Sunday, June 10, 2012

Buying Wholesale Solar Panels



Solar power use has become more pronounced in the last few years owing to many factors. An aversion from fossil fuel resources, because of price hike and environmental concerns has prompted many people to shift to renewable energy. To complement, a sharp decline in solar panels prices has attracted many people to solar energy market. The ease of installation and minimal maintenance are other advantages, resulting in the solar panel demand to shoot up.

In particular, home owners are using solar power, for it is usually more economical than the utility power supply. It is ideal to invest in this growing market time. Before you start this business you need to have knowledge of the market and there are a few formalities which need to be fulfilled when you dive into this business.

Below are mentioned a few basics you need to know before buying solar panels:

1. Registration with Internal Revenue Service


Before you embark on to the business of solar panels it is very important that obtain an Employer Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service. To buy solar panels in bulk from whole sale dealers you have to be a legitimate business owner. Whether you are a sole business owner, a proprietor ship or a public limited company; this EIN number serves as a business owner identity. This EIN number serves many other purposes for any business. You can get this EIN number free of cost.

2. Obtain Required Solar Licenses


Usually you will need a license to sell solar panels in your area. This is because other regulations have been put into practice for providing incentives to the solar panel consumers. Contact the office of your secretary of state or attorney general’s office for obtaining this license. However there are some states where you don’t need this license but it is better to have precautionary measures taken.

3. Know your Financial Resources


You should be completely aware of what you have in the pocket when negotiating a deal for whole sale solar panels. There are many dealers who will give you the solar panels at retail price by pretending it as a wholesale price. It is very important that you get quotes from several dealers in order to get an idea of the wholesale price. When you know your budget you can negotiate better deals. A legitimate wholesale dealer always asks for bulk supply of solar panels.

4. Ratings of the Equipment


It is very important to know what sort of equipment is required in your area of sale. Some solar panels are capable to supply large amounts of electric power and are costly enough, but may not be required by the majority of consumers. Some solar panels may be too small to pick an electric load of a typical home. Make sure your whole sale supplier provides a variety of solar panels.

5. Search the Internet


In order to get the best deals visit different selling websites. You can also consider the option of importing the solar panels in bulk if feasible. Ask for samples in order to ascertain the quality of panels and the delivery standards of your whole sale dealer.

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Thursday, June 7, 2012

Best Ways for Solar Panel Mounting



Solar panel is actually used to generate energy. The greatest problem of this century is no doubt the energy crisis so the need of such alternatives automatically increases rapidly. Some types of solar panel mounting systems for homes specifically, are discussed here. They are also known as residential mounting systems.

Checking Your Roof


Before starting off with these systems and getting them installed, you must check the undercarriage of your roof. This can be done by any qualified structural engineer so do get their services prior to the installment. It is not required by every country to have an engineer’s stamp on the building but for a Vibrant, a structural engineer is must.

Building Codes


UBC mandates the techniques and the building materials. It actually stands for universal building code. Codes are given after every few years. When any city or a country decides for adopting a new UBC version, the efficiency varies.

Local buildings code usually has some variations from the standard techniques. People must also consider the fire department and electrical code regulations before the installment.

1. Flush Mount


Flush mount is a standard mounting system. The benefit is that a less space is taken by them and it has the lowest visual impact. If you want to install it, your roof will be penetrated into the joists by using a 5/8” long bolt. A standard roofing sealant is also used. There is a metal of L-shaped foot which is fixed by the bolt. Vents, pipes, and other structures are also used accordingly.

2. Tilt Mount


Metal legs are added to the flush mounting for tilting the tops of the panels. It is done in order to gain a better angle towards the southern horizon. This increases the cost in labor and material but you have a benefit that the output is better. The sun hits the mount at an appropriate angle. Thus the maximum solar energy can be used and utilized.

3. Fin Mount


It is specifically for the slopes which face east or west. So this mount is fixed to get a better angle to the south. Legs of varying lengths are installed and this system is comparatively higher than the other ones.

4. Shadows


There are more than one row in tilt and fin mount system. A separate shadow is cast by each row. That’s why each row must be placed at a reasonable distance so the shadow couldn’t be cast by the southern row on the next one. The slope of the roof and the tilt of the planes determine the distance of the rows.

5. Side Mounts


Cantilevered window can be mounted to almost every building side. But prior to the installment the structural engineer must check the condition of the wall, design process and other factors.

6. Ground Mounts


They normally require digging holes for pouring concrete in them. It is done to secure the poles, rack bases etc.

7. Parking Canopies


It is better to have a covered parking area. So install the solar panels and get the shade.

