Aug
25DIY Solar Power: Earth4Energy Product Review
Posted By: Freddy on August 25, 2010 at 11:54 pmBuilding Your Own Solar Panels and Wind Turbines is a Proven Fact to Save On Installation Costs, Reduce Your Energy Bills and To Help Protect The Environment!
Normally the only way to install solar panels and wind turbines was by purchasing kits at very high prices.
Now, you can build your own solar power systems and your own wind turbines
If you’ve been a visitor of this website for a while, you have probably read some of the articles written on the subject of renewable energy and how using solar power and wind power in our homes can, not only contribute to reduce our electricity bills, but and most of all, contribute to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions.
If more people choose to use solar panels and wind turbines, much more impact we can make on reducing the use of fossil fuels normally used to produce electricity for homes in most of the cities of the world.
You are probably convinced on the necessity of using solar and wind power in your home to produce your own electricity. You have probably read many articles on the benefits of using solar and wind power and you would like to try to build your own solar panel or wind turbine.
Is Building Your Own Solar Panels or Wind Turbines A Reasonable Option?
In some of the posts published in this blog, we have tried to describe the construction of solar panels and wind turbines. You can the check previous posts on this matter. But, no matter how clear my explanation has tried to be, certainly some doubts should remain on those trying to follow those guidelines.
Therefore, after reading the Earth4Energy guide, I decided to post a review on the product to let my readers to know about this product, especially those willing to save some money on installing solar panels and/or wind turbines.
Earth4Energy Review
As being myself an environmentalist, I have personally built solar panels and wind turbines following guides and plans bought on the Internet. After some trials and errors (as I’m not a skilled mechanic or electrician), I’m convinced that anybody can build a solar panel or a wind turbine. It is fun and it is something you can feel proud of.
After I checked the plans and instructional videos included in Earth4Energy, I concluded that this is the best guide I’ve come over. The information is updated, complete and easy to follow.The guide is professionally written and the graphic material is top quality, particularly the videos are excellent. Not only they are well produced but the content is really good.
Here is some of the content covered in the 85-page Earth4Energy Ebook:
Chapter 1: Before You Start
Chapter 2: How Solar Power Works
Chapter 3: Build Your Own Solar Generator
Chapter 4: Build Your Own Solar Panels
Chapter 5: How Wind Power Works
Chapter 6: Buying a Wind Turbine
Chapter 7: Building Your Own Wind Generator
Chapter 8: Wiring Combinations
Chapter 9: How Much Power Do You Need to Make?
Chapter 10: Reduce Your Oil Dependence
Chapter 11: The Self-Powered Home of Today
Chapter 12: Renewable Energy on a Larger Scale
Chapter 13: Ethanol as a Viable Energy Source
Chapter 14: Hydro-Electricity
Chapter 15: What’s Really Holding Us Back
Chapter 16: Energy in The Future
Chapter 17: Learn More with Workshops
Chapter 18: Final Thoughts
Chapter 19: Extra Resources
If you prefer watch rather than to read, you can follow the step-by-step instructions in the videos to learn how to string your solar cells together. The videos are made in plain English so that you will find that creating your own solar panels is not really a difficult task. There are more than 500 videos available.
Some of the content of the videos include:
- Solar Panel Videos: Joining a String of Solar Cells Part 1; Tabbing the cells Part 2; Joining the cells together
- Windmill Video: Making Windmill Blades
- Online Video Library with 500+ “Best of the Best” Videos about Wind Power and Solar Power
In addition 6 free bonuses are offered:
- Free Bonus #1 Electrical Wiring Plans for Solar Panels
- Free Bonus #2 Installing and Mounting Solar Panels Guide
- Free Bonus #3 Energy Consumer Guide
- Free Bonus #4 Wind Map Resources
- Free Bonus #5 Renewable Energy Guide
- Free Bonus #6 Biodiesel Guide
As the primary mission of Earth4Energy is to help you build your solar and wind power systems at the lowest cost, they provide you with a shopping list teaching you how to get the most cost-effective specialized items:
- Solar cells
- Complete Solar Panel
- Rosin Flux Pen
- Tabbing Wire
- Power Inverter
- Ametek Generator
- Solar and Wind Charge Controller
As you can see, the guide covers in detail the construction and setting up of solar power systems and wind turbines with the plans and wiring required to manage and store the energy produced. Nothing is left uncovered.
Shortcomings
I didn’t find any. Seriously; even the customer support is superb. Do not be mislead by the low price!
