Lowering the Costs of Christmas
You’d think the cold weather which forces homeowners to turn to their central heating for comfort is a big enough concern for the winter months, but that’s only the half of it. Accompany this costly expense with the prolonged use of the oven to perfect that Christmas turkey and the abundance of festive decorations, which illuminate the home, and you could end up with rather hefty utility bills. In order to keep your costs to a reasonable amount you have to be careful with how much energy you use. Bad habits such as leaving the ...
Wasting Food Contributing To Global Warming
This is an article that we were kindly allowed to guest post for Renewable Energy News. Tossing a banana peel into the bin may seem like a pretty harmless and habitual action; but that banana peel could be accumulating to the ever growing problem of food waste. Many people are aware of methods and devices available to reduce the human effects of global warming. Using renewable energy resources, such as installing domestic solar panels and reducing electricity usage by switching to energy saving light bulbs are common knowledge. What many people are unaware of is that ...
The History of Solar Power Usage
The Sun is the source of all life on the planet and without it we could not possibly exist. The Sun is also a fantastic renewable energy source and produces far too much energy for humans to possibly use it all. This makes Sunlight a far better energy source than the fossil fuels that humans burn, polluting the air and causing global warming. Myths surrounding solar power: Many people believe solar energy is a fairly recent discovery, when in actual fact; the first photovoltaic cell was built by Charles Fritts in 1883. At this time, the ...
4 Great Ways to Minimise Your Energy Bills
In 2010 it was widely reported that average domestic energy bills had risen to more than double the average 2003. In 2011 we have already seen hikes in electricity prices from most suppliers and huge increases in the price of heating oil. It’s fair to say that energy bills are now a significant outlay for many homes and in these relatively precarious economic times are putting a noticeable financial strain on many households. With this concern in mind, here are five highly effective ways of minimising your outlay on energy for the home: 1. Solar PV A domestic solar PV system is ...
The Solar Powered Calculator was just the beginning…
Our good friends (and renewable energy experts) at Solarlec have kindly written a guest blog for us about solar power in the 21st Century. We hope you’re as surprised and intrigued as we were when we first read it! The first solar powered calculator was released in 1976 by Sharp. Catchily named the EL-8026 this trailblazer featured solar panels on the back of the calculator and was considerably less efficient or indeed practical than the solar calculators we’re accustomed to today. Although cumbersome, expensive and prone to power-outage on cloudy days or at night – the EL-8026 opened the door to ...
Domestic Solar Panels Become an Even Better Investment
As well as generating free electricity, domestic photovoltaic (PV) solar panels from Solarlec PV Solutions represent a solid financial investment. Thanks to a recent increase in the Feed in Tariff due to inflation, photovoltaic systems now provide even greater financial returns than ever before. The Feed in Tariff and Inflation Feed in Tariffs are a means of earning money from the government for electricity generated by renewable or low-carbon means. The Feed in Tariff varies according to the technology used for generation and photovoltaic solar panel systems up to 10kWp benefit from higher tariffs than other technologies – with 4kWp or less ...
Domestic Solar Power – What’s In It For Me?
Solar power has been with us for many years now, from the humble solar powered calculator through to the SEGS CSP installation in California’s Mojave Desert (capable of producing an incredible 354 MW of power) – it is used to power all manner of devices and supplement grid supply in many areas. Although these massive solar power stations are incredibly interesting and capable of producing vast quantities of electricity (and the solar powered calculator is rather useful), the single most potentially life changing endeavour in solar panel technology lies in more accessible and affordable systems: domestic photovoltaics. Photovoltaic cells convert light ...
Energy Price Hike On the Cards
The UK government have unveiled controversial plans to fund the construction of a new breed of power stations. Although the power plants themselves are unlikely to raise an eyebrow with the public at large – the potentially massive increases in energy bills to pay for their development is certain to invoke serious concern. In response to initial criticism, ministers have insisted that the proposed increase (approximately £160 per household per annum) is 4% less than consumers would face if the system were to stay as it is. The Energy Secretary Chris Huhne is committed to securing investment from the private sector ...
You’d think the cold weather which forces homeowners to turn to their central heating for comfort is a big enough concern for the winter months, but that’s only the half of it. Accompany this costly expense with the prolonged use of the oven to perfect that Christmas turkey and the abundance of festive decorations, which illuminate the home, and you could end up with rather hefty utility bills.
In order to keep your costs to a reasonable amount you have to be careful with how much energy you use. Bad habits such as leaving the television and lights on whilst unattended will have to be kicked to the curb in order to indulge in festive frivolities.
