10 Eco-Friendly Home Improvement Ideas

Remodeling is a great opportunity, not only to make your home look and feel better to live in, but also to make it less of a burden on the environment–and on your pocketbook.

Today, it’s more important than ever to consider eco-friendly or "green" products and materials when you improve your home. This is of course because we want to do our part to keep the environment healthy, but it’s also because most of us can’t afford to waste money on inefficient homes. Many products and materials that are eco-friendly can also help your pocket book–think inexpensive heating and cooling bills, low water bills, and affordable gas or electricity bills.

Fortunately, there are many options today for those who want to make eco-friendly home improvements. Here are 10 ideas to get you started:

1. Tons of water is wasted each year in the bathrooms of homeowners, so take a look in there when you’re doing your green remodeling. For the toilet consider a dual flush model. These are designs that use two different flush settings depending upon what you need (usually a powerful mode that offers 1.6 gallons and then a nice and gentle .8-gallon flush as well). This can greatly help reduce water consumption in the home over the course of a single year.

2. Paint goes a long ways in adding curb appeal to the outside of a house or cheering up drab spaces inside. It’s also an easy and relatively inexpensive home improvement that will make a huge difference. When you are selecting paint, stick to only brands that use non-VOC or non-volatile organic chemicals. Typical paint has high levels of VOCs, which is neither eco-friendly nor particularly healthy. You may need to search for brands and special lines that offer low and reduced VOC levels, but they are becoming more readily available. Just ask at the paint department of the home improvement store, and someone should be educated enough to help you find an eco-friendly paint that will suit your needs.

3. Flooring is one of the first things people think of when they make plans to remodel, and there are lots of ways to get what you want and still be eco-friendly. For those who are looking for a natural type of material then cork flooring is a great option to explore. It is durable, comfortable to walk on, and also boasts the use of no toxic adhesives that can harm the environment. There are a wide range of colors and designs for cork floor tiles, showing that the material is not meant just for walls and bulletin boards anymore.

4. Your floors may not really need to be replaced at all. Reusing and refinishing already existing materials is a hallmark of the green remodeling movement, so another viable home improvement option that you can look into is refinishing the floors that you currently have. This is especially plausible if you have wood floors underneath any other type of floor in your home. While it may take some work to make them shine again, it is worth the effort.

5. Carpets can be eco-friendly too. Sometimes it’s hard to beat the warmth and softness of carpets, but if you want to be green and healthy (carpeting is well known for harboring dust mites, pet dander, and mildew, all of which are hard to get out even with steam cleaning), consider carpet tiles. These are typically created from recyclable materials and are very easy to install as well as clean. This makes them a beautiful choice as well as a simple option for carpet across an entire room. You can even get outdoor carpet tiles to spruce up balconies or rooftop decks.

6. If you’re going with carpets, know that carpet padding isn’t always necessary. Skip the carpet padding if possible. This is usually additional material that is used when using traditional carpet and involves additional labor, materials, and chemicals and also makes it much harder to keep the carpet clean without the use of harsh chemicals.

7. In the bedroom look for organic bedding. Many off-the-shelf bedding products are treated with a chemical called formaldehyde, which is intended to make them soft, but this is a huge toxic chemical and very hazardous to the environment as well as your own personal health. Look for organic bedding to avoid the dangers to your health.

8. As for the bed itself, consider eco-friendly mattresses. There are several companies that have them available; most are typically made from a material called natural latex rubber, which is friendly to the environment. Also these mattresses pose fewer problems when it’s time to replace them.

9. Think solar power whenever possible. This can save you a lot of money in the long run. For example, if you are replacing your water heater, consider a solar powered model. This will reduce energy usage, lower your power bill, and ensure that you always have plenty of hot water on hand, even if the power is out in the rest of the house.

10. If you’re not ready to take the big remodeling step, you can make green choices just in your home furnishings. One of the best things you can do is purchase used furniture. This helps to keep old furniture out of the landfills, and it reduces the demand on forests and materials to build new pieces from scratch. Also, older pieces tend to be higher quality than what’s put out today (i.e. solid hardwood instead of particleboard), so you may actually get a better piece of furniture just by sanding and staining an old coffee table or perhaps reupholstering old chairs and sofas. Getting used furniture is a great way to save some money and be eco friendly all at the same time.

