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Which is the Best Alternative Energy Choice For Novice DIY Enthusiasts – Solar Or Wind?

By Alison Wood on Friday, April 9th, 2010 | No Comments

I’ve seen my title question posted on several DIY home improvement forums lately and I believe it’s a valid concern that should be addressed by experienced alternative energy DIYers. There’s a lot of interest in do-it-yourself kits and home made renewable energy solutions by people from all walks of life and many of them are searching for guidance. Those who are venturing into home-built off grid solar energy and wind power solutions for the first time should realize that, like everything else, these systems have up and downsides that need to be considered. This article briefly reviews some of these.

The list below covers some of the major pros and cons surrounding home solar energy and wind power generators (excluding the obvious and tediously overstated points that these systems utilize renewable energy, don’t pollute while operating and reduce carbon footprints.):

DIY Solar Pros:

  • Noiseless Operation
  • Safe To Be Near Properly Installed Panels
  • Relatively Easy To Build And Install With Basic Understanding Of Electricity And Wiring
  • Downloadable Technical Guides And Online Support Available For DIYers
  • Minimal Maintenance Required
  • Minimal Space Requirements/Good Sense Use Of Roof Areas
  • Low Cost Recycled Components Available
  • Good Power Output With Multiple PV Panels
  • Time Tested, Proven And Popular Technology
  • Renewable Energy Tax Credits May Be Available

DIY Solar Cons:

  • Basic Understanding Of Wiring And Electricity Needed
  • Requires Consistent Direct Sunlight Away From Shaded Areas
  • Subject To Hail & Bird Damage/Breakage
  • Not Well Suited For Long Winter Northern Climes (Limited Daylight/Heavy Snow Removal)
  • Multiple Panels Needed To Fully Power House And Maintain Charged Batteries
  • Roof Mounted Solar Panels May Lower House Resale Value
  • Permit And Inspection Required In Most Locales

DIY Wind Pros:

  • Relatively Easy To Build And Install With Basic Understanding Of Mechanics/Electricity
  • Downloadable Technical Guides And Online Support Available For DIYers
  • Can Be Built From Low Cost New And Recycled “Other Use” Components
  • Good Power Output Attainable
  • Time Tested, Proven Technology
  • Does Not Detract From House Curb Appeal/Resale Value
  • Attractive Alternative Energy System For Owners Of Rural Lots/Acreages/Farms
  • Renewable Energy Tax Credits May Be Available

DIY Wind Cons:

  • Proximity Noise May Be A Problem For Home Owner And Neighbors
  • Spinning Blades Can Be Lethal To Birds And Tree Squirrels
  • Subject To Damage Or Collapse From Severe Wind Conditions
  • Requires Open Space Free Of Trees And Utility LInes To Operate
  • Sufficient Yard Area Needed For Stabilizing Guy-Wires
  • Proximity Hazards If Improperly Grounded
  • Regular Maintenance Required
  • Power Output Limited By Turbine Size/Power Train Adequacy
  • A Basic Understanding Of Mechanics And Physics Needed
  • Not Suitable To All Locations – Consistent Wind Days Required
  • Not Popular With Some People Due To Noise And Hazard Potential
  • Permit And Inspection Required In Most Locales

It’s important to understand the pros and cons of these renewable home energy applications and the significance of proper construction and installation. For many experienced do-it-yourself enthusiasts the pros of both solar and wind power outweigh the cons and drives the spirit of experimenting with alternative home energy technology. For the first-timer the cons can certainly be challenging and quite daunting, but learning new skills and applying them for one’s benefit is what DIY is all about. If you are a DIYer (seasoned pro or brand new) with the motivation to reduce or eliminate your dependence on public utilities, and you are up to the challenges, then building and installing your own solar and/or wind energy systems can be a highly rewarding project. The best advice one can give is to do your homework, create a well planned system design and seek out help when you need it.

