Outdoor Solar Lights » green solar lights http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog Outdoor Solar Lights Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:55:13 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 First time home buyer looking to go green and save a lot of money for the long run.? http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/first-time-home-buyer-looking-to-go-green-and-save-a-lot-of-money-for-the-long-run http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/first-time-home-buyer-looking-to-go-green-and-save-a-lot-of-money-for-the-long-run#comments Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:26:51 +0000 admin http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/first-time-home-buyer-looking-to-go-green-and-save-a-lot-of-money-for-the-long-run Buying my first home. Would like to save on bills by utilizing wind energy/solar power, waste oil heaters, insulate home good, and switching lights to florescence/leds.

Any other ideas people got out there?

You can get a federal tax credit for up to $1,500 for making "green" improvements to the home. There are details of it here http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index and it also lists different improvements, which may give you some ideas of what to do as well.

Some of the things I didn’t see you mention were geothermal heat pumps and thermopanel windows.

]]> http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/first-time-home-buyer-looking-to-go-green-and-save-a-lot-of-money-for-the-long-run/feed 4 What are your favorites "green" products? http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/what-are-your-favorites-green-products http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/what-are-your-favorites-green-products#comments Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:26:49 +0000 admin http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/what-are-your-favorites-green-products - Which green products do you believe have the greatest impact for the for personal use?

- Which ones do you like the best?

- Which ones are a waste of time?

- Do you go out of your way to buy earth friendly products if it is a comparable price and quality?

- Would you be willing to pay a little extra to buy more earth friendly products?

- Do you even take it into consideration if it is earth friendly or not when making your purchase decision?

- Do you think that people overstate their "greenness" to be trendy?

- Are you considering buying green Christmas/ Birthday Presents?

- Which of these do you consider earth friendly:

Solar products
recycled products fair trade
wind energy Products
organic products
bamboo products
efficient lighting
recycling assistants (bins, can crushers, sorters, water purifiers, water bottles, etc)
Earth Friendly cleaning supplies, cosmetics, body care products, etc.

I would greatly appreciate people providing feedback on this topic.

Basicallly I am starting a green goods store because I try to buy everything I can that is eco friendly, and I have found that a majority of it is crap that Ii end up having to pitch anyway, and almost all of it is overpricced for what you get bbecause it has the "green" label on it. Obviously I am in it to make some money, but I am primarily in it to help others to be more environmentallly friendly, be confident in the quality they will recieve, and know that each product was researched for the validity of their "green claims".

What do you all think?

I believe that products that create the biggest impacts will be products you use frequently.
Some examples would be:
Eco-Friendly Household Cleaners
Reusable Bags
Efficient Lighting
Recycling Products

Items like solar phone chargers and wind energy radios for the most part seem to just cash in on the "green" label and either don’t function correctly, are too costly, or just useless.

I am willing to pay more for an eco-friendly product if it is well made and if I’m sure that it really is a greener alternative.

]]> http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/what-are-your-favorites-green-products/feed 3 If I have an 80W solar panel charging a deep cycle battery how long will the lights stay on for? http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/if-i-have-an-80w-solar-panel-charging-a-deep-cycle-battery-how-long-will-the-lights-stay-on-for http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/if-i-have-an-80w-solar-panel-charging-a-deep-cycle-battery-how-long-will-the-lights-stay-on-for#comments Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:46:44 +0000 admin http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/if-i-have-an-80w-solar-panel-charging-a-deep-cycle-battery-how-long-will-the-lights-stay-on-for I will be using two 13W compact fluorescents.
Also, how long will it take to charge the battery (assuming I am only using one)?
Battery details:
Nautilus Spiral Grid Battery
Provides up to 950 MCA, and 100 minutes of reserve capacity
Amp Hour Capacity: 50

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/5/SportsRec/Marine/MarineBatteries/PRD~0103490P/Nautilus%2BSpiral%2BGrid%2BBattery.jsp

Solar panel details:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/Green/EnergyConservation/RenewableEnergy/PRD~0111830P/80W%2BSolar%2BPanel.jsp

A 50 Amp Hour battery can provide 1 amp for 50 hours or 2 amps for 25 hours or X amps for 50/X hours. So how many amps does a 12 volt battery have to provide to be providing 26 watts (2*13)?

