Developers are installing alternative energy systems to generate uninterrupted on-site power. In the Warehouse District in New Orleans, two historic structures and a new building made their hallways, lobbies and common areas energy self-sufficient.

Developer Erik Beelman installed solar panels on the roof of the three buildings. He said that by producing the power for the common areas, his company can save up to $7,000 a year. The tenants of the buildings still get their electricity from Entergy New Orleans.

Beelman said that the solar power systems on top of the buildings use two different types of solar panels. Traditional SunPower 215 solar panels, which measures 2 feet by 4 feet, are placed on top of one building. Then on a flat roof, Beelman installed UniSolar thin film solar modules. These are glued to the roof.

The solar panels are connected to batteries in a storage shed. These power the backup system of the three buildings. Solar power recharges the batteries during the day and used at night or during cloudy days. The solar power installation generates the needs of the buildings but it can’t feed the excess energy to the grid because of policy restrictions.

Entergy New Orleans has a net metering program that lets residential and commercial customers who generate their own power through alternative energy solutions to receive credit for their unused electricity. But there are certain areas in New Orleans that Entergy doesn’t allow net metering or interconnected generation because of safety issues. Some of the areas include the Central Business District and downtown New Orleans.

Entergy New Orleans said that most of its customers are allowed to install interconnected generation and there are around 200 clients in the city that participate in the net metering program. The utility observed that it is rare for customers to make more electricity from their alternative energy installations than they consume.

According to Beth Galante, director of Global Green USA’s New Orleans office, the only structure in the city that’s considered zero-electricity is its demonstration house in Holy Cross. It has photovoltaic solar panels, geothermal heat pump, and a vegetated roof. It has other sustainable features, such as high performance building envelope and energy efficient appliances. It uses 73 percent less energy than the average home.

Low electricity buildings are more viable in the near future. Solar power technology is fast evolving each day and it wouldn’t be long until it would be less expensive than it is at present.

This post was originally published on Alternative Energy at Developers Install Alternative Energy Solutions to Old and New Properties.

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There are several sources of energy on our planet that can be considered renewable. These alternative energy sources provide cleaner energy that helps to decrease the effects of pollution in the atmosphere. Because they do not deplete any resources while generating energy, they are considered renewable resources. Below are some of the top alternative energy sources.

Solar Power

Solar power might be the most popular alternative energy source today, using photovoltaic solar power that harnesses the sun’s energy in order to generate electricity. It is the fastest growing energy source in the world, and new technology is still being developed to make the process more efficient.

Solar cells are being designed to be more effective, portable, and easy to install. In the past, PV was utilized to power small devices such as calculators. Now, it is being used in large scale solar farms that can generate several megawatts of power. In recent years, solar installations have been increasing in residential areas, due to incentives offered by the government, along with the simple act of promoting green energy.

Wind Power

With the use of wind turbines, wind power can be converted into electricity. Large-scale wind farms also help provide power to isolated areas that are off the grid. There are even residential units that are capable of providing electricity to the entire house.

Wind farms that are installed on agricultural lands have the lowest environmental impacts. At present, around 1.5 percent of the world’s electricity is produced through wind power, but the usage rate is still rising quickly. Europe leads the world in the development of offshore wind power, which could solve the problem about the limitations for suitable locations on land.

Geothermal

Geothermal energy is an efficient way of extracting renewable energy from the earth via natural processes. Small-scale geothermal installations can provide enough heat for an entire house, with large scale projects able to generate energy through a geothermal power plant.

For ages, geothermal power has been used for space heating and baths. At present, it is also being utilized to provide electricity. However, not every location can use geothermal power, seeing as the specific area must be near tectonic plate boundaries. Beneficially, geothermal power doesn’t need any fuel and is immune to the rising fuel costs.

Hydroelectricity

Hydroelectricity is generated through hydro-power. It is one of the most commonly used forms of alternative energy sources. Once a hydroelectric plant is constructed, it produces no direct waste. Small scale hydro-power systems are used in remote areas where other power sources are not located.

