The Benefits of Solar Lighting in a Nutshell

Published on: 08 October 2019 Last Updated on: 03 September 2024

What comes to mind when someone says “solar?” Typically we think of the sun, the Earth’s fuel provider. What if I were to tell you that we could dramatically reduce our carbon footprint by using the power of the sun to fuel something as simple as outdoor lighting? It’s true! Over 10 million tons of carbon dioxide are produced annually just from residential outdoor lighting alone–that’s no drop in a bucket! The time to reverse the impact of carbon emissions is now, and believe it or not, one of the best ways to significantly reduce our carbon footprint is by using something a little unconventional: solar lighting.

Solar Lighting Benefits: More Than Just Good for the Environment

A lot of “green initiative” individuals are huge proponents for solar lighting simply because it’s great for the environment. Solar panels knock loose electronics from their interaction from photons striking silicon wafers, which in turn charge a battery to power a light fixture when the sun drops below the horizon. This awesome interaction (named the photovoltaic effect) uses absolutely zero fossil fuels to power lights. There’s nothing to burn nor any power lines that need to be connected. It’s one of the cleanest energy sources available to us. We like to call solar the “new energy revolution.”

Beyond that, solar lighting is a lot cheaper than many people think. The price of a solar panel in the mid-70s was about 76 dollars a watt. Can you guess how much a solar panel price is a today?

In 2013, solar panel prices were about 75 cents a watt. So 1 watt of energy produced by a solar cell costs similar to the change you’ll find under your couch cushions. And now that technology is used in solar panels on top of poles to power light fixtures. It’s a fantastic solution for parking lot and street lighting that saves money and reduces the overall carbon footprint.

Beyond The Green

There’s a lot more in store than you might think with solar lighting. First off, every solar light works independently. There’s no power connection needed, no trenching required, and no costs with using fossil fuels. If the power goes out, so do the lights! That’s not the case with solar lighting. In fact, we’ve seen cases of solar lights holding up during strong hurricane winds to remain on after the storm in contrast to traditional lighting which would need mountains of repair from the high winds ravaging the area.

Secondly, several models of solar lighting are actually portable via a forklift or just two people. They’re fantastic for construction projects where permanently-grounded lights won’t bode well. Solar lighting works great in airports for when power goes out and backup systems fail. Or, if you prefer having the portable option just in case, feel free to go that route. The emphasis is that these lights can go virtually anywhere since they don’t need to be tied to an electrical grid. Just be sure that they have access to the sun–even though the best lighting systems are rated to last over a week on a single charge, the panel won’t cull much power if it sits in the shade of a tree permanently.

Talk of the Town

Solar lighting tends to be a bit of a head-turner. It preserves park beautification and adds a little flair to light fixtures. A lot of media outlets tend to give attention to cities that make green efforts, especially when they’re such a public-facing installation. On top of all the benefits you’ll receive for solar lights, you might get featured in a newspaper or on television for deciding to install solar on your city’s streets. That, in turn, should generate business. Solar is great for publicity.

In Conclusion

Solar lighting is a lot more than just going green. It’s about recognizing that clean power is the way of the future. It’s about preserving what matters to us and ensuring your business or municipality saves as much as possible while getting the job done. If you’re in the market for a new lighting project, consider solar. The savings are there. But don’t take our word for it; do the research yourself and you’ll find it’s the best option to light up the night. Thanks for reading.

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What You Need To Know Before Installing A Greenhouse

