How to make a Plastic bottle Solar distiller

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How Many Solar Devices Can You Make

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Renewable Energy: Using Solar Energy to Heat Your Home

A Review of Solar Technology

Solar energy is no new concept. In fact, for hundreds even thousands of years people have been finding ways to use energy from the sun to make life better. For example, ancient Roman bathhouses used solar radiation to warm water. Romans and Greeks also used passive solar architecture to heat their homes throughout the year. In 1676, Swiss scientist Horace de Saussure invented the first solar collector which was used in the 1830s by Sir John Herschel to cook food during his South Africa expedition. And in the 1860s the first solar powered engine was designed and built by French mathematician August Mouchet.

Today, solar technology has grown to the point where we can collect and store relatively large amounts of energy from the sun to be used for our electricity needs. This energy can now be stored in batteries, used for electricity in your home, or even funneled back into the electrical grid to take the place of traditional fossil fuels. Solar panels are becoming more efficient and more easily manufactured which has resulted in somewhat lower costs. And while recent technological advancements have made solar panels more popular, there are also traditional methods for using solar energy to heat water and homes that remain relevant today.

What Are The Pros and Cons of Using Solar Energy?

Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Energy

Passive vs Active Solar Heating

When deciding how best to use solar energy in your own home, it is important to first know that there are different methods of doing so. Passive solar energy is using sunlight to heat a room or area without having to employ any kind of mechanical system. One great example of this is passive solar architecture which is characterized by large, southern facing windows. This style of architecture allows sunlight to filter into a home or room through large double or triple pained windows. The floor plan of the house is usually designed to radiate heat to every room and also to allow heat to escape on hot summer days. Of course passive solar architecture can't be implemented in a home that is already built. Use this method if you are planning on building a home or are interested in a remodel which can be done in some instances.

Active solar heating involves solar panels and solar collectors to capture energy from the sun that can be used for electricity and heating. This method of "actively" using solar energy can also include the use of electrical pumps and fans to help heat your home by circulating warm air throughout the house. These mechanical components are also used to move warm air out of rooms on warm summer days so the house doesn't become uncomfortably hot. Other, more common ways of using active solar energy is with solar photovoltaic panels to collect energy, and using solar hot water collectors to heat and store hot water for your home.

Solar Hot Water Heating

The idea of using solar energy to heat hot water in the United States first began around 1900 in California. The first residential hot water heater called "Climax" was a series of tubes containing water that were mounted on a rooftop. The Climax became popular in California and Florida, but it's sales stalled because the units could not survive harsh winters. Solar hot water heating in the United States remained fairly popular until around 1950 when the price of electricity dropped in the California and Florida areas. It just became cheaper to heat water using a new electric water heater, and so it was around this time that the solar hot water heating industry came crashing down.

Modern solar hot water heaters are more reliable and efficient than those of the past. And most people don't realize that 12 - 17% of their home electricity bill comes from heating water. Although electricity is relatively cheap still in the United States, you can usually make up for the $4000 - 5000 upfront cost of a solar hot water heater within the life of the unit.  With the growing concern over burning up all of our fossil fuels, it makes sense to invest in a solar hot water heater. Systems are more reliable than ever, and as mentioned before, solar hot water heaters can pay for themselves through savings on your electricity bill.

Most solar hot water heaters come as part of a "kit" so you can also save money by installing the system yourself. There are many models to choose from, all with different capacities and physical sizes to consider. When purchasing a solar hot water system you should first do a little research to find out how much hot water you use on a daily and monthly basis. You want to invest in a system that will fulfill your needs but at the same time not be too large as to lose its efficiency. 

Using Solar Panels to Capture and Store Energy

Solar photovoltaic cells or "solar panels" are the most popular modern way of using solar energy. These panels can be used to collect and store energy from the sun to be used in your home, or put back onto the electrical grid. There are many advantages and disadvantages to using solar panels on your home. The biggest disadvantage is a high upfront cost, which can usually be recovered within around 10 - 15 years of your initial investment. While this seems like a long time, if you start using solar now you will be that much closer to becoming energy dependent in the years to come.

