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	<title>Green Energy &#187; solar energy</title>
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		<title>Is It Time For Solar Energy to Get Hot?</title>
		<link>http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/is-it-time-for-solar-energy-to-get-hot</link>
		<comments>http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/is-it-time-for-solar-energy-to-get-hot#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 26 Jan 2010 02:16:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[solar energy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/is-it-time-for-solar-energy-to-get-hot</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Is It Time For Solar Energy To Get Hot? By Tim Phelan
Solar energy has been around for quite a while and most people
don&#8217;t think about it much except for the ones who are already
into renewable sources of energy. Environmentalists have always
loved the idea of solar energy but what has kept it from going
more mainstream, being [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="announcement_post"><p>Is It Time For Solar Energy To Get Hot? By Tim Phelan</p>
<p>Solar energy has been around for quite a while and most people<br />
don&#8217;t think about it much except for the ones who are already<br />
into renewable sources of energy. Environmentalists have always<br />
loved the idea of solar energy but what has kept it from going<br />
more mainstream, being more widely used and looked upon as<br />
something someone wants to spend money to install on their<br />
property? There have been improvements in the technology of<br />
solar energy, but has there been enough? Isn&#8217;t the war on terror<br />
and the desire to be independent of foreign energy sources<br />
enough to persuade people to use solar energy? At what point<br />
will solar energy become the great and never ending source of<br />
energy many of envisioned many years ago?</p>
<p>Well, I, for one, think that the time has just about come for<br />
solar energy to really take off because of one reason: it will<br />
be economically the right and smart thing to do.</p>
<p>Last year I was driving to Las Vegas from San Jose and when I<br />
was just about three quarters of the way to my destination I<br />
passed a sign that said something about a &#8220;solar farm.&#8221; I<br />
glanced over and saw row upon row of solar panels sitting in the<br />
middle of the dessert. This is about the only farm that could<br />
survive in the dessert I thought to myself. Then I thought &#8221;<br />
Wow. Why can&#8217;t I do that?&#8221; In a smaller fashion of course<br />
because of my limited resources. But I thought why not rent some<br />
land and buy some of these panels and start my own little farm?<br />
It made sense and actually it still makes sense to me.</p>
<p>I went home later and looked into the solar energy industry. I<br />
wanted to see if this was possible now and I thought if these<br />
people put all those panels out in the dessert and sold the<br />
energy to others why can&#8217;t a small businessman?</p>
<p>Well, what I found out is that it isn&#8217;t quite possible to do<br />
just yet. Why? Because the cost of the panels, property, labor<br />
etc.. wasn&#8217;t low enough to make a profit for what you can sell<br />
the energy for. The solar farm was more than likely subsidized<br />
by the government. So I looked into the possibility of using<br />
them on homes. This thought has been around for decades and you<br />
do see the panels on more homes than you used to so I was<br />
wondering if this was possible now. I found out that it just<br />
takes too long for the average consumer to get their investment<br />
back to consider putting solar panels on their homes.</p>
<p>The average time for a homeowner to get the money back on their<br />
investment is anywhere from 12 years to 20 years. For this<br />
industry to take off that figure I believe will have to go down<br />
to around 5 to 7. Not that far really. It could actually go<br />
below that.</p>
<p>Three things have to happen for the <a href="http://www.michianasocialforum.org" target=_self>solar energy</a> promise to<br />
become a reality and for homeowners and entrepreneurs to decide<br />
in large numbers to use solar panels to create electricity:</p>
<p>1. The price of the panels will have to decrease. 2. The panels<br />
will have to improve and produce more energy. 3. The cost of<br />
energy will have to increase.</p>
<p>Actually just one of these factors can happen to a great degree<br />
and the other two stay constant and the point will be reached<br />
where the solar energy industry will explode. But more than<br />
likely, all three will come closer together and at some point<br />
people will decide to start buying the panels in record numbers<br />
and we will see this way of creating energy from a clean and<br />
renewable source be common place.</p>
<p>Here is why I think the time is very near for this explosion to<br />
happen.</p>
<p>1. There is a bill in the state legislature in California now<br />
that will spend on rebates for solar energy. The<br />
governor wants to show that he is in the front of this movement<br />
and wants to be aggressive. Some don&#8217;t like the way the bill is<br />
written, but there is a good chance it will pass. Click here for the<br />
article</p>
<p>2. The panels are becoming more and more efficient at producing<br />
more energy.</p>
<p>3. The price may go down dramatically if contracts with China to<br />
produce the panels are put into place. Normally I don&#8217;t like our<br />
jobs going oversees to people who only get fractions of what the<br />
US worker makes but in this instance it will also create many<br />
jobs here to install the panels, sell them, warehouse them<br />
etc&#8230; Plus this is something the country needs I feel. Clean,<br />
renewable energy that makes us less reliable on foreign oil and<br />
gases.</p>
<p>Also, some companies are producing these new generation flexible<br />
solar energy panels that come in sheets and can be rolled up and<br />
then out onto surfaces. These may bring the cost way down and<br />
make the instalation much more easy and cost efficiant. Here is<br />
an article about this new product: Click Here</p>
<p>At what point will these three variables merge?</p>
<p>I predict in the next two to three years this industry will take<br />
off like so many of us were hoping it would many years ago.</p>
<p>If you want to know how to install a solar electric panel system<br />