If you decide to up your game in gardening by widening your space and growing more crops, plants, fruits, and veggies, it’s time to consider investing in a greenhouse. Nothing beats the convenience of harvesting organic ingredients and producing straight from your garden. Not only does this help you save money, but it also allows you to explore more variety of seedlings to grow. Greenhouses are an excellent environment for fruits and vegetables to grow in their best state. Because of the safe enclosure, insects and external conditions cannot adversely affect their growth and condition. This safe haven ensures your plants' nourishment to reap the best quality of produce later on. However, before installing a greenhouse, you should acquire more knowledge and learn helpful techniques. Here is everything you need to know before installing a greenhouse. Type Of Greenhouse Design In order to buy or build a greenhouse, you first need to figure out how much-growing space you will need and what type of greenhouse design is best for you. You will have to continue using the same greenhouse for many years, so choose a size that will provide ample space for all the crops you wish to grow and care for. Opt for a reliable greenhouse company that includes installation services. Purchasing With Installation Included Some greenhouse specialists like Swgreenhouses.co.uk will include installation with your purchase, which means you don't have to worry about installing it yourself in your own garden, which can save a lot of worries. Upon choosing the company or provider, don’t forget to seek advice on what type of greenhouse would best fit your needs and preferences. Here are two types to consider: Attached A lean-to or attached greenhouse offers the advantage of not having to build all four walls. It can significantly reduce greenhouse construction or installation cost. Since the foundation is already within your house, the greenhouse will remain stable and sturdy. Many home gardeners choose this greenhouse option because it’s easier to construct and cost-effective. The ideal area in your home to install an attached greenhouse is to find a place with enough sunlight. Freestanding The other option you can choose is freestanding greenhouses. It is the best bet if you want to place your greenhouse in different locations within your home. While they may require a heftier initial investment, you can see how cost-effective they can be in the long run since you can grow more plants in them. It also enhances your curb appeal as they become an extended sanctuary of your home. You can add decor or furniture and keep your greenhouse an additional space to entertain guests or spend time with the family. Because of their multiple purposes, freestanding greenhouses can be an excellent investment. Consider The Plants You Want To Grow Another important step before constructing or installing your greenhouse is deciding the kind of plants you’ll grow. This will help you determine the requirements for growing them and guide you in designing the greenhouse. If you don't know what kind of plants to grow in your greenhouse, you can't properly plan the proper temperature or lighting. To care for your plants and vegetables, you have to factor in their sunlight and water requirement, temperature, humidity, and other factors. Choose plants that are matched to how your greenhouse can supply these elements. Also, note that you'll need to buy greenhouse tools, equipment, and accessories based on your chosen plants. The good news is that you can grow any plant in your greenhouse. This is because the greenhouse's main benefit is that you can control all these necessary elements to keep your plants strong and healthy. But you will need to decide what types of species grow well together and keep your greenhouse successful and effective. Whether you’re thinking of growing spiky plants that can be used to decorate houses or fruits and veggies that can be grown organically, the key is to be familiar with several plant species and their corresponding care requirements. After all, you'll be able to plan which plants can grow together if you have a broad understanding of the plants you're growing. Choose Your Location Choosing your location is important when deciding to invest in a greenhouse. If your greenhouse is near your home, you can visit and monitor it more often. However, if it’s a bit far, you might not be able to care for it frequently. Make sure it’s strategically located somewhere you or your family can easily access. When choosing the best location, the general rule is to select a place where the sun shines much longer and more often. Thoroughly study and assess your residence, and see where the sun rises and sets daily. Consider these factors when deciding where to install your greenhouse. Find an area where your greenhouse will have protection against strong winds and frost pockets in case these instances occur. Light, Water, And Ventilation Finally, you have to ensure that your greenhouse will have convenient power sources, water, and air ventilation. This will enable you to install lighting and water fixtures easily. Your greenhouse must meet some requirements regardless of style, size, or construction method. Consider the aspects below: Electricity You can control temperature easier when you install fans within the greenhouse. Wire the outlets safely and securely, and acquire all permits when installing a greenhouse. Aside from using a commercial power supply, you can consider installing solar-powered panels to generate electricity for the lights necessary in the greenhouse. Air Ventilation Air ventilation can be increased through the use of indoor greenhouse fans. They help alleviate extreme temperatures and climates. Airflow prevents warm air from rising, whereas cold air gathers below near the plants without airflow. Install fans or roof vents to promote more ventilation. Water Your greenhouse must have water access. Many greenhouses use garden hoses that are attached to a nearby resource. However, you can also go for automated sprinkler systems, which can be scheduled or turned on manually without having to go through all plants one by one. Conclusion Your greenhouse investment will ultimately depend on you. You can do it yourself or hire professionals to install them successfully in your home. However, it’s crucial to know the details and aspects mentioned above to make your greenhouse construction project a breeze. Additional: Best Paying Jobs In Energy Smart House Technology for Saving Energy What You Should Know about Solar Energy for Schools Benefits Is The World Shifting Fast Enough To Renewable Sources Of Energy?

