William the Garbage Truck Crew: William is Going Green
April 27th, 2009
iWilliam Is Going Green/i is the first book in the William the Garbage Truck series. Starting out as a smoky white garbage truck, William learns about conservation, makes friends, and eventually transforms into a green hybrid recycling truck committed to the fight against global warming. Join William as he makes his debut in this enchanting, colorful adventure.
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Why Choose Renewable Wind Energy
April 25th, 2009
Renewable wind energy is the fastest growing source of power of any renewable energy sources and technologies. With renewable wind energy, the flow of air turns wind turbines to create electricity. As the speed of the wind turning the turbines increases the amount of power the turbine produces increases as well. In areas where winds are strong, renewable wind energy is a smart choice for providing power to homes and businesses.
Even if you don’t live in a windy area, you can still supplement your current electricity supply by utilizing renewable wind energy. The best part is by using do-it-yourself guides; even the least skilled handymen can build their own windmills and start using renewable wind energy to lower their electric bills each month. However, if you do live in a particularly windy area you can feasibly generate an abundance of electricity from renewable wind energy systems.
It is also conceivable to build several wind turbines to power your renewable wind energy system. Most of us have seen the pictures of the wind farms being built to supplement power to whole cities. This is a little much for a homestead, but even small dwellings can benefit from multiple smaller wind turbines. In many states, it is possible to sell the excess electricity you generate from your renewable wind energy system back to the utilities companies.
The very best part of integrating a renewable wind energy system into your home or business is the environmental impact. Renewable wind energy produces little to no pollution, no harmful greenhouse gases and no methane or carbon dioxide-which contribute to global warming. And of course the savings those homeowners can realize after their initial investment in renewable wind energy.
It is definitely worthwhile to learn more about renewable wind energy. By building your own wind turbines you can add needed dollars to your pocket and help the environment at the same time. Renewable wind energy. Free power from the wind. Sounds beautiful, doesn’t it?
Tags: G Word: South by Southwest
April 23rd, 2009
Find out how this festival has become green. Watch more at http://planetgreen.discover…
Caffeinated Content – Members-Only Content for WordPress
Green movement – Missoula Hybrid Taxi Service
April 22nd, 2009
Despite downturn, ridership on the rise for Missoula’s hybrid taxi service
With a little more than a year and 70,000 miles logged, Green Taxi’s red-and-green Prius has become a fixture on Missoula’s streets. But like countless other businesses across the country, the eco-cab service is feeling the fallout of the economic downturn.
“The slowdown in the restaurant business correlates to the cab business,” said Mick Murray, who owns Green Taxi with his wife Jessica. “People are holding onto their money.”
The slowdown also derailed the company’s early plans to expand and Green Taxi is currently running only one cab instead of the two Murray had hoped for.
“We were close to getting a second when things started turning down,” he said. “I was nervous about the economic outlook.”
But even as the bad economic news keeps pouring in, Murray is hopeful about the future and viability of his young company. Despite the slowdown, Murray said ridership has been inching up over the year as their name and reputation spread.
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Green Taxi owner Mick Murray is chauffeured past the company’s Toole Avenue office.
Photo by LINDA THOMPSON/Missoulian |
“Our ridership is increasing over the year’s time,” he said. “We’re probably doing twice what we were when we started. On any given shift it seems like it has doubled.”
However, having only one cab has been a frequent challenge, Murray said. When things get busy, Green Taxi sometimes has to refer people to their competitor, Yellow Cab, and the temptation to buy a cheap, non-hybrid vehicle can be strong during peak hours. But Murray is committed to the couple’s vision.
“I could throw out a minivan or a Suburban, but I want to stay true to what I originally wanted to start,” he said. “I’m a firm believer in climate change. That’s what keeps me from buying an inefficient vehicle and just moving people around. I’m committed to trying to change this.”
Over the year the Prius, with its stellar fuel efficiency and reliability, has proved itself in Murray’s eyes. Despite the high startup costs due to the car’s price tag, Murray said the vehicle has been a good investment.
“With reduced fuel costs I believe it will pay for itself,” he said.
According to Murray, the car gets 44 to 45 miles per gallon around town and he’s only had to make one repair so far.
“Maintenance on the car has been minimal,” he said. “We’ve only had a wheel bearing go out.”
Murray said that when buying the much-needed second taxi becomes an option, it will definitely be another Prius.
“I need to do it,” he said. “There’s nothing that compares spacewise and miles-wise.”
