Motivations to Go Solar: Perceptions of the Homeowners, Government and Industry Movers

Discovering home solar today should include knowing the motivations of all sectors to adopt solar technology. The knowledge will encourage deeper understanding and appreciation of the real worth of solar as seen by prospective users. This practical information will likewise provide the needed help to beginners as they search for more data on going solar.

What are these motivations? Are these proven helpful in the light of the present situations and experiences? For purposes of clarity, this article will attempt to discuss motivation from the viewpoints of the homeowners, the government and the industry movers.

The homeowners:

1. Financial – Some consumers were motivated by the need for savings in their electrical power expenses which has been on the rise in recent years. With their home solar, they now realized savings ranging from 60 to 80%.
2. Environment – The impact of environmental pollution became real and the world is suffering from its effects. Global warming is now a threat to the life of our planet and they become aware that this is preventable with solar energy.
3. Emergency preparedness – Frequent electrical interruptions due to natural disasters and grid power failure in some areas are causes of loss with spoiling of refrigerated food and discomfort with the loss of hot water and air conditioning.
4. Other benefits – Any one of the following motivated some consumers.
a. Solar increases home value. It also recovers 100% of its cost.
b. Practically maintenance free. They can look forward to up to 25 years of service.
c. Earn money through net metering where the utility grid buys excess electricity from solar producers.
d. Government extends incentives to solar users. Total federal and state incentives lower installation cost by up to 50%.
e. Freedom from unexpected electricity rate increase. Home solar guarantees steady supply of electricity.

The government:

The motivation of the US government is to encourage adoption of solar technology in lieu of fossil power to reduce fossil fuel dependence and pollution in the country.

1. This motivation through the Department of Energy (DOE) has been in the form of providing free education on solar platforms and how to install them on homes, buildings and power plants.
2. Research funding from the DOE/NREL, solar R&D will continue to develop new technologies that are practical, efficient and affordable, and bring them to the public for actual use.
3. To promote solar, DOE through the Solar Decathlon demonstrates to the public the opportunities presented by affordable homes that combine energy-efficient construction and appliances with renewable energy systems that are available today
4. DOE initiated rebate program for consumers to help reduce the cost of purchasing solar.
5. The federal government is now providing solar platform loans as part of mortgage packages through entities such as Fannie Mae and FHA.

The industry movers:

This sector includes associations, research groups, educational institutions, private corporations and non profit organizations. Mainly, their motivation is to encourage solar energy adoption like the government. There are hundreds of members in this sector engaged in research and development, commercial production, promotion and marketing and financing.

These are the prime movers of solar power who have achieved significant gains in promoting and marketing solar in developing countries. They have contributed immensely to the present status of solar and they continue without let up in their work. They have indeed provided the much needed motivation for consumers through out the world.

The motivations which have led countless of homeowners to go solar should be effectively disseminated to see more solar in the different corners of the globe. More work remains to be done.


We invite you to visit our Informative Solar Article page for more practical tips, simplified application guide and established solar benefits.

Author’s Box
Jacinto Demonteverde, Jr., the owner, is a strong advocate of solar power adoption. He writes practical articles to keep established and prospective solar users well informed. Visit him at: http://www.justsolarhome.blogspot.com. You are welcome to republish or reprint this article free of charge provided the content remains unchanged including the Author’s Box. No permission is needed.

Problems of Going Solar in Developing Countries

Will going solar play an important role in the survival of developing countries? Will it be a long process worth pursuing? A number of non profit organizations exposed for years are still seriously involved in establishing solar in the third world.
They have shown some positive results, but sadly, these were not satisfactory. How far are developing countries from technology transfer? What is the real score?

Looking around and hearing some discordant note from some sectors, there are real problems that hinder solar technology transfer.

The problems of solar energy transfer are classified into 2 categories, namely:

Internal problems of developing countries (technology recipients).

