Green Energy WA

Solar panels can be a great help to sailors, keeping vital lights and appliances functioning, even when batteries run low or a generator malfunctions. They

Solar panels can be a great help to sailors, keeping vital lights and appliances functioning, even when batteries run low or a generator malfunctions. They are also a much quieter way of recharging batteries!

Learning how to install marine solar panels will be vital for the sailor who wants their advantages, but first he or she must learn which solar panels are best. Three types of solar cells are commonly used in solar panels, each with its own advantages. The sailor needs to learn these advantages and select the solar panels that are best for the need.

Types of Solar Panels

Solar panels must be kept from shading, as shaded cells draw energy for themselves from other cells.

1. Solar panels using monocrystalline cells have high conversion efficiency, and take up less space, but lack shade protection.

2. Solar panels using polycrystalline cells have even higher conversion efficiency, take up even less space, but still lack shade protection.

3. Solar panels using amorphous silicon cells have lower conversion efficiency, and take up more space, but do have shade protection. This can be especially important on a sailboat.

Marine solar panels are available in both hard and flexible types. Hard solar panels can be attached to the deck, while flexible solar panels might be attached to deck or canvas.

Size and Number of Solar Panels

Learning how to install marine solar panels will include calculations to determine what size and how many solar panels you will need. This information is readily available on the Internet by searching the question: “What size solar panel do I need” on your favorite search engine. The rule of thumb is to allow for 20% more solar panel power than you estimate you will need.

Placement of Solar Panels

Once you have determined the size and number of solar panels needed, you will be better able to determine where they will be placed. The best places depend on the boat’s configuration and size of the panels. Take your time and think it through. Read the instructions that came with your solar panels. You will want to avoid all violations of warranty terms.

The simple answer to how to install marine solar panels is: in the sun. Select locations that will get maximum sunlight without shaded spots.

In placing marine solar panels, consider the use of extra bars/braces to secure the panels. You obviously want them to remain stable.

How to Install Marine Solar Panels

Your marine solar panels should have clear instructions for installation. In addition to those, consider the following.

Most marine solar panel systems have three main components:

1. Solar panels to collect sunlight and produce a charge for you.

2. Charge controller to regulate the charge entering your battery and avoid overcharging it.

3. Batteries to store the energy your solar panels created.

Once marine solar panels have charged your batteries, you can use that energy to run most 12 volt DC appliances. These might include your safety lights, regular lighting, pumps, and fans, as well as small appliances. If you add an inverter, you can also run 120 volt AC appliances such as a microwave, radio, satellite dish, or radio. An inverter is a separate unit, not mentioned above, that transforms the current coming out of the battery into that required by most appliances.

First off, check to see that the system has a voltmeter. If it does not, purchase and install one. This will allow you to check the charge you are getting.

Affix your solar panels securely in place, and connect them per the instructions included in your kit. Use only tinned marine grade wire running from the panels to the batteries. If you are unsure of the wire you are considering, ask questions. Regular automotive wire may look similar, but in marine conditions, it will lose its ability to conduct electrical power.

In the solar Gemasolar central, a cloudy sky is no reason for depression: thanks to the aunique technology, the energy stored during the sun shines is used to produce electricity at night or on rainy days.

Recharge your phone or mp3 player with solar energy! Awaken your green gut with this device that does not lack originality and that wouldn’t wither if you don’t have a green thumb!

The Sunflower, which is well known for its ability to capture sun’s rays regardless of their direction, has become a high-tech object, more precisely, a USB charger. I present to you your new green best friend: the XD Design Solar Sunflower! This small flower pot decorated with a sunflower in white plastic can charge any object with possessing USB or mini USB ports through photovoltaic solar energy. On your desktop, bedside table or conservatory, this little ecological gadget that weighs 0.39 kg and heights 23 cm can be literally placed anywhere! Producing up to 5 volts with rechargeable lithium 2500 mAh battery (2500 milliamp/hour), it will light if your battery is low or needs charging.

