Europe Renewable Energy Policy Handbook 2010
Nov0
A new EU directive on renewable energy, agreed in December 2008, requires each member state to increase its share of renewable energy, such as solar, wind or hydro, in the primary energy mix from the current 8.5% to 20% by 2020. A 10% share of ‘green fuels’ in transport is also included within the overall EU target (EurActiv 05/12/08).
As per the binding agreement signed by every nation in the the 27-member EU, the share of renewable energy ought to be increased by 5.5% from 2005 levels by 2020 and the remaining would be calculated based on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the region.
There are interim targets set to ascertain the consistent advancement towards the accomplishment of targets by 2020. The interim targets are as follows:
20% average between 2011 and 2012;
30% average between 2013 and 2014;
45% average between 2015 and 2016, and;
65% average between 2017 and 2018.
The Member countries can choose the preferred mix of renewables to achieve the overall targets. The new proposal mandates the submission of National Action Plans (NAPs) depending on the targets. Moreover, the Member States ought to submit progress reports every two years across electricity, heating and cooling, and transport.
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Biofuels account for 5-6% of the total transportation fuels in 2010 and it has not experienced a significant change from 2009. The lack of a stable policy framework for biofuels dissuades investors in this sector. The usage of biofuels has declined after the government withdrew tax exemption for consumers. The use of ethanol and biodiesel in power vehicles would stagnate over the next few years due to insufficient government incentives. Tax breaks would boost the growth of this sector.
In February 2009, the Spanish government proposed new solar feed-in-tariffs to promote the domestic solar industry. The government has created a register of solar projects to provide new feed-in-tariffs. The proposal was intended to support the solar developers and equipment suppliers. The suppliers and developers have been holding back from investing from October 2008 due to the anticipated announcements. The new tariff program inculcates government-set rates for solar power through long term contracts.
GlobalData’s new report “Europe Renewable Energy Policy Handbook 2010″ provides an in-depth analysis of the renewable policy initiatives in the European Union (EU) and the key countries in terms of strength of policy implementation. The report provides trends and information on renewable energy policies in Europe and analyzes some of the driving forces for the renewable energy sector. It details the key policy instruments adopted by the governments in European countries and analyzes the different forms of incentives and subsidies provided for the development of the renewable energy equipment market. The report also provides information on key countries in Europe that are investing in renewable energy. The report also includes information on the renewable energy initiatives and legislative frameworks which are driving the renewable energy equipment market in Europe. Various financial instruments such as tax reforms, subsidies and preferential loans for the development of renewable energy sector is included in the report. The report also analyzes the impact of market instruments such as feed-in-tariffs on renewable energy sector.
Visit our report store: www.globaldata.com/reportstore
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Solar power and wind energy
Nov0
We hear a lot about so-called renewab
le energy in the modern world. As the effects of global warming – or climate change, depending on your preferred terminology – become more apparent, the need to find a way to generate energy without damaging the Earth becomes all the more important.
One of the most talked about methods of making energy is solar power. As the name would suggest, solar power involves taking the energy of the sun and using that energy to generate electricity on Earth. While solar power is not a new concept, it is nevertheless looking like it will receive much focus during the search for renewable energies.
Solar power works by concentrating the heat of the sun in a specific place. To do this, solar panels or heliostats are erected in the sun’s glare, where they capture heat. The surfaces of these panels are usually mirrored or shiny, so as to increase the already potent heat of the sun. This heat is then used to generate electricity through a variety of methods; the most common of these is to use the heat to boil water and general steam, which is then used to power a traditional electricity generator.
Solar power is not infallible as a technology, but it is more reliable than was first previously thought. Despite popular conviction, it is possible to generate electricity using solar panels on overcast days, which opens the technologies up to most countries. For solar power to be truly effective, however, the panels need to be placed where they receive continual sunlight and heat throughout the year. For this reasons, countries such as Spain are becoming the pioneers of solar power – though their scientific advances will eventually benefit us all.