There is new technology on the horizon that will lower the costs of solar panel systems and increase their efficiencies. When these new design and manufacturing methods are refined, there will no doubt be once again an increased interest in solar energy in the United States. New technology means lower upfront costs, smaller panel sizes, more storage capacity, and higher efficiency. These advantages could potentially turn solar energy into the largest source of renewable energy, ahead of wind and hydroelectric.

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How to Live Off-Grid Successfully

If you have been wondering how to live off grid - "is it really possible?" and "can I do it?" the quick answer to all of these questions is, "Yes!".

The long answer is still yes, just with a lot more things to take into consideration. Living off grid will take a commitment of time, resources, and determination. You will really need to believe in what you are doing, have a vision for it, and want to make it work despite the obstacles that will plague you.

Living Off Grid Takes Practice

Living off grid is not the easiest way to live. Until you do it you don't even know the things that you are going to have to give up. The big things are easy to figure out: Refrigerators Heating systems Television Kitchen Appliances

There are other things that many people don't think about until they are actually in the midst of it.

Tools
Hair dryers
Clock radios
Washing machines
PDAs
Can openers
Coffee makers
There are a myriad of small electronics that people use daily that may not work with your new lifestyle. It isn't that they are necessary objects, they are conveniences. Yet, for many of us, convenience gives us the foundation of our lives.

If you are still thinking of living off grid then there are a few decisions to be made.

Designing an Off Grid Home




Where To Live Off-Grid

When you go off grid are you going to do it in your current home?
Will you need to move?
Will you choose to build a new home or restore an old one?
What part of the country will you choose?
Knowing how to live off-grid in different environments will help you to make the choice that is best for you.

Going Off Grid Where You Live Now

You might think that those questions are secondary but they are not. It is entirely possible to go off grid right where you live, if you own your own home. In fact you can begin learning how to live off grid today. Solar panels can be added. Circuits can be turned off. Water can be discontinued and wells can be dug. Research should be done into alternative forms of energy, appliances, and different ways to run a household when standard energy isn't being used.

It is harder to move off grid in a subdivision but it can be done, depending on your homeowner's association and local policies.

Moving to a New Location

If you are planning to move then take the time to consider your needs, desires, and the various benefits and negatives of different parts of the country. For example, in Texas where I live the benefit is apparent. The winters are basically mild. While we do get cold snaps they are interspersed with warmer weather. There are a total of three growing seasons. It doesn't take a whole lot to stay warm in the winter if you can handle 50 to 60 degrees.

On the other hand we can go two to three months in the summer with out a drop of rain. This means that you will be hand carrying water to your garden. Summers are hot. Living without air conditioning when it is 110 outside is challenging, at least until you get used to it.

If you are going to make a move then you should consider areas where there are not extremes of temperature or of rainfall.

Things to Consider

The other important thing to consider is the locality.

Will you continue to work at a job?
If so how long will your commute be?
How far can you afford to live from the place that you work?
Is the location you are looking at economically sound?
Will you have access to groceries, church, gasoline, medical care?
All of these questions will need to be researched and answered before you begin to look at moving to a new location.

Learning How to Live Off Grid

Now that you have established where you are going off grid the question is how to do it. The best place to start is by analyzing all of your electrical usage for a month. Exactly how much electricity do you use on an average?

Most off grid systems can not handle the load that modern man puts on them. You will probably need to cut back on your usage. The next thing to do, then, is to figure out how to cut back on your energy use. Will you use a propane stove or refrigerator? Wood stove?

If you choose to use a wood stove or heat will you have access to wood? How will you light your home in the evenings?

What type of solar do you plan to use? Is your home designed in such a way that passive solar can be used?

Types of Off-Grid Energies

There are a number of types of energy for off grid homes.

