Solar Energy

is it possible for a refrigerator to be powered by solar energy?
if possible, how big would the panel be or how much solar energy would it require?
can someone please give me info on how much energy would need to power how big of a refrigerator?
thanks alot!

Refrigerators run intermittently, so the peak power and average power differ significantly. Read the data plate on the refrigerator to see how much power it requires; typically, it will be a few hundred watts. As for solar cells, they go for about $10 a watt, so a solar plant capable of running your refrigerator will cost several thousand dollars. A solar plant will produce a maximum of 2 kWh of electricity per year per watt of installed capacity, which has a market value of about 25 cents; unless you can get a huge subsidy (which sometimes you can), you would do better leaving your money in the bank and just paying the power company.

When did we first really discover renewable energy?

since the begining of time. there has always been atleast two ways to do something and yet we haven’t chosen the path that is more vigorous yet more rewarding at the same time.

I saw an episode in extreme makeover home edition were they built a house for a family and they used solar energy to power the house I like that not just because is good for the envirorment but because I think is better for us too, If we take care of the Earth we live in I think is going to last more.

I came accross a new, proven and tested home made wind power system and solar power system which eliminates our electricity bills. It was written by a renewable energy enthusiasts Michael Harvey the diy called Earth4energy. You can get your copy to save energy and help environment while eliminating your power bills. Get it from here:

http://how-to-build-cheap-solar-energy.blogspot.com/

How much less solar energy is received at 60 degrees latitude than that received at the Equator?

At 60 degrees latitude (north or south), and averaged over a year, the solar energy level is about 50% to 55% of the level at the equator. That’s not counting the effects of clouds.

A lot of the thermal energy at high latitudes comes in on wind and water movement; I guess you could say that is also a very indirect solar energy.

I have seen DIY software which explains everything for novices. Specifically, how to build your own solar panels and tie them into your home electrical system for about $100 in parts.

Has anyone tried doing this? Was it easy?

The local codes in most areas in the US won’t allow you to install a homemade solar panel on your house, it needs to be UL listed. Don’t believe all of those bogus sites that promise you can power your house for $200, you can’t. Also, besides the solar panel, you also need an approved inverter to convert the DC power from the solar panels to AC that your appliances need.

Factory built solar panels are generally guarantied for 20 - 25 years, with a life expectancy of twice that. You will never get that life from a homemade panel.

To save money on a solar installation, you may be able to install at least part of it yourself, but the equipment needs to be UL listed or equivalent.

You can see an example of a very small grid-tied electric system here. You can see that the solar panel is just one component. http://www.altestore.com/store/Kits-and-Package-Deals/Grid-Tied-Systems/Alt-E-Designed-Grid-Tie-Packages/AltE-Grid-Tied-Package-Micro1/p5642/ The output of this system will be very small, but it is a staring point.

You should consider solar water heating as a way to save on your energy bills. Heating your water accounts for about 25% of your energy use. If you can cut that by 75%, you will save a lot of money. Depending on where you are and how many are in your household, it may cost about $5000 for a do-it-yourself installation. There are tax incentives available that could potentially pay for as much as half of the system. These systems can pay for them selves in as little as 4 - 5 years.

Well, I am looking for a cheap way on building a solar panel, instead of buying by the manufacturing stores. I would like to stay in the budget up to 1,000 dollars. I want to have solar energy for my house because the sun is always shining. Is there a way I can make the Light power some of my house? What would I need? How much time would it take?
Where can I get the items I need?

You have a couple of options.

The first option is to put together a flat plate collector to generate hot water. If you live in a cold climate, you might have to use evacuated tubes and this will probably blow your budget. The hot water could be used as a pre-heater for your existing hot water system. Complete systems for domestic hot water will not likely fit into your budget.

The second option is a small solar panel to generate electricity. In order to fit into you thousand dollar budget, you will need something like this:
1) an 80W panel. This will set you back about $400. You can’t make the solar cells yourself, so it is just as well to buy a complete panel.

2) A small solar charge controller for about $100. This will take the power from the panel and make sure your storage battery is properly charged.