Prepare Your Solar Panels for the Fall

Summer is done, and you can already see it by the drop in temperatures and the duration of the day. With shorter days also comes the reduced amount of sunlight during a 24 hour period, which worries some solar panel owners. Some people aren’t sure how effective their solar panels will be during the colder period of the year. However, as experts from Action Solar assure us, panels work just fine throughout the year; all you need to do is make sure that you optimize them for the season. Here’s how. Clean Your Panels: No matter how many panels you have, they are exposed to the elements all the time, and naturally, they get dirty. However, solar panels are quite durable and strong, meaning that you don’t need to clean them very often and even when you do, you don’t need to go into too much detail. In fact, if you clean them too often, you might damage them, so it’s better to give them a cursory sweep every month or so and be done with it. Removing debris like leaves and branches are more important than dusting them, as most solar panels only lose about 7% of their effectiveness when dirty, as researchers from the University of California in San Diego found out. Adjust the Tilt: During the summer, the sun falls more directly to the ground, meaning that your solar panels will absorb a lot of the sunlight even without careful positioning. However, as summer transitions into the fall and eventually winter, the sun will shift and the rays will fall in a more tilted angle. So, if you want to use as much of the sunlight as possible, you will need to adjust your panels accordingly. Naturally, you should not do this on your own, but rather invite professionals to do it for you. Not only are they skilled in handling solar panels, but they will be able to calculate the optimal tilt and positioning of your panels. The best solar companies in California recommend realigning your solar panels at least twice a year in order to maximize the productivity of your panel throughout the year and not just in summer. However, if you include the fall and spring adjustment as well, you will be able to actually bring out the maximum from your panels. Deal with the Decreased Output by Saving Energy: During the summer, days are longer and usually sunnier than any other part of the year. That’s great news for your solar panels because they will be able to produce more energy. That being said, you probably spend a lot of electricity just by running your AC all day. In the fall, on the other hand, you don’t need your AC and the days are still relatively long. So, you will be able to produce a lot more energy which you won’t immediately spend. This is the time when you will be able to bring your electricity bill down by a noticeable margin. However, as fall progresses, the days will be shorter, which means that you may need to cut some unnecessary electricity spending if you want your bill to remain low; that is until winter rolls around, and you need to fire up your furnace. The technology behind solar panels is improving every day, and the time when solar panels only used to be productive in the summer are long gone. Read Also: Everything You Need To Know About Portable Solar Power How To Start Living Off The Grid

