Home Solar Energy - The Basics
by Phil Nichol There is a common myth that solar heating is the primary use for solar energy in the home but in actual fact it’s not always useful for this. In the winter, when you use your heating, the sun is lower in the sky and there are less hours of daylight. At other times of the year when solar energy would be more effective you’re less likely to need it. Solar heating can supplement the other heating in your home but not take over totally from it. The Technology behind Solar Energy A number of technologies have been developed to make use of solar radiation. Some of these make direct use of solar energy for lighting and heating etc., while others produce electricity. They are: 1. A solar thermal energy collection system generates electricity a system of tubes containing a fluid and mirrors. 2. Solar thermal collectors which are used to make heat. 3. Photovoltaic panels which generate electricity directly from sunlight. However, they generate D.C. current, which has to be converted to A.C. if you want to use it in the home. This would requires a large surface areas to provide enough energy for a single home. This is why solar panels are rarely used for residential heating. 4. Solar

Are We Throwing America Away?
<p>Dan Chiras questions the idea that disposable items are worth the tremendous waste they create.</p>
Heating With Wood: Why Wood Heat Is Renewable Energy
A leading wood-heat expert explains why wood is an essential energy resource. This article includes the latest information on EPA-certified woodstoves and why they should be considered a responsible choice for home heating. Wood is a renewable resource, and wood as a fuel is 75 percent CO2 neutral, making it a good choice for home heating in areas where wood is readily available.
Building SIPsmart: Considering Concrete and Solar Hot Water
<p>Michael Morley will post regular updates about his progress building a unique green home with structural insulated panels (SIPs). Here, he discusses options for installing a colored concrete floor, and considering whether to install a solar hot water system.</p>
U.S. Wind Energy Potential Is Three Times Higher Than Previously Estimated
<p>New estimates for wind energy potential are blowing us away! The United States has the potential to create nine times as much energy by wind annually as was created by all energy sources combined in 2009.</p>
The Geothermal Energy Future Looks Bright
<p>U.S. geothermal energy capacity grew 6 percent in 2009, and there are many more projects on the horizon.</p>
U.S. Wind Energy Industry Soared in 2009
<p> Wind capacity went up 39 percent in 2009 in the United States, and rose 31 percent globally.</p>
Biofuel Production Gets a Boost
<p>Thanks to action steps laid out this month by President Obama, U.S. biofuel production is set to undergo both short- and long-term growth.</p>
Nuclear Power and the Lobbyists Behind It
<p>Is nuclear power a green choice? Well, if by green you mean money, it appears to be tinted quite green. Read about a new investigation that traces millions of dollars the nuclear industry has spent over the past decade to sell the public and Congress on the virtues of new reactors.</p>
Nuclear Energy: Let's Not Repeat Our Mistakes
<p>Renewable energy expert Dan Chiras warns us that building nuclear power plants is not the solution to our current energy crisis.</p>
Share Your Thoughts on Woodstoves
<p>Do you have a woodstove or pellet stove at home? We'd like to hear more about your experiences with woodstoves and any tips you may have for heating with wood.</p>

hot water panels which are often employed in residential situations to heat water. How Efficient are Solar Panels? Solar panels are only efficient when they receive direct sunshine producing very little power in cloudy conditions or shade. However, it is the sunlight that generates electricity. Solar panels used in very hot climates are less efficient than those used in sunny but cold climates because heat actually interferes with electricity production. Efficiency decreases when the temperature of the panel is more than 50 degrees centigrade. Most energy is generated when solar panels are directly pointed towards the sun. So just how much power is produced also depends upon the time of day since the sun’s angle differs. Usually the best choice is to incline the panel although on shady days, horizontal mounted panels are better. Although the popularity of home solar energy has been decreasing since the 1970s, billions of dollars have been spent on developing Photovoltaic systems in America and Japan. Lately, Germany has also joined in the research so costs are falling. Also, in some countries you can recoup some of your expenses by selling excess energy back to the electricity companies.