For the company’s three part-time employees, Green Taxi provides both a source of income and an outlet for environmental sentiments.
Justin Walsh, a fishing guide in the summers and one of Green Taxi’s night drivers, said the wage and tips in tight times are important but that he gets more out of driving the Prius than just the money.
“Drawing a paycheck is obviously important,” he said. “But it does mean something. (Green Taxi) is part of the solution to our energy crisis and environmental crisis.”
Kip Herring, a local artist and weekday driver, was drawn to the job for similar reasons.
“Once I learned more about Green Taxi I was like, ‘This is perfect,’ ” he said. “I want to be doing something that has depth to it, not just mindless work.”
Beyond the environmental side of the business, both Herring and Walsh have loved the social aspect of being cabbies.
“I’ve had so many great conversations,” Herring said. “I’ve grown to love the job because of that.”
“I love getting to know the people of Missoula on a first-name basis,” Walsh said.
5 Easy First Steps You Can Do Today
April 16th, 2009
From Our Friends At eBay Green Team
1. Bag It
Today: When you go out shopping, bring your own reusable bags. This preserves resources by cutting down on the huge number of paper and plastic bags that are discarded after a single trip.
Tomorrow: Combine your routine shopping trips with other errands, which will save you time and fuel.
Save on Electricity
2. Save on Electricity
Today: Shut off the light when you leave the room.
Tomorrow: There are many ways to trim those electric bills. Wash your laundry in cold water instead of hot, line dry your linens, and use a toaster oven for small heating needs instead of a bigger electric stove. Open windows to let the light in, turn off unneeded lights and appliances, and unplug unused electronics to counter the ‘energy vampire’ effect.
Save on Gas
3. Save on Gas
Today: Check your tires to ensure they’re properly inflated, and schedule a tune-up to ensure you’re getting the best fuel economy possible. Every gallon of gasoline you burn produces 19 pounds of carbon dioxide, so it pays to conserve (in more ways than one).
Tomorrow: Resolve to reform bad driving habits. Your car will work more efficiently if you obey the speed limit and avoid rapid, unnecessary acceleration, for instance.
Shop a Farmers’ Market
4. Shop a Farmers’ Market
Today: Shop at your local farmers’ market. This will help support farmers in your area, so they won’t be forced to sell off their land for development, and it will decrease your “food miles,” meaning less fuel will be burned to get food from the farm to your table. Best, your food will be delicious and healthy.
Tomorrow: Eat as much local and seasonal food as you reasonably can. Your meals will be fresher, and will require much less fuel to transport, store and refrigerate.
Conserve Water
5. Conserve Water
Today: Drink water from the tap, instead of buying single-use bottled water, which requires much more energy to produce, store and transport. Barely 20% of those plastic bottles end up getting recycled, and most are made out of petroleum. Use filters if you are concerned about your local water supply.
Tomorrow: Buy a reusable bottle to take with you on the go, so you can always refill it from a tap and avoid buying bottled water. Stainless steel is a good choice, because you don’t have to worry about the potentially toxic chemicals that can leach out of many plastics over time.
Living Sustainably?
April 15th, 2009
By Kathleen Davidson
from- Your Guide to Green Blog
It seems that explaining sustainability is more challenging than actually living it. Sustainability is broadly defined as living and conducting business and commerce in a resource-conservative and resource-efficient manner to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Although it sounds a bit abstract, it turns out that putting sustainability into practice is pretty straightforward.
For example, on any given day in the late fall Greg Peterson, the co-founder of Your Guide to Green, grabs his colander and collects carrots, parsnips, collard greens, peas and a plethora of herbs to create a meal that he calls his “farm fall soup” grown primarily in his own yard. He has spent bits and pieces of time during the past 15 years converting his suburban yard into edible landscape and now has more than 80 fruit trees, grape vines, vegetables and flowers growing in his 1/3-acre yard. He also has chickens which he says are very easy to keep and they eat vegetable scraps and help complete the growing circle by providing fertilizer. Ahhh the circle of life.
Peterson, who earned a masters degree in environmental planning and created The Urban Farm, (an environmental showcase home and education center in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona http://www.urbanfarm.org), says many people already are living a bit of a sustainable lifestyle. Many of us are well aware of the importance of reusing and recycling as well as buying locally grown food and supporting local businesses. We might even be trying to conserve fuel by walking, using public transit, riding bikes and combining errands. But there are so many more ways we can help conserve.
