Author Archives: Salman Zafar

About Salman Zafar

Salman Zafar is the CEO of BioEnergy Consult, and an international consultant, advisor and trainer with expertise in waste management, biomass energy, waste-to-energy, environment protection and resource conservation. His geographical areas of focus include Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Salman has successfully accomplished a wide range of projects in the areas of biogas technology, biomass energy, waste-to-energy, recycling and waste management. Salman has participated in numerous national and international conferences all over the world. He is a prolific environmental journalist, and has authored more than 300 articles in reputed journals, magazines and websites. In addition, he is proactively engaged in creating mass awareness on renewable energy, waste management and environmental sustainability through his blogs and portals. Salman can be reached at salman@bioenergyconsult.com or salman@cleantechloops.com.

How Skip Bins Help in Effective Waste Management

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Typically, dealing with a lot of wastes can be very overwhelming. Whether it’s food containers, plastic packaging, water bottles, hazardous chemicals, food wastes, and many more, these wastes can be a hassle if they’re not managed and disposed of properly. Not only that, but too much waste buildup in your property can be harmful to your health and the environment. In today’s world, we have to deal with a lot of problems every day, from the waste to a myriad of assignments. But there is a solution to everything, for example, you can always buy dessertation online rather than having to spend all your energy and time on it. For effective waste management, this is where the use of skip bins becomes beneficial.

By definition, skip bins refer to waste receptacles that can be used to remove a larger amount of wastes from a property. They can also be used for residential, industrial, and commercial purposes.

Thus, if you consider using skip bins for your rubbish, here’s how these receptacles can effectively help in your waste management efforts.

skip bins

1. Available In Various Sizes At Your Disposal

Generally, knowing the correct volume of your wastes can be very difficult. If you don’t know the amount of rubbish you’re dealing with, you might be unable to remove and dispose of them properly. Thus, if you’re looking to effectively manage all your wastes, then using skip bins in various sizes can be an excellent solution.

For example, if you want a significant volume of wastes to be eliminated from your premises, then using a bigger waste receptacle makes a lot of sense. On the other hand, if you’re only dealing with a small amount of rubbish, mini skips for Sydney residents or wherever you may be located can be a great option for effective waste disposal.

Remember, by using the right size of skip bins, you can speed up the disposal process and get rid of all your rubbish at once.

2. Can Help Keep You Safe

Waste management is crucial for your health. This is because most wastes contain chemicals and volatile materials that are toxic and harmful to the body. So, to ensure effective and safe waste management efforts, using skip bins can be the best thing to do.

Since these receptacles are stable and dependable, you can rest assured that wastes are handled properly by the experts. Moreover, by hiring skip bins, you’ll be working with specialists who are trained in doing the best waste removal methods in the most secure and safest way possible. This is especially true if you’re working on a construction site where the buildup of wastes may result in accidents and injuries. Hence, by having skip bins by your side, you can make the site safer for everyone involved.

3. They’re A Convenient Option

Effective and sustainable waste management for businesses and homeowners can be a complicated undertaking. This is especially true if you have no idea how and where to start. Fortunately, with the use of skip bins, the entire process of rubbish removal and disposal will become more convenient and smoother.

Typically, using skip bins is convenient since the skip company will deliver these waste receptacles to your location without hassle. Once you’re done with the disposal, the company will collect the bins after a certain period of time. With this kind of setup, you don’t have to get or return the skip bins by yourself. The skip bin company will handle your wastes, making waste management more effective and seamless.

4. Can Help Save You Time, Money, And Effort

In most cases, using skip bins means hiring a reliable skip bin company, like the Mobile Skips. But the good thing about the use of these waste receptacles is that they can help you save time, money, and energy. Instead of doing the dirty work of disposing your wastes on your own, you have other people to do the job for you.

All you need to do is place all your rubbish in the skip bins and the skip company will remove and dispose of them from your property. As a result, you can save some money on gas by not having to drive all your wastes to a landfill. Plus, you can save time and effort by not doing the job yourself.

5. Help Ensure Your Wastes Are Properly Disposed Of

Unless your work involves waste management and disposal, you may not know the best common practices in handling rubbish on your property. When this happens, you might dump all your wastes in the landfills, which isn’t the perfect way to dispose of them. This is where skip bins come to the rescue.

skip bins for effective waste management

By using skip bins from a reliable skip bin company, your wastes will be managed by experts. Instead of doing the disposal by yourself, you can rest knowing that professionals will handle all your wastes in the right way. For example, they can segregate your rubbish and bring some items to a facility for the recycling process. Also, they can make sure that some of your waste products won’t end up in the landfills.