This post was originally published on Alternative Energy at Top Alternative Energy Sources List.

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Connecticut state officials are hoping that their new alternative energy incentives can encourage more homeowners to install solar power and other alternative energy systems on their properties. The state hopes that by 2022, there will be at least 3,000 homes with solar panels.

The state government is also promoting commercial alternative energy projects and requiring the utilities to get more energy from sustainable sources. The officials are still discussing how the various programs will be administered, but it is a good sign that they will be offered by the government.

Residential solar panels will be given their incentives via surcharges on the owners’ electric bills, while commercial projects would be paid through a new surcharge. In theory, the surcharge will offset the electric rates because prices in the solar market are constant when compared to the cost of natural gas, which fluctuates.

The new alternative energy incentives were part of the energy bill that was passed by the state legislature last June of 2010. Governor Dannel P. Malloy signed the bill into law, making it effective July 1. The new regulations would attract solar contractors and other alternative energy companies to the state.

One of the incentives that are part of the energy bill is the Green Bank. It would be funded by earnings from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund and used to fund other solar projects in the state until 2022.

This new law also requires utility companies in Connecticut to enter in new alternative energy contracts for the next six years, worth $8 million per year. One contractor that wishes to do business in Connecticut is Borrego Solar, a Boston-based commercial solar installer. At present, the company does business in New Jersey,California,Massachusetts,Texas, and Pennsylvania. These are states that also provide great incentives for solar projects.

While experts say that New Jersey has the most competitive incentives in the Northeast,Connecticut’s new incentives are considered more attractive than those of New Jersey, where the price of solar changes each day. Solar contractors gamble their investment when they build large solar arrays in that state, seeing as there is not set price for solar energy in the future.

In Connecticut, the utilities would enter into a long term, fixed rate contract with alternative energy contractors. Companies will always know what the return of investment is in the future and also be able to make secure investments in new alternative energy projects.

Another Connecticut incentive gives utilities the chance to build their own 30 megawatts of alternative energy plant in the next three years. According to Connecticut deregulatory laws, utilities are not allowed to own any energy plants in the state. They can only purchase them from privately owned energy generation plants. The new incentive exempts the companies from this rule as long as they build and own alternative energy plants.

This post was originally published on Alternative Energy at Connecticut Announces New Alternative Energy Incentives.

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Utility companies across the United States are looking to finance more alternative energy projects. One such utility is Pacific Power, which is looking to develop community-based alternative energy projects via its Blue Sky program.

The Blue Sky program has already aided in funding 36 alternative energy projects in Oregon, California, and Washington. Customers that enroll in this program are asked to buy renewable energy certificates from renewable energy facilities. The electricity generated from such facilities is then fed to the regional power grid.

The proposal of Pacific Power was announced by the Department of Energy. The company maintained that it preferred to finance local community-based projects, and also reported that it would only provide funds for projects that would be completed by the end of the year. The location is within the Rocky Mountain service area.

While utility companies were searching for projects to finance from their own coffers, government auditors observed some of President Barack Obama’s renewable energy grants to determine whether or not the money was rewarded to the proper recipients.

The investigators are now examining 14 out of the 2,600 projects that received tax dollars under the program that was made to promote solar and wind power via the 2009 stimulus bill. Under the said program, developers of alternative energy projects received 30 percent of the total cost.

The audits are done by Eric Thorson, the Treasury’s inspector general. His goal is to determine whether or not the Treasury has followed the proper procedures in awarding the grants and if the developers who received them met all of the requirements.

The Treasury Department declined to name the projects that are being audited. The audits started in February 2010 and involved visiting the headquarters of the companies that received the grants, along with the actual project sites. The final site visit was done in February 2011. The report on five of the audits will be finished by the end of September, while the remaining nine reports will be completed in 2012.

The grant from the stimulus bill helped accelerate alternative energy projects across the United States, and also enabled companies to create new green jobs. The program required applicants to submit detailed descriptions and supporting documents to make sure that the taxpayer funds are awarded correctly.

