Solar & Renewable Energy News
Solar Engineering and Photovoltaic News
5 Home Appliances That Use a Lot of Energy
Although home appliances promote convenience and productivity, many of them consume excessive energy. Knowledge is power. Here are five of the top energy consuming appliances in most homes. 1. Water Heaters The U.S Energy Department noted that water heaters are responsible for the 12 percent of a home’s consumed energy. The main reason that water heaters use so much energy is because they are in constant use. We use them everyday. They are part of our daily routine – be it showers, laundry, or dishwashing. 2. Microwave Ovens Anything that outputs enough energy to change the temperature of what inside of it is likely to use a lot of energy. Luckily, microwaves are only used for fleeting moments during the day. But even in those short bursts of energy they consume tons of electricity. 3. Refrigerators and Freezers Of course, we need them for preserving food and to keep our beverages cold. While modern EnergyStar rated fridges are much better energy users, there are too many old fridges out there that still guzzle power. 4. Furnaces While it seems impossible to go without using your furnace in winter to heat your home or to use it to blast cooled air from the air conditioner during the summer, it would be nice to go without the large utility bills associated with your furnace. The furnace is often the single largest consumer of energy in a home. 5. Battery Chargers You would think that pocket-sized devices would consume minimal energy. Due to us leaving our phones on idle while charging means that we often leave the phone charging longer than needed.... read moreDaylight Saving Time: Are We Really Saving Energy?
We’ve been practicing Daylight Saving Time (DST) for quite a long time. And yet, we haven’t totally unclouded our confusion whether it’s advantageous or not. Is it really saving energy? Or maybe, it’s the other way around. DST is Counterproductive? According to a 2006 research in Indiana, the power consumption in the state has increased by 1 percent overall. And in another study conducted by the University of California-Santa Barbara in 2008, DST might even augment energy consumption. So why are we still following DST? It turns out that not all studies claimed DST as counterproductive. Jeff Dowd of the U.S. Department of Energy did a comprehensive investigation, looking at sixty-seven power utilities across the nation. The result shook Congress as they concluded that the extra four weeks of DST could save about 0.5 percent of total energy a day, which when totaled, could power 100,000 households for a year. That’s a lot of power. DST’s Impact is Relative Dowd explained that they did not just look at residential energy consumption, but also commercial use. And although they unearthed accurate details, the debates still go on. Perhaps, one of the reasons is because the regional and national results greatly differ from each other. Of course, there are lots of factors to consider. Even the policy makers couldn’t land a solid explanation on why we still switch to DST every year. And even though most of us find it disruptive, there are those in favor. These people find Daylight Saving advantageous as it maximizes their time for outdoor leisure. While more research and experiments proceed, DST still continues. If the... read more
Why Should You Switch to Solar Energy?
While most of us are already aware of the benefits of solar power, some find it hard to make the switch. It’s similar to eating a delicious, greasy hamburger. We know there are better alternatives, but sometimes it can be hard to break a habit. Why would you want to invest in a solar power design system when you are already comfortable with your current power source? 1. Solar energy is clean No smoke. No pollution. No noise. Solar energy is one of the cleanest and safest sources of electricity out there. It doesn’t emit pollution when being harnessed and consumed. Meaning, when you switch to solar panels, you don’t just minimize carbon footprints, you also promote good health. Imagine if the majority of the households switched to solar. We’d never worry about the damaging effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other air pollutants emitted by conventional power plants. 2. Solar energy is low in maintenance A conceptualized solar design systems don’t require too much maintenance. Once installed on your roof, you have solar power for decades to come. Lower bills. Less headache. Pease of mind. 3. Solar energy is renewable Sunlight is limitless and free. Considered as the ultimate source of energy, unlike fossil fuel sources, the Sun will never run out of power; at least for the next few billion... read more
Heart Month: How Vitamin D from the Sun Benefits Our Heart & Overall Health
February is not only the month of love, but it is also American Hearth Month. Did you know the Sun is not only beneficial for solar power, but it is also beneficial for your heart via the Vitamin D that it can help your body produce? Some sources suggest that Vitamin D has a host of benefits including stabilization of immune system, enhanced absorption of calcium for building bones, reduced chances of heart disease, and so much more. Are the benefits true? Reduces Risk of Multiple Sclerosis? In 2006, the Journal of the American Medical Association published a study about the effectiveness of Vitamin D in slowing down multiple sclerosis. WebMD remarked on the claim but also said that researchers still have a lot of work to do. Reduced Chances of Diabetes? While future studies are still needed, a group of researchers revealed that Vitamin D deficiency could lead to the development of type 2 diabetes. Boosts Immune System. Some studies suggest that Vitamin D regulates the genes that influence immune system to fight bacteria and viruses, preventing colds and flu. Another notable study was conducted in Japan where school children that were supplemented with vitamin D had reduced occurrences of influenza A. Reduces Chances of Cardiovascular Disease. Research shows that people suffering from Vitamin D deficiency are more prone to heart attacks and other illnesses associated with cardio... read more3 Incredible Innovations in Electricity
Everyone knows that technology is ever-evolving. Energy production is increasing while cost is decreasing. But how is such a feat accomplished? Let’s look at three unique innovations in electricity generation. 1. Gigantic Wind Turbines German manufacturer Siemens has developed massive wind turbines that are almost as vast as the wingspan of the world’s largest Airliner, Airbus A380. A single turbine spans at 75 meters or 246 feet, and according to Siemens, its tips can move up to 80 meters per second (290 kilometers per hour). The company refers it as the SWT-6.0 150. Another Goliath sized turbine is Vestas V164 8MW, about 80 meters long (surpasses that of Siemens) and now considered as the largest wind turbine. It produces 8MW of energy, which is enough to power 75,000 homes. Impressive. While small turbines help power traffic signs or charge up batteries, large turbines can power homes and other commercial establishments. 2. Free Electric Hybrid Bike Free energy? The folks of the “Billion in Change” movement finally found a solution through pedal power. This innovation has wheels that drive a flywheel, turning a generator and then charging a battery. A single hour of pedaling is calculated to power a rural household for 24 hours. No utility bill and no waste. Headed by Manoj Bhargava, the team recently started producing first versions, for developing countries. The development of the second version, which is for modernized nations, is expected to begin later this year. 3. Residential Solar Financing Many residential solar engineering companies or installers have developed unique financing systems to help homeowners afford solar design systems. This innovative model had created... read more
How Much Power Does the Super Bowl Consume?