6. They Can Generate More Space For Working

When dealing with home renovation, effective waste management plays an integral role in the success of the project. Generally, your entire workspace can quickly become messy and chaotic due to the accumulation of wastes during the construction process. When this happens, you might be unable to make your home renovations as efficient as they should be. This is one reason why skip bins are essential in effectively managing rubbish on your premises.

By accumulating all your wastes in the skip bins, you’re able to create more working spaces for your home renovation tasks. Always keep in mind that having less rubbish on a working site can make the whole project more efficient and your waste management practices more effective.

Bottom Line

Indeed, skip bins from a trustworthy skip bin company can be an ideal solution to eliminate wastes of all sizes. Whether you’re dealing with large or small wastes, these receptacles can effectively help your waste management efforts.

Therefore, if you consider using skip bins, keep this information in mind so you’ll understand their importance in waste removal and disposal. Due to their enhanced efficiency and durability, they’re popular among homeowners and businesses. Lastly, managing wastes doesn’t need to be complicated with the help of skip bins.

Technologies for Sustainable Forestry and Sustainable Agriculture

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Innovative technologies can help improve the resilience of different industries. Agriculture and forestry are no exception. In this piece, you will find out whether you can take care of the health of the fields, detect common tree diseases promptly and save resources without harming the environment.

Sustainability and Technologies

At first glance, digital technologies and environmental sustainability are mutually exclusive concepts since common development factors do not link them. Technological changes are aimed at increasing production efficiency using artificial intelligence, IoT, and robotics. Environmental sustainability is promoted by a combination of several factors associated with geopolitical instability, deteriorating climatic conditions, and the environment.

The business will not cover all the needs of a growing population for food and services by simply increasing production. Social and environmental problems of the modern world can be solved only with the help of innovative technologies. The combination of digital innovation and environmental sustainability can help address these challenges. In addition, this combination is an excellent way for a business to stand out and consolidate its viability among clients and related organizations. Indeed, sustainable practices and digital technologies may be an integral part of any business. This combination can provide the company with higher income at lower costs while providing a positive customer experience.

Sustainable Forestry

Humanity needs the resources that the forest provides. Sustainable forestry involves  forest management and caring for its health. It is vital to save the forest as a separate ecosystem and habitat for many animals and so that the essential resources remain for future generations.

sustainable forestry

1. Forest Health and Forest Management

Various sustainable forest management practices are tailored for each area. One of the basic methods is to check the regeneration. It means that you need to make sure you have enough tree sprouts, natural seeds and seedlings.  Excessive populations of certain species of animals can lead to the destruction of young trees as they eat them. In such cases, people can install a fence. If there is little sunlight in the forest, some trees can be removed, as can weeds, which grow and take up a significant portion of the nutrients or water.

Sustainable forestry practices also include caring for wet areas and forest streams. Do not allow much soil to enter the water, as it can harm aquatic organisms. Large pipes should control rain flow to prevent erosion of exposed soil in areas where trees have been felled.

Caring for the health of the forest is another challenge for sustainable forest management. The extinction of a large number of trees testifies to the health problems of the woods. They can be caused by insect pests, diseases, wildfires, or unfavorable weather conditions. Sustainable forestry is concerned with promoting health and reducing negative health factors.

2. Precision Forestry

Precision forestry relies on various innovative technologies, including drones, soil sensors, drones, and laser scanning. However, this concept is not limited only to the introduction of technologies. Still, it means a transition from an analog control system to a system with operational control and digital data collection.

The technologies of precision forestry are designed to improve management. With their help, you can optimize the decision-making process, relying on advanced analytics. Better data collection goes hand in hand with more control over various operations, automation of production, and better meeting the needs of the forest, for example, when it comes to nutrients or soil moisture.

Sustainable Agriculture

The agricultural sector, as well as the use of forest resources, is necessary for humanity. However, the use of harmful farming practices, including the release of agricultural waste, is detrimental to the environment. Sustainable agriculture exists to minimize the negative impact on the environment. It offers the use of environmentally friendly technologies and methods.

compost-organic-waste-farming

The concept of safe food using organic waste generated compost is getting traction.

1. Irrigation

Smart irrigation systems can go beyond just providing timely watering and reporting soil moisture levels and temperatures so growers can effectively care for their crops. Many plants have specific requirements for these parameters. Special sensors inform farmers about the need to change the growing environment depending on the temperature conditions while reducing water loss.

Another serious cause of the irrigation system is hard water. The high levels of salt of hard water can clog up your irrigation system. Moreover, it can make the soil hard and unsuitable for use. Choose a sustainable technology to treat hard water for your irrigation system is one thing everyone should really consider.

