Trustee Makes Donation To Start New Solar Energy Research Center at Rensselaer (Newswise)
Researchers at the center will work to develop the next generation of solar technology by studying one of the most powerful energy converting machines in world - plants. Researchers will use sophisticated new technologies and techniques to understand the energy converting power of plants to develop new technologies that mimic this extremely efficient natural system.
Source: www.newswise.com

Solar Bubbles (Forbes)
Here’s an audacious energy solution: cheap plastic balloons with solar cells inside.
Source: www.forbes.com

Credit meltdown is big obstacle to solar development (In Business Las Vegas)
Despite the doom and gloom casting a pall over the global economy, the solar energy industry is optimistic its future will be bright.
Source: www.inbusinesslasvegas.com

Please note that swimming pool water temperatures may vary from suburb to suburb and house to house. For example:- suburbs near the coast or in a wind belt generally require additional panels to achieve higher swimming pool water temperatures. Pool pump/filter sizes also effect the overall efficiency of your pool heating system. As a “rule of thumb” we recommend equal solar panel sqm to swimming pool sqm as well as a heat retention blanket.

Although every greenhouse is a solar greenhouse to some extent, there are differences in the type of solar heating and lighting that you can use. The covering you use, whether it is fibreglass, glass or heavy plastic, traps the heat from the sun inside each day. The trick in having a successful greenhouse is learning how to store this solar heat to keep the temperature the same during the night.
Evacuated tubes are the absorber of the solar water heater. They absorb solar energy converting it into heat for use in water heating. Each evacuated tube consists of two glass tubes made from extremely strong borosilicate glass. The outer tube is transparent allowing light rays to pass through with minimal reflection. The inner tube is coated with a special selective coating (Al-N/Al) which features excellent solar radiation absorption and minimal reflection properties. The top of the two tubes are fused together and the air contained in the space between the two layers of glass is pumped out while exposing the tube to high temperatures. This “evacuation” of the gasses forms a vacuum, which is an important factor in the performance of the evacuated tubes. The vacuum in the evacuated glass tube is less than 5

Solar City, First Solar ink deal to use thin-film panels on homes (San Jose Mercury News)
Solar City, the Foster City solar-system installer, inked a deal Wednesday that will bring thin-film solar panels to residential rooftops for the first time, the company said.
Source: www.mercurynews.com

Interactive solar energy exhibit stopped in Chandler (The Arizona Republic)
City Tour for Solar, an interactive exhibit extolling the benefits of solar energy made a stop in Chandler on Monday. The exhibit featured displays, demonstrations of solar power and video presentations on the benefits of solar energy.
Source: www.azcentral.com

First Solar buys into leasing firm SolarCity (CNET)
First Solar puts $25 million into SolarCity, which will expand its solar panel leasing program to East Coast residential and small business customers next year.
Source: news.cnet.com

Clear Skies Solar unveils $5.7 million solar energy project (EETimes)
Clear Skies Solar has announced a $5.7-million agreement with Achilles Chondronasios & Co. to develop and construct a 960-kilowatt solar power project in Larissa, Greece.
Source: www.eetimes.com

Solar heating is now so affordable from Hi Temp, and still the value of your house escalates with this feature installed. The installation takes less than one day. No mess, no fuss, no people walking through your house.

Want a great project that will make you feel quite handy? You can make your own path lights using solar post caps! Get yourself a solar post cap that will fit a 4×4 cedar post. Take an 8ft long 4×4 cedar post and cut it into 2 ft lengths. Next, get a 3 1/2 inch floor flange from the plumbing section in your local hardware store. In that same section, find a threaded pipe about 10 to 12 inches tall that will screw into your floor flange.
Solar heating is now so affordable from Hi Temp, and still the value of your house escalates with this feature installed. The installation takes less than one day. No mess, no fuss, no people walking through your house.

Solar pros bemoan Xcel funding cut (Boulder Daily Camera)
Companies that sell solar-power systems in Colorado say Xcel Energy’s decision last week to cut by nearly half the rate it pays for “renewable energy credits” could cast a shadow over a thriving industry.
Source: dailycamera.com

Nearby Solar System Could Be Habitable (Wired News)
A nearby solar system closely resembles our own at the time when life first formed. Especially tantalizing is the potential for Earth-like planets in the “habitable zone,” the right distance from that system’s sun.
Source: blog.wired.com

Solar system’s young twin has two asteroid belts (Spaceflight Now)
Astronomers have discovered that the nearby star Epsilon Eridani has two rocky asteroid belts and an outer icy ring, making it a triple-ring system. The inner asteroid belt is a virtual twin of the belt in our solar system, while the outer asteroid belt holds 20 times more material.
Source: www.spaceflightnow.com

