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Posts Tagged ‘hobbies’

Solar DIY

October 31st, 2009

As for DIY solar, you can get the parts (panels, inverters, batteries, charge controllers) individually from many sources and make a system. It will not be cheap. You can’t make your own silicon cells, and probably aren’t up to designing the electronics, can’t make your own batteries etc.

Any solar is good solar! If you have the technical skills, there is no reason not to give it a try. However, DIY solar thermal is much more simple than solar electric. First, the incentives are only available for grid tied systems and panels usually come with a warranty that may only be available with professional installation. DIY is always worth considering but because the specific placement of the panels has a great deal to do with their efficiency, its usually worthwhile to speak with a pro.

DIY solar panels are a great way to save on energy bills and help your planet’s environment at the same time. They really aren’t hard to make, and can take less than a Saturday’s afternoon to set up. The best part about it, is that if you’re smart and resourceful - you can build solar panels for your home that are very inexpensive.

With a solar DIY kit you can save a significant amount of money on your initial investment. How much you save all depends on you. Going as far as buying components and building you your own will help you to understand the intricacies of how the system works and how to you may make them better and more efficient in the future. While there are many who have no trouble, we are sure that there are a few, just like us, that will need a little help. Do not let that part of the unknown discourage you.

With a solar DIY kit you can save a significant amount of money on your initial investment. How much you save all depends on you. Going as far as buying components and building you your own will help you to understand the intricacies of how the system works and how to you may make them better and more efficient in the future. While there are many who have no trouble, we are sure that there are a few, just like us, that will need a little help. Do not let that part of the unknown discourage you.

Using my solar DIY kit I initially built a mini solar system to generate enough power for my light bulb and it worked just fine. Later, I went ahead and build a bigger one and started to see some savings on my energy bills. Gradually you will see lower and lower bills. You can save up to 80% of the electricity bill by using solar energy. This can not be a bad thing for your wallet or your families budget.

Solar DIY panels use two different silicon layers to convert light into energy. The first n-type silicon layer uses light plus energy to create electrons, which increase in energy and travel through the holes of this layer onto the p-type layer, allowing the electric current to capture and convert light into electricity.

Therefore, solar DIY is definitely something to think about if you live in a warm climate.Would you like to cut your power costs? Home solar will definitely reduce the amount of energy you are contributing to the environment. Solar DIY instruction guides are available at all levels and commonly include the construction of solar panels, also known as photovoltaic technology to create energy you can store and use for household appliances.

Building your own solar hot water panels collectors is a breeze. The technology is simple and easy to understand if you have the basics. Tinker your own DIY solar into new savings.

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Solar Water Pumps

October 30th, 2009

Solar water pumps brought a lot of attention to themselves once again with the recent variations in prices of oil that hit almost everyone. A similar thing happened in the late 70s but we did not learn the lesson. As soon as oil prices came down, so did our intent to use more sustainable energy sources.

Solar water pumps have a huge advantage over regular pumps, they use free energy; think about it for a moment. Although one disadvantage is that solar energy is only available when the sun shines, another approach would be to simply store generated energy into batteries. Nevertheless, it would be of a great benefit to the environment and to the health of the local eco-systems where your electricity is currently produced.

Solar pumps fall into two major categories - surface, which includes pressure, delivery, and booster pumps & submersible which is primarily submersible well pumps.Delivery pumps are used to move water from one place to another. Some are capable of high pressure while others are intended mainly for moving large volumes at low pressure (such as moving water from a cistern to a stock watering tank). Flows can be small (1/2 gallon per minute or so) up to 30-40 gpm. Some (such as the popular 12 volt Shurflo pumps) are often used for pressurizing water systems in homes, RV’s, and boats.

Solar DIY is just one way to say do-it-yourself solar kit. You need particular parts to build a solar panel by yourself. You can build a solar panel by hand even if you do not take part in mechanical skills. A lot of people get scared at this point, because they do not have the right guidance. However, this can be as easy changing a light bulb once you have a little practice and understand the dynamics of how everything works.

Solar water pumps are cheap to build and cheap to power. And after the initial cost, there no one else to pay. Even uncle Sam says it good for your taxes.