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Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Top 20 Countries with CO2 Emissions




Every country in the world contribute different amount of heat trapping gases to the atmosphere. The following list of 20 countries for CO2 emissions is compiled by the Energy Information Agency (Department of Energy) that estimates carbon dioxide emissions from all sources of fossil fuel burning and consumption. 


Here is the list of top 20 countries in the world with highest carbon dioxide emissions.  A graph of the top 20 carbon dioxide emitters is also available.



Country

Total Emissions
(Million metric tons of CO2)
Per Capita Emissions
(Tons/capita)
1.
China
6017.69
4.58
2.
United States
5902.75
19.78
3.
Russia
1704.36
12.00
4.
India
1293.17
1.16
5.
Japan
1246.76
9.78
6.
Germany
857.60
10.40
7.
Canada
614.33
18.81
8.
United Kingdom
585.71
9.66
9.
South Korea
514.53
10.53
10.
Iran
471.48
7.25
11.
Italy
468.19
8.05
12.
South Africa
443.58
10.04
13.
Mexico
435.60
4.05
14.
Saudi Arabia
424.08
15.70
15.
France
417.75
6.60
16.
Australia
417.06
20.58
17.
Brazil
377.24
2.01
18.
Spain
372.61
9.22
19.
Ukraine
328.72
7.05
20.
Poland
303.42
7.87
































The list and the graph compiled by Energy Information agency shows that major carbon dioxide emission are made by developed countries and major emerging economy nations lead in total carbon dioxide emissions. Developed countries are having typically high carbon dioxide emissions and some developing countries lead in the growth rate of carbon dioxide emissions. Obviously these major carbon dioxide emissions by big developed and developing countries are at the core of the challenges the world community faces in finding effective and equitable solutions.

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Thursday, May 10, 2012

Build Your Own Wind Powered Generator



The modern world mainly relies on fossil fuel energy. But the fact everyone knows fossil fuels have limits and fossil fuel resources are decreasing. They will end, though not now may be in next some hundred or more years they will end. That’s why all developed countries are looking to alternative sources of energy. Renewable energy forms like solar energy and wind energy. Though these forms are yet not in full practical mode but in future they will be having major role in meeting energy crisis.

Wind energy is a renewable energy type and it doesn’t have any emissions. Wind energy is being used by human from centuries in form of windmills and for sailing ships.

Wind power is still used to generate electricity on large scale. But, how you can produce electricity on small scale through wind power? To produce electricity through wind power a wind generator is needed.

What is Wind Generator?


Wind generator is a device which produces the electricity by harnessing the wind. Wind powered generator produces the electricity with the help of wind turbines. Difference is only that in windmills large wind turbines are used while of wind powered generator small size wind turbines are needed. Wind generator harnesses the wind power through wind turbines and that produced electricity is stored in batteries, which is then used to power the electrical appliances.

You can buy a wind generator and you can make your own wind generator also!

Required Material for Making Wind Generator


Components which are needed to build wind generator are:

  • Blades
  • Generator body
  • Motor
  • Hub
  • Tail
  • Batteries
  • Wind Generator Diode

Tools which you will need to build wind generator are:

  • Saw
  • Bolts
  • Hammer etc.

The blades which will be needed to make a small wind turbine for the generator you can buy from market or you can make them in home. If you make them in home then probable you will make those blades of wood or PVS pipe. If you choose wood then use cedar wood as it’s strong and flexible.

Making Body and Tail of the Wind Generator


You can make the body and tail of the wind generator from recycled double-wall stainless steel chimney pipe. Double wall stainless steel chimney pipe will work as the body of your generator and it can resist the rough weather.




Building Your Own Wind Generator


You will need following things to build your own wind generator:

1. Motor


To build your own wind generator you will have to get the motor which is rated for high DC voltage, low RPM and high current. Size of motor can vary as it depends on the size wind blades of your made up wind turbine. Usually a motor above 40 volts is considered good for making of wind generator. Construct the hub of generator from a circular piece of steel. Blades and motor will be attached with the hub with help of bolts. Batteries are needed to store the electricity which is produced by the generator.

2. Batteries


Batteries will be attached with generator by a thick wire. Batteries are very sensitive to excessive heat or cold so place them on a place where weather doesn’t have affect on them.  The best place will be such place for the placement of batteries where you can keep an eye on them for monitoring.  You will also need a wall meter so that you can know whether batteries are getting charged or not.

3. Wind Generator Diode


The wind generator diode will be attached with the generator as it will allow you to monitor the current flow. You can monitor the wind generator current flow by the help of generator   diode which will show that current flowing is on right direction which is towards batteries and toward generator.

4. Inverter


You will also need a good quality inverter which you will have to attach with the batteries. The inverter will convert the DC current into AC so that appliances in your home can use that power.