Solar Panels at UNR Helping School Save Money (KTVN Reno)
Solar panels on the roof of the new Joe Crowley Student Union at the University of Nevada are paying off in more ways than one. The solar project cost more than $141,000 to install and Monday the school got that money back in a big rebate check.
Source: www.ktvn.com

Scottsdale among school districts looking at solar options (The Arizona Republic)
Scottsdale, Agua Fria, Deer Valley, and Mesa school districts are exploring the option of putting solar panels on school property.
Source: www.azcentral.com

Hamlin Cos. diversifies into solar business (BizJournals)
Hamlin Energy Solutions got its start in January after the family-owned, rooftop metal fabrication company Hamlin Cos. decided to venture into solar energy.
Source: www.bizjournals.com

Calif. Rule Casts Shade On Solar Panels (NPR)
Solar panels are this season’s must-have construction accessory in Southern California. But there’s a regulatory roadblock. Green boosters say one more state rule needs to change if solar is going to be anything bigger than a flash in the pan.
Source: www.npr.org

Xcel reduces solar payments (BizJournals)
With about 30 hours’ notice last week, Xcel Energy Inc. slashed by 22 percent what it would pay in its popular Solar*Rewards program toward the cost of a small solar power system for a home or small business. (XEL)
Source: www.bizjournals.com

Make the most of your investment. With Hi*Temp solar heating your pool can be used for eight months, or more, of the year. With Hi*Temp SOLAR and energy from the sun, you can use you pool August through May.

Probing the use of solar power (The Times of Trenton)
LAMBERTVILLE — With one eye on clean energy and another on the budget, the city council last week became the initial member of a new cooperative with five other public bodies to explore the use of solar power.
Source: www.nj.com

Solar installers gear up for boom (Arizona Daily Sun)
As word continues to spread about the new federal solar tax credit, the solar panel industry is advertising for new customers.
Source: www.azdailysun.com

On the road to better solar panels (The Christian Science Monitor)
One drawback to solar cells these days is their tendency to work best over a fairly narrow stretch of visible light’s spectrum. As a result, they take advantage of a relatively small portion of the light that the sun emits – and therefore don’t deliver as much juice as they …
Source: features.csmonitor.com

Thermosiphon takes place When the sun comes up. The water in the evacuated solar tube panel begins to circulate from the solar geyser through the evacuated solar tube panel and back. The process is continued throughout the day, until the sun goes down. We adjust your geyser thermostat to 40′C so that on days where there is absolutely no UV rays around, you will still have warm water. If there is a power failure, thermosiphon effect will still take place, which guarantees hot water irrespective of power failures.

While solar energy is most often associated with the production of electricity, heating is also a major platform. Temperature control is the key to an efficient system. Temperature Control with Solar Panels The sun produces a ton of energy, but solar panel systems have historically been very inefficient at converting it. With improving technology, efficiency has improved to the point where most panel systems can easily produce enough energy to heat water for the home and pools.
Evacuated tubes are the absorber of the solar water heater. They absorb solar energy converting it into heat for use in water heating. Each evacuated tube consists of two glass tubes made from extremely strong borosilicate glass. The outer tube is transparent allowing light rays to pass through with minimal reflection. The inner tube is coated with a special selective coating (Al-N/Al) which features excellent solar radiation absorption and minimal reflection properties. The top of the two tubes are fused together and the air contained in the space between the two layers of glass is pumped out while exposing the tube to high temperatures. This “evacuation” of the gasses forms a vacuum, which is an important factor in the performance of the evacuated tubes. The vacuum in the evacuated glass tube is less than 5

Todays generation cares more about the environment than any to come before. People are looking for simple solutions to help them be both environmentally friendly and economically stable. Solar energy is an excellent resource that is widely underused. Some solar energy projects require professionals to install, while others are simple and do-it yourself.
Solar energy can be used to heat water. Solar water heating systems are an efficient way to use natural, renewable energy. While installing water heating systems should be done by a professional, there are many steps that a homeowner must take before deciding on a system and a contractor. Learn these steps with this solar how to.

There are three types of solar thermal systems: flat-plate panel, integral collector-storage and evacuated tube collector. Most solar water heating systems on todays market are flat-plate panel systems. Flat-plate panel systems pump water through a series of tubes and a black surface that coverts the sun ’s radiation into heat.
Integral collector-storage systems are best in climates where there are moderate weather changes. This type of system works on a pipe system and could be sensitive to freezing in severe weather.
The evacuated tube collector system traps the sun ’s heat like a vacuum and is highly efficient. This type of system is becoming more popular and affordable.
The cost of these systems varies from R10,000 to R20,000 depending on the area and type of system needed. Even though the initial cost may be high, solar thermal systems greatly reduce home energy costs and are eligible for a Eskom credit. On average, a homeowner can save 50 to 80 percent on water heating bills and be protected from future fuel shortages.

