10 Reasons Why The World Should Go Solar

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

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Guys, what's up? 7K+ people in this amazing group of News lovers and climbing! So proud to be connected with all of you. We have a better way! 

You’ve probably heard of it; Solar Power. The way to go green by using the sun for electricity and much, much more. 

If you take a serious look into all the possibilities that solar power has to offer, you are going to wonder why the whole world is not running on it yet. Here are the 10 reasons why the world should go solar:

1. It saves you money

One of the things that make Solar Power stand out is how on the long haul you are going to save money. Sure, getting them might be a bit expensive, but after a few years your wallet is going to thank you. Money saved can go up to $2400 a year (for homeowners) and up to $6000 a year (for business owners). You could take the family to Disney for that money. 

2. Solar energy is a way to escape the hold countries have on other countries

A lot of natural resources like oil, coal and gas are imported into our country from other countries. This means that when something happens in those countries, like lets say a war, we could potentially be cut off from supplies. Solar Power does not face that problem as it is possible in any country anywhere. 

3. It’s better for the climate 

Critics have pointed out that by making solar panels certain chemicals are released into out atmosphere that form a bigger danger than carbon dioxide. What they fail to mention is that more carbon dioxide is released into the air per day from all over the world than the chemicals used to make solar panels. For solar panels this is a one time thing, once it’s made it’s made and no chemicals are released anymore and that’s better for the climate than your car ever will be. 

4. Jobs 

If there is more solar power used there will also be more jobs for people out there. Especially in this economy those are needed, as unemployment rates are still on the rise in almost all of the countries across the globe. By creating a bigger market for solar power you will also be creating more jobs for more people. 

5. The sun isn’t going to run out of light 

Another of the pros of solar power is the fact that the sun won’t be running out of light anytime soon. However we will be through natural resources like oil and gas eventually. 

6. It has many purposes 

Solar power can be used in an infinite number of ways. The only thing that’s limiting us is our creativity. Currently there are satellites in our inner and outer atmosphere completely powered by solar power. Cars that break speed records are powered by solar power. In Africa water is being distilled by solar power.. Well, isn't that awesome?!

7. It’s easily integratable into your home or community 

Your house probably already has a roof where you can place solar panels, but even for those of us who live in apartment buildings there are great options available. By placing a field with solar panels inside a community, or outside a town when you need more space, you can easily generate enough energy for a whole neighbourhood. Which brings me onto my next point..

8. It’s usable everywhere 

Any country and any person in the world could live off of solar power. It could easily change the world and save a lot of people who are currently dying because of the lack of electricity, heating or drinkable water. 

9. Solar powered roads 

Not that long ago a huge online fundraiser for solar roadways was held. They got way more than their original goal of $1 million and no wonder. Solar Roadways are freaking awesome and here’s why; They will make driving safer for people and for animals, because they light up when anything walks over them, heat up in cold areas so the roads are not snowy and more. Plus they are very durable and take way less maintenance than those asphalt roads. Want to know more about this amazing project? 

Check them out here.

10. Low maintenance

Solar Power is low maintenance. Did you know that solar panels only have to be cleaned a few times a year? With everything you get out of them that’s just a small price to pay. Once your installation is up, there is almost nothing to do to maintain the installation.

The Bottom Line is: Solar Power has the power to change the world and it’s all up to us whether or not we take all the opportunities it has to offer to make this world a better one. 

SEE ALSO: CNETTV : Robots Pivot Solar Panels to face the Sun by QBotix

Have a nice week! If you liked this post please leave your good comments in the box below.

*by andreascy*

Six Awesome Family Vacation Ideas

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

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If you happen to be planning or want to plan a family vacation and have run out of ideas, you have come to the right place! 

While it may not be very exciting, advanced planning is necessary to ensure a great, stress-free vacation, and the first step in planning ahead is picking your perfect vacation spot! Here are six awesome family vacation ideas that you can consider.

1. The Grand Canyon

This might sound rote, but it can actually be a fun and inspiring experience to visit the Grand Canyon. While it is a popular location, you have to make advanced reservations. You cannot wait until the last minute, especially if you want to experience some interesting things like the mule trip.

The South Rim is opened all year round. However, you can only access it during the months of May through October. If you have never been to the Grand Canyon, this is a great experience for the entire family. Its scenic view and awe-inspiring geography will positively captivate you.