Switch to Renewable Energy
Alternative methods of energy such as solar panels can really help to relieve the strain of energy bills as they allow you to produce your own energy completely free of charge. Although they’re supplemented by energy from the national grid, they can help to drastically reduce your energy bills. This can be a great help over the festive period, particularly for powering those Christmas lights! Although daylight is shorter in the winter months, solar panels are still functional and homeowners still reap the financial benefits of switching to the cleaner, greener renewable energy resource.
Avoid buying too Much Food
Food waste is rife over the festive period as homeowners take to the supermarkets and buy an abundance of food for entertaining – most of which gets wasted. Food doesn’t come cheap so it can really eat into your finances if you buy unnecessary food and drink which is only destined for the bin. One of the best ways to avoid this is to shop online, as there a fewer deals and offers there to tempt you as there are in the aisles of a supermarket. If you do decide to brave the supermarkets then take a list and stick to it!
Turn it off
Although it can be tempting to leave your Christmas decorations on whilst you’re out to show off to the neighbours, if money’s tight then turn off the lights! Many homeowners leave their outdoor decorations on in their absence and whilst they look very pretty it all seems rather pointless if they’re not there to enjoy themselves! Much like regular lights in your home, make sure they’re turned off if you’re not there to enjoy them to save some money!
Avoid leaving your bank account dry for January by being careful over Christmas. It can be an incredibly expensive time of year and energy bills can further increase those expenses. Be sure to be stern with the rest of the family too, who may haphazardly leave electrical equipment on whilst unattended – remind them who’s paying the bills!
Merry Christmas and a green New Year from all the Solar Powered News team!
This post was originally published on Solvis, you can view the original source here
This is an article that we were kindly allowed to guest post for Renewable Energy News.
Tossing a banana peel into the bin may seem like a pretty harmless and habitual action; but that banana peel could be accumulating to the ever growing problem of food waste. Many people are aware of methods and devices available to reduce the human effects of global warming. Using renewable energy resources, such as installing domestic solar panels and reducing electricity usage by switching to energy saving light bulbs are common knowledge. What many people are unaware of is that food waste is a huge contributor to climate change and the greenhouse effect.
Greenhouse gases are increasing the temperature of the Earth’s surface, with devastating global effects. Freak weather conditions such as: flooding due to rising sea levels; droughts caused by variable rainfall; and an increased risk of certain animal species becoming extinct because of an inhabitable environment are all symptoms of global warming. Greenhouse gases include methane, carbon dioxide, water vapour and nitrous oxide.
When food is thrown away it is transported to a landfill site where it decomposes. As the food decomposes it releases methane – one of the powerful greenhouse gases. In the US, landfill sites are the largest source of methane emissions caused by humans, and are accountable for around 34% of all methane emissions. It is predicted that cutting down food waste would have the same effect of taking around 25% of cars off the road.
It’s not just the environmental factors that are deterring people from wasting food. The US spends around $1bn every year to dispose of food waste. Families are also affected; Love Food Hate Waste state a regular family with children could save an estimated £50 per month if they were to cut their wasting habits. This leaves people asking: “why are we wasting so much food?”
Expiration details on packaging are a predominant reason why so much food gets wasted. Confusion over the terms: Display Until, Best Before and Use-by are regularly misinterpreted by shoppers. It is important that shoppers understand what the date stamps mean to reduce food waste.
Use-by: This is the label that states consuming the product prior to the date stamp can be harmful to human health.
Best Before: This seems self-explanatory but can often be misconstrued. Best Before dates imply that the product may not be of the highest quality after the date stamp. Products containing Best Before dates are not perishable items and are not a health hazard to humans, should they be consumed after the date. However, some eggs may contain Best Before dates and these are an exception to the Best Before rule and should be treated as Use-by products.
Display Until: This label is stock rotation purposes and is for staff – not shoppers. Many people wrongly believe the product should be consumed before this date; this is not the case and merely relates to “shelf life”.
Many people generally lack knowledge or desire to utilise their leftovers from a meal. This is a huge contributor to food waste, and people are being encouraged to use their left overs. Many websites offer tips and recipes for leftovers which help families to significantly reduce their food waste and expenditures.
Particular parts of food products can be inedible and there is no way for these to be added to daily cuisine. Home composting is an encouraged alternative to binning useless parts of food, such as egg shells, banana skins and tea bags. Some areas offer a food waste collection service in which families can put all their food waste in a specific bin which is collected weekly and used for compost and recycling.
With climate change revealing devastating affects around the globe, the importance of being conscientious when it comes to waste is ever greater. In the 21st century, more people are becoming aware of the effects of global warming and how they can help to reduce the carbon footprint and carbon emissions.
