How Residential Solar Power Systems = Super Saving’s on Your Money!
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Todd_Ellis]Todd Ellis

So maybe you are a little curious to know about residential solar power systems and how they can save you money? Well…. its very true indeed. These systems can help you save lots of money on your electricity bills. This is why a lot of people that are in charge of the household expenses are now starting to really come to grips with investing into one of these systems!

The year is 2009 and its been a tough one so far for so many people in America and around the world! Countless amounts of people have lost jobs. They have seen decreases in their incomes. They have had to sell off luxury items in order to keep the payments up on their houses. Some people have not even been able to get that far! They have lost their homes and their families have been broken up. So its actually vital that the people running their households understand that there is huge potential for investing into a residential solar power system. You can save up to as much as 80% on your energy bills. By doing this it will enable people to save a lot of money on their energy costs, which in turn leaves them with a surplus of money for them to spend it as they wish.

If you think about it, this surplus money could be used to help finance other expenses in your household like credit card debt, mortgages repayments, health care or even college funds! Having this sort of surplus money can really make a difference when it comes to your finances. Its really becoming a trend now for many people looking to cut costs on their energy bills and this trend is set to continue for the time being as people cut corners and become almost ruthless with their money!

So how do you get involved in a residential solar power system?

A lot of people are very much excited about saving money on their energy bills with a renewable energy system like solar or wind power. But when they start to price things up in terms of purchasing a device and the cost of installing it, they are simple scared off by the price tags associated with it! It can cost thousands of dollars to install one of these devices. Don’t get me wrong! Its great to have this device working for you… but unfortunately a lot of people can not afford to immediately spend that kind of money as an investment, even though they know it will pay back after a while of usage!

So what’s the solution if you feel you are priced out?

Firstly, don’t worry about it! You’ll be happy to know that there is a very affordable solution that’s actually a lot of fun! If you don’t want to fork out for the expensive option and you are a little bit daring, then I suggest you purchase an instructions guide that will help you build one of these systems. Now you don’t need to be a mechanic or have a degree in electronics to build one of these systems. What you do need is an open mind, determination to save money and be able to read instructions correctly! That’s all you need to have in your possession. If you are interested in taking a look at some of the available and recommended guides out there online today, then please take a look at our links below. Building residential solar power systems is one of the best things you will ever do for developing more money in your pocket.

Check out our recommended DIY guides on [http://www.easytodoelectricity.info/solar_power_products.html]solar power products. Building [http://www.easytodoelectricity.info/residential_solar_power_systems.html]residential solar power systems is very affordable and can save you lots of money in the long run! Home wind turbines can also really make a difference to the environment and your wallet!

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How electricity is produced

Electrical energy was one of man’s greatest discoveries. It has helped build new civilizations. The large amount of electricity produced has its source in fossil fuels, nuclear fission, water, and wind. This article will explore the different methods of electricity production.

Electricity is churned out by enormous turbines. These turbines need a support to be moved. There are various ways of moving these turbines:

By burning fossil fuels: Electricity is produced when the blades of a turbine are moved by enormous amounts of vapour. This vapour is generated by heating a lot of water in huge furnaces. The water is heated by burning fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, and natural gas. This method releases enormous amounts of carbon dioxide in the air, thus severely polluting our atmosphere. It is important to turn to alternate methods of electricity production for long-term benefits.

By water: You must have heard how dams are constructed to produce electricity. A popular method to produce electricity, a water dams serves two purposes: restricting water bodies and producing electricity. Water dams use the river water to move turbines, helping them produce electricity. Electricity generated this way helps control air pollution; however, this method of electricity production adversely affects the ecosystem in the water bodies.

Water accounts for 90 percent of the world’s electricity generated through renewable resources.

By wind: Electricity is produced when wind energy is converted to electrical energy. Wind mills or wind turbines are used to churn up enormous amounts of wind energy which is then converted into electrical energy.

The latest in wind energy advancement tells us that wind energy is helping create portable cell phone chargers.

