With that clear, are there truly benefits on a home or small business level to renewable solar technology? Absolutely. Truthfully, by utilizing renewable energy technology on a home level you can save yourself thousands of dollars each year. Renewable energy technology has gained popularity in recent years and it has become increasingly easy to meet your home’s energy needs with just a little handyman work. With the information available about renewable energy technology, it is possible to build renewable energy products, such as a windmill or solar panel, on your own. Do-it-yourselfers are saving huge amounts of pocket change by building and installing these systems themselves. If you have the money to invest in a commercial professionally installed system, in general these are more efficient, however, savings can still be realized, and at a much faster rate, by researching and building your own renewable alternative energy systems.

Renewable energy technology is advancing with each day. Solar electrical systems have advanced from giant roof panels to thin layers of film that are twice as conductive and work with less sunlight. There are now solar powered charges for cell phones, batteries and other small household items. Windmills have been made more aerodynamic for greater action and electricity generation. Renewable energy technology can even be seen along today’s highways as small solar/wind operation stations powering signs and lights.

The truth is renewable energy technology is working and you can put it to work for you in your home or business. With growing popularity and more consumer use, renewable energy technology could minimize our effects of global warming, help alleviate financial stress and create a world less depend on fossil fuels.

The principles of off grid living may be applied to any home in the world, even those currently tied to the grid. From solar panels, hydropower and windmills, there is growing curiosity in off grid living and breaking free from fossil fuel burning power plants. The technologies have advanced and the costs have dropped greatly for all types of renewable alternative energy.
Even do-it-yourselfers can take leaps into off grid living with many kits, resources and manuals available for instruction. As energy demands increase globally, those living off grid can rest easy knowing their own energy costs are diminishing.

The idea of off grid living can be scary to some who believe they will have to give up some of their most prized possessions and electronic gadgets to achieve such freedom. This is very far from the truth. Off grid living is simply about learning to moderate your use of electricity. It can be as simple as turning off lights that are not really in use. Purchasing appliances that don’t use energy when not in use (like clocks on microwaves and stoves). Learning to unplug, not just turn off. Things like computers and printers, well anything with the little green light that is always on, these items are stealing precious energy and adding to your bill. Wanting to become part of the off grid living adventure, doesn’t always mean giving up everything, sometimes it just means getting smarter about the things you have.

Off grid living has gotten so popular that even completely re-locatable high efficiency homes are being produced to meet those needs. Very similar to mobile homes and travel travelers in layout and definitely only designed for a one or two person dwelling, these housing units use solar power, passive solar design and a small amount of natural gas to provide off grid living that you can take with you when you move.

If you are interested in off grid living, but need more success stories to drive you over the teetering point then start your research on the Internet. There are tons of great resources available and individuals who took the plunge into off grid living with great success telling their stories. Imagine, no more gathering around that one little candle when the power goes out, or having the neighbors over to watch their favorite shows when there is a blackout. Off grid living is obtainable for anyone and you too can enjoy the life of off grid living no matter where you make your home.

The Growth and Potential of Solar Energy by Thomas Metscher

Although the use of solar energy is steadily growing in a global capacity as the eco-friendly benefits and outputs continue to be expressed, it is our own reservations about the potentials of solar power to equate to or surpass our current dependence upon fossil fuels. Our planet is just now scratching the surface of the possibilities available through solar technology developments.

The sun provides enough daily energy to supply our needs for power, however solar energy is not yet viewed as a primary energy resource. Just like you could not harness every raindrop in a storm to gather in a pond, we also can not possibly collect all of the solar energy emitted by the sun on a daily basis. However, by developing highly efficient and advanced solar plants, we could certainly meet our daily needs for power.

With any new technology that contradicts the norm and challenges all of the integrated support systems that exist, it will take a great deal of education to sway the pendulum, in this case towards the further developments of solar energy usage. The conversion to solar energy requires up-front costs but the benefits of protecting our environment and our quality of life will be the emphasis of promoting this awesome natural resource.

The current solar cell technologies are effective in capturing solar energy. Most panels are able to store up to 15% of the energy from the sun by direct contact throughout the day. This seems like a low percentage but considering the amount of energy emitted by the sun on a clear day, this is quite impressive.

It would seem that the clean energy alternative offered by solar technologies compared to the harmful effects of our extensive fossil fuel would lead towards a very quick conversion to solar sources and massive developments of solar cells. Like many changes it all revolves around money as the conversion to solar requires a significant initial investment, probably at least $10,000 or more up front. For the system to pay for itself, the homeowner will need to reside in his home for several years. The average American household will utilize at least 1,000 kilowatts each month.