The Sun is the source of all life on the planet and without it we could not possibly exist. The Sun is also a fantastic renewable energy source and produces far too much energy for humans to possibly use it all. This makes Sunlight a far better energy source than the fossil fuels that humans burn, polluting the air and causing global warming.
Myths surrounding solar power:
Many people believe solar energy is a fairly recent discovery, when in actual fact; the first photovoltaic cell was built by Charles Fritts in 1883. At this time, the cell was only around 1% efficient, compared to the latest efficiency of solar PV which has now broken records of 40%.
Another common myth is that solar panels only work the weather is sunny. Solar photo voltaic cells still produce energy whatever the weather, this is one of the major benefits of Solar PV. However, the sunnier the weather the more energy the solar panels produce and they do not product energy prior to sunset.
Why was solar power not used in replacement of fossil fuels?
Solar PV cells have become increasingly popular in the home due to the fall in costs for them to be installed. During the 1950’s, when the first modern photovoltaic cell was produced, it cost around 85 times more to run an appliance on solar power as opposed to fossil fuels. It wasn’t until the late 1960’s, where prices were dropped by a fifth in order to increase demand for the use of solar power.
As of February 2010, it was introduced that people get paid to produce solar powered energy, even if they don’t use it. This is referred to as the feed-in tariff and applies to those with domestic solar PV systems. The feed-in tariff is a government scheme that rewards homeowners for producing clean, renewable energy and is an incentive to reduce the burning of fossil fuels and the effects of global warming. Any electricity the homeowner doesn’t use is fed back into the national grid.
Increase in solar power usage:
Compared to when modern solar PV cells were first invented in the 50’s, they have decreased in price whilst becoming an increasingly worthy investment. This is excellent news for homeowners as electricity bills have significantly increased since the 1950’s, due to technology development and almost every home possessing at least one computer and television. So generating free electricity to power the home using solar panels is a very appealing concept.
Solar power has been here all along. It has become increasingly popular recently due to more people being made aware of our effect on climate change and global warming. Combined with electricity bills soaring, more people are deciding to use an energy source that has existed longer than mankind.
Solar PV Solar Power by .
In 2010 it was widely reported that average domestic energy bills had risen to more than double the average 2003. In 2011 we have already seen hikes in electricity prices from most suppliers and huge increases in the price of heating oil. It’s fair to say that energy bills are now a significant outlay for many homes and in these relatively precarious economic times are putting a noticeable financial strain on many households. With this concern in mind, here are five highly effective ways of minimising your outlay on energy for the home:
1. Solar PV
A domestic solar PV system is one of the most environmentally and financially rewarding means of generating electricity for home use. Consisting of solar panels installed onto the roof of your home, these systems are often capable of generating enough power to fulfil the energy needs of most households. In addition to heavily supplementing the electricity you draw from the National Grid they also serve as an investment in their own right. Courtesy of the Feed in Tariff system, homeowners with Solar PV systems fitted by registered installers receive money from the government for every unit of electricity they produce – whether it is used or sold back to the grid. As a result of the Feed in Tariff, a domestic solar panel installation not only vastly reduces energy bills but also generates revenue for the homeowner.
2. Consider Switching Energy Suppliers
If solar panels aren’t a viable option for you then it is important to make sure that the energy that you do buy from the grid is obtained at the lowest possible cost. As with most purchases, it is sensible to ‘shop around’ for the best deal before committing to a supplier. A quick search on the internet will provide you with details of online only tariffs and comparison websites which can help you to find the best possible rates. Those homes which utilise both gas and electricity are likely to benefit from reduced bills if both fuels are bought from the same supplier- this isn’t always the case, but it is certainly worth checking to see.
3. Insulate
More than 50% of heat in the home is lost through the walls and roof, the more you minimise this heat wastage the less power is used to maintain a comfortable temperature in the home –particularly during the winter months. Loft and cavity wall insulation can be rather costly but they are highly effective when it comes to reducing heat loss and there are an abundance of government grants available to homeowners which put these money and heat saving tools within easy reach. Even a simple draft excluder lain in front of the door can save around £20 a year in terms of heating costs.
4. Don’t just Standby – Switch Off
Many appliances and electronic items such as televisions and computers continue to utilise a fair amount of power when in standby mode. Simply making an effort to switch these pieces of equipment off at the wall can result in considerable energy savings – and indeed extend the lifespan of your gadgets and gizmos.
Investing in a domestic solar PV system is a sure-fire way to radically reduce your energy bills and in doing so receive guaranteed revenue. Similarly, cavity wall insulation and loft insulation will make a noticeable dent in the amount you spend to keep your home well heated. Both of these initiatives require an outlay upfront which may be slightly off-putting to some, but the long-term benefits and savings more than cover the initial costs. The other tips above can and should be implemented by all given their minimal outlay in terms of both time and money.