2. The Outer Banks

In the state of North Carolina, the Outer Banks is a great place to visit during your family vacation. It is a chain of barrier islands connected to bridges and ferries. The beaches are magnificent.

Throughout the year, weather is usually mild. However, in August and September, you can expect a change in weather because of the hurricane season. The off-season is between September and May. You may be able to get better rates then.

3. Miami, Florida

Miami, Florida, is a hot (literally!) vacation spot where you will find so many things to do as a family. You can go shopping or visit the museum, zoo, and parks. Miami has many street fairs, concerts and festivals, as well. There will never be a boring day on your Miami vacation.

For active, outdoor fun, you can go scuba diving, sailing, biking, snorkeling and fishing. You can also play golf or tennis. And be prepared to do a lot of walking if you are a shopaholic! On South Beach, there are fun night clubs to enjoy, as well as a diverse cultural cuisine at exotic restaurants.

4. Maine Coast

The Maine Coast is a long stretch of white, sandy beaches. There are many hotels, rentals and beautiful beach villas to choose from. There are also restaurants located along the ocean.

You will be able to do all of your shopping in Freeport. The peak season is during July and August, but the best to vacation on the Main Coast is after Labor Day in September.

5. Great Wolf Lodge

If you live in a cold climate and want to escape the snow without leaving the country, the Great Wolf Lodge, an indoor water park, is a great option (especially if you have young kids!).

These indoor water park resorts can be found all over the country, including North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas, Wisconsin, Missouri and Kansas just to name a few. It’s also a great option if you live in a tropical climate (like Florida) and want to escape somewhere colder without being entirely at the mercy of snow!

6. Caribbean Cruise

To get away during the winter, you can opt for a Caribbean cruise. Places like the Bahamas, Jamaica and Barbados are ideal vacation spots all year round.

The climate is similar to Florida’s. A cruise offers fun and interesting things to do for the entire family!

Which one would you choose? 😍😎

GIVE THE GIFT OF MEMORIES: 5 Top Picks for Christmas Holiday Like a Fairytale

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The Newest Eco-Friendly Apartment Building Trends

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

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The importance of conserving the Earth's limited resources finally seems like it's gotten through to mainstream culture in recent years. People are beginning to understand how crucial it is to find more efficient energy alternatives.

As of late, the use of environmentally friendly construction materials is on the rise. Many of these "green-living" ideas are implemented in today's modern apartments. When looking for a new apartment, here are some of the most popular ones to look for:

1. Strategic Orientation of a Home to Maximize Sunlight

Building an apartment in a location that receives a lot of sunlight is an ingenious way to save money on heating and lighting. Many engineers and architects are figuring out ways to design buildings that can take advantage of sunlight as much as possible. The orientation of the building makes a huge impact on how natural light is able to come through the windows, so strategic positioning is definitely an eco-friendly way to light up and heat up a place.

2. Exclusive Use of LED Lights

LED lights are a great choice for any apartment, house, business, or any situation where lighting is needed. Why? LED lights are not only brighter than the typical incandescent light bulbs, they are far more energy efficient too. Most LED lights give off a pleasant, white glow and only use about 20% of the energy that standard bulbs use. Renters can easily cut their electric bills in half after replacing all incandescent bulbs with LEDs.

3. Roofs Made from Copper

Metal roofs, especially copper roofs, are becoming a stylish choice in the world of apartments. First, they are quite inexpensive to purchase and install, and they also require very little maintenance. Secondly, they look great when paired with the right architecture. Copper roofs have a very long life span, with up to a century of use. Finally, they can be recycled with ease. What's not to like?

4. Rainwater Collection Units

If people have survived on rainwater for countless years, why can't we make use of it today? Rainwater collection units are set up in strategic locations around the apartment to collect the runoff. This water can then be used for watering the lawn and garden and general cleaning use.

5. Counter Tops Made from Easily Accessible Wood Sources

Granite counter tops have been popular for many years, but it seems that cheap, wood counters are spreading like wildfire through many apartment complexes. What's the appeal of wooden counter tops? Aesthetically, they obviously look good. More importantly, wooden counter tops that come from rapid growing trees like bamboo do much less harm to our forests and environment. When slow-growing trees are used for wood, the environment takes a much bigger hit because animal homes are lost and oxygen production is halted for a much longer amount of time.