The grants were based on the total cost of the project. Therefore, it didn’t encourage the developers to keep the costs as low as possible. The Treasury examines all of the documents to ensure that the amounts are at reasonable fair-market valuation.

This post was originally published on Alternative Energy at Alternative Energy Projects in the US.

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Water covers well over 70% of the Earth’s surface, yet somehow, this simple substance is vital to the continuation of animals, plants, and humans alike. As well, water can also be used as a good source of electricity, it can be harnessed to generate energy for a community.

Hydro alternative energy is caused by the hydrologic cycle of water, generated through gravitational force. The flow or fall of water will determine the quantity of available energy. A large river with a steady stream of fast flowing water can provide a large amount of energy that is equal to that of water falling from a high elevation.

Hydro-power plants are common throughout the entire world. Hydro-power is said to be one of the oldest energy sources around. As this process produces no direct waste, it is certainly one of the cleanest and greenest ways to generate electricity.

Hydro alternative energy is produced from dammed water that turns a water turbine and generator. The energy produced is determined by the volume of water, along with the difference in height between the source and the outflow of water.

Moving water between reservoirs of different heights is essential in generating power. When the demand for electricity is low, water is pumped to the high reservoir. Once the demand rises, water will be released back to the lower reservoir to turn the turbine.

Hydroelectric plants do not only supply power to the main power grid. In some places, it can also be used to power up industrial plants, such as those found in the United States, Iceland, New Zealand, and the Scottish Highlands.

Hydro alternative energy plants come in various sizes. They can either be small scale or large scale, depending on the water source and the demand for electricity. Small hydro-power plants can generate up to 10 megawatts, which is ideal to power flood control and irrigation systems. This type of hydro-power plant is common in China, as over half of these smaller plants are located in that area.

Hydro alternative energy eliminates the use of fossil fuel to generate electricity. That means that the cost of operating a hydroelectric plant is not dependent on the price of fossil fuels. As long as the water level remains constant, power will be produced.

Hydro alternative energy doesn’t produce waste products while producing electricity. It is a clean and green way of producing energy, as it doesn’t pollute the air or water like fossil fuels.

The labor cost of this type of power plant is low because not many people are needed to run the plant. Construction costs are also low, and the dam can serve different purposes asides from purely producing electricity.

This post was originally published on Alternative Energy at Hydro Alternative Energy 101.

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There are various pros of using alternative energy. This type of clean and green energy has a minimal negative impact to our planet compared to the effects of fossil fuels. Some of the best sustainable sources of energy include sunlight, flowing water, and wind, along with biological and geothermal processes.

Alternative energy is a great sustainable energy source. Unlike fossil fuels that are reaching their limits and will eventually dry up, alternative energy sources are available everywhere. Everyone can gain access to them with the proper equipment. There are several kits in the market that can help homeowners harness renewable energy sources in their homes.

Using alternative energy also decreases one’s carbon footprint by emitting less carbon into the atmosphere. The initial investment for the system may not be cheap, but it will eventually pay for itself in the long run. Plus, the earth would be a much cleaner place for everyone.

According to the first law of thermodynamics, the total amount of energy on the planet is constant. The second law states that once energy is used, it becomes less readily available. This is what is referred to as entropy, otherwise known as the slow winding down of usable energy. Burning fossil fuel is a high entropy process, seeing as when fuel is burned, this process emits gases, some of which are dangerous to the environment.

Using alternative energy is a low entropy process because it is merely tapping into a natural flow of energy. Sunlight, moving water, wind, geothermal, and biological processes are all natural occurrences that can be used to generate energy.

This type of energy is renewable because it remains available at the same level and doesn’t deplete at all. It is a low entropy way of utilizing energy, as it never runs out.

Alternative energy systems require less maintenance than the traditional generators. Plus, the energy source comes from nature, which equates to lower costs in the operation. Communities will also benefit financially from such projects.

