Designing Energy Efficient Home

Reviews »

‘Earth4Energy’ Review : Develop a Wind or Solar Power generator

A complete package of DIY and wind projects, which includes both in one, is Earth4Energy. The package consists of pdf files, eBooks and videos to keep the people updated about the product. Can any one imagine, developing a wind or solar power generator for less then two hundred dollars? This can be done by using Earth4Energy. You just need to have some common building tools and follow the instructions in the package.

What will Earth4Energy offer?

At A Glance:

The package Earth4Energy is user friendly and instructions are easy to follow.
The package is two in one, covers solar as well as wind energy.
Members get free updates for lifetime, and video tutorials and instructions book along with the diagrams.
Customer support provided is excellent.

How much time, What skills and tools are required for Earth4Energy?

The tools required for this purpose are only basic, which each household has, for example: Electric drill, hammer, jigsaw, solder, and screw driver. Most of these tools are present in the house, but some need to purchased, and one can own it. The skills required for this purpose are those, which are necessary to use these tools effectively. However, for complicated procedure, you must hire a professional electrician because he will help you in the wiring, you want for using your home appliances on that energy. A skilled person can complete the work in a weekend. However, average skill men might take a week or more.

People might ask, what is included in the Earth4Energy guideline?

The answer is pretty simple. These are some points elaborated in the Earth4Energy guideline:

1. Full solar energy information to make sure you are supplied with all the information relevant for building a solar energy system.
2. It provides you with the step by step instructions to build a solar panel. Moreover, it includes complete detailed plans with diagrams and pictures to aid the people.
3. It also consists of a solar help package, which includes solar calculator, tips on installation, tax and rebates and electrical wiring plans.
4. A video, which has a value of $49 is included.
5. Instructions on making a wind turbine are also for free. However, its original value is $49.
6. A newly released bonus video series, which is worth $99, but included for free. This video explains every thing you need to know about the solar power system.

Everything has some drawbacks and advantages.

The Negatives about Earth4Energy

• Some details may be missing for many people, and annoying. How to mount the solar panels on the top of your house, and the way to mount is also not clearly discussed.
• The book may have come with a companion video, which is more helpful.
• The eBook provided is not a step by step instance of building a solar panel, as it does not provide the information about mounting the panel.

The Positives of Earth4Energy

• The eBook writing is clear, easy and understandable.
• By going through the book, you can tell that the author has built a solar panel and wrote his personal experience.
• The eBook provided can be downloaded immediately, which means, as soon as, you pay the amount, the eBook is in your computer, and you can read it.
• The book comprises of diagrams and photos, which illustrates the product.
• The eBook is available at a sales price, which is worth purchasing it.

For the technical support of customers, 24/7 email support is available. There is a 60 day money back guarantee on Earth4Energy.

Conclusion: Earth4Energy is a competent manual, but it is not perfect. However, at this price, it is reasonable.

Solar System »

Is Installing Solar Panels Worth the Cost?

In June of 2011, we were able to install a 3.0KW solar array. After each quarter, our power bills were between 750 dollars and 900 dollars. We are a household of four people and run an air conditioner, a pool pump and a home office. Living in a sub tropical location, we only need winter and summer cooling for a few days annually. However, despite all these, our electricity bills are rising constantly.

The rebate for installation was worth 4000 dollars. However, in most cases, the Australian federal government provides rebates for the installation of Photo-Voltaic solar panels for generating electricity.

• In most suburban areas, the solar panels feed electricity back into your grid though use of an inverter and, thus, connect your electricity to the meter.

• The electricity is changed to a smart meter, which is also installed as part of the inverter. The smart meter is one that measures the amount of electricity you use and the amount that is put out by your solar panels. In the process of using your electricity during the day, your meter will deduct your electricity usage from that being produced by your panels.

• In case the electricity generated is more than that being used, the excess electricity will be sold back to the supplier for double the original price at which it was bought. It should be noted that this system mainly applies to Queensland, where one if paid on the net amount of electricity made.

• By selling your electricity back to the supplier, real savings on power bills will start to be made.

If you use about 1 to 1.5KW of electricity on a daily basis, installation of a 1.5KW system would only cover your immediate needs. Therefore, given the amount of saving made from selling back to the supplier, it is realized that a bigger system will be required. It should be noted that the roof size also determines the size of system installed. Therefore, if your roof size only accommodates a 1.5kw system, this is what ought to be installed. However, given the savings to be made from a larger system, you could also decide to install a 3kw system over two separate roofs by using an inverter that is capable of taking power from two separate sources. Before you install your solar panel, there are a few things that you should have in mind.

1. The first thing to be considered is the direction. In order to be able to pick the maximum amount of sunlight, the roof should face north or at least be near north. Therefore, north east or north west would be sufficient.

2. The second thing to be considered is the roof slope. For example, in Queensland, the panels should be at least fifteen degrees horizontal, in order for them to be able to pick up the sun during winter and not get too hot during the summer.

3. Another element to be considered is that of overshadowing. You should ensure that your panel is not overshadowed by trees of buildings, especially during the time of peak generation. This is because; overshadowing will not enable your panel to generate any electricity.

4. In most cases, the peak generation time is between ten in the morning and three in the afternoon. During the summer, this time will be from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon. It should be noted that peak generation will also depend on the orientation of the roof and season in question.