 

Basma Jalloul – Green Energy International Correspondent – 24/03/2012

 

ENERGY RECOVERY SYSTEMS – THE FUTURE
Without doubt one of the most exciting progresses in the industry today. Energy Recovery. Our technicians will show you how you can turn all the air exhausted energy into money, simply by using the exhausted air/gas to power the turbine. Its the future and we have it today. Call Green Energy WA now!

Green Energy WA has now a dedicated site to this subject. Come visit us here! http://energyrecoverysystems.com.au/wp/

ABOUT WIND POWER

Wind is a form of solar energy. Winds are caused by the uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun, the irregularities of the earth’s surface, and rotation of the earth. Wind flow patterns are modified by the earth’s terrain, bodies of water, and vegetation. Humans use this wind flow, or motion energy, for many purposes: sailing, flying a kite, and even generating electricity.

The terms wind energy or wind power describe the process by which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. This mechanical power can be used for specific tasks (such as grinding grain or pumping water) or a generator can convert this mechanical power into electricity.

So how do wind turbines make electricity? Simply stated, a wind turbine works the opposite of a fan. Instead of using electricity to make wind, like a fan, wind turbines use wind to make electricity. The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft, which connects to a generator and makes electricity.

Types of Wind Turbines Modern wind turbines fall into two basic groups: the horizontal-axis variety, as shown in the photo, and the vertical-axis design, like the eggbeater-style Darrieus model, named after its French inventor.

Horizontal-axis wind turbines typically either have two or three blades. These three-bladed wind turbines are operated “upwind,” with the blades facing into the wind.

Sizes of Wind Turbines Utility-scale turbines range in size from 100 kilowatts to as large as several megawatts. Larger turbines are grouped together into wind farms, which provide bulk power to the electrical grid.

Single small turbines, below 100 kilowatts, are used for homes, telecommunications dishes, or water pumping. Small turbines are sometimes used in connection with diesel generators, batteries, and photovoltaic systems. These systems are called hybrid wind systems and are typically used in remote, off-grid locations, where a connection to the utility grid is not available.

The A-Solar Company has a new dock for iPhone, the Power Dock, which recharges the phone via USB or externally by solar energy.

The Power Dock, presented by A-Solar, allows the recharging of the Apple phone, iPhone, via two distinct processes. The first is via a USB connection to a computer. The technique is classical. But outside, the most environment friendly solution, the Power Dock can also fill the phone’s battery using solar energy.

The accessory is equipped with photovoltaic cells and a battery of 6000 mAh, able to fully charge the iPhone. The Power Dock, meanwhile, charges your iPhone in four hours, when connected to a computer and between 12 and 16 hours if it is placed face to natural light. A LED indicator indicates if the Power Dock Battery is fully charged or not, says Ubergizmo.

It also can, while charging, synchronize the contents deposited on iTunes, which offers the same time a mean that prevents the iPhone from being placed anywhere and getting unfortunate scratches.

The Power Dock is available at A-Solar for a suggested retail price of 79 euros (approx. $110). The accessory is manufactured on demand and will arrive within two to three weeks.

Basma – International Green Energy Correspondent – 28/02/2012

The Commercial Court of Vienna (Isère) confirmed Monday the takeover bid by EDF Photowatt. This avoids the liquidation of the only French manufacturer of photovoltaic cells.

It was a happy ending for the employees of Photowatt. The Commercial Court of Vienna, near Grenoble, has selected the offer presented by EDF on Monday that aims to maintain the activity of this company as it is.

Of the 425 people currently employed by Photowatt, EDF offers to 345 employees and over 10 apprentices to continue their activity in the company. The other 70 will be offered redeployment within the EDF Group.

“This operation is part of the Group’s strategy to be a leader in renewable energy, including photovoltaics, thereby contributing to the development of better technologies,” said EDF in a statement.

