Building Solar Panels. D.I.Y

Apocalypse?

lets say tomorrow the world was going to end by a virus turning us into superhumans such as zombies and you could pick 10 items to keep you from Read the rest of this entry »

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It is amazing the work that scientists are currently doing to investigate organic processes to create energy. Below are a few snippets I found that highlight some of the latest research in powering up from nature.

The first item is about photosynthesis so in essence they are using the natural methods that the leaf of a plant uses to create a source of energy.

The next story makes the very interesting point that we already do have the resources to provide the whole world with enough energy so there really is no excuse for the dirty power generators to maintain their dominance.

Following on with the theme of using nature to create power a Tel Aviv University team have discovered that the stripes of a hornet insect have a photo voltaic process.

Chemists Describe Solar Energy Progress And Challenges, Including The ‘Artificial Leaf’ (Nov. 6, 2009) Scientists are making progress toward development of an “artificial leaf” that mimics a real leaf’s chemical magic with photosynthesis — but instead converts sunlight and water into a liquid fuel … Record-Breaking Hydrogen Storage Materials For Use… – Source

Shifting The World To 100 Percent Clean, Renewable Energy As Early As 2030: Here Are The Numbers (Oct. 19, 2009) Wind, water and solar energy resources are sufficiently available to provide all the world’s energy. Their plan calls for using wind, water and solar energy to generate power, with wind and… – Source

In the course of their research, the Tel Aviv University team also found that the yellow and brown stripes on the hornet abdomen enable a photo-voltaic effect: the brown and yellow stripes on the hornet abdomen can absorb solar radiation, and the yellow pigment transforms that into electric power. The brown… – Source

The following reports talk about energy transport and polymer molecules, a bit beyond me I’m afraid but still fascinating. The next article is another take on the leaf technology angle and finally we wrap up with with a life cycle assessment of solar cell technology.

Hope everyone finds this as interesting as i did.

A team of McGill University researchers now reports how to visualize and study the process of energy transport along one single conductive polymer molecule at a time, a key step towards bringing these exciting new applications to market. Isabelle Rouiller of McGill’s Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, the team used… – Source

Orlin Velev, Invista Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and the lead author of a paper published online in the Journal of Materials Chemistry describing this new generation of solar cells. Just as real leaves do, water-gel-based solar devices can act like solar cells to produce electricity, new research shows. (Credit:… – Source

The study sought to calculate the total energy use and environmental impact of the material collection, fabrication, mass production and use of organic solar cells through a comprehensive life-cycle assessment of the technology. To better understand the energy and environmental benefits and detriments of solar power, a research team from Rochester… – Source

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Nuclear has been promoted as a viable greenhouse gas saving power source to replace dirty coal power. But as the Japan earthquake and nuclear disaster continue to show an increase in nuclear energy may have consequences that we regret forever.

Below is a summary of the latest news out of Japan….

SENDAI, Japan A big aftershock rocked quake-weary Japan late Thursday, rattling nerves as it knocked out power to the northern part of the country and prompted tsunami warnings that were later canceled. There were no immediate reports of serious injuries or major damage, and the operator of the tsunami-ravaged Fukushima Dai-ichi… – Source

The loss of external power sources at Fukushima Daiichi in the March 11 tsunami left reactor cores heating up uncontrollably, resulting in the worlds worst nuclear emergency since Chernobyl. Workers battling to control the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant on the northeast coast were temporarily ordered to evacuate, plant operator Tokyo… – Source

The devastated Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has become the latest poster child for long-standing issues surrounding nuclear energy — issues that need to be resolved to reduce the risk of a similar nuclear crisis in the United States. As of 2010, US nuclear utilities were storing 169,696 fuel assemblies at… – Source

There is a dire need for a real time radiation monitoring network to be set up in areas affected by the damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear power plant, Atsuto Suzuki, head of the high-energy accelerator research organisation at Tsukuba University, explained. FUKUSHIMA, Apr 7 (IPS) – My decision to visit Fukushima -… – Source

Grid-Tie System Costs

It’s difficult to estimate exactly what you are going to pay for a system. Prices and installation costs vary widely based on local Read the rest of this entry »

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With a new U.S. president and a new outlook on renewable energy, many people are looking at solar energy as an option for powering their home. Many people Read the rest of this entry »

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Sun-powered electric options were once limited to large dark panels, but now consumers have a choice. In addition to panels of single or multi-crystal solar Read the rest of this entry »

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Because toxicity has become a way of life, and we must breath and eat, we are continuously exposed to pesticides and polluntants, some stored right under Read the rest of this entry »

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There are many compelling reason to install diy solar electricity. Saving money of course is a biggie but climate change and reducing your carbon footprint arealso important.

If your household in danger of being left out in the cold for not being able to pay your utilities bills or that you are simply sick and tired of the ever Read the rest of this entry »

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Energy sources are being depleted faster than they can be replenished or built. It makes a lot of sense to build your own home solar energy system to help Read the rest of this entry »

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One of the discussions I have with homeowners who are considering investing in a solar power system for their home is about how long the payback period Read the rest of this entry »

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