Solar
Wind
Wood
Propane
Water (micro-hydro)
Geothermal
The biggest need will be for heat and cooking. Once you have those two things decided you are pretty much good to go. Cooking on a woodstove is difficult for most people to adjust to but it can be done. Many people, once they learn to do it, would not go back to cooking in an electric oven!

Conserving energy is one of the best ways to deal with your energy needs. Anyone can do that, no matter where they are.

What Can I Do Today?

Start right where you are. Most people cannot afford to just go off grid one day. It is a process of both investing in the products needed and doing the research to gain the knowledge to do it.

Tips for Saving Energy Right Now

Conserve energy where you are.

Use solar hot water heaters
Use heat exchange units
Caulk doors and windows
Let your body acclimate to colder than normal or warmer than normal temperatures
Get a clothesline and stop using the dryer.
Upgrade insulation.
If your refrigerator or freezer is over 10 years old, consider buying a new, energy efficient model, or even a propane one.
In other words, see how low you can go. Get rid of the electric clock radio, the power drill, and the microwave. Try to get the electric bill down to the bare minimum.

Evaluate Your Need for Power

Once you get your electric usage under control you will be in a better position to see whether or not you will be comfortable going off grid completely. Even if you decide going off grid completely is not something you want to do you will have learned how to save on your electric bill, and that is a big benefit.

Going off grid is not for everyone. It is really an investment in a much simpler lifestyle. It does not have to cost thousands of dollars. Just do what you can, where you can.

Taking the steps slowly, researching, and learning how to live off grid will help you to make a smooth and successful transition if you decide that going off grid is for you.

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Nine Ways to Generate Electricity from Renewable Sources

Over 86 percent of the energy consumed in the United States comes from petroleum, natural gas, or coal. Unfortunately, our dependence on these nonrenewable resources could someday lead us straight to our demise. Without change, society as whole would be immobilized. But why wait for the inevitable when we can enact change now? Here are 9 sources of renewable energy that could potentially change how we power our future.

Hydroelectric Energy

Currently, hydroelectric power plants provide only about five percent of the energy used in the United States. This type of power is more than a few centuries old as it has been used to power grain mills and other farm machinery. Unlike the water wheels of the past, modern hydroelectric power plants start with water stored in a reservoir behind a dam. The dam operators release water in a controlled manner through a spillway and over a turbine to generate electricity.

However, these types of power plants are not the panacea for our energy needs. In general, these structures have a relatively short lifespan and are prone to catastrophic failures. Another downside to hydroelectric power plants is their sometimes negative impacts on the environment. For example, in some areas whole populations of salmon have become eradicated because of their inability to swim upstream due to the presence of a dam. Downstream sediment transport is also blocked. This causes a severe reduction of nutrients in the water as well as excessive downstream river erosion. And finally, another problem with dams is finding an appropriate location to build them. There must be enough depth and space behind the dam to create a man-made lake, without destroying cities and natural life.

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy works similar to a large heat exchanger. Deep in the earth's crust, heat from magma chambers and volcanic activity can be utilized to generate steam which can turn turbines. Alternatively, natural steam rising from crustal vents in the ground can be captured and directed into a power generation facility. The hot water vapor is directed towards turbines, which generate the electric power.

Geothermal power plants can also have very a short lifespan. Sometimes, the hot spots near the earth's surface can become inactive or run out of steam. The best geothermic sites have a magma chamber neither too shallow nor too deep from the surface. Ideally, a good geothermal site would also need to have natural channels or inlets, to constantly supply the hot magma with water.

Wind energy has a somewhat promising future. These devices are green, however they are highly unreliable and inefficient.
Wind energy has a somewhat promising future. These devices are green, however they are highly unreliable and inefficient.

Wind Energy

One study indicated that if all the winds of North and South Dakota could be harness, it would provide 80% of the electrical energy used in the United States. Similar to hydroelectric power, wind power has been used for centuries. In the days of the old, it was used to turn grain mills or pump water. Nowadays these devices are very simplified. Basically, wind flows over a huge propeller that turns a turbine and generates electricity. Wind power stations provide a good amount of power in relation to the cost it requires to build them. They are inexpensive to build and are generally safe to use.