There are far more home improvements to save money and create an eco-friendly home than listed here, but these should get you started. As you go down the remodeling road, you’ll find plenty of other ways you can create a home that is healthy to live in and is friendly to the environment.

By TC Thorn

home heating costs

Green Your Home

There’sa new website in town for home dwellers looking to go green (or go more green). The newly launched Sierra Club Green Home was created, as you may have guessed by Sierra Club and covers a wide range of green home topics.

Owning a Green Home

One of the most important financial and personal investments in a person’s life is their home, so why not make it as environmentally healthy as possible, not to mention economically smart?

An Austin Green Home

Rated a four-star (out of a possible five stars) project by the Austin Energy Green Building Rating System, the home boasts a number of green features in the design itself, including passive heating and cooling and day lighting.

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Solar Power For The House

Your Home Is It Solar Powered?

Is your home a solar home? Ever wonder what it will take to make it come true? Affordable solar power has never been easier.

whole house solar power

Making Your Home a Solar Power Home

Using solar power as an additional energy source is not only smart, environmentally, but economically. Of course it is going to require some research first. Understanding the concept of solar energy power is key to establishing the right system for your home and its effectiveness.

1. How will my solar energy system work?
2. How much will it cost?
3. What equipment will I need?
4. Can a professional come and evaluate my home?
5. What are the benefits?
6. Do I go all solar or keep local power as a backup?

Advantages of Local Power
1. Backup to your solar energy system
2. You can sell solar power to the local power company
3. Special benefits from your state government

In addition to solar power, you can also supplement your system with hydro power. Hydro power is a great back up to your solar system on cloudy days or in the winter. If you are lucky enough to have property on a river then investing in a hydro system to supplement your solar system is a great idea.

This is a growing trend in our world today and is going to grow even further as the need to supplement our global energy needs continues to be held in concern. Cost will eventually drop to be even more affordable as time changes. More and more I foresee a futuristic look only known in the movies, but will become reality of solar energy plants supplying to local solar homes and businesses.

For more free solar power articles feel free to visit our blog. http://www.homesolarenergypower.com/

By joseph young
Published: 8/19/2008

renewable energy sources for your home

Solar-Powered Air Conditioner

Now Coolerado has added another element to its air conditioners: solar power. According to Coolerado, any solar contractor can easily work with installers in the company’s network to add solar photovoltaic systems to air conditioning units. A demonstration solar-powered Coolerado air-conditioner is on display now at RETECH 2009 in Las Vegas.

Solar Powered Homes

Many state governments are now strongly pushing for the use of solar power in residential homes, and we’re already seeing the average family having access to this simple technology If you’re put off by expensive solar panel costs, then go the DIY … These home DIY guides are easy to use and straightforward for anyone to do it themselves. These are great simple instructionals on solar panel installation.

Home Solar Power

Solar power is one of the best means with which to power up a home; especially in places where the conventional electric power is not readily available; and, also because solar power is a lot less costly than electric power.

Building Your Own Solar And Wind Power Systems

Start Living Green: Generate Your Own Power

Learn how to generate your own electricity using renewable energy sources and save tons of cash on power bills.

If you are looking for ways of how to go greener, while saving money, then you have come to the right place, because here I’m going to share with you two great methods, which are involved with making free electricity using environmentally free techniques. Read on and discover how to save tons of cash and take care of the nature at the same time.

Okay, first I would like to mention that both of these methods will require initial investment. Don’t worry, it’s not very expensive and I think it’s pretty affordable for anyone. I will mention some figures later on, but the important thing to remember here is that it’s only one-time spending, meaning you just pay once and that’s it.

solar panel and windmill combination home power system

So for example the first method of generating free electricity is by using renewable energy source – wind. In this case you will need to make a windmill, which will cost you around $200 or maybe less. See, I told you, it’s not much. Once you have the mill, it will be constantly making power for you, and reducing your power bill, meaning you spend less on energy.

If you take advantage of the second method of generating energy as well, which is using , then you may even be able to eliminate your energy bills, because you will be producing a good amount of electricity to power up all your house equipment. I know lots of people, who have cancelled their energy supplier accounts, and now they don’t pay for electricity at all, because they have their own. So why don’t you?

