Get help, advice and information on all your Computers and Technology issues. http://advice-and.info/Computers-and-Technology/solar.htm Mon, 04 Aug 2008 02:49:05 GMT en A single tank solar water heating system combines solar preheated water and backup heating into one tack, which is in contrast to a typical two tank systems which will separate these functions. In either case solar water heating systems can save 55 to 85 on your water heating costs. Since water heating is the second largest energy guzzler in your home this can mean some serious savings in the future. Most single tank solar water heaters feature a 240 watt electric heating element in the top half of the tank. This element heats the water in the upper half of the tank while the water in the lower half is heated by the solar collectors. If the environmental impact of you energy choices is important to a single tank system can offer impressive savings. Here is a brief description of shrinking your green house gas emissions when it comes to heating your water. Of water heating appliances tank system water heaters fueled with natural gas can create some of the greatest carbon dioxide emissions actually at ton or more of CO2 per year. Replacing a gas fired tank style heater with a tankless gas water heater can cut the emissions by about 15. Combing a solar preheating system with a tankless backup is a much bigger step in reducing your enviro footprint, somewhere in the range of 60 greater in terms of energy and environmental savings. Because source of electricity vary it more difficult to determine the amount of CO2 produced from the electricity use to heat water. Most of the electrical generation on the United States is from coal which produces copious amount of CO2. However if you live in a region of the country where hydro is used to generate electricity, which is up to 40 in some areas, your carbon footprint is proportionally reduced. You can inquire with your local power company for the percentages. If your company happens to participate in the green energy options, you should pony up to purchase clean renewable generated electricity. If you are using electricity generated from a wind turbine or photovolt http://advice-and.info/Computers-and-Technology/87212_Single_Tank_Solar_Water_System.html Fri, 30 May 2008 13:53:44 GMT <p>One of the biggest restrictions of Solar Panels over the years is that they are often large, heavy, and not easily moved around.  However, Silicon Solar has solved this problem they offer a number of flexible solar panels, which can be used for 12V battery charging at home, on the road, and are small and light enough to be packed in small spaces and carried around for hours on end, until they are needed.<p><p>Silicon Solar offers a number of <a href"http:www.siliconsolar.com12v-consumer-ready-panels.php">Flexible Solar Panels<a> to choose from, including a rollable series known as the PowerFilm, which is available in 5, 10 and 20 watt Solar Panels, starting at only 98.00.<p><p>For larger applications, and more demanding users, they also carry a line of military grade foldable solar panels in either black or camo coloring.  These SunLinq Foldable Solar Panels are available in wattages from 6.5 all the way to <a href"http:www.siliconsolar.comGlobal-Solar-Flexible-Panels-55W-p-16362.html">55 watt<a>.<p><p>Foldable Solar Panels from Silicon Solar can be used for a number of applications, including:<p><ul> <li>12V Battery Charging<li> <li>Laptop PC Charging<li> <li>Cell Phone Charging<li> <li>Car & RV Battery ChargingMaintaining<li> <li>And a host of other Remote Charging Needs<li><ul><p>If you would like information on Flexible Solar Panels, or would like to get one for your own travel or remote power needs, you can find the entire line online, affordably priced at Silicon Solars website, <a href http://advice-and.info/Computers-and-Technology/77203_Take_Your_Power_With_You_-_Flexible_Solar_Panels.html Wed, 06 Feb 2008 07:49:19 GMT <p>If you would like to help your kids to learn about living a healthier, more eco-friendly lifestyle, and how renewable energy, like solar energy, 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find them at their website, <a href"http:www.siliconsolar.com">www.siliconsolar.com<a>.<p> http://advice-and.info/Computers-and-Technology/77194_Teach_Your_Kids_About_Solar_Energy_With_The_Demo_Solar_Kit.html Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:30:19 GMT <p>Solar Hot Water Heaters are quickly becoming the most popular and cost-effective use of Solar Energy in the residential market across the United States.  At a time when the average American household spends up to (and in some cases, more) of their annual energy bills on heating their homes and their water for domestic uses, Solar Hot Water Heaters present a very efficient and affordable way to cut your rising heating bills by 65 to 85.<p><p>SunMaxx Solar Hot Water Heaters cover the most extensive and lowest-priced Solar Hot Water Heaters available on the market today.  Where most Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors for Solar Hot Water Heating, like the Thermomax Collectors, cost upwards of 2,000 a collector, <a href"http:www.siliconsolar.comsolar-evacuated-tube-collectors.php">SunMaxx Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors<a> are a great relief, retailing for only 825 per collector.<p&a mp;gt;<p>There is one additional service that SunMaxx provides that most Solar Hot Water Heater Dealers fail to mention to their customers is that hard water is extremely damaging to Solar Hot Water Heaters, and severely limits the efficiency of your heater, which also lengthens your payback period and lowers your lifetime return on investment dramatically.<p><p>The problem is that Solar Hot Water Heaters take advantage of Heat Exchangers to thermally transfer heat from the solar collectors to your potable hot water.  By design, heat exchangers are very thin, with extremely small water flow areas.  When your water is hard, it contains small (or large) amounts of substances like calcium that can build up on metallic surfaces (you have likely seen this on your faucets, sinks and shower) which can restrict, or even stop the flow of water through your heat exchanger.  If this happens, your Solar Hot Water Heater turns into a multipl http://advice-and.info/Computers-and-Technology/77189_The_Complete_Idiots_Guide_To_Solar_Power_For_Your_Home_-_Book_Review.html Wed, 06 Feb 2008 07:39:53 GMT <p>There are literally hundreds (maybe thousands) of books on Solar Energy.  That is because the topic is incredibly vast, complex, and hard for many people to understand.  The Solar Electric House by Steven J. Strong, however, is undoubtedly the most complete book on the topic.<p><p>Written specifically for homeowners with a bit of technical knowledge, and those interested in entering the Solar Energy Industry, which is growing by leaps and bounds today, The Solar Electric House is the perfect book for homeowners to read before making the important decision of whether or not they wish to make their own Solar Electric House.<p><p>Steven J. Strong, a long-time Solar Energy System Designer and Installer fills this tremendous resource with real life examples and case studies from his own personal and business life these inclusions lend credibility and realism to this book and it is never lacking either.&a mp;lt;p><p>With topics such as understand the basics of Solar Energy (Photovoltaics), how to do a site survey, and more technical explanations of complex Solar Energy terms like modified and true Sin Waves, Battery Storage Calculations and more.  If you have any of the following questions, The Solar Electric House will teach you how to answer them.<p><ul> <li>How much electricity do I use?<li> <li>How can I lower my electricity consumption?<li> <li>Is my house right for Solar Panels?<li> <li>How many Solar Panels will I need?<li> <li>How do I find a qualified professional to design and install my Solar Electric System?<li><ul><p>If you have been seriously considering going with a Grid-Tie Solar Electric System or an O http://advice-and.info/Computers-and-Technology/77184_The_Solar_Electric_House_-_Book_Review.html Wed, 06 Feb 2008 07:46:12 GMT