It’s often simply a matter of rethinking our use patterns. For example, we can:
- pull the plug on electricity “vampires” – those appliances that consume electricity even when they are turned off
- reduce your electric bill by substituting energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs for incandescent bulbs
- turn off lights when not in use
- use cloth shopping bags rather than plastic ones and save on the limited supply of petrochemical resources required to manufacture plastic bags
- consider converting your yard to an edible landscape and reap delicious benefits from your care and watering efforts
- collect rainwater for your landscape – significantly reducing your need to turn on the tap, thus naturally sustaining your yard
- develop a simple compost pile, where you can dispose of all of fruit and vegetable scraps, egg shells and liquids which ultimately creates more rich fertilizer
- purchase biodegradable products – everything from cups, silverware, plates and bowls and once you’ve used them you can add them to your compost pile
- when purchasing your next washing machine consider a front-loading model that uses less water and cleans clothes better while saving on your water bill
- drying laundry on a clothesline is regaining popularity and providing an energy savings that translates to lower bills
The reduction of electrical consumption is a major component in the exciting journey toward sustainable living.
Peterson, admits that this has been a bit of an obsession for him during the past 10 years. So much so that his electric bill for April, May and June 2008 was an incredible $42…that was for all three months.
So how can you join him in cutting the current and accomplishing such a feat?
To start, look at your electricity consumption and get a handle on the size of the task you are facing. As a rule, the larger the electric bill, the more affordable the energy reduction options there are available to you.
Research the possibilities for:
- minimizing your use,
- increasing your efficiency and
- learning more about alternative forms of energy.
Consider options such as the following to help minimize your use: shade your windows; add insulation to your attic or around your duct system; replace your windows with dual-pane ones. Create shade by planting low-water-use trees on the sunny side of your home. Increasing your efficiency can be as easy as: changing out your light bulbs to the LED or CFL style; changing your thermostat to the programmable type; even adding a new more efficient air conditioning system. The single biggest change Peterson made was adding ceiling fans in every room. He even has one on his back patio. When appliances need to be replaced, make sure the new ones have the energy star label.
Finally, once you have covered these bases, take some time to look at how you can produce your own electricity. At the Urban Farm Peterson has placed two different types of solar panels on the roof. The first panel is a new technology linked with his water heater that produces all of his hot water for eight months of the year. The second type is the more commonly known Photovoltaic (PV) panel. He has two of these and they produce a significant amount of his electricity. Many government and utility company rebates and tax breaks are offered for solar panel users. Peterson says, “The solar panels were the icing on the cake that made my three-month bill so incredibly affordable. But remember that my journey to a $14-per-month electric bill did not happen overnight. It was a process that spanned a few years and included a significant amount of observation and planning.” Above all, remember you don’t have to be in the dark, or suffer! Just have fun riding the current… a little less.
Overall it helps to live intentionally by planning ahead enough to fulfill the goal of living more sustainably.
own communications business and has clients across the country. More recently she has focused her writing and editing efforts in the sustainability arena.
Getting a Consult to 'Green' Your Home
April 13th, 2009
By JANE HODGES
American consumers eager to correct their energy-wasting ways and create a more environmentally friendly home can now hire eco-consultants. This growing breed of advisers charge anywhere from $99 to a few hundred dollars for a home visit followed by extensive prescriptions designed to address particular concerns. ![[Getting a Consult to 'Green' Your Home]](http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/PJ-AN942_pjCRAN_DV_20090107133751.jpg)
The field of eco-consulting is mostly composed of small contractors or franchises reliant on solo practitioners in different markets, meaning that the experience of eco-consulting and the training of the consultant can vary. Some eco-consultants offer their services as adjuncts to green cleaning or landscaping businesses, while others offer consults in addition to green remodeling services.
To find out how we could improve our homes’ energy consumption, air and water quality, and appliance efficiency, we hired five practitioners in four cities: Green Irene in Seattle; EcoHome Chicago in Chicago; Green on the Inside in Boston; GreenHouse Eco-Cleaning in New York; and Pure Habitat NYC in New York.
Consultants spent anywhere from one hour (EcoHome Chicago) to three hours (Green on the Inside) assessing our homes. In Pure Habitat’s case, we arranged a five-hour deep cleaning (for $215), followed by a $40 to $80 eco-consultation. Prices varied from $99 for a Green Irene visit to $250 for an appointment with EcoHome Chicago, the latter of which included two consultants.