To use alternative energy, people should practice smart living. This requires a sense of responsibility towards the environment and others, along with a bit of creativity. Through small changes in just the daily routine, people can make a big difference in conserving the planet for future generations.

Still, one of the disadvantages of alternative energy is that it is difficult to generate large quantities of energy compared to the traditional energy sources of the same size. That means in order generate a certain amount of energy, alternative energy plants would take up more space than conventional power plants. However, as technology improves in the future, this problem is sure to be tackled and solved.

This post was originally published on Alternative Energy at Pros of Alternative Energy.

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Funding for Governor’s Energy Office is running low and this could affect the renewable energy companies in Denver. GEO is currently funded through federal grants for a period of three years and the funds will dry up a year from now if it would not be replenished.

The GEO’s funds were from the Colorado Clean Energy Fund but due to budget cuts by the legislators, the funding will be discontinued. Through the funding stream, which came from a percentage of Colorado gaming revenue, the energy office received $4 million in 2009 and $7 million in 2008.

The GEO needs to find another source of funds in 2012 so that it could continue with its programs and to provide more economic opportunities for people in the alternative energy field. It’s not just the Governor’s Energy Office suffering from lack of funds. Renewable energy rebates and incentives are also running out of money.

This is not the good time to invest in alternative energy according to industry analysts. Xcel Energy had to decrease the incentives it offers to businesses and homeowners who install photovoltaic systems on their properties. This, plus the GEO situation, has every solar company in Denver cutting downsizing their manpower.

It was reported that in 2010, 400 to 600 solar industry jobs were lost and that’s just in the state of Denver. This was because of uncertainty with Xcel’s plans as well as similar issues with Black Hills Corp., which is another power utility provider in Colorado. By the end of this year, a half of solar industry jobs will be lost because of the situations regarding GEO and Xcel.

The Governor’s Energy Office finances the Colorado Energy Star Mortgage program, which helps make the interest rate lower by 0.5 percent than other mortgages available on the market. The homeowners would use the money they saved to improve their homes to be more energy-efficient.

But the good news is that not all incentive programs are canceled. People should keep their eyes out for local, state and federal rebates. Boulder County has its own federally funded program that gives up to $1,000 per household in EnergySmart rebates until July 31.

The GEO gave out around $10 million in rebates in the past 11 months, which resulted to about $90 million in new contractor work and new material costs. If GEO is dissolved, the whole alternative energy sector in Colorado will be hurt.

This post was originally published on Alternative Energy at Colorado Alternative Energy Office Funds Dwindling.

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Designers and engineers are looking for ways to incorporate alternative energy systems into city skylines. Renewable energy developers are looking for ways to supplement the power grids in a discreet manner in an affordable, urban-friendly way.

In New Jersey, Public Service Electric and Gas Company is working with Petra Solar in installing 200,000 solar panels mounted on residential telephone phones, on parking structures, and along highways. This project didn’t go unnoticed by the homeowners, who complained that the solar panels on top of poles make their community ugly.

Petra Solar said that once all the solar panels are installed, the system will generate 40 megawatts of power each hour for four to five hours a day, totaling 58,400 megawatt-hours a year. This would make Petra Solar the largest decentralized solar power project in the world. That is a significant amount of energy produced to augment the main power grid!

In Chicago, several companies are competing with each other to create an urban friendly alternative energy source. Balanced Wind LLC. plans to install at least 18 wind turbines on top of buildings in its city. Balance Wind LLC’s wind turbines are the least expensive on the market, costing between $7,000 and $35,000 each. A turbine weighs 600 pounds and utilizes vertical blade system that measures seven feet in diameter.

Last year, the company received a $250,000 grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and used the money to open a production plant in Chicago. Since then, Balanced Wind has developed a wind metering program in more than 300 sites across the country.

Most of its clients are office buildings, large-scale manufacturing buildings, and residential towers. Balance Wind hopes it can get the approval of Chicago. It offers the city modular wind turbine units and promises to streamline the evaluation process.

