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Archive for March, 2011

I was first introduced to solar energy in the movie, Race the Sun with James Belushi and Halley Berry in the lead. It was a story about low- income and under achieving Hawaiian students encouraged by their teacher to join the Solar Car race. In the movie, a car shaped like a cockroach and covered with solar panels used the suns rays as an alternative energy source to run the car.

Solar energy is the light and the heat from the sun. Solar energy is free and its supplies are unlimited. There are n air and water pollution caused about by using solar energy. But there is still some impacts on the environment although indirect.

Photovoltaic cells used to convert sunlight into electricity uses silicon and also produce some waste materials. There are also large solar thermal farms and these farms can also be harmful to the environment and desert ecosystems if not properly managed.

Solar energy can be used on different aspects. Solar energy can be used in agriculture. Greenhouses (which is entirely different from greenhouse gas) convert solar light to heat to be maximized in enhancing the growth of plants and crops. Greenhouses has been around since the Roman times and modern greenhouses were built in Europe in 16th century. Greenhouses are still an important part of horticulture nowadays,

Daylight systems are also being used to maximize the energy released by the sun. It is used to provide interior illumination replacing the artificial lighting. Daylight systems include sawtooth roofs, light shelf, skylights, and light tube. Daylight systems when they are properly implemented can reduce lighting-related energy consumption by 25 percent.

Solar energy can also be developed into solar thermal technologies which can be used for water heating, space heating, space cooling and process heat generation. Solar energy can also be used to distil water and make saline or brackish water potable or drinkable.

The solar water disinfection or SODIS involves exposing water-filled plastic polyethylene terephthalate or PET bottles. This process takes a long time, since the exposure time varies on the weather conditions. It requires a minimum of six hours to two days during days with overcast conditions. Currently, there are two million people in developing centuries use SODIS for their daily drinking water needs.

Also sunlight can be converted into electricity using photovoltaics or PV. PV has been mainly used to power small and medium-sized things like a calculator powered by a single solar cell. There are homes powered by photovoltaics. Using solar energy for water and space heating is the most widely use application of solar energy. While ventilation and solar air heating is also growing in popularity.

There are three main ways in using solar energy. The main way of using and converting solar energy is by using the solar cells. Solar cells convert light directly into electricity. Solar cells are also called photovoltaic or photoelectric cells.

Meanwhile, solar furnaces use a huge array of mirrors to concentrate on the Suns energy into a small space and produced very high temperatures. Solar furnaces are also called solar cookers. A solar cooker can be used in hot countries to cook food.

With all the benefits if using solar energy, there is still a downside for this alternative energy source. It does not work during night time. The cost of setting up solar stations is expensive, but the benefit of using solar energy when accumulated is so much more.

Have a look at www.greenenergygroups.com

Energy conservation is a human concern. For example, you can make furnaces and air conditioners more efficient by improving the technology that governs their operation. But people are responsible for turning the thermostat to 68 degrees instead of 75 degrees.

Yes, this is an oversimplification. But it makes an important point. Technology can take us only so far as we attempt to keep energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions down. People have to take responsibility for using the technology wisely.

The focus on energy efficiency and energy conservation has been around for quite a while, at least since the 1970s when the oil crisis had gasoline and heating oil prices skyrocketing and cars lined up at the pump. A physicist named Amory Lovins introduced the idea of negawatts, which contradicted the notion that, to meet energy requirements, you have to generate more energy. He thought you could meet those needs by using energy more efficiently, not just providing more.

From the technological point of view, making homes more energy-efficient is hugely important in reducing energy consumption. The steps toward greater efficiency can be pretty simple. For instance, you can exchange an incandescent light bulb with a fluorescent bulb and get the same light output for 13 watts that before required 60 watts.

Of course, your furnace and air conditioner use the most energy in your home, so they make good targets for action that can improve energy efficiency. One way to improve heating and cooling efficiency is to make sure your furnace and air conditioner are inspected each year and necessary repairs are made.

Another solution is to exchange your older-model furnace and air conditioner for a newer version. Today, manufacturers are producing units of very high efficiency that are able to pay for themselves in energy savings in a remarkably short time.

You can easily find out how energy-efficient a new furnace or air conditioner might be.

Air conditioners are rated by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The SEER is computed from the cooling output in British Thermal Units (BTUs) during a typical cooling season divided by the total electric energy input in watt-hours during the season. The higher the SEER rating the more efficient the air conditioner.

Furnace efficiency is measured in the percentage of fuel – for example, natural gas – that is turned into usable energy – that is, heat. Thus and 80 percent energy efficiency rating is better than a 70 percent energy efficiency rating.

