A Million Green Ideas

Well time for another update, couple of things have changed on the solar shed itself but for the most part is now complete. Next project is the garage roof which we are using for panels to use with grid tie inverters. Initial setup is 160w worth of panels that peak at about 120w into the grid with a plan to buy 160w worth a month until we reach 1000w total.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

University of Illinois researchers are very interested in miscanthus: An ornamental grass that scientists say may be a new plant source for creating ethanol. Visit tinyurl.com for more of Episode 316. The Monsanto Company – www.monsanto.com and the American Farm Bureau Federation – http make presentation of America’s Heartland possible.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

I used a Peltier thermal electric cooler and a satellite dish to generate electricity.
Video Rating: 3 / 5

7.22.08 hearing of the Senate Homeland Security & Govt. Reform committee
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Free Energy From the Sun: THE clean, never ending resource! Onbeautiful Seabrook Island, nestled on the coast just south of Charleston, South Carolina, lies Camp St. Christopher It offers over 300 acres of beach, marsh and maritime forest and multiple facilities including meeting and conference centers, lodging, and worship centers. We’re excited about keeping you up-to-date on our progress and informing you about how this project was made possible. The process began last August when the State Energy Office put out information that there were going to be .9 million available in grants for alternative energy projects for non-profits. As soon as we found out, we immediately started getting in touch with local Charleston non-profit organizations to inform them about the opportunity. When St. Christopher responded about being interested, we setup a meeting for late September 2009 and went out to view the grounds and start planning. The RFP from the State was issued in early September. The government was looking at multiple factors before approving a non-profit like St. Christopher for the grant. These included visibility of project, potential job creation, overall benefit in terms of investment and payback of the project (they needed a minimum return of .50 dollars to spent). The grant writing process was long and hard, but St. Christopher didn’t have to worry about that. SES took care of making sure the grant was completed correctly and on time. Anything we were able …
Video Rating: 5 / 5

alt-nrg.org Spotted this H2 hydrogen fuel cell powered Chevy Equinox in the parking lot. Couldn’t pass up the opportunity to sneak some video of the car GM says in their radio ads that “someday maybe our grand children will be driving”.

Question by Rebecca: How to build a solar house for my science project?


We can use a cardboard box, plastic wrap, aluminum foil, etc. Ways to collect as many solar rays as possible. Nothing too fancy or expensive, either! Goal: highest single temperature and highest average temperature. It’s going to be like a competition between the whole class. Please help!

Best answer:

Answer by Plainer
Find materials that *collect* light instead of reflect it. That means use black colored items. The aluminum foil could come in handy to somehow try to reflect the rays onto the house…

What do you think? Answer below!

Question by Michael Milam: How can a photovoltaic solar cell work in a circuit?


I want to know how I can use a photovoltaic solar cell in an electronic circuit.

Best answer:

Answer by step ladder
As a resistor whos value is varied by light intensity.

Give your answer to this question below!

From ‘Star of Love’ www.crystalfighters.com http www.youtube.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Question by Schiff G: How much installed solar capacity is needed to completely power a 100% electric car ?


Assuming the solar panels are not connected to the power grid, and assuming an average number of miles traveled per year (say 12,000), and without discussing battery, motor, range or other issues – but assuming it’s 100% electric (not a hybrid), and assuming plenty of sun location, how many watts of installed solar capacity is needed to power the car (visualize a pratical car like the EV1 – not like the “cars” they have in the World Solar Challenge race) w/o any other power source? Err on the side of a few too many watts rather than not enough.

Best answer:

Answer by kerry k
Your car would not be big enough, and the DMV where you live would no doubt say NO to a contraption like that on the road. You are talking about, if I read your question correctly, a car that is solely powered by photo electric cells. If that is what you have in mind, then you are talking about at least 37 thousand watts, which would give you about 50 horse power. Remember, it takes 740 watts of electricity to equal 1 horse power. I don’t think you can get that many panels on a small car. Your best bet is a good battery bank, and an at home power source to recharge the batteries. What you might want to consider is a fuel cell powered electric vehicle.

What do you think? Answer below!

Across the world, sky watchers have been treated to the sight of a partial solar eclipse. Visible for three hours, the best views were apparently in north eastern Sweden. The moon’s shadow hides between a half and two thirds of the sun’s surface, turning it into a yellow or red crescent. For most of Europe it started at sunrise, but in central Russia and China it occurs at sunset. This year’s second partial solar eclipse will take place on June 1. Astronomers say there will be a total eclipse of the sun in November 2012. Footage used in this video was taken in Moscow, Giza (Egypt), Jerusalem and Ramallah (West Bank). RT on Facebook: www.facebook.com RT on Twitter: twitter.com

Question by aplpie: Solar Panel cost and how to pick the right ones?


I am planning on putting solar panels on the roof of my house since i live in phoenix, AZ. We get a lot of sun and it only seems sensible to buy solar panels. A lot of poeple say that it costs like 15-20k to install them.

I was wondering if someone knew if thats true, and how much would it cost and which ones should i install. I am very confused and it seems with the investment i will have to put in it, i should learn more about it.

Thanks to everyone.

Best answer:

Answer by Rivergirl100
I would contact a couple of local solar installers (both for PV and for hot water) and ask them. They’ll have a really good idea of what size systems you need, what the cost would be, and how long it would take to pay for itself. Plus, its a good way to start to interview contractors.

Obviously, you can put as little or as much solar energy as you want on your house. To offset a large portion of your electricity use, though, a price of $ 15,000 to $ 20,000 doesn’t seem out of line. You can also look into solar water heating, which costs much less but only reduces your water heating energy.

I’ve put a link below that I like for finding solar vendors.

Good luck.

Add your own answer in the comments!

Question by zeus2quincy: What are some solar lights gonna do for me?


I want to do some uplighting and spotlighting some trees and the facade of my house. I would rather avoid the hassle of wiring,but I am concerned about compromising the whole idea if the solars don’t get enough sun to light up my life. Could you please suggest some brands that are top of the line in both solar and low voltage types? I would very much appreciate any help you could share.Thanks.

Best answer:

Answer by Chicken in Black
I don’t know the name brand, but I got a set of 4 solar lights last year at Walmart for $ 30 that work great. They throw pretty good light on the walkway but I don’t know how well solar spotlights will work.

What do you think? Answer below!