6. Water-Saving Toilets

Using the restroom is something that all civilized people must do, flushing the toilet is an unavoidable consequence. Compared to standard toilets, those designed to conserve water can cut water consumption by 20%. These efficient systems can significantly decrease your water bill and put more money in your pocket.

7. Electric Stove Tops

Induction stovetops are much more eco-friendly than gas versions because far less energy is lost when turned on. Heat transfer through physical contact is a better alternative to turning on a flame that burns your money away with every use.

YOU MIGHT LIKE: Tips On Making Your Office Greener

As always you can send your questions to us by email.

*by andreascy*

Why A Solar Set-Up Is A Good Idea

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

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It’s no surprise: In today’s world, we use a lot of excess energy and power. With so much technology, we stretch our resources to the limit to power our convenient lifestyles. We also emit a lot of pollution into the atmosphere. But who ever said that in order to have convenience, you have to forget about the Earth and what’s best for the environment? 

Fortunately, there’s an alternative – for your house, anyway. It is called a Solar Set-Up, and it can do a lot for you, as you do a lot for the environment. What are the advantages to having one for your home? Here are the positive features of a solar set-up:

Saves On Utility Costs

When you invest in a solar set-up, you actually save money overall. How? Your utility bills can decrease by as much as 20 to 30 percent each month. That is money that really adds up over time, amounting to over thousands of dollars, so you can actually end up saving a lot of money over the years.

Protects the Environment

By getting a solar set-up, you can really do your part for the environment. Using solar panels, a solar set-up converts DC power into AC power, which is then used to generate your household electricity. In addition, a solar set-up reduces the amount of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere. The average American home emits more than 16,000 pounds of CO2 annually, so switching to this set-up really does drastically reduce pollution and does its part for the environment.

No Large, Upfront Investment

If you’re thinking “That sounds great, but I just don’t know if I could afford it,” you’re in luck. While some companies make it so expensive that you have to finance your solar set-up, others work to make it more affordable. Companies like Vivint make it affordable because they don’t have these large, upfront costs. For example, Vivint uses a Power Purchase Agreement, or PPA. A PPA is an agreement where you buy the power your system produces. And it’s at a lower rate than you would otherwise pay on your utility bill.

Professionally Trained Installers and Complete In-House Management

Companies like Vivint also have professionally trained installers and complete in-house management. Basically, this means the homeowner doesn’t have to worry about whether or not the system is set up correctly. For example, Vivint’s installation staff completes rigorous training in order to provide quality service. And unlike some providers, companies like Vivint manage the entire process in-house so that good service and customer satisfaction is a guarantee.

RECOMMENDED: 10 Reasons Why The World Should Go Solar

Bottom Line? Going green really is more of a reality than a lot of people think. It is efficient and affordable. And it can really end up saving a lot of money in the long run. In addition, it does a lot for the environment without requiring you to give up anything at all. In the end, these positive features of a solar set-up really make it a win-win situation.

*by andreascy*

Create the Future with SunSaluter and Galaxy Note 10.1

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

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The SunSaluter is a technology that enables the automatic rotation of solar panels to follow the sun throughout the day (just like a sunflower) to increase their energy generation - without using any electricity to do so. 

The technology was created by Eden Full and is being developed by her company Roseicollis Technologies.

It has been deployed in two pilot projects in Kenya. Fascinated by biomimicry, Eden Full aims to power a whole village on SunSaluters in Peru and southern India -- by 2013.

The SunSaluter won the Mashable/UN Foundation Startups for Social Good Challenge and was awarded the runner-up prize at the 2011 Postcode Lottery Green Challenge.

"Good technology is something that is simple, something that anyone whether you are 5 years old, a university professor or a farmer in Tanzania, you'd be able to look at it and get it."

Currently in active development, the Roseicollis Technologies website claims that the SunSaluter is :

• Cheaper: It is constructed from locally-sourced and recyclable materials rather than electronic components.

• Simpler: Almost anyone can assemble and maintain it because of its intuitive design.

• Flexible: It can be installed underneath any existing solar panel with a few minor adjustments.

Watch on the video below how the Galaxy Note 10.1 plays a part in creating the future with Eden from SunSaluter.