There are several very good and inexpensive DIY solar energy and wind power guides available on the web which will lead you step-by-step through your project. I urge everyone who wants to build and install their own home energy system to select a guide, study it well and use it as the foundation of their project. Two of the popular guides that I recommend are linked below for your convenience. These are two of the best in terms of detailed instruction and video quality but there other ones on the web which you may prefer. Be safe, be smart and most of all enjoy your DIY home energy projects.

Faine Morrison is a DIY home improvement enthusiast strongly bent towards saving money and going green when and wherever possible. If you enjoyed reading this article please take a moment to post a comment and twit this. And, if you share the author’s penchant for DIY home improvement and sustainable energy you’ll benefit from checking out these links: DIY Solar Panels And Wind Turbines and DIY Alternative Energy Solutions which are two of the do-it-yourself guides he recommends. Contact Author

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Faine_Morrison
http://EzineArticles.com/?Which-is-the-Best-Alternative-Energy-Choice-For-Novice-DIY-Enthusiasts—Solar-Or-Wind?&id=4030452

You Have the Power to Free Yourself From Big Money Energy

By Alison Wood on Wednesday, April 7th, 2010 | No Comments

In the last decade the global community has begun a dramatically shift from it’s acceptance of and willingness to rely upon fossil fuel energy generation. It is no longer “business as usual” in terms of how and where power is produced and consumed. Individuals, municipalities, states, and entire nations are more and more demanding that alternative energy be developed to lessen global pollution and the waste of limited natural resources. Granted the buzz words, ‘renewable,’ ‘sustainable,’ ‘alternative,’ ‘clean,’ ‘carbon footprint,’ and most of all, ‘green,’ have been kicked around long enough to have become cliche, but the heart of the issue remains pure. People everywhere want to move forward with new advances in clean energy technology.

While solar energy and wind power are far from being new concepts, they are the most obvious and readily available technologies for green and clean energy production. Recent advances in these energy technologies have caused a proliferation of solar and wind power generation undreamed of just a few years ago. We are now seeing massive solar array plants and gigantic wind turbine farms popping up even in the remotest regions of the globe. However, that is all big corporate development propped up by Wall Street mogul money and government tax and grant programs geared to produce trillion dollar profits. So what about the little guy? The people like you and me that just want to free themselves from the shackles of high energy costs and live a little ‘greener’ in the process.

Well, the news is both good and bad. Each and everyone of us has the opportunity before us to reduce or even eliminate our dependence on public power utilities. There is fast becoming a plethora of information on the web on how to build our own wind power and solar energy solutions. With a little skill and thoughtful research we can all find means of helping ourselves to cheaper power along with the “feel good” plus of reducing our personal pollution of the environment. Caution should be used with much of this information though. While there are very good resources available, much of what’s out there is so bad as to be pathetic. You should avoid any online product or system hyped as “free energy”, “endless energy” or the most criminal of all “magnetic perpetual motion energy”. These are red flags that scream ‘BOGUS’ as they wave in front of you. The scammers are out there poised to dupe you, so be warned.

As one who believes that if a thing is worth doing it’s worth doing yourself I always favor the creativity, self reliance and pride that comes with any DIY project. Solar and wind power installations are no exception to the rule. While the thought of doing anything electrical may be daunting to some, the fact is that well designed do-it-yourself home energy projects are not difficult. I have to wonder why anyone who can read, follow expert instructions and handle a few common tools would ever pay good money to someone else to do a job they can do themselves. I have to wonder why anyone wants to continue having a big chunk of their income sucked away every month by the power company when they can supply their own home energy needs.

If you are like-minded, want to be partially or completely independent of ‘big energy’, wish to green up your lifestyle, and have the wherewithall to create your own alternative energy supply then you need to consider your own do-it-yourself home solar and/or wind turbine project. Not only can you do it, but you’ll benefit from the pride and self assurance that comes with the process. What a great bonus that is!