Watts = Volts * Amps.

26 watts = 12 Volts * X amps
26/12 = 2.167 amps

and

50/2.167 = 23 hours.

Now most CFLs are 120 volts AC and not 12 volts DC like the battery, so I assume you have an inverter to make 120V AC power from the battery. The inverter will not be 100% efficient so the lights will last a little less than the full 23 hours. But certainly all night if the battery starts fully charged.

How long to charge the battery? Most solar panels are 12 volt so use the same equation to find out how many amps the panel makes.

80W = 12V * X Amps

80/12 = 6.67 amps

A 50 Amp Hour battery takes 50 hours to charge at 1 amp, 25 hours to charge at 2 amps, and 50/X hours to charge at X amps, just like the discharge calculation above.

50/6.67=7.5 hours.

However, the 80 W panel only makes the full 80 watts when it faces directly at the Sun on a clear day. It can only do that if it is mounted on a motorized stand that turns it slowly during the day to face the Sun like a sunflower. If it is mounted on a roof or fixed stand, it will only make 80 watts at (probably) noon when the Sun is directly in front of it. It will make much less in the morning and evening.

Also, batteries are not completely efficient. It takes more than 50 hours to charge a 50 Amp Hour battery with a 1 Amp current. So how much will all these inefficiencies reduce your power? It is really hard to say, but I bet at least 50%. Especially the part about not turning the solar panel to face the Sun directly. That alone if a giant loss of efficiency that most people just put up with because it is clumsy and expensive to make a motorized mount to track the Sun.

]]> http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/if-i-have-an-80w-solar-panel-charging-a-deep-cycle-battery-how-long-will-the-lights-stay-on-for/feed 2 anyone know howto make a solar panel big enough to power my computer a light and my cell phone? http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/anyone-know-howto-make-a-solar-panel-big-enough-to-power-my-computer-a-light-and-my-cell-phone http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/anyone-know-howto-make-a-solar-panel-big-enough-to-power-my-computer-a-light-and-my-cell-phone#comments Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:42:51 +0000 admin http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/anyone-know-howto-make-a-solar-panel-big-enough-to-power-my-computer-a-light-and-my-cell-phone and possibly a window fan. I want to make one for every room in the house. I might as well use the energy for free.. I dont want the money back… ‘The reverse meter gag’ I just want to be able to live more green

You might well study up on solar power. The subject is a bit more complicated than just providing a solar panel.

I suggest you take a look at "solar panel’ in the green search box above on this page, and on the Internet. This should prepare to ask more questions.

Let me assure you that you would have to be ready to spend thousands of dollars.

]]> http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/anyone-know-howto-make-a-solar-panel-big-enough-to-power-my-computer-a-light-and-my-cell-phone/feed 3 anyone know howto make a solar panel big enough to power my computer a light and my cell phone? http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/anyone-know-howto-make-a-solar-panel-big-enough-to-power-my-computer-a-light-and-my-cell-phone-2 http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/anyone-know-howto-make-a-solar-panel-big-enough-to-power-my-computer-a-light-and-my-cell-phone-2#comments Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:42:51 +0000 admin http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/anyone-know-howto-make-a-solar-panel-big-enough-to-power-my-computer-a-light-and-my-cell-phone-2 and possibly a window fan. I want to make one for every room in the house. I might as well use the energy for free.. I dont want the money back… ‘The reverse meter gag’ I just want to be able to live more green

You might well study up on solar power. The subject is a bit more complicated than just providing a solar panel.

I suggest you take a look at "solar panel’ in the green search box above on this page, and on the Internet. This should prepare to ask more questions.

Let me assure you that you would have to be ready to spend thousands of dollars.