By nuclear fission: Yes, nuclear fission does not only make atom bombs, but also helps produce electricity. Nuclear fission causes a chain reaction where the element Uranium is bombarded by neutrons causing it to split. Every time a Uranium nucleus is split, more neutrons are released, causing more splits in the already split Uranium nuclei. The resultant chain reaction generates a lot of heat which is used to heat water the vapour of which eventually moves turbines to create electricity.

By bio-waste: With technological advancements, electricity is also being produced by bio-waste. Bio-gas is a typical way of generating electricity in rural areas in countries like India. In fact, a new technology evolved in the state of Bihar in India that uses human waste to generate electricity.

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Bio fuels – Are they good?

As the term suggests, bio-fuels are fuels that are formed when biological matter decomposes. The bio-fuels are mostly derived from plants. Bio-fuels exist in all the three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas.

Difference between bio-fuels and fossil fuels
Bio-fuels are different from fossil fuels in the following ways:
• Fossil fuels take a million years to build whereas bio-fuels can be made extremely fast, in a matter of days.
• Fossil fuels generate huge amounts of pollution. Bio-fuels are comparatively safer.
• Bio-fuels are renewable sources of energy unlike fossil fuels.

Different types of bio-fuels
Bio-fuels have been categorized into four types: first generation, second generation, third generation, and fourth generation.

The first generation bio-fuels are derived from vegetable fats, starch, and sugar, which are in turn derived from food-crops. The first generation fuels are also derived from animal fats. Biogas, bio-diesel, and vegetable oil are some examples of this type of bio-fuels.

The second generation of bio-fuels is mainly derived from waste biomass, thus making it a more balanced option compared to the first-generation bio-fuels. Different kinds of alcohols and diesel generated from wood fall into the category of second generation bio-fuels.

The third generation comprises of bio-fuels derived from algae. Algae are farmed on large scales for creating these bio-fuels. The algae fuels are extremely environment-friendly as they can easily decompose into the soil without harming it.

The bio-fuels in the fourth generation are derived by a method in which micro-organisms are raised to work with carbon dioxide to generate fuel.

Advantages of bio-fuels
Bio-fuels prove advantageous in the following ways:
• Bio-fuels lessen the burden on gradually-vanishing fossil fuels.
• Bio-fuels are environment-friendly. They help reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
• Bio-fuels, especially, bio-diesel prove to be very cost-effective for consumers.

Disadvantages of bio-fuels
Bio-fuels are not bereft of criticism. Though beneficial for the environment, bio-fuels have its disadvantages, paradoxically in the environmental purview. Bio-fuels have received criticism for many reasons, a couple of which are stated below:
• Economists have long debated on the usefulness of first generation bio-fuels when compared to the lack of food they cause. Generating fuel from food crops makes food crops unworthy of human consumption. Some people believe that being a higher priority than fuel, food should not be farmed for making fuels but for human consumption.
• Making bio-fuels require acres of farming land, thus encroaching upon the natural habitat of plants and animals.

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There are many things you can use to make a good compost humus (which is what the
final product is called).  There are also quite a few items that should never go into your
compost bin.  Listed below are many of the materials you should not try to compost and
why it is not a good idea.

Ashes from charcoal should not be added to your compost, you can add very small
amount of ashes from a fire that was made with untreated wood.  It is not a good idea to
add a lot though because it can change the composition and make it too alkaline.

Do not add any kind of droppings from an animal that is not a vegetarian.  Animals that
pass the compost inspection include horses, cows, rabbits, and goats.  You can even add
droppings from hamster or other indoor pets.  But stay away from bird, dog, and cat
droppings (including cat litter).  They all can contain harmful organisms.

Any type of animal waste such as leftover meat, oil, bones, or fish waste are off-limits. 
They all can cause your pile to smell badly and can attract unwanted pests.

Milk, yogurt, cheese, or any other milk product should be added with caution.  They all
will attract animals and pests.  If you do decide to add them, do so in small amounts and
cover them with plenty of brown food afterwards.