Photowatt was placed in receivership after filing for bankruptcy in November. The sole French manufacturer of photovoltaic cells has undergone in recent years the rise of Chinese manufacturers. In 2011, the decrease in tariffs for solar electricity in France has exacerbated the difficulties of SMEs, which showed a net loss of 80 million euros.

EDF has agreed to inject 75 million euros as part of the recovery of the company. “This transaction will enable the Group, through its subsidiary EDF, to take over the assets of Photowatt and 100% of its subsidiary PV Alliance2 and get an exclusive worldwide license to the heterojunction technology, currently under development, “said the electrician in a statement.

Basma – International Green Energy Correspondent – 28/02/2012

“Interclima + elec” opens tomorrow in Paris. This is opportunity to discover the most innovative solutions that combine energy efficiency and renewable energy for the sake of homes and building comfort. Focus on some trends of the show.

Energy efficiency has become a “flagship” topic in the news. As a proof, ADEME has recently conducted a study to identify skills and employment needed in the construction sector. This study shows that the turnover related to energy efficiency is expected to grow from 47% to 330%, with a need for 69,000 jobs by 2014.

This need is accompanied by changes in certain professions (such as masonry, plumbing, heating …) where training will be needed to achieve energy efficiency in buildings. Another study (RN Quality Ifop) shows that 73% of the French rely on renewable energy. Nearly one in three people reportedly plans to equip themselves and 25% of respondents said they were more interested in renewable energy in 2011.

The 2012 edition of Interclima turns around these two major themes that are energy efficiency and renewable energy. The show welcomes 638 exhibitors and is waiting for more than 85 000 visitors.

Trends

Heat Pumps

Often recommended as part of a renovation of heating, the heat pump produces high temperature, hot water and feeds radiators or underfloor heating. It is the ideal all-in-one, offering for both comfort and hot water.

The CO2 heat pump produces hot water using CO2 as a refrigerant. This technology is a true green alternative to traditionally used refrigerants. CO2 is a natural refrigerant gas completely neutral in terms of ensuring high performance.

New Generators

Building a house according to the BBC or RT 2012 is based on a bioclimatic design, an enhanced thermal insulation and air tightness control. Faced with these developments, the generators are transformed: gas boilers or oil condensing impose and display up to 110% efficiency by recovering heat from flue gas and boilers.

The Multi-Energy Systems

Condensation, heat pumps and individual solar water heater… All these techniques are now totally under control and can even be combined to produce customized systems that offer the best performance and comfort. A Solar system coupled with a condensing boiler, a heat pump or boiler with a wood boiler… or a wood boiler associated with a condensing oil boiler or heat pump coupled with a boiler … all combinations are possible.

The Combined Or Hybrid Solar PV-T

The combined photovoltaic or thermal solar system (the hybrid solar captor) is a unit of mixed solar energy production, generating heat through a thermal sensor (T) and electricity using a Photovoltaic module (PV). This provides, separately or simultaneously, an additional heating, a domestic hot water and electricity.

The Breakdown: 3, 4, 5 And 6 In 1!

Ventilation systems are becoming increasingly sophisticated to meet the economic and environmental concerns of housing today. They include a set of solutions for ventilation, filtering, heating, cooling, ECS production and dehumidification. They thus ensure a renewed healthy air permanently, a comfortable atmosphere and heat in winter, a refreshed atmosphere in summer and warm water all year.

For this new edition, the exhibition is expecting 638 exhibitors and more than 85,000 visitors.

Basma – International Green Energy Correspondent – 06/02/2012

The French oil company Total will consolidate its activities in solar energy by increasing in its U.S. subsidiaryin SunPower to 66%, to whom it will sell a French subsidiary, Tenesol.

In a statement on Friday, the solar panel manufacturer SunPower indicates that Total will raise its capital from 60 to 66% in exchange for assignment, for 165.4 million dollars, a company that Total 100% controls, Tenesol.