Balance Wind’s goal is to supply 20 percent of the building’s total power consumption. When placed on top of a lakefront building, a single turbine can generate at least 10,000 kilowatts a year. That would be enough power for the lighting and elevators!

Wind turbines are not new to Chicago. Aerotecture International said that it pioneered the industry in the city 15 years ago. The company’s turbines are on the rooftops of such organizations as Sloan Valve Co., Mercy Lakefront, and PepsiCo, Inc. The company also has eight installations on Jefferson Avenue, with the largest one on top of the U.S. Social Security Administration building.

This post was originally published on Alternative Energy at Alternative Energy Incorporated in Urban Skylines.

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Google announced that it recently signed a power purchase agreement for wind energy in Oklahoma. This is Google’s second PPA within the year. Last July, Google signed a PPA with NextEra Energy Resources to buy clean wind energy to power its data centers in Iowa.

The wind energy purchased in Oklahoma will be used to power the Mayes County Data Center, which is scheduled to be fully operational later this year. According to the PPA, Google will purchase wind energy from NextEra Energy Resources for the next 20 years. The 100.8-megawatt wind farm will be operational in late 2011.

Power purchase agreements (PPAs) are conditional agreements between a power purchaser and a renewable energy development company that will begin once the power plant starts its operation. With its deal with NetEra Energy Resources, Google will buy the wind power from the facility once the wind farm is completed and ready to deliver the power.

Google and other IT companies were also recently criticized by Greenpeace for using ‘dirty energy’ in their operations. Greenpeace claimed that the companies concealed details of their overall energy footprint and practices. Other companies mentioned in the report include: Akamai, Amazon Web Services, Apple, Facebook, HP, IBM, Microsoft, Twitter, and Yahoo.

Greenpeace noted that data centers consume 1.5 to two percent of the total global electricity, and this sector is growing at a rate of 12 percent each year. Greenpeace is concerned that most of the companies in the IT sector don’t release data about their energy use and carbon footprint, and stated that Facebook gets 53.2 percent of its power from coal power plants.

Google rebutted this claim by Greenpeace by announcing its PPA with NextEra Energy Resources. Google stated that it’s the company’s commitment to be carbon neutral and the company’s purchase is just part of its effort to minimize its impact on the environment.

Aside from its investment in clean energy, Google is also building high energy efficient facilities to reduce its carbon footprint. Google buys carbon offsets to help decrease its carbon emission further.

It is important that Google and other companies in the IT sector make it their goal to maintain ecological friendly operations and design their facilities to be more energy efficient. A recent survey from CompTIA showed that 37 percent of IT companies make it their priority to be green. This number is up from the measly nine percent in 2009.

This post was originally published on Alternative Energy at Google Turns to Wind to Power Oklahoma Data Center.

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Alternative energy can be used in our homes to replace the typical electrical energy sources. There are tools and home improvement items available in the market today powered by renewable energy sources. Some of the useful things running on alternative energy that that you should have in your home are listed below.

Sunforce 52022 5 Watt Solar Trickle Charger – Pack of 2

The Sunforce 5 Watt Solar Trickle Charger is used to maintain 12 volt batteries. This is ideal to maintain the 12 volt batteries for your RVs, cars, ATVs, tractors, deer feeders, boats, electric fences, and more! The solar panels are weatherproof and can be used indoors or outdoors. The solar panels have a blocking diode to prevent the battery from discharging when the sun is out. This makes battery maintenance worry-free and can easily be installed when needed.

Sunforce 44444 12-Volt 400-Watt Wind Generator

Sunforce doesn’t just make solar panels these days. The company also has a 400-watt Wind Generator in its lineup. This item can generate wind power that can be utilized to run electronics and appliances. It is constructed by using weatherproof, lightweight cast aluminum. It has a built-in regulator that will shut down the system once the batteries are fully charged.

Smart Solar Smart Vent 100

Smart Solar Vent is a solar power ventilator that helps decrease condensation in your home. You wouldn’t even notice if the ventilator was working because it is quiet. The Smart Solar Vent has a clear cowl that helps clear out hot air from the surrounding area. You can install it easily, and no wiring is required.

