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Advantages and Disadvantages of SOLAR ENERGY
Many of us know that solar energy is good, but few really understand why. Therefore, I compiled a comprehensive list of solar energy advantages and disadvantages that will enable you to make an educated decision whether on not Solar Power is right...
Are You Part of the Wake Up Crew?
Many people living on the planet right now have volunteered to accept the opportunity to play teaching, healing, inspirational and leadership roles during this current planetary transformation. These assignments have been accepted by the...
GREENHOUSE EFFECT AND ITS IMPLICATIONS
Some information for those who may not know much about the causes and implications of the “Greenhouse Effect” For those of you who have been living under a rock or asleep for the last 20 years or those who want to know more about it, here is a brief...
Looking For a Swimming Pool Contractor?
When it comes to an in ground swimming pool all we knew was that
we liked to enjoy our weekends in one with our family and
friends. We started to ask around to our family members and
friends for information on swimming pool supplies and...
Solar Cooling - Air-Conditioning From the Sun
At first glance, solar cooling looks like an oxymoron. However,
the same energy that can provide heat in the wintertime can also
provide cooling during the summer.
Several passive cooling systems have been developed and tested.
At their...
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Solar Energy - Have the Sun pay part of your energy bill
Residential hot water is a significant energy consumer for most
households. In fact, hot water is sometimes the largest single
energy cost. Using solar energy to provide at least some of the
hot water in your household can result in significant savings.
There are several ways that solar energy can be integrated into
a hot water system. Although solar boilers can be used on their
own, they are most often used in conjunction with traditional
water heaters which are powered by gas or electricity. In this
kind of system, the water heated with solar energy can be used
on its own (if it is hot enough) or as preheated water for the
traditional water heater.
Solar boilers can be used in any type of climate but are most
practical in areas which don't have freezing weather during the
wintertime. Solar hot water systems in colder climates can use
indirect heating systems which do not expose the water to the
freezing temperatures. Instead, a fluid that resists freezing
circulates through the solar panels and is used to heat the
water. Southern climates can use direct heating systems where
the water itself passes through the solar panels installed on
the roof.
There are two basic types of solar hot water systems -- active
and passive. Passive systems rely on gravity and the natural
flow of water from hot to cold. They are simple systems and
require very little maintenance. They are durable and
long-lasting. You can easely build simple systems yourself all
you will need are parts that you can find in any
hardware store.
Active systems make use of pumps to circulate the water. In some
systems, the pumps can be powered with solar energy; otherwise
they must be connected to the household electrical supply. In
both systems a storage tank is needed to hold the heated water.
On hot days with plenty of direct sunlight solar systems can
heat water with surprising efficiency. During this kind of
weather, there may be no need to use electricity or gas as a
backup. When the weather is colder, the solar heaters can
preheat the water which passes into the traditional water
heater. This preheated water requires much less energy to bring
to proper temperatures which can result in significant savings
on your energy bills.
As with all alternative energy systems there is a lot of room
for your own imagination if you like that. If you don't you
don't and just use the technology, but for those who like to
play around with technology like myself these systems offer a
myriad of possibilities to think about.
For example, a stirling engine converts changes in temperature
into mechanical motion, for example to generate electricity.
Mmm, that's a nice thought. A change in temperature is something
this system will provide, but it will also heat your water. A
double benefit?
About the author:
Hans is an off grid enthusiast and author at
http://www.alternative-energy-guide.com/ Visit us for
introductory and more advanced articles.
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| Department of Energy - Homepage |
| Governmental department whose mission is to advance energy technology and promote related innovation in the United States. |
| www.energy.gov |
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| Department of Energy - Page not found! |
| US Department of Energy information for consumers, business, and communities. Links to many energy pages of the DOE. |
| www.energy.gov |
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| Energy Quest Room |
| California Energy Commission's energy and environmental education site for students, parents and teachers. Includes information, Q&As, projects, ... |
| www.energyquest.ca.gov |
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| The Energy Story - Introduction |
| Detailed guide explains what energy is and where it comes from. |
| www.energyquest.ca.gov |
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| EIA Energy Kids Page - energy facts, fun, games and activities |
| Features various sections about energy including what it is and the forms it comes in. Find out how humans use energy through quizzes and a 'fun facts' ... |
| www.eia.doe.gov |
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| Energy Information Administration - EIA - Official Energy ... |
| Section of the US Department of Energy (DOE) providing statistics, data, analysis on resources, supply, production, consumption for all energy sources. |
| www.eia.doe.gov |
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| Energy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
| Free encyclopedia article explaining the scientific notion of energy. Includes units of measure, energy transformation concepts, types of energy, ... |
| en.wikipedia.org |
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| Department of Energy - Homepage |
| U.S. Department of Energy Awards Contract for Management and Operation of Ames ... The Energy Star label is the government's seal of energy efficiency. ... |
| www.doe.gov |
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| Home : ENERGY STAR |
| US EPA Energy Star programs and products help save the environment and save consumers money by using less energy through advanced design or construction. |
| www.energystar.gov |
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| National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Home Page |
| Facility of the US Department of Energy (DOE) for renewable energy and energy efficiency research, development and deployment. |
| www.nrel.gov |
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| European Commission - Energy - Home page |
| Welcome to the European Commission's "Energy" website ... A European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy ... |
| ec.europa.eu |
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| DTI - Energy - Introduction |
| The DTI’s Energy Group deals with energy-related matters, ... UK energy statistics are provided, including production, consumption and prices. ... |
| www.dti.gov.uk |
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| U.S. DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Home Page |
| US Department of Energy web site for information on energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. |
| www.eere.energy.gov |
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| Energy for America's Future |
| Provides an overview of President Bush's energy policies. |
| www.whitehouse.gov |
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| International Energy Agency |
| Energy Security, Growth and Sustainability through Co-operation and Outreach. |
| www.iea.org |
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| energywatch: Home Page |
| Independent gas and electricity consumer watchdog, providing help to domestic, commercial or industrial energy (gas and electricity) consumers. |
| www.energywatch.org.uk |
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| EnergyAustralia - Home |
| Details of one of Australia's largest and oldest gas and electricity supply companies. Includes information on accounts, energy saving tips, appliance sales ... |
| www.energy.com.au |
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| U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources |
| Has jurisdiction over energy policy, regulation, and research. Also deals with energy and mineral conservation, ports used for energy transport, irrigation, ... |
| energy.senate.gov |
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| bloomberg energy prices |
| www.bloomberg.com/energy/ - Similar pages |
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| Energy Bulletin |
| A clearinghouse of information concerning the peak in global energy such as oil and gas. |
| www.energybulletin.net |
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