Super Bowl brings out the super-fan in all of us. Lucky fans score tickets to go watch and support their favorite team at a stadium. Most of us enjoy the game at home on the TV. With the Super Bowl consistently ranked as the most-watched TV event of the year for the last few years, that means massive amounts of power are consumed to bring the show to millions of homes worldwide. Consumption of Energy through TV General Electric confirmed that upwards of 11 million kilowatt-hours of energy are consumed by watching the Super Bowl. Unbelievable. Lighting and Climate Control However, TV isn’t the only apparatus utilized to watch the big game. Don’t forget about lighting within your home, and climate control appliances, like your furnace, to keep comfortable while watching the game. Considering that furnaces are consistently the largest consumers of energy in a home, that’s a lot of energy consumption when multiplied by millions of homes. Calculation of Energy Consumption If we assume that there are 30 million households worldwide watching the Super Bowl, upwards of 37.5 million kilowatt hours of power would be consumed by TV’s alone. Plus, roughly 125 watt-hours for lighting, etc. would mean another 37.5GWh. The total would be a stunning 75GWh! At a medium price across the country of about $0.11 per kilowatt-hours, that works out to a total cost of roughly... read more
Groundhog Day: Save Energy with Solar Power
Here comes Groundhog Day. The media hypes up what Punxsutawney Phil will predict. Traditionally, if Phil retreats to his burrow after seeing his shadow, this would signal six more weeks of winter. On the other hand, if there’s no shadow, an early spring may be on its way. While some may not care so much as to when spring rolls in, most of us do care about how colder weather effects our wallets. Winter typically causes an increase in energy usage to heat homes. Should Punxsutawney Phil predict continued cold weather, how do you offset the increased utility costs of heating your home each year? Easy. Solar designed systems. Solar Panels Can Work Both Summer and Winter With solar panels, you’ll never worry about high electric bills again, regardless of the climate. Even if it’s winter? Yes. This is because solar panels harness energy from sunlight, not from heat. Go Solar Solar power is clean, and the most abundant energy source by we have yet to tap fully into. Imagine if the majority of society embraced solar energy. Contact our solar consultants today to learn more about solar feasibility and how you can make the most of solar systems at your home. Additional Tips to Save Energy During Winter Once you’ve embraced solar and had your solar system panels installed, you can further enhance your savings throughout winter. Turn your thermostat down while sleeping. No need to heat the whole house. Switch to high-efficiency light bulbs to decrease power consumption from lights. Seal up the leaks in your house Ensure you have proper levels of insulation in your attic.... read more
Thank You for Helping Save Mother Earth
January is more than the month when we realign our goals in life. January is also “National Thank You Month;” the month when we are encouraged to express gratitude or say thank you to those who matter to our lives. What better opportunity for us to express our sincere thanks to our customers. Thank you for your loyalty and for trusting us with your PV design needs. Thanks to you not only for being a customer but for bettering the world. By choosing solar design, you’ve reduced your carbon footprint in the world. Solar is environment-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable. In recognition of National Thank You Month, thank you for caring about Earth. Together, let’s promote solar power usage. Tell your relatives, neighbors, and friends about the advantages of using solar energy. Solar power is renewable. Available every day, and will remain accessible for billions of years to come. Using solar panels can minimize electric bills. No need to depend on electricity provider companies. Once you have your solar panels, you’ll have unlimited energy from the sun. Low Maintenance. With no moving parts, solar panels don’t need a lot of maintenance. Cost-beneficial. Break loose from high utility bills by providing your own power via your own PV system. Imagine if the majority of homes on the planet were using solar instead of other fossil fuel energy sources. Everyone would welcome a cleaner and more peaceful environment. Also, who wouldn’t want to reduce power consumption... read more