However, this technology does have a few downsides. Wind power farms usually create a lot of noise pollution. They could pose a problem if build near homes or in cities. Spinning propellers also pose a signicant problem to our bird populations. Additional, wind power is not completely reliable nor is it very efficient compared to other sources of energy. Despite these challenges, wind power is one of the most promising sources of alternative energy that scientists are considering today.

Tidal Energy

To harness the power of the tides you have to construct a dam or gate structure near the mouth of an ocean bay that has a large tidal range. The in and out flow of the oceans water is then used to move paddles which turn turbines to generate electricity.

Although this is a really great idea, it is not very practical. Most of the world’s coast does not have a tidal rise and fall large enough to create any usable amount of power. Current research suggests that the range must be at least 25 feet or more for sufficient power to be generated. It is also very hard to find suitable locations to build this kind of power plant.

Ocean Current Energy

Harnessing the power of the currents of the ocean is not a new idea. In the vast oceans of earth, there are currents that constantly travel the globe. The currents churn the sea in a never-ending underwater ‘river.’ This untapped source of energy may provide the electricity of the future. The concept is simple. A stationary set of turbines would rest in the ocean and would be turned by the natural movement of the water. This power generation facility essentially acts like a wind power plant except that it is constructed underwater. Challenges with this proposition include find a suitable location with enough water movement, constructing a machine that can survive the ocean, and preventing environmental damage.

Oceanic Thermal Energy

Between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn exists a portion of the ocean that experiences significant thermal stratification. These relatively shallow layers of water with varying temperatures have the potential to create electricity. To harness this energy, you would need to use a heat exchanging device to turn a turbine. However, in the case liquid ammonia would need to be piped through the system instead of water because of its low boiling point. Cold water from the lower layers of the ocean would be pumped into the system to cause the ammonia to condense. Then when it warms up in the hot layer of the ocean, it would turn back into a gas creating enough pressure to rotate a turbine.

Although a unique idea, current research shows that it is not likely to be very efficient. In addition to this, it would be difficult to transmit or store the energy generated from this to use where it is needed. Even so, this idea is not completely of off the table.

Nuclear Power

About seven percent of the energy consumed in the United States comes form nuclear energy. In this type of power plant, radioactive materials release energy by a process of nuclear fission. This energy is used to heat water that turn turbines to create electricity.

While this type of power plant can generate immense amounts of energy, many significant challenges and roadblocks exist for nuclear energy. These power plants are also very expensive to build and require a feasible way to dispose of the toxic waste. The perceived fear of terrorism and nuclear disasters is another roadblock for these clean and efficient power plants.

More recently though, there has been extensive research into the viability of Thorium as a greener and safer alternative to traditional uranium nuclear power plants. Thorium is much easier to find in nature and produces less waste. The process by which energy is extracted from this material is also different from that traditional uranium reactors. Expect to see more about this form of nuclear fuel in the future.

Lightning Energy

Have you ever thought about harnessing the immense energy located in lightning? The concept is simple. Large tesla-coil like devices would sit atop mountains and beckon the lightning to strike them. Lightning would strike metal rod in the device and electricity would be directed to large capacitors for storage. Then, the stored energy could be released slowly as it's needed to power homes and businesses. However this power source is not without its problems either. Energy from lightning is not very reliable and would never become a main source of power. Lightning and the high voltages associated with it are also very dangerous.

Final Thoughts

In consideration for the future, we as a race will find it necessary to reduce our dependence on non-renewable resources such as petroleum. As with anything else in this world, nothing comes without a downside. For petroleum it was obvious. The future lies not with just one type of power plant, but with a variety of renewable energy sources, including some lesser known sources of energy such as biomass, used wisely in conjunction with the smart use and transmission of the electricity they generate.

