Individual Wind Turbines

Posted on May 5, 2010 by Admin

Wherever they may be located, wind farms are now being seen as the modern equivalent to the old coal power plant. Scores of wind turbines all working in unison can now be seen both on and offshore throughout the world, but a wind turbine does not need a friend to be useful.

Wind farms are incredibly productive, as anything that combines a singular might will be. However, there is still a place for the individual wind turbine being used to power a specific area. One wind turbine alone can generate a lot of electricity. For example, a singular wind turbine in Reading, England generates enough power to satisfy the electricity demands of 1,000 homes nearby.

Individual wind turbines also have an advantage over wind farms in that they do not require a lot of space. Numerous wind turbines combined to create a wind farm will require acres of land on which to erect the turbines and their electricity generators; just one wind turbine obviously only needs a fraction of this space. For this reason, individual wind turbines are being considered a viable solution for urban areas, where there is not enough floor space to erect anything more than a singular turbine.

While it is unlikely the future includes the idea of every street having its own wind turbine generating close-by electricity, the idea of individual wind turbines is growing. We could well see a day when town planning includes the usual wind turbine to generate electricity, and from an environmental point of view alone, this is wonderful progress.

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Solar Photovoltaic and Solar Water Heater opportunities.

Posted on April 23, 2010 by Admin

Going Green Solar and Erus Builders have partnered to offer an opportunity for homeowners in Arizona to reduce the cost of their energy bills by having a Solar Energy System installed.  With current local Utility Rebates and Tax Incentives a Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System along with a Solar Water Heating System will quickly pay for itself and start to make you money.  We offer multiple financing options which, in many cases, the payment will be offset by the savings from the solar systems. Please contact us for a free energy audit and education on our energy saving systems.

Erus Builders and Going Green Solar decided to work with Enphase Energy on our Solar PV Systems due to their cutting edge micro-inverter technology.  This new concept is more efficient than standard Photovoltaic inverter systems and easier to design and install and is rapidly changing the solar photovoltaic industry. Please contact us for additional information.

Local utility companies continue to raise their price for electricity to us and the solar rebates they offer are continually decreasing.  This opportunity to get free money from them is running out so please take advantage now to create a free asset for yourself that will continue to pay you as long as the sun continues to shine.

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What is a Wind Turbine?

Posted on March 7, 2010 by Admin

Dotted across landscapes throughout the world, one can now see small, stick-thin structures with three spokes poking out from the central column. These structures are alarming, and almost sinister, the first time you see them. The world now recognises them as wind turbines, and their presence in the modern world is becoming more apparent.

Wind turbines are man’s primary way of generating electricity using the power of the wind. The versions of wind turbines we see now are merely an extension of an old idea; using the wind for power is no new concept. What is new is using the wind to generate electricity.

In the past, farmers would use windmills – the forerunner to the wind turbine, which in design they closely resemble – to power machinery to grind corn. These windmills can still be seen around the world, with Holland a well known location for windmills. The white structures we see across fields today are simply the 21st century version.

Wind turbines usually have three spokes, which when caught by the wind cause the mechanism to revolve. The spokes spin around driven by the force of the wind, and this in turn is used to power a machine – just like the windmills of old. However, the machines these turbines now power do not grind crops, but rather generate electricity through a traditional generator.

Wind turbines are one of the most – if not the most – effective ways of generating electricity. The energy produces is clean and, more importantly, renewable. So while these turbines may still cause mild shock when viewed in a place one did not expect them, they are nevertheless the future.

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Can Solar Panels Work In Winter?

Posted on February 6, 2010 by Admin

When solar energy is touted as one of the natural replacements for the consumable energies of coal and oil, one of the first questions that is always asked is: what will happen in winter? Can solar panels function when there is precious little sunlight?

