Archive for the 'Green Products' Category

Solar Cells

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on August 13, 2008
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Solar Cells Close UpA solar cell is a device that has the capability to convert solar energy into electrical energy by the phenomenon of photovoltaic effect, and hence is also often known as photovoltaic cell.
However, usually the term solar cell is commonly used in context of devices designed specifically to capture energy from sunlight, while the term photovoltaic cell is used otherwise.
One sun is a measurement equal to the solar power incident at noon on a clear summer day, signifying that in a 1000 sun system; approximately 100 watts per square centimeter are concentrated onto the cell system.
Solar Cells are categorised into three generations indicating their chronological order of prominence. Currently researches into all three generations are going on while the first generation are most highly represented in commercial production, accounting for 89% of turn over last year, second generation technologies are most likely expected to gain market share in the year 2009.
The first generation solar cells comprise of large areas, high quality and single junction devices, involving high energy and labour inputs which prevent any significant progress in reducing production costs. Theoretically having limited efficiency of about 33% they are unlikely to achieve cost parity with fossil fuel energy generation.
The Second generation solar cell materials have been developed to address energy requirements and production costs of solar cells. Although major manufacturers have inclination towards the second generation technologies, but commercialisation of these technologies has proven difficult.
Third generation solar cell technologies aim to enhance poor electrical performance of second generation thin film technologies while maintaining very low production costs. The present research is targeted at achieving conversion efficiencies of 30-60% while retaining low cost materials and manufacturing techniques.
Solar cells find wide varieties of applications. Individual cells may be utilized for powering up small devices such as electronic calculators. Assemblies of cells form solar modules, which may in turn be linked as the photovoltaic arrays.
The photovoltaic arrays usually produce a renewable form of electricity, particularly useful in situations where electrical power from the grid is unavailable such as in remote area power systems, Earth-orbiting satellites and similar applications. Photovoltaic electricity is also increasingly being deployed in grid-tied electrical systems.
Solar Panels Home
The electricity is often fed into the electricity grid using inverters in stand alone systems in order to make practical use of the solar-generated energy. A solar cell must be capable of producing electricity for at least twenty years, without a significant decrease in efficiency. Presently the dye-sensitized solar cell is considered to be the smallest solar cell.
Nano-crystalline solar cell structures make use of some of the same thin-film light absorbing materials but are overlain as an extremely thin absorber on a supporting matrix of conductive polymer or meso-porous metal oxide having a very high surface area to increase internal reflections, representing a brand new architecture for solar cells and potentially high efficiency.

Although the silicon photocells have been utilized at different places, but the technology is limited, nevertheless these powerful solar cells have a great potential.

Solar Cars

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Solar CarA solar car is an electric vehicle that is powered by the solar energy obtained from solar panels on the surface of the vehicle. These solar cars are not the practical transportation devices for daily usage presently, but are primarily demonstration vehicles and engineering exercises, often sponsored by the government agencies.
Inside these solar cars the photovoltaic cells convert the sun’s energy directly into electrical energy. Solar cars use the combination of a variety of technologies typically used in the aerospace, bicycle, alternative energy and automotive industries. The design of a solar vehicle is usually severely limited by the energy input into the car as it has the batteries and receives plenty of power from the sun. Most of the solar cars ever built have been for the purpose of solar car races
Solar cars are often fitted with gauges as in case of the conventional cars. Apart from keeping the car on the road, the driver’s main priority should be to keep an eye on these gauges to spot possible problems. Cars without gauges available for the driver will almost always feature wireless telemetry. Wireless telemetry allows the driver’s team to monitor the car’s energy consumption, solar energy capture and other parameters and free the driver to concentrate on just driving.
The most important part of the solar car’s systems is its electrical system as it controls all of the power that comes into and leaves the system. The battery pack plays the same role in a solar car that a petrol tank plays in a normal car in storing power for future use.
Solar cars use a range of batteries including lead-acid batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries and the Nickel-Cadmium batteries. Many solar racing cars have complex data acquisition systems that monitor the whole electrical system while even the most basic cars have systems that provide information on battery voltage and current to the driver.
The mechanical systems of a solar car are designed to keep friction and weight to a minimum while maintaining strength. Designers normally use titanium and composites to ensure a good strength-to-weight ratio.Gasoline-car-converted-to-run-on-solar-power
The initial solar cars were actually tricycles or quadricycles built with bicycle technology. Presently the solar cars usually have three wheels, but few have even four. Three wheelers usually have two front wheels and one rear wheel: the front wheels steer and the rear wheel follows. Four wheel vehicles are set up like normal cars or similarly to three wheeled vehicles with the two rear wheels close together.
The two most notable solar car races are the World Solar Challenge and the North American Solar Challenge, overland road rally-style competitions contested by a variety of university and corporate teams.
The popular North American Solar Challenge, previously known as the ‘American Solar Challenge’ features mostly collegiate teams racing in timed intervals in the United States and Canada. The latest North American Solar Challenge took place from June 13th to June 22nd, 2008, from Dallas, Texas to Calgary, Alberta.
A practical application for solar powered vehicles is possibly golf carts, some of which are used relatively little but spend most of their time parked in the sun. Some solar cars have also been employed for free standing or integrated sails to harness wind energy
Many countries across the world are in the quest of building better solar cars and the recent developments include a Swiss project, Solar taxi, seeking to build a road-worthy solar car featuring a trailer carrying a 6 m² sized solar array.