In order to preserve our planet and encourage societies to adopt renewable energy resources, we need to lower the cost of solar energy so it is more affordable for individual families and their homes and villages. The SunSaluter is a contribution to tackling energy infrastructure growth and climate change.
Read also: Robots Pivot Solar Panels to face the Sun by QBotix
Learn more about Galaxy Note 10.1 and discover other interesting Solar related topics. Subscribe for straight updates to your inbox or your favourite feed reader.

*by andreascy*

CNETTV : Robots Pivot Solar Panels to face the Sun by QBotix

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

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Robots have proven themselves in extreme and diverse environments from the surface of Mars to battlefields and ocean depths. 

QBotix is a robotics company that is bringing the innovations of last several decades to the operation and management of solar power plants.

Their mission is to leverage their expertise in rugged and intelligent robotics to create breakthrough products that offer a compelling combination of competitive cost, high reliability, easy installation, superior performance, universal compatibility and unprecedented system level intelligence. 

With their products, customers reduce cost of ownership while increasing their profit margins and investment returns in solar power plants.

QBotix has invented the paradigm of Solar Robotics™, where autonomous, rugged and intelligent robots replace hundreds of conventional electromechanical components, and also reduce structural material requirements. 

The use of their paradigm allows the creation of fundamentally new system level architectures that reduce cost and increase performance and reliability.

Their first product is the QBotix Tracking System™ (QTS™), which delivers dual axis tracking at single axis installed price. 

The QTS works with all existing photovoltaic modules, inverters and foundations to increase energy production and decrease installed costs, providing the lowest Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) of any mounting or tracking system.

Just like a sunflower turns its head toward the sun, smart and efficient solar panels must do the same for maximum energy absorption. CNET's Kara Tsuboi visits Qbotix in Menlo Park, Calif., where the company introduced such a robotic tracking system that mechanically pivots solar panels, saving energy and money.

If you liked our article read also :
Solar Energy Panels vs. Solar Electricity Plants
Natcore Technology achieves the Blackest Solar Cell ever designed to absorb 99.7% of all light
MIT 3D Stacks of Solar Panels increases their Power output by up to 20x
TED : Donald Sadoway - The missing link to renewable energy
Japan : Rallying for Solar expansion

*by andreascy*

Natcore Technology Achieves the Blackest Solar Cell Ever Designed to Absorb 99.7% of All Light

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

The blackness of black silicon comes from the near-total absence of reflected light from the surface. This is desirable because it means that incident light is being absorbed for conversion to energy, rather than being reflected and wasted. 

A panel made with black silicon solar cells will produce significantly more energy than one made with cells having a standard antireflective coating – firstly because it reflects less light, and secondly because it performs better during the morning and afternoon when the sun hits it at an angle.

Conventional solar cells with antireflective coatings produced by chemical vapor deposition have a reflectance of about 4%. Previous black silicon technology reduced this to about 2%, but a new technology developed by researchers at Natcore Technology achieves a tenfold improvement. 

They have shown that simple liquid bath processes can produce a black surface on silicon wafers with an average reflectance in the visible and near-infrared region of just 0.3%, the blackest surface ever measured on silicon solar cells. 

The process starts with an uncoated, textured silicon wafer. Nanoscale pores are first etched in the wafer surface by briefly submerging it in a liquid solution at room temperature. A liquid phase deposition process is then used to fill the pores and coat them with silicon dioxide. In addition to reducing the reflectance, the coating passivates the surface.

Read more on CleanTechnica. 

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MIT 3D Stacks of Solar Panels increases their power output by up to 20x

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

What’s better than one pancake? A whole stack of pancakes! Using the same logic, a team of MIT researchers have stacked a bunch of photovoltaic solar cells together to produce up to 20 times the power output of conventional solar power installations.

 Basically, photovoltaic cells themselves aren’t all that expensive - according to MIT, they’re only around 35% of the total cost of a solar power installation. The main issue with solar power (and its main cost) is its low energy density, and thus the sheer surface area required to generate a sizable amount of electricity. This is why you need to cover your whole roof with cells to power your light bulbs, and why solar power plants would have to occupy tens of square miles of desert to produce as much power as a nuclear power plant.

To combat this issue, MIT has built 3D stacks of photovoltaic cells. These have the same footprint of a conventional, flat solar power setup - but as you can see in the picture above, the total surface area is much, much larger. The team built a variety of 3D designs, including a cube, and in all cases they produced between two and 20 times as much power as a flat panel. The most interesting facet of this discovery, though, is that these 3D stacks produce lots of extra power whenever the sun is near the horizon, i.e. in the morning, evening, winter, or at latitudes far away from the equator. With conventional, flat cells, it’s hard to capture low-angle light, but with an accordion structure (as pictured below) the relative angle would be closer to 45 degrees.