With a solar DIY kit you can save a significant amount of money on your initial investment. How much you save all depends on you. Going as far as buying components and building you your own will help you to understand the intricacies of how the system works and how to you may make them better and more efficient in the future. While there are many who have no trouble, we are sure that there are a few, just like us, that will need a little help. Do not let that part of the unknown discourage you.

Solar water pumps brought a lot of attention to themselves once again with the recent variations in prices of oil that hit almost everyone. A similar thing happened in the late 70s but we did not learn the lesson. As soon as oil prices came down, so did our intent to use more sustainable energy sources.

Active systems can further be divided into direct and indirect systems. Direct systems directly heat the water in the collectors while an indirect system heats a different fluid (e.g. freon or distilled water) and the heat from this fluid is then transferred to the household water.

Building your own solar hot water panels collectors is a breeze. The technology is simple and easy to get if you have the basics. Tinker your own solar hot water panels into savings.

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Solar Panels Wholesale

October 29th, 2009

Solar power panels wholesale is no longer too expensive to be available to the average consumer. As the cost of producing solar panels decreases the number of solar panels wholesale available through the internet is increasing. You can go to websites that provide lists of solar panels wholesale dealers and search for the best deal in your state. Never pay for energy again, choose to install the Clean Energy choice of solar panels on your home for a fraction of the price just 5 years ago.

Additionally you want to find out if the panels are out of production, closeouts or simply not the most recent model. Many times you will want to buy replacement panels and this can affect availability. It is also important to verify that appropriate mounting hardware or kits will be readily available.

When you buy solar panels wholesale you are not likely to get the latest solar panel designs or products. The latest products command a premium. Suppliers want to sell the latest products and are therefore keen to shift older products to make room for the new. The older products may not be as technically advanced and may not be as efficient, but as you are buying a panel than produces a specific number of watts, the only downside may be that the latest product produces the same wattage from a slightly smaller panel. Not really a big issue.

Also to be considered as an option for wholesale pricing on solar panels are the new websites like groupon.com where companies will post offers of their group discounts. And with the way the economy is, we can all use a discount right about now coupled with some more savings on our electric bill.

You’ve probably seen calculators that have solar cells — calculators that never need batteries, and in some cases don’t even have an off button. As long as you have enough light, they seem to work forever. You may have seen larger solar panels on emergency road signs or call boxes, on buoys, even in parking lots to power lights.

A solar cell or photovoltaic cell is a device which generates electricity directly from visible light by means of the photovoltaic effect. In order to generate useful power, it is necessary to connect a number of cells together to form a solar panel, also known as a photovoltaic module. There is more about the the different types of solar cells. The nominal output voltage of a solar panel is usually 12 Volts, and they may be used singly or wired together into an array. The number and size required is determined by the available light and the amount of energy required.

Buying solar panels wholesale does not always insure getting the most up to date products. Many of the high end manufacturers only sell to authorized dealers who they certify personally. It is very unlikely to find the newest panel designs sold as wholesale products. After a product has passed its prime then they are sold in bulk to supply companies who wholesale them to dealers and non-dealers alike.

The new solar cell differs significantly from the previous record holder - also based on a NREL design. Instead of using a germanium wafer as the bottom junction of the device, the new design uses compositions of gallium indium phosphide and gallium indium arsenide to split the solar spectrum into three equal parts that are absorbed by each of the cell’s three junctions for higher potential efficiencies.

Building your own solar panels wholesale is a breeze and just what you want to take the edge off of those high electric bills. The technology is simple and if you have the basics. Tinker your own solar panels wholesale into new savings.

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Efficient Planet DIY Energy Guide Reviewed

October 27th, 2009

Introduction

The Efficient Planet guide is not just one book, it’s 3! With 71 pages on how to build a home home solar power system, 51 pages on how to build a home wind turbine, and another 50 pages on how to enjoy efficient living at home, this is one comprehensive set of instructions! It almost hit our #1 spot, over-taking Earth4Energy, but its lack of video instruction put it at #2.

What we like about it:

1 - Comprehensive Instructions

Efficient Planet is by far the most complete and content-rich renewable energy guide available. It has over 175 pages of simple, easy to follow plans and recommendations, and is definitely value for money at a price of $49.97.

2 - Additional free gifts

Efficient planet has a whole host of bonus items for its customers - this includes a 50 page guide on efficient living. Just this guide alone is worth the $49.97. Also included are audio and video interviews with fellow DIYers that have built their own home solar and wind power.

