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Energy

Solar powered hydrogen production

PV to Hydrogen
PV to Hydrogen

Apart from saving resources, using solar energy instead of power from portable generators like diesel generators. Yamaha generators or Honda generators, for everyday power needs could shield the West from the negative effects of dramatic shifts in the supply and price of energy.
But the sun does not always shine. You need backup power for your home — a way to store solar energy for times when the sun is not shining. Hydrogen provides a safe, clean , efficient way to do this.
Here’s how the solar hydrogen cycle works:…

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May 4, 2007 3 Comments

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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April 30, 2007 6 Comments

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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April 15, 2007 2 Comments
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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April 4, 2007 No Comments
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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April 4, 2007 1 Comment
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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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March 31, 2007 5 Comments
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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March 28, 2007 1 Comment

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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March 22, 2007 1 Comment
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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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March 21, 2007 No Comments

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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March 16, 2007 No Comments
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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March 14, 2007 No Comments