1. Lack of funds and expert manpower to undertake research and development. This is a single problem related to poverty. To compound the problem, there is also lack of locally trained personnel needed for the project. If this problem is not fixed, techno transfer will not prosper.
2. Lack of interest from government officials since the main beneficiaries are the poor people in the rural areas. They are more interested in high profile projects bringing in more profits to the detriment of the poor.
3. Red tape and corruption at some government level slow down even the simplest solar application being introduced. This is one of the complaints of non profit organizations working in some countries. These organizations are forced to work with small local non government organizations (NGO) to implement their projects.
4. Many developing countries do not have the capabilities and information to evaluate which solar technology to import for their needs. Most often, what they have are literature supplied by the manufacturers.

Problems of developed countries (technology leaders and proponents).

1. Developed countries would rather do the research and development and sell the finished products to the third world making them totally dependent. The product will be more expensive and less will be made available to the people. In some instances these are not suited to the needs of the country.
2. Some developed countries view the third world as just a market which would depend on them for their solar needs. The effort is primarily a money making venture discouraging local proponents to produce some parts of the technology. Proof of this is the many multi-billion dollar corporations going into solar research and development because they see the third world as a big market for their products.
3. Technology transfer initiated in the third world are low level projects which can not meet bigger and more sophisticated demands of the many sectors in the country.
4. Big proponents should work out one plan for techno transfer. In the United States for example, there is a different opinion on how to transfer solar. The US Agency for International Development (USAid) favors local planning, research and development, whereas the Department of Energy (DOE) favors export of finished solar energy.

Options open to developing countries

1. The third world can make representations to bargain for easier access to solar technology from developed countries. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has already suggested this to the western governments.
2. The developing countries can pool their technical and capital resources and undertake the project by themselves. Regional cooperation in solar research and development has been discussed in the United Nations. But because of diversities in the developing nations, the countries may never come together.

Solar power is often referred to as “the technology of mankind”. It should be shared and not monopolized. Profit should never be the only motivation when researching and developing the technology. There should be a room for easing the difficulty of the less fortunate.




We invite you to visit our Informative Solar Article page for more practical tips, simplified application guide and established solar benefits.

Author’s Box
Jacinto Demonteverde, Jr., the owner, is a strong advocate of solar power adoption. He writes practical articles to keep established and prospective solar users well informed. Visit him at: http://www.justsolarhome.blogspot.com. You are welcome to republish or reprint this article free of charge provided the content remains unchanged including the Author’s Box. No permission is needed

Solar Water Pasteurizer: The Answer to Preventable Illnesses and Deaths in Developing Countries?

Discover home solar today with solar water pasteurizer and lessen the staggering death due to contaminated water in third world countries. Many non profit organizations believe that lack of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities are the root causes of hunger, disease and poverty throughout these countries.

Pasteurization is the process of killing microorganisms in food or liquids by heat or radiation. The word “pasteurization” was named after the French doctor Louis Pasteur, who demonstrated that diseases are caused by microorganisms that can be killed by heating to 55ºC/131ºF for several minutes.

Pasteurization is a function of time and temperature.  If heat is applied for a long period of time, disinfection will occur at a lower temperature. At higher temperatures, disinfection occurs in shorter period of time.

The dreadful results of contaminated water according to the experts:

1. An estimated 4.6 million children and adults die from diarrhea each year
2. The leading cause of death for children under the age of five in developing nations is infection from waterborne diseases
3. The primary cause of diarrhea is contaminated drinking water
4. 1.2 billion people do not have access to drinking water free from disease-causing microbes
5. 50% of hospitalizations in developing countries result from waterborne disease

Advantages of solar water pasteurizer:

1. It is 99.999% effective in destroying water-borne pathogens like bacteria, viruses, protozoa and worms
2. Uses only the heat of the sun; does not use electricity, chemicals or fossil fuels.

3.Superior alternative to chlorine treatment, which is rated “poor” at destroying worms & protozoa, may be bad for one’s health, and gives water a bad taste.

Boiling water to kill water borne pathogens is common in some third world countries. They use firewood, charcoal and other fuels. Families spend up to 25-30% of income on firewood or water purchases. Gathering firewood for cooking and boiling water takes family members 6-8 hours. This makes solar pasteurization a better alternative.