A high-quality home solar system will often include a 5-year warranty and a great percentage of this system should extend well beyond that period of time. Considering a $10,000 solar system investment this would indicate an average annual cost of about $2,000 or $167 per month to supply your household with the power it needs.

For many households the average monthly costs of solar is below their current electrical costs. Additionally, the homeowner is then protected from rate hikes and other hidden fees often incorporated by power companies. Besides monetary savings, the environmental benefits are obvious as solar is a completely clean energy source and dependable. Many power companies are offering customers payment incentives to convert their homes to solar use.

Although household solar systems are quickly gaining in popularity, as measured in the tremendous additions to the power grid over the past decade, it is far from growing at a pace that would enable solar energy to be the major energy source in the U.S.

Many other nations are engaged in developing solar energy as a viable alternative to our extensive use of fossil fuel produced sources. Countries like Germany and Japan are offering governmental incentives for citizens willing to install solar receptors for home use. Like the U.S. these countries also receive monetary incentives by the power companies for solar conversions when excessive electricity is generated by solar systems then sold back to the power company.

All of these benefits are marketed to influence homeowners to initialize solar usage in their home. As more homeowners take on the investment in solar the environment benefits and the electricity companies are able to stabilize loads placed on their power grids.

Thomas Metscher supplies quality outside solar powered accent lighting for your garden and landscape. We supply energy saving rechargeable accent lights with many uses indoors or out. Visit us at http://www.solarselectives.com

Wind is the Renewable Energy of the Future
By Xena P

The gentle wind that blows out candles, that caresses your body on warm days, that suspends a kite in the air on a bright spring day, can also be used to power the house you live in today. Wind energy can be converted into wind power for useful outputs such as electricity with the help of wind turbines. This is one possible solution that has become increasingly popular as a result of the depleting numbers of Earth’s non-renewable resources. In attempts to find more environmentally friendly solutions to this problem, the possibility of using wind power is becoming more and more reasonable.

There are many advantages to the use of wind power. Not only is it limitless, but also it is plentiful, renewable and widely distributed. It is clean and helps to produce lower greenhouse gas emissions. It fails to produce any form of air pollution such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide or mercury. Also, it is currently the fastest growing energy source.

Wind turbines are the magic behind the conversion of wind energy. They are rotating machines that transform the kinetic energy in wind into mechanical energy. They require locations with constantly high wind speeds. There are two types of turbines: horizontal and vertical- axis turbines. Horizontal axis turbines have the main rotor shaft and the electrical generator on the top of the shaft and must be pointed to the wind. Vertical-axis turbines have the main rotor shaft arranged vertically and does not need to be pointed towards the wind in order to be effective.

With the abundance of wind on the Earth, the use of wind power could prove to be very beneficial as a solution to the worries of people in reference to the depleting amounts of non-renewable resources. It could not only be effective in an efficient way but also in an environmentally friendly way. With the troubles that Earth is facing today, wind power may prove to be our next alternative on the rise as an important source of energy.

I search the Internet and sources for information about the environment, and what I could do to help. I would like to educate people about renewable energy, by writing it down and sharing the knowledge. Did you like this article? Here’s another article about, what some big cities are doing to move toward renewable energy. Check it out. Renewable-Energy

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A Green Vocabulary For Green People
By Bob Folkart

The international passion to protect our planet from the ravages of pollution and to preserve our natural resources for future generations has become an everyday fact of life. With international support by “green” political parties, consumer organizations, celebrities and politicians, the green movement has become a powerful force with an agenda that needs to be addressed by industry, politicians and consumers. Discussions about the environment are taking place in corporate board rooms, legislative hearings, and by consumers in supermarkets and department stores.

Can we fully understand environmental concerns and energy implications without a working knowledge of basic green vocabulary? Do we understand all the issues relevant to tax incentives for oil companies? Can we properly compare the organic and nonorganic products that we decide to eat or wear every day? In essence, to think and live green you need to speak and understand green.

Understanding some key green terms and their implications can help us evaluate alternatives between our planet and sacrificing aspects our personal lifestyle. It can help us decide how we cast our vote or spend our money or how we live our lives. A green vocabulary can help us reduce our “carbon footprint “. The following represents what is best described as a green vocabulary of definitions and commentary to help eco-oriented consumers make informed green decisions.

A Green Vocabulary for Green People

Organic identifies products made under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act. Organic production guidelines are established to use organic materials and practices that improve ecological balance. Organic production incorporates agricultural system components to enhance natural biological systems.

