Solar Power Systems Increase Community Resilience

Today, solar power systems provide a highly effective way for communities to improve their chances for being better able to function in the case of potential widespread emergencies.

Communities must adapt to the many changing conditions and threats that can occur in the event of an emergency or natural disaster. Solar energy and renewable resources are key components to increasing both community adaptability and resilience.

Reduce Reliance on Fossil Fuels

Eventually, hydrocarbon fuels will become scarce, causing prices to skyrocket. It is only a matter of time before the country faces another fuel crisis. By adopting solar power systems, communities can protect themselves against future price volatility in the fossil fuel market.

Using solar energy to supplement or replace power from the electrical grid can reduce a community’s reliance on the unpredictable costs and business practices of utility companies. It can also lower energy costs substantially, which helps reduce future economic uncertainty.

Photovoltaic technology provides energy security, as local solar development ensures a reliable source of power, no matter what fuel crisis may arise.

Be Prepared for Emergencies

When a tornado, earthquake, flood or other natural disaster or emergency situation occurs, communities must be able to respond quickly with appropriate recovery efforts.

Lighting and communications are essential in the event of an emergency, as is power for critical operations. Solar power systems can provide electricity wherever and whenever it is needed.

Highway message signs and advisory radios powered by the sun can be used to convey important information. Photovoltaic vehicle laminates and portable solar generators can prepare communities to handle the effects of emergency or disaster situations.

Create Power Resilient Critical Facilities

Storms and other extreme weather events can knock the power out for days at a time.

Although hospitals and other critical facilities may have generators, the rest of the community can be left without energy. In addition, traditional generator power depends on the availability of fuel. Once the fuel supplies are gone, so is the electricity, leaving emergency shelters and mass care points without reliable sources of power.

Communities can use solar power to create critical facilities capable of meeting the public’s needs during and after an emergency situation. Medical centers and fire and police stations must be adaptable, functional and able to provide services throughout any crisis event.

Installing solar energy systems at these locations and at designated shelter areas will help ensure that emergency services are always able to respond to any disruptive event in the community.

Adopting solar power to address a growing community’s developing needs is of particular importance in lower-income areas, according to many experts. As PV power is renewable and cost-effective, solar energy can be used to bridge the gap between the poor and the well-off, helping to relieve more vulnerable populations from added suffering from the damaging aftereffects of a natural disaster or emergency situation.

Every community must address the matter of resilience now, to be adequately prepared for the future. Contact an experienced alternative energy expert in your area to learn more about how solar power systems can help to meet the changing needs of your community.

Stamping Your Digital Passport

People tell me they’re too busy. When I dig into what they’re doing, especially online, it’s a lot of “noise” but not a lot of signal. No one seems happy and everyone seems harried, and yet, people keep adding to their own problems.

Think About Vacations and Passports

Imagine traveling to a different country. Would you land at the airport, stand in line, wait for the immigrations and customs official to stamp your passport, only to turn around again and get back on another plane?

Continue Reading

The post Stamping Your Digital Passport appeared first on chrisbrogan.com.

Are Your Solar Powered Lights Not Working – What Could Be Wrong?

Solar powered lights are increasing in popularity throughout the world, providing you with a cost effective and environmentally friendly lighting solution that you can rely on and trust. There are times when your solar powered lights don’t perform as expected. This may be anything from them not giving off any light to them giving off too little lights. Knowing potential problems and what you need to do to rectify the situation can help you enjoy these energy saving lighting solutions now and in the future.

Before you start trying to identify why your solar powered lights are not working properly, you need to understand what they comprise of and how they work. These lights are made up of four important components; the battery, the sun, a controller and a LED light. The sun shines onto a solar panel which is highly absorbent, soaking up the natural light. The controller then converts this light to energy which is stored in the battery. In turn, when you turn on the lights, the battery powers the lights. This enables you to have light throughout the day and night, as and when needed.

When you have been using your lights for some time, you may notice that they start to dim, they may even only work for a short period of time. This can be a result of the battery no longer holding charge. It is common for these batteries to last between one to two years, after this time you need to change them to continue enjoying your solar powered lights. Think of these as your phone battery, you need them to charge and then discharge. A battery can only manage so much of this demanding abuse before it starts slowing down.

This can be a result of the battery not charging properly. It is advisable to speak to he company where you purchased your solar powered lights to see if they have an ideas on what the issues could be. It may be something as simple as changing the battery or the controller without having to replace the entire unit.

It is also important to remember that the earth is constantly moving, which means the sun doesn’t stay in the same location at all times. You need to carefully place the panel to ensure it gets maximum sun exposure on a daily basis, throughout summer and winter. As you know from getting sunburn, the sun’s dangerous rays can still get through clouds, so even on a cloudy day you will find that your batteries will charge and your solar powered lights will work.

