Photovoltaic cells are those black squares on a solar panel. These have been the most expensive parts of a solar panel, making solar panels beyond the reach of most folks, but now at last, the prices have recently dropped, making solar panels a more affordable means of alternative energy.

These cells are not only becoming less expensive, but also more efficient, thanks to increasingly better designs, which allow them to focus the gathered sunlight on a more and more concentrated point.

The siz...
Continue reading ...

Alternative fuel sources should be one of the most important focuses that we as responsible human beings strive to develop, so that we leave this world a better place.

There is an urgent need for us to save our environment, which is being polluted by constant emissions, given off by extensive use of gasoline and/or petrol for energy.

There are various alternative fuel sources currently available. Perhaps it is time that we all did something to make a difference! 

Conventional, everyday fuel s...
Continue reading ...

Local innovations in electric and solar vehicles are set to spur adoption in South Africa.

Electric vehicles and, more specifically, solar-powered electric vehicles, are still something the average South African considers an impossibility, says Carel Snyman, an energy specialist and consultant.

Snyman exhibited the South African National Energy Research Institute's (Saneri's) solar powered electric utility vehicle at the Renewable Energy Expo last week, which formed part of the four-day So...

Continue reading ...

The US military knows that its branches must revamp their thinking about how to engage in “the theater of war” in the new, post Cold War world of the 21st century. One thing that the military leaders stress is the desire for the forces deployed in far away places, to be able to be more energy-independent.

Currently, the US military has policies and procedures in place, to interact with allies or sympathetic local populations, to help its forces in the field get their much needed energy an...
Continue reading ...

The trend toward homes that are powered by alternative energy sources, ranging from wind turbines and solar collection cells, to hydrogen fuel cells and biomass gases, is one that needs to continue into the 21st century and beyond.

We have great need of becoming more energy independent, and not having to rely on the supplying of fossil fuels, from unstable nations who are often hostile to us and our interests. But even beyond this factor, we as individuals need to get “off the grid” and a...
Continue reading ...

We should be doing everything possible to develop geothermal energy technologies.

This is a largely untapped area of tremendous alternative energy potential, as it simply taps the energy being naturally produced by the Earth herself. Vast amounts of power are present below the surface crust on which we move and have our being. All we need do is tap into it and harness it.

At the Earths' core, the temperature is 60 times greater than that of water being boiled. The tremendous heat creates press...
Continue reading ...

Just like with any new, slightly controversial subject, there will always be pros and cons to talk about – and that’s no different with the new drive toward the use of alternative fuels to power our vehicles.  People who support alternative fuels – the pros – could list a hundred ways that alternative fuel helps; on the other hands those who oppose it – the cons – could also list a hundred ways we should use alternative fuels.

To begin with, alternative fuel is cleaner burning than...
Continue reading ...

Local innovations in electric and solar vehicles are set to spur adoption. SA mulls electric travel.

Electric vehicles and, more specifically, solar-powered electric vehicles, are still something the average South African considers an impossibility, says Carel Snyman, an energy specialist and consultant.

Snyman exhibited the South African National Energy Research Institute's (Saneri's) solar powered electric utility vehicle at the Renewable Energy Expo last week, which formed part of the four-...
Continue reading ...

Although it is much less expensive to initially get hooked into the local electric company's grid, than it is to set up and hook into wind turbines, in the long run one saves money by utilizing the wind for one's energy needs, while also becoming more independent.

Not receiving an electric bill, while enjoying the advantages of the modern electrically-driven lifestyle, is a wondrous feeling.

Electric bills and fuel bills are rising steadily, but the cost of wind turbine energy is zero and the...
Continue reading ...

Using E85 Ethanol as an alternative fuel has become almost a rage in the United States.  There is a new trend towards making our transportation needs more environmentally friendly.  As global warming is becoming a growing concern, more and more people want to do their part to make sure that we have a world to live in for the next 2,000 years.  Using E85 Ethanol as an alternative fuel for your vehicle is a great way to start.

E85 Ethanol is a product that contains 85 percent ethanol and 15 perc...
Continue reading ...

Record high prices at gas pumps and continued trouble brewing in the Middle East, Nigeria and other areas of importance to the oil driven economy, have made it clear to Americans that we are in need of developing many new avenues of energy supply and production. In short, we need to reduce our dependency on oil, for it is ultimately finite and, frankly, the cheap sources of oil. Not all oil, just the oil that is cheap to remove from the earth, is running out.