Torino Stainless Steel Solar Garden Light

The Torino Stainless Steel Solar Garden Light is the perfect solution to light up your garden at night. It is easy to install and no assembling is needed. It features Infinity Maxi Plus solar cells with two white super bright LEDs. This Solar Garden Light has a manual power switch. If switched on, the Garden Lights will automatically turn on at dusk. It also has a shatterproof glass that adds to the aesthetic value of the garden lights, while protecting the insides from the forces of nature at the same time.

Solar Security Light

Solar Security Light is the perfect solution to light up a certain area of your property where there are no electrical outlets available. It features a high-powered solar panel that charges in any daylight conditions. It has super bright floodlights that have a 16-foot range. You can install this light and turn it on within minutes of taking it out of the box. It also comes with a two-year limited warranty.

This post was originally published on Alternative Energy at Tools and Home Improvement Items Powered by Alternative Energy.

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Wind turbines will be more efficient when the new air-flow technology is introduced. The new air-flow technology improved the efficiency of the blades during various wind conditions–great news for people pushing for wind power as an alternative power source.

Syracuse University researchers are testing the new wind turbine system with the help from the United States Department of Energy. The testing is taking place through the University of Minnesota Wind Energy Consortium. Data is recorded about the flow conditions over the blade surfaces, which could be used to control the actuation on the blades. This data will improve effectiveness of the wind turbine system and manage the airflow. The new wind turbine system optimizes the efficiency of turbines. In turn, this decreases noise and vibration.

The new developments in wind turbine design means that the blades will be more efficient. The flow control will enlarge the overall working scope of the wind turbine. Researchers are working on ways to increase the rated output power without increasing the level of operating range.

To measure the effects of flow control on the noise level of the wind turbine, researchers utilized an anechoic chamber. Additionally, the researchers focused on the airfoil lift and drag characteristics with appropriate flow control, but they saw unsteadiness when it was exposed to large-scale flow. The researchers are also trying to increase efficiency by positioning the blades at various angles via various wind tunnel tests.

Researchers from the University of Minnesota considered placing small triangular grooves on the surface of the turbine blade. The grooves are between 40 and 225 microns, and make the blade appear smooth. This is used in aircraft design, and helped decrease drag by six percent. But, wind turbine blades have a thick cross section near the hub which is why the technology can’t be used in wind turbine design.

To produce wind energy, the turbines need a steady flow of wind to function. In extreme conditions, the wind turbines erode faster. A better turbine design is required to keep the costs of wind power cheaper than other alternative power sources.

Wind energy turbines have their disadvantages, but are still considered as a reliable and efficient source of energy. There are studies currently being done to find out how to improve wind turbines. Researchers from the University of Minnesota are working on how to utilize grooves to increase turbine efficiency by up to three percent.

This post was originally published on Alternative Energy at Wind Turbine Blades Get Better.

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Given the sheer amount of quirky holidays in existence, it’s no wonder so many people forget about the ones that are truly important. Green holidays serve to promote awareness of the issues affecting our environment and the actions that need to be taken in order to preserve it. Celebrating and observing, say, Arbor Day is an excellent way to bond with fellow green geeks who share your concern for the Earth while actually making the world a greener place. Here are eight essential green holidays.

