Comments for Solar Joules

Comment on What is Solar Cooling? by Ken

Ken — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 04:47:08 +0000

This is a very interesting article. The basics of solar cooling have been in use for thousands of years by creating a large vessel or container of water, or even a lake or pond, just outside the home and below a window so that when the wind passes over the water it cools down and then in turn cools the interior of the home. The use of a thermal chimney is also a great way to create airflow encouraging cooler outside air in while exhausting the hot air out the chimney. Thanks for this article as well as all of the other informative articles you provide on your site.

Comment on Ecosavr™ Solar Fish by bidouilleur

bidouilleur — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 19:47:11 +0000

Fun alternative for a plastic solar cover, cool idea !

Comment on Instructions To Build A Wind Generator In 1 Afternoon by bidouilleur

bidouilleur — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 19:43:17 +0000

Hi;

Juste love the idea of DIY wind generator.
Would really appreciate some schematics and alternate designs for those. Do you have some ?

Comment on Hybrid Car Models: Which Is The Best? by Steve Car

Steve Car — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:16:44 +0000

Toyota and Honda are likely to remain market leaders in this technology for some time to come. Although Mercedes and BMW are now ‘players’ I suspect this will be mainly for large ‘gas guzzlers’. My main concern with the whole thing is that hybrids are not really a major step forward in green motoring. The amount of money that vehicle manufactures have ploughed into the internal combustion engine over the last 50 years tells me that they will not easily release their hold. So for them ‘hybrid’ means hanging on to gasoline engines just a little bit longer. So my short answer to ‘what is the best hybrid?’ is none of them.

Comment on Solar Pool Heaters – What they are by John Senior

John Senior — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:41:58 +0000

We have solar pool heaters in use in our pool. Although it was an expensive initial cost, they are working well and we should save a lot of money in the long run. Probably only worth updating your pool with solar heaters if you are going to stay in that house for a number of years.

Comment on Solar Pool Heaters – What they are by AskAME

AskAME — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 04:07:43 +0000

Excellent. I’ve located this product on Amazon and here is a link for anyone interested in “Solar Fish” to conserve pool heating expenses.

http://solarjoules.com/category/green-products/solar-fish/

Comment on Solar Pool Heaters – What they are by catzdaug

catzdaug — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:55:00 +0000

My pool was just built this year. We didn’t think about solar until of course it was finished. But they have something you can purchase solar fish. They have a liquid inside that comes to the top of your pool when no in use and make it like a cover. They last about a month.

Comment on How Water Fuel Cells for Cars Can Save You Money by Steve Car

Steve Car — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:07:29 +0000

Currently hydrogen fuel cells are expensive and very fragile and not really suitable for use in motor vehicles but this changing. You have only to watch a 1970’s film and watch people running around looking for a phone box (what no mobile?) to realise that given the right finacial incentives any technology can be brought into everyday use. Another thing you may want to consider – 85% of the worlds current hydrogen production is used to clean sulphur from gasoline!

Comment on Solar Power Your Home For Dummies (For Dummies (Home & Garden)) by solarjohn

solarjohn — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 05:05:06 +0000

Really this book seems to be much useful. This book provides you with a solar knowledge base and lets you apply that info through do-it-yourself projects. It can help you turn your inspirations into reality without losing your sanity.

Comment on How Do Windmills Work What You Should Know by GoldenRule

GoldenRule — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:38:02 +0000

Interesting. I never realized that a windmill could lessen an energy bill in a home by 50 to 80%. that is quite a savings.

Comment on Instructions To Build A Wind Generator In 1 Afternoon by brian

brian — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:22:26 +0000

I have seen several DIY home power books talking about how their product is better than the other guys. Does anyone recommend a specific product for DIY Solar, such as earth4energy or homemadeenergy?

Comment on The Hidden Costs Of Using Fossil Fuel by brian

brian — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:17:45 +0000

Great Post! Pretty much all renewable energy sources are affected by weather. Hydropower, wind and solar power are great for power generation, and like all other things in life, each has their pros and cons.

Comment on Solar Energy for the Home by smallhydro

smallhydro — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:09:16 +0000

Great post about renewable energy! Also, micro hydropower is another great way to generate electricity, if you have a small stream or river near your house.

Comment on Advantages and Disdvantages of Solar Power Detailed by GoldenRule

GoldenRule — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 19:38:43 +0000

I live in florida and the addvantages sure seem to outweigh the disadvantages. The initial cost is high and the technology is changing so fast…but many are doing home made systems until the prices are within reason.

Comment on Cut Your Taxes Through Solar Panels by fredo

fredo — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 05:16:44 +0000

This is a great advantage to the average homeowner. The government did this same thing 20 years ago or so. At that time I took advantage and the result was $2500 I believe it was that the tax credit amounted too. The tax credit actually paid for the system as I was able to do it with a contractor buddy and got a discount on all the stuff we needed.