The World Bank states, "Despite decades of effort...and $30 billion of water investment in developing countries each year…an estimated 10,000 people…die every day from water and excreta-related diseases. Thousands more suffer debilitating illnesses. The tragedy is that these deaths and illnesses are entirely preventable.

The statement is an eye opener. Perhaps it is high time for local governments to take a serious look at the growing problem and institute meaningful reforms. Non profit organizations can likewise reevaluate  their programs and continue to work hand in hand with the government and non government organizations (NGO) in these countries.

We invite you to visit our Informative Solar Article page for more practical tips, simplified application guide and established solar benefits.

Author’s Box
 Jacinto Demonteverde, Jr., the owner, is a strong advocate of solar power adoption. He writes practical articles to keep established and prospective solar users well informed. Visit him at: http://www.justsolarhome.blogspot.com. You are welcome to republish or reprint this article free of charge provided the content remains unchanged including the Author’s Box.

Will Teaching Solar Alleviate Poverty in Developing Countries?

Discover home solar today is a message that should reach the developing countries. Efforts in this direction initiated by the local government and non profit organizations worldwide are mainly directed to the adult population for faster results. The efforts however, fell short of expectations so that these countries continue to be mired in poverty. No doubt there are difficult hindrances which can not be overcome at present.

This article will attempt to recommend teaching solar to children in grade school with ages ranging from 10 to 15 years to augment the programs now being implemented in these developing countries. Teaching solar is based on a premise that community problems like safe water, deforestation and food preservation are difficult to solve and need long range solutions.

The long range solutions should start with very young people.The young students should be taught solar in general with special emphasis on its thermal applications on the identified problems. The things that the students will learn are relevant, affordable, implementable and badly needed by the community.

These thermal applications should include solar cooker, solar pasteurizers and distillers and solar food dryer.. Adoption of these solar thermal devices will impact on health problems with safe drinking water, tree deforestation and preservation of excess harvest for the lean months ahead. 

  

The above topics should be included in the grade school curriculum like gardening and home economics. Because the technology is simple, a 15 year old boy can easily understand and build  solar cooker, distiller or dehydrator from locally available materials. Other aspects of solar energy can also be incorporated in the teaching.

Why should teaching solar emphasize thermal applications?

Consider these facts and observations:

1.       The World Bank states, "Despite decades of effort...and $30 billion of water investment in developing countries each year…an estimated 10,000 people…die every day from water and excreta-related diseases. Thousands more suffer debilitating illnesses. The tragedy is that these deaths and illnesses are entirely preventable.”

2.       1.2 billion people do not have access to drinking water free from disease-causing microbes.

3. 80% of all illnesses in the developing world result directly from waterborne pathogens.
4.  Approximately one billion people suffer from diseases contracted by consuming contaminated water.
5. 50% of hospitalizations in developing countries result from waterborne disease.

6.       Research has found that 36% of the world's fuel wood needs (or 350 million tones of wood per year, according to UNICEF) could be replaced by solar box cookers, saving 500 kg of wood per family per year, equivalent to millions of trees.

7.       The search for fuel consumes the time, energy and health of women and their children. As local wood supplies grow scarce, women risk spinal column damage and uterine prolapsed from carrying heavier loads over longer distances.

8.       Half the inhabitants of Earth cook over wood fire. Nearly half the world's wood supply is used as fuel. But there's not enough of it to go round -- more than 2 billion people now face shortages of fuel wood.

9.       Nutritionally, dried food is ranked by the USDA as better than canning, just under freezing.

10.   Solar food preservation is a simple low cost way to preserve food that might otherwise spoil. It is one of the oldest ways of preserving the harvest, and lets you save food without using electricity.

The need of developing countries is immediate relief from the burden of cooking, deforestation, access to safe drinking water and simple ways of preserving excess harvest. Efforts must continue and be maintained in these directions.

But we should not discount long range solutions which would provide effective and long lasting relief. The long range solution include teaching solar must be studied carefully to fit a particular developing country.

Will teaching solar alleviate poverty and why thermal applications? Yes, solar will help ease poverty because of practicality of its application and simplicity of implementation. Thermal uses should be emphasized because of its affordability and availability to everyone.