How Reliable Is Solar Power? With solar power being flaunted as one of the realistic alternatives to the burning of fossil fuels, it is only natural that enlightened thoughts are turning to the reliability of the energy it can create. After all, the sun is an intermittent energy source. It does not always shine, with most countries experiencing cloud cover for large portions of the year. There is also the issue that the sun is only available for, at most, 12 hours out of every 24. Could the world’s energy demands really be sustained from what seems like such an unreliable heat source?
The answer is probably no, which is why solar energy is only being spoken of as one of the options for continued energy production. However, solar energy is one of the most viable of the options mentioned, even if it could not meet the entire world’s demands for energy by itself.
The reason for this is simple; the sun is a constant. The sun will continue to shine for as long as there is life on earth; by the time the sun begins to dim, the earth as we know it will begin to die. Unlike the expendable resources of coal and oil, this makes the sun very dependable – it will be here for as long as the world will.
The sun is also relatively easy to ‘tap’ into, as it shines directly onto earth and needs no human interaction for it to work to its full potential. While manufacturing solar panels can be expensive, they are relatively hassle free once created, and the only engineering they require to function is to be pointed as directly as possible toward the sun. This is certainly more viable than having to dig into the earth for coal, or send rigs out to sea to collect oil.
Solar power is, therefore, a reliable energy source. How effective it is a matter of debate, but one should largely assume that much – if not all – of the world’s demand for energy can be satisfied by our most powerful celestial friend.
Solar Power – cutting your energy bills and saving the environment, the concept of solar generated energy has the kind of truths behind it that would make the vast majority of advertising executives salivate.
Firstly, the environmental considerations of using solar energy are huge. With fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, set to run out at some point; there has been a renewed focus in finding sustainable and renewable energy. Solar power has come to the forefront of such discussions as a viable alternative to the old ‘digging stuff out of the ground and burning it’ way of generating energy.
The effect this ability for renewable energy which takes nothing from the earth itself is huge. While solar power will never be able to meet all of the Earth’s energy demands, it should certainly be able to sate a large portion of the populace. By switching to such renewable energy that capitalizes on a natural resource, the environmental impact would be significant.
Secondly – and this is where the aforementioned advertising executive would really become excited – solar power could save the average member of the population money. By having solar panels installed, people could save as much as 30% on their usual electricity and heating bills.
With every year that passes, the general populace becomes more concerned about their own impact on the environment and their own dependence on fossil fuels. As time passes, these people with particular concerns are looking at utilizing other forms of energy. Once upon a time, seeing solar panels on the roof of a normal home would have been alarmingly unusual, but it is now fast approaching the norm. The average household is now capable of saving the environment and saving money – what are you waiting for?
Would Solar Power Save You Money? You’ve probably heard it all before; solar power is the answer to the world’s energy crisis, and what’s more installing solar panels in and on your home will save you money on energy bills. With utility bills, particularly electricity, increasing all the time – it’s no wonder that more and more people are seeking alternatives.
So, basically, the blurb is good. Solar power is good, and it is truly a way forward. At this point, with interest piqued, many will begin to wonder if they genuinely can save money and the environment by investing in solar panels.
Solar panels can be placed anywhere; the most effective place for the average household is on the roof, where exposure to sunlight is at its highest. And while you may feel the stories of cut price energy bills are a little bit too good to be true, the simple fact is by switching to solar power you will save money. Yes, everyone.
Solar panels can replace your dependence on electricity and gas – two of the most used utilities in any given home. For the first few years what you save will be largely offset by the cost of the solar panels being installed, but most companies estimate that people will genuinely be saving money by their seventh or eighth year with solar panels. Reduction in energy bills could be as high as 30% – no matter what or who you are, from a tiny flat to a large six bedroom detached house.
Purchasing and installing solar panels should be seen as an investment rather than a quick fix for your energy bills soaring.
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Renewable energy market size of Israel at par with Europe
Nov0
As a country that pioneered renewable energy concepts like flat solar collectors for home use, as well as parabolic trough technology and solar ponds, Israel has been active in the development and promotion of renewable energy in the country.
It comes as no surprise then that Israel is at par with Europe in terms of encouragement of renewable energy use according to some renewable energy market analyses.