The simple answer is, yes. Even in winter, most countries experience six to seven hours of daylight, and to an extent this is all a solar panel needs to function. Solar panels, despite the name, do not necessarily need direct, hot sunlight to produce electricity; but what they do need is light. In daytime, some of the sun’s rays are getting through to earth even when it is cold and overcast. Quite simply, if these rays weren’t getting through the cloud cover, it would not appear to be daytime!

Therefore, for as long as it is daytime, solar panels can function and produce electricity to a degree. Temperature is a relatively unimportant consideration in solar panel development; in fact, some experiments have shown that the mechanisms and generation systems of solar panels actually function better when it is colder. All electrical systems slow down somewhat in intense heat – such as trying to use a laptop on a hot day – and the crisper temperatures of winter can allow solar panels to work to their full potential.

While all of the above it is true, it is nevertheless also a fact that the output of solar panels is effected by a lack of daylight – something which is characteristic with winter. One would not get the same effective output on a winter’s day as one would on a summer’s day, and for this reason other energy generation sources are required for the winter months. Thankfully, in most countries winter may decrease the amount of solar output, but the weather changes in a way that is beneficial to other renewable energies – such as tidal or wind power, which may be less effective in the more temperate summer months.

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DIY Solar Panels

Posted on January 19, 2010 by Admin

he amount of information on how to generate natural energy using Solar Panel energy and help to preserve the earth’s resources are downright amazing. Plenty of times people will ask me how they can convert their home. Arriving at a concrete answer could be very difficult, yet the answer is there. 

Simply as it can be put, there are lots of products out there that teach you how to switch a home to natural generated energy. When you look at these products closely however, only a few of them are worth much if anything. Converting a home using professionals can turn to be very expensive, and many people are turning to do-it-yourself books. In addition with the wide range of information out in the world, it would be best to first discover what a Solar Panel learning package is and is not. 

First thing first, a regiment that teaches you to convert your home using Solar Panels is not the only thing you would need. To make the actual conversion you will still need to follow the guide to building proper Solar Panels.

Following up, not every home is appropriate for Solar Panel conversion. If you live in a condominium for example you don’t have the surface area for Solar Panels. These things are always good to know. 

In addition, a package that teaches you how to convert your home using Solar Panels would be a great way to reduce or even better get rid of that power bill. In fact, if you install it right you will likely generate more energy than you use, and the power company may have to pay you for the power you generate. This however is a legal matter to be tended by other authorities. Finally best of all, if you choose the right methods to convert your home using Solar Panels it can be done for a very inexpensive cost to you. 

Last but not least, if you don’t take the time to choose the right learning methods then you’re just wasting your money and even more your time. You even run the risk of creating problems for yourself in dealing with real estate. Choosing the right tool and methods to learn with is the most important step!

To help you choose a Solar Panel power package that works, I have taken the time to work up a evaluation based on the top five learning products on the market today. I based my evaluations on the following criteria.

  • Going Solar Panel Green Power – Obviously the main goal from any power generation project is to generate power. We tested how much power each solar panel can generate.
  • The ease of building Solar Panel – With a package that teaches a person how to convert a home, the material should be clearly laid out, and the components should be simple to build with minimal cost to builder.
  • Instructional Value from item being built – From the above criteria we gave favorable ratings to those Solar Panel building packages that taught how to go green with ease and minimal effort. The best packages had everything clearly explained, drawn blueprints, and then further explained with how-to videos (A great plus for the digital age).
  • Mainly the cost involved – The main reason people choose to convert their home to Solar Panel power is to of course save money. I gave favorable ratings to the packages that taught us how to find parts for less.
  • The availability of parts – Some learning packages we tested recommended parts that weren’t available at all locations in many states. I gave good recommendations to those that used parts that were available to anyone (such as at your local hardware store in many cities across America)
  • The time involved in building Solar Panels – How long did it take to build each component? I found that this has a lot to do with how well the material was explained to build, but some of the plans just weren’t simple enough if you could believe.
  • The overall rating – From the above factors I gave each package an overall rating, and went further to explain why the rating was given.
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