Keep current furnaces and air conditioners in good condition and, when the time comes, replace them with high-efficiency models to save energy and money.

In addition to models of the Sure Comfort air conditioner and the Sure Comfort furnace, Midwest HVAC Parts also sells Sure Comfort parts.

In the just-concluded Beijing Motor Show, whether multinational enterprises or autonomous vehicles have spared no effort to introduce their own new energy vehicles, and when the show ended just the occasion, the National Development and Reform Commission issued the first batch of 164 enterprises and products catalog in the first large-scale emergence of new energy vehicles figure, involving a total of 7 hybrid vehicles.
Although according to current national policy, motor vehicle production license administration, all models must be examined and approved by the State Development and Reform Commission, to the production and sales. CC Chan, Chinese Academy of Engineering is that the Chinese auto industry in the preparation of new energy automotive industry, to seize the catch, while multinational corporations should also solve the two revolutions, the fuel revolution and drive the revolution.
Appears in the CC Chan, fuel revolution from the current gasoline, diesel fuel, such as the diversification of natural gas, ethanol and so on. Internal combustion engine driving the revolution is to continue to transform, rely on automotive electronics technology to better fuel efficiency transformation.
In fact, the NDRC announced product catalog already includes hybrid cars FAW Group, Shanghai GM Buick hybrid cars, fuel cell cars of Shanghai Volkswagen Passat, Foton Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Bus FAW hybrid electric city bus, hybrid bus in Chongqing Changan and Dongfeng Motor hybrid electric city bus. With prior approval of the new energy vehicle market, the current state for nearly 10 production and marketing of new energy vehicles acquired qualifications. One independent brands and joint ventures from the ratio of 4:1.
From the NDRC has approved models, the new hybrid energy technology is still mainly CC Chan, Toyota hybrid in assessing the experience that the domestic automobile development of new energy vehicles must have a clear strategic thinking, To grasp the technical line and business line. “China’s development of new energy vehicles is the key to whether the large-scale commercial.”
The current reality is, whether it is independent or a multinational enterprise, although betting on new energy technologies, more energy, the future Chinese market for new energy vehicles which still has no conclusion. Even interested in new energy technologies, General Motors Chairman and Chief Executive Rick Wagoner also said that new energy technologies is also not clear in which direction will the development.
CC Chan, China’s industries have also proposed the policy, because the new energy start make money, must have adequate financial support. “Enterprise technology for new energy vehicles had not determined, together with market uncertainty and policy support to the uncertainty in the inputs will be careful, not just a new car to do a very large energy input.”
At the same time, the ministry is coordinating the introduction of a new deal, in the second half would be the first diesel hybrid vehicle purchase tax free program to implement the message, so the prospect of new energy vehicles seem to have a clear direction. Industry said that if the program once the floor, new energy vehicles will be of lower business costs, China’s auto industry will find opportunities, and multinational corporations to compete in the same starting line.

Investment into Alternative Energy Research and Development

The US government must continue to back the expansion of the role of alternative energy research and development and its implementation by companies and homeowners. Although this writer believes in the reign of the free market and that that government is best which governs least, our current system has companies and people expecting federal backing of major initiative with direct investment, in the form of tax breaks, rebate incentives, and even direct central bank investment into the alternative energy industry.

The US and its citizenry need to invest all of the time and energy that they can spare to the conversion from a fossil fuel burning society to one that is green for several different reasons. The green economy will not harm the environment or the quality of our air like fossil fuel burning does. We can become the energy independent nation that we need to be by cutting away our need to import oil, especially oil that is produced by anti-American nations such as Iran. Ultimately, renewable energies and extremely efficient energies like atomic energy are far less expensive than the continuous mining and drilling for fossil fuels. If we do not invest in our future now, catastrophe awaits us. We are going to need to consume more energy than ever in our history as we sail into the 21st century and beyondour dependency on foreigners for meeting these energy needs only leaves us open to sabotage while draining our coffers in order to fill other nations.

It can be argued that federal, state, and local governments should work in conjunction on the issue of alternative energy research and development and implement mandatory programs for new home construction and all home remodeling that stipulate the installation of alternative energy power sourceseventually over a certain period of years transforming into 100% installation of alternative energy sources for any new home or corporate buildingas well as backing a similar program to have all new vehicles produced in the nation be hybrid vehicles or hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles by the year 2020. All levels of government could also impose mandatory compliance laws on construction and utilities companies. The utility companies in all 50 states should be required to invest in alternative energy research and development while also being required to buy back, at fair rates, excess energy produced by homeowners through their use of alternative energy power sources. Strong financial incentives need to be in place for new companies to invest in developing renewable energies. This would not only make the US energy independent at the fastest possible rate, but it would stimulate the growth of the economy and provide tens of thousands of new, good-paying jobs for people.