According to Israeli venture capitalist and social media expert Sharon Weshler, the Israeli government had recently approved the Photovoltaic (PV) compensation plan. Weshler says that in the last 30 years, Israeli law had required every house or building to have a PV water heating system. The law –which installed a PV system on each roof in Israel- had made Israel the number one country in the world in terms of the ratio of the PV systems to its population.
Weshler is the founder of Global MarkeTeam Ventures Ltd., a company launched in 2005 that concentrates on investment banking for Israeli startup businesses in the fields of Internet, mobile, renewable energy and clean technology.
The venture capitalist has helped renewable energy research by connecting renewable energy companies to investors. Some of these companies include an Israeli developer of renewable energy whose company is developing a bumper that produces clean energy by getting energy from cars that go over the bumper in parking lots and small streets.
Another company Weshler had helped concentrates on saving 30 percent in electricity bills through installing smart sensors in big buildings, which increases the efficiency of air conditioning systems.
The venture capitalist says Israel’s brightest minds are involved in making the green revolution –a reason why he decided to delve into renewable energy project financing. Aside from water desalination -which he says is an Israeli invention, Weshler says that a ton of solar industry enhancements, clean technology ventures, and water treatment solutions had helped him make the shift towards renewable energy investment.
“I believe that within the next 10 years, Israel will establish its strong presence as one of the top global leaders in this field too same as it did in medical, homeland security, agriculture and telecommunications,” Welsher reveals in an exclusive interview with EcoSeed.org. He adds that he wanted to be there when Israel establishes its renewable energy presence and that until then, he will help many Israeli clean technology and green energy technologies start with their businesses.
Other projects the Global MarkeTeam Ltd. had helped out with include a biodegradable polymer for the agriculture water conservation area, two PV-related ventures for allowing maximized use of the sun’s power, a rooftop wind energy venture that has a one-of-a-kind model that may be placed on any establishment, and one involving a revolutionary wave energy system.
Welsher stresses that other Israeli companies that have developed breakthrough technologies and are currently powering renewable energy in different parts of the world include Ormat, Luz, Solel, SolarGenics and Simbiotics.
Ashly Sun is a seasoned writer, having travelled around the world, largely putting all her experiences and the sights and sounds she has come across to paper. She now writes extensively about topics related to green news, mostly on renewable energy, but also on a variety of related topics as well. When not travelling around the world, she is based in Central Hong Kong, taking in the myriad colours, flavours, and scents of the melting pot that Hong Kong is known for. http://ecoseed.org/
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Mastering Solar Power Basics: How Does Solar Power Work?
Nov0
So you’re asking yourself how does solar power work? Well, the concept of turning the power of the sun into useful electricity was conceived over a hundred years ago and has been steadily improved ever since. Even though there are several ways to achieve this conversion of sunlight to electricity in a commercial setting, it was the invention and subsequent improvements to photovoltaic technology that has made it feasible for residential installations. These modern solar power systems consist of a small collection of components that work together to harvest the sun and supply it to your home. By apply a few simple solar power basics and using this free solar power, you can lower or even eliminate your monthly power bill. Many of these systems can pay for themselves in a few years and will continue to deliver this free solar power for decades to come. If you are asking yourself the question “how does solar power work?”, you only need to do a little research to understand what’s involved.
How Solar Panels Work
The first component to consider when trying to understand solar power basics is the solar panel itself. These panels are typically mounted to the roof of a home, but could also be located on a pole or ground frame nearby. They need to have adequate sunlight exposure throughout the day and should be facing south for the best possible production of solar power for your home. So how solar panels work is that inside each of the panels is a collection of solar cells that are able to produce a small electrical current when exposed to sunlight through a process known as the photovoltaic effect. Even though this current is small for each individual solar cell, when they are connected together in a group their output can be quite substantial when generating solar power for the home. Most homes have a group of these solar energy panels in the system that can generate all the power their home requires.