You can add weeds, but you should take care to ensure your composting is functioning
properly.  If your compost is not generating enough heat the weeds will not be destroyed
and can grow again once you spread your compost.  You can dry your weeds on a
sidewalk or on some concrete before added to the pile as an added precaution to make
sure they do not survive.

Composting can benefit your garden and the planet (when done on a large scale) in many
ways.  A lot of people may shy away from composting because of some common myths
or misconceptions.  Listed below are some of the most common untruths followed by the
real information.

* Composting is creating new dirt.  Actually composting is not dirt, soil, or earth
but it is humus – decayed matter that provides nutrients to soil.
* It takes a lot of time and effort to compost.  Once you have your compost bin set-
up all you will only have to add new materials and turn or rotate the piles once in
a two day period.
* Having a compost is too smelly.  If your compost bin has a bad odor, something is
wrong.  You need to ensure there is enough air circulation and the right
combination of green and brown foods.
* If I have a compost in my back yard, animals are going to come and dig through
it.  If you have a cover for your compost bin and ensure a good layer of brown
food (at least one inch) is on the top you will not have any animal control
problems.
* If I don’t measure the exact ratio of green to brown food it will not work. 
Composting is not an exact science if you add more green food one week and then
balance it out with additional brown food the next week – that is fine.  You will
be able to tell with time what your compost pile is lacking or needing.

Composting is easy, environmentally friendly, and an inexpensive way to fertilize your
lawn, garden, or house plants.  With some time and patience your mature compost will be
ready to use anywhere from one month to one year.

The heat that is generated from the breaking down of organic matter into compost is
known as hot composting.  There is also cold composting, it doesn’t take as much of a
commitment from you to upkeep or manage but it does take quite a bit longer to yield
results.

Hot (or active) composting uses microbes to breakdown the matter.  Some experts will
recommend you inoculate the compost with live organisms purchased from a gardening
supply store in order to get the process started.  While others will recommend adding in
healthy top soil as it also contains live organisms that will convert your organic matter
into compost material.  Either way, once the process is started your compost pile will
generate heat.  You should tend or check on your pile every second day to ensure good
air circulation is maintained and that the right level of moisture is kept.

If you do not have the desire or time to maintain a regular compost bin, starting a cold
compost (or slow compost) may suit you better.  In a cold compost, you are only using
your yard waste and grass clippings instead of a combination of outdoor material with
your kitchen scraps.  All that is required of you is to pile your leaves and grass clippings
into a pile and wait.  The process is slow and long – it will not yield usable compost for
up to one year.  Be careful not to put in any weeds or other undesirable plants, as there is
no heat they will survive the composting process and can grow again when you use the
finished material.

If you generate quite a bit of yard waste and it is too much to include in your regular
compost bin consider using both methods.  You can have the best of both composting
methods.

In addition to the acceptable food scraps you can use to compost there are many different
organic items you can add too.  Some of the items on the list may surprise you while
others will be ones you have heard of before.  Just remember, by composting these items
you are reducing the amount of waste that your home produces.

Additional Composting Materials:

* Lint collected from your dryer
* Cardboard, cut into strips or small pieces
* Hair, make sure that is isn’t put in as one large clump
* Manure (from a horse, pig, or cow)
* Tree leaves, cutting or chipping them helps them break down faster
* Newspaper (considered brown food), cut into strips. Do not use the glossy pages
* and do not add too much (it can dry out the pile)
* Pine needles and pine cones
* Coffee grounds and paper filter
* Sawdust and wood chips (or shavings) as long as it is from untreated wood.
* Straw -  even better if it is used straw from horse bedding
* Grass clippings (green food)
* Seaweed or algae (you can get these from your home aquarium)

There are a few considerations to think about when choosing from the above list of items. 
If you do use dryer lint, it would be wise to only use it from cycles when you washed
clothes with natural fibers – man-made fibers would not breakdown in your compost.  If
you are using your compost for your garden be extra careful that everything you add has
not been treated – such as grass clippings.   If any type of commercial fertilizer or
pesticide has been sprayed on the grass do not add it to your compost bin.  Larger items
should be broken down as much as possible to speed up their decomposition.

