Australian solar power company Sunengy has partnered with India’s power utility Tata Power for the pilot plant of Liquid Solar Array (LSA), a floating-on-water solar technology.
Parking meter has become a mandatory tool in several countries to control parking on the roadside. In Portland, they have used parking meter that powered by the sun as a source of energy. In addition to use it without electricity, metered parking is also provide more flexibility in making payments that can use a coin, credit cards or smart cards. This tool also can “recharge” your smart card when you want to purchase more parking time. [Via]
A fantastic way of generating electricity today is by way of wind power. There is a great deal of interest in home made energy all over the world today due to the costs of installation being so low and how effective home made energy is.
For another fantastic article, I would highly recommend see: How Does Wind Power Work
One of the things that a potential obstacle in the development of solar energy is limited space. All existing solar panels in a solar power generation should receive sunlight for at least the same intensity to produce electrical energy optimally. Therefore, all the solar panels should be installed in rows, which mean that also require large open space.
In addition, the performance of solar panels that are widely used today are still influenced by the temperature generated by the environment and direct sunlight. The higher the temperature, the performance of a solar panel will also decrease.
Toyo Ito has completed construction on Taiwan solar powered stadium upon a clear area of approximately 19 hectares, nearly 7 hectares has been reserved for the development of integrated public green spaces, bike paths, sports parks, and an ecological pond.
It will generate 100% of its electricity from photovoltaic technology (14,155 sq meter solar roof and 8,844 solar panels). It is able to provide enough energy to power two jumbo vision screens and the stadium’s 3,300 lights that illuminate the track, field and 50,000 seats.
José Vicente has designed SOLARIS, a sun shading system.
Like the story of a fictional movie, but Japanese space agency plan so serious: In 2030 they will capture solar energy in space and sends it to Earth via laser or microwave.
The history of “Photovoltaic” (PV) industrial development has been running about 50 years, and have been many studies done in the hope that one day could produce cheap solar cells and feasible compared with artificial electricity (hydro or nuclear) to solve the problem of availability of environment friendly electricity at all levels of this world.
In the late 19th century, solar electricity discovered by German physicist named Alexandre Edmond Becquerel accident where the sun rays fall on the solution of electro-chemical research materials, so the charge of electrons in the solution increases, there is no scientific explanation of the event. Not until the early 20th century, Albert Einstein called the discovery of this natural electrical event with “Photoelectric Effect”, which is the basic understanding of the “Photovoltaic Effect” (Albert Einstein got the Nobel Prize in Physics). 
“Photoelectric Effect” comes from Einstein’s observations on a plate of metal release “photon” particles of light energy when exposed to sunlight. Photon continuously urged metal atoms and form a particle “Photon Energy”-is the wave of light energy.
Ultraviolet light waves, light that are high charged photon energy and short wavelength, while red light (infra-red) is low charged photon energy and long waves.
Then around the year 1930, research continued and related to discovery of the “Quantum Mechanics” concept, to create new technologies “solid-state”, which then the Bell Telephone Research Laboratories company create the first solid Solar Cell.
Year 1950 – 1960, technology of solar cell design and efficiency continued and applied to the spacecraft (photovoltaic energies). In 1970′s, the world encourage “renewable” alternative energy sources and environmentally friendly, then the PV is applied to the “low power warning systems” and “offshore buoys” (but the PV production could not be much because it is still “handmade”).
Just in 1980, the PV companies joined with government energy agencies in order to produce the PV cells in large numbers, so the price of solar cells can be more suppressed as low as possible.
Solar technologies is now highly developed, with some progress is being developed to be used every day.
Below 10 Solar Technologies to note:
Initial concept of light tubes developed by the ancient Egyptians, namely by direct use of natural light tubes with reflective material. This is the concept of the oldest and most widespread type of natural lighting of interior space.