If you want a complete guide on how to build solar power systems or wind power systems, I highly recommend Earth4Energy. This is the definite guide.
Check It Out Now Before The Price Rises!
| Filed Under: Alternative Energy Sources |
Aug
19How to Install a Solar Power System for Homes
Posted By: Freddy on August 19, 2010 at 12:51 am
For several years now, a lot of people are complaining about the ever increasing electricity bills. Because of this, solar power systems for homes have become a great alternative as the cost of solar technology goes down every year. Solar power system for homes have become more advanced and more affordable.
With just a little amount of sunlight, you can get some electricity. With only a few solar panels, you can generate the needed electricity for your home; even if you live in a small house, you can install a solar panel.
Install Solar Power System for Homes and Help to Protect the Environment
Going green these days is vital to save the environment. Global warming has taken its toll and people from all over the world can now feel the consequences. Using solar power system for homes is a very effective way to help save the environment so that you can no longer depend entirely on conventional electricity. Perhaps you’re already aware that electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels. The emissions from the burning of the fuels contribute to global warming. When you use solar power, you can decrease electrical consumption and in turn you can save a lot of money.
The importance of Orientation in a Solar Power System for Homes
Most of today’s homes are not properly oriented to get a lot of sunlight and this becomes a great problem; although, the modern solar power systems for homes are more efficient and can generate quality electricity with less sunlight. The improved solar panels are installed at steeper angles and still capture sunlight. So, if your home doesn’t have an ideal orientation, it would still be possible to generate solar power.
Solar panels are usually installed on top of the roof together with an effective rail system, in this way; the panels are able to slide at the best position to get sunlight. These systems are also ideal just in case you want to expand later on.
Installation of Solar Power System for Homes
Before you install solar panels, you need to determine the electricity requirements of your home. To calculate your monthly electrical consumption, you will need to check your electrical bills and determine the average usage and then pick the right system size. Otherwise, you could just fulfill part of your home demand. In this case, you can refer to this article to estimate power consumption for different electric appliances.
If this is your first time to use solar power, it would better to start with the simplest project you can find and make room for expansion as well so that you can expand the system little by little especially if you have limited resources. Even if you use solar power as an alternative power source, you will surely be able to have a considerable reduction in your bills in the coming months.
Start Small and Make Room for Expansion
For instance, for simple projects, you can start working on outdoor lights, garden fountains, etc. Later on, you can use solar power for your indoor electrical requirements.
When installing a solar power system for homes, one of the most important considerations is the inverter. Make sure that the inverter’s size is properly chosen. The inverter is responsible for converting DC into AC. Pick the appropriate size inverter so that you can meet all your electrical needs. It’s a good idea to purchase a over sized inverter even if you’re only planning to install a smaller system. In this way, when you finally decide to expand in the future, you will just wire them in.
Look for Appropriate Help
If you’re not an electrician and you have limited knowledge about electricity and electrical components, try to hire someone to connect the inverter. The solar power system needs to be connected into your home’s electrical system. Dangerous voltages are present and you might get electrocuted. Only an electrician can comply with the local codes so that your project can pass the inspection. The state and federal government also provides incentives for homeowners who decide to go for solar power. You can avail of loans or grants so that you can install the solar power system soon. Take advantage of these special programs so that you can start benefiting from an efficient and clean electrical system.
You can try DIY solar power systems for home. Visit this online shop for solar power components to get a good idea of your required investment
| Filed Under: Solar Power |
Residential power systems that generate clean and renewable electricity usually make use of solar panels. A lot of homes are now using solar power specifically in California because of the many hours per day of sun radiation.
Benefits of Solar Panels
If you want to get a continuous supply of electricity, you can get solar panels. The solar panels will then provide electricity that you can use outdoors and indoors to power some of your electric appliances. The solar panels will be connected to your existing electrical wirings and so you will need an electrician to do the task for you. Once you start using the solar panels, you can now enjoy free electricity. In most cases, homeowners are able to enjoy 50% to 80% reduction in monthly electrical bills.
The cost of fossil fuels is increasing yearly as well as other commodities. It is very important to save money nowadays because you can’t tell if the financial situation will improve or perhaps get worse. Solar power is free once you’ve purchased the needed assembly and you follow the guided instructions properly.
The sun will surely shine in the morning and so you can expect to generate electricity day by day. Years ago, people could not use solar power because the silicon-based systems used to build the solar panels were too expensive. With the advances in modern technology, solar power is now readily available at a very affordable cost.
