The Future

The other day I was discussing the ways in which solar power is used in our current world with my mother after seeing a commercial for a solar powered "Fan-Hat" (see video ).

We theorized that all cell phones should be able to recharge in the sun, similar to a solar powered calculator. This would help me because I always seem to lose battery power when I need my cell phone the most. Upon this magnificent idea I began to do some research to see if this was actually a possibility.

I found that Samsung has come out with one of the most "GREEN" cell phones possible. The phone itself is made from mostly recycled materials, boasts a user friendly design and can charge in the sun!! The phone even has a pedometer built in, showing you how much C02 emissions you are saving by walking versus driving.

This phone named, the "Blue Earth", should be unveiling the later portion of this year. Look for it!

Click here for actual article on the "Blue Earth".

Solar Powered Computing

To make the ability to access computers easier Scott Johnson of GNUveau Networks is reducing the wattage that the average computer would need by making them solar powered! Why not access the most accessible resource (THE SUN!) to make the computer more available in areas that do not necessarily have the infrastructure to support the standard computer. He builds these computers out of Daytona, Florida and already has provided some remote areas in Africa with his services.

EARTHSHIP

Earthship Solar Powered Homes

So, this past week was spent traveling with my mother and brother through the deserts of CA, AZ and NM. Let me tell you there was a LOT of sun to see. New Mexico seems to have made one of the most impressive efforts to utilize this. On the outskirts of Taos, NM are what is known as the Earthships. These are half underground homes that run fully on solar power. Although they may look to some like "Tellytubby" homes they are in fact highly functional and even made from natural recycled materials.

The Earthship homes in Taos, NM have are an attractive tourist destination because they are such a wonder. The homes pride themselves on the independence they obtain through being self-sufficient and sustainable homes. They are insulated by "adobe" which is a mudlike concrete from the earth around them, which is how they obtained their names. Their attractiveness caught on so much that the Earthship company started in Taos, NM built their first home in the UK in 2004.

The link I have provided to the Earthship website above lets you know all about how you can start on your very own Earthship home. The prices average around $200 per sq/ft of home. You can customize these homes in any way you would like to suit your needs. Check it out!

Types of Solar Panels for the Home

There are two main types of solar panels that can be installed on your home. This accounts for the range in prices that you may face when planning your installation.

2) Amorphus Solar Panels
This type of solar panel consists of a thin film-like material made from silicon that is applied to stainless steel to conduct energy from the sun. These are less expensive to produce than the crystalline but less effective also.



1) Crystalline Solar Panels
These are the large plate-like panels you may see on the roofs of structures. These plates are made from crystals of silicon and can be broken down into the sub-categories of monocrystalline and polycrystalline. These subcategories simply account for the fact that a monocrystalline panel is one large crystal and polycrystalline panels appear like shattered glass with many smaller crystals.

Your Home Gone Solar

The first question to ask yourself about going solar in your place of residence is WHY?
There are many benefits the main of them being:

• SUSTAINABILITY!!- The whole point of solar power is drawing energy from the sun. Perhaps hte number one natural resource available to us.

• Easy to install.

• Cost-Efficient- There are many government rebate programs once you have installed solar panels on your home. You will save money on costly energy bills and excess energy can be sold back to the power company.

• Environmentally friendly.

• Long lasting.

To begin using solar power in the home you will have to install solar panels to a spot on your home where the sun shines freely. The one pitfall to this is that this can get quite costly. They range from 2,000 dollars to upwards of 10,000. However, the big payoff is listed above!