Bay Area Solar Group

wind. Wind is an environment-friendly source of energy. It is also inexpensive. As such, it is gaining popularity vis-

More and more scientists today agree that global warming is a serious issue and that the cause of global warming is carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned. Politicians, too, are being swayed as they see increases in property damaged, injuries, and even deaths due to natural catastrophes which appear to have gotten worse in recent decades.

Because fossil fuels appear to be the source of worldwide atmospheric change, people have began to look to other methods of producing energy. In addition to causing atmospheric change, there’s the reality that we will run out of fossil fuels. The world’s economy is based on fossil fuels but they are a finite resource. Eventually we will run out of them. Fossil fuels are not a sustainable resource. Two methods of producing energy which have little impact on the environment and are sustainable are solar and wind power.

First, we’ll take a look at solar power. Solar power is, of course, power derived from the energy of the sun’s rays. The limitation with this energy source is the sun itself. The sun will never run out, except at night. Solar power sources have been designed to compensate for the downtime of night or cloudy days, but solar power works best in sunny climates.

Solar power is generally used in one of three ways: to generate heat, to generate electricity, and to desalinate salt water. Solar powered heating systems are usually either active or passive in design. An active solar heating system uses pumps to circulate water which has been heated by the sun. Passive solar heating systems use the nature of water to create circulation. This method relies on the fact that heat energy wants to move into areas of lesser heat.

In generating electricity, solar power is harnessed by photovoltaic cells which convert the suns energy into electricity. These cells have been widely used to power calculators for decades. In solar desalination, the power of the sun is used to evaporate water to separate it from the salt and other undesirable minerals.

Another type of clean, renewable power comes from the wind. Wind power, while growing in popularity, still accounts for barely 1% of the world’s power supply. This is hard to believe considering how much the wind blows! Wind power is usually harnessed using wind turbines.

A centuries old version of harnessing wind power is the windmill. These lovely structures used the wind to grind grains and pump water. Today’s wind turbines are advanced machinery employing the latest technologies.

More and more “wind farms” are sprouting up around the world. These huge arrays of wind turbines can be found on land and offshore. The biggest ones in the US are land-based farms in California, Oregon, and Washington. There are also more and more popping up the Midwest. Because of energy costs and damage done to the environment, alternative energy sources are receiving a great deal of interest. Two of the most promising are solar and wind power.

Start by switching to green power

The easiest way to switch to green energy is to call your current provider and see if they offer an alternative. An increasing number of companies do, harnessing renewable sources like wind and solar power to offer electric service in their markets. This costs more for the consumer, since you?ll pay a premium to offset the money involved in tapping the alternative source, but the price varies: in Sacramento, you?ll pay 5 cents per kilowatt hour or $30 a month for solar, and in Oregon you?ll shell out only .8 cents per kilowatt hour for wind, geothermal, or hydropower. Curious about the options in your state?

Plug in to solar power

There are two kinds of solar power you can use in your home: active and passive. Active solar power is captured through solar cells (also known as photovoltaics), and then stored to later provide heat or electricity-or to supplement a traditional heating or electrical system. But before you buy a solar system for your house, keep a few points in mind: many towns have restrictions on the size and type of collectors they?ll allow; the annual number of sunny days in your climate will affect how much power you can collect (the Southwest usually has the best luck with solar collection); and the system?s cost efficiency varies based on its size, your location, and the amount of power you plan to get from it.

Get passive solar to work for you

The second kind of solar power, passive solar, doesn?t involve the (expensive) photovoltaic cells and mechanical systems of active solar, but still takes advantage of the sun to heat your home in one of three ways: direct gain, which collects light through the windows; indirect gain, which stores thermal energy within the walls; and isolated gain, more commonly put to use in a solarium or sun room setup. By thinking about window placement, insulation, and even landscaping?trees can be the ultimate passive solar helpers, since they soak up solar in the hot summer, and let the sun through in the winter?it?s possible to help keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Opt for solar hot water

You can also use solar power to heat the water for your showers, dishwasher, and laundry (though why aren?t you using cold water for that?) by installing a solar hot water system. If you live in a place where freezing temps aren?t a concern, look for a direct circulation system-this cycles water through the solar heater and into the home; otherwise, go for an indirect circulation system, which runs a freeze-proof fluid through the system to prevent icing. Both those active systems are generally more efficient than passive solar heaters, which don?t have the same pumps and controls but can be more dependable. No matter which system you choose, you?ll want to consider a (smaller) more traditional hot water heater for backup on days when the sun won?t come out or for showering during peak times.

