Solar Energy

Why is important for ‘business’ to use renewable energy? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Do you know a company that uses renewable energy and has reduced its carbon footprint? And one that doesn’t and is considerably contributing to global warming etc

It’s important because fossil fuels are a finite resource. Global oil production is beginning to decline as old oil fields reach their peak, (the Gwhar and Cantrell giant oil fields for example,) and their production curves begin the inevitable slide downwards. Although new oil fields are being discovered, they are not very large, and for every new barrel of oil found, eight are being used at the same time.

A report from the UK Energy Research Centre published in August said that there was a ’significant risk’ that the peak of conventional oil production would happen before 2020, and that means we will soon be staring down the barrel of the ultimate oil crisis.

Some governments and corporations are waking up to this and beginning to develop alternatives to keep the worlds transport systems moving when cheap oil runs out, such as more energy efficient - or electric cars, bio fuels (which put the world’s food supply under pressure,) and hydrogen (which is too dangerous for public use at present,) but none of these is likely to make up the shortfall in time.

Many point to the tar sands and oil shales and the trillions of barrels of oil that are locked up in them, but even if investment in them poured in and everything went well:

‘oil sands might produce 6 million barrels of oil per day in 20 years’ time, but by then we’ll need to add at least 10 times that much capacity - without allowing for any growth in demand. It’s very hard to see non-conventional (oil sources) riding to the rescue.’ (Steven Sorrel, lead author of the UKERC report.)

There is also the problem that extracting non conventional oil supplies is very environmentally destructive, and if they were fully exploited, would hugely increase CO2 emissions, before they were even burned as fuel.

We must also remember that many of the rare earth metals that are needed to develop fuel efficient technologies are only found in China, and they have decided to limit or even ban the export of these metals, leaving all the other countries that wish to expand their use of such technologies at a disadvantage.

So the only businesses that can secure energy supplies are those that invest in renewable energies now, before the oil price rises, (due to demand outstripping supply,) and before the costs of making such renewables rises too as a result of resource depletion and the constrained supply of raw materials.

What are the drawbacks to using wind turbines or solar panels for providing all power to a home?

A. The wind and sun are not constant, so there would be times when no electricity would be generated.
B. The wind and sun are constant, so there would be plenty of electricity for the home.
C. Wind and solar power are inefficient and too expensive to use and maintain.
D. Wind and solar power are efficient, but they are not able to produce enough electricity for a single home.

again trying to help..again thnx 4 the previous………
nothing else…………but A.
NO COMMENTS ON THE OTHER OPTIONS….
except these there is another drawback…….its when your brother breaks the solar panel after quarrel with you……then no electricity will b produced………….hope this funny answer u liked……..its just to make yahhooooooooooo answer FUNNNNN…………

http://www.cat.org.uk/information/info_content.tmpl

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=diy+wind+solar+alternative+build&btnG=Search&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

I am looking at installing solar panels and other associated energy efficient products in the community in Perth. I am trying to find out what the course is that I need to be able to set up grid connect solar panels. I am aware that an electrician will have to do the connection to the grid, but have herd that there is a 3 month course in Brisbane. Just wondering if there is the same thing in Perth.

Thanks

I’m not really sure about a course that you need to install solar panels on houses. i’m doing certificate II in electrotechnology and I know that there is also a certificate IV in electrotechnology where you learn about renewable energy so i searched Google for a TAFE in Perth that offers this sort of course and found this: http://psc.central.tafe.wa.edu.au/Search/List.aspx?Keyword=renewable%20energy&CourseNumber=&CourseType=&DeliveryLocation=&InternationalProduct=&Status=&StudyMode=&AccreditationWeeks=&MOUP=&MOUC=&ASCO=&ANZSIC=&ReviewDate=&searchBy=adv&currentlyThisSemester=&availableNextSemester=&courseNationalNumber=

I hope this helps! (I’m actually thinking of installing solar panels when I’m older too)

I would love to use some solar energy in my home. What can you tell me about how much it costs to begin? Is there some sort of federal tax credit? What all do I need to buy (panels, batteries, etc)? Can a homeowner do the installation or must it be done by a professional? Would also appreciate any websites for retailers of solar energy items. Thank you very much for any information.

When I was gainfully employed, prior to experiencing the bliss of retirement, I worked for a hardware store that marketed a solar energy system for single family residences.

The cost profile (this stuff is expensive) suggested that, if you planned to live in your home for 19 years post-installation, you would amortize the cost.

There were federal and California state tax credits available at the time, as well as a rebate from Pacific Gas and Electric (primary utility provider in No. Calif.) which produced a net cost near $20K.

You need to determine if your local power company is obligated to buy back surplus power from your solar system first. If they are not legally required to do so, that will make amortization more difficult.

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/

I was trying to figure out how solar panels work today and I found that electrons get displaced in 2 layers of a solar panel by photons coming from the sun to create power. If the electrons come from the solar panel and go into the electrical grid, how are they replaced in the solar panel? Wouldn’t the solar panel eventually lose all of its electrons and stop working? Electrons have mass, so wouldn’t the solar panel slowly deteriorate?

I think solar energy is awesome and I really want to know how it works. Any help in enlightening me on this subject would great, thanks!

It’s because the photovolcaics are closed-loop systems. A photon will come in and basically knock an electron across what is called a "junction" and create current, but it is "caught" (really simplified version) on the other side of the junction and kind of "bounced back" into place.

It’s like Formula 1 racing or NASCAR. The car will be sitting in the Pit, just waiting to go, then will tear out, run a few laps until it requires more fuel, then stops in the Pit again, gets refueled, and just waits for the signal from the Pit Boss to get going again.

The limiting factor on solar cells isn’t the cell itself, as in the electrical circuits and semiconductors, but rather the very slow degradation of the (usually plastic) that holds each small cell in place, so that it can create a useful photovoltaic cell. Since modern plastics can be treated with UV coatings to prevent degradation, and are practically immune to water, the only thing that can really hurt them is somebody whacks it with a hammer or drops it while installing it on the roof.

They’re excellent. The south face of my roof is sufficient, along with a small vertical-axis wind turbine, to generate more power than I need, and it actually gets sold back to Sempra Energy/SDG&E.

I want to build a house and put solar panels on my roof. What angle do I need to build my roof at so I can just place solar panels flat on my roof? Which direction does the solar panels need to be facing?

This depends on your latitude and where you are. If you’re in the northern hemisphere, it faces south, with a tilt direction at the sun with respect to the average tilt of the earth. If you’re in the southern hemisphere, the solar panels (both photovoltaic and solar thermal) face north. If you’re on the equator, then they may lie flat on your roof. In US at a latitude of 40 degrees, you may want a tilt of about 20 degrees (because of change of seasons). You can alway angel the panels easier than modifying an existing roof. Be sure NOT to shade any part of photovoltaic panels at ant time.