admin answers:

These questions require a lot of detail so the best I can do is direct you to where I got all my information. I recently installed some home made solar panels over my roof, I also installed a small windmill like generator. The solar panels work great! The windmill wasn’t the best choice I guess because I don’t get that much wind where I live so it usually just sits there. I also have a solar water heater which I built. All the additions I have made have cut my energy bill by around 75% on average. The webiste below is what I went off of, its not free, but it is much better than having to round up bits and peices all over the web. It gives you instructions on how to build all types of energy solutions and also tells you where you can purchase the parts required. Hope this helps!

admin answers:

I think you should redesign student chair: motorized recliners, with a drink dispenser, small refrigerator, a place to store books and supplies, ( no lockers needed) built in laptop, cell phone, etc. Everything could run on solar power or back up generator- no cords needed. Deluxe models could include vibrator and temperature controls. Students can research on line ( no libraries needed), write papers and print them out without leaving their chair. You could draw or photo shop this project.

admin answers:

If by wind farm, you refer to those gigantic wind generators found in some places around the country, our Electric co-op did an article on them last year. ONE of those gigantic windmills runs around a million dollars.

admin answers:

Solar power usually refers to making electricity from the sun. Solar energy may refer to this and also sometimes using the heat energy from the sun. Thermal solar collectors may use solar energy to make solar power.

Solar energy is only beginning to be explored in our society. In other societies (ancient Greece for example) there were laws to prevent one person from blocking the sun from the land of another as the sun was important for heating. The sun’s energy stored in chemical bonds has been very common in our society. Oil is king. This has marginalized direct solar energy use. The amount of Solar energy in our society depends upon what you are including. Direct Solar? Wind? Biomass? Hydro generation? Here is one site that adds it up to 13%: http://evworld.com/news.cfm?newsid=21381″>

2 the economics of solar is also subject to definitions. Real cost or cost including politically gained subsidies. Gasoline may cost $3.00 at the pump but estimates of its real cost are from $10 to more than $20. Nuclear power is also heavily subsidized. Solar is just getting into the game and is taking time to get its political markers in place. When it comes to efficiency solar is far more direct and has some distinct advantages. Http://www.catalystmagazine.com/component/content/article/45/1128-pay-at-the-pump-uncovering-the-true-cost-of-gasoline http://evworld.com/article.cfm?storyid=1715&first=2490&end=2489 http://www.ringnebula.com/project-censored/1976-1992/1988/1988-story11.htm http://environment.about.com/od/renewableenergy/a/solar_power.htm

3. Direct Solar energy and renewable solar energy is substantially more eco friendly than using fossil solar energy. Shading environments with solar collectors changes environments this may have effects to be considered. Some large scale solar power installations need water in environments where this is scarce. Wind generators may have an adverse effect on flying wildlife. And hydroelectric dam may add unusual pressure on the Earth’s crust. Http://solareis.anl.gov/guide/environment/index.cfm http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/27/us/27solar.html