Bottom Line


Though yet wind energy is having major part in meeting energy challenges of world. But use of wind energy is growing rapidly around the world. Statistics of last five years shows that use of wind energy had got doubled in these past 5 years.  It is a solid fact that wind energy is environment friendly.

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Sunday, May 6, 2012

Wind Powered Autos



Wind power is not new to humans, it was used by mankind centuries ago to sail on sea, ships and large boats use the wind power. Most of ships in ancient times use wind power to sail until steam engines were invented. Still in many countries wind power is use to sail boats or other sea activities but only as a sport or leisure activity such as, windsurfing and yachting.

But use of wind power in old days was related only to sea vehicles. In modern days when the pollution and global warming problem is on rise the scientists thought to use wind energy to devise a wind powered car.  Though wind energy still haven’t became a big energy industry like thermal and hydroelectricity generation. But wind energy haves its own solid basis and it’s in process of development. But the thing which raise the question in mind that ‘will wind powered car work same as conventional cars?”

Let’s check it out!

How Wind Powered Car Work?

 

Same principle of wind power is used in wind cars also that wind power in car is turned into electricity which helps the car to move forward. The concept which let the scientists to work for a wind powered car is that when we are driving in a car an immense force of wind the car gets which can be felt if we take our hand out of car window. This thing made the scientists that how if this wind force is used to harness the electrical energy as a clean source for running cars.

Following accessories are used in a wind powered cars:

1. Wind Turbines for Wind Powered Cars


Like other wind energy processing mechanics in wind powered card wind turbines and valves are used also to harness the wind. These wind turbines are valves are placed in such position in the cars that they can start moving. The function of valves is to absorb the wind which is needed to power the car. Along valves an alternator is connected which convert the kinetic energy into electric energy. The generated electric energy is stored in a DC battery which is connected to a controller. The controller converts he DC current in to AC.

2. Potentiometers


Potentiometers work in the wind powered car is to resist and regulate the speed of the car. There is a cable which connects the controller and accelerator which passes through a couple of potentiometers. Efficiency of accessories in wind powered cars is excellent as the number of rotating and revolving parts are   very less, in result it helps to move quite fast.

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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

How Wind Power Plants Work?



Just building a windmill in a windy place doesn’t mean that operating of wind power plant is simple. It’s necessary for wind power plant owners to plan carefully where to locate their machinery and also to check out that how fast and how much wind blows at proposed locations.


As it’s a rule that wind speed increases with altitude and over open areas that have no windbreaks. Good places for wind plants are the smooth rounded hills, open plains or shorelines and mountain gaps that produce wind funneling.

Wind Speed Variation


Throughout the United States wind speed varies and it also varies from season to season. As in Tehachapi, California, from April to October wind blows more than winter season. Wind blowing between those months is more because of the extreme heating of the Mojave Desert during the summer months. The hot air in desert rises and the cooler air from Pacific Ocean with great speed passes the Tehachapi Mountain to replace the vacuum. While in Montana State its totally different there wind blows more in winter.

Luckily these seasonal variations are a good match for the electricity demands of the regions. As in California electricity is used more in summers for using air conditioners and in Montana it’s used more in winters for heating.

The States with more Wind Production


In 2008 wind turbines or wind machines were producing electricity in 31 different States. In those 31 States Texas, California, Lowa, Minnesota and Oklahoma are the states with more wind production.

International Wind Power Plants


Most of wind power plants are located in Europe and in the United States the governments there had supported the wind power development. According to 2008 figures regarding wind power generation United States is on top in wind power capacity, followed by Germany, Spain and china. Denmark’s ranking is ninth in world in wind power generation, while it generates about 20% of its electricity from wind.

Offshore Wind Power


Conditions for wind power generations are suitable on much of the coasts of the United States but some people oppose that putting wind turbines near the coastlines and there are also some people who thinks that the wind turbines will spoil the view of ocean. That’s why there is plan now to build an offshore wind plant off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Wind is great renewable energy source and some people think that it is a good substitute for fossil oil. Most of all it does not pollute the environment.

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Sunday, January 29, 2012

Wind Energy and Its Uses



The non-renewable energy resources like fossil fuels, coal etc. are depleting and will end one day as the world is using them. It’s a solid fact that every resource of energy which is taken from earth will because those are limited, and there is no such mechanism that kept on making those non-renewable energy resources under ground. The world then will have to rely on the renewable energy resources. Renewable energy resources like wind can never deplete.
Wind energy and solar energy are the forms of renewable energy that probably can help out mankind from energy crisis.

How Ancient Civilizations Used Wind Energy?