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Solar Water Distiller -- Solar Still Plans

Solar Water Distiller -- Solar Water Purification

In my research of green energy technology, I stumbled across something interesting called the solar water distiller, or solar still. Solar energy is having an explosion of new technology projects, but the solar water distiller isn't one of the advances. The main reason is probably because the solar water distiller isn't really a solar energy system. It uses the energy of the sun and hence “solar” is applied to the title, but it doesn't use solar cells or anything like it to distill water. The solar water distiller is more applicably titled the solar water still. The solar water distiller basically uses sunlight to heat water, which then evaporates and condenses on the wide glass pane, and then drops down into a large glass bottle. In the process, solar water purification happens, and the water that comes out the spout is relatively clean. Solar water purification isn't complete purification however, because the water in the distiller is never boiled.

Solar Water Distillation

The solar water distiller, or solar still, basically does nothing more than trap and heat water, causing faster evaporation of the liquid and also condensation on the glass pane. The water is then collected in a specific way that keeps the water mostly pure and stored generally in a five gallon glass jug. In technical terms, the solar water distiller isn't really a solar water distillation device. It's more an evaporation device. The solar still's dimensions are generally around 5 feet long and two feet wide, and can be made of wood and glass, with jugs and silicone tubbing – generally simple household items that have very little cost. But this is just a general dimension. There are many different sizes, even different solar water distiller designs. Some are more complex than others, but they all use the same essential factor -- sunlight.

Solar Water Distiller Plans and Designs

To make your own solar water distiller, you need a few things, most of which can be bought at your local Home Depo. The first thing you'll need is the box frame, which usually is made from wood. But ABS plastic is also a great thing because it won't rot from being constantly exposed to water. Whenever I build something for use with water, I always use ABS plastic. In the picture above, you can see all of the different components.

The whole apparatus can be made easily from black ABS plastic, and being a darker color, will cause the water to heat quickly. Once the frame is created, a trough of some kind needs to be placed at the bottom to collect the clean water that drips down from the glass pane. A mirror should also be used to focus light down on the the apparatus to cause the water to heat faster. Once both of those are in place, a glass pane needs to be fitted on top and sealed to completely enclose the apparatus. After that, all you need to do is drill 2 holes into either end of the still, one for water intake and one for a clean water spout.

A Modern Solar Water Distiller

http://www.thesietch.org/projects/distiller/index.htm

Their distiller is top of the line but you really have to be serious about building the distiller because the plans they've drawn up aren't easy. There's a little bit of machining involved, and some pretty complex setup. But you've gotta say, their distiller looks pretty amazing.

Solar Water Distiller -- Pros and Cons

Though the USA is going very quickly in the direction of green alternatives, in my opinion, the solar water distiller isn't really an applicable device for use here in America. It has a few drawbacks that generally cause a large concern. For one thing, the solar water distiller never actually brings the water it traps to a boil, and thus the water still might retain some of its bacteria and other hazards. Also, the solar water distiller has a difficult time retaining a good seal. Because of the large moist area it creates, the solar water distiller is often the target of insects and bacteria looking to exploit any weakness or opening in the seal.

That being said, however, the solar water distiller has great application for many third world countries. Having lived in a third world country myself (Cambodia) I know that fresh water can often be difficult to come by. During my stay in Southeast Asia, I would often drink the juice of unripe coconuts instead of the local water. The coconut provided a natural purification to the water, and the hard shell of the fruit kept the water preserved and pure. I like the idea of solar water distillers for countries like Cambodia, because the materials are cheap to produce and easy to assemble. Not only that, but there are no moving parts to worry about, which makes it a handy little device.

I'd love to see the solar water distiller employed in any number of third world countries around the globe. A compelling statistic lists a lack of fresh and clean water as one of the top causes of death worldwide, and literally millions of people every year die from lack of pure, clean water. Plans to build solar water distillers are available all over the internet, and generally, one can find plans that only use common household items for the construction. If you're wanting to build your own solar water distiller for home use, I encourage you to check out some of the cautions associated with the solar still.  Speaking of clean water, our you sure your water is clean?  Most people go years without changing their refrigerator water filter.

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