Solar PV Solar Power by .
Our good friends (and renewable energy experts) at Solarlec have kindly written a guest blog for us about solar power in the 21st Century. We hope you’re as surprised and intrigued as we were when we first read it!
The first solar powered calculator was released in 1976 by Sharp. Catchily named the EL-8026 this trailblazer featured solar panels on the back of the calculator and was considerably less efficient or indeed practical than the solar calculators we’re accustomed to today. Although cumbersome, expensive and prone to power-outage on cloudy days or at night – the EL-8026 opened the door to a huge host of sunshine fuelled devices and new applications for photovoltaics (solar panels or solar cells to you and I).
Sticking with the pocket sized end of the solar powered spectrum there are now an abundance of items which allow you to harness the power of sunlight to charge small electronic devices including mobile phones, PDAs and even netbooks and laptops. A modern portable solar charger is able to convert natural light (not necessarily just direct blazing sunlight) into usable battery charge. Developments in photovoltaic technology allow you to fully charge a spent phone battery in a couple of hours- even if it’s overcast outside. As well as being incredible useful whilst camping or caught without access to mains electricity, portable solar chargers save on the cost of using electricity from the grid and are entirely without carbon consequence for each new charge.
When this concept and principle are scaled up, so are the benefits. A decent sized home solar panel installation allows you to reap the positives of the portable charger on a considerably grander scale and with a significant positive impact on your finances. An average sized domestic solar panel system is capable of producing around 1400kWh/year. To put this into context, a standard laptop computer used for 10 hours a day, 365 days a year will generally use less than 200kWh/year – allowing those who work from home to genuinely boast of carbon neutrality…and of course benefit from energy overheads in and around the zero mark. Courtesy of the UK government’s Feed in Tariff scheme, those who opt to have domestic solar panels fitted to their home will also receive money for every unit of electricity they produce (whether they use it or not) – ultimately resulting in a net profit on the outlay for the solar panels in a short period of time.
The cost-effective scalability of solar power extends far beyond even the realms of roof fitted domestic systems. In 2007 internet giant Google invested in one of the largest solar panel installations in the United States. Later in that year they released some statistics showing just how much power their solar panels were producing on average per day. The fascinating results showed that per day they generated enough energy through photovoltaics to run a flat screen television for 5366 hours or perform 402 dishwasher cycles.
So whether you’re simply in the market for a new calculator, looking to make a modest investment or brainstorming on how to power a vast office complex don’t neglect the solar power option!
Solar PV Solar Power by .
As well as generating free electricity, domestic photovoltaic (PV) solar panels from Solarlec PV Solutions represent a solid financial investment. Thanks to a recent increase in the Feed in Tariff due to inflation, photovoltaic systems now provide even greater financial returns than ever before.
The Feed in Tariff and Inflation
Feed in Tariffs are a means of earning money from the government for electricity generated by renewable or low-carbon means. The Feed in Tariff varies according to the technology used for generation and photovoltaic solar panel systems up to 10kWp benefit from higher tariffs than other technologies – with 4kWp or less systems earning the highest tariff of all. All photovoltaic systems provide guaranteed returns for 25 years – the longest period of all technologies.
As well as depending upon the size of the system and technology used to create electricity – the Feed in Tariff is also time sensitive. As such, the recent news that from 1st April 2011 the tariff for retrofit photovoltaic systems which produce less than 4kWp is set to increase from 41.3p to 43.3p per unit this means that to get the absolute maximum return from a solar PV system you should invest between now and the end of March 2012.
As the Feed in Tariff is index-linked, the amount paid to owners of certain renewable energy generation systems closely follows inflation. This link to inflation means that a steady, real return is assured – allied with Feed in Tariff entry at the highest possible rate (any time between 15th July 2009 and April 2012), those with existing systems or intentions to invest now will reap the most significant return on investment.
What All of this Means
Essentially, those who already have a domestic photovoltaic solar panel system which produces less than 4kWp or are planning to invest in a new system fitted by an MCS accredited installer before 1st April 2012 will receive 43.3p per unit of electricity they produce from 1st April 2011. Owners of both new and existing systems will continue to receive payments for a period of 25 years with the tariff tracked with inflation for the duration. Quite simply this means that not only will a domestic solar panel installation generate free, carbon neutral electricity: but those with eligible units will also receive government guaranteed revenue for every unit they produce – whether they use it or sell it back to the grid! The recent rise in the Feed in Tariff also means that right now is the best possible time to invest in a photovoltaic solar panel system.