2. Biotechnology

Thanks to biotechnology, breeders can develop plants with specific traits using more precise methods with faster results. Scientists are also working on plants that use water more efficiently and can thrive even in drought conditions. Biotechnology also contributes to higher yields, as breeders by editing the genes of plants make them more resistant to various diseases. It also has great potential in animal husbandry.

sustainable agriculture

3. Data and Software

The Internet of Things has a significant impact on the sustainability of agriculture, and it is through this technology, farmers can use intelligent irrigation systems or livestock health trackers using high-speed internet. Software and sensors transmit data to a central system, from where farmers receive information. You can make more effective decisions based on the obtained data regarding the health of the crops, and therefore save resources.

8 Ways to Reduce Air Contamination in the Workplace

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It’s unsurprising that air quality naturally goes downhill in workplaces. When there are too many people in too small a space, negative effects on the air that employees breathe are to be expected. Those can be exacerbated by building or remodeling projects nearby.

Poor indoor air quality may result in sneezing, itchy eyes, and scratchy throats. Medical experts caution that it may also cause respiratory disorders, asthma, and cancer to worsen and damage the nervous system over time.

Fortunately, no matter where you work, there are ways to improve air quality and provide safe working conditions. You can reduce the likelihood of illness and create a healthy work environment by implementing the following recommendations:

air contamination at workplace

1. Keep Everything Clean And Germ-Free

Mold spores, dust, debris, and toxins shouldn’t be present in the air in a work environment. Instead of using toxic cleaning products that pollute the air, consider going green with cleaning agents that releases no additional pollutants into the environment. Muddy shoes should be cleaned on a scraper mat before entering the building or office to prevent tracking dirt into the establishment.

Do the floors after you’ve finished vacuuming to get rid of any airborne pollutants. Microfiber mops and dusters collect dirt and debris more thoroughly than ordinary cloth, so it’s always a good idea to use them.

By keeping everything clean, you can improve your office and help the environment at the same time.

2. Replace The Air Filters

When air filters get dirty, they stop up the flow of air. Over time, dust and dirt will settle in the air ducts, and people within the property may be at risk. In general, you should change air filters every six months.

3. Maintain An Appropriate Humidity Level

Dust mites and mold can be reduced when the humidity is between 30% and 50%. You can use two types of equipment to maintain a comfortable humidity level in your office: dehumidifiers and air conditioners.

4. Spillage Should Be Cleaned Up At Once

Mold grows in damp environments, and exposure to it can result in allergies and infections. Because it’s more costly to get rid of mold than to prevent it, it’s imperative to wipe away spills as quickly as possible and to watch for signs of leakage in the office.

5. Make Use Of Air Purifiers

Turning to commercial-grade appliances such as dehumidifiers and air purifiers ensures indoor safety without having to employ a technician.

6. Change Air Filters Regularly

To prevent the return of airborne contaminants to the indoor environment, change the filter as often as needed. Blockage or restriction of airflow can increase moisture retention and the buildup of pollutants in enclosed spaces. That’s why it’s advisable to clean air filters in your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system at least twice a year.

7. Make Sure There Is Adequate Ventilation

Open the windows whenever possible to let fresh air into the office and reduce stale air, but never turn off the HVAC system. Check the ventilation system in your workplace to ensure that it’s adequate. Ensure that there are no air leaks in the hoses or pipes within the property. Furniture, boxes, and cupboards placed in front of an air vent can create a stuffy office, so remove those at once.

air quality at the workplace

Having indoor plants is a great way to bring life into your workplace. They can help improve air quality as well because they take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen.

8. Inspections Should Be Made At Least Every Month

Workplace air quality testing will give you the data and insights you need to determine if the methods you’re using to keep indoor air clean are effective. The tests evaluate airflow, humidity, propensity to damage, amount of odor, water in the air, leaks, and the degree of mold growth and contamination. An increase in the number of employees developing an illness or becoming allergic to a change in the environment may warrant scheduling a test.

If you notice any signs that your ducts are causing poor air quality or providing inadequate ventilation, call the professionals right away. With their help, you’ll find out precisely what has to be fixed to get your office back on track when it comes to health standards.

Takeaway

The health and happiness of your employees are directly tied to indoor air quality. That’s why you have to identify ways to make your office’s environment more conducive to productivity and wellness. These can be as simple as changing filters regularly, using air purifiers, and testing the HVAC system.