There are living creatures that you want in your compost bin such as microbes and red
earthworms and then there are the creatures you want to stay away like raccoons, rodents,
and bears).  A compost bin can be very appealing to an animal, easy access to food.  As a
rule, you should never put animal matter into compost (left over meat and bones) not only
do they not make for good composting they will be a magnet to wild animals.  Following
are some more tips to help keep your compost bin free from pests of all sizes.

An odor-free compost bin is less likely to attract bears or any other animal friends.  You
can achieve this by rotating or turning the compost pile at least once per week.  Another
precaution that should be taken is to have a bin with a cover whether it is commercially
made or one you make yourself.

Another thing you can do is to put brown food such as lawn clippings on top of the green
food (food scraps and other kitchen waste).  You can purchase lime at your local nursery
or hardware store to sprinkle on the top of your composting materials that will increase
the rate at which everything decomposes.

The location of your compost heap should not be near the edge of your property
especially if you live near a forest or park area.  This makes it very easy for animals to
help themselves without being exposed by walking through your backyard.

If bears or raccoons are a big concern in your community you can look into a
neighborhood compost pile.  In addition to making composting more accessible to a
larger group of people, you can look into an electric or barbed wire fence to ensure no
unwanted animals come looking for a free lunch.

The hot composting method (also known as fast or active composting) is the most
common as it yields desired results relatively quickly.  It is also the best method to take
care of unwanted weeds as it will destroy the seeds during the heat phase.

After you have picked a level site for your composting bin, you will need a good base for
the bottom of leaves and high-quality soil.  The leaves should be chopped or chipped so
that no one piece is larger than two-three inches (this is a good rule of thumb for all
materials added to the bin).

Once your bin and base are in place you can start to add your green food (nitrogen-rich)
and your brown food (carbon-rich).  The ratio that should be roughly followed is one part
green for every two parts brown.

Monitor the pile every other day for moisture control and temperature.  During this time
you need to rotate or turn the pile to get good air flow inside the pile and to help with
odors. 

Once your pile is full or has finished the heat phase, let it cure.  The length of curing will
depend on your intended use of the finished product.  To eliminate any larger pieces of
organic matter that did not break down use a screen to sift them out.  But if you follow
the rule of not putting in anything that is larger than three inches this should not happen.

A compost humus can be ready to use in as little as 3-4 weeks with a hot composting
method and maintenance to the pile on a regular schedule.  If you are going to use the
cold (or inactive) method of composting, it can take up to one year for usable compost to
be ready.

Now that you have put in the work, waited the required amount of time and have your
finished compost material – what are you going to do with it?  There are more uses than
just laying it down on your flower beds.  Some are practical everyday uses and others are
more specialized.

You can make a tea with your finished compost; it is not for drinking though.  To make
your compost tea, add your humus to a water-tight container and fill with water.  Let the
tea “steep” anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days.  After it is done, put the
liquid compost through a fine screen to collect any debris.  What you have made is a
liquid fertilizer that can be sprayed on plants or other garden areas.

Compost can be used to help stop the spread of erosion.  It can be laid down thickly on
the area that is eroding away or it can be mixed with water to make a thick slurry and
then sprayed on the area that is in danger.

Humus (finished compost) is used as a final layer over a finished landfill to help new
plants grow with little to no erosion.  Finished compost can also assist in revitalizing an
endangered wetland.  The nutrient rich composition can be used to create a new wetland
as well.

Of course there are the traditional uses too – in gardens, planting beds, or other areas that
plants or vegetation grows.  If you are starting a new compost bin, in place of a layer of
topsoil for the base you can substitute an equal amount of compost material.  Farmers and
cities use mature compost on a large scale; it helps the environment and reduces the
amount of garbage that ends up in a landfill.