Monthly Archives: October 2008

Biofuels: Are they really a serious substitute to oil?

Americans have become increasingly dependent on oil to fuel their homes, their cars and their lives. Our increased reliance on gasoline has reached a dangerous tipping point and could lead to economic and environmental peril. Unless we decide to seriously cut our heavy usage of oil, we could be looking at a world of environmental damage and immensely high prices at the fuel tanks.

In recent years, scientists, researchers and environmentalists have been coming up with ways to solve the energy and environmental crisis. So far, we have been successful in harnessing energy from natural resources such as the sun, wind, tides and water.

However, with America’s increased use and demand in the transport sector, an alternative to oil is needed to cut our reliance on imports. The answer lies in biofuels.

Biofuels are simply fuel that is made from plants and their materials. Currently, ethanol, which is the product of corn kernels, is the world’s major biofuel. And in just a few years time, cellulosic biofuels made from plants’ leaves and stalks could effectively fill our fuel needs while not simultaneously contributing to pollution. Who knew that the answer to our energy needs and environmental concerns is in our backyards.

With recent developments and technological advancements, biofuels could soon be ready to compete with gas at the fuel pumps. And here are some of the reasons why, in the next few years, biofuels can effectively substitute oil to fill up your gas tank:

  • Biofuels are cost-effective and can even be priced lower than gas and diesel
  • Biofuels can reduce pollution. With more cars making the switch to biofuels, vehicle emissions will be reduced as biofuel is a clean and zero-emission way to power your car
  • Biofuels will benefit the farmers by providing a new source of revenue. The recent advancements and demand in the renewable energy sector has generated more jobs for people in the agricultural sector. This obviously has a disadvantage of raising commodity prices, but this trend isn’t going anywhere soon.

Global Warming – The Story

The signs that our planet is sending can be ignored no longer. Nature is changing its course. Powerful storms, more intense droughts, warmer weathers, heat waves, gigantic fires and continual melting of the polar ice caps are a constant occurrence and a part of the daily evening news. Experts think these are all signs of global warming – symptoms of an ailing planet in the throes of a coma.

What is global warming?

Many have said that global warming is a problem for future generations. However, its arrival cannot be denied anymore and there is compelling and mounting evidence that it is now taking place.

Here are some of the signs:

  • The last 12 years have been recorded as the warmest on record for global surface temperature.
  • For the past 50 years, the rate of warming has increased twofold.
  • Severe weather events have taken place more regularly in the past 50 years.
  • There has been a reported temperature increase of 1-degree Fahrenheit in most of the United States over the past century.

All these point to one of the most serious challenges we as a people have to face.

As the planet gets warmer, there will be noticeable changes in rainfall patterns, a rise in sea levels, and a wide range of impacts on plants, wildlife, and humans.

Global warming is a naturally occurring phenomenon and is even necessary to maintain life on the planet and enable survival. It is responsible for keeping the earth’s temperature at a comfortable level, 60°F to be exact. However, the emission of pollutants into the atmosphere has fast-tracked global warming at alarming levels. Our planet has been growing increasingly warmer by 1°F over the past century and is at its warmest state today than at any other point in the millennium. The notable increase in temperature and the terrifying disturbances in the weather are difficult to deny. Our world is definitely growing hotter.

The signs of global warming have been manifesting themselves for years. Heat waves, rise in sea levels, warming of the poles and melting glaciers have longed warned us of a meteorological calamity that has now arrived. Furthermore, as global warming becomes more frequent, continuous and widespread, recent events are an omen of an impending catastrophe. The spread of disease, earlier onset of spring, plant and animal changes, coral reef bleaching, downpours, fires and droughts are the disastrous effects brought about by the changing climate.

Cause of global warming

Greenhouse gases are naturally released into the atmosphere as part of nature’s innate processes, it is man and his blatant disregard for his environment that is the cause of the unnatural global warming that we experience today.

The main culprit of global warming is the pollutants emitted from the burning of fossil fuel. When coal or oil is burned, they release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These toxins trap the sun’s heat, thus causing the earth to heat up. Coal-burning power plants and automobiles are the largest source of carbon dioxide pollution, emitting billions of tons of toxic fumes into our fragile atmosphere each year.

Effects of global warming

As the concentration of greenhouse gases swells, the sun’s heat is trapped in the atmosphere and cannot be released back into space. Trapped sunlight causes temperatures to rise, thus drastically changing climate and altering weather patterns. Nature then behaves uncharacteristically – seasons become shorter, coastal flooding more frequent and storms more severe.