Both Green on the Inside and GreenHouse Eco-Cleaning asked us to fill out questionnaires in advance to streamline our meetings, while other consultants asked us questions upon arrival. We told Pure Habitat and GreenHouse Eco-Cleaning, for instance, that we’re expecting a new baby and wanted to offer our child a clean indoor environment. We told Green on the Inside about a possible kitchen remodel, and informed Green Irene that we plan to add insulation to our attic and basement in future remodeling efforts.
While consultants did provide well-trod energy tips (swap out regular bulbs for compact fluorescents, don’t microwave plastic containers, use a programmable thermostat), they also addressed our specific questions and generally provided concrete alternatives to any problems identified. In many cases, consultants identified solutions for our problems — or local vendors who could help — which they then shared with us in follow-up emails.
We learned something new from each of our consultants’ visits: EcoHome Chicago taught us that condenser coils behind the refrigerator need semi-annual cleaning to maximize efficiency. GreenHouse Eco-Cleaning used a special measuring device to reassure us that our indoor air quality fell within acceptable levels, but was also able to recommend specific air purifiers. As part of their incredibly thorough “green” cleaning service, Pure Habitat sorted which cleaning products to keep (more eco-friendly ones) versus discard and also referred us to local contractors that test paint for lead content. Green on the Inside articulated why recycled granite, glass or composite materials make better countertops than new granite or formica, and showed us how to check for refrigerator air leaks. Green Irene outlined our options for nontoxic spray insulation (suggested material: Icynene), told us about a balloon-like device that reduces chimney drafts, and gave us referrals for outdoor-lighting specialists and other contractors.
The main difficulty with the consultants, we found, was setting up appointments and receiving follow-up information. With Green Irene, our consultant had a busy schedule and needed to book us at least a week out. In Pure Habitat’s case, days would go by before we received a response to email messages. We also received only half of our Pure Habitat final report: We got an email with some specific recommendations, but never did receive the promised package via mail. (At various times, we were told that it had been returned for insufficient postage and that the company had an incorrect ZIP Code for us.) Pure Habitat, to its credit, did not charge us for the eco-consulting portion of our cleaning/consulting appointment. The company’s founder, Cory Tixier, said in a phone interview following our meeting that her business is a small operation and is having some growing pains.
While all the eco-consultants offered solutions that may save us money over time, it seems that in the near-term, we’ll need to spend it. In the green economy where these eco-consultants operate, going green costs green.
| COMPANY/WEB SITE | PRICE/LENGTH OF CONSULTATION | FOCUS AND FINDINGS | COMMENT |
| Green on the Inside, Boston greenontheinside.net | $175/initial; $75 per hour for follow-ups; $20 travel fee may apply in suburbs. | Consult focused on keeping home environment healthy. Kitchen needed most work in terms of energy waste, use of toxic materials, and lowering bacteria potential. | Consultant promised two-page follow-up report but provided six pages of tips. She also offers other services, such as eco-friendly gardening. |
| Green Irene, Seattle greenirene.com | $99, 2 hours. | Visit went through nine categories of information. Saving on energy was a major focus, with tips on insulation, plumbing, electrical use, and appliance maintenance/repair. | Green Irene is available in 30 states and the $99 fee includes 6 months of access to “Ask Green Irene,” an informal research service and chatboard. Consulting for small businesses (under 50 workers) debuted in January 2009, priced at $250 and up for a four-hour assessment. |
| GreenHouse Eco-Cleaning, New York greenhouseecocleaning.com | $150, one hour. | Follow-up proposal was filled with specific recommendations, including filters for our shower to remove chlorine and Web sites where we could find organic crib mattresses and beauty products. | We appreciated that our proposal included prices for recommended products and links to where to find many. The local “Greenoipia” guide to eco-friendly services that was included with our follow-up package was a welcome extra. |
| Pure Habitat NYC, New York purehabitatnyc.com | $215 for deep-clean (5 hours) of a one-bedroom apartment; consult runs $40 to $80 per hour (but we were not charged). | Firm focuses on “green” cleaning with eco-friendly products; recommended local services that could test for lead paint and certain types of plants to help improve air quality. | The cleaning was incredibly thorough: Pure Habitat washed our floors by hand and tackled dustbunnies hiding under furniture. The ‘thank you’ note and bottle of fabric softener left on our table after the cleaning was a nice touch. |
| EcoHome Chicago, Chicago ecohomechicago.com | $250, one hour. | Reducing carbon footprint and saving on energy costs. Solutions suggested: Thicker curtains to minimize draft, wrapping water-heater pipes, washing laundry on cold and line drying. | EcoHome offered dozens of helpful tips to save money and cut a home’s carbon footprint, but the price seemed high for a one-hour consultation and written report. |
—David Kesmodel, Jennifer Levitz and Andrea Petersen contributed to this article.