You might be thinking that all this stuff is too complicated, and you just don’t want to get involved in this, but in reality, everything is much simpler. Basically, there are two things you need to learn: how to build a windmill and the solar panels. So you need proper instructions and guidance for that, don’t you? The solution to that is a great manual called Earth4Energy. Click the link above to check it out.

By Steven Blackman
Published: 11/17/2008

homemade wind solar power

Solar And Wind Energy

Gone are the days when we were restricted to using solar power for solely for warming water because nowadays, both wind power and solar energy, can be used for powering homes and businesses.

Make Your Own Power

Learn how to make your own power and avoid skyrocketing power prices forever. How to make your own power shows how anyone – yes even the most fumble-fingered beginner can use either solar or wind power to wave goodbye to the electricity.

Renewable Energy at Home

Solar energy and wind energy are the most effective ways to reduce the use of traditional electricity suppliers. These solutions can help the fight against power failures, dramatically reduce our electricity bills and also help the environment.

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Photovoltaics Off Grid

Build Your Own Solar Power Grid

There are several different ways to get free power for your household, one of those being a solar power grid. There is enough energy that comes from the the sun to sustain us of our everyday needs

Renewable energy is the greatest thing that mother nature has given us, but it’s not easily available or affordable to everyone in it’s current state. The problem is that for us to get that power we have to spend around $3000 – $5000 to have a solar system installed.

It is now easier than ever to build your own solar power grid. There are plans and guides to help you every step of the way. These plans and guides will tell you what types of materials you should have, and the right places to purchase them for better cost savings. A lot of the parts that you need can be available for free if you know the right places to look, and the plans and guides will show you these places.

You can build a portable solar power grid, that can run a laptop, TV or a DVD player and is also great for when you go camping or you can go all out by setting up a off the grid solar system that will run everything in your household. Just remember the first time you flick on that switch and start enjoying free power from the sun, you’ll wonder why you never did this years ago.

Isn’t it time you got started on your own installation project? Just think, no more electricity bills, just Mother Natures Clean Renewable Energy. To learn more about Solar Power Grids and how they can help you go to www.earth4energyplan.com.

By Pleaman Haggett
Published: 9/11/2008

off grid solar power system

Facts About Off Grid Solar Power

People who reside in remote places may now be able to live more comfortable lives; in the past, living in remote areas may mean no electricity. Through off grid solar power, that notion has changed.

Solar Power Advantages

Through off grid solar power, that notion has changed. Off grid technology is an efficient and affordable way that enables people to enjoy having electricity, whether or not they are in mountainous areas or in big cities.

Grid-tie Solar

MyGen is a grid-tie solar power system that is compatible with a wide variety of roof types and materials. The system comes in five different versions, which basically use the same Kyocera KD180 PV modules.

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Solar Power Backpack

Here is an – solar power backpacks and other solar gadgets that you can take with you to power up your laptop or other devices.

Solar Gadgets – Gotta Love Them
by: Rick Chapo

It has been claimed that our nation is infatuated with a variety of things from civil rights to freedom. Bah! If we are honest, we will admit we are infatuated with gadgets.

Solar Gadgets – Gotta Love Them

Forget the oil addiction, our biggest weakness as a nation is we are fools for gadgets. If it peels an onion 56 different ways, we have to own it. Don’t believe me? Ask yourself one question. When you go to a fair, how many gadgets do you end up bringing home? Be honest. There is no shame in it. In fact, I believe there is an argument to be made that a particular subject matter, whatever it is, isn’t mainstream until it includes gadgets. If this is true, solar energy may finally be a real alternative.

Most of us have far too many gadgets, particularly small personal gadgets. Cell phones, ipods, pdas, Bluetooth, I have them all. I find it somewhat ironic that all these small gadgets that are to make my life easier make me look like Sherpa walking around. Regardless, the digital age has one problem and you already know what it is. Gadgets require power and they always run down when you need them most. This, of course, results in you walking around with a power converter in your hand looking for a convenient outlet of some sort. Instead of looking like a junkie trying to find a fix, you can use a very useful new gadget.