Most alarming of all are the melting of the polar ice caps. This causes sea levels to rise, thus throwing the global ecosystem out of whack. A snowballing effect is certain to ensue – increased temperatures will bring about changes in landscape, thus making it extremely difficult for plants and animals to survive.

Humans are not immune from the devastating effects of global warming. Desertification, or the expansion of deserts, will render large areas of the world uninhabitable. Droughts and floods could create food and water shortages and trigger widespread migration and even war.

Global warming is here and its effects are inevitable. Despite this upsetting news, there is a positive side. Worldwide efforts have been made to find solutions to minimize the effects of global warming such as cutting down energy use, mobilizing renewable resources, and employing alternative sources of energy. Only man’s collective efforts at reversing his own misdoings can recover our planet. It is about time we start to care.

Global Warming: What we can do about it

“Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.”

Mark Twain

2005 was the hottest year ever. In fact, the last few years have been the warmest years on record. Global temperatures are 1.0F warmer than they were a year ago – and the heat is accelerating at a breakneck pace.

Hurricanes and storms have increased in number and intensity over the years. Hurricane Katrina and the Indian Ocean tsunami were not mere coincidences. Meteorologists have reached a consensus that the onslaught of super typhoons and intense tornadoes are brought about by the unnatural changes in the climate. The increased level of pollutants trapped in the earth’s atmosphere is causing global warming, thus making our weather patterns go awry. These natural disasters have caused billions in property damage, as well as the loss of countless lives.

Polar bears are in danger of extinction. We have lost sea ice the size of Texas. Some scientists are predicting that 2040 could be the Artic’s first ice-free summer. All these are signs of global warming and a planet collapsing under the strain of pollution and mismanagement.

Melting polar ice caps. Earlier springs. Rising sea levels. Extinction of species. Coral reefs are dying. Super storms and mega hurricanes. Killer bees. Nature has indeed unleashed its fury. Yet there is still something we can do about it!

Americans account for most of the world’s pollution. This is easily supported by statistics which reveal that although we only account for 5% of the world’s population, we are responsible for 25% of global pollution emissions. These embarrassing figures need to change – and fast.

As an average citizen, there is always something you can do. Switch to a fuel-efficient or eco-friendly vehicle, walk when you can, Carpool. Change your light bulbs from incandescent to fluorescent, Invest in solar panels, support eco-friendly products and establishments, minimize your use of plastic, unplug rarely used appliances, plant a tree. A single person can make a dent. All of us can make a difference.

Solar Power for Homes

Instead of getting the latest plasma TV or SubZero refrigerator, why not do something good for your family, your electricity bill and the environment by making your home solar powered?

A solar-powered house is one where a photovoltaic solar power system is constructed to provide for the household’s electricity needs. Most of the time, equipping a house for solar power is done through the placement of solar panels on the roof in a direction where exposure to the sun’s rays will be maximized.

Solar panels capture the sun’s heat and light, and convert it into electricity to power appliances, heat swimming pools and run cooling systems.

In some cases, the entire electricity needs of a home can be met by solar energy. Of course, aside from the power needs, factors such as the location of the home, weather and seasons have to be considered. In most cases though, homeowners opt for a hybrid system wherein solar energy acts as a supplement to traditional energy.

Quite a few people are concerned that solar panels would make their home unsightly. Well don’t fret, the days of bulky and cumbersome solar panels are over. Today’s latest crop of solar panels are sleek and streamlined. Newer models are made with aesthetics in mind and are meant to fit and blend in with even multi-faceted roofs.

So why go solar? The energy that the sun provides our planet in a day is enough to support human consumption for a year. However, much of this remains untapped and unutilized as many are still reluctant to make the switch to solar power. But for those who are, solar panels do more than just save our environment. They lessen our country’s reliance on foreign oil imports and more importantly, reduce your home’s electricity bill.

Despite a substantial initial investment, powering your home with solar energy will definitely be cost-effective in the long run. Those expensive Italian mosaic tiles or luxurious leather sofas will not give you this kind of return on investment. In terms of home improvements, going solar indeed gives you the biggest bang for your buck.

Future Cars: Running on Solar Power

The sun. The Solar system’s greatest source of energy provides the earth with more heat and light for a day than the human population can consume in a year. Harnessing the sun as an alternative source of energy has become an exciting and promising venture.

So far, solar energy has been used to run appliances, heat water, cool buildings, generate electricity and yes – power solar cars.