to your house here is a inexpensive e-book that shows you how.<br />
Click<br />
Here People can act now, and many already are by buying and<br />
installing these solar panels. With the war on terror looking<br />
like it could last decades many look upon this investment as not<br />
only a clean green solution and a smart investment on increasing<br />
the value of their home, but as almost a patriotic gesture in a<br />
way to free us from the dependence on middle eastern oil and<br />
natural gas. Here is a link to a terrific site where you can get<br />
these panels at wholesale prices. This site has all sorts of<br />
<a href="http://www.michianasocialforum.org" target=_self>renewable energy</a> sources at great prices.<br />
Altenenergystore.com</p>
<p>_________________________________________________________________<br />
___________________________________________________-</p>
<p>Tim Phelan<br />
http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/is-it-time-for-solar-energy-to-get-hot-1280.html</p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Solar Renewable Energy &#8211; Sun Power</title>
		<link>http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/solar-renewable-energy-sun-power</link>
		<comments>http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/solar-renewable-energy-sun-power#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:41:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[solar energy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/solar-renewable-energy-sun-power</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It is no secret that the sun can be harnessed to provide a source of energy for homes and businesses.
The sun is a powerful star. It supplies us with energy, through a process called nuclear fusion, and sustains life on our planet Earth. Solar energy, or energy from the sun, has existed since prehistoric times [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="announcement_post"><p>It is no secret that the sun can be harnessed to provide a source of energy for homes and businesses.</p>
<p>The sun is a powerful star. It supplies us with energy, through a process called nuclear fusion, and sustains life on our planet Earth. Solar energy, or energy from the sun, has existed since prehistoric times when men would magnify the sun&#8217;s energy in efforts to start fires.</p>
<p>The sun is a valuable resource that radiates enough energy on the United States in one day to meet the nation&#8217;s needs for one and a half years. Since it is a free, clean and renewable source of energy, it is an energy source that will play a vital role in our future.</p>
<p>Using the sun&#8217;s energy for our energy source seems like an easy solution to having an energy supply forever. Harnessing the suns energy is where the problem lies. The sun&#8217;s rays shine all over the world and not in just one spot. Although it takes only 8 minutes for sunlight to travel to the earth, trying to catch the rays over such a wide area can prove to be tricky. Also, the energy in any one given place will vary due to factors, such as, clouds and weather conditions.</p>
<p>The history of using <a href="http://www.michianasocialforum.org" target=_self>solar energy</a> began in 1890&#8217;s when solar water heaters were used in the United States. Solar water heating requires a storage collector and a storage tank. Flat plate solar collectors are mounted on rooftops. Pipes carrying water are pumped through these collectors. The tubes are painted black so they will get hot quicker. As the heat is collected the fluid in the tubes get heated. A storage tank holds the hot liquid. This helps with central heating and cutting fuel costs. Solar heaters became popular when natural gas was expensive and burning wood and coals were burdensome. It&#8217;s popularity diminished with the discovery of an abundance of natural gas and oil deposits. Now they are making a comeback to replace the depleting fossil fuels that had taken its place.</p>
<p>Solar energy can be in the form of heat energy or light energy. The technology of photovoltaic, or PV as it is commonly called, converts the suns energy into electric currents through the use of solar cells. These electric currents can be used instantaneously or stored for later use. The PV cells consist of pieces of silicon under a thin piece of glass. They have both a positive and negative charge. Simple examples of this are the solar powered calculators that are common today. More complex examples are solar panels placed on roofs. This consists of using thin film solar cells as rooftop shingles, roof tiles, and even glazing for skylights. Unfortunately, the cells generate only about one sixth of the sun&#8217;s energy into electricity. This means bigger arrays are needed and along with this come larger costs.</p>
<p>Solar thermal power plants use the sun to heat fluid, which in turn, is transferred into steam similar to fossil fuel burning plants. The steam is transformed into mechanical energy in a turbine and electrical energy from a generator. The downfall is solar plants cannot produce energy on cloudy days.</p>
<p>It is expected the next few years will see millions of households using solar energy. As research continues and processes improve, using our sun as a <a href="http://www.michianasocialforum.org" target=_self>renewable energy</a> source will produce efficiency and cost savings. So, let the sun shine in and take full advantage of this warm energy source where you live.</p>
<p>Matthew Hick<br />
http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/solar-renewable-energy-sun-power-103549.html</p>
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		<title>Portable Solar Energy Power Stations</title>
		<link>http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/portable-solar-energy-power-stations</link>
		<comments>http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/portable-solar-energy-power-stations#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jan 2010 15:28:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[solar energy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/portable-solar-energy-power-stations</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Portable solar energy power stations may sound, to some, like a dream. They can think of many places where portable solar would be useful, such as the RV they love to take camping, or the boat they use for long fishing trips. They cannot imagine, though, that portable solar energy power stations actually do exist.
