Posts Tagged: project

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31
Aug 10

Solar Power On The Go

Solar Power On The Go

…In the early days of solar power there were huge installations necessary to make use of this energy source. The solar panels that were needed were larger than the average full grown man. This made the collection of solar power a bit of a challenge. Therefore making use of solar power was not suitable of everyone. It was expensive and a bit of a chore as well.
These huge solar panels still exist in solar power plants, which produce energy for certain parts of the world. But over the years technological advancements have made solar power affordable and portable enough so common people can use it for their everyday lives. Nowadays solar panels have become so small that pocket calculators use these as an alternative power source to the usual single cell batteries.
But the use of portable solar power did not stop with the use of pocket calculators. Numerous inventions have made use of portable solar power and some of these are available all over the world. Let’s take of look at 5 affordable uses of portable…

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Solar Power On The Go

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21
Aug 10

Japan’s space agency planning space-based solar power arrays

We’ve seen some pretty out there solar installations, but JAXA, the Japanese space agency, is about to get really far out with its latest project: a space-based solar array that beams power back to Earth. The agency is set to begin testing on the microwave power transmission system on February 20th, with an attempt to beam enough power

…1. This wouldn’t beam concentrated sunlight onto solar panels on the ground. 2. This would use a thing called a “rectenna”, which are generally pretty reasonably efficient at converting microwave energy into dc current (but not so the other way around).3. A big part of what makes this so appealing is that in orbit, you get around 8 times more sunlight per panel. So you can generate lots more power in a relatively small and light package. 4. We get hit with microwaves all the time. This wouldn’t be any different. Since the antennas will have to be fair sized (we’re talking kilometers), the actual energy density won’t be real high. The big problem is that to be worth it, you’d be putting something larger then most terrestrial projects into orbit, and that you’re looking at - essentially - building something never before even attempted. There’s also issues to do with (for example) debris and radiation degrading the panels. And of course, this would be the military target to beat all military…

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Japan’s space agency planning space-based solar power arrays

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27
Jul 10

Holmes on Reserve Homes

WINNIPEG - No matter where he goes, Canada’s most trusted handyman draws a crowd. Mike Holmes was in Winnipeg today, not to overhaul any houses, but to create new and better housing in First Nations communities across the country. Holmes and National Chief Shawn Atleo have developed a pilot project to improve living conditions for First Nations people. Atleo says First nations face a housing crisis across the country. It’s something he has experienced firsthand. Just like many other communities, his hometown of Ahousat, north of Tofino, is plagued by black mould. Unsafe drinking water is another of the many problems. The pilot project will retrofit existing homes and build new homes in First Nations communities while incorporating green technologies and clean energy. Holmes says the projects will be LEED certified. But the million dollar questions: Who will pay for the pilot project? “I’m going tob e giving a lot of my life and my company into this because it’s for the right reasons,” says Mike Holmes. The first community hasn’t been picked yet. Holmes says they are working to find the right community. There’s no question the people of Ahousat would like their community to be the chosen one. The pilot project will also help to employ people living on First Nations and generate revenue from utilizintg new technologies like solar power. Chiefs at the Annual General Assembly are happy with the announcement. “I hope he can send a strong message to educate people,” says Leon …

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25
Jul 10

Solar Lily Pads Could Soon Power Largest City in Scotland

In a stunning example of biomimicry, Scottish architecture firm ZM Architecture have come up with a brilliant scheme to provide solar power to the city of Glasgow - and do so in a way that is provocative, creative, and aesthetically appealing. Large lily-shaped discs which harness solar power could soon be seen floating on the River Clyde.

…’t see the advantages at all, but I can think of technical challenges. Cleaning. Keeping birds and other life forms off. The output of an entire string is compromised when a shadow falls on any one part of it- at least on my arrays. The insidiously penetrating nature of water. Angle as someone already pointed out. Shading the river. Creating new habitat (could be good, could be bad.. especially for the panels). All in all, this seems like a creative idea out of useful context with all those rooftops out there….

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Solar Lily Pads Could Soon Power Largest City in Scotland

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19
Jun 10

Could Solar Power Satellites Beam Down Gigawatts of Energy?

How pie-in-the-sky is Ben Bova’s space satellite scheme? Mr. Bova, the president emeritus of the National Space Society and a prolific science fiction author, calling on the next president to build an armada of solar power satellites (SPS) — basically large accumulations of solar cells — to help meet a substantial chunk of our energy needs

…launching it into space successfully would be a whole other story.

Over time, as economies of scale take hold and component prices drop, the scheme would begin to look much more appealing. How long that will take, though, is anybody’s guess. We have the technologies in place — solar, satellite and microwave — but putting everything together (and making sure it all works) will be a tremendous challenge.

Assessing the potential spillover benefits
Such a large-scale project would definitely provide a boost to our ailing economy, creating both many new jobs and contracts for a variety of companies, and it would give NASA a worthy new pursuit. Bova suggests making NASA’s primary goal the construction of a demonstration model SPS able to deliver 10 to 100 megawatts of power by the end of the president’s second term. It’s hard to imagine either a President Obama or President McCain having the stomach to fund such a project if it doesn’t start making measurable progress sooner — 8 years is a long time to wait…

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Could Solar Power Satellites Beam Down Gigawatts of Energy?

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14
Jun 10

Passive Solar Air Heater Heating System Alternative Energy

This is a video of the Passive Solar Heating System in use at www.envirosponsible.com in Whitby, Ontario, Canada. It provides a great deal of heat, and the installer, Chris, will be making it more effecient by adding a second computer fan to push the warm air at the top, painting the inside better and taping the duct work. Also, the duct work will be directed into the office where the door can be closed and used in a smaller air mass. This kind of heater is ideal for urban survival and bugging in, since it requires no power input and is cheap and easy to make. It’s not just for strawbale, cob, cabins, cottages, earth ships or businesses. They can be installed on a home, and they look great when done right. Ragnar Benson would be proud. Visit our site at envirosponsible.com or call us at 905-666-2002.

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23
Apr 10

Artist making solar power project at UB

A world renowned artist from California has won a global competition to design a massive solar power project for the UB’s North Campus.

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14
Apr 10

Kibera solar power project

Kibera residents are celebrating the arrival of some much needed help from above. Well, a new solar energy technology is changing lives in the slum. The technology which is now being rolled in rural villages as well, promises to save lives and money.

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6
Apr 10

Project Earth: Solar Power Plant

Our sun sends us more energy than we can use. So how do we go about using it? Watch more at dsc.discovery.com

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3
Apr 10

Oregon Launching First Solar Highway in the US

In Oregon, road side solar panels will power the highway it sits next to.

…Ariel Schwartz, this article would be much better if it was written for people who don’t know about this project, rather than those who do. We have to make assumptions as to what powering the project’s location means, explaining acronyms PGE and anwering the other questions already listed in this blog. It is also unclear what this system does during the day and night in working with PGE. It would also be helpful to know if all that is going into this project really is efficient generation of electricity. Good start at presenting an interesting idea. Thanks anyway!…

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Oregon Launching First Solar Highway in the US

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