Write to Jane Hodges at rjeditor@dowjones.com
Printed in The Wall Street Journal, page D2
Getting a Consult to ‘Green’ Your Home
April 13th, 2009
By JANE HODGES
American consumers eager to correct their energy-wasting ways and create a more environmentally friendly home can now hire eco-consultants. This growing breed of advisers charge anywhere from $99 to a few hundred dollars for a home visit followed by extensive prescriptions designed to address particular concerns.
The field of eco-consulting is mostly composed of small contractors or franchises reliant on solo practitioners in different markets, meaning that the experience of eco-consulting and the training of the consultant can vary. Some eco-consultants offer their services as adjuncts to green cleaning or landscaping businesses, while others offer consults in addition to green remodeling services.
To find out how we could improve our homes’ energy consumption, air and water quality, and appliance efficiency, we hired five practitioners in four cities: Green Irene in Seattle; EcoHome Chicago in Chicago; Green on the Inside in Boston; GreenHouse Eco-Cleaning in New York; and Pure Habitat NYC in New York.
Consultants spent anywhere from one hour (EcoHome Chicago) to three hours (Green on the Inside) assessing our homes. In Pure Habitat’s case, we arranged a five-hour deep cleaning (for $215), followed by a $40 to $80 eco-consultation. Prices varied from $99 for a Green Irene visit to $250 for an appointment with EcoHome Chicago, the latter of which included two consultants.
Both Green on the Inside and GreenHouse Eco-Cleaning asked us to fill out questionnaires in advance to streamline our meetings, while other consultants asked us questions upon arrival. We told Pure Habitat and GreenHouse Eco-Cleaning, for instance, that we’re expecting a new baby and wanted to offer our child a clean indoor environment. We told Green on the Inside about a possible kitchen remodel, and informed Green Irene that we plan to add insulation to our attic and basement in future remodeling efforts.
While consultants did provide well-trod energy tips (swap out regular bulbs for compact fluorescents, don’t microwave plastic containers, use a programmable thermostat), they also addressed our specific questions and generally provided concrete alternatives to any problems identified. In many cases, consultants identified solutions for our problems — or local vendors who could help — which they then shared with us in follow-up emails.
We learned something new from each of our consultants’ visits: EcoHome Chicago taught us that condenser coils behind the refrigerator need semi-annual cleaning to maximize efficiency. GreenHouse Eco-Cleaning used a special measuring device to reassure us that our indoor air quality fell within acceptable levels, but was also able to recommend specific air purifiers. As part of their incredibly thorough “green” cleaning service, Pure Habitat sorted which cleaning products to keep (more eco-friendly ones) versus discard and also referred us to local contractors that test paint for lead content. Green on the Inside articulated why recycled granite, glass or composite materials make better countertops than new granite or formica, and showed us how to check for refrigerator air leaks. Green Irene outlined our options for nontoxic spray insulation (suggested material: Icynene), told us about a balloon-like device that reduces chimney drafts, and gave us referrals for outdoor-lighting specialists and other contractors.
The main difficulty with the consultants, we found, was setting up appointments and receiving follow-up information. With Green Irene, our consultant had a busy schedule and needed to book us at least a week out. In Pure Habitat’s case, days would go by before we received a response to email messages. We also received only half of our Pure Habitat final report: We got an email with some specific recommendations, but never did receive the promised package via mail. (At various times, we were told that it had been returned for insufficient postage and that the company had an incorrect ZIP Code for us.) Pure Habitat, to its credit, did not charge us for the eco-consulting portion of our cleaning/consulting appointment. The company’s founder, Cory Tixier, said in a phone interview following our meeting that her business is a small operation and is having some growing pains.
