All Blog Posts Tagged 'solar' (25)

The dramatic decline in the price allows renewable energy to become increasingly competitive with fossil fuels worldwide, according to a recent survey conducted by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA ).



 The report, published at the time of holding the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, made projections that the cost of manufacturing technology for more types of renewable energy sources will continue increasing to fall in the coming years.…

Solar panels have become more familiar to us in recent years. At one time you would have been hard pushed to find a set of solar panels on a roof near you. Now it is exceedingly common to find these panels adorning roofs all over your local area, even if you don’t yet have them.

Of course as with any other type of technology,…

During the past 12 months (2011/2012) we have completed several energy efficiency and other projects in our home in Plano, Texas.

Background:

Brick Veneer, slab on grade home built in 1985.

Living           1938 sq. ft.

Under Roof   2560 sq. ft.

Home faces Southeast. All rooms have ceilings above 8' with ceiling treatments (vaulted, boxed, splayed,). Home built with 24 contractor-grade windows mostly 3-0x6-0. Home…

Growth of the Solar Industry

The growth of the solar industry may soon face the reality of not having enough skilled workers to satisfy demand, suggests a recent report by The Solar Foundation and the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Despite a dragging economy overall, installed solar capacity has increased dramatically in the past few years. In 2011 alone, the cumulative installed solar capacity in the United States nearly doubled from 2,095 MW to…

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, people are asking themselves what they can do to lessen their reliance on centralized systems for their electricity, heat and transportation needs. As climate change brings the potential for more intense and frequent extreme weather events, the desire for alternative energy options is becoming more…

 Most of us know already that the price tag of electrical energy, fuel, natural gas, wood together with other energetics are continually increasing. For that base we must always ask ourselves can our house budget stand with so many expenses. Each single investment involves some amount of cash, however this isn't the end and besides investing every single single day by day or every year by year we pay for electrical bill, natural gas, wood, etc. Keep in mind that even with solar energy…

Some of the positive features of the solar systems are:

Owners of solar systems do not wait for political decisions or global change, they just act.

 Solar system is easily recognized sign of high responsibility, environmental awareness and commitment.

    Owners of solar collectors are happy with every sun beam and have bigger environmental knowledge.

    They enjoy bathing and washing using water heated by the sun - especially in the…

 The discovery of new materials for making cheap and efficient solar cells is the Holy Grail for solar panels industry. 

 Some recent findings represent a significant step towards achieving that goal.…

A brand new passive solar house completes the first piece of a long held dream for homeowner Jason Peacock. A builder and LEED Accredited Professional, B.A. Jason also works at Maine Green Building Supply where he has honed his sustainable knowledge. Passionate about green, when Jason bought 36 acres of land just outside of Wiscasset, Maine he had a very specific vision in mind.…

With the modern innovations made possible through technological breakthroughs, now occurring almost daily, many are becoming increasingly concerned with the negative impact these modern conveniences have on our environment. Never has there been a higher demand for individuals who have gone through solar panels sales training and possess NABCEP Certification.



Most people, when posed with the question of how they can make a positive difference on the environment, are sure to mention…

A strong commitment to the development of alternative energy has been made by President Barack Obama. In a recent radio address, the President called for a strategy "that relies less on foreign oil and more on American-made energy". These renewable energy sources, which include solar and wind power, will not only help wean the U.S. from fossil fuels, but create thousands of new American jobs. Solar training of these workers will be an important part in expanding alternative energy…

Does Solar Power Have Disadvantages? How Can Anyone Say This About Renewable Energy?

Posted by Tom Delconte on www.homeenergypros.lbl.gov

Comments by Don Ames, www.detectenergy.com

Tom posted the 5 "disadvantages" listed below. I did not agree with the list so I thought I would post them as Tom did and then add my comments below each one. Be sure and join the discussion by posting…

It's intermittent. Solar energy is only available when the sun is shining.

It's low efficiency. It requires large areas of land.

It's not completely free of environmental impact. Ultrapure polysilicon is now scarce.

It's high cost.

You must climb your roof to wash it off. Just ask Ed Begley, Jr.!

You woke up this morning full of vim and vigor, ready to tackle the world of home energy efficiency. Of course, your first dreamy thoughts were: is this major solar flare going to knockout electricity in the midwest power grid, and then, if Fermilab has found proof of the Higgs Boson, will I be able to fully explain the phenomena of convection and chimney effect to people? After your morning coffee, the reality check sets…

Getting the Most out of Your Pergola, Think Solar Power Panel

by Don Ames,   www.detectenergy.com

Sitting in a meeting the other day, I was listening to a discussion on where to put half-a-million dollars worth of solar power panels. The discussion considered placing panels on roofs, on picnic shelters, and carports - it's not easy trying to find a place for a bunch of solar panels. After all, there are things to keep…

This post originally appeared on Mapawatt Blog and is a great comparison of residential solar vs. wind. 

If you're a homeowner interested in creating your own clean energy, chances are you are considering installing a solar pv array or a wind turbine.  Which is…

A 448-kilowatt commercial solar system was powered up last Tuesday at the San Bernardino Corporate Center near Mill Street and Toppecanoe Avenue. The project came out of a partnership of the Novato-based SPG Solar Inc., the nonprofit for Sustainable Communities Reinvestment Partnership, known as SCRIP Inc, and the Inland Valley Development Agency (IVDA), the regional joint powers authority overseeing redevelopment in and around the former Norton Air Force Base.



The commercial…