Tap into the earth?s natural geo-energy

The terms ?geothermal? and ?ground source heat pump? are nearly interchangeable in casual conversation-but they shouldn?t be, since they?re not the same. Geothermal energy comes right from the ground-think hot springs, geysers, and volcanic areas?while ground source heat pumps use the relatively steady temperature of the Earth (as compared to the air) to heat and cool buildings. These heat pumps use as little as half as much electricity as traditional systems, and generally last between 25 and 50 years; while they are more expensive to install than other systems, you can expect the system to pay for itself in energy savings in less than 10 years.

Replace oil with biofuel

You can also heat your home using biofuels?nontoxic, biodegradable, and renewable power sources, like those made from animal and vegetable fats and oils or wood. If you?re using oil heat, have a technician take a look at your furnace and get the okay to switch to a blend of 20%-99% biodiesel; in most cases, you won?t need any additional parts or service to make the switch. Using a woodstove to heat your home is an age-old solution, but the more modern version is the pellet stove: The pellets of compressed sawdust take up less storage space than a wood pile, and burn with so few emissions that they aren?t required to get EPA certification. (One tip: if you?re going this route, find a local source for inexpensive pellets first.)

Harness the power of the wind

Wind energy is one of the cleanest forms of alternative energy available, and using it can cut your electricity bill by as much as 90 percent. Once you make sure your area is zoned to allow wind turbines, you?ll want to make sure you have enough space?the Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy suggests at least one acre of rural land?and a climate that affords a steady breeze. Run an energy audit on your home to determine what size turbine you?ll need; most houses require between 5 and 15 kilowatts to produce an average of 780 kilowatt hours every each month. And wind turbine systems aren?t cheap, so run the numbers to figure out if you?ll save enough to make the 20-year investment worth it.

Capture small-scale hydropower

Before you can use hydropower for residential energy, you?ll need one very important jumping-off point: running water on your property. If you are lucky enough to have a creek, stream, or river in your backyard, then a micro hydropower system may be a good alternative energy solution. By diverting a portion of the water through a wheel or turbine, you allow a shaft to spin; the spinning allows immediate results, like pumping water, or more indirect usage, like powering a generator. These calculations from the Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy can help you figure out if your water source will provide enough energy to significantly offset your electric bill.

Make a smart start

If you?re in the process of buying a home, it?s easier to make alternative energy work for you, by buying a property that comes with running water or room for wind turbines, for example. If you?re designing from the ground up, choose a roof that?s specially fitted for solar panels; place your house on the lot so it takes advantage of the sun; build with passive solar materials; and use daylighting technology by installing windows and doors in places that allow you to get the most out of natural light sources,and to go green.

Think smaller

If you can?t make the jump to powering your entire house with alternative energy, start by focusing on one room at a time. Or look even more closely at your life, and get small solar cells to charge your laptop, cell phone, iPod, and other small gadgets?every little bit helps!

Is wind powered electricity a good alternative energy solution or should we focus completely on solar powered electricity? With multiple crises on our hands (financial, environmental and a fuel shortage) people all over the world are looking for alternatives. And although a lot of the people with actual power are not yet convinced that this is the best time to go green, the common people understand it and they are searching for energy alternatives. But what alternatives are the best, solar or wind powered electricity?

Reasons to start looking for alternatives:

Lower or eliminate power bills
Be self sufficient
Get of the grid
Better world for our children
Better for our health in general
Fossil fuels like oil should be used as material to create for example plastic and not for energy usage.

Wind powered electricity is not a new alternative

The power of wind has been used for centuries, in earlier days windmills where usually used to grind grain but also as lumber mill and for other purposes. Modern windmills are primarily used for wind generated electricity, even in Holland a country that is known for its windmills time has progressed.

There are two types of wind powered electricity, the first is produced by the power companies in large windmill parks and the second are residential wind turbines like the Skystream 3.7. Wind is in both cases an ideal alternative, the amount of wind produced by the spinner blades is enormous. The whole wind powered electricity process is simple and natural and requires even less resources than solar power panels.