Solar Power Inverter
These solar panels generate a DC current as part of their conversion process that needs to be converted to AC current before this electricity can be used by your home appliances. This is accomplished through the use of a device called a solar power inverter. The inverter is connected to your home’s electrical system and converts this DC current to AC current and supplies it to your home when your home solar power system is active. If your home solar power system is generating more power than you are using, the inverter will send the excess power back up the power lines to the local utility and generate an energy credit for you. This credit can be applied to the power you’ll need to buy back energy from the local utility company in the evenings when your system is inactive. If you size your system correctly this back and forth trading of power should cancel each other out and you’ll be left without a power bill each month. The solar power inverter is also the part of the system that switches your home between solar power that you are producing during the day and utility supplied power you are purchasing in the evenings.
Solar Power Battery
The last component that some solar power for homes systems include is a set of batteries. These are completely optional in your system, but if installed they can store the excess power your system produces during the day for later use at night. Some homeowners use this power first in the evenings before switching to utility supplied power to lower their energy bills even further. Other homes keep this reserve of power separate for use in the event of a power outage in their area. This way their home can still be powered by the energy stored in their batteries until the local power is restored after the blackout. I hope that answered your question about “how does solar power work?”
Hope this information helped answer your questions. Have another question you need answered? Want to get more great content and information about topics like how does solar power work and get a FREE informative 5-day eCourse to learn more about solar power for homes, then check out my website. Hope to see you soon, thanks!
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A Good Look At Information on Renewable Energy and Its Advantages
Nov0
The worldwide supply of fossil fuels is very much less now than it was pre-1970. With this in mind, environmentalists, governments and the media itself are in agreement that something must be done as the demand keeps rising. More people are taking a closer look how to use the information on renewable energy in their lives.
One of the major problems concerning the use of fossil fuels is the impact them are having on the environment. If you take a look at the use of fossil fuel and global warming, you will find a straightforward correlation between the two. The impact that global warming has on the weather cycles like extra hot summers, and warmer than regular winters, or more severe storms in general can forcefully affect the way of life of humans and animals alike.
Take the time to head to the library or video store and get a copy of ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ an educational documentary that will explain the damage of global warming in today’s world. You will find yourself choosing to make some changes to your home to make it more energy efficient, or look for other ways to bring renewable energy into the design of a new home or remodeling project, just from what you find out in the movie.
A major point in the information on renewable energy is that is what they call “green and clean” energy, thus producing a minimal carbon footprint. Because of this many, people are getting on the renewable bandwagon and choosing to use such renewable energy sources as solar power, wind power and geothermal energy. In addition, this boom of interest will naturally result in more well paying jobs being created in the renewable energy industry that will stay in the United States.
Add the government to the list of sources of renewable energy with their incentives and tax credits for those installing energy efficient technology in their homes. If you install solar power devices in your home, you can presently qualify for federal tax credits. The tax credits apply to both commercial and residential properties and the bottom line can mean the cost will end up being about 30% discount.
By making renewable energy more affordable and within their reach, people tend to be more willing to install renewable energy technology to help protect the environment from further global warming. Those people who choose to install renewable energy are often those same people that promote green communities.
Many of these communities work hard to provide information on renewable energu to its environmentally conscious citizens, so they can do what they can to improve the environment and the world that they live in. A green city can make environmental policies for the people to use to cut down on damaging pollution and create energy efficient citizens. Every year, National Geographic produces the Green Guide. It gives great information about a number of green issues and also lists the Top 10 Green Cities. Is your city going to be featured in this year’s guide?
Plenty of books have been written that give information on renewable energy. To be fair, we really should mention something about renewable energy disadvantages. Hands down, the disadvantage that sticks out like a sore thumb continues to be the high sticker price of purchasing and installing renewable energy technology in your home. Average folks will never be able to afford the ,000 cost to install a PV solar system until the cost comes down or if they happen to have disposable cash available to them. Some will be looking to build-it-yourself options for renewable energy technology.
S.G. Fegan maintains a website on Cool Energy Projects where people can find lots of common sense information on renewable energy, and DIY projects. Sign up for A FREE energy savings resource and newsletter.