The Bio-Based Eco Friendly Products

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on August 12, 2008
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Bio Based Eco Friendly ProductsThe ever increasing popularity of go green revolution and consequently concept of greater usage of bio-based eco-friendly products is spreading widely throughout the world.

The revolution of usage of eco friendly products has dramatically affected commercial, industrial and government-funded businesses. Bio-based products are a class of eco friendly products that come from agricultural materials like corn, and they are providing environmentally minded individuals with effective alternatives to petroleum-derived products.

In fact, the term bio-based may soon be as common as “eco-friendly” when describing products that make a lighter imprint on the environment.
Scientifically as well as legally, eco friendly products are defined as those products that are composed mostly of biological products or renewable domestic materials and don’t contribute to environmental degradation in any manner.

Some of these bio-based eco friendly products even use the acidity of citrus juice to create cleaners while others utilize wheat stalks, to replace drywall as the material for interior partition walls. Another approach uses corn and soybean oil to make powerful degreasers, cleaning solvents and paint strippers.

When the issue of usage of these bio-based eco-friendly products comes to building houses, changing the type of materials we use to construct the buildings should be everyone’s responsibility, as it greatly contributes to environmental degradation. Environmental design concerns and skyrocketing energy costs have greatly contributed to this wave of change. As a result presently, scientists from all over the world are trying to bring these bio-based eco friendly, innovative products from the fields of the farm, to the lab and ultimately to your building.

In a nation like the United States of America, the building environment accounts for almost one-third of all energy, water and materials consumption and generates similar proportions of pollution. Consequently, in a big step forward, the federal government has started integrating these bio-based eco-friendly products into the purchasing cycle of government agencies. As incase of recycling, it is promoting agencies to purchase environmentally beneficial products whenever possible.

The “Buy-Bio” campaign helping in popularization of these bio based eco friendly products encompasses a diverse collection of products, including adhesives, construction materials and composites, fibers, paper and packaging, fuel additives, vegetable oil inks, landscaping materials and compost, lubricants and functional fluids, paints and coatings, plastics, solvents, cleaners and much more.

As this concept is gaining greater popularity, there are now many places for home and office builders to find an informative guide on green building products. The most trusted body for architectural design in the U.S. is the American Institute of Architects, who are currently providing counseling these on green bio based eco friendly design products as well.

If you still doubt about the effectiveness of going green, simply consider a place such as California. This state has saved taxpayers more than $56 billion in electricity and natural gas costs since the year 1978 by making use of energy efficient appliances and smarter design features.

There are lots of ways in contributing to the wellness of the environment. Usage of these bio based eco friendly products has been an effective way of preserving the nature. Please remember it would always take the combined efforts of every one to force an issue and create worldwide awareness.

Install solar power

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on August 5, 2008
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With the world faced with a severe energy crisis, it is wise to invest in an alternate power solution at home. It not only helps the government fight energy crisis in a better way, but also helps save power for the rest of the world. Installing an alternate energy solution at home is no less than a great humanitarian effort.

Among the alternate power solutions, the solar power system and the wind power system are the most popular being less cumbersome. Though wind power is a great idea, not all of us can implement it at our homes because of its pre-requisites. For implementing a wind power system, we need a large area and the average wind speed in the area should be 11 miles per hour. In comparison, the solar power system is easier to implement. All you need is abundant sun light.