HVO Fuel Uncovered: The Secret Fuel That Could Change Everything

The "fight" for a cleaner planet has been going on for a long time. People are trying to beat themselves because they and the things they use are the main polluters. Cars and everything that uses fossil fuels are among them, considering their emissions of exhaust gases into the atmosphere are huge. At the global level, governments make efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, knowing these are the biggest polluters. That's why the desire to find alternative sources of energy from renewable sources has been present for a long time. While there are already certain options in use, as you can read here, new solutions are constantly coming up with improved performance and lower CO2 emissions. Alternative fuels are essential for sustainable carbon-free energy supply and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. And while you're probably already familiar with their use, HVO (which stands for Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) might be new to you. This low-carbon liquid fuel has gained attention lately because it seems like the long-awaited solution to pollution issues. About The HVO Fuel HVO implies using cooking oils and similar fatty waste as fuel. That's not an entirely new concept since the use of processed vegetable oils in diesel engines has been known for more than a century. Nevertheless, it's a new hype among eco-conscious consumers because it's plant-based and very clean. Its CO2 emission and the number of PM particles are almost 90% lower than diesel and kerosene, fossil fuels that are still widely used. The base of HVO is vegetable oil, that is, used cooking oil, such as sunflower, peanut, grapeseed, etc. However, it can also be made of both food-grade and non-food-grade oils (like palm or soy), animal fat residues, and tall oil. In their original state, these liquids could not be used as fuels, so they undergo hydrotreatment. It serves to change their consistency and composition for use in standard diesel engines. Hydrotreatment involves the use of hydrogen to eliminate oxygen from the oils. This treatment takes place at very high temperatures, and then glycerides, or fat components, are separated. That's a refining process that leaves this new fuel with minimal impurities, meaning that, during its combustion, there will be no harmful by-products and gases. That means less damage to the engine itself but also drastically less pollution. The Use Of HVO In general, HVO represents an alternative to fossil fuels, especially diesel, one of the major pollutants globally. So this new energy source can be used in all engines made for diesel. It means that its most common application will be in car engines. Still, it has found its purpose in off-road and agricultural machinery, boats, and generators. Some of the major truck makers have already made vehicles powered by HVO, as in this biodiesel-powered racing truck. This new fuel from reputable manufacturers like SyntechBiofuel.com is equally usable in modern diesel engines as well as in older types that don't have electronic fuel injection. They will have almost the same performance in operation as if regular diesel was used, only with much less damage to the engine, the entire circuit, and the environment. Alternative fuels also have a huge potential to become the primary energy source for heating systems. Oil and gas still dominate in this area, but more and more households and industrial facilities are turning to alternative solutions. For instance, heat pumps are a popular yet costly solution. HVO can be an even better and more cost-effective option if you plan to go green, that is, to switch to it from standard heating systems that use oil or kerosene. This venture won't cost you extra money because there's no need for system modifications and add-ons, as would eventually be the case with heat pumps. Benefits Of Switching To HVO Fuel As said, using HVO cuts the emission of harmful gases by up to 90%, depending on what makes the base of this fuel. That results from clean combustion because there are no impurities and PM particles in this processed liquid. Moving on, it means that engines will utilize a higher percentage of fuel, so their consumption will be lower. Simply put, HVO is a cleaner and more economical solution than diesel. This fuel is also sustainable, as it's made from waste (used cooking oil and animal fat). It also emits much less greenhouse gases than other fuels. As there's no carbon in HVO, there are no toxic and potentially carcinogenic combustion by-products. Another advantage of using HVO in standard diesel engines is that there is no need for their upgrades. But if you plan to use it as a replacement for heating oil in oil-fired boilers, there might be some minimal changes to your existing system. In any case, this can bring significant savings to both individuals and companies that, for some reason, have relied on fossil fuels until now. Because it doesn't contain oxygen molecules, HVO has a fairly long shelf life. So you can store it in specialized containers for up to 10 years without fear it will lose its properties and viscosity. For the same reason, HVO's freezing point is lower than that of ordinary diesel. Also, it won't harm the environment in case of accident spillage or leak. How HVO Differ From FAME? FAME is biodiesel, which isn't the same as HVO, although there are certain similarities. For starters, both are plant-based. But what makes a significant difference is how they're made. FAME utilizes esterification, which turns fatty molecules into esters and keeps oxygen molecules in it. As explained, HVO is obtained by a refinery process that removes oxygen from fats, leaving them ester-free, clean, stable, and non-prone to oxidation. So, unlike FAME, hydrotreated vegetable oils can't spoil, thicken, or degrade during storage. HVO is the fuel of the future, and there are many good reasons for that. It's a clean, non-toxic, sustainable, and economical alternative to diesel. It contributes to reducing the global carbon footprint, bringing no harm to the living world and the environment. Read Also: Fuel Storage Tanks: Ensuring Safe And Reliable Fuel Management 6 Effective Ways To Improve Your Car’s Fuel Efficiency 5 Ways To Improve The Fuel Efficiency Of Your Truck

The Benefits of Solar Lighting in a Nutshell

Solar Lighting Benefits: More Than Just Good for the Environment

Beyond The Green

Talk of the Town

In Conclusion

10 Steps To Take To Set Up Solar Panels At Home

What are the Different Types of Industrial Power Solutions?

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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Related

What You Need To Know Before Installing A Greenhouse

Prepare Your Solar Panels for the Fall

HVO Fuel Uncovered: The Secret Fuel That Could Change Everything

The Benefits of Solar Lighting in a Nutshell

Solar Lighting Benefits: More Than Just Good for the Environment

Beyond The Green

Talk of the Town

In Conclusion

Share this Article

10 Steps To Take To Set Up Solar Panels At Home

What are the Different Types of Industrial Power Solutions?

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Follow Us

Recent

Related