Organic Agriculture is an ecological farming system that promotes natural chemical and biological cycles that improve soil fertility and maintains a balanced and productive farming system. Any products introduced to this system for fertility or pest protection are of natural composition. It eliminates the use of harmful synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, growth stimulants or antibiotics. These essential restrictions can reduce contamination or pollution to our air, water or food supply.

Natural Fibersare “certified” organic fibers derived from organic agriculture such as cotton, bamboo and hemp.

Certified Organic Cotton is derived from organic agriculture. The cotton is grown without artificial pesticides or fertilizers. Conventional cotton farming ranks about fourth in the use of pesticides in the US. Several of the top pesticides used in nonorganic cotton farming are EPA recognized carcinogens. It takes 1/3 of a pound of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers to make one organic T-shirt disregarding the use of any toxic dyes (Organic Trade Association). A typical organic tee shirt is also about the same weight but without these harmful chemicals. Organic cotton is produced using conservation minded or “sustainable” approaches to crop production. Such practices help to retain and promote soil fertility and the natural recycling of soil resources.

Organic Certification is provided by various organizations. The most widely recognized standards are GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) which is the basis for the statement “100% certified organic cotton” used by many green companies.

Fair Labor Practices are not necessarily restricted to agriculture but generally support fair wages and healthy working conditions.

Fair Trade Certification “…guarantees consumers that strict economic, social and environmental criteria were met in the production and trade of an agricultural product.”(www.transfairusa.org).

Sweatshop-free describes the absence of manufacturing conditions currently existing in many countries, referred to as “sweatshops”. They are production facilities or factories where goods are produced cheaply by minimizing workers’ salaries, and increasing working hours. Proper environmental health standards are diminished, yet demands for high levels of productivity still remain. These sweatshops may thrive from corporations seeking to increase profits by subcontracting inexpensive labor.

Sustainable means conserving and preserving limited natural resources and energy supplies. It is connected with the term “recycling” when natural products are re-used like rubber (for tires, shoes) or paper/trees (for books, business cards, magazines etc.), or wood (for recycled furniture). They are made from or made into recycled, carbon based products. A good example of preserving our resources is Trees for the Future, a charitable organization dedicated to replacing and planting trees. Unfortunately, most of our energy production is derived from organic (carbon based) fossil fuels that cannot be recycled as compared to wind or solar energy. All of this is connected to our lifestyle and our “carbon footprint” discussed next.

Carbon Footprint is a descriptor of environmental impact. It describes the consumption of carbon based natural resources or the production of carbon by-products like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide or “greenhouse emissions”. It’s about lifestyle and the amount of carbon based resources we consume through transportation, climate control, manufacturing etc. Basically it relates to how much each of us consume in terms of natural resources to meet our needs. In general each of us should be committed to reducing the size of our “footprint” to sustain resources for present and future generations.

Eco-fashion is a general term describing organic clothing that has addressed the needs of the environment as well as socially responsible working conditions.

Eco-friendly suggests a product or process than has a reduced impact on the environment.

Low Impact Dyes refers to dyes used the manufacture of goods that should have minimal impact on the environment. Sometimes the term non-toxic is used here as well.

Green is a generally positive term referring to the environment, organics or even a green lifestyle to be discussed shortly.

Conscientious Clothingdescribes organic clothing has addressed environmental, ethical and socially responsible standards.

The Green Lifestyle

Green Lifestyle or Green Living describes a lifestyle reflecting a strong commitment to the environment. In addition, it addresses compassionate and positive thinking. It means choosing a life with charitable deeds and practices, reflecting compassion for the environment and others. Green living is being proactive and incorporates spiritual growth leading to ethical thinking.

Social Responsibility can be defined as accepting responsibility for others and taking action against social injustice. It includes meeting the needs of others through charitable giving.

Charitable Giving describes a sense of genuine compassion and reacting to it with charitable practices towards others.

In summary, a green lifestyle represents caring for the environment combined with positive thinking leading to ethical behavior and compassionate living. Ultimately, your deeds represent positive thoughts in action. The result can be a clean, safe environment and a better quality of life for yourself and others.

If you learned some green vocabulary, be sure to use it to make decisions and set priorities in your life. Think about adopting a greener lifestyle!

Bob Folkart is Vice-President of Live Life Organics, a company devoted to encouraging the living of a passionate life through environmental awareness. Live Life Organics has created a range of eco-friendly, organic cotton clothing from adults to babies. Every item of apparel displays positive inspirational messages promoting courage, hope and compassion and includes a plantable hang tag that recycles and grows into wild flowers. To view these organic products, go to:
http://www.livelifeorganics.com.

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