Solar powered cars are obviously fueled by the sun – but how does this technology work? The car is built carrying hundreds of photovoltaic cells that absorb and convert sunlight into energy. Instead of using a petrol tank like a normal car does, solar vehicles carry a solar-powered battery system. To optimize speed and minimize energy expenditure, solar cars are often ingeniously designed according to the laws of physics and aerodynamics. With a zany appearance and operating at zero emissions and no need for fossil fuel, solar-powered cars are just the thing that the environment and our wallets need.

Both the government and automobile manufacturers have recognized the need to develop the technology of solar cars. Thus, government agencies usually sponsor solar car races to promote the development of energy alternatives to fossil fuel. These races are usually joined in by university students, who show off their technological and engineering skills by building their very own solar cars.

But making a car with the race in mind is a whole different story. Here, application of the good old laws of science and a hefty dose of common sense is essential. Solar car racing teams have to design their cars for maximum performance on the day of the race for whatever weather conditions.

Solar race cars take on a battery, which the car can rely on in the absence of a hot sunny day. Batteries are necessary as they store the sun’s energy, thus making it possible to run the car when the sun is hidden. Without batteries, solar cars would be rendered useless as they will completely stop at night or cloudy days. However, the builders have to be careful (and this is where science and expertise come in), as redirecting too much of solar energy to the battery will mean the engine doesn’t run fast enough to propel the car.

This technology is starting to show great promise and I’m quite confident to say, solar-powered cars will definitely drive our future. So fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the ride.

Solar Energy is a Growth Industry

The industry behind solar energy is shining brighter than ever. Credit it to the global-wide environmental awareness, rising oil prices, dwindling supply of fossil fuels or threats of global warming. Scientists, economists and environmentalists predict that solar energy will only grow in popularity and demand in the coming years.

Here are some more encouraging facts, highlighting the growth of the solar energy industry in the past few years[1]:

  • In 1985, demand for the installation of solar panels was only 21 megawatts. A mere two decades later, this figure has grown exponentially as the world is now asking for almost 3,000 megawatts of photovoltaic cells.
  • The global demand for solar energy has grown at around 30% in the past 15 years. In the United States, this figure is much higher, as demand shows a 57% growth.
  • Aside from the US, Japan and Germany are the biggest markets for solar energy. This is largely due to funding provided by the government and market incentives.
  • Prices for photovoltaic cells and solar panel installations have consistently been declining in the past few years. This is due to the development of better technology and improved production methods in the manufacturing of these products.

We receive enough solar power in a day to meet human energy consumption for a year. If only a small amount of the suns output were harnessed, the world would not face such a massive energy crisis. The problem is that most of the solar energy remains unutilized. Unless more and more people invest in solar panels for their homes and solar power devices, the sun’s powerful energy will go to waste.

Moreover, unimaginable as it may seem, over a billion people in the world do not have access to electricity. Solar energy would be the cheapest and most efficient energy source available to them. As the price of photovoltaic cells and solar panels get lower, far-flung places in many countries can finally enjoy the benefits of electricity through solar power.

Solar energy is definitely a promising industry. Its growth also heralds in cheaper electricity bills, a cleaner environment – and an overall positive change for humanity.

Solar Products for You and the Environment

There are many ways to put sunlight to practical use. A quick look at your nearest home improvement store will reveal a host of gizmos and gadgets that are powered by solar energy. Equipped and improved with the latest technology, nifty solar products are now more ingenious and useful – as they continue to inspire us to make the switch to solar.

  • Solar lights. Outdoor solar garden lights usher in a whole new revolution in lighting and landscaping. Aside from being environmentally friendly, the latest breed of solar lights are now more functional and aesthetically pleasing. Equipped with LED lights, these outdoor solar gadgets last longer and shine brighter. What’s also great about solar lights is that there is no need for wiring to connect to an energy source. Thus, they can be placed and moved around anywhere you want them to fit your lighting needs.
  • Solar water heaters. From the one-million gallon pool used in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics to virtually all homes in Israel, India and Greece, solar water heaters are all the rage. What is great about this technology is that manufacturers create different types of heaters to fit all needs, residential or commercial. Solar heaters can either act as the primary source of heat or as a back-up to the conventional electric heater. It’s about time you heat up your bath and swimming pool with solar heaters.
  • Solar cookers. Ranging from the simple and homemade to the modern and high-tech. Solar cookers are a useful and eco-friendly alternative to conventional cooking. Perhaps its greatest and most noble purpose yet is humanitarian. Widely used in African villages and refugee camps in Darfur, solar cookers have greatly improved the lives of many people. Women no longer have to leave the safety of their refugee camps to gather firewood and families can save on cooking fuel by going solar.
  • Solar cars. Though yet to be available to the general public, the government, scientists and economists recognize that the future of transportation could well be powered by solar cars. Though vehicles can be powered on solar energy alone, the cars of the future would most probably run on a hybrid of solar and traditional gasoline. Still, there is one thing we know for sure: our spending at the fuel pump will definitely be much lower.