We invite you to visit our Informative Solar Article page for more practical tips, simplified application guide and established solar benefits.

Author’s Box
 Jacinto Demonteverde, Jr., the owner, is a strong advocate of solar power adoption. He writes practical articles to keep established and prospective solar users well informed. Visit him at: http://www.justsolarhome.blogspot.com. You are welcome to republish or reprint this article free of charge provided the content remains unchanged including the Author’s Box. No permission is needed.

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Advantages of Professional Installers for Solar Homes

Discover home solar today by knowing the role of professional installers. When a beginner thinks of acquiring a home solar system, the inevitable question comes up:  Can I build it myself or do I have to get the services of a professional? Will I have the time to work or is fund available for outside services.

There are a number of factors to consider and eventually it is only the beginner who can decide whether to build or hire a professional. This article will attempt to explain why many solar users favor getting a professional to build their home solar power. 

9 Advantages of hiring a professional installer:

1.       Professional installers have undergone extensive training. They are experienced people who have dealt with many problems in solar energy installation. You can always rely on their years of solar installation experience for a functioning and trouble free home solar system.

2.       Their work will be guaranteed.  They will use higher quality, name brand solar panels with good warranties because customers will hold them responsible for anything that goes wrong. Their expertise will also be available for any needed repairs or upgrades.

3.       Professional installers will do additional work which does not include direct installation.  A good solar installer will include site evaluation, system design, parts, labor, and interconnection in his quote. He can also help you through the mountain of paperwork and permits necessary to install your system.  He knows the ins and outs of the building codes and ordinances in your area,

4.      These professionals know the incentives and rebates in your area and will ensure that your solar system meets the proper requirements.  A number of these incentives are available only for professional solar installation. They will also help you file for solar rebates because they are intimately familiar with the programs.

5.       Professional installers can also help you secure financing for your system.

6.       Having a professional installer visit your home to provide a consultation is the best way to get a more precise estimate. With these estimates of costs and savings, you can be sure that solar is an investment that makes sense for you.

7.        If you are limited in the amount of time and want to start recovering your initial investment, then it might be best to pay for your installation to take place and start benefiting from lower bills.

8.        For others, building a home solar it might be a tedious task because of physical constraints. To get the job done it is wise to get the services of a professional.

9.        Also, if you don't want to take any chances with your home and roof and want everything done right the first time, you're better off with a professional solar installer.

Industry experts say that failure in home solar energy system is often times due to failure in proper installation. Knowing that one can look forward to over 25 years of service with solar, it is a wise move to have the System done by a professional. This way you are assured of trouble free and functional source of solar power in years ahead.

We invite you to visit our Informative Solar Article page for more practical tips, simplified application guide and established solar benefits.

About the Author:

 Jacinto P. Demonteverde, Jr., the owner, is a strong advocate of home solar power.  He writes practical articles for beginners and established solar users to keep them well informed.  Visit him at: http://www.justsolarhome.blogspot.com.  You are free to copy or reprint the article. No permission is needed.

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Home Solar System: Find out the Main Drawbacks before Building One

Much has been written about Home Solar System and the homeowner doing the building himself (DIY).  At a glance of the manual, it looks like a piece of cake with the homeowner gathering the materials and finishing the System in 1 or 2 weekends.

The Solar DIY manual boasts it’s so simple the homeowner does not need any basic knowledge of electricity. It raves of a System that costs less money than a professionally installed one. This is true but what the manual fails to mention is the attendant difficulties for a homeowner doing the work for the first time.

Here some of the drawbacks and unfortunate experiences of some homeowners who took the DIY route:

·         Here’s the story of one DIYer:  With high hopes, I searched around for a good guide to help me. I bought one guide after another, hoping each guide can help me build my DIY project.  My bookshelf and hard drive were replete with instructional guides. But none of them helped. All I found were nothing but rehashed material from textbooks and many of them simply copied each other’s work. Some were so difficult and too time consuming to understand. Others lack crucial information that left me high and dry. Yet others lacked customer support. Lesson of the story: request from DIY Manual promoter for names of people who have  installed their DIY Home Solar System and hear their story.