1. World Wetlands Day: February 2nd marks the day nearly 40 years ago that The International Convention on Wetlands was signed, creating an international effort to conserve the world’s valuable wetlands. So why are they important? According to the WWD site, the poor management of wetlands results in the deaths of three million people worldwide per year, mainly due to poor drinking water. On the other hand, swamps can remove nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, keeping groundwater clean. It’s imperative that we do our part to keep these natural resources clean and functioning.
2. World Forestry Day: March 21st is the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, the autumnal equinox in the Southern Hemisphere and World Forestry Day, a reminder of the gifts bestowed upon the world by its lush forests. Awareness is given to forestry production, protection and recreation, highlighting not only what forests offer to humans, but also their function to the diverse groups of organisms that live beneath their canopies.
3. World Water Day: World Water Day falls on the day after World Forestry Day, emphasizing the impact of water on the world’s population. The WWD website asserts that one billion people lack clean drinking water and sanitation remains a problem for two-fifths of the world’s population. The day is intended to draw attention to existing solutions that must be undertaken by world political organizations.
4. Earth Day: Earth Day is the most recognized green holiday in the world. On April 22, 2010, it celebrated its 40th birthday with a focus on climate change as the World People’s Conference on Climate Change occurred on the same day. Through the years, it has evolved to encompass the myriad of environmental issues facing the world, including the goals to reduce carbon emissions, encourage sustainable consumption and support green jobs that fit into a green economy.
5. Arbor Day: Twenty years before he became the country’s third Secretary of Agriculture, J. Sterling Morton founded Arbor Day with the hope of bringing attention to the value of trees. The national holiday is observed on the final Friday of April, though many states have designated their own respective dates that occur during more weather-friendly months. Of course, the primary activity is tree planting, which is a fun and worthwhile group activity for people of all ages.
6. World Environment Day: Established on June 5, 1972, during the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, World Environment Day brings awareness to the environment and stimulates action from political organizations around the globe. Each year, a different theme is celebrated and a new location hosts the main events. For example, “Many Species. One Planet. One Future” was the theme in 2010 and Rwanda served as the global host.
7. World Oceans Day: World Oceans Day is officially recognized by the UN, occurring on June 8th. Worldwide events take place in locations such as schools, universities, zoos, aquariums and museums, where people young and old are educated on ocean conservation. Like World Environment Day, WOD celebrates a different theme each year in order to shed light on a new topic. In 2010, the theme was “Oceans of Life,” focusing on the oceans’ great diversity of life and its contributions to our lives — like oxygen, food and medicine.
8. America Recycles Day: Each November 15th is devoted to promoting recycling programs throughout the country. It’s a day of knowledge and action, when communities come together in an effort to keep the environment healthy and beautiful. People of all ages are encouraged to organize and attend events in order to spread the word. America Recycles Day is particularly helpful for novice recyclers who are curious about which products they should recycle and how they should do it.

This post was originally published on Alternative Energy at 8 Holidays That Every Green Geek Should Celebrate.

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With the current state of our economies and also global warming, we ALL need to do whatever we can to help conserve our resources.  I am referring to finances, food and energy resources.  I am writing about alternative energy sources we can use.   

 The alternative energy I am discussing today is Solar Energy.  Solar Energy ( energy from the Sun) is one the most resourceful sources of energy for the future.  One of the reasons for this is that the total energy we receive each year from the sun is around 35,000 times the total energy used by man. In these tough economic times, it is very important that we discover different ways to save money.   Green power is energy that comes from renewable energy sources such as wind, water, or the sun.  Green power can save us money.   Solar energy is presently being used on a small scale in furnaces for homes and to heat up swimming pools. On a larger scale, solar energy could be used to run cars, power plants, and space ships.  Home Solar Panels are increasingly being used as a source of backup power in case of a blackout or other emergency.  You can substantially reduce your home energy costs and even put some money back into your pocket by supplementing your existing power sources with a home solar panel.  Use of this alternative ( green energy)  reduces the amount of natural gas used and thus emissions expelled.  This in the long run will help us to be less dependent on oil sources from other countries.  Sustainable energy , is the provision of energy such that it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.  Unlike fossil fuels and energy produced with materials that have limited supply, green power is produced with resources that are not depleted by using them.   Home Solar Panels are increasingly being used as a source of backup power in case of a blackout or other emergency.  You can substantially reduce your home energy costs and even put some money back into your pocket by supplementing your existing power sources with a home solar panel.  In addition to the cost benefits of solar usage, you also benefit from a cleaner environment.  While everyone cries and whines about gas prices and high energy costs – you will have an unlimited supply of solar power.