Solar power packs are the latest and greatest thing when it comes to gadgets. Yes, I said solar. The packs come in a variety of forms, but they tend to look like the black folders for your compact discs. The packs are thin and light. When you are outside, you just unzip them, lay them in the sun and plug your power hungry gadget into them. The packs will put a charge into your gadget and you’ll be ready to go.

Finally, solar power we can use on a personal level. I guess it is here to stay.

About The Author

Rick Chapo is with http://www.solarcompanies.com – a directory of solar energy companies. Visit http://www.solarcompanies.com/articles to read more solar power articles.

solar power in the future

Solar Power Backpack

It’s flexible, so you could use it on a backpack.” The flexible silicon solar cells also require only a fraction of the thickness of silicon found in typical solar panels, which significantly lowers the cost to produce them.

Solar Gadgets

My aim is continually develop the Black Hills Solar Backpack and other environmentally friendly gadgets to help todays eco-conscious conscious consumer reduce their carbon footprint and improve their dependence on renewable energy.

Solar Battery Charger

Voltaic Backpack. Could this be a car solar battery charger? A car solar battery charger is a convenient way for you to use your vehicle and the power of the sun to recharge small, portable devices like cell phones, Ipoad and cameras.

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Essay On Solar Energy

Here Comes the Sun: Solar Energy Is Becoming More Attractive For Mainstream Consumers
by: Kavar Peter

The price of a barrel of oil has never been higher ($62.00&#43 in summer 2005 even before the chaos caused by Katrina). Some say this is a temporary spike, but more and more analysts are agreeing that this kind of pricing is here to stay. World consumption is at an all time high and given the new thirst for oil in China and India it is unlikely to diminish. According to International Energy Outlook, global demand is expected to continue to increase by as much as 59% in the next fifteen years.

Already, consumer energy bills have been increasing on average 6.5% per year for the last thirty years in the United States. Given the dramatic rise in the cost of producing energy using traditional non-renewable resources, this rate is bound to be overtaken by unheard of price increases in the very near future. And for consumers who are becoming more and more environmentally conscious, the thought of the millions and millions of tons of CO2 and other bi products being released into the atmosphere annually through the use of fossil fuels in creating energy is very alarming.

It is a no brainer that our reliance on oil to create energy leaves us very vulnerable. There are renewable technologies that produce energy, but the problem has been one of cost effectiveness. It has always been cheaper to supply energy using fossil fuels, and consequently, renewable sources such as solar or wind power have not taken off. But the situation now appears to be changing. More and more, our consumption of energy is outstripping supply. The grid can barely keep up with demand and rolling blackouts are no longer just a concept. No wonder governments are looking for alternatives. And no wonder everyone is talking solar once again.

In 1985 annual worldwide solar power system installation accounted for 21 megawatts of power. By 2004, this had multiplied to an incredible 927 megawatts in new installation power production alone. The demand for solar produced energy over the last several years has increased annually about 25%, although in 2004 sales were up a whopping 67% from the previous year.

go green with solar panels ramifications of renewable energy

There are several reasons for this increase in popularity for all things solar powered. Beyond the obvious environmental considerations and the privilege of not having to rely on power from a grid that is aging and stretched to capacity, solar is getting cost effective. While traditional energy production gets more expensive, technological advances are making solar power cheaper.

In 1980 the cost of harvesting energy from the sun stood at about $100 per watt. Literally a hundred times more expensive than the going rate of electricity, these systems were not economically viable. By 1999 however, technology had reduced this to about $4 per watt and costs have continued to decline by about 5% per year since. The Return on Investment is becoming very attractive for many commercial organizations and consumers.

Efficiencies have been realized in several technologies. The inverters that transform the collected DC energy into usable AC energy used to deliver only about 65% efficiency. 35% of the collected energy was lost in the transformation process. Today’s transformers are so efficient they deliver up to 96% of collected energy into usable AC current.

Photovoltaic technology has also made solar collection far more efficient. Twenty years ago, only 5% of the sun’s energy hitting a solar charging panel was harvested. This figure is now in excess of 15% and will continue to climb as more efficient compounds are designed and introduced in the manufacture of these photovoltaic panels.