Portable [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="announcement_post"><p>Portable solar energy power stations may sound, to some, like a dream. They can think of many places where portable solar would be useful, such as the RV they love to take camping, or the boat they use for long fishing trips. They cannot imagine, though, that portable solar energy power stations actually do exist.</p>
<p>Portable solar energy power stations have many practical uses, which we will discuss later, but what is portable solar power?</p>
<p><strong>Description of Portable Solar Power</strong></p>
<p>Portable solar power is energy generated from sunlight, the generator being of a size and form that can be moved readily from place to place.</p>
<p>Most portable solar power units use photovoltaic panels (PV panels) in one way or another. Some are amazingly small, and can be carried in a pocket, while others must be moved on a flat-bed trailer or truck.</p>
<p><strong>Examples of Portable Solar Power</strong></p>
<p>You may already be using portable solar power without realizing it. The following are examples of different sizes and styles of portable solar power.</p>
<p>1. Pocket calculators have been using portable solar power for years. Expose the calculator to sunlight, and it stores solar power for use. You can then carry this solar power into a field or up a mountain track.</p>
<p>2. Garden lights, or lights around a swimming pool now use portable solar power. If you want to rearrange your lights, or you decide to carry one as a flashlight, the portable solar power goes with you.</p>
<p>3. A multipurpose portable solar power unit is the fold-out solar panel that can be carried in a case the size of your day planner. Wherever you take it, you can open the panel to charge your cell phone battery, GPS, or other similar &#8220;gadget&#8221; you carry.</p>
<p>4. &#8220;Powerfilm&#8221; products are paper-thin PV panels &#8211; further examples of portable solar power. These products can be easily carried to charge almost all Lithium, NiCad or NiMH batteries. You can recharge batteries for boom boxes at the beach or while camping. You can recharge your digital camera or camcorder while on a hike. As long as you have sunlight, you have portable solar power.</p>
<p>5. Flexible PV panels, rugged and durable, give portable solar power for hikers and campers. This portable solar power can be rolled up like a sleeping bag, and then set up anywhere. You can drop it, step on it, dampen it while crossing a stream &#8211; and it will still give you power.</p>
<p>6. Larger portable solar energy power stations can consist of one or more photovoltaic panels (PV panels), simple wiring for the input jack, and a battery &#8211; sometimes referred to as a power pack. A commercially-produced portable solar power unit like this may also include a small fluorescent light, and a connection to your vehicle&#8217;s cigarette lighter plug.</p>
<p><strong>Examples of Innovative Portable Solar Power</strong></p>
<p>Portable solar energy can, as we said, be carried with you. It can provide electrical energy when you travel to a remote third world village on business. It can provide military units with necessary electrical energy while they are on the move. It can power a small heater in a winter camping tent, or provide a reading light for campers. It is valuable and convenient.</p>
<p>As our demand for that value and convenience increases, portable solar power is becoming more innovative. Portable solar power is being added to clothing and backpacks. It is being added to handbags. You need never worry about cell phones, laptops or other electronics going dead again. Portable solar power is yours to use, anywhere, free.</p>
<p>Did you know about these products? Some are experimental, but others area on the market.</p>
<p>1. If you want &#8220;lady-like&#8221; portable solar power, you might choose the &#8220;Power Purse&#8221; as a lovely accessory. This purse is more than an accessory, though. It can power up small electronics. Designed by Joe Hynek in a handbag competition, this little black bag is covered with laminated portable solar power panels. It has a short plastic handle, and can easily be carried anywhere. Imagine the possibilities.</p>
<p>2. But a purse is not always appropriate. If you&#8217;re stuck in the middle of nowhere, in a field, you might be happy to have the &#8220;Juice Bag&#8221; backpack on your shoulders. A Juice Bag is a worldwide patented portable solar power backpack. Flexible ballistic nylon solar panels make it lighter than solar bags with stiff glass solar panels. Take off your Juice Bag when you need to recharge items such as cameras, cell phones, or GPS units. It generates electricity in both direct and indirect sunlight.</p>
<p>3. Portable solar power is also available in a cozy jacket with multiple pockets. Hikers, military personnel, and travelers can fill the pockets with cell phone, GPS, laptop, camera, and other electronic devices. Then slip the 3 ounce portable solar power panel into a special holder on the back of the jacket, and you can generate energy for your electronics.</p>
<p>Portable <a href="http://www.michianasocialforum.org" target=_self>solar energy</a> power stations make use of these ideas and more. They may be large enough to generate sufficient electrical power for a small village, or small enough to be carried by a child. Whichever it is, portable solar power is definitely &#8220;on the go&#8221; in many places and in many ways.</p>
