Solar Energy
Way To Save – Using Solar Energy
Going Green - Solar Energy
We live in an era where Mother Earth has become weak and unable to protect herself, and no one know this more that scientist and professors working at GE, who have doubled its research and development budget to $1.5 billion into technology to reduce energy consumption and waste products. This is why the GE Company stands out as one the most energy conserving companies in the U.S.
Some of the Major Companies out there making the change to go Green and make a difference are;
GE – Who manufactures “Ecomagination” Product which range from the first Hybrid locomotive to everyday household appliances.
Wal-Mart- Who have taken the appropriate steps on becoming the first superstore to be green. From now using 100% energy efficient light bulbs, to taking serious thought about solar energy in their stores.
Whole Foods- In 2006 they purchased renewable energy credits from wind farms to offset 100% of their energy use. Not only that, but several store locations nationwide have installed solar cells to supplement their regular power.
HP- Who will cut 20% of their energy cost by 2010, and now are making all HP Machines recyclable.Solar Energy
You might be asking yourself, what is Solar Energy? And the answer is very simple, Solar Energy is when we harvest the rays from the sun and convert them to thermal or electrical energy. Now a days Solar Energy is the new way to save enormous amounts of money off of your energy bill, and no one likes this better than big energy consuming companies. Here is a short video of a Photovoltaic system (Solar panels) at Shafer Vineyard who have recently started to use 100 percent solar power. ( http://www.ge.com/innovation/shafer/index.html)
As you can see investing on Solar Energy cut his by almost 90%, they went from paying $30,000 a year to now in between three to four thousand.
But not all solar panels are used for harvesting electrical energy, there are my functions that come from solar panels, for example, at some residencies they use a single solar panel to hear water, it simply converts the solar rays and turns it into pure heat, which saves the trouble of a water heater.
Advantages of using Solar Panels
Many of us worry about our fuel bills and the environmental impact of our fuel consumption, while a free and clean source of energy is shining down on us all day. In one minute, the sun gives the earth enough energy to meet the earth’s power needs for a year. If you install a solar panel in your house, you are tapping into this massive source of free energy, and slashing your fuel bills. There are also great environmental benefits to solar energy, as it produces no pollution.
*This is a Photovoltaic panel used only to charge hybrid vehicles.
*These are also Photovoltaic panels but on a tracking mount that follows the sun from rise to fall
How it works
1. Light from the sun is converted into DC electrical energy
2. Inverter converts DC energy into AC energy for use in the building
3. Inverter electricity is distributed to building
4. Excess energy is sent to grid and credited by building meter
Informational Videos on the World Wide Web
Here are some links to informative links regarding Solar Energy and how it affects us.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXyJrFKwjrc – One of the biggest solar power plants in the Negev Desert in Israel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbPcmo3×1Ug – How Solar Panels are made.
http://greenenergytv.com/Watch.aspx?v=4748f10a4a01e5b8 – Very interesting solar power products
http://www.verdeenergy.com/solar_video.html – buying a Solar Electric System
*World’s Largest Solar Array in the Mohave Desert
Works Cited
• Solar Energy International, Energy Facts- http://www.solarenergy.org/resources/energyfacts.html
• Guide4Home, Solar Panels- Uses, installation and Advantages- http://www.guide4home.com/rem-himp/solar-panels.htm
• CNBC.com, Big Ideas for the Planet - http://www.cnbc.com/id/21657383/?photo=1
• GE Energy, Solar Energy- http://www.gepower.com/prod_serv/products/solar/en/index.htm
• Business Pundit, 25 Big Companies that are going Green- http://www.businesspundit.com/25-big-companies-that-are-going-green/
A big thank you to Mr. Lawrence at VB Engineering for inviting me to attend the South Florida Facilities Expo 2009. It was a very interesting expo with lots of different engineering companies looking toward the future in Energy Saving products
www.vbengineering.com