The complete solar power system has different components. Most people implement a few of these components as per their needs. Let’s look at the various solar power components.

Solar cooker: The solar cooker is the most popular solar energy system implemented at homes. Let’s look at its advantages:

• Healthy cooking – The food cooked using a solar cooker is considered very healthy. You can cook for a family of five in a small cooking box at a time.

• Variety cooking – You can boil, roast, and bake using the same system!

• No fuel - The solar cooker does not use any other fuel other than the sun’s light, thus helping you save power.

• No emissions - The solar cooker neither emits any gases nor does it leave any residue. It makes for the most environment-friendly cooking system.

Solar generator: The solar generator is a device that runs all your electrical appliances using the solar energy. This device converts solar energy into electrical energy using photovoltaic cells. The solar generator is also referred to as the solar lighting system. The solar generator stores electrical energy in cells for later use. Installing a solar generator at home is a great power-saving and cost-saving idea. Imagine running the electrical appliances without worrying about paying any bills!

Solar thermal system: Implementing a solar thermal system or solar heating system at home takes care of your home’s temperature needs. You can maintain a steady temperature at your house without worrying about bills. Thanks to its popularity, the heating systems will not only suit your budget but also please your eyes. These systems are no longer an eye sore.

Windmill design

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on August 5, 2008
in Energy Saving, Green Living, Green Products, Save Electricity, Saving Tips, Wind Electricity and Wind Power
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What constitutes a windmill?

A windmill is device that converts wind energy into mechanical energy which is later converted into electrical energy. A windmill typically consists of the following parts:

• The blades – A windmill can consist of any number of blades from four to 20. Some special wind mills have higher number of blades.

• The tower – The tower holds the rotating blades high up in the air so that the winds rotate them.

• The shaft – The shaft is responsible for joining the blades with the tower and for the smooth rotation of blades.

• The generator – The generator is what generates electricity from the mechanical energy. It also stores power for future use.

• The base: The base of the windmill keeps it grounded to the earth.

What factors affect windmill design?
There are many factors that affect the design of a windmill. Let’s understand the major ones:

• Wind speed: The wind speed can be accurately measured with the help of an anemometer. It is not possible to determine the right kind of wind mill without knowing the accurate wind speed.

• Wind direction: For designing a windmill, it is also important to know the direction from which the wind flows most of the time.

• Change in wind speed: Apart from the constant speed of mind, it is required that you know how the wind changes its speed.

• Change of wind direction: The direction of wind will not be constant, so it important to note the way it changes its direction.

• Obstructions on the site: It is best t install a windmill at a place without many obstructions. Look out for existing and potential structures that may affect the performance of your windmill.

• Wind turbulence: The movement of wind is not always predictable. However, it is a good idea to understand the patter of wind turbulence in your site.

• Distance of wind activity from the ground: The height of the tower is dependent on the height at which the wind is active.

What are the possible designs of windmills?
Aerodynamics determines the design of a windmill based on the factors mentioned in the section above. The designs of windmills vary in the following measures:
• Number of blades
• Shape of the blades
• Height of the tower
• Kind of generators
• Distance of the installation spot from the ground
• Distance between the tower and the generator

Making electricity

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on August 5, 2008
in Energy Saving, Go Green, Green Living, Green Products, Save Electricity, Saving Tips, Solar Power, Wind Electricity and Wind Power
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How is electricity produced conventionally?

Conventionally, electricity is produced by moving colossal turbines. These turbines are moved with the help of various types of energy. Let’s look at the most conventional ways of producing electrical energy:

• By using various fuels and water - Water is heated on a large-scale in furnaces. The vapor generated helps move the blades of turbines. Fuels like petroleum, coal, and natural gas are used to heat large quantities of water.

• By nuclear fission - Electricity is produced in nuclear reactors by making use of the heat generated in the chain reaction caused by nuclear fission. This heat boils water on a large scale converting it into vapor that turns the blades of the turbines.

• By bio-waste - Electricity is now also being produced by burning bio-fuels instead of fossil fuels. Bio-fuels are obtained from biological waste, mainly from plants. Bio-fuels are considered safer than fossil fuels.

• By hydro-power - Water is also a popular method of producing electricity. Rivers and large bodies of water are used to move huge turbines. Though this method of electricity production does not affect the air around us, it spoils the ecological balance inside the water bodies.

• By wind - Electricity is produced by wind generators. These wind generators convert wind energy into mechanical energy which is further converted into electrical energy.