<p>Anna Hart<br />
http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/portable-solar-energy-power-stations-134223.html</p>
<p>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211;<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-GB"></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-GB"> </p>
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		<title>Home Solar Energy: How the Electrical Current is Created (part 11)</title>
		<link>http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/home-solar-energy-how-the-electrical-current-is-created-part-11</link>
		<comments>http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/home-solar-energy-how-the-electrical-current-is-created-part-11#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:40:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[solar energy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/home-solar-energy-how-the-electrical-current-is-created-part-11</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Popped from their &#8220;holes&#8221; in the silicon atom, electrons flow through solar PV cells connected in series to produce useful electric voltage. This concept and a little more is the focus of this article. The United States is at the beginning of a huge, wide-spread, pervasive switch to solar energy as a primary energy source [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="announcement_post"><p>Popped from their &#8220;holes&#8221; in the silicon atom, electrons flow through solar PV cells connected in series to produce useful electric voltage. This concept and a little more is the focus of this article. The United States is at the beginning of a huge, wide-spread, pervasive switch to <a href="http://www.michianasocialforum.org" target=_self>solar energy</a> as a primary energy source for our homes. The manufacturing costs are down, awareness and need is up, and new options to rent solar systems versus having to buy them all line up perfectly.</p>
<p>How do solar PV cells create an electric current?</p>
<p>The remainder of this article explains some of the details related to the internal workings of solar cells and how their arrangement, when placed into a solar array mounted on your roof can make a big difference in the energy output of your solar system.</p>
<p>The internal electric field of the silicon diode creates a flow of electric charges only when sunlight photons strike the silicon. As the photons hit electrons in silicon bonds, they create hole-electron pairs that are free to separate and wander around the silicon lattice or crystalline structure. Free electrons wandering near the p/n junction are pushed in one direction by the internal electric field.</p>
<p>This movement of electronics as a result of the photoelectric effect results in a steady flow of electric charges moving in a circuit within the silicon structure, i.e. an electric current. The flow is directly proportional to the intensity of light and the energy conversion efficiency of the solar cells included in the solar PV panel. The greater the sunlight hitting the silicon atom the greater the number of electrons bumped free. Ultimately, this creates a greater number of electrons flowing in and out of the silicon and into the solar inverter.</p>
<p>This whole continuous movement of electrons illustrates why it is so important for all solar cells in a module or solar array to get the same intensity of sunlight. It is important for the solar panels to receive the sunlight from the same direction and not to be shaded by trees or buildings. The exact number of photons from the sun must must strike each solar cell in order to bump the corresponding number of electrons in the next solar cell. In essence, the photons from the sun hit the silicon and cause a chain reaction within the silicon.</p>
<p>The additional movement of free silicon electrons, in and out of the holes produced in the silicon atoms, creates the electric current and flow of energy. Think of a game of billiards; the pool player hits the white ball which in turn hits the green ball into the pocket. This occurs in a chain reaction fashion as you add more balls each hitting each other. The little twist here is the fact that the sun will continually hit the white ball (i.e. the sun photon hitting the silicon atom) as long as the sunlight hits the solar cell.</p>
<p>Solar PV Cells Connected in Series</p>
<p>Individual solar cells produce only a small amount of voltage. They are most commonly connected together in series, positive to negative poles within a solar array, to produce a useful electric voltage.</p>
<p>When photons of sunlight strike solar cells in a string, the internal electric field pushes the electrons out of the cells in a continuous flow through the string. The electrons moving through the silicon structure each gain about one half of a volt during the photoelectric process. The displaced electrons are collected in a grid pattern of wiring printed on the cells.</p>
<p>Module manufacturers connect enough solar cells in series in a single module to produce a useful voltage. The typical high voltage grid tied module has 72 cells in series. Electrons moving about the solar cells get about one half of a volt from each solar cells. After moving through 72 solar cells connected in series gain enough electric voltage to account for about 40 volts.</p>