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Green Dan Says! “Renewable Energy is Cool” Is the First Book in a New Series For Kids
Nov0
Green Dan Says! “Renewable Energy is Cool” Is the First Book in a New Series For Kids
Canyon Lake, TX (PRWEB) April 6, 2010
Renewable energy enthusiast and author Dan Marsh writes his first book in a series of at least 10 on the subject of renewable energy in a fresh, easy to understand manner. Children of all ages will be asking “When is the next book coming out?” ‘Green Dan Says! “Renewable Energy is Cool”‘ is written for 4th graders & higher and includes fun facts, beautiful full color photo’s and hand colored drawings from a 4th grader.
Dan’s passion for renewable energy and his drive to educate children really shows in this first book. “Renewable Energy is Cool” introduces kids starting at the 4th grade level to all the different types of renewable energy. The ‘Green Dan Says!’ series of books is intended to spark an interest in children regarding renewable energy, but first talks about energy conservation, followed by the negative effects which fossil fuels have on the planet.
Renewable energy’s introduced in the book include wind power, (PV) photovoltaics, geothermal, solar hot water, hydroelectric dams, tidal power, wave power and biomass.
Here is what others have said about ‘Green Dan Says! “Renewable Energy is Cool’.
“Dan has done a great job making the complex, important issue of renewable energy accessible to elementary students” — Michael Sandle, Fourth Grade Science, Rebecca Creek Elementary.
“Dan provides a good introduction to energy concepts and terms that will be essential elements of every child’s future throughout their youth and beyond. The visuals will help them begin to spot renewable energy at work, in their travels and in their everyday lives.” — Russel E. Smith, Executive Director, Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association.
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What Is A Solar Power Inverter and Why Do I Need One?
Nov0
Home solar power systems provide an easy and cost effective way for the average homeowner to generate all the power their home requires with simple sunlight. These systems have continued to improve over the years and are constantly incorporating new and innovative features into their design. One component that has changed substantially in recent years is the solar power inverter.
The Heart of Your System
The solar power inverter is the part of any solar power system that is responsible for the conversion of DC power being generated by the solar panels into AC power that can be used by the home. In their simplest form they do little more than accept this DC power directly from the panels and connect to your homes wiring panel to allow you to use the free AC power they convert. Even though this seems like a trivial function, these solar power inverters still require a fairly sophisticated circuitry to ensure they generate AC power that conforms to a common standard of 60 Hz and 120 VAC that most homes require.
Expanding Their Functionality
Over the years these simple solar power inverters have taken on additional functionality and can be found today performing several critical functions in addition to their conversion tasks. Most modern inverters are more intelligent than older models and actually sit between the locally supplied utility power to the home and the solar power system itself. They act like a traffic cop for power being supplied to the home and will intelligently switch between solar power when it’s available and to utility supplied power in the evenings when the solar power system is dormant. By being able to sense when the solar power system is active, these modern solar power inverters ensure the home will always have a reliable supply of electricity.
Spin Your Electric Meter Backwards
Many modern solar power systems are designed to actually supply more power during the day than the home is using. These modern solar power inverters are sophisticated enough to send this excess power back up the power lines to the local utility which generates a credit for the home. This way the homeowner can use these credits to help offset the cost of power they need to buy back from the utility in the evenings. Because the solar power inverter is connected to both the home and the local utility, it can guarantee that the free solar power is used by the home whenever possible and the excess power doesn’t go to waste.
Charge Your Batteries at the Optimal Rate
Another duty that many of these solar power inverters have taken on is the charging of any batteries connected to a solar power system. Some homeowners will install a bank of batteries in their home that are charged with the excess power being generated by their systems during the day that can then be used later that evening to lower the amount of power they need to purchase from the local utility company. These batteries can also be used to supply power to the home if the local power utility has a blackout due to a storm. Most modern solar power inverters can handle the charging of these batteries and then convert their stored power for use by the home when needed.
Micro-Inverters Minimize Electrical Losses
One recent innovation to these solar power inverters is the way they are installed. Older systems would typically have a single large solar power inverter that converted all the power supplied by the solar panels. This required long lines be run from the panels on the roof of the home to the solar power inverter that was typically located at ground level near the electrical panel. The challenge with this design was that there was some loss of power because of these long lines and this could reduce the efficiency of the system. Newer systems are being installed with a group of smaller micro inverters that are actually located at the solar panels themselves. By doing the conversion of DC power to AC power right at the solar panel you can eliminate much of the loss that older systems suffered.
