Archive for August, 2009


Building Solar Panels

Author: Paul
August 27, 2009

Although it seems like a big job, there can be relative ease in building and making your first panel and you will be so proud of your accomplishment. All the videos, instructions, and charts are available from several publishers, and are all listed in the website on renewable energy. The video you see here is just an idea of how your project will turn out to look like.


Installing Solar Panels at Home

Author: Changing2Green
August 21, 2009

solar-power-installation

While somewhat dependent on the area, the average array of solar panels can produce almost five kilowatts of electricity on a daily basis. This is also enough to power a standard size home for a single day. While some people are still thinking that solar panels are a thing of the future, in truth, solar panels have arrived in the mainstream and are now practical for DIY installation. In order to install solar panels, first it’s necessary to acquire them or build them. There are several books that provide instructions on how to build solar panels from standard hardware store supplies.

For home solar power systems, first it’s important to find the right location. For people who own a home, the most practical location is the roof. This area will absorb the most sunlight, and also be out of sight and out of mind, so to speak. Installing solar panels on the roof isn’t all that difficult, most of it just involves some careful footing and a few safety measures. Once installed, just run a few cords to a generator, and soon the whole home will be solar powered!


Brought to you by Energy Books Online

Johns Manville’s  E3 Company and Energy Conversion Devices to Deliver Photovoltaic

Systems for Commercial Roofs

DENVER, Colo. and ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., July 28, 2009 – Johns Manville (JM), a leading global manufacturer of an

extensive line of energy-efficient building products, and Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD) (NASDAQ:ENER), a

manufacturer of proprietary, thin-film amorphous silicon-based photovoltaic (PV) laminates announced that they have

reached a multi-year agreement for ECD to supply its UNI-SOLAR® laminates to Johns Manville. To support its entry into

the field of solar energy, JM has created and will market its unique capability through a new business entity, the JM E3

Company, more informally known as E3Co.

According to Fred Stephan, vice president and general manager of the Roofing Systems business for Johns Manville, “This

further strengthens our leadership in sustainable roofing. We are excited to partner with ECD to incorporate their

lightweight, flexible and durable UNI-SOLAR laminates into our single ply, built-up and modified bitumen roofing membrane

systems. Supported by JM’s 150 years of commercial roofing experience and ECD’s expertise in building-integrated

photovoltaics, this agreement is our first step in offering a range of new solar-energy producing roofing products to our

customer base.”

Mark Morelli, ECD’s president and CEO, said, “Johns Manville is well known for being a leading provider of high-quality

commercial roofing products. We look forward to working with them to advance the adoption of clean, renewable power in

the form of rooftop solar technology.”

At less than one pound per square foot, UNI-SOLAR laminates are lightweight, non-intrusive and require no rooftop

penetrations or mounting systems, eliminating the negative impact on roof life and performance that is associated with

penetrating PV systems. Additionally, these thin-film PV laminates provide a solid return on investment through a low

installed cost and low cost-per-kilowatt-hour of energy produced when compared to traditional rigid glass panel PV

alternatives.

About Johns Manville

Johns Manville, a Berkshire Hathaway company (NYSE: BRK.A, BRK.B), is a leading manufacturer and marketer of premium-

quality products for building insulation, mechanical insulation, commercial roofing, and roof insulation, as well as fibers and

nonwovens for commercial, industrial, and residential applications. JM serves markets that include aerospace, automotive

and transportation, air handling, appliance, HVAC, pipe and equipment, filtration, waterproofing, building, flooring, interiors,

and wind energy. In business since 1858, the Denver-based company holds leadership positions in all of the key markets

that it serves. JM employs approximately 7,000 people and operates 40 manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe

and China. Additional information can be found at www.jm.com.

About Energy Conversion Devices

Energy Conversion Devices is the leader in building integrated and commercial rooftop photovoltaics, one of the fastest

growing segments of the solar power industry. The company manufactures and sells thin-film solar laminates that convert

sunlight to energy using proprietary technology. ECD’s UNI-SOLAR® brand products are unique because of their flexibility,

light weight, ease of installation, durability, and real-world efficiency. ECD also pioneers other alternative technologies,

including a new type of nonvolatile digital memory technology that is significantly faster, less expensive, and ideal for use in

a variety of applications including cell phones, digital cameras and personal computers. For more information, please visit

www.ovonic.com.





Solar Panel Cost vs Benefits

Author: Paul
August 11, 2009

Solar PanelsThe use of home solar power systems for supplementing your home’s power has become increasingly popular due to the financial savings they offer. They also help to reduce the depletion of those natural resources we can’t replace. As our society continues to move forward with technology we find we are more and more dependent on electricity every day.

The cost of installing home solar panels is very affordable. In fact, the cost is much less than most people happen to think. Therefore you should seriously look into the matter. You also want to find out if there are tax breaks and incentives offered in your area for installing solar panels California is one of the best states out there offering such initiatives to their residents.


The Renewable Energy Revolution

Author: Changing2Green
August 7, 2009

renewable-energy-resourcesWith the rising costs of energy, as well as the global drain on resources like fossil fuels, a lot of people are looking forward to renewable energy sources. In the last decade, as the effects of climate change have become more apparent, renewable energy sources have been more often discussed and are becoming more practical in the mainstream. Quite possibly the most popular renewable energy source is solar power. The technology to build and operate solar panels has received significant attention, and now solar is becoming a viable option for powering households and buildings.

In fact, solar panels installed on the roof of a home tend to absorb enough light to power the entire home on a continuous basis. Other renewable energy sources include wind power, which is quite popular in areas across Europe, as well as geothermal power, which involves converting heat from the earth’s core into electricity, and can be used as a power source for entire cities or towns. These renewable energy sources are poised to become even more pertinent in the future, and rest assured, the technologies associated with these energy sources will continue to advance.