Additional, but irrelevant bonus items included is: ‘Project Wealthy’ - a kit that teaches you everything about running your own efficient home business. And what they call “Undisclosed bonuses”.

3 - Solid plans:

A useful feature of Efficient Planet, is that is has been broken up into 3 separate guides:

The first guide speaks solely on home solar power, with a set of instructions on how to make your solar electric system at home. It also contains information on other home solar power options, such as solar air and water heating, and solar roofing.

The second part provides step-by-step instructions, with diagrams on how to make your own home wind generator. It also goes to talk about the 10 false rumors about wind power, and how to use it effectively at home.

The final part is devoted to showing you how to easily save power at home and thus reduce your power bill. Although we knew most of what it tells you to do, it really complemented the rest of the Efficient Planet series, with the goal of becoming more energy efficient.

Why it is not the best guide:

1: Lack of video instructions

Initially we thought Efficient Planet is the most complete set of solar and wind power instructions. But we noticed that is has no video tutorial, that show a working system being built in real-time. This make a harder for the average, everyday person to build their own working solar and wind power generator, without getting stuck. Yes, the diagrams did make it easier, but it makes more sense, in this day and age to provide step-by-step video instruction.

2: The same old rehashed information

Efficient Planet seems to be the same old rehashed information. Diy energy guides are appearing all over the place these days, and this guide does not seem to be any different to rest. However, with that being said, where Efficient Planet excels is that gives it customers a number of free extras, that make it better value for money as compared to Homemade Energy or Homemade Power Plant.

Overall Rating:

Efficient Planet provides some of the most complete, and useful step-by-step instructions on making your own renewable energy and saving power at home. Yes, you will eventually build a working solar and wind power system with the plans, but it will take you a little longer than if you used the Earth4Energy guide (which has free video instruction). The free extras make it well worth the $49.97 price, so it comes in 2nd place.

Tim McDonald is an enthusiastic DIYer that has been living off the grid since June 2008. He recommends you Try Earth4Energy for FREE if you are serious about making your own solar and home wind turbine, saving bucket loads of cash on your electricity bill, and living a greener life.

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What You Never Knew About Earth4Energy

October 23rd, 2009

The Earth4Energy ebook claims it can help you save up to 80% on your electricity bill, and perhaps even eliminate it completely. So does it live up our expectations? Without a doubt…Yes.

Likes:

1 - Great value for money

Earth4Energy, although similarly priced to the other guides, was the most complete and comprehensive ones we read. Furthermore, if we were ever stuck at some point in our build, the quick, helpful customer support provided great advice.

2 - Quality customer support

What we like about customer support is that not only were their replies helpful, but they came really quickly. Furthermore, it is the only guide that is regularly updated with the latest information. For example, after many requests, Earth4Energy added video instruction on how to build a working home solar kit and home wind generator, without charging us any more money!

3 - Excellent solar panel plans

The solar electric system instruction were well laid out and detailed. And with help from the step-by-step videos, they were by far the easiest to follow. The estimated costs to get all the parts was spot on. Michael Harvey, the man behind Earth4Energy, claimed we could source everything for under $150. We ended up spending only $137.88. That is amazing, if you think it would of cost us thousands of dollars to get a professional home solar power system!

Another winning aspect about Earth4Energy is that is explains how you can make the home solar power system portable, and use it to power your RV. This also comes in handy for those off the grid camping trips.

What we did not like about the guide:

1 - More than one system needed for best results:

This is one of those problems we found with all the diy energy guides. Yes, it is very possible to save up to 80% on power by following these plans, but it will take you more than one system to get there. So, depending on how much power you want to make, and where you live, you will have to scale up your systems, and obvious spend more than the claimed $250 or so to see the desired results.

Verdict:

If you are really serious about making your own home wind turbine and home solar power system to start saving money, then Earth4Energy is your best option. It has the most comprehensive instructions, practical diagrams, step-by-step videos, and top quality customer service with regular, value-added, free updates. And it is no wonder it has outperformed it closet competitors - Homemade Energy and Efficient Planet - by over 500% (based on number of happy customers).

And what’s even better is that you can now get a FREE sneak peek of Earth4Energy, before deciding to make your own Home Home Solar Power and save thousands on your electricity costs.

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