“SunPower has signed an agreement to acquire Tenesol SA, a global provider of solar energy which headquartered is in La Tour-de-Salvagny” (Rhône, east-central France), announced the U.S. company.

Under the terms of the agreement, SunPower will pay Total $ 165.4 million in cash, and the French energy giant will get in exchange a 18.6 million valued shares from SunPower (8.80 dollars per share) , “a 50% premium over the closing price of Sunpower” Thursday.

“After the sale of Tenesol, Total will own approximately 66% of the shares of SunPower,” they said.

Tenesol has operations in 18 countries and solar plants in France and South Africa.

SunPower, which is headquartered in Silicon Valley, California (Western U.S.), has operations in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.

“Combining the activities of Tenesol and Sunpower is a step forward in Total’s strategy of becoming a global player in the promising area of ​​solar energy,” said the president of gas and solar power of the French group, Philippe Boisseau .

Total has taken control of SunPower this summer thanks to a friendly takeover bid of $ 1.38 billion, showing an intention to create a “world leader in solar energy” and the project to accelerate its investment in this area.

“We said that SunPower would be our arm in the sun,” added a spokesman for Total contacted by AFP, adding that “both companies are very complementary,” and that the approximation obeys a “real logical raphical “.

Basma – Green Energy WA News Correspondent – 16/01/2012

Expectations cause a lot of problems — without expectations, we couldn’t be disappointed. However, it’s impractical not to have any expectations. So, the important thing is really just not to tie your happiness to your expectations too much. Work hard, be good, but also be flexible when it comes to the results. So, with that said, here are some expectations for solar energy in 2012 — hopefully, the good ones will come true (and you know that we’ll be doing what we can to help them along), but expectations are expectations, and only that.

1. Solar costs will continue to drop. It’s expected that solar costs haven’t hit their lowest point yet and that increasing deployment combined with technological improvements will keep the prices falling in 2012. That means solar hitting grid parity in even more places, even without subsidies that include their tremendous health and environmental savings.

2. Solar companies will merge, collapse, and be bought out. Competition is increasing in the solar industry. That doesn’t mean the industry is failing, as some would like to contend, but that it is maturing. The result, however, is that many companies will have to go. I think 2012 will be a year full of solar mergers, buy-outs, and even collapses. (We’ll be getting ready for the wonderful misinformation campaigns coming out of certain industries, media outlets, and political campaigns as that happens.)

3. Solar will continue to boom on rooftops and elsewhere in the U.S. Solar leasing, group purchasing and discount options, and good old solar incentives will continue to put record amounts of solar power on people’s homes and businesses in 2012. Additionally, huge utility-scale solar projects will keep moving forward and breaking new ground. Dropping solar costs, innovative technologies, and innovative business models make the clean energy option increasingly attractive, in numerous shapes and forms.

4. Attacks on the solar industry will get stronger. With solar’s increasing importance and growth, those in the fossil fuel industry or threatened by it will likely increase their attacks on the budding industry, I presume. Solyndra was just the start. How they will do this when solar remains one of the most popular things in the country (with about 95% of Americans in favor of government support for it and increasing deployment) remains to be seen.

5. More feed-in tariffs will drive fast installation of rooftop solar. In North America and around the world, I think we’ll see more governments moving forward with feed-in tariff policies to support solar. Why? Well, simply put, it’s been the most effective policy for driving solar power installation around the world.

6. PACE comeback. I think we’re finally going to see property-assessed clean energy (PACE) financing come back in the U.S. PACE financing was having tremendous success (with no harm to anyone) before Fannie and Freddie Mac inadvertently shut it down. It’s got a strong following of supporters and is a common-sense financing option that has no reason to be sitting on the sidelines.

7. China (& India?) to knock our socks off. China’s solar

ambitions have increased dramatically in the last year (more than once). It doesn’t take China long to act and I think we’re going to see tremendous implementation in 2012. India’s future doesn’t seem as certain, but it hastremendous solar power goals as well, solar is now cheaper than diesel there, and many are projecting that it will become a big solar player soon, perhaps in 2012.