This post was originally published on Alternative Energy at Help Yourself and Your World.

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You’d be surprised how much heat is lost in the heating pipes and ducts running around your home. Without insulation, areas and rooms that never get used end up getting all the heat. Easily, one of the most energy-efficient ways to save on costs is with simple fiberglass duct insulation.

Find out how much insulating material you will need by measuring the distance around each duct and multiplying that number by the total length of duct you would like to insulate. It might be wise to order a few extra meters to account for mistakes and overlaps that will occur during fastening. Before you start, repair all air leaks in your system; a temperature-resistant caulk (like silicone) is good, but duct tape will do just fine as well.

Pick up some vinyl or foil-backed fiberglass insulation. Regular-faced insultation will work as well, with an added bonus of being less expensive but still with a decent R-value (the ability to retain heat flow). Cut your fiberglass to fit and secure over the supply ducts with staples, wire or duct tape. If using tape, don’t be stingy! Wrap the tape completely around the duct, overlapping several times. There should be no exposed fiberglass or joints, regardless of the sealing method you use, as you want to eliminate as much air flow beneath the insulation as possible.

One very important safety issue is to never insulate your return ducts. Because of the extreme heat, you should never place pipe insulation within 3 feet of the heating system or exhaust flues. While not as hazardous but will save you a headache later, keep damper control handles accessible and remove any labels on the ducts and reposition them on the outside of your insulating layer.

This post was originally published on Alternative Energy at Insulating Your Heating Ducts.

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One man’s trash is another man’s solar water heater! By using household junk, most of which you can get for free at the local landfill (and you’ll be doing someone else a favor, too), you can make your own thermal water heater for less than the price of a fast food meal. A highly customizable project yet super effective (water can get hot enough to scald, so be careful!), its open face also brings the neat aspect of being able to watch the solar heating process in action. Though the instructions here are for small scale heating, with a few modifications you can make this work for your home. To start, you will need to find:

• 2 buckets
• Drill, plus drill bits and screw bits
• Scissors
• Simple hand saw
• Wood, a few pieces will do
• A pane of glass
• Back of a small refrigerator (here is where you’ll need to troll the landfill or your neighborhood on garbage day)
• 12 feet of air pump hose (similar to those used in fish tanks)
• Backing material (this can be as simple as an old doormat, leftover carpeting, etc)
• Wood Screws
• Aluminum Foil
• Duct tape
• Angle cutter/hack saw

Firstly, remove the grill from the refrigerator. For safety’s sake, ensure that all the coolant, such as freon, has been removed. There should be two tubes conspicuously sticking out – you will be attaching the water hoses to these later, so don’t cut them.

The wood will be your frame, and will really depend on the size of glass you have. Construct a simple four edged frame, slightly bigger than the fridge grill. Place the foil  on top of your backing material, and secure your frame to the back with screws. Use duct tape to seal off the gaps between the foil and the wood so that it is as watertight as can be.

Cut some notches on the side where the fridge’s grill has the two tubes for entry and exit. Thread them through these holes; the water tubes will run out of the water heater device and be attached to both ports. Use duct tape liberally as needed to make sure everything stays together, including the grill to the backing (though, if you saved the mounting brackets from the fridge these can help too).

Attach the glass pane to the top – this again can be done with duct tape, but screws would be a more long term solution. Angle your water heater to catch the most sunlight.

Fill one bucket with regular cold water and place somewhere where it will be higher than your “warm” water bucket (which is currently empty). Taking one end of the water tube, siphon the water by sucking the tube and quickly re-attach it to the grill’s entry hole. One end of the tube will drape into your empty bucket. The water will run through your collector at a slow pace, gradually heating up until it comes to the end of its journey at the exit port of the grill. If you want even hotter water, just pour your warm water into your “cold” bucket and repeat the process.  Try this project today – for something made out of garbage, it sure works surprisingly well!

This post was originally published on Alternative Energy at Solar Water Heater Made From Junk.

A post from: Alternative Energy