3) An inverter. This will take power from the battery and generate 120 volt AC power (like your wall sockets). A 120W unit will be less than $200.

4) A 12 volt deep cycle battery, perhaps $120.

5) A transfer switch to cut the power when the battery gets discharged and transfer to 120 volt utility power.

I came accross a new, proven and tested home made wind power system and solar power system which eliminates our electricity bills. It was written by a renewable energy enthusiasts Michael Harvey the diy called Earth4energy. You can get your copy to save energy and help environment while eliminating your power bills. Get it from here:

http://how-to-build-cheap-solar-energy.blogspot.com/

So I’ve finally decided I want to try and build my own solar panels to power some high energy consuming appliances in my house. If possible I’ll like to make my own solar panels or wind turbine to help contribute to a green environment. This will be a comletely home made solar power to generate electricity and help cut down my energy bills.

So basically what I’m looking for is a product that will guide me through the process of making my own solar panels or wind turbine to generate power for my home. It should have easy to follow intructions. Any personal recommemdations will be very much appreciated.

hi, i have search a link that it think can help you.. just check it out and feel free to ask again..

Windmills are very affordable and easy to make.

Wind power is very popular nowadays. People have come to realize that utilizing this type of power is no different than using the conventional ones. Windmills as they are commonly known, are as efficient as solar power when it comes to power generation. They are very affordable and eco-friendly. You can even build one yourself. Wind Power is slowly changing the power trend today. Most homes are already switching to this kind of power generators and even some businesses are contemplating with the idea of running their business using windmills as the source of power. How convenient it is to consume electricity which is generated for free.

I need some information for my negative debate speech. The subject is "Should the American goverment support solar energy?" If you could help it would greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Keep in mind I like solar energy, but I’ll give you some points.

1) It costs more
2) panels degrade faster than other energy sources equipment
3) They consume arable land
4) they consume natural habitat to set up
5) They can be unsightly (visual pollution)
6) Higher upkeep costs
7) Can be a hazard in high winds
transimssion issues getting energy from collection point to use point
9) energy only available in good weather
10) seasonality to its generation makes it an irregular energy source

There are good arguments in reply to all these points, but you wanted some negative debate points.

I came accross a new, proven and tested home made wind power system and solar power system which eliminates our electricity bills. It was written by a renewable energy enthusiasts Michael Harvey the diy called Earth4energy. You can get your copy to save energy and help environment while eliminating your power bills. Get it from here:

http://how-to-build-cheap-solar-energy.blogspot.com/

Would it be possible to help slow down the effects of global warming by creating about 50-100 giant ice cube makers in the artic area. It would be like an ice machine found in fast food places, where it makes the ice on its own and drops into a huge bucket, except it would fall back into the ocean. Using solar panels and the water from the ocean, ppl could come to do maintenance on once a month, or monitor them from far. Huge corporations like Coke, McDonalds, etc, and factories that make lots of pollution and have fines to pay or what ever penalties they get could go towards the cost of building and maintaining and ice machine. This would not only help the polar bears and other wild life, but it would it would create jobs and it would probably be tax deducible not to mention good publicity for who ever participated in this.
So if someone out there has power and influence or knows of a way to make this a reality, please let me know, but if you just want the points and don’t really care take your points and move on.

Interesting idea. Not sure if it is possible.

I am thinking about changing my career and be a salesman of solar energy electricity system. What kind of class I can take to become more knowelegeble? Or if I go back to college, which major should I be choose in order to get in this field?

You don’t need to go back to college, unless you want to become an engineer working on designing new solar systems. I would look for local solar installers and talk to them. If you live in the southwest US, California, New Jersey, Japan, Germany or Spain you might have a better chance because these are the largest markets for solar power.

I came accross a new, proven and tested home made wind power system and solar power system which eliminates our electricity bills. It was written by a renewable energy enthusiasts Michael Harvey the diy called Earth4energy. You can get your copy to save energy and help environment while eliminating your power bills. Get it from here:

http://how-to-build-cheap-solar-energy.blogspot.com/