Residential houses can benefit from these solar power systems because electrical costs are reduced. There are solar panels being sold today but they are still a bit costly. However, if you want to save money, you can start building your own. The needed materials can be bought in local hardware stores; by purchasing DIY kits, you can build the panels by following the instructions carefully. You can find instructions to build solar panels right here in this blog.
Solar Panels Maintenance
The solar panels are usually mounted on rooftops where there is lots of sunlight, but you must ensure that the panels are working efficiently. You need to clean the panels and check it once in a while, but generally speaking, the solar panels require little maintenance. This is the perfect energy solution for your home and the panels can serve you for about twenty years or even more when properly maintained.
About The Aesthetics Of Solar Panels
The designs of solar panels today do not harm the general looking of your home. In fact, solar panels can now blend with your home’s existing design. Find the perfect ready-made solar panel in the market or you can simply build one yourself. There are several reputable manufacturers that you can find and it would be best to stick to established and reputable ones. Most of the solar panels come with 15-20 years of warranty. This is an amazing deal. So, if anything goes wrong, you can always take advantage of the warranty. Some products even offer lifetime warranty; normally, they are durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions.
Start Small But Think Big…
You can start with small solar panels but purchase big inverters. That way, you can expand in the future and buy additional panels. If you can afford to fully invest in solar power for your home, then you can buy all the needed solar panels so that you can now use solar power to the fullest and perhaps substitute completely your normal electricity supply.
Now, you don’t need to rely entirely on conventional electrical sources. The solar panels can provide the needed electricity day and night regardless of the weather.
Click Here To Find The Available Products To Build Your Own Solar Power System
| Filed Under: Solar Power |
Jul
20Geothermal Energy: The Cleanest Source of Alternative Energy
Posted By: Freddy on July 20, 2010 at 10:41 pm
Developing geothermal energy technology should be one of the main focuses in searching for alternative energy sources. This is a largely untapped area of tremendous alternative power potential, as it simply taps the energy being naturally produced by the Earth itself. Vast amounts of power are present below the surface crust. All we need do is tap into it and harness it.
Geothermal Energy: Where It Comes From?
At the Earths’ core, the temperature is about 6,000 °C. This tremendous heat creates pressures that contain huge amounts of energy. In this place there exist superheated fluids in the form of magma -which we see the power and energy whenever there is a volcanic eruption- awaiting for tapping. These fluids also trickle to the surface as steam and emerge from vents. We can create our own vents, and we can create containment chambers for the magma and convert all of this energy into useful electricity.
The Geothermal Power Plant
To create a geothermal power plant, a well is dug where there is a good source of magma or heated fluid. Pipes are fitted down into the source, and the fluids are forced to the surface to produce the needed steam. The steam would turn a turbine engine, which would generate the electricity.
The Downsides of Geothermal Power
There are some criticisms of geothermal energy which prevent its being implemented on the large scale. Critics say that study and research to find a resourceful area is too costly and takes up too much time. Then there is more great expense needed to build a geothermal power plant, and there is no promise of the plant turning a profit. Some geothermal sites, once tapped, might be found to not produce a large enough amount of steam for the power plant to be viable or reliable. And we also hear from the environmentalists who worry that bringing up magma can bring up potentially harmful materials along with it.
However, the great benefits of geothermal energy would undermine these criticisms if only we would explore it more. Geothermal energy is extremely efficient—the efforts needed to channel it are minimal after a site is found and a plant is set up. Geothermal plants, furthermore, do not need to be as large as electrical plants, giant dams, or atomic energy facilities. The environment would thus be less disrupted.
Geothermal energy is an alternative form of energy. Using it would mean we become much less dependent on oil and coal. Perhaps most importantly we will never run out of geothermal energy, and it is not a commodity that would continuously become more expensive in terms of real dollars as time passes, since it is ubiquitous. Geothermal energy would be, in the end, very cheap, after investigation and power plant building costs are recovered.
Help To Protect Our Environment. Check Our Available Environmentally Friendly Products
| Filed Under: Alternative Energy Sources |
When designing your power system that you will depend on for years to come, it is a good idea to start with your expected energy usage in your home. Typically this is called an Energy Budget. You can refer to my previous post Sizing a Renewable Home Power System to easily determine your Energy Budget.
You can also refer to the post on Basic Concepts of Electricity in order to have a better understanding of the designing process here described.
After you complete an energy budget you will have a better idea of the amount of power production that will be necessary to run your off grid home.
In our next post we shall describe how to select your system power voltage. Stay tuned.
| Filed Under: Alternative Energy Sources , Solar Power |