]]> http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/anyone-know-howto-make-a-solar-panel-big-enough-to-power-my-computer-a-light-and-my-cell-phone-2/feed 3 How’z green building projects different from country to country? http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/howz-green-building-projects-different-from-country-to-country http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/howz-green-building-projects-different-from-country-to-country#comments Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:33:23 +0000 admin http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/howz-green-building-projects-different-from-country-to-country Some countries where sun light are available most time of the year, solar energy can be used; however, some places like vancouver where it rains for more than 200 days a year, is really limited by the use of solar. Please tell me what are the general trends for building green around the world.

www.pprc.org/pubs/greencon/index.cfm

www.gdrc.org/uem/green-const/index.html

http://www.buildinggreen.com/articles/

You will probably have to go to multiple sources if the magazine does not have a review article.

]]> http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/howz-green-building-projects-different-from-country-to-country/feed 1 What will it take to get people to go green like Indians do in there culture? http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/what-will-it-take-to-get-people-to-go-green-like-indians-do-in-there-culture http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/what-will-it-take-to-get-people-to-go-green-like-indians-do-in-there-culture#comments Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:33:15 +0000 admin http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/what-will-it-take-to-get-people-to-go-green-like-indians-do-in-there-culture can heeters ,solor power, wind power, water cooler a c unites, recycle rain water, lava sand your yard, instead of lawn sprinklers, 500 watt solartube, instead of light bulbs, solar powered atic fans to cool the atic, ceiling fans to bring the warm air from the ceiling to the outside walls & to the floor, all avalable at your local home improvement store today.

the difference in culture. The difference in technological advancements and they most important difference in the engine, which drives our society. The aboriginal Indian culture is deeply lined with spiritual values which stressed and inter-active and synergistic approach to life on this planet, this no longer exists in our society except for ideologues. Without an evolution of consciousness, I’m afraid people won’t be going green soon.

]]> http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/what-will-it-take-to-get-people-to-go-green-like-indians-do-in-there-culture/feed 4 Plans to create a green portable for school? http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/plans-to-create-a-green-portable-for-school http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/plans-to-create-a-green-portable-for-school#comments Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:48:16 +0000 admin http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/plans-to-create-a-green-portable-for-school I need ideas to create a green portable for a school in Hawaii. Ideas can contribute to anything from lights, ventilation, materials, roofing, structure, etc, anything that will help make a portable under the category of a "green" portable. Eco friendly! =] Thanks i read about some cooling with a solar chimney, minutely confused about that. So if you have any suggestions let me know. Best answer gets 10 points

Build a privy.

]]> http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/plans-to-create-a-green-portable-for-school/feed 1 Plans to create a green portable for school? http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/plans-to-create-a-green-portable-for-school-2 http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/plans-to-create-a-green-portable-for-school-2#comments Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:48:16 +0000 admin http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/plans-to-create-a-green-portable-for-school-2 I need ideas to create a green portable for a school in Hawaii. Ideas can contribute to anything from lights, ventilation, materials, roofing, structure, etc, anything that will help make a portable under the category of a "green" portable. Eco friendly! =] Thanks i read about some cooling with a solar chimney, minutely confused about that. So if you have any suggestions let me know. Best answer gets 10 points

Build a privy.

]]> http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/plans-to-create-a-green-portable-for-school-2/feed 1 I want to go Green..?’s on Solar Power? http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/i-want-to-go-green-s-on-solar-power http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/i-want-to-go-green-s-on-solar-power#comments Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:45:51 +0000 admin http://www.solarelectricityhome.net/blog/green-solar-lights/i-want-to-go-green-s-on-solar-power Our house is 2,589 sq ftt our gross living area is 1,326. We have skylights through out so day electric is basically covered. Other than appliances t.v etc… (most of the time we work so most elect. is off)
I converted all my lights over to the high effiency 9 watts per bulb. I am looking into adding solar panels to the house to help the enviroment & also save on rising cost.
Could I convert my house over to solar electricity & heat/hotwater as well. How much do you think a project like this would run?

Conserving as you are doing is a great first step. You can easily make your own solar panels. It is something that is done throughout the world.

It takes less than $200 to make one and anyone can do it. There are manuals that you can purchase with step by step illustrated instructions. It is much easier to do than most people realize. See http://www.makerenewableenergy.blogspot.com for a list of these manuals with a review.

It’s something you can make as you have time and money to do. You can add to them at any time. Start with a few and reduce your bills… then work towards fulfilling all of your needs. You can also add in some wind turbines if your area of the country would support them.

Good luck

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