Wind powered electricity is very good for the planet

This non polluting renewable energy source is an excellent alternative for fossil fuels and there is no reason why this should not be one of the biggest alternatives we can use. The only problem with wind powered electricity is that it is hard to store. You just can’t put it in a jar and open it when you need it. But batteries are improving rapidly the last few years and will become better and cheaper quickly. This means that it will be easier to store this kind of free energy.

Wind powered electricity can be used all over the planet

Another great advantage of wind powered electricity over solar electricity is that it is available in all corners of the world. And every country is able to supply to there people. Large scale wind powered electricity is also a great job creator because it also creates jobs in counties that do not have coals, oil or gas.

Get off the grid

If you are able to use your own residential wind turbine you have a great advantage, it will reduce or eliminate your power bills and you actually do something to create a better healthier world. Wind powered electricity is at least as good as solar power and it depends on the location and personal circumstances what kind of system you choose. There are excellent residential wind turbines like the Skystream 3.7 and that are not difficult to install and that are a perfect solution for many homes that are not urban located.

Although it is much less expensive to initially get hooked into the local electric company’s grid than it is to set up and hook into wind turbines, in the long run one saves money by utilizing the wind for one’s energy needs while also becoming more independent. Not receiving an electric bill while enjoying the advantages of the modern electrically-driven lifestyle is a wondrous feeling.

Electric bills and fuel bills are rising steadily but the cost of wind turbine energy is zero, and the cost of installing and hooking up a turbine is steadily coming down as demand rises and more commercial success is realized by various companies producing the turbines and researching technologies to make them ever more efficient.

In addition, people are moving away from the traditional electric grids and the fossil fuels for personal reasons including desire for greater independence, the desire to live remotely or rurally without having to go primitive, political concerns such as fears of terrorist strikes on oil fields or power grids, or concerns about the environment.

Again, this motivation to get away from the traditional energy sources is the same one that causes people to seek the power of the wind for their energy, giving more business opportunities to profit from wind turbine production and maintenance, which drives their costs down for the consumers.

In nearly thirty states at the time of this writing, homeowners who remain on the grid but who still choose to use wind energy (or other alternative forms) are eligible for rebates or tax breaks from the state governments that end up paying for as much as 50% of their total green energy systems costs.

In addition, there are 35 states at the time of this writing where these homeowners are allowed to sell their excess energy back to the power company under what are called net metering laws. The rates that they are being paid by the local power companies for this energy are standard retail rates in other words, the homeowners are actually profiting from their own energy production.

Some federal lawmakers are pushing to get the federal government to mandate these tax breaks and other wind power incentives in all 50 states. Japan and Germany already have national incentive programs in place. However, A lot of this is handled regionally by state law. There wouldn’t really be a role for the federal government, the Energy Department’s Craig Stevens says.

And as might be imagined, there are power companies who feel that it’s unfair that they should have to pay retail rates to private individuals. We should [only have to] pay you the wholesale rate for … your electricity, according to Bruce Bowen, Pacific Gas & Electric’s director of regulatory policy.

However, the companies seem to be more worried about losing short term profits than about the benefits, especially in the long run, of the increased use of wind turbines or wind farms. Head of the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies of California V. John White points out, It’s quality power that strengthens the grid.

A couple years ago when New York City had its blackout, many people woke up to the fact that we use way too much electricity as an energy source. They had been taking their electricity for granted.

This event also made us aware of other depleting natural resources, such as oil and that these resources as well should not be taken for granted. Pollution, global warming, high oil costs and the threat of running out of non-renewable resources had put a spark back into the search of alternative energy resources.

Although we still have a ways to go good progress is being made. Hybrid vehicles and solar powered homes are beginning to be more accepted as ways of the future and more and more people are using them. Yes you may run into a naysayer on the street, but remember we are making progress and you should always be optimistic towards our future.

What Does It Take To Make People Aware of Alternative Energy Resources?

Most environmentalists have been cautioning the world for years that the current methods of producing electricity are not going to be around forever. Using coal and oil products to turn turbines to make electricity, they warned, is going to deplete the supply and alternative energy resources that will be needed.