·                    *          If you have done DIY projects in the past, you might be aware of the hidden costs in time and frustration. Remember that every time you make a mistake you pay for it.

·                    *     Remember also that the panels and other devices you make do not carry any warranty. If anything goes wrong you are on your own. Panels built by reputable companies carry warranty.

*         Even solar panels with good warranties (20+ years) may have their warranties invalidated by unprofessional installation. Find out before you buy.

*      Any project involving electricity requires you to know what you’re doing. Any mistake may prove costly and dangerous.

·                       *   Since you are doing it alone, you also will have to contend with licenses from the state, secure permit and arrange inspection by the utility grid. 

·                        *   You also will have to find out what federal, state and private incentives are available to you and the requirements to avail of these incentives.

·                         *        Professional and experienced installer can provide you with sound advice on all aspects of solar installation saving you dollars in the process.

On the other hand, installing your own home solar panels is a challenge if you're a handy man who is willing to do the research and has the skills to work on the project. In the process you will acquire a clear understanding of how solar energy works in your household and be prepared for problems that may come.You can surely enjoy considerable savings with DIY solar.

We invite you to visit our Informative Solar Article page for more practical tips, simplified application guide and established solar benefits.

 Authors Box

 Jacinto P. Demonteverde, Jr., the owner, is a strong advocate of solar energy for home use. He writes practical articles to keep established and prospective solar users well informed. Visit him at http://www.justsolarhome.blogspot.com.

Solar Food Dehydration: Sunlight’s Practical Way of Preserving the Harvest with Zero Fuel Cost

 Solar food dehydration is the process of removing water from fruits and vegetables by circulating hot air through it, thus preventing the growth of enzymes and bacteria. These organisms cause the food to deteriorate. This process is a simple low cost way to preserve food that might otherwise spoil. 

It is one of the oldest ways of preserving the harvest, and lets you save food without using electricity. Solar food drying can be used in many areas.  How fast the food dries is affected by many factors such as the amount of sunlight and relative humidity. 

General guidelines

• Wash fresh fruits and ripe vegetables thoroughly.

·          Cut  into thin pieces, not more than about 1/4 to 3/8 inch thick)

• Spread thinly on trays initially giving an allowance of a third to a half of the screen area clear for the passage of air. It can be made more compact after the first moisture is gone.
• Typical drying time ranges from 1 to 3 days, depending on sun, air movement, humidity, and type of food.
•  Remove 80 to 90% of moisture from the food.
• Once the drying process has started it should not be interrupted, do not allow freezing.
• Direct sunlight is not recommended.
• To test if food is sufficiently dried, remove a piece and let it cool. Vegetables should be brittle. Fruits because of their sugar content may never get beyond a firm bend or leather quality.
• Allow food to cool completely before storing.
• Store food in air tight jars or plastic containers, and do not expose dried food to air, light or moisture.

How to acquire one

Solar Cooker International (SCI) is one of the leading proponents in the use of solar cookers especially in third world countries. Cookit, the simplest cooker is being promoted as a diy device very popular in depressed areas. Many ready to use food dehydrators are also available in the internet.

 Some dried foods can be eaten as-is after dehydrating but many are soaked in water again to improve their texture and flavor before cooking. Most foods are allowed to stand for 15 minutes (equal parts packed food and water) before being added to standard recipe.

 Stored dried food is prepared every growing season. Food prepared this way should be used within the next months as the nutritional value slowly drops over time. By preserving food the solar way you become a part of the generation who has trusted the sun for efficient consumption of food.

Please visit our Informative Solar Article page for more practical tips, simplified application guide and established solar benefits.

Author’s Box

Jacinto Demonteverde, Jr., the owner, is a strong advocate of solar power adoption. He writes practical articles to keep established and prospective solar users well informed. Visit him at: http://www.justsolarhome.blogspot.com. You are welcome to republish or reprint this article free of charge provided the content remains unchanged including the Author’s Box. No permission is needed.