I’ve reviewed several of the DIY solar and wind guides selling on the web and found one that I particularly favor. It is well written in understandable terms and provides easy to use step-by-step written and video instructions. There’s a link below to this system for anyone interested in learning more about freeing themselves from corporate energy, saving money and living clean and green.

Faine Morrison is a DIY home improvement enthusiast strongly bent towards saving money and going green when and wherever possible. If you enjoyed reading this article please take a moment to post a comment and twit this. And, if you share the author’s penchant for DIY home improvement and sustainable energy you’ll benefit from checking out DIY Solar Panels, one of the do-it-yourself guides he recommends. fainemorrison.woodmors@gmail.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Faine_Morrison
http://EzineArticles.com/?You-Have-the-Power-to-Free-Yourself-From-Big-Money-Energy&id=4027357

Live Off the Grid, Save Money, and Be Independent of the Power Company

By Alison Wood on Sunday, April 4th, 2010 | No Comments

Solar power and wind power are familiar to millions throughout the world as the primary sources of sustainable energy. For decades we’ve all seen the advantages of capturing and using solar energy in everything from tiny photovoltaic cells on calculators to the vast corporate utilities’ solar arrays. Wind energy has been used for centuries to power everything from sailing ships to the early grist mills that once dotted Holland and other European countries.

Recent advances in tech, design and materials have given us the huge wind turbines we now see popping up on the hills and plains around the world. Governments and mega-corporations are now jumping into renewable energy development in ways not dreamed of just twenty years ago. Does this mean we will all benefit from cheap energy as fossil fuel, nuclear and hydro power give way to green energy? No! That won’t happen in this lifetime nor anytime.

Many billions in capital investment is required for personnel, materials, construction, and infrastructure to green up the world’s power grid. Once the utilities have recovered their huge initial outlay they aren’t suddenly going to lower their rates. When we plug our appliances, hybrid cars, tools, and toys into the new green grid we will pay just as dearly for electricity as we do now and probably much more. But hold on, there’s a sweet upside to green energy tech for all of us workaday common folks so don’t get off the bus to Greenville just yet!

That upside is based on one very special principle. Simply put, the governments and power companies don’t own the sun and they don’t own the wind. Anyone with the desire can tap into these natural resources independent of the grid by installing their own solar and wind power generators. Energy systems scaled to single home use are readily available from commercial contractors, home improvement stores and expertly written do-it-yourself solar panel and wind turbine plans and guides.

While the cost of hiring a contractor to install retail solar or wind power generators may be prohibitive to many, the do-it-yourself option is very affordable and doable by anyone who can read and use a few basic tools. Certainly there are challenges to DIY energy projects but by using a well produced text and video guide you’ll easily overcome these. There are several excellent guides available on the web for less than $50 that provide complete solutions to building and installing your own solar and wind power systems. If you choose to shop for a guide, then be sure you select one that provides step-by-step written and video plans and that offers 24/7 consumer support.

Off grid living with your own solar, wind or both systems in place can mean partial or complete independence from power bills and the forever recurring rate hikes. Whether you pay less each month or never pay again depends only on how extensive you want to make your green energy project. Over time you can easily save thousands by going off grid, and if you build and install your own renewable energy supply you’ll save several thousand dollars over commercial installations.

Faine Morrison is a DIY home improvement enthusiast strongly bent towards saving money and going green when and wherever possible. If you enjoyed reading this article please take a moment to post a comment and twit this. And, if you share the author’s penchant for DIY home improvement and sustainable energy you’ll benefit from checking out DIY Solar Panels, one of the do-it-yourself guides he recommends. Contact Author.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Faine_Morrison
http://EzineArticles.com/?Live-Off-the-Grid,-Save-Money,-and-Be-Independent-of-the-Power-Company&id=4018040

Gardening With Kids

By Alison Wood on Sunday, February 28th, 2010 | No Comments

Gardening with kids is a wonderful activity. It is amazing to see the astonishment on a young child’s face when something that they planted begins to grow! Older kids can be involved in the whole process of planning out, planting, watering and harvesting.