<p>If more voltage is needed to produce useful electric current for home use, then solar modules can be connected in series. The most common solar energy unit configuration has a solar array connected in series with 8 other solar modules. This results in a final operational electric voltage of about 320 volts.</p>
<p>Solar Cells, Arrays, and Solar Modules Connected in Series</p>
<p>In the previous article, we explained a little about the Photoelectric Effect, where photons of light hit electrons in the silicon lattice and provide energy to flow. We also described how electrons flowing from one cell into the next cell in a module gain about 1/2 volt from each cell.</p>
<p>To Rent a Home Solar Energy System or Buy It</p>
<p>The Option to Rent a Home Solar Energy System is fast approaching as a viable option for home electricity needs. The American homeowner has the option to produce <a href="http://www.michianasocialforum.org" target=_self>renewable energy</a> from the sun by renting a complete solar energy system versus having to purchase one outright. This is an exciting solar rental service that allows the average homeowner to created their own solar generated electricity from the son and keep the energy savings they create.</p>
<p>Those who have a suitable location (i.e. good sun, enough roof space, and moderate energy needs), who follow the reservation steps, and who complete the requirements have a home solar system installed have good chance of getting a solar unit installed on their home on a rental basis.</p>
<p>Daniel Stouffer<br />
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/home-solar-energy-how-the-electrical-current-is-created-part-11-498424.html</p>
<p>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;</p>
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		<title>Solar Power How It Works To Power Your Home</title>
		<link>http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/solar-power-how-it-works-to-power-your-home</link>
		<comments>http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/solar-power-how-it-works-to-power-your-home#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 03 Apr 2010 19:26:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[solar energy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/solar-power-how-it-works-to-power-your-home</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
There are two main types of solar power, solar thermal and photovoltaic.  Solar thermal uses the sun light&#8217;s infrared energy to either heat a liquid or to warm a mass of material that will later on release its stored heat.  Harnessing solar thermal energy involves building a house in such a way to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>
<p>There are two main types of solar power, solar thermal and photovoltaic.  Solar thermal uses the sun light&#8217;s infrared energy to either heat a liquid or to warm a mass of material that will later on release its stored heat.  Harnessing solar thermal energy involves building a house in such a way to collect the sun&#8217;s heat during the day and radiate it into the home during the evening.  However, in the summer time the house&#8217;s construction uses mass to keep the sun&#8217;s heat out of the home.</p>
<p>Solar photovoltaic energy converting sun light into electrical energy.  The most commonly associated component are the photovoltaic panels or solar panels that you see mounted on roofs.</p>
<p>This article will be focusing on how photovoltaic solar power (solar panels) and systems work.</p>
<p>Why are solar photovoltaic panels always on the south (or north) side of the roof?</p>
<p>In order to get the maximum electrical output from photovoltaic panels they need to be oriented to solar south in the northern hemisphere and solar north in the southern hemisphere.  Solar north and solar south are the same as magnetic or compass north or south.  There is about a fifteen degree difference between them.  </p>
<p>Most solar photovoltaic panels are set at home latitude plus fifteen degrees or home latitude minus fifteen degrees.  Depending on if you want a summer or winter bias to the angle of the solar panels.  In higher latitudinal areas it makes more sense to have the photovoltaic panels set on a winter bias, so that during the winter the solar panels still get enough sun light to produce electricity.</p>
<p>How does a photovoltaic cell produce electricity?</p>
<p>A solar panel consists of a collection of photovoltaic cells.  Each photovoltaic cell is made up of silicon wafer.  Silicon in its pure state is a poor electrical conductor.  During the manufacturing process, an impurity is added to the silicon so that when the photons (light) strikes the wafer electrons are released and create electrical current.</p>
<p>The type of electrical current produced by a solar panel is a low voltage direct current, or DC, typically in the range of six to twenty four volts.  Photovoltaic panels have a nominal output voltage of 12 volts and an effective operating voltage of 17 or more volts.</p>
<p>A solar panel&#8217;s electrical output is affected by several factors.  They are angle of the photovoltaic panels to the sun, time of day, time of the year and weather conditions.  Solar photovoltaic panels produce more electricity during the middle of the day when the sun is directly overhead compared to the early morning and late evening when the sun light is striking the solar panel at a shallow angle.</p>