Hope this information helped answer your questions. Have another question you need answered? Want to get more great content and information about topics like solar power inverter and get a FREE informative 5-day eCourse to learn more about solar power for homes, then check out my website. Hope to see you soon, thanks!
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A brief layout of my solar system that I added to my small house. This house is still hooked up to the grid. I use it to run all the lights in my home and the tv, every day. I am able to run anything up to 1000 watts if needed
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Powdr Corp to Offset 100 Percent of Power from Renewable Energy Sources Beginning in June 2008
Nov0
Park City, UT (PRWEB) April 8, 2008
Powdr Corp today announced that it will offset 100 percent of the grid supplied electricity consumed at its seven ski and snowboard resorts and one tubing park through the purchase of renewable energy credits (RECs) beginning in June 2008. Powdr CorpÂs purchase of nearly 50 million kWh of RECs is the second largest among the U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyÂs (EPA) partners in the travel and leisure category.
“We are passionate about the snowsports industry and the quality of life it provides to our families, team members and guests,” said Brent Giles, director of environmental affairs for Powdr Corp. “Our commitment to offset 100 percent of our resorts power from renewable energy sources is another step in the right direction to sustain our mountain lifestyle for years to come.”
Powdr Corp will work with Boulder, Colorado-based Renewable Choice Energy as its renewable energy provider. Renewable Choice Energy is an award-winning renewable energy and carbon offset provider of Green-e certified sources such as wind, biomass and small hydro. The EPA estimates that Powdr CorpÂs purchase of RECs will avoid over 85 million pounds of C02 emissions annually, which is equal to removing 8,539 passenger vehicles from the road or powering 6,175 average American homes for a year.
“Powdr CorpÂs extraordinary commitment will inspire other resorts to follow its lead,” said Quayle Hodek, chief executive officer of Renewable Choice Energy. “Supporting renewable energy is a powerful way to fight climate change and make the air cleaner for everyone.”
More than seventy percent of the United States electricity comes from fossil fuels like burning coal and gas. Burning fossil fuels to generate electricity creates harmful greenhouse gasses that are emitted into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Wind-power generated electricity is renewable, sustainable, and does not produce environmental pollution.
“EPA applauds our partners for protecting the environment by purchasing green power,” said Stephen L. Johnson, administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency. “By voluntarily shifting to renewable energy, Powdr Corporation is proving you donÂt need to wait for a signal in order to go green.”
The purchase of renewable energy credits helps to put more clean power on line. Every renewable energy developer considers REC sales when deciding whether or not to build new facilities. Most importantly, RECs allow the government and consumers to place a positive value on renewable energy, making its production more financially competitive with electricity generated from fossil fuels. In turn, the purchase of RECs will make it easier for small businesses and individuals to take part in renewable energy for their own use.
Powdr Corp is committed to being an industry leader in environmental stewardship. In addition to the purchase of 100 percent renewable energy, Powdr Corp resorts are actively involved in environmental initiatives including energy reduction, the use of alternative fuels and recycling. These initiatives have offset Powdr CorpÂs carbon footprint by 92 percent.
About Powdr Corp
Powdr Corp is one of the leading mountain resort owners and operators in the United States. Headquartered in Park City, Utah, Powdr Corp currently owns and operates seven ski and snowboard resorts including Park City Mountain Resort in Park City, Utah, Killington Resort and Pico Resort in Killington, Vermont, Mt. Bachelor in Bend, Oregon, Boreal Resort and Soda Springs Resort, both in Donner Summit, California, and Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. Powdr Corp also operates Gorgoza Park, a lift-served tubing park, in Park City, Utah.
About Renewable Choice Energy
Boulder, Colorado-based Renewable Choice Energy (www.renewablechoice.com) is the award-winning, full-service provider of renewable energy and carbon offsets. Founded in 2001, Renewable ChoiceÂs clients include Whole Foods Market, Vail Resorts, hundreds of businesses and organizations, and thousands of individuals across the country. In 2006, Renewable Choice shared the Beacon Prize with Whole Foods Market for its campaign to educate customers about wind power. Renewable Choice is the leading renewable energy supplier to green building projects nationwide.