Gardening does not offer the instant rewards that many children expect of life these days. It can help them to learn patience as well as the importance of taking care of things over a period of time. Kids who are used to getting everything they want immediately in our electronic age can benefit greatly from a return to old fashioned activities like this.

So what should you grow when gardening with kids? Flowers, vegetables and herbs can all be used. If there is something that they particularly like to eat, for example cucumber, that would be ideal. Try to plan so that different things will be ready at different times. Flowers often appear quickly and a child can take great pride in creating a flower arrangement for the table from his or her own garden.

With small children, less is often better. Just a tray of seeds in the house or a container in the yard will be enough. At first, they will rush to it every day to see if something has appeared. Later, you can enjoy measuring the growing plant with them, or counting leaves and flowers.

Of course you will want to avoid poisonous plants if you have very young children. Check all the plants that you are thinking of using, because you may be surprised at what is poisonous. For example, tomato and potato leaves are toxic. With older children, you may decide to go ahead with plants like these and simply warn them. After all, they will come across poisonous plants in nature and most parents would agree that it is better for them to be knowledgeable than ignorant.

The garden also offers an opportunity to talk to kids about difficult subjects including death and reproduction in a very natural setting. Having a child around plants is a good reason not to use pesticides, but they will no doubt come across predators feeding on insects. They may also be unhappy when plants die off at the end of the season. This can be a gentle first lesson in the sad fact of life that even what we love most can die.

If you have no interest in gardening yourself, it may be better not to fake it. Kids can usually tell and their own enthusiasm will quickly die. Instead, consider asking your parents or in-laws to take on this activity with them, if they are keen gardeners. Older people often love to grow things too and gardening with kids can create a wonderful bond between grandparents and their grandkids.

Finding The Right Organic Gardening Book For You

By Alison Wood on Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 | No Comments

Organic gardening books can be very useful for anybody who wants to begin gardening in the organic way. This means, of course, avoiding use of any harmful chemical pesticides or fertilizers. In addition, if you want a truly organic garden, you will need to begin from seeds or bedding plants that have been raised the organic way.

When you are choosing organic gardening books there are certain things that you should look out for. Keep in mind that there is no need to choose a book that gives a lot of information about different plants. You can get that information from any gardening book. What you need from a book about organic gardening is the information that is specific to working in your garden in the natural way.

Pest Control

Organic gardening books will normally contain some information on pest control. This is an important subject because the green gardener will not use most of the common pesticides and sprays that can be found in plant nurseries. Instead, you will want to know about pest control methods that are less harmful to the environment.

There are some natural methods of killing certain pests that you can learn about from books about organic gardening. In addition, there are many methods of keeping pests out of your garden without actually killing them. These include adding certain plants to your garden that pests do not like, constructing your beds in a way that deters others, and encouraging predators that will feed on the pests, including birds, ladybugs and other plant-friendly insects.

Which method of pest control should you use? It depends on the range of plants that you are growing. Therefore, a good organic gardening book will have a large section on the different types of pest control that are suitable for different plants.

Planting Plan

How you plant your organic garden is very important to the health of the plants. Many organic gardeners like to follow a system of ‘companion planting’ where plants that will support each other are planted close together. Organic gardening books often carry a list of companion plants.

It is also useful to think about which plants should be close to the house. Organic gardeners will think not only about the appearance of their garden when laying it out, but also about practical aspects such as keeping plants that need a lot of care close to the house, and also those that you will be harvesting often, such as herbs.

Fertilizer

Finally, your chosen volume should include information on how to put goodness back into the soil. Methods can include plant rotation and composting as well as using store bought fertilizer or manure. You can expect to learn how to get the absolute best from your garden and its soil in organic gardening books.

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