Squeezing more power out of low-light periods is a huge, huge deal. Beyond the large footprint required, the main issue with solar power is unreliability (cloud cover) and natural fluctuations (winter, night time). Solar installations produce most of their electricity in the middle of the day, but that’s when you least need electric light or heat. As a result, you need to store the energy for later use, which usually involves a big battery of some kind. If these 3D solar cells can capture enough light that they can produce reliable electricity in the morning, evening, and winter, then this could be exactly the kick-start that solar power needs - especially when you combine it with the ion cannon that cuts photovoltaic costs in half

*by andreascy*

Tweeting Sensor : Enabling Temperature, Humidity and Sunshine information to be checked on Twitter

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

UC Technology has released a Tweeting Sensor, which regularly posts temperature and humidity data to Twitter. The Tweeting Sensor can be checked remotely on Twitter via a smartphone, cellphone, or PC.

"You connect this device to the Internet and plug in the AC adapter. You can also connect a slave unit, so you have a wireless sensor that measures temperature, humidity, and sunshine. This sensor makes the wireless connection automatically, and sends its data each time. The connection range is about 40 m, but if you want to make measurements even further away, there's a relay unit as well. That's used by plugging it into a wall socket and it extends the range to 60 m."

If the wireless sensor is posting temperature, humidity, and sunshine data every minute, it can run for about a year on three AA batteries. The sensor can also be set to sound an alert if specific values are reached. So this product can be used to manage the temperature in locations such as wine cellars or food warehouses. It can also be connected to a radiation meter.

"This wasn't planned at first, but we've made a unit that can be connected to a commercially available radiation meter. This enables the Tweeting Sensor to post radiation data to Twitter. If lots of people post their readings, it would be possible to create a detailed radiation map."

The basic unit is priced around US$520 (40,000 yen), and UC Technology aims to sell 10,000 sets annually.

*by andreascy*

Hybrid system : Produce Hydrogen from Sunlight and Water

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

An interesting twist on the Hydrogen production system using sunlight and water to react with copper and aluminium oxide that when heated to 200 Degrees Celsius and combined with “catalytic nanoparticles” initiate a chemical reaction to quickly release the stored hydrogen. The Hydrogen is then fed into a Fuel cell battery to provide a constant source of power to a household.

The idea basically being that all the hydrogen for one day can be created quickly from the chemical reaction and then temporarily stored in holding containers reliving the necessity to permanently store hydrogen which is a major obstacle for a Hydrogen based economy. 

If the demonstration system can confirm the suggested results from the preliminary modelling this would be a handy way to provide a constant source of energy to a household without having to worry about battery replacements every few years and could be built into every house. 

The hybrid device contains series of copper tubes coated with a thin layer of aluminum and aluminum oxide and partly filled with catalytic nanoparticles. A combination of water and methanol flows through the vacuum-sealed tubes. 

“This set-up allows up to 95% of the sunlight to be absorbed with very little being lost as heat to the surroundings,” Hotz said (Nico Hotz, Engineer on Duke University). “This is crucial because it permits us to achieve temperatures of well over 200 ºC within the tubes. By comparison, a standard solar collector can only heat water between 60 and 7 ºC.”. 

Once the evaporated liquid achieves a high enough temperature, tiny amounts of a catalyst are added. The combination of high temperature and catalysts produces hydrogen very efficiently, Hotz said. The hydrogen can be immediately directed to a fuel cell to provide electricity to a building during the day, or compressed and stored in a tank to provide power later.  Read more about this system on Solar Novus Today. 

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Arizona : Solar Tower to Generate 200MW

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

There is a marketing blitz going on for EnviroMission a solar tower company that has inked a contract to build a massive tower in the Arizona desert that turns heat generated by a greenhouse into electricity by directing it up a massive chimney twice that when built will be the second tallest building in the world. 

Apparently they can use the energy generated to provide power for 150,000 homes.

They also say the build costs will be paid off within 11 years of operation and the life span is 80 years.

What they don’t say is whether the costs in terms of energy that will be used to construct the facility will ever be recuperated. Have a look on the videos.

Learn more on CNN. 

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