Another important thing to remember when you are storing your solar powered lights is to remove the batteries. This will reduce the strain on the battery and help the item last that bit longer. See this as your car. When going away for long periods, you disconnect the car battery to ensure it doesn’t cause unnecessary drain and reduce the risk of the battery not working on your return.

Always ensure that when buying solar powered lights that you only buy from a reputable and reliable company with years of knowledge and experience in the industry. The quality of the solar powered lights is imperative to how long they live and how well they work.

When you buy lower quality while trying to get the most for your budget, you may find that the batteries don’t hold charge and that you are constantly running out of power when you need it most.

YOU Make Yourself Busy

When people tell me “I know you’re probably really busy,” I always answer that I’m not. For unknown reasons, 100% of people laugh when I say that. I think they think I’m being funny or silly or sarcastic. But it’s true. I’m not busy. I’m blessed.

YOU Make Yourself Busy

I like playing video games. Right now, I like Destiny. It’s made by the folks who created Halo (Hi, Bungie!). I play that a bit when I’m in between other more brain-grinding work. I go to the gym. I like cooking for myself.

Continue Reading

The post YOU Make Yourself Busy appeared first on chrisbrogan.com.

4 Questions to Ask Before Investing in Solar Panels

Installing solar panels on your roof allows you to generate free, clean energy while reducing your bills and helping the environment. PV solar panels are becoming increasingly common across the UK as more people begin to understand the huge benefits that they bring. However, before you invest, it is a good idea to ask a few key questions to help you to decide whether they are right for your home.

Here are some of the questions that you should be asking before you make an investment in solar power.

1. Is Your Roof Suitable?

The first most obvious question you have to ask is whether you have a suitable roof to take advantage of solar PV panels. Solar panels produce the most electricity when they are installed on roofs that face south. However, your roof does not have to face directly south to generate electricity. You can still install PV panels on your roof even if it does not face mainly south, but the result is that it will generate less free electricity for you.

Another issue you have to consider is whether your roof is strong enough. Solar panels are quite heavy, so if you have a weak roof that cannot hold their weight it will not be safe to install them. If you do not know whether your roof is strong enough or not, always ask a specialist to find out.

2. Do You Require Planning Permission?

The majority of buildings in the UK will not require planning permission in order to get solar panels installed. However, there is a chance that you may need to, and this is most likely to happen if you live in a listed building or within a conservation area. The size of the PV panels themselves may also affect whether you need planning permission or not, so always find out before investing in your panels.

3. Can You Afford Solar Panels?

Solar panels require a large initial investment, and can cost anything from £5,000 upwards for an average system that produces about 4kW. Prices vary, but this is a good average. If you cannot afford to pay for yours outright, however, you may be able to take advantage of the government’s Green Deal, where you will pay for the panels in the years following their installation through the savings that you make on your electricity bills.

4. What Type of Building Do You Live In?

It may be more difficult to install solar PV panels if you live in an apartment, a property with a flat roof or a small terraced house without much roof space. If you live in such a property, always ask a specialist in solar panels before you buy your system so that they can advise you on whether your property is suitable.

Conclusion

Choose Solar Power for Free, Clean Energy

There is nothing better than generating your own energy from the sun by using PV solar panels. However, despite all the benefits, they are not always suitable for every home. To find out whether solar panels are right for you, consider asking the questions above before you make the investment, as these will help you to make the right decision in your circumstances.

How Solar Energy Systems Work and How They Benefit You

All around the world and especially in the US, people are adopting lifestyles that benefit the earth by limiting chemical use, power use, and just all around choosing to “go green”. One of the ways that people are changing their lifestyles is by using alternative forms of energy that save money. Today you can learn how systems fueled by solar energy can be useful in your own household. Utility expenses will dramatically decrease and you’ll be able to save big time. You will also have peace of mind from knowing that your lifestyle is benefiting your environment and health by utilizing natural resources.

If you are wondering what solar energy is and how it works, here’s your chance to find out. This type of energy basically comes from the sun. Yes, the same yellow fire ball that sits up in the sky shining down on us all can be used as a source of energy right inside your own home. Of course the sun is used for more than just providing beautiful days outdoors. Today there are different sun fueled systems that you can choose from for your house that will effectively run the daily activities of your home in a more cost effective manner.

To explain things simply, panels can be installed upon the top of your house. The sunlight that shines upon the rooftop will then be transformed into electricity. This electricity from the sun can then be converted into the exact electricity that you use in your household. It is quite simple. As mentioned earlier, there are different types of sun fueled energy systems that can be installed within the home. Other systems include the sun energy system that controls the hot water in your home. This process involves the sun’s heat warming liquid through the roof and heating the water tank then traveling back to the roof to continue the cycle.