<p>Components of a residential solar power system</p>
<p>A residential solar power system consists of four components are: photovoltaic panels, charging controller, battery pack and an inverter.  The photovoltaic panels convert sun light into electricity.  The electricity is sent to the charging controller who keeps the battery pack fully charged, but not over charged.  The battery pack sends the electricity to the inverter who converts the DC voltage to household AC at 120 volts and 60 hertz.</p>
<p>Photovoltaic panel</p>
<p>The output of a solar panel is stated in watts.  The wattage is stated is typically for peak sun hours.  Since the amount of sun light varies through the course of a day, to level out the variations the peak sun hours has been adopted by most manufactures to help installers and customer&#8217;s compare different solar panel models.</p>
<p>Suppose a solar panel is rated for 100 watts and an average of six peak sun hours is available per day.  Then the solar panel would produce 100 watts * 6 peak hours = 600 watt hours of electricity or 0.6 kilo watt hours (KWh).</p>
<p>Charging controller</p>
<p>Charging controller or charge regulator controls the charging of the battery pack.  It continually monitors the battery pack&#8217;s charge state.  If the batteries are low, it will send electricity from the solar panels to the batteries.  It also prevents over charging of the battery pack.</p>
<p>Don&#8217;t allow someone to convince you that a charging controller is not really required.  Directly connecting the photovoltaic panels to the battery pack can permanently damage the batteries and possibly cause them to explode.</p>
<p>Battery pack</p>
<p>The battery pack&#8217;s purpose is to store electricity generated by the solar panels during the day and then at night or during extremely cloudy days provide electricity to the inverter.</p>
<p>The battery pack typically consists of lead acid batteries.  Lead acid batteries are relatively inexpensive and readily available.  There are many different types, sizes and capacities of batteries available.  The most popular are gel cell and AGM deep cycle batteries because they are maintenance free and last a lot longer than wet cell lead acid batteries.</p>
<p>The most important thing to remember about the batteries is that the need to be deep cycle.  Deep cycle batteries are designed to be discharged then recharged hundreds if not thousands of times.  A deep cycle battery is designed to discharged to nearly empty, but not completely and then be slowly recharged over time.  A common mistake for home owners is to think that they can use automotive batteries instead of deep cycle batteries.  Car batteries are shallow cycle batteries.  They are designed to discharge a lot of current quickly and then be immediately recharged.</p>
<p>Inverter</p>
<p>An inverter converts the DC electricity stored in the battery pack into household 120V AC.  Almost everything in your home is powered by 120V electricity.  Things like table lamps, freezer, lights, motors, dishwasher, and so on.  </p>
<p>There are two main types of inverters sine wave and modified sine wave.  The power company provides electricity as a sine wave.  The electricity&#8217;s charge value goes smoothly from positive 120V to 0V to negative 120V and then back up to 0V and finally up to positive 120V.  Then the cycle begins all over again.  The time it takes to go through the entire cycle is one second.</p>
<p>Modified sine wave is also known as a square wave.  Here the electricity&#8217;s charge value goes from positive 120V to negative -120 volts in effectively zero seconds.</p>
<p>Most household devices will function on a modified sine wave power.  Light bulbs and motors will work, just not quite as efficiently as they would on sine wave electricity.  However, there are some electronic devices that will not work on square wave electricity.  It will be necessary to check with the manufacture to determine if the device will work on square wave electricity.</p>
<p>Now you have a basic understanding of solar power how it works to power your home.  Now you have enough information about how solar power works to determine if it is a technology that you would want to invest in for your house.</p>
<p> Wilhelm Williams<br />http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/solar-power-how-it-works-to-power-your-home-150901.html</p>
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		<title>Renewable Energy Tax Credits &#8211; Greener in More Ways Than One</title>
		<link>http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/renewable-energy-tax-credits-greener-in-more-ways-than-one</link>
		<comments>http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/renewable-energy-tax-credits-greener-in-more-ways-than-one#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 31 Mar 2010 21:47:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[solar energy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/renewable-energy-tax-credits-greener-in-more-ways-than-one</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
It&#8217;s certainly no secret: the cost of renewable energy production and its implementation can be extremely high. This is the very reason why tax credits are often used to enable renewable energy sources to compete with fossil fuels. 
