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Got sun? go solar : harness nature's free energy to heat and power your grid-tied home /

Examines renewable energy options for grid-tied homeowners, including solar- and wind-generated electricity, solar water heating, passive solar, and geothermal heating / cooling. System configurations and equipment, average costs, financial incentives, and installation considerations are also covere...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Clasificación:Libro Electrónico
Autor principal: Ewing, Rex A.
Formato: Electrónico eBook
Idioma:Inglés
Publicado: Masonville, Colo. : PixyJack Press, ©2009.
Edición:Expanded 2nd ed.
Temas:
Acceso en línea:Texto completo
Tabla de Contenidos:
  • Introduction : The first modern solar cell
  • Section I. Generating electricity from the sun and wind : Why would you want a solar/wind electric system? : Warm, fuzzy reasons for renewable energy ; Hard-edge financial reasons
  • Is this stuff legal
  • or safe? : Net metering ; Why your utility company doesn't want your power ; Technology leads, and regulations follow
  • Riding herd on electrons: electricity and solar cell basics : Electrons have all the fun ; Learning to love volts, amps and watts ; Falling water and electron flow: a (nearly) perfect analogy ; AC/DC: it's more than rock 'n roll ; Solar cells: teaching old electrons new tricks ; It's practically efficient
  • You want batteries with that? : Direct grid-tie systems (without batteries) ; Battery-based grid-tie systems ; Which is right for me?
  • Sizing your solar/wind electric system : Watt(s) you use versus watt(s) you need ; Sizing the components ; How many batteries? ; System voltage
  • Where does everything go? : Where should I put my solar array? ; Making space for the batteries, inverters and other stuff ; How far away can it be? ; Grid-tie for the cash- or space-challenged
  • Got wind? : How much wind is enough? ; Turbines: a quick look at the windy beasts ; Tower styles and options ; Which system is right for me?
  • Let's talk money and system performance : Honest cost estimates and real world output for solar/wind electric systems ; System monitoring
  • Any financial help out there? : Federal/state/local sources ; Return on your investment; RE credits or green tags
  • Permits and paperwork : What to expect, and who does it ; Tell your friendly local utility company ; Sell high, by low (time-of-use billing)
  • The nuts and bolts: what to look for, what to avoid : Solar modules, connections, mounting systems ; Direct and battery based grid-tie inverters ; Safety equipment ; Wind turbines and towers ; Charge controllers ; Batteries
  • Who does the solar/wind electric installation : Finding and qualifying a contractor ; Do it yourself? ; Guest commentary / Christopher Freitas
  • Section II. Heating your home with nature's free energy : Using the sun's warmth to heat your home : Passive solar design tips ; Windows ; Solar air panels
  • Get in hot water and love it : How solar hot water (solar thermal) systems work ; Solar collectors ; Sizing and choosing the best type of system ; Circulating and storing hot water ; Other considerations
  • Geothermal: capturing the heat beneath your feet : How geothermal works ; Types of systems ; Size, cost and applicability
  • Appendix. Tips on appliances and energy conservation
  • Energy consumption of appliances
  • Wind map (U.S.)
  • System sizing worksheet
  • Solar irradiance U.S. maps (June and December)
  • Solar array sizing worksheet
  • State energy offices.