While all the eco-consultants offered solutions that may save us money over time, it seems that in the near-term, we’ll need to spend it. In the green economy where these eco-consultants operate, going green costs green.
| COMPANY/WEB SITE | PRICE/LENGTH OF CONSULTATION | FOCUS AND FINDINGS | COMMENT |
| Green on the Inside, Boston greenontheinside.net | $175/initial; $75 per hour for follow-ups; $20 travel fee may apply in suburbs. | Consult focused on keeping home environment healthy. Kitchen needed most work in terms of energy waste, use of toxic materials, and lowering bacteria potential. | Consultant promised two-page follow-up report but provided six pages of tips. She also offers other services, such as eco-friendly gardening. |
| Green Irene, Seattle greenirene.com | $99, 2 hours. | Visit went through nine categories of information. Saving on energy was a major focus, with tips on insulation, plumbing, electrical use, and appliance maintenance/repair. | Green Irene is available in 30 states and the $99 fee includes 6 months of access to “Ask Green Irene,” an informal research service and chatboard. Consulting for small businesses (under 50 workers) debuted in January 2009, priced at $250 and up for a four-hour assessment. |
| GreenHouse Eco-Cleaning, New York greenhouseecocleaning.com | $150, one hour. | Follow-up proposal was filled with specific recommendations, including filters for our shower to remove chlorine and Web sites where we could find organic crib mattresses and beauty products. | We appreciated that our proposal included prices for recommended products and links to where to find many. The local “Greenoipia” guide to eco-friendly services that was included with our follow-up package was a welcome extra. |
| Pure Habitat NYC, New York purehabitatnyc.com | $215 for deep-clean (5 hours) of a one-bedroom apartment; consult runs $40 to $80 per hour (but we were not charged). | Firm focuses on “green” cleaning with eco-friendly products; recommended local services that could test for lead paint and certain types of plants to help improve air quality. | The cleaning was incredibly thorough: Pure Habitat washed our floors by hand and tackled dustbunnies hiding under furniture. The ‘thank you’ note and bottle of fabric softener left on our table after the cleaning was a nice touch. |
| EcoHome Chicago, Chicago ecohomechicago.com | $250, one hour. | Reducing carbon footprint and saving on energy costs. Solutions suggested: Thicker curtains to minimize draft, wrapping water-heater pipes, washing laundry on cold and line drying. | EcoHome offered dozens of helpful tips to save money and cut a home’s carbon footprint, but the price seemed high for a one-hour consultation and written report. |
—David Kesmodel, Jennifer Levitz and Andrea Petersen contributed to this article.
Write to Jane Hodges at rjeditor@dowjones.com
Printed in The Wall Street Journal, page D2
It Is Time To Utilize Renewable Solar Energy
April 10th, 2009
The sun is the life giving force of our existence. Solar energy, the light and heat radiated by the sun, is what feeds us, clothes us and provides means for our shelter. However, renewable solar energy can provide us with much more. Using renewable solar energy can provide both economic and environmental benefits as well.
Renewable solar energy is an excellent source of electricity. Rather than dwindling more fossil fuels to feed power plants, we can take advantage of huge savings and electricity by utilizing renewable solar energy. Renewable solar energies come with very little pollution when they convert electricity from solar panels or thermal devices. Renewable solar energies do not contribute to the effects of global warming.
Solar energy is a renewable resource. Yes, there are days when the sun doesn’t shine enough to generate electricity, but there are far more days when the sun is there and not being utilized to power our homes, businesses and workshops. Once you invest in renewable solar energy, you can save greatly on maintenance costs as most systems have no moving parts and require little upkeep.
By utilizing passive renewable solar energy, you can build a solar home that requires very low energy use. To use passive renewable solar energy you must include south facing windows in your home design, in combination with products like brick and stone that provide heat radiating thermal mass. In combination with a solar hot water system and solar electric panels you can take full advantage of renewable solar energy resources.
It is also possible to build your own solar panel and solar hot water systems for your design. By building your own components you can greatly reduce the time needed to pay for your renewable solar energy system. Building your own solar energy system also allows you to fully understand the mechanics and physics behind harnessing solar energy. This can be an educational benefit for all members of the family and building your own systems will lower the cost of your renewable solar energy household by at least half when compared to purchasing the system and having it installed professionally.
Start utilizing the power of the sun and design a plan for your renewable solar energy system. With research and elbow grease you can be on your way to a lower monthly budget and a more environmentally friendly home or business. Renewable solar energy is going to be the way of the future and the Earth will thank you.
Review of Solar Panels for Beginners
April 9th, 2009
It’s Easier Than You Think!
Solar Panels for Beginners is a great solar panel e-book for… beginners. It is a good starting point for information for the first time solar panel builder.