All levels of government are increasingly looking at solar to provide stable, cost effective and environmentally friendly power. 35 states now have some kind of rebate program for homeowners that install solar power systems. And this is not just the southern ‘sunny states’. While California is the clear leader in promoting solar powered energy solutions (a program introduced in 2003 is promoting the introduction of solar powered energy systems into a million homes over the next several years) New Jersey and New York are next in line for solar investment.

At the municipal level, many jurisdictions have introduced solar solutions for traffic and streetlights. 50% of the energy used to run the City of Sacremento’s water purification plant is solar. NASA uses solar powered energy systems in many of its buildings. And governments are not using solar just because it is good for the environment and sets an example for commercial entities and consumers (although these benefits cannot be lost on them!). They’ve concluded that opting for solar systems will save them hundreds of thousands of dollars.

With so many rebate programs today homeowners are coming to the same conclusions. Once the initial return on investment is recouped (as early as 4 to 6 years with the rebate programs in California for example), solar users don’t have any additional energy bills, almost no maintenance to worry about and are not slave to an electrical grid that is becoming more and more fragile as demand outstrips supply. No wonder solar power is getting attention!

Solar power is still more expensive than traditional energy production methods, but the gap is narrowing every year. Solar power applications are also multiplying at an amazing rate. House heating, solar pool lighting and heating, hot water tank heating, calculators, flashlights, solar garden lighting and on and on. Solar is clean, it’s efficient and it’s here to stay.

About The Author

Kavar Peter is a successful freelance writer with a strong interest in renewable energy issues. He writes regularly about solar powered products at http://www.solarlightcenter.com

This article was posted on September 14, 2005

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Solar Wind Home Energy

Light (particularly sunlight) can be used to create heat or generate electrical power. This is referred to as solar energy.

It is a clean form of energy production, which doesn’t pollute the environment as some other forms of energy production do.

There are two forms of solar energy. The first is solar thermal conversion, which uses sunlight to create heat and then electrical power. The second is photovoltaic conversion, which uses sheets of special materials to create electricity from the sun. "Photo-" means "light," and "voltaic" means "producing electricity."

solar power alt energy

Solar Thermal Conversion

Solar thermal conversion systems use reflectors or mirrors to concentrate sunlight to extremely intense levels of heat. (Solar means "of the sun," thermal means "of heat" and conversion means "changing something from one form to another.")

You can understand this better if you consider the example of using a magnifying glass to start a fire. You may have heard of this or even tried it before. You can hold a magnifying glass under the sun, and concentrate the light on a small pile of flammable materials. The magnifying glass will make the sun’s heat much stronger, and will light the materials on fire. It has been said that a magnifying glass one meter in diameter, held under the sun, will create a ray hot enough to melt stone.

If you want to experiment, hold a magnifying glass flat under the sun and put your hand under it. Very soon you will need to move your hand away – don’t burn yourself.

Solar thermal conversion systems use mirrors or reflectors to concentrate sunlight onto containers full of liquid. Sometimes water is used. Sometimes other liquids are used, which retain heat better than water.

The liquids are heated up to high temperatures, and this produces steam. The steam is used to turn a turbine. The turning motion of the turbine is used to create electricity.

How does a rotating motion create electricity? When you set up a coiled wire or similar device to rotate between two magnets, it generates an electric current. This is how electric generators work, as well as windmills, nuclear power plants, and other energy plants which use such things as coal, gas, or petroleum.

Windmills use the wind to create the turning motion. Nuclear power or fossil fuels are used to heat water up, thus creating steam to turn the turbines.

Solar heating is another form of solar thermal conversion. In solar heating, an absorber is used to take in sunlight and convert it to heat. The absorber could be something simple, like black paint, or it could be a special ceramic material. A heat absorber is considered to a be good one when it collects at least 95 percent of the sun’s radiation.

The absorbers are then used to heat a fluid, which is then circulated to warm up buildings or to create hot-water supplies.

Photovoltaic Conversion

As covered above, photo means "light." It comes from the Greek word ‘phos,’ which means "light."

‘Voltaic’ means, "producing electric current." The word comes from the name of Alessandro Volta, an Italian physicist who was a pioneer in the field of electricity during the 1700’s. (His name is also where the word "volt" comes from.)