With rising oil and natural gas prices, the war in Iraq and environmental problems centering on global [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>
<p>It&#8217;s certainly no secret: the cost of renewable energy production and its implementation can be extremely high. This is the very reason why tax credits are often used to enable renewable energy sources to compete with fossil fuels. </p>
<p>With rising oil and natural gas prices, the war in Iraq and environmental problems centering on global warming and air pollution, our nation is concerned about their energy security and environmental issues. The United States is recognizing the need and power of renewable energy and is supporting its development through federal income tax credits and incentives. </p>
<p>President George Bush signed the Energy Policy Act of 2005 into law on August 8, 2005. It took over four years for Congress to pass after reviewing several different versions. It extended tax credits for wind and biomass energies for two more years and included additional tax credits for solar, geothermal and ocean energy. </p>
<p>Solar tax credits apply to residential and business users. This tax credit would pertain to eligible equipment installed between 1/1/06 and 12/31/08. The equipment installed would include those solar systems that generate electricity, heat and cool or provide hot water to structures. It must also be operational in the first year the credit is taken and the taxpayer must be the original user. The credit is 30% with a $2,000 cap for each unit for residential taxpayers and it is 30% with a no business cap specified for corporate users. After 12/31/08 the corporate tax credit will return to 10%. </p>
<p>The geothermal corporate credit remains at 10% with no maximum stated. This credit does not apply to geothermal heat pumps and is limited to geothermal energy equipment that produces, uses or distributes energy derived from geothermal deposits. A personal tax credit of 10% with a $300 maximum can be taken for geothermal heat pumps. </p>
<p>The federal government also included production tax credits for <a href="http://www.michianasocialforum.org" target=_self>renewable energies</a>. These credits allow companies to invest in renewable technologies and write the investment off against other investments. This was a major push of support for <a href="http://www.michianasocialforum.org" target=_self>renewable energy</a> technologies. The credit was extended until December 31, 2008. The credits are 1.9 cents per kWh for wind, geothermal, closed-loop biomass and 1.0 cent per kWh for hydroelectric power, landfill gas, municipal solid waste and open-loop biomass. These pertain to the first ten years of operation </p>
<p>Similar to production tax credits, there were also provisions for renewable energy production incentives (REPI) for state and local governments, as well as, nonprofit electrical cooperatives. The enacted law included new qualifying energy generation facilities for solar, wind, biomass (excluding municipal solid waste combustion) landfill gas and certain types of dry steam geothermal energy. It was extended through fiscal year 2016 and also included ocean and wave energy. </p>
<p>These credits will be applied to any amount that remains after any other state or utility incentives have been taken. There are numerous states that do offer incentives also. Some new state incentives include a California state rebate program for photovoltaics, an Illinois state grant program for wind energy, a New Jersey state rebate program for geothermal heat pumps and a Pennsylvania property tax assessment for <a href="http://www.michianasocialforum.org" target=_self>wind energy</a>. These are just a few of the many state incentives that exist. </p>
<p>The United States government and the individual states are promoting renewable energy sources as an energy source to be encouraged. With all the incentives available, this may be one of the best times to make your air cleaner with a commitment toward this energy. With everyone&#8217;s support we can recharge renewable energy&#8217;s development.</p>
<p> Matthew Hick<br />http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/renewable-energy-tax-credits-greener-in-more-ways-than-one-112519.html</p>
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		<title>Venture Capitalists Don&#8217;t Understand Solar Energy</title>
		<link>http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/venture-capitalists-dont-understand-solar-energy</link>
		<comments>http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/venture-capitalists-dont-understand-solar-energy#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Mar 2010 08:27:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[solar energy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bill Gross]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business Insider]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Green Innovation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Henry Blodget]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Idealab]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Innovation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mercedes]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[IT and bio-tech VCs struggle to evaluate clean technology.
Watch more here:
http://www.businessinsider.com/green-innovation-bill-gross-full-interview-2010-3
Duration : 0:2:48


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Technorati Tags: Bill Gross, Business Insider, Green Innovation, Henry Blodget, Idealab, Innovation, Mercedes


]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/pLd5_hZNYr0/2.jpg" align="left">IT and bio-tech VCs struggle to evaluate clean technology.</p>
<p>Watch more here:<br />
http://www.businessinsider.com/green-innovation-bill-gross-full-interview-2010-3</p>
<p>Duration : <b>0:2:48</b></p>
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<p class='technorati-tags'>Technorati Tags: <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/Bill+Gross' rel='tag,nofollow' target='_blank'>Bill Gross</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/Business+Insider' rel='tag,nofollow' target='_blank'>Business Insider</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/Green+Innovation' rel='tag,nofollow' target='_blank'>Green Innovation</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/Henry+Blodget' rel='tag,nofollow' target='_blank'>Henry Blodget</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/Idealab' rel='tag,nofollow' target='_blank'>Idealab</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/Innovation' rel='tag,nofollow' target='_blank'>Innovation</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/Mercedes' rel='tag,nofollow' target='_blank'>Mercedes</a></p>

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		<title>Sun Rising On Careers In Solar Energy.mov</title>
		<link>http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/sun-rising-on-careers-in-solar-energy-mov</link>
		<comments>http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/sun-rising-on-careers-in-solar-energy-mov#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:21:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[solar energy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Center for Sustainable Energy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Charles Stewart]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NYCity News Service]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/sun-rising-on-careers-in-solar-energy-mov</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Center for Sustainable Energy offers training in solar power conversion. Students include traditional electricians like Charles Stewart, who calls his new business&#8221;Peace and Solar.&#8221;
Duration : 0:2:16


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Technorati Tags: Center for Sustainable Energy, Charles Stewart, NYCity News [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/zD4KgMI420s/2.jpg" align="left">The Center for Sustainable Energy offers training in solar power conversion. Students include traditional electricians like Charles Stewart, who calls his new business&#8221;Peace and Solar.&#8221;</p>
<p>Duration : <b>0:2:16</b></p>
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		<title>Investors Back Solar Energy Company</title>
		<link>http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/investors-back-solar-energy-company</link>
		<comments>http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/investors-back-solar-energy-company#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:37:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[solar energy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dr. Shihab Kuran]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[energy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Green]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Petra Solar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Solar]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Petra Solar CEO Dr. Shihab Kuran on raising $40 million from new investors to develop green jobs .