About U.S. EPAÂs Green Power Partnership
EPA’s Green Power Partnership works with more than 850 partner organizations to buy green power voluntarily as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with conventional electricity use and to support the development of new, renewable generated resources nationwide. Overall, EPA Green Power Partners are buying more than 13 billion kWh of green power annually. For more information visit www.epa.gov/greenpower.
EDITORÂS NOTE: Wind farm b-roll and still photography available upon request.
Contact: Krista Parry
Director of Communications
435-647-5414
Kristap @ pcmr.com
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Solar Powered Attic Fans: Making The Initial Action Into A Greener Lifestyle
Nov0
Solar powered attic fans are among the most well-known and cost-effective solar devices distributed in the marketplace today. The following is precisely why: since they’re positioned on your roof, solar powered attic fans face into the sunlight. Solar powered attic fans range between to 0 depending on model mandated, but are really a brilliant investment if your property does not currently have an attic fan mounted.
Mounted on the top of a building, Solar powered fans generate their own source of electricity from sunlight that solar panels collect to power the fan motor and grab hot air. The cumulative result takes out heat and moisture, stretches roof life, and moreover, reduces power consumption.
Putting in solar powered fans irresponsibly has the risk of fire or filling your attic with co2. Just be certain there’s enough intake openings to prevent this potential risk. Installing solar attic fans could be up to 0 however we would say just about 0 when you request the services of a qualified professional. This is probably fair in most instances. Cost to operate a roof fan compared to a solar powered generator is very cheap around – a day and the solar powered variety do not cost a dollar since they operate on natural power.
Solar powered attic fans tend to be powered by the sun’s heat aided by the solar panels. They are used to be able to vent out heat within the attic and are installed on the roof top.
Solar-powered attic fans run best when the solar panel is within direct sunlight. The device will work in a decreased speed in the shade (provided sufficient ambient lighting). Solar-powered attic fans depend upon a small solar panel to power a DC motor. The fans are fitted with intake vents to present high-capacity powered ventilation without the need of energy operating expenses.
Solar powered attic fans as well as other solar powered devices like, solar powered lights, solar powered garden light and solar powered battery chargers will also a truly wise house improvement. It reduces the heat build up inside the attic reducing the force on the AC and extending the life span of the roof.
Solar powered attic fans need no electrical energy to function. They are sized much like electrically powered fans and a lot qualify for a 30 % federal tax credit. Solar powered attic fans work along with passive attic cooling (which is common on most houses). Standard design takes advantage of vented eaves and vented roof peaks.
Installation of solar powered attic fans are fast and simple and usually takes about half an hour to set up for the property. This is also true for solar powered lights, solar powered garden lights and solar powered battery chargers.
These items has a 5-year warranty on the panel and the motor and includes a 10-year guarantee on all other parts. Setting up is easy and a lot of suppliers provide very clear set up directions, usually with diagrams and pictures. Powered attic vents can now be utilized in conjunction with adequate intake air vents, like soffit or gable vents.
Not only can it lower cooling expenses by up to 75%, but a good attic fan will also secure the roof, one of the most pricey items at home, from unwanted wetness. Solar powered attic fans cost less money because they cost you absolutely nothing to operate as opposed to typical driven attic fans.
The Builsolar team are committed to support you make that change straight into a heathier alternative electricity. Find out more concerning solar powered attic fans at this website about solar power.
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What Are The Types Of Renewable Energy?
Nov0
What Are The Types Of Renewable Energy?
What is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy uses energy sources that are continually replenished by nature—the sun, the wind, water, the Earth’s heat, and plants. Renewable energy technologies turn these fuels into usable forms of energy—most often electricity, but also heat, chemicals, or mechanical power.
Why Use Renewable Energy?
Today we primarily use fossil fuels to heat and power our homes and fuel our cars. It’s convenient to use coal, oil, and natural gas for meeting our energy needs, but we have a limited supply of these fuels on the Earth. We’re using them much more rapidly than they are being created. Eventually, they will run out.