Light tubes are also known as “tubular skylight”, “SunScope” or “Tubular Daylighting Device” allow natural light into the darkened interior room of buildings and houses. The people enjoy the natural lighting provided by skylights. However, skylights are often not evenly distribute the light, is the loss of a significant source of energy, and UV light can cause damage to the carpet and furniture. Light tubes, on the other hand, using the sun for lighting interiors without the shortcomings associated with conventional skylights. To prevent the danger of ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the carpet and furniture fading, UV inhibitors formed a dome roof on most models. Another bonus when choosing light tubes is that they provide far more heat slightly, as did the standard skylights. Because of the lack of acceptance of this heat, tubular skylights to save money on air conditioning bills during hot months.
Taking advantage of free sunlight as much as possible, the pipe hole collect sunlight from the roof dome light collector consists of an acrylic lens, bounce it to the bottom of a tube with a highly reflective interior coating, to pull the lens cap is similar to conventional recessed lighting equipment and diffuse sun light evenly throughout the interior rooms. The tube can be bent and adapted to drive around the garret or ceiling obstructions with small loss of light transmitting and can often be installed in less than three hours. Not like the ceiling of need roof to the ceiling of the timber-framed shaft and covered with drywall or wood panels, and the need for structural modifications, so installation is simple and relatively inexpensive.
Roof mounted dome made of high quality acrylic resin specially formulated to enhance the impact strength, chemical, weather resistance and high clarity.
Light tubes can be installed on almost all types of roof materials, including wood and asphalt shingles, concrete and ceramics, and metals. Thanks to a highly reflective coating on the rod, the tube can work efficiently from sunrise to sunset.
Most of the producers of glass tubular solar roof offers a 10-year warranty against defects in materials and post-installation cracks or discoloration. Tubes solar installation contractors generally offer a 2-3 year warranty for the installation of weatherproofing and storm protection.
The average size of the tubular skylight ranges between 10 and 21 inches (254 and 533 mm), diameter, which effectively light of 100-600 square feet (30,48-182,88 meters), interior space. The main factor in choosing a general measure of the distance between the roof rafters and / or ceiling beams.
Prices range from around $ 171.00 to $ 423.00. Installing a solar tube usually cost between $ 500 and $ 800. Both depend on the size of tubes and features installed.
Light tube options include:
Energy-efficient light tubes is an important part of the house and environmentally friendly buildings. Natural light effects on your physical, emotional and psychological well known as the rooms benefit from natural sunlight free will positively impact our environment for future generations. They are environmentally-friendly way to naturally brighten every room, a smart alternative to skylights and artificial lighting.
Utilization of solar energy in architecture can be done in two ways: passive and active. Utilization of passive do when solar power does not need to converted first into electricity. Deep utilization of the passive is also included on space heating (using the greenhouse gases) for the region with temperature of the air low, and water heating. Also, techniques to prevent heating the air in the room on the building in the area, including Tropical into the use of the passive type, where component of sunlight, which consists of: light and heat, only used on components’ light ‘it – the need for natural lighting in buildings.
Passive design strategies will be very different between the buildings that are on climate Tropical and climate Sub Tropical / cold. At the Tropical climate, direct radiation from the sun tend to be avoided by building in order to heat gain in the building to be low, so the increase of air temperature in the building can be prevented. While in Sub-Tropical climate, the design strategy is a passive step of the Tropical climate strategy in the acquisition of heat sun tend to be maximized (except in the summer), solar radiation through that fall directly on the building so that temperature increase occurs in the building, considering the air temperature around is low.
In utilizing the solar actively using the photovoltaic, should also simultaneously architect implement the strategy of passive design. Without the application of passive design strategies, energy use in buildings very likely remain high when visual and thermal comfort must be achieved. In situations such as this, the electric power comes from solar power conversion by solar cells does not become too much meaning. With dimensional solar cell panel which needs large electricity for the achievement of thermal comfort and visual on the building difficult to fulfill. Still electrical energy required for engine cooling air with a large capacity, because the air temperature in a high building, also required electricity for lights in the torch-lighting building a dark room when the strategy passive design that lead to the energy savings are not applied. Role of solar power to replace electricity necessary to achieve the building comfort (thermal and visual) finally failed because the building was not designed in such a form so that comfort achieved without the many electric energy consumption. Electricity generated by the photovoltaic possibility will not be large enough to cool down and illuminate the building. In other words passive design considerations for the use of energy in buildings in this case can not be ignored.