They often advised the time to act was before the supplies were gone. Additionally, they stressed the importance of alternative energy resources that did not pollute the air, water and send particulate matter into the wind.

Alternative Energy Technology Still In Its Infancy

The use of water to supply power has been around for decades; seemingly ever since electricity and windmills have been supplying power in many areas of the world. The use of solar power is becoming more acceptable and using the water, wind and sun as alternative energy resources are still being examined. While many technological advances have been made, developing a cost-effective production method is still in its early stages.

Why didn’t we work on this years ago? When these technologies were first introduced there was no real financial incentive to continue development. Prices for coal and oil were still low and methods to clean the air at coal-fired plants kept pollution concerns to a minimum. However, recent increases in coal and oil prices and threat of running out has made the hunt for alternative energy resources more urgent.

Lack Of Competition Keeps Prices High

Many blame the cost of the technology for the prices of using alternative energy resources, but most agree that a lack of competition among companies using them are the biggest culprit. Many contend the prices for alternative energy resources is artificially inflated using the supply and demand calculation that the supply has not increased sufficiently to offset even the slightest increase in demand, which sends prices even higher.

Many countries have initiated incentives for companies and individuals to find alternative energy resources that can save natural resources, reduce prices and save the environment. The scare of global warming has many looking at new methods of producing power without producing a hotter environment.

Right now, it is difficult to find a cheap alternative energy resource for your home for the reasons stated above, but we are making progress, and good progress. Eventually, as technology advances, we may be able to make the alternative energy resources we have a little cheaper.

It is just too bad we procrastinated for so long to get started. Just get educated, stay optimistic, and do your part to convert the energy in your home to an alternative source.

One of the biggest challenges the human race faces today is finding and using alternative energy sources. The push for means of generating electricity has been around for over 100 years, but when oil and coal-fired generators produced power inexpensively, the world put the search for alternative energy sources on the back burner for a number of years.

We cannot procrastinate any longer, however, as many of the earth’s natural resources, such as oil, are depleting.

A Short History Lesson on Alternative Energy Sources

The need for an alternate energy source was rekindled in the 1970’s with the oil shortage that created lines at gas stations and produced critical shortages throughout the United States. The search for alternate power generation is not limited to finding new ways of powering vehicles, as supplying cheap power for homes and industries is a continuous endeavor. There have been many advances in the search for alternative energy sources, but the price of the power produced still remains too high.

Wind, water and sun are touted as renewable energy resources with claims that once the technology is perfected, making it more cost effective, they can replace the need for oil and natural gas to turn turbines in the generation process. Even geothermal power production is one of the alternate energy sources being researched.

The Source Of The Energy Depends on The Location

For many people the switch to alternative energy sources is a matter of finding the type of alternative power that works the best in their particular geographical location. Persons who live in areas that have limited exposure to the sun for example, may not be too excited about using solar panels to supply power. When the sun goes down for an extended number of days, the town can go dark.

In some of those areas, wind is not a problem as it seems to blow nearly every day. Using wind power to turn turbines to generate electricity can work there, but may not work in other areas that experience less windy conditions. Another of the alternative energy sources, hydropower uses the power of rivers to turn generators, but the cost of the infrastructure to get power to the people from the generator may still be high for long range use.

With the three major alternative energy sources continuing to be researched and advanced, the need for an answer to out problem becomes more evident every time a person receives their electric bill, or fills their car with gas.

The resources that we have left on the planet are running out. Do your part to keep educated on the latest changes in technology and any up to date with the issues at hand to learn what you can do to help solve the energy crisis.

With the world starting to shift toward green living many are looking into conserving energy. Many people think of solar panels first as this is the most common choice for residential customers. I don’t know about you, but in my area of the world the wind is always blowing. Nothing compliments solar panels than a wind power generator.

Keep in mind, with a wind power generator the wind is you fuel. I often see people who invest in creating alternative energy and are disappointed that they aren’t seeing great results. To achieve great results, choose a product that is going to benefit you the most. When you can, combine the use of solar panels and wind power to achieve maximum results.

While wind power is a great way to create electricity, you may not achieve the goal of living completely off the grid. Now this depends entirely on your environment as we all know wind is widely unpredictable and is ever changing.