Alternative energy generation in the forms of solar, wind, hydroelectric, biofuel, geothermal, and atomic; alternative energy storage systems such as more efficient batteris and hydrogen fuel cells; and alternative energy-furthering infrastructures with superior energy efficiency all need to be brought into the affordable price range through development. Government investment into these matters would surely help us along.

To Discover how You Can Power Your Home With Alternative Energy Click Here

To Learn how You Can Convert Your Vehicle to Run on Water Click Here

For Information on How To Build Your Own Electric Car Click Here

Green building is no longer just a fad; in fact, energy-efficient remodeling and renovating is one of the few aspects of the U.S. construction business that still holds a positive outlook in the midst of the economic turmoil in 2009.

The U.S. residential construction market was 3 billion in 2008, down 41% from its high of 0 billion in 2006. The home renovations market was 8 billion in 2008, down 18% percent from 2007. But SBI estimates that the home energy efficiency renovations market in the U.S. was billion in 2008; down only 13% percent from 2007s billion.

Remodeling to improve a homes energy efficiency instead of buying a new home has become a preferred option in todays market. In fact, the National Association of Home Builders found that 32% of home builders also provided remodeling services in 2008. Homeowners are still seeing the benefits of improving their homes energy efficiency even in the economic instability of 2009. With energy consciousness shooting to the forefront of the media during the 2008 oil price peak, the Propane Education & Research Council has found 80% of homeowners are now concerned about the energy efficiency of their homes.

Home builders and remodelers have been quick to provide remodeling services that are focused on energy conservation and green building practices; as an example, 85% of remodelers surveyed by the National Association of Home Builders in 2008 used energy-efficient windows on the majority of their projects. Retailers and manufacturers of building projects, residential builders and remodelers, and even state and federal organizations now have to be able to provide knowledgeable energy conservation expertise to succeed in their business.

Home energy efficiency analysis now uses a whole building approach, affecting all categories of building materials, from windows and doors to insulation to completely eliminating air leaks. To fully embrace this view, this report looks at the impact energy-efficient building products are having on the renovations market in a number of categories:
The market for energy-efficient doors and windows, caulking and weather stripping, and insulation used in home renovation projects.
The energy-efficient appliance and lighting markets for home remodeling.
Energy-efficient heating and cooling systems and the growing trend of energy-efficient roof renovations.

Report Methodology

Report data were obtained from government sources, including the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and ENERGY STAR; trade associations such as the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI); research organizations such as the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and Harvard Universitys Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS); websites of home improvement contractors, manufacturers and dealers, industry analysts and print and online business and trade journals.

Consumer demographics and spending trends derive from data compiled by Simmons Market Research Bureau, New York, NY. Trends and recent developments in the industry come directly from personal interviews with key players in manufacturing and sales of energy-efficient building products and discussions with knowledgeable insiders of associations such as the National Association of Home Builders.

What Youll Get in This Report

Energy-Efficient Home Renovations Market, Full Report provides a concise, focused look on the world of whole home energy-efficient renovations as it exists today, and shows where the market is moving towards in the next five years. The report highlights key players in the industry and pinpoints ways current and prospective competitors can capitalize on recent trends and spearhead new ones. No other market research report provides both the comprehensive analysis and extensive data that Energy-Efficient Home Renovations Market, Full Report offers. Plus, youll benefit from extensive data, presented in easy-to-read and practical charts, tables and graphs.

How Youll Benefit from this Report

If your company is already doing business in green home renovations or remodeling specializing in energy efficiency, or is considering making the leap, you will find this report invaluable as it provides a comprehensive package of information and insight not offered in any other single source. You will gain a thorough understanding of the current market for all aspects of energy-efficient renovations, as well as projected markets and trends through 2013.

This report will help:
Marketing managers identify market opportunities and develop targeted promotion plans for homeowners looking to renovate to reduce their utility costs.
Research and development professionals stay on top of competitor initiatives and explore demand for current energy efficiency remodeling trends and new emerging energy-efficient construction products.
Advertising agencies working with clients in the banking, retail and construction industries develop messages and images that compel homeowners to migrate towards energy-efficient products when considering home renovations.
Business development executives understand the dynamics of the market and identify possible partnerships.

Information and research center librarians provide market researchers, brand and product managers and other colleagues with the vital information they need to do their jobs more effectively.