And because of safety concerns and waste disposal problems, the United States will retire much of its nuclear capacity by 2020. In the meantime, the nation’s energy needs are expected to grow by 33 percent during the next 20 years. Renewable energy can help fill the gap.
Even if we had an unlimited supply of fossil fuels, using renewable energy is better for the environment. We often call renewable energy technologies “clean” or “green” because they produce few if any pollutants. Burning fossil fuels, however, sends greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, trapping the sun’s heat and contributing to global warming. Climate scientists generally agree that the Earth’s average temperature has risen in the past century. If this trend continues, sea levels will rise, and scientists predict that floods,
heat waves, droughts, and other extreme weather conditions could occur more often.
Other pollutants are released into the air, soil, and water when fossil fuels are burned. These pollutants take a dramatic toll on the environment—and on humans. Air pollution contributes to diseases like asthma. Acid rain from sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides harms plants and fish. Nitrogen oxides also
contribute to smog.
Renewable energy will also help us develop energy independence and security. The United States imports more than 50 percent of its oil, up from 34 percent in 1973. Replacing some of our petroleum with fuels made from plant matter, for example, could save money and strengthen our energy security.
Renewable energy is plentiful, and the technologies are improving all the time. There are many ways to use renewable energy. Most of us already use renewable energy in our daily lives.
Bioenergy
Bioenergy is the energy derived from biomass (organic matter), such as plants. If you’ve ever burned wood in a fireplace or campfire, you’ve used bioenergy. But we don’t get all of our biomass resources directly from trees or other plants. Many industries, such as those involved in construction or the processing of agricultural products, can create large quantities of unused or residual biomass, which can serve as a bioenergy source.
Biofuels
Biomass can be converted directly into liquid fuels, called biofuels. Because biofuels are easy to transport and possess high energy density, they are favored to fuel vehicles and sometimes stationary power generation. The most common biofuel is ethanol, an alcohol made from the fermentation
of biomass high in carbohydrates.
The current largest source of ethanol is corn. Some cities use ethanol as a gasoline additive to help meet air quality standards for amounts to 50,000 times the energy of all oil and gas resources in the world. In the United States, most geothermal reservoirs are located in the western states, Alaska, and Hawaii. GHPs, however, can be used almost anywhere.
Biobased Products
Biomass—corn, wheat, soybeans, wood, and residues—can also be used to produce chemicals and materials that we normally obtain from petroleum. Industry has already begun to use cornstarch to produce commodity plastics, such as shrinkwrap, plastic eating utensils, and even car bumpers.
Commercial development is underway to make thermoset plastics, like electrical switch plate covers, from wood residues.
Geothermal Energy
The Earth’s core, 4,000 miles below the surface, can reach temperatures of 9000° F.
This heat—geothermal energy—flows outward from the core, heating the surrounding area, which can form underground reservoirs of hot water and steam. These reservoirs can be tapped for a variety of uses, such as to generate electricity or heat buildings. By using geothermal heat pumps (GHPs), we can even take advantage of the shallow ground’s stable temperature for heating and cooling buildings.
Solar Energy
Solar technologies tap directly into the infinite power of the sun and use that energy to produce heat, light, and power.
Wind Energy
For hundreds of years, people have used windmills to harness the wind’s energy. Today’s wind turbines, which operate differently from windmills, are a much more efficient technology.
Wind turbine technology may look simple: the wind spins turbine blades around a central hub; the hub is connected to a shaft, which powers a generator to make electricity.
However, turbines are highly sophisticated power systems that capture the wind’s energy by means of new blade designs or airfoils. Modern, mechanical drive systems, combined with advanced generators, convert that energy into electricity.
Ocean Energy
The ocean can produce two types of energy: thermal energy from the sun’s heat, and mechanical energy from the tides and waves.
Ocean thermal energy can be used for many applications, including electricity generation. Electricity conversion systems use either the warm surface water or boil the seawater to turn a turbine, which activates a generator.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is high in energy, yet its use as a fuel produces water as the only emission. Hydrogen is the universe’s most abundant element and also its simplest. A hydrogen atom consists of only one proton and one electron.
Despite its abundance and simplicity, it doesn’t occur naturally as a gas on the Earth.
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