient features. Kit homes also give you the advantage of being able to see energy efficiency in progress or talk to others about their experiences building energy savers into a home design.

Main Energy Saving Factors of Home Design

Here are many of the concepts you can think about and that will be already in place in many kit home designs:

Placement – which way the house faces can maximize the sun for winter and keep it cooler in summer.
Glazing on windows and glass doors – don’t’ go ahead and heavily glaze every window or glass door. Keep the most glazing for those which might get the heaviest sun in the summer and minimum or no glazing on those which might let in the winter sun.
Use Awnings, pergola’s with deciduous vines, or deciduous trees to break up the summer sun through windows. Leaves will fall during winter to let in the sun. Awnings can be retracted.
Discuss concrete slab design to store heat in winter and repel during summer
Use a dark tile in living areas to attract and retain heat
Plant thick evergreen trees and shrubs where you might need protection from direct summer sun and biting winter winds
Carport placement can be used to block sun and create cooler air currents
Keep your front door protected from cold and strong southerly and westerly winds in winter
Use the maximum advantage insulation and metal roofing with reflective lining

What Are The Main Things To Focus On?

Energy efficient design will focus on 3 main concepts:

Glass

Use large windows positioned to capture maximum winter sunlight
Protect them from heat loss where needed
Use them to capture morning sunlight and design eaves to stop overheating in the afternoon sun
Use windows also to let in natural light and therefore use power lights less

Mass

The more mass you have the more warmth can be absorbed and stored for later when the sun goes down
Insulation

This works in two ways. It stores the heat you let into the home, and also acts to keep the cool air in during summer. Be sure to close curtains and windows during a hot summer to keep the inside temperature protected by the insulation. For winter do the same to keep the heat in once the sun has done its job and the heat is inside your home.

Other Ways To Build Energy Conservation Into Your Home

Install solar panels and/or windmills to take advantage of natures natural power generating sources
Use skylights to maximize lighting
Plan lighting carefully. Have well placed downlights for reading, workspace, and kitchen bench area for good focused light where you need it instead of constantly burning one central light.
Choose energy efficient major appliances

Expert Advice On Hand

Any good kit home manufacturer will have expert advice on hand for you questions and a lot of these energy saving components built into their designs.

Despite the fact that some things may have a cost attached, government rebates help on insulation and solar panels, and all energy saving efforts will continue to save you money as time goes on.

Kit home designs help you to calculate your budget more efficiently so you know what each stage will cost you, and how the energy efficiency actually works.

It’s important to build energy efficient homes and it just makes sense to use a kit home design which you can customize and all the energy efficient hard work has been done for you.

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