Photovoltaic means, "creating electrical energy when exposed to light."

A ‘cell’ is a device that produces electricity. An example of an electrical cell is a flashlight battery.

Photovoltaic cells produce electricity when they are exposed to light. They usually consist of panels. The panels contain two layers of different materials.

When light hits these two layers, one of the layers becomes positively charged, and the other becomes negatively charged.

This works similarly to a regular flashlight battery, which has a positive end and a negative end. When a wire connects the two ends, they produce an electric current.

When the two layers of material in a solar cell are exposed to light, they create an electric current.

The AMOUNT of electricity generated by a solar power cell depends on several factors. Mainly:

-How big is the solar power device, and how much surface is exposed to the sun?
-How strong is the sun? (This depends on time of day, weather, latitude, etc.)
-How long is the solar power device exposed?
-How much impediment is there to the light? (Clouds, mist, dust, dirt, etc.)

In other words, a solar power cell generates electricity faster when the sun (or light) is brighter. A device with larger solar panels will produce more electricity than one with smaller panels. Exposing the cell for a longer period of time will create more electricity than exposing it for a shorter period of time. A panel near the equator will be more effective than one in an arctic region. A solar panel in misty or dusty conditions does not create as much electricity as it would in full, unobstructed sun.

Some solar cells produce only enough current to power small electronic devices, but can be "daisy-chained" (connected together) in order to create more electricity for other items.

Solar cells which produce enough electricity to run larger equipment (such as laptops) may be larger, more expensive, or heavier than the others.

But there are many varieties available. Individuals and companies are consistently striving to create lighter and more efficient portable solar cells.

Solar Energy and the Future

An advantage to solar power is that it can reduce expenses. It can also be portable. When one is backpacking in the wilderness or traveling far from power grids, solar power can provide a means of powering electronic equipment.

Another advantage is, of course, the lack of pollution created by solar energy production. In fact, if all of our electrical energy were produced by such means, we might not be worrying about global warming and the other destructive effects of pollution on our environment.

These threats to our environment also pose a threat to mankind. Solar power could be developed to a point where it, along with other forms of renewable energy, would replace harmful means of electricity production.

It isn’t necessarily impossible to have a clean and safe Earth. We just have to work on it.

how is solar energy produced

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Federal Incentives and Credits for Renewable Energy

Incentives as listed below can make solar power affordable for all of us.

Financial Incentives for Using Solar Power in Your Home
by: Rick Chapo

It is undeniable that energy prices are going through the roof. Just take a look at your utility bill. The good news is using solar power can save your bank account, particularly with new incentives.

Personal Tax Credit and Deductions

If anything is more aggravating than exploding energy costs, it’s your tax bill. New and established government programs let you attack both by going solar. The first method is by simply saving money on taxes. If you install a solar energy system on your home, the federal government is going to give you a tax credit of up to $2,000. Tax credits reduce your tax liability dollar for dollar unlike deductions which are subtracted from your gross income. A majority of states now also offer tax credits you can use when paying state taxes. Each state handles the matter differently, but you can expect to get a credit for a percentage of your installation cost or a fixed figure.

incentives in texas for using renewable energy

Net Metering

Net metering is a concept that has resulted in exploding sales in the solar energy industry. Net metering refers to state laws that require utilities to purchase power generated from your residential solar system at the same price the utilities would otherwise charge you for electricity. In effect, net metering lets you use the utility company as a battery. While you are at work during the day, your solar system sends energy to the utility and your power meter actually runs backwards. When you come home at night and use power, the power meter runs forward. All and all, net metering will either slash or completely eliminate your utility bill. With solar panel systems having a life of 40 years, think how much money you’ll save! While a majority of states have net metering laws, not all do. Make sure to check if yours does.

Property Tax Incentives

Property taxes. How we all hate paying property taxes. Well, many states now provide exemptions, exclusions or credits for homes with solar power. Each state handles this issue differently, so look into the potential savings in yours.

Rebate Programs

To promote solar energy, rebate programs are offered to homeowners by states and utilities. Again, the characteristics of such programs vary wildly, but typically come in the form of rebates ranging from a couple hundred bucks to $4,000 or more.

