Energy

400-watt solar aircon

SolCool One LLC of Redlands, California, is marketing an air conditioner that uses so little power it can be run from the power generated by no more than four solar panels. The air conditioner uses less than 400 watts of power, allowing it to run off the power of four or fewer solar panels or a wind turbine.…

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Homepower your stereo

When it comes to renewables, you�ve got to be realistic. Try taking one small solar panel and think: what can I power with this? That�s the question Richard Rogers asked himself, and his answer � a hi-fi. Music-lovers can re-create his design using some basic equipment and a little electronics know-how.…

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Land

No More Excuses for Gore

Al Gore has been under attack ever since the release of his documentary �An Inconvenient Truth� for allegedly not practicing what he preaches. Most notably, his frequent flying and lavish energy-guzzling home were revealed to be causing the environment a whole lot of damage.
But, Gore has had some vindication lately. It seems that zoning laws have prevented the former presidential candidate (and some suspect potential candidate for 2008 despite his denials) from installing solar panels on his roof.…

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Land

Half-price Solar Panels – Colorado

Residents in Colorado are getting around 50% back on their solar installation spending � all thanks to renewable energy incentives offered by Colorado utility companies. In 2004, Colorado voters passed Amendment 37, requiring large utility companies to get 10% of their energy from renewable sources. As a result, Xcel created the Solar Rewards program, offering an up-front rebate for homeowners wanting to install solar systems.…

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Energy

How to build a Water Motor

The Water Motor
The Water Motor

We all know how an industrial electric motor operates. You have a power switch. It turns electric current on and off to an electric motor, which then does work. That work can be pushing a cart, a fridge, a submersible water pump, or any number of rotary devices. What do you do off the grid, in the mountains of South America, where there is no power supply? What do you use to give power supply for your electric motor? Enter Ron & Diane in Bolivia, and their “Water Motor“. A unique Micro-Hydro device that uses the power of a falling stream to power stationary devices like saws, mills and generators like home generators and so on.…

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Energy

The Google of Renewables

Nanosolar is winning the race to develop solar power that is cheaper per unit than grid electricity. The company promises a solar panel on every building.…

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Solar pool heaters

Solar hot water heaters can be a cost-effective way to heat the swimming pool at your off-grid palace. This isn�t just a celebrity trend, though � you can buy ready-made kits to that are easy to install starting at around �700. Heating an average pool for the swimming season uses about the same amount of energy as most homes require per year. The costs go beyond just monthly heating bills when you consider greenhouse gas emissions involved � so a solar pool heater pays for itself quickly. Solar blankets (pool covers) are the cheapest way to reduce heat loss and save energy.…

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Energy

Branson’s New Toy

Richard Branson�s got himself another island to do with as he pleases. Branson wants his latest purchase to serve as an eco-friendly example to the rest of the resorts out there. Conventional cars will be banned although there may be small electric buggies to ferry visitors around. Homes will be built Balinese-style from sustainable materials. Branson is already installing wind and wave turbines and solar panels on Necker, which is used as a hideaway by celebrities such as Mariah Carey and Annie Lennox.…

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Bush sees the light

George Bush has been listening to the light gods � he�s given funding to a project harnessing energy from sunlight and interior light to wirelessly power everything from cellphones to signboards. With the Solar America Initiative, Bush has finally been forced to let solar energy compete with conventional electricity sources, and Konarka hopes to develop flexible plastic solar cell strips � material that could be embedded into the casings of laptop computers and even woven into power-producing clothing to energize digital media players or other electronics.…

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Energy

Cheap energy in the UK

UK providers of cheap gas and electricity are in a price war. But comparing their prices with potential renewable installations , especially over a few years’ shows the cheapest energy may be in renewables after all.…

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Energy

Make your own Biodiesel Processor

Biodiesel processor
Biodiesel while you sleep

This unit will take lye and methanol, react it with vegetable oil, and produce a direct substitute for diesel fuel, to be used in any diesel engine, with no changes or modifications to the engine or fuel system. From tractors to trucks, cars to generators, even your boat, if you have a diesel engine, you can make your own fuel, no fumes, no fuss.
We start with a standard electric water heater from our local Sears store, and a conversion kit from Biodiesel Warehouse. After removing the cold water inlet tube, we remove the bottom drain, and attach the valve “T” assembly. The pump then bolts on to the “T”, attaching the fuel transfer manifold to the top of the pump.…

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