Solar panel systems have always been criticized as bulky and unattractive. New solar technology is beginning to make such criticisms a thing of the past.
Solar Advancement
While everyone agrees solar energy is a clean, cost-effective energy source, there has always been one problem. The solar panel systems tended to be large and rather bulky. Frankly, they don’t add to the beauty of a home. While solar panel designs have improved over the years, a new development involving shingles is getting a lot of attention.
Photovoltaic shingles are a major design breakthrough for those who have a distaste for large solar panel systems. These shingles are, well, shingles. The replace the shingles on a roof, but have the physical appearance of a regular roof. Although they are black, they do not standout from the roof in the manner of panels. Instead, the they simply look like a regular roof and many people cannot tell the difference. Obviously, this seamless design is much better than the bulky designs of panel systems.
The technological breakthrough that makes this new technology possible is the invention of thin film photovoltaic cells. Known as “amorphous silicon thin alloy technology”, the designers essentially stepped back from traditional solar panel designs and did some thinking. What they realized is the materials used in panels were not the only ones that could be used. Without getting overly technical, the design team came up with a solution where more efficient cells could be built on a steel substrate. Each super thin cell was tailored to capture different spectrums of the sunlight. When layered on top of each other, they became extremely efficient at producing power.
The ultimate result is a system that can sit directly on the roof of a home or building, is more efficient than regular solar panels and far more appealing from a visual perspective. If you’re excuse for not using solar in the past was the bulky system, you need to rethink solar.
Will this new technology become the breakthrough we have been waiting for in solar power? It already is if you consider just the following:
1. The United States Army is building a solar powered community using it.
2. Museums in Beijing, China are converting to it.
3. Habitat for Humanity is using the system on many of the homes it builds.
4. Lockheed Martin is experimenting with the technology as a power source for high altitude flights.
In the opinion of many experts, this new technology represent a major breakthrough in solar energy. With energy prices exploding, solar represents the best solution to decreasing our dependence on limited oil and natural gas resources. Fortunately, the sun will be providing free power for the foreseeable future.
By: Richard Chapo
Posts Tagged ‘Energy Source’
Home Improvement – New Solar Technology
May 22nd, 2010Home Sauna Kits – Do It Yourself
January 22nd, 2010
Used to be that, if you wanted a sauna, you’d either have to join a gym or book some time at your favorite health spa. Because of a growing awareness of all the healthy benefits that come with using a sauna, the demand for private saunas has increased to the point that now there are “Do-It-Yourself” ( or DIY ) sauna kits available.
Before jumping up on the DIY bandwagon, it’s important that you look into the following and use them as your guidelines when considering which sauna kit is right for you:
What type of sauna do you want or need? Where are you planning to place it in your home or office? What type of materials will work best for you? How much “sweat equity” do you plan on contributing to it’s construction? What design are you considering?
Before you get overwhelmed with all of the different types of saunas out there, keep in mind that saunas basically fall into two different general categories: Infrared and Traditional.
The Traditional Saunas employ a separate energy source which will heat rocks that are placed within the structure as well as providing a way of circulating the heated air within the sauna chamber. Additionally, many sauna devotees feel that the true core of the entire experience is to sprinkle the heated rocks with water to generate body cleansing steam. These other energy sources are supplied by electric, gas, even wood burning stoves. With any of these steam-type saunas, you must make sure that there is an approved ventilation system installed and with the gas and wood burning stoves, you must also make sure that safety codes are adhered to implicitly.
On the other hand, there are the state of the art Infrared saunas which use infrared wave emitters that are very effective in making you sweat. Instead of expending additional energy to heat the entire sauna, these emitted waves actually go right to the heart of the matter, by penetrating your skin, without wasting as much time and energy that the Traditional Saunas do.
The difference is that the Infrared Saunas do not produce steam: they are a dry-heat sauna, so any type of exhaust or ventilation needed as with the Traditional Saunas is not necessary.
Now that you’ve decided which type of sauna you want, you need to decide where you want it to be set up. If it’s for your office, then the next point may not be as much of a consideration for you, but if it’s at home, do you want it to be an indoor or an outdoor sauna? Many enthusiasts say there is nothing like walking out of your hundred plus degree sauna into the “great outdoors”. If that’s not for you, then you will probably want the advantage and convenience of having your sauna installed indoors, where it will not only be more readily available: the operating costs involved in heating and maintaining a high temperature will be much less than the outdoor location.
Besides being able to get dressed without shivering and to relax after your sauna if you’re indoors, it’s also much easier to connect to an indoor power source, so that should also be taken into account.
The next most important thing is to ensure that you have the right type of materials to construct your sauna. Most saunas are made of wood, so it’s very important to inspect every piece before you buy your sauna, especially what will be used in the inner chamber.
Whether or not you choose to go with the Traditional or the Infrared Sauna, keep in mind that the wood used for the sauna interior needs to be knot-free. Cedar is the most commonly used wood for this part of the sauna as it stays relatively cool and will absorb moisture as needed. If the planks are not of uniform length and width or there are any knots in the wood, you do run the risk over time not only of having the wood split, but it may also start seeping sap. Not a good thing to have happened after all your planning and hard work.
Speaking of which, just how much time can you invest in this DIY project? If you are an accomplished handyman, there are kits available that can challenge your skills for a week or more. But if you’re like most people, you are a “Weekend Warrior” and there are kits designed with you in mind: they have a modular design and will require much less time to assemble. Pop onto the internet and you will be sure to find the perfect kit, price wise and otherwise, for you.
While you’re browsing the internet there, you also need to keep in mind the overall sauna design that will work best for you. You’ve decided where it’s going to be place, how it’s going to be heated and how many people you want it to be able to accommodate. Most kits have a pre-set design so make sure that the one you buy has all of the “amenities” you deem necessary.
If you’re more experienced with DIY, you can let your creativity work overtime by buying individual components to customize your sauna. Either way, don’t feel overwhelmed by all of the available choices and options: sauna construction is very forgiving in that as long as you can produce heat and contain it, you’ve got a working sauna!
By: Radoslaw Czajkowski