With your utility bills going through the roof, it is time to consider steps you can take to save money. The economic benefits of going solar have never been better, which makes now the time to convert.

About The Author

Rick Chapo is with http://www.solarcompanies.com – a directory of solar energy and solar power companies. Visit http://www.solarcompanies.com/articles to read more solar electricity articles.

solar energy tax breaks

Texas Solar Incentive Program

Texas utility Oncor this week launched its first solar power initiative to encourage expansion of solar energy in the state. Oncor’s Solar PV Program, Take A Load Off, offers cash incentives to qualified homeowners, businesses and governments to add solar photovoltaic power systems.

Stimulus Plan Solar Power Incentives

Does anything in the stimulus plan he signed this week encourage the use of solar power? A: Yes, the stimulus was packed with incentives for solar, including U.S. Treasury grants that will allow consumers to recoup 30 percent of the cost of installing solar equipment.

Solar Incentive

Incentive Program that was created under the Clean and Affordable Energy Act of 2008 – right now focused on photovoltaic technologies and wind power. The full host of incentives for geothermal, solar thermal air and water heating.

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Solar Power Water Heaters Save Electricity

Once a distant technology that just sat on roofs that a few green minded people used, solar power has become a trendy tool we can hold in our hands. Sunlight – solar energy – can be used to generate electricity, provide hot water, and to heat, cool, and light buildings.

A typical solar system will reduce the need for conventional water heating by about two-thirds. Often the plumbing from a solar heater connects to a houses existing water heater, which stays inactive as long as the water coming in is hot or hotter than the temperature setting on the indoor water heater. When it falls below this temperature, the homes water heater can kick in to make up the difference. Incorporating passive solar designs can reduce heating bills by as much as 50 percent. High-temperature solar water heaters can provide energy-efficient hot water and hot water heat for large commercial and industrial facilities.

Many large commercial buildings can use solar collectors to provide more than just hot water. Solar process heating systems can be used to heat these buildings. A solar ventilation system can be used in cold climates to preheat air as it enters a building. And the heat from a solar collector can even be used to provide energy for cooling a building. The Co-operative Insurance Building in Manchester has the largest commercial solar system in the UK. I think it looks very futuristic and cool!

You can generate electricity for a single building like the co-op but there is the potential in the future to generate enough power for a power plant. The author of a recent Christian Aid report, John McGhie, said that for $50bn (26bn) the whole of sub-Saharan Africa could be turned into a solar-generated economy. And $50bn is exactly the same amount as the continent would have to pay on extra fuel bills from oil," he said.

Electrical retailer Currys is about to add a new item to its usual array of washing machines and other white goods – solar panels. Currys is taking a risk as the solar panels will cost far more than anything else the store sells. They say it will cost the average three bedroom household about 9,000 to buy and install solar panels – compared to 16,000 in specialist stores. There are also grants available through the Low Carbon Buildings Programme.

What other solar gadgets can you buy?

Well, Sharp, the world’s number one solar cell producer, has just turned its hand to glass studded with LED lights and cells. Instead of generating enough electricity to run a home, it creates a psychedelic light show at night, powered entirely by the day’s sun.

You can also buy solar chargers for iPods and phones. Other recent outlandish additions include a solar-powered tent, scooter and LED house numbers, while mundane ones like bike lights, torches and radios have been around for years.

People can also use captured passive solar heat to cook food. A basic cooker consists of an insulated box with a glass top. Heat from concentrated sunlight gets trapped in the box and can be used to heat food enclosed in the box. These have not been very popular to date.

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GM Using Roof Mounted Solar Heat Panels

commercial solar panels

General Motors, long inept at making cars with quality ratings that might persuade Americans to buy them, now finds itself too broke to install solar power.

But it has made a clever and commendable accommodation to its impoverishment. It has agreed to allow a solar-power company to install a system on the roof of one of its warehouses and then buy the power as it would from any other electric company.

In fact, the step may be so beneficial that GM now has similar plans for solar-power equipment installed on the roof of a second warehouse.

So sunhats off to GM! They may still not be clever enough to make a popular car, but at least they’ve found a way to make a popular choice about electric power.

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