So take the road less traveled and make the switch to solar. The key to saving the environment is available at a store near you.

Solar Power – A Beginners Guide

The sun is the greatest of source of energy in out small solar system, and as the fossil fuels we greedily consume gradually run out we need to consider alternative sources to fill the hole these dwindling resources are leaving. And one alternative that shows great potential is Solar Power. Since we discovered the science of photovoltaics, ingenious engineers and entrepreneurs have managed to turn the sun’s rays into usable energy to power all types of appliances, from water heaters, light bulbs, garden lights and even cars. Could solar energy be the answer to our global environmental problem and fuel shortage? We certainly hope so. Combined with other renewable alternative sources of energy, the use of solar power could just be our key to a brighter, less fossil fuel-reliant future.

Solar power is simply the utilization of the sun’s radiation into heat or electricity. And in recent years, the use of solar power as an alternative source of energy has become more popular than ever. With our increased care in the environment coupled with the rising prices and dwindling supply of fossil fuel, the industry behind solar power is growing faster than ever. Technology has also made the sun useful in more ways than we thought possible.

How does solar power work?

The process involved is quite simple. Solar energy works by converting the sun’s rays into heat using solar thermal collectors for heating water, and solar panels to supply power to the appliances in a home. With solar collectors, heat is captured from the sun in glass tubes, which then heat the water. With solar panels, radiation is retrieved and collected from the sun.
When the sun’s rays hit the solar panels, they are absorbed by semiconductors such as silicon (the material solar panels are typically made of.) The process causes electrons to be knocked off from their atoms, allowing them to flow through the material, thus generating electricity.

Solar power homes

If you are looking for a way to reduce your electricity bill while saving the world at the same time, powering your home with solar energy just might be the answer. A solar powered home is simply one that uses a photovoltaic solar power system to supply power to the home. Normally, the method involves placing the system on the roof facing the south to maximize the exposure to daylight. Most of the time, the total energy requirement of a home can be supplied using the photovoltaic structure though most owners prefer to supplement conventional electricity with solar power.

Solar powered homes hold several advantages. Not only do you help conserve the planet’s dwindling supply of fossil fuel and natural gas, your wallet also benefits from a reduction in energy costs. Despite the substantial initial investment, going solar will definitely give you the best deal for your dollars in the long run. This is something a kitchen remodeling or a plasma screen just won’t do.

Solar powered cars

With the restrictively high price of gasoline and the toxic emissions automobiles churn out into the atmosphere, even cars are going solar. Solar powered cars are not a thing of the future. In fact, they just might go mainstream in the next few years. So just how does a powerful car engine run on sunlight? Simple. A barrage of solar cells transform the sun’s heat and light directly into electrical energy which powers the car. Solar powered cars are often made with unbelievably curious shapes as designers want to lessen the drag factor, maximize full exposure to the sun, decrease the weight, while maintaining safety and function.

Government and automobile manufacturers have realized the potential of solar cars and hold races each year to create the best and fastest design. Usually entered by university students, racers and developers show-off their engineering and design skills by building and running their very own solar car.

Solar power kits

And now, wiring your house for solar power comes in a box. And all you need to do is purchase a solar panel kit. Everything you need to get started is right here: solar panels, pre-wired modules, a battery pack and the all-important instructions. Unleash the handyman in you and install your own solar panels without needing to hire expensive professionals and electricians. Though not quite made for beginners, a kit is great for the experienced do-it-yourselfers. Not only does powering your home with solar energy drastically reduce your household’s electricity bill, a solar kit becomes incredibly handy in the event of power failures.

Solar energy is free of charge and the supply is infinite. Our planet’s greatest heat source leaves much to be untapped. Whether you want to save some dollars or do something for the environment, now just might be the time to make the switch to solar.

What are Solar Cells?

A lot of calculators never use batteries, some wristwatches don’t need rewinding and the cars of the future will not have to pass by a fuel pump ever again. The answer? It lies in solar energy – and the tiny silicon atoms that make up a solar cell.