Ancient civilizations were familiar with the use of wind energy and its used was cited in the Chinese, Babylonians, Persians and Middle East Civilizations. In old times wind energy was used to propel the ships and boats, while in China windmills were used for pumping water for irrigation purposes.  Wind energy use was popular in Europe also, in Netherlands windmills were used for irrigation and electricity production in the late 19th century.

In America windmills were pretty much in use also for irrigation and grinding cereals. Windmills were used in farms and far flung areas to fulfill the energy requirements.  But in 20th century when electricity supplies were increased windmills got disappeared from scene also! In last 20 years again windmills can be seen across the United States. Wind energy is becoming economical source of energy in many countries around the globe. United States is having a plan to meet its 30% of electricity needs through wind energy till 2030.

Wind Energy Uses in Modern Era


In modern era wind energy is not used similar as it was in ancient time that grinding cereals and pumping water through windmills.  Windmills are now replaced with wind turbines. Wind turbines are used to produce electricity. But the model of wind turbines is similar like windmills. Wind turbines are having these parts:

  • Blades
  • Shafts
  • Gears
  • Generators and cable

The wind blows across the wind turbine’s blades which makes them to move. When blades move they makes the shafts connected to them in motion, leading to power in a generator. This makes electricity which is then distributed through cables.

The electricity production capacity depends on size and numbers of the wind turbines. Smaller size wind turbines will make less electricity which probably will be sufficient for a single home. While big size wind turbines can produce electricity for nearly 500 to 1000 homes. Many coastal areas where wind blows round the clock, wind plants are establish to provide electricity to villages and communities.

Wind energy is an environment friendly type of energy that haves zero emissions. So many countries around the globe are now planting wind energy plants. In coming years use of wind energy will increase.

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Thursday, January 26, 2012

Types of Renewable Energy



Every civilization’s progress is dependent on the natural resources. In natural resources all living and non living things come, for example manpower is living resource. Similarly minerals are the non-living resource. But continuous use of natural resources is restricting the further usage. Natural resources include:

  • Forests
  • Agricultural lands
  • Oceans and rivers
  • Minerals
  • Fossil fuels

Some of these resources are natural renewable resources and some are non-renewable. With non- renewable resources most of people are familiar. Such as gasoline, coal etc.

Continuous usage of non-renewable resources like petrol, coal and other fossil fuels had decreased their natural availability. It takes so much time and investment to find new hidden resources for these types of non-renewable fuels.  That’s why day by day fuel price are rising in the market and those are affecting the life of a common person.

Human had made immense advancements in the field of technology but never considered renewable resources more as compare to non- renewable resources. If we look into history renewable sources of energy were used more by the ancient human.

But in modern era scenario had been changed, there is rise in fuel prices and environmental concerns are on rise also!

Its time to consider renewable energy resources seriously before it get too much late.  There are 5 renewable energy types that are available all around the world easily.

Here are the types of the renewable energy:

1. Solar Energy


Solar energy is the energy which is derived from the sun. It can for heating purpose or for power production.  No need to buy fuel or coal to generate electricity sun is available one just have to harness its rays and have to convert them in the desired form of energy either heat or electricity!

Solar heaters are used to heat your home and water; similarly solar panels are used to convert sunlight into electricity. Best thing about solar energy is that it requires very less maintenance. Solar energy is environment friendly and haves zero emissions. But solar panels manufacturing do includes some toxic elements and it is expensive as compare to non-renewable energy resources.

Solar energy is expensive only in the beginning, once solar panels are installed after that your gets power for lifetime in free!

2. Wind Energy


Wind is also a renewable source of energy and available free of cost. Mankind is using wind energy through windmills from so many years. Wind energy is environment friendly and haves zero emissions. Wind can be turned into electricity with the help of wind turbines. Wind turbines are really great source t produce electricity but these can be fatal to flying birds.

3. Hydropower


Hydropower means generating energy with the help of flowing water. This great renewable energy source is being used since ages and is known as hydroelectric power.  Hydroelectricity is produced with the churning water with the help of massive generators. Though hydropower haves zero emissions also but it affects the aquatic life and aquatic ecosystem.

4. Biomass Energy


Plants and trees are the source of biomass energy and are used for creating bio-fuels. Plants are used from paper making to methane gas decomposition. Now plants are even grown for bio-fuels such as ethanol is obtained from corn crops. Biomass energy can be used for lighting and cooking.

5. Geothermal Energy


Geothermal energy is the energy which is obtained from earth’s heat. It can be in form volcanoes, hot spring, steam reservoir or sun-heated earth crust. There are only few countries in the world that produce electricity from geothermal energy!

Renewable energy is having enormous benefits. Its environment friendly and aside from those renewable energy resources are not going to deplete. They can be naturally replenished which will go long way for the future generations.

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