The resources are out there. All you have to do is either attend an event to get the information in person (take a lot of notes!) and get the materials there:
American Wind Energy Association
AWEA Wind Energy Fall Symposium 2008
Palm Desert, CA November 19-21, 2008
AWEA Wind Power Supply Chain Workshop
Cleveland, OH December 8-9, 2008
Windpower 2009
Conference and Exhibition
Chicago, IL May 4-7, 2009
Links to Solar Energy Events
Links to Web-Based Alternate Energy Newsletters
Or... you can also find good references for the adventurous "Do-It-Yourselfer" types:
Alternate Energy Resource Manual--Lots of ideas for ways you can build your own alternate energy sources for your home or small business.
Solar Power Design Manual--Teach Yourself All About Solar Power. Comprehensive Manual by Genuine Expert. Spreadsheet Included.
Renewable Energy Solutions--The Manual--The folks who put this together have been presented on TV, Google, and the New York Times as a source of Alternate Energy Information. Good stuff for those in need of Alternate Energy!
Happy Friday! If you get these references today, you'll be able to get the materials at the hardware store this evening or tomorrow morning and have a good weekend start at building your own alternate energy contraption!
Showing posts with label do it yourself energy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label do it yourself energy. Show all posts
Friday, November 7, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Paint-On Solar Panels?
There's been a lot of news lately about "paint-on solar panels"... in which the paint contains chemicals that can take the sunlight through an electron transfer process to create a current that can be collected and transmitted through wiring to provide electrical current.
This is a nifty concept--but as the researchers say, it's still being studied and has a long way to go before being viable for common domestic use.
You want another way to create a solar panel from the mere act of "painting it"?
--Get one or more wood or metal panels (4'X8' or other size)
--Get some flat-black paint
--Get some reflective silver paint or mylar film (with glue/sealant)
--Cut the wood/metal into easily liftable sizes
--Paint one side (and edges) of the wood/metal with the flat-black paint.
--Paint the other side with the reflective silver paint (or line it with the mylar)
--Let the contraption(s) dry and set.
During the day (when it's cold outside), lay the panels black-side-up in the sunlight hitting your floor near your southern exposure windows. The panels absorb some of the heat and then that heat transfers to the rest of your home.
Later, when the direct sunlight is no longer streaming into your windows, turn the panels over--the reflective side will still send some of that valuable light deeper into your home... negating the need for turning on light bulbs (incandescent, fluorescent, or otherwise --LEDs?--).
This is sort of a BASIC concept... but it works. And anything, and everything, is worth a try.
This is a nifty concept--but as the researchers say, it's still being studied and has a long way to go before being viable for common domestic use.
You want another way to create a solar panel from the mere act of "painting it"?
--Get one or more wood or metal panels (4'X8' or other size)
--Get some flat-black paint
--Get some reflective silver paint or mylar film (with glue/sealant)
--Cut the wood/metal into easily liftable sizes
--Paint one side (and edges) of the wood/metal with the flat-black paint.
--Paint the other side with the reflective silver paint (or line it with the mylar)
--Let the contraption(s) dry and set.
During the day (when it's cold outside), lay the panels black-side-up in the sunlight hitting your floor near your southern exposure windows. The panels absorb some of the heat and then that heat transfers to the rest of your home.
Later, when the direct sunlight is no longer streaming into your windows, turn the panels over--the reflective side will still send some of that valuable light deeper into your home... negating the need for turning on light bulbs (incandescent, fluorescent, or otherwise --LEDs?--).
This is sort of a BASIC concept... but it works. And anything, and everything, is worth a try.
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