In the passive design, objectives of architecture work that would be achieved – that is comfortable and aesthetic, are generally made integral. Each step in the preparation of the components to form the jacket, simultaneous will result in the achievement of buildings comfort and aesthetic. Be not so with the case where the design of active solar cell panels can be arranged separate components with the preparation of building casing. In other words, the achievement of building aesthetic in active design done in a more flexible and separate with the strategy of comfort achievement, although in fact the architects are required to thought to integrate a comprehensive comfort needs with aesthetics – between needs using a solar cell panel with place them on the integrated shroud of the building so that the panels at once can be a building aesthetic element.
Article You May Be Interested In Reading: Solar Fountain
Executive Summary about Solar Collector by Armand Hadife
Solar energy is accessible in plentiful places around the world. This high temperature produced can be exploited for heating air or water in houses and buildings
Using solar energy is a natural and affordable approach for spaces or water heating. When using solar power for heating purposes you employ a device that will allow capturing the heat of the sun. This device is called a solar collector. A basic solar collector can be made with no difficulties.
The next step is to find a system to help circulate water or air inside the solar collector. In general, devices like fans and pumps are used to push air or water thru the solar collector and from the storage tank to the house.
For the novice, making a solar collector can be a difficult and demanding project. This is why solar collectors are broadly offered online and in solar products shops.
How to Build a Solar Collector
Executive Summary about Solar Collector by Mick Jeys
Building a solar collector is the best way to save money on electricity bills, and can be used to generate electricity or to heat water. The two most popular uses for solar collectors are to heat water and generate electricity.
Solar Collector To Generate Electricity
Typically known as a solar cell or panel, they are typically made from titanium dioxide, and create electricity through the photovoltaic effect. It is now very simple to build your own generator at home quite cheaply by substituting titanium dioxide with cuprous oxide.
Solar Collector To Heat Water
The most common example of this type can be seen in common solar hot water systems, where the hot water tank is actually up on the roof with the solar collector. Trials are being held in Germany to use solar heated water from the summertime to heat homes in the winter.
Article You May Be Interested In Reading: Garden Solar Lights
Executive Summary about Solar Electricity by Melanie Crouse
There are even tax rebates available in many states for families that are converting to home solar electricity. If you’ve been thinking of using PV (photovoltaic) panels for your home solar power, but are finding that it is too expensive, there are other options. There are many green energy suppliers that provide power from various renewable resources, such as solar electricity, wind power and hydroelectricity. If you’ve decided that solar power is the way you want to go, you will need to determine your actual power needs first.
The first thing you need to determine is how much electricity you need your home solar electricity system to generate. Do you want a grid-tied system where you are still connected to the grid, using a combination of your own solar power and the power supplied by the utility company? Or you can combine your own home solar electricity system with the grid, selling back any excess power that you don’t use to the power
Designing Solar Electricity Systems For Your Home
Executive Summary about Solar Electricity by Gary Ashby
Are you interested in designing solar electricity systems for your home? Before you build your homemade solar electricity systems, you must first consider the electrical requirements of your household as well as how much energy you wish to generate with the solar panel system.
1. Are You Comfortable Working On The Roof?
2. Is There Enough Space On Your Roof For Solar Panel Installation?
Your roof needs to have enough space for you to build sufficient solar panels on it.
3. What Happens When You Are Able To Generate More Electricity Than The Amount That Your House Requires?
4. How Exactly Do You Put a Solar Electricity System In Your Home?
Thousands of people have already eliminated their own home electricity bills with this free solar energy system that they learned how to build with a step-by-step guide online.
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