Why is there a need for looking for alternate electricity sources?

Alternate power solutions are needed in the light of highly-depleting fuels and energy sources. Moreover, most of the convention ways of electricity production harms the environment in one way or the other.

The world is currently faced with tremendous power-crisis. We can no longer depend on fossil fuels for power. At the same time, we need to take measures to prevent the harmful effects that convention power production has on the environment.

How can we produce electricity?

In times of global power-crisis and severe environmental-damage, the question is: what can we do to help? We can do plenty if we want to. We need to start with consuming less power. Next, we can employ any of the following energy solution to make electricity:

• Wind power solution – Installing a wind turbine can help generate electricity for our homes and farms.

• Solar power solution – Using the solar power to cook light up and heat our homes is a wise idea.

• Bio-gas – Bio-gas can be used to produce electricity on small scales.

Make solar power

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on August 5, 2008
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The sun’s energy or the solar energy is the most abundant form of energy available on earth. The sun is capable of giving us more than heat and light. The sun has been one of the biggest factors dictating every living being’s stay on the earth. If we go the right path, we can harness more from the solar energy, like generating power for daily use.

What are the advantages of solar power?

The solar energy solution is gaining popularity amongst the alternate energy solutions.

• Green energy solution: When you look at the solar energy solution, you will realize that it uses absolutely no fuel other than the sun’s light. Moreover, it does not release into the atmosphere anything harmful.

• Cheapest power solution: First, the energy comes free. Then, the installation cost is a one-time cost. Finally, the investment is recovered within a few years of installation, making the power generated by solar energy absolutely free.

• Convenience of storage: You cannot store conventional power but you can store solar power for future use. The sun’s energy comes to rescue even in the times of darkness! Storing it also ensures a 24×7 supply of power, thus saving you from any power outage.

• Low on maintenance: The solar energy systems are easy to maintain. They do not involve high costs or too much effort, thus letting you reap the benefits of the solution comfortably.

How can solar power be used?
Solar power can be used in our everyday lives by adopting the following solar power systems:

• Solar cooking system: Solar cooking is about cooking without lighting a fire or using electricity! Before you wonder, let me tell you that solar cooking is not about bland food. You can cook in more ways than one – boil, roast, or bake, cook the way you want! The only demand that solar cooking makes of you is being patient; it is a matter of more than a few minutes. However, it is not asking for too much given that you will get tasteful and healthy food without worrying about paying your gas or electricity bill.

• Solar lighting system: You can now light up the entire house, use every electrical appliance without thinking about cutting down bills. The solar lighting system lights up your house even in the nights, thanks to the power storage feature it has.

• Solar heating system: You can keep your house cozy and warm using the solar heating system without worrying about costs.

Homemade windmill

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on August 5, 2008
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When the whole world is looking for ways to cope with the severe energy crisis, what is the least we can do? We need to begin by saving the power we have and generating more power using alternate power solutions like solar and wind power systems.

The implementation of a windmill is not considered very cheap; however, it turns out a huge money saver in the long run when the cost of producing power becomes zero. It has been observed lately that people are implementing wind power solutions even at places with the average speed of power less than 11 miles per hour. Ideally, the average speed of wind at the site you propose to set up the windmill at should be 11 miles per hour, but a slightly lower average is also reaping good results for people.

One thing that dissuades people from setting up a windmill is the initial cost. However, one can set up a windmill at home at a much less price. It is, however, important to consider certain things while setting up a windmill on your own.

• Get a good plan to make a windmill at home. Keep in mind the output you want the windmill to generate.

• Look for sturdy components. Your homemade windmill should not get damaged by heavy winds.

• Compare the prices of the equipment in the market and go for the components that suit your budget and your site.

When looking for a windmill plan, look for the following features:

• Illustrations: Visual descriptions work better than only-text ones. If your windmill guide has illustrative descriptions for making a windmill, it makes your task easier.

• Easy language: If your windmill-making guide uses a lot of jargon and technical information, it is better to look for a different one. Look for one that has easy-to-understand language making your task fluid.

• Component descriptions: Your homemade windmill guide should be able to provide you with detailed visual and textual descriptions of all the components you need to use. It is also important that the guide tells you which type of component works best for a site like yours.

• Local information: If your guide gives you information about the best available equipment in Europe while you are reading it from a countryside location in western USA, your guide is as good as useless. Look for a guide that provides equipment information of places around you.