There are many great benefits to having solar energy systems in your home. As mentioned earlier it will be cost efficient. Your electricity bill will not be the same because you are using natural power. Another great benefit is that it is safe, natural, and harmless. Energy from the sun does not produce chemicals or gases that pollute the environment at all. And as long as the sun exists, there will always be this type of energy available. It’s priceless. And because of how the sun works, this type of energy is available anywhere, even away from your home.

You have always been aware of the sun, but you probable have never thought fully about all that it can do. The sun provides you with warmth, light, and beauty. But it can do this in so many ways. Making the switch to solar energy systems can be the best decision you will make for you and your family. The costs to install these systems are well worth it. You will see results and also save so much money. And you will also be contributing to a healthier earth.

Mike Vardy on Productivity

I really enjoyed talking to Mike Vardy about productivity in this latest episode of my podcast. If you’re not a regular listener, be sure to stay for the part after the credits:

Continue Reading

The post Mike Vardy on Productivity appeared first on chrisbrogan.com.

What Goes on Inside a Solar Panel?

A solar panel is a device which converts light into electricity. They are erected on roofs or buildings which face the sun. Many scientists call these solar panels photovoltaic’s, which means in simple terms “light electricity”. To understand what goes on inside a solar panel you have to understand what they are made of.

A solar panel is made of a collection of solar cells which generate electricity directly from visible light which relies on the photoelectric effect. The photoelectric effect is the name given to describe what happens when light is shone onto a certain type of material which absorbs photons but releases electrons. When these free electrons are captured, you get an electric current which can be used as electricity. The famous physicist Einstein actually won the Nobel Prize in 1921 for work explaining the photoelectric effect.

Solar cells are based on semiconductor physics. Semiconductors are a class of materials such as silicon, carbon and germanium which can conduct electricity making them a good medium for the control of electrical current. Crystalline silicon is mainly used in solar cells and the material just happens to be one of the most common elements on earth. An individual solar cell is designed with a positive and negative layer to create an electric field just like in a battery. Sunlight is made of photons, so as photons are absorbed into the cell, their energy causes electrons to become free which then move towards the bottom of the cell and exit on the connecting wire. This flow of electrons is what we call electricity. The combination of these solar cells and photovoltaics panels create electricity which you can harness to use throughout your home.

The actual amount of electricity which is generated by these cells will depend on the amount of light falling onto them. This of course is determined by the weather and the time of day. Because of which storing the energy will be necessary. Solar panels will need to be positioned so that they catch sun light as much as possible. They will need to be south facing to benefit from full direct sunlight; but you can still harness the energy from the sun with panels facing south east or south west. Also direct sunlight is not a necessity as UV light which can penetrate through clouds will still generate electricity but not as much as a cloudless day.

Solar Power – What’s in It for Me?

Solar energy has several benefits over conventional energy. Although it will cost to retrieve energy from the sun, the energy itself is free. Solar energy is unlimited. The Earth’s atmosphere will not be damaged by its emission gases. Many homeowners opt to use solar energy because of the positive impact they will have on the environment.

Solar energy, unlike fossil fuels, doesn’t produce the harmful pollutants to blame for increasing the greenhouse effect which leads to global warming. Solar energy is a clean and sustainable source of energy that you can use for solar electricity, solar heating, solar cooling, and solar lighting.

The financial aspect is also a key factor for homeowners.

The financial benefits of solar energy can be seen in decreased utility payments as you use solar energy for electricity, heating, cooling, and lighting. Besides, by reducing your homes operating costs you are also increasing the value of your home.

By using solar solutions, you will reduce your dependence on the utility companies. You will no longer need to have electricity delivered to your home as you will be able to produce your own solar power electricity. So you will be free from fuel rate increases.

Solar energy also gives you a level of reliability and protection that other energy sources can’t match. As you bring about your own electricity and heat, you will not be affected by power cuts.

A solar water-heating (also known as solar thermal) system uses panels fitted to your roof to warm up water for use around the home.

Maintenance costs are very low – most solar water heating systems come with a 5-10 year guarantee and require little maintenance. There are no extra costs once you’ve had the equipment installed, except, in most cases, a little amount of electricity needed to run the pump as it uses the sun’s heat. Under the government’s Renewable Heat Incentive scheme, from October 2012, householders with solar water heating systems will qualify for financial backing.

In England, planning permission for most solar water installations is no longer needed – and governments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are currently discussing introducing similar initiatives.

Your roof must be strong enough to take the heavy solar panels, especially if the panel is to be installed on top of existing tiles.

We’ve used the Sun for drying clothes and food for thousands of years, but only recently have we been able to use it for generating power.

All our power needs can be met many times over by a tiny fraction of the sun’s energy that hits the Earth. If we could properly harness the suns energy enough arrives at the earth every minute to meet our needs for a entire year.

Many grants are available to help you install solar power in your home. So – What reason do I have to not install a solar solution? – is the question you should be asking.