You will achieve greater results if you are able to invest in a larger wind mill and have an area for it. There are many claims to living completely off of the grid, and while some may be true its going to be very hard to reach this goal with a small wind mill. Think of it this way, you are literally trying to catch wind. Obviously the larger the blades and the taller the windmill the more you will be able to catch!

I am a big believer in alternative energy, whether or not we are able to live off of the grid depends on how big of an investment we are able to make. I know many may not be able to purchase solar panels, or a large wind power generator for that matter but we can all start somewhere.

There are so many DIY projects available, you might not achieve all that you want with a small project but you can start somewhere. These projects are great to do with children. You will be able to teach them about wind power while opening up a conversation about what we are doing to our mother earth and what will happen if we don’t take steps to change.

I have completed a couple of DIY projects myself, honestly the first didn’t turn out exactly how I had planned. If you want to take steps toward saving energy there are so many affordable options available. Whether you hire a contractor to build your wind power generator

Green Alternative New Energy Remedies at Green Expo Gala

San Diego Downtown Embarcadero – North Side
SUNDAY OCTOBER 18th, 2009
619 – 865 – 5904
with more events in the near future

The Green Expo 2009
The Green Expo l Resource Web Portal-is dedicated to providing help across an impressive range of needs by connecting to resources and information for a Greener Planet and Life. The 21st century has been called the’century of the environment.’ govts -and individual citizens – can no longer say that wide-ranging challenges such as pollution, decreasing natural resources and climate change to be put aside for our future generations. The outlook for success haven’t ever been bigger. A dawning age of creativity and invention in’green technology’ ( sometimes called’clean technology’ ) is bringing the guarantee of a healthier planet – as well as the chance of growing companies that will sustain its health. The buzz building around this sector is paying homage to the early years of the info technology revolution.

At The Green Expo you will find innovative and available technologies that promote solutions to environmental problems, paths to green your world by saving energy, reducing pollution, recycling, healthy living, green home products, green jobs, eco-businesses and much , much more.

Let’s all make a difference and reach out and be accountable to our Planet and our next generation.

FREE TO the general public, FREE MUSIC and FREE FOOD.

Our Objectives and Goals

The Green Expo is a committed network of activists anden entrepreneurs in service for a healthy, prosperous and sustainable future for all living things.

Our community welcomes collaboration that increases awareness, encourages leadership and galvanizes action toward a healthy, wealthy and sustainable future for all living things.

What we do is:
* provide a website which p-rovides useful info, technologies and solutions.
* Produce the Green Expo fairs for environmental education, awareness and celebration.
* Bring together community and environmental leaders to discuss issues of mutual concern.
* help business participation that creates environmentally responsible action that develops a wealthy, ecologically sound economy.
* Provide techniques for individuals to actively take part in the protection and restoration of their environment.
* Educate the general public about ecological concerns by organizing events, making presentations and publishing information.
* Work with and support other local, state and world ecological groups.
* Enroll volunteers and members, request contributions and sponsorships.
* Celebrate life on Earth!

The foundation of our work is the pervasive interest in and concern for our environment and quality-of-life, voiced by the Yankee public generally. People desire clean water, unpolluted air, healthy food and robust natural environments. They need to support individuals, bodies and statesmen that further these goals. They need to do the decent thing — and they query what the right thing is.

Standing on this foundation, our goal is to support public inclusion through education and action. Our Green Expo events bring together the troubled public with setups that have some of the answers — our exhibitors. .

Green Alternative New Energy Remedies at Green Expo Gala
San Diego Downtown Embarcadero – North Side
SUNDAY October 18th, 2009

The Green Energy Expo – Green Alternative New Energy Remedies at Green Expo 619 865 5904
.

As you may have noticed, fossil fuels are becoming a thing of the past due to their costs and environmental effects. So what is it that is taking its place? Well, Alternative Green Energy sources of course. As the world?s average temperature grows due to Carbon Dioxide emissions, the world is in a race against time to change from fossil fuels to Alternative Green Energy sources to save the environment and many species of animals that are being affected by it.

The transition will not be easy, nor will it be cheap since Alternative Green Energy sources are fairly expensive to install, but although Alternative Green Energy sources may be difficult to install, the means of gaining this Alternative Green Energy will pay for itself in the long run.