Make power at home with solar and wind energy to eliminate your power bill. Get the complete guide at Earth4Energy

Making a windmill

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A windmill is a device that converts wind energy into other types of energy. It uses wind power to make mechanical energy for rotating its blades which in turn help produce electrical energy. The windmill is a very useful machine in times of energy crisis. The windmill started producing electricity lately; it used to be a popular method for pumping water and towing boats.

In the current situation of extreme energy crisis across the globe, it only makes sense that we look for alternate power solutions. The windmill proves to be an economical option, especially in farms and in the countryside. A windmill may not be the optimum solution in a highly-populated area.

What are the prerequisites for setting up a windmill?
There are two important pre-requisites for a windmill:

• The place where the solution is to be implemented should have an area of at least one acre. It is not advisable to set up a windmill in a smaller area as the windmill blades will not be able to capture enough wind power for the windmill to work.

• The average speed of wind in the area should approximately be 11 miles per hour. It is not advisable to employ the windmill at a site where factors like high-rise buildings and tall towers block the wind. You also need to make sure that the wind speed is consistent at your site.

What are the components of a windmill?
You will need the following components to make a windmill:

• Blades: These blades are responsible for making use of the wind energy. Blades are typically made of wood or plastic.

• Tower: The tower is the pillar that holds the system high enough to be able to use the wind. They are made up of hard material such as poly-vinyl chloride.

• Shaft: The shaft is used to join the blades to the tower, at the same time allowing them to rotate smoothly.

• Base: The base of the windmill is what holds the tower and the blades.

How is a windmill set up?
You will find ready-to-install windmill kits in the market. Consult an expert to choose the one that best suits your place and needs. If you would like to choose the components personally and set the windmill on your own, make sure you seek professional help; a mismatch of size in the components will make your windmill useless.

Make power at home with solar and wind energy to eliminate your power bill. Get the complete guide at Earth4Energy

Green Cars

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on July 27, 2008
in Green Living and Green Products
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The green cars are those cars that don’t cause lot of damage to the environment, which is basically accomplished by having a low dust to dust energy cost.

The categories of green cars include vehicles that run with the help of renewable or so called the green energy sources rather than the conventional fossil fuels. Another alternative is to use alternative fuel composition in conventional fossil fuel-based vehicles, making them go partly on renewable energy sources. They provide a way of sustainable transport.

Good examples of such green cars with reduced petroleum consumption include electric cars and fuel cell-powered hydrogen cars.

The most significant enhancement in these green cars is done by using alternative propulsion. These cars have an efficient engine that reduces the vehicle’s consumption of petroleum incase of a petroleum-electric hybrid model, or, preferably, that uses renewable energy sources throughout its working life by making use of biofuels rather than petroleum products.

These hybrid green cars may be partly fossil fueled and partly electric or hydrogen-powered. They are more expensive to buy but they compensate for the initial cost over a longer period of timing by giving better fuel economy. Due to this reason, battery powered vehicles are gaining widespread popularity. They provide a 55% to 99.9% improvement in carbon di-oxide emissions compared to a normal internal combustion engine depending upon the source of electricity.

The green cars have better fuel economy than a conventional vehicle but are hampered by range from a charging unit. The electric car batteries are their main cost. But a part of the total energy cost can be cut by choosing lighter and smaller car that use less energy to produce. But during the operational phase, car with comparable production energy costs can obtain large reductions in energy costs through several measures.

There is a great matter of concern worldwide as the vehicle emissions are contributing to the increasing concentration of gases that are leading to climate change. Road transport is the third largest source of UK green-house gases and accounts for over 20% of total emissions. These green cars have been a good solution to take control over this situation.

The other approaches to achieve the same goal include personal rapid transit, a public transportation concept that offers automated on-demand non-stop transportation, on a network of specially-built guide-ways.

Although there have been even many controversies upon the efficiency of these green cars as well, as a result of a study of marketing research suggested that the extra energy cost of manufacturing, shipping, their disposal, and the short lives of some of these green cars, outweighs any energy savings made by their under usage of petroleum during their useful lifespan. But yet their popularity doesn’t seem to drop down.

Solar car races are held on a regular basis in order to promote these fascinating green cars that can travel long distances at highway speeds by using merely the electricity generated instantaneously from the sun!

The popularity of these green cars is increasing day by day, so try to grab one to discover the real excitement.