When selecting a solar water heating system, paying attention to building codes and regulations is crucial. Homeowners should investigate local building codes and zoning compliance’s. The site around the home also needs to be evaluated.

 
Since solar water heating systems can be complicated to install, it is best to consult a professional before starting a job. When searching for a professional installer, be sure to ask the following questions:
o Does the company have experience installing solar water heating systems? If so, how many years?
o Does the company have a license or certification to install this type of equipment?

The company selected should have experience installing the type of solar water heating system that works best for the home. It is acceptable to ask for a list of references from past customers. Some states require special licenses or certifications to install this type of system. Consult with the town or city contracting board first. Then make sure the contractor selected has the proper certifications if required.
Installing a solar water heating system is not the only way to save money and resources when it comes to the home. Heating outdoor pools may extend the swimming season, but it is costly to both the environment and a homeowners wallet. A simple solution is to switch from electrically heating a pool to using solar technology.
A solar pool heating system is a do-it yourself project for anyone who can use power tools and read a manual. The system is more affordable than a conventional electric heating system and can last up to 20 years. A solar pool heating system can be purchased at a pool supply store or through the Internet.
Heating water using solar energy is an environmentally friendly use of a naturally occurring alternative fuel source. Not only do solar water heating systems save homeowners money; they also protect them from fuel shortages and rising fuel prices. Alternative energy sources is not an idea of the future. It is an idea that needs to be applied to today’s homes. The use of solar energy is one of the best options available for homeowners.

Pool heating is also available.

About the Author

Dominic Symes website www.hitemp.co.za

Green news harvest: Solar thermal returns to Calif., Seattle algae (CNET)
Duke Energy scales back solar plan, Solydra scores another big customer for rooftop solar, energy and water’s close linkage, an algae biofuels contest, smartening the grid, and more.
Source: news.cnet.com

Why Duke Cut $100 Million Solar Project in Half (TheStreet.com)
Duke Energy presented to the North Carolina Utilities Commission a distributed solar project that calls for spending $50 million instead of $100 million to install solar panels on rooftops and the ground. Here’s why the project revised.
Source: www.thestreet.com

SAN MARCOS: University to get solar energy system (North County Times)
SAN MARCOS —- Cal State San Marcos’ efforts to use the sun to shrink the campus’ energy bills got a major boost this week with the announcement of a deal that will bring a free solar energy system to the campus.
Source: www.nctimes.com

Energized by solar solutions (Los Angeles Times)
The gig: President and chief executive of San Luis Obispo-based REC Solar, one of the nation’s largest installers of solar photovoltaic systems. The company installs rooftop solar systems on homes and businesses in California, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, New Jersey and Oregon. The firm employs 350 people and continues to hire even amid the economic downturn. “We don’t have robots up on the roof” …
Source: www.latimes.com

Dubai launches major initiative to harness solar energy (New Kerala)
Dubai, Oct 25 : As part of its efforts to reduce pollution and create alternative sources of energy to meet growing demand, the city of Dubai has launched a major initiative to harness solar energy.
Source: www.newkerala.com

Knoxville unveils ‘Solar City America’ campaign (WBIR-TV Knoxville)
Knoxville unveiled its “Solar City America” campaign on Friday. The program is designed to educate city residents and businesses on the benefits of solar energy.
Source: www.wbir.com

Technology Week in Review: Better solar cells, car navigation (EETimes)
All-spectrum solar cells, Google’s Android mobile phone and new car navigation aids highlight this edition of Technology Week in Review.
Source: www.eetimes.com

Sacramento State is going solar (The Sacramento Bee)
California State University, Sacramento, and other state unverisity campuses are partnering with SunEdison on a solar energy program that will deliver about as much energy as 1,256 households consume in a year.
Source: www.sacbee.com

Hi*Temp Solar panels (made of durable and hard-wearing HDPE) are fitted to the roof. Water from the pool is channeled through the panels and is heated by the sun’s rays. The water is then returned to the pool by the existing pool pump. With such an efficient system temperatures between 22

Solar EnergyWith all the talk regarding solar energy for many years its time has finally come. The gradual inevitable depletion of natural resources has made alternative sources an absolute must. It’s now a matter of time and we’ll determine the eventual new leader. Much expensive and resources is now being spent to find the best natural resource such as solar energy.While many potential sources are possible, research into all the avenues will eventually surface with the most viable option
Please note that swimming pool water temperatures may vary from suburb to suburb and house to house. For example:- suburbs near the coast or in a wind belt generally require additional panels to achieve higher swimming pool water temperatures. Pool pump/filter sizes also effect the overall efficiency of your pool heating system. As a “rule of thumb” we recommend equal solar panel sqm to swimming pool sqm as well as a heat retention blanket.