Energy consultants and analysts k...
Continue reading ...

Solar power works well for most items, except large electric appliances that use an electric heat element such as a water heater, clothes dryer and electric stove, for example, or total electric home heating systems. It is not cost effective to use solar power for these items.

Conversion to natural gas, propane or other alternatives is usually recommended. Solar power can be used to operate a gas clothes dryer (Maytag, etc) because the electrical requirement is limited to the drum-motor and/o...
Continue reading ...

Many researchers believe that harnessing the power of the atom, in fission reactions, is the most significant alternative energy resource that we have, mostly for the immense power that it can generate.

Nuclear power plants are very “clean-burning” and their efficiency is rather staggering. Nuclear power is generated at 80% efficiency, meaning that the energy produced by the fission reactions is almost equal to the energy put into producing the fission reactions, in the first place.

There...
Continue reading ...

Believe it or not, you can actually make a homemade fuel additive, that will help your vehicle emit less toxic emissions. 

This, however, is a complex process, that shouldn’t really be taken lightly.  When you are messing around with products like hydrogen and methane, you need some training and some know-how.

There are plenty of fuel additives available on the open market, available for purchase, but there are still some people who think that they can make homemade fuel additives, to help i...
Continue reading ...

While you can save a lot of money by installing solar energy in your home, the first place to start saving, is by cutting down on how much energy you actually use.

This is because solar energy installations can be rather expensive. If you can cut back on your basic power usage, then you can cover all your energy needs by instaling a smaller system. This will make your solar return on investment much greater.

So what are the quickest ways to use less power at home? A few simple steps can reduce...
Continue reading ...

The Innovation Fund is willing to throw money at creative-thinking South Africans. From renewable energy to commercially useful end products, your inventions and adaptations could be the cash cow you’ve dreamed of finding.

When we first examined exactly how forward-thinking South African entrepreneurs might benefit from the Department of Science and Technologies’ initiative, the Innovation Fund , earlier this year, we were overwhelmed by the vast funding, development and support network w...
Continue reading ...

Many vehicles run on diesel fuels these days, but with the growing trend toward environmentally safer fuels for vehicles, do diesel vehicle owners have any other alternative fuels? 

The answer is a resounding Yes they do!  It’s called bio-diesel and it’s making a big impact in the fuel industry.

Bio-diesel is a cleaner burning, alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources. Bio-diesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel, to create...
Continue reading ...

The United States is one of the foremost countries in the use of fossil fuels.  Fossil fuels are those that are formed in the ground, naturally, over a period of millions of years. They are usually formed from dead plants and animals. 

Oils, natural gases, and coal are the most common fossil fuels and all around the world, we depend on them use a lot of them, but slowly the reserves are being depleted and the costs of extraction are soaring!

Fossil fuel usage by humans is the largest single so...
Continue reading ...

Fuel cell research and technology has come a long way, especially when you consider that the researchers have now developed an alternative energy source for small household appliances, such as cameras, camcorders, and laptop computers.  Cell phones can also use fuel cell power, as can vacuum cleaners, coffee pots, and microwave ovens.  It can be rather mind-boggling, when you think about it!

Developing fuel cells for small household appliances could be the beginning of a major evolution in n...

Continue reading ...

With the present recession, rabid unemployment, awareness of pollution and soaring power prices, more and more people are looking to alternative means of power.

Some countries have expressed interest in the possibility of being able to provide hundreds of homes, in certain areas, with solar electricity, through the placement of free solar panels on each home.

These plans may seem like a waste of time to many people, as it is every home that needs a solar panel if the aim is to help the environm...
Continue reading ...

There is a huge urgency right now for people to switch from gasoline powered vehicles, to those that run on alternative fuels. 

The fact of the matter is that alternative fuels are far more environmentally friendly and can actually help conserve the natural resources that we use to produce gasoline. 

Here are some fast facts about alternative fuel:

* Alternative fuels such as methanol, ethanol, compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, and electricity produce fewer tail pipe pollutants,...
Continue reading ...

There are many ways in which you can receive cheap gas and electricity for homes or businesses and a number of methods specifically related to how to lower home energy or electricity bills, by using less gas and electricity from your supplier.

A more popular choice for finding cheap gas and electricity services is through the use of online comparison services, which will compare the many different gas and electricity companies in the market today.

These companies also have the ability to not on...
Continue reading ...