How to Reap the Benefits
If you would like to benefit from free electricity and an assured revenue stream for the next quarter of a century then it’s well worth considering investing in a photovoltaic system. By arranging for installation to be completed before April 1st 2012 you are ‘locking in’ at the highest possible Feed in Tariff and assuring maximum ROI.
Provided you utilise the services of an approved installer such as Solarlec PV Solutions Ltd, free power and an impressive financial return could be round the corner. Get a free quote to find out whether your home is suitable for a photovoltaic system and receive an estimate of your likely returns.
Solar PV Solar Power by .
Solar power has been with us for many years now, from the humble solar powered calculator through to the SEGS CSP installation in California’s Mojave Desert (capable of producing an incredible 354 MW of power) – it is used to power all manner of devices and supplement grid supply in many areas. Although these massive solar power stations are incredibly interesting and capable of producing vast quantities of electricity (and the solar powered calculator is rather useful), the single most potentially life changing endeavour in solar panel technology lies in more accessible and affordable systems: domestic photovoltaics.
Photovoltaic cells convert light into electric current and are generally the technology behind domestic solar panel systems. Their affordability, durability and impressive efficiency makes them a viable power generation solution for literally millions of buildings across the length and breadth of the UK. The benefits of having a Solar PV are multitudinous and having a system installed will impact not only upon your carbon footprint but also have surprising financial repercussions.
Savings
The initial cost of installing a Solar Photovoltaic system is likely to be a relatively substantial investment, it is however very much an investment as opposed to an eco-motivated extravagance. The average home solar panel setup provides enough power to sustain your personal usage of electronic equipment, lighting and heating. In essence, by replacing the power you would obtain through the national grid a Solar PV system slashes your electricity costs from the off. Given the ever increasing energy prices in the UK, this saving is only likely to increase over time.
Earnings
Due to a relatively recent governmental initiative, solar panels earn the homeowner money on two fronts. Any power generated that you do not use is siphoned off to the national grid – who pay you by the unit for your electricity. In addition to this, the government’s ‘feed-in tariff’ earns you 41.3p for every unit (kWh) that your system produces – whether you use it or sell it back to the grid. The feed-in tariff system essentially means that you are paid to power your home! Best of all, the feed-in tariff is guaranteed for 25 years – making it an assured source of income regardless of what the future may hold.
The combination of savings, earnings and carbon footprint reduction make domestic solar panel systems one of the most worthwhile endeavours a home owner can undertake. Conservative estimates point at a full return on investment likely to occur within 8-10 years of installation, meaning guaranteed income and savings for at least 15 years after the point at which you break even.
Why not find out if a Solar PV system is a viable investment for your home and reap the benefits for years to come?
Solar PV Solar Power by .
The UK government have unveiled controversial plans to fund the construction of a new breed of power stations. Although the power plants themselves are unlikely to raise an eyebrow with the public at large – the potentially massive increases in energy bills to pay for their development is certain to invoke serious concern.
In response to initial criticism, ministers have insisted that the proposed increase (approximately £160 per household per annum) is 4% less than consumers would face if the system were to stay as it is. The Energy Secretary Chris Huhne is committed to securing investment from the private sector to the tune of £110 billion in order to facilitate the overhaul and improvement of the existing energy infrastructure and push to achieve the UK’s CO2 emissions targets. This figure however is not enough on its own to cover the cost of the proposed development of the energy network. Consequently a White Paper to be published in March will propose that the cost of fossil fuel energy is pushed up via an increase in carbon cost to around £20 to £40 per tonne by 2020. Not only will this ensure that even if wholesale prices fall – the financial incentive for low-carbon alternatives will be consistently attractive, but also help to fund the development of the new generation of power stations.
In announcing this huge reform of the energy sector Mr Huhne acknowledges that in the short/medium term bills are likely to increase but enforces the view that by 2030 the country will benefit from more affordable energy than would otherwise be the case and also that the provision of this energy will have less of an impact on the environment than if we were to continue with current practices. This is certainly food for thought given that estimates suggest that by 2050 we will be using twice the amount of electricity we do currently, whilst around 25% of the country’s existing powerplants will need to be replaced within the next 10 years. Allied with the EU stipulation that the UK must increase the percentage of electricity produced from renewable sources from the current 7% to 30% by 2020: this potentially unpopular reform has a foundation in necessity.
With a price hike in electricity through the national grid an inevitability; renewable, domestic solutions make more sense than ever. By looking at options such as home solar panel systems it is possible to not only avoid feeling the pinch of electricity price increases but also reduce your carbon footprint and generate capital in the process.