You’re crazy if you don’t do it and you can afford the cost upfront.

fredo
http://allenwalton.com

Comment on How Solar Paneles Work by joshuayoshida

joshuayoshida — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:18:45 +0000

While this is true that solar panels are amazingly beneficial in most parts of the world. I believe that they won’t work everywhere due to the fact that they dont’ work when the sun is not out.

However! The potential for sunlight to help out many nations such as Africa is HUGE.

Comment on Cut Your Taxes Through Solar Panels by joshuayoshida

joshuayoshida — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:15:11 +0000

I’m pretty sure that that will qualify too. The government is pushing renewable energy. I don’t think it would matter how you get the renewable energy.

This is so awesome that they are finally doing this! I hope this inspires more people to go with renewable energy at home.

Comment on Instructions To Build A Wind Generator In 1 Afternoon by george u.

george u. — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 04:38:46 +0000

Oh come on ! If you are going to go to the trouble to build anything, let’s do it right. Pop bottles for blades ? Can’t you suggest a more durable material ?

I see these do-it-yourself articles all the time. What is almost universally missing is a good source for real, durable, components. You can’t build some to “go off the grid” by using junk from your garbage bin !

Anyone have a source for components ?

Comment on DIY Wind Generator Cut Up To 80% Of Your Electric Bills by george u.

george u. — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 04:29:54 +0000

I’m looking for good sources that can provide components and technical data to build these small scale wind generators. Any suggestions where to look ?

Comment on Simple Instructions To Build A Windmill For The Handyman In You by solar_learn

solar_learn — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:49:48 +0000

One thing to keep in mind prior to building your windmill is the local regulations and laws in place in your town or area. Often certain areas are banned from installing windmills, and even in areas where it is permitted, you usually have to apply (means $$$ for the city …) for a license.

Make sure you check first, or that great windmill you spent weeks building and erecting will get cited and forced to be taken down.

Learn more about windmills http://www.generate-wind-power.com

Comment on Cut Your Taxes Through Solar Panels by solar_learn

solar_learn — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:42:10 +0000

Does anyone know if you build your own solar panels but have to obviously purchase the materials to do so, including the solar cells, if this qualifies for the tax credit?

Comment on Solar Pool Heaters – What they are by Brice

Brice — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 03:02:41 +0000

I have a pool that has a solar cover. It works but it is a pain to take on and take off, plus my wife can’t take off the cover by herself.

I had propane heaters but had to get rid of them because of the cost. I’ve looked into solar pool heaters but alas my house (and the pool) is not built to where the solar panels would be effective.

Comment on How Solar Paneles Work by Brice

Brice — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 02:59:41 +0000

I am so glad you mentioned Africa. Solar power to me seems the be the one source of energy that’s in abundance there and does not cost alot to get up and running. Plus it can’t be stolen or stopped from delivery to the people.

I’m not a big environmentalist but I know a good idea when I see one.

Comment on What is Solar Cooling? by jbirdmanjr

jbirdmanjr — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 15:29:57 +0000

How cool is that? Its different than normal Solar Energy – Normally, you can only get power when the sun is out, which is awesome. But with the solar cooling – you get the solar cooling when the sun is out, WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST! Pretty cool – Has anyone ever did this before, like anyone you know?

Thanks for all the cool post, I know it takes commitment to keep us updated.

Comment on The truth about home solar panels by Linda0122

Linda0122 — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:29:55 +0000

Solar panels can specifically target energy consumption of hot water heaters, heating systems, and energy burdening appliances.

One of the favorite commercial solar energy projects is solar hot water heaters. They may be installed at any time professionally if you have a south facing roof or space for the panels. The question on the table is why are hot water heaters targets for solar panels for electricity consumption? Answer: They are the top of the list for homeowners as energy wasters; hot water heaters:

1.Keep the water hot 24×7 in case it is needed.
2.Have a tank that allows heat to rise to the top where the tank is intentionally not insulated.
3.Lose heat from water pipe entrance and exit areas of the heater.
4.Usually kept in unheated areas of home (basements, utility rooms, or mechanical spaces in garages).
5.Have to be replaced every 8 to 10 years and easy target for solar replacements in home.

The next question on the table is why can’t you do it yourself. Homemade solar panels are ideal for running hot water heaters. Your hot water heater may not be your first project, but once you have mastered homemade solar energy and DIY solar panels, you will be very anxious to change your hot water heater to solar or wind power to cut energy bills.

Become energy efficient in every way you can. You will save money and be more in charge of your electric bills. Learn more about Homemade Solar Energy at my website.