Thanks to the wonderful science of photovoltaics – the field of study related to the technology and application of solar cells to produce energy – many products can now be powered by the sun. And it all just starts with a solar cell, the basic device that you need to convert solar energy into usable electricity.

In theory, how solar cells work is really quite simple. Tiny particles called photons in sunlight are absorbed by the solar cell which is made from silicon (a semiconductor).

As sunlight hits the cell, the electrons inside the solar panels get ‘excited’ and start to move around, until they are knocked off from their atoms. They then flow through the silicon panel, creating electricity. The solar-generated energy can now be put to work – from lighting a bulb, heating a pool, cooling your house, or it can be stored in a battery for future use.

Now that you know the science and the principle behind the solar cells, perhaps you would like to give it a shot by making one in your very own home.

Using materials easily bought from the hardware store (i.e. a copper sheet and a simple micro-ammeter) and borrowing things from your very own kitchen (such as an electric stove and table salt), you can make your very own representation of a solar cell. However, do not plan on covering your entire roof with this homemade variety just yet. While it may be effective in illustrating the scientific concept of photovoltaics, it can probably power no more than a single light bulb.

Here Comes the Sun: Solar Energy at Work

On a hot day, a mother is drying her laundry on her backyard clothesline. Her son, a budding scientist, is holding a magnifying glass over blades of grass and watched them burn. Inside, her husband is balancing his checkbook using his trusty solar calculator. The mother checks her solar-powered wristwatch and heads back inside. It’s time.

Harnessing the Sun

Living with the sun is nothing new. Solar technology has been used by man for practical purposes since time immemorial. Legend has it that Greek soldiers used polished shields that reflect sunlight to blind their enemies. Romans have built the Pantheon around the sun, using daylighting techniques to provide natural interior illumination and to showcase the beauty of sunshine.

Global energy consumption drastically increased during the 19th century Industrial Revolution. The growth of factories necessitated the use of more powerful sources of energy such as wood and coal. Thus, energy sources rapidly transitioned from solar-based to fossil fuels. The oil embargo and energy crisis in recent decades led world leaders to rethink their energy policies and focus on developing alternative energy With the outpouring of environmental awareness, vast possibilities of solar power are once again being discovered and untapped.

Being able to utilize the sun to generate electricity is one of man’s greatest achievements. Though prehistoric man knew how to use bits of glass to reflect the sun’s rays to start a fire, the technology to directly turn sunlight into electricity is only a few decades old. Solar power is currently being used in agriculture, chemical and metal industries and in households. The use of evaporation ponds to get salt from sea water is one of its older applications. Single solar cells are used to power on calculators, wrist watches and highway signs. Solar water heaters heat swimming pools, greenhouses control the use of light to grow crops, solar distillation provides potable water to households, and solar energy provides the high temperature needed for metal smelting and chemical production.

How solar energy works

Solar energy – the energy from the sun in the form of heat or light – is being harnessed by technology that controls the use of the sun’s energy. Sunlight is converted into electricity by photovoltaics, a system which produces a reliable and non-polluting form of energy without using any fossil fuels.

Photovoltaic cells directly convert sunlight into electricity. Also known as solar panels, these cells are made up of the element silicon, the second most abundant material on earth. However, due to its difficulty to make, solar panels can still be quite expensive. To make the panels, silicon is heated to extremely high temperatures and chemicals such as boron and phosphorus are added. This makes the silicon atoms unstable so that when sunlight hits the solar panel, the modified silicon’s electrons are jarred, thus causing electricity to flow and provide electric power. When sunlight hits a solar panel, the electrons in the silicon start to move. This movement causes energy to flow through wires built inside the panels, producing electricity.

Pros and cons of solar energy

The biggest advantage of solar energy is that it is non-polluting. Unlike oil and fossil fuels, solar energy is a renewable resource. Solar cells are also easy to install and require very little maintenance. Although investing in solar panels can be a bit pricey at first, reduced electricity bills will definitely still save money in the long run. After all, the sun is ours for free.

The main disadvantage of solar energy is the restrictive financial cost of investment in solar panels. Installation also requires a large area, thus making solar power inefficient in places where space is expensive and limited. However, as newer technologies in solar energy develop, prices have dropped and more efficient styles are being produced. This is indeed very good news, as solar energy is increasingly becoming popular and available to many. Hopefully, this will encourage people to use solar energy for their electricity needs – not only because it is a hot, new trend but because it is right.