“Global solar photovoltaic (PV) module shipments are forecast to grow from an estimated 22.7 GW in 2011 to 43.8 GW in 2015 according to IDC Energy Insights’ Worldwide Quarterly Photovoltaic Module Tracker,” IDC Energy Insights reports. “At the same time that module prices are declining at a record-setting pace, large markets like China and India have doubled down on future solar plans and adopted extremely aggressive targets.”

“According to IDC Energy Insights most recent PV Module forecast, Asia/Pacific (including Japan) will grow from 22.9% of global module shipments in 2011 to 49.3% in 2015. Europe, which is expected to receive 66.4% of PV shipments in 2011, will decline to just 38.7% in 2015 (see chart below).”

Any other thoughts on what 2012 will bring? I did leave some notable topics out, as I’m not sure what to expect from them. Those include the solar trade dispute between U.S. & German solar companies and China, and solar policies in the UK and other European countries.

Source: Clean Technica (http://s.tt/1547u)

UK biomass is at a “tipping point” and set to rival wind and solar power over the coming years if the trend of banks gradually loosening their purse strings continues.

Gerard Madden, chief executive of Irish developer Kedco, told BusinessGreen that banks are realising the opportunity biomass offers now that there is more certainty around government incentives for the technology.

FURTHER READING

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RHI gets go-ahead, but support for large projects to be cut

“There’s been a lot of uncertainty in the biomass sector over the last few years and, in fairness, the UK government has looked to address it,” he said in an interview. “We’re at a tipping point in biomass. We’ve had wind, we’ve had solar. I think it’s biomass’ time.”

Kedco announced last week that it has secured up to £9.44m from Ulster Bank to help build a 4MW biomass electricity and heat producing plant in Newry, Northern Ireland.

The facility will be built in two 2MW chunks, and the first is due to be completed by the middle of next year. Kedco has deals in place with four local wood suppliers as well as a power purchase agreement for the electricity.

The company has also secured planning permission for a £45m gasification plant in Enfield, north London estimated to be capable of generating 12MW of electricity and 10MW of heat, and has secured a supply deal with a company processing waste wood from construction and demolition.

“We’re in a sweet spot for biomass. We operate small plants that we can position in places that have existing feedstocks,” Madden said.

Credit is still tight, but Madden insisted that the clarification of biomass subsidies as part of last month’s review of support under the Renewables Obligation and the long-delayed Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) have made the business case more appealing to lenders.

The Renewables Obligation consultation document proposed maintaining current levels of support for biomass projects at 1.5 Renewable Obligation Certificates per megawatt hour and created two new bands of support.

A week later the RHI was finally given clearance by the EU after initially falling foul of state aid rules. However, Brussels demanded a fall in the tariff for biomass installations over 1MW of capacity from the 2.7p per kilowatt hour (kWh) agreed in March and approved by Parliament in July, to just 1p/kWh.

Barring unexpected post-consultation changes, these schemes are all but confirmed. But Madden said that, as the company’s financial modelling takes only electricity and not heat into account, the drop in support does not affect its plans.

The two support mechanisms, along with the fact that biomass heat and electricity are also included as part of eight key technologies listed in July’s Renewables Roadmap, offer investors more certainty in the biomass market than in many other sectors, he said.

Madden listed the recent approvals of large plants in Yorkshire, Anglesey and Port Talbot as examples of the current positive attitude towards biomass.

“[Raising capital] is still a challenge – let’s not under-exaggerate it. Getting the money for Newry was an achievement in itself,” he said.

“But I think the government understands the issues and is trying to address them. The government is beginning to create an environment that promises a very positive outlook for biomass.”

via UK reaching a ‘tipping point’ for biomass – 21 Nov 2011 – News from BusinessGreen.