Duration : 0:5:38


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Technorati Tags: Dr. Shihab Kuran, energy, Green, Petra Solar, Solar


]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ka_AjIpvPHY/2.jpg" align="left">Petra Solar CEO Dr. Shihab Kuran on raising $40 million from new investors to develop green jobs .</p>
<p>Duration : <b>0:5:38</b></p>
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<p class='technorati-tags'>Technorati Tags: <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/Dr.+Shihab+Kuran' rel='tag,nofollow' target='_blank'>Dr. Shihab Kuran</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/energy' rel='tag,nofollow' target='_blank'>energy</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/Green' rel='tag,nofollow' target='_blank'>Green</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/Petra+Solar' rel='tag,nofollow' target='_blank'>Petra Solar</a>, <a class='technorati-link' href='http://technorati.com/tag/Solar' rel='tag,nofollow' target='_blank'>Solar</a></p>

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		<title>Renewable Energy &#8211; Lesson 8 &#8211; Living Off the Grid</title>
		<link>http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/renewable-energy-lesson-8-living-off-the-grid</link>
		<comments>http://www.michianasocialforum.org/solar-energy/renewable-energy-lesson-8-living-off-the-grid#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:22:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[solar energy]]></category>

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Considering the current state of the economy, it is no surprise that a significant amount of people are doing everything they can to cut costs and to save money. Traditional cost cutting methods include downsizing vehicles, cutting out vacations, buying cheaper food, eating out less and so forth. However, a growing number of people are [...]]]></description>
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<p>Considering the current state of the economy, it is no surprise that a significant amount of people are doing everything they can to cut costs and to save money. Traditional cost cutting methods include downsizing vehicles, cutting out vacations, buying cheaper food, eating out less and so forth. However, a growing number of people are turning to alternative and renewable energy to save money.</p>
<p>Advances in technology have made <a href="http://www.michianasocialforum.org" target=_self>renewable energy</a> sources such as solar and wind power much more efficient, affordable and viable for the average person. In some cases, people take using renewable energy to provide the electricity to their homes to the next step, disconnecting from their local electrical service and going entirely off the grid.</p>
<p>Living off the grid is not a step to be taken impulsively or rashly, but rather one to be well thought out and planned for. If one lives in the country and has the space and ability to install a very large wind generator, then going off the grid on wind power could work. However, living off the grid on solar power is a much more realistic and safe route to take. Modern solar panels are very efficient and can now provide significant amounts of power even on a cloudy day.</p>
<p>Living off the grid on solar power is possible with discipline and the correct preparation. Converting to a tankless hot water heater is an important preparation to going off the grid. Heating water with an electric or even a gas hot water heater is very expensive. Tankless heaters are dramatically more efficient and reduce the electric load. Another important preparation for living off the grid is to get set up to dry clothes on a clothes line to avoid using the clothes dryer. The dryer uses a huge amount of electricity to get the clothes dry. This is easy to do outdoors in the summer, and there are many types of drying wracks available to dry the clothes on indoors in the winter.</p>
<p>Yet another preparation to living off the grid is to replace all the light bulbs in the house with energy efficient fluorescent bulbs. Lastly, one should make every effort to make the house airtight, so heat and cold are retained and do not leak out or in the house due to old inefficient window, unsealed doors, and improperly insulated walls. Make sure there is good weather stripping around all doors and windows and make sure there is an efficient programable thermostat installed.</p>
<p>Living off the grid with solar power is certainly possible, but it requires some important preparations to make sure that the house is as energy efficient as possible since there is no backup source of power once the solar cells have been depleted between charges. The preparation and installation of the system can be expensive initially, but living off the grid saves so much money in electrical bills that these costs are often recovered withing the first two years of being off the grid.</p>
<p> David J Hughes<br />http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/renewable-energy-lesson-8-living-off-the-grid-755003.html</p>
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