A solar powered inverter “converts direct current (DC) electricity from a single solar panel to alternating current (AC).” A solar inverter can be a string inverter or a micro inverter. There is a difference. I want to educate you of the advantages and disadvantages of both types. Today, the topic is about micro-inverters. Continue reading
Solar Power: Solar Inverter Using Micro Inverters
What Is Net Metering?
Are you dependent upon your utility company? Most people are. But there is a way to reduce your dependency and that is through alternative energy sources. At your home or business, you can install solar power, wind power, or geothermal energy. You can store the excess that you produce in a battery backup system or you can send it directly back to your utility company. By producing another form of energy, you use less energy from your power company. If you happen to produce more than what you Power Company is trying to sell you, you can come out ahead by having a net meter installed. What is net metering? Continue reading
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Tagged electric bills, net meter, net metering, solar energy electricity, solar energy in the home
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What Is Earth Day 2012
What is Earth Day?
Earth Day was started back in 1970 as a means of drawing attention to our planet and protecting our environment. It is a challenge for the environmental community. Be a part of cleaning up our environment for generations to come. This year we are celebrating Earth Day on Sunday April 22, 2012.
“Earth Day 1970 achieved a rare political alignment, enlisting support from Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, city slickers and farmers, tycoons and labor leaders. The first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts. “It was a gamble,” Gaylord recalled, “but it worked.”
What will you be doing to promote Earth Day this year? Continue reading
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Tagged earth day activities, earth day projects, facts about earth day, what is earth day
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How Bright Are Your Bulbs?
How many light bulbs do you have in your house? Do you know how bright they are? Do you have energy efficient light bulbs? Lumens have been defined (Wikipedia) as “a measure of the total “amount” of visible light emitted by a source.” In other words, a lumen is how bright a bulb is. They can range in their brightness. The color of your light bulbs can affect the brightness too. Most people are used to incandescent bulbs so they try to match that color in CFL or compact florescent lighting bulbs. Continue reading
Efficient Light Bulb Comparison
When comparing light bulbs, which bulb is an efficient light bulb? Which saves you money? I read that light bulbs can use up to 25% of your home energy budget . I decided to run my own test to see which light bulbs use less energy. You’ll be surprised at my findings. Continue reading
Home Standby Generator
Home standby generator is commonly used when you lose utility power. It will change over from utility power to generator power approximately 30 seconds after you lose power. Generators are great to have especially in rural areas. When you lose utility power, you lose your refrigerator, water (if you have a well), and central air conditioning. But if you have a standby generator, they will continue to work automatically. Continue reading
Electrical Safety For Children Within Your Home
Electrical safety include tamper resistant receptacles that are designed for safety within your home. If you haven’t used this type of receptacle, it is very hard to use especially the first time. Children can’t plug or tamper with these receptacles because they are so tight. The 2011 code requires new construction or remodeled homes to have arc fault breakers and tamper resistant receptacles. But they can add to your cost. Continue reading
Solar Powered Systems With Sun Tracking
Solar powered systems with sun tracking are designed to improve a solar powered system. A solar powered system is one thing but to have a tracking device also will improve your solar powered system by 40%. That’s a big difference. It is a big cost too. Is it worth the difference? Will you receive a return on your investment? You need to get the bottom line costs of a tracking system versus a stationary system with additional modules. You may be surprised at the difference in costs. Here’s how a tracking device works. Continue reading
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Tagged solar power advantages, solar power for homes, solar powered systems, solar tracking, sun tracking
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Buying A Generator: Tips You Need To Know
Home Standby Generator
This is one of my most popular articles that I wrote several years ago. With storm season approaching, this article is still useful today.
There are questions you need to ask before you buy a generator. How do I know what size to buy? How do I know if I buy one too big? Or if I buy one too small? There are questions that need to be answered before you purchase a generator. Continue reading
Electric Cars And Hybrid Cars
Electric cars are designed to run by the use of a battery or ‘electric’ parts rather than from fuel like gasoline. Electric cars don’t pollute like gasoline ones do so that makes them environmentally friendly. Hybrid cars use duel fuels of batteries and gasoline. I believe in the future of electric cars and hybrid cars. But there are some draw backs. Continue reading