A Complete Guide To Setting Up A Solar Power System In Your Home

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Using solar energy systems for power isn’t exactly a new concept by now. It lets people cut down on electricity costs, and its renewability makes it more eco-friendly.

Solar power works by capturing sunlight through mirrors, lenses, and photovoltaic panels. The concentrated energy gets converted into a current, which is then stored in batters for later use. You can use that to supply power during certain times of the day or a whole day, when it’s dark, or when you can’t use your current power system. For this reason, it’s quite accessible as a source of power, especially in underserviced areas.

how to set up a solar power system at home

Although it has these benefits, the rate of people adopting it for their households is still quite low. For one thing, solar panels require some considerable investment for buying and maintenance. And, of course, there’s the claim that other energy producers are trying to curb its usage to keep themselves in operation.

Nevertheless, people nowadays have more opportunities to switch to solar power thanks to advancements in photovoltaic technology. If you’re interested in experiencing the benefits of this renewable energy source first-hand, look up reliable solar power system installers like Impact Energy Solar In Colorado and similar providers in your area to ask questions and get started.

But before you get ahead of yourself, you should know that switching to solar energy takes a few key steps. Preparing your household for installation is one of them. Fortunately, it’s not as complicated as it may seem. Here’s what homeowners like you should do to set up a solar power system at home.

1. Calculate Your Household’s Approximate Energy Consumption

Before installing solar panels, assessing and knowing your energy needs is essential. You can do this by summing up all the power that your home requires.

A common way to go about this is to look at your monthly electric bills for a whole year first. List down the total number of watts you consume. Then, you get the average. While it may not represent exactly how much energy you use, it should put you in a safe range for how much you’ll need to keep your daily routines.

You can also make a list of the appliances you use daily. These may include:

  • Clothes irons
  • Refrigerators
  • Washers and dryers
  • Fans
  • Lights
  • Televisions
  • Microwaves
  • Electric cookers
  • Desktop and laptop computers
  • Heaters

You might add more to the list depending on what you have in your home. Once you have everything down, the next step is to add the approximate time you use them daily and their power rating.

Then, you calculate the watts per hour. Multiply each appliance’s power rating by its run time. After doing this for every device and appliance, you can add all the individual figures to get the overall ‘watt-hour.’ This figure helps you determine the size of the solar power unit you need to keep everything running in your household.

As a rule, the size of the system and your estimated consumption are directly proportional. The greater your energy needs, the bigger the solar power system you have to get. So, make sure you have this down to make your search for the ideal system much easier.

2. Check If You Have All The Components That Make Up The Solar Power System

The second step to setting up a solar energy system is gathering all the parts of the power unit. Regular ones usually include the following components:

  • Solar panels
  • Inverter
  • Charge Controller
  • Battery Pack
  • Fuses
  • Meter
  • Breaker
  • MC4 connector
  • Electrical safety equipment, like surge protectors

When buying these parts, make sure they’re compatible with one another and suit your installation needs.

Once you’ve purchased and confirmed that you have all the necessary parts, read through your user manual and module instructions that come with the solar power system unit. Take your time to understand the instructions.

different surveys when building a new home

3. Find The Ideal Location To Set Up Your Solar Panels

While it’s true that most people install solar panels on their rooftops, it’s not mandatory. There are other factors to consider before deciding where to set up your system.

The first thing to keep in mind is that the panels must have full access to sunlight. So, avoid placing them somewhere on the roof surrounded by tall trees. These can cast shadows on the solar panels, affecting their ability to capture as much light as possible. Also, their twigs, leaves, and other detritus may cover the surfaces of the panels, making them even less efficient. Other tall structures around your home do the same thing, as well.

With this understanding, always make sure you place your panels at a location and position primed for maximum exposure. If you can’t find a good enough space on your rooftop, the ground is always a good option. Just keep it protected from foot traffic or debris by putting up a fence.

There are also more creative ways to put up the panels. For those, consider working with a professional solar power installer to get the best advice on what to do.

4. Make Stands For The Battery And Inverter

Depending on the layout, it’s a good idea to have stands for the inverter and battery; otherwise, the setup may look flimsy and incomplete. You can either make one from scratch or purchase a completed stand, preferably from the same set as the components you bought.

Before getting the stands, you should first know where you’re going to place the inverter and battery. They should have enough space for the stands you’ll purchase. Once you got that down, you’re ready for the next step of the setup.

5. Set Up Your Battery

Speaking of which, you should place the battery in its rightful position according to your layout.

You’ll also need a power controller to monitor how your battery is charging. This small device has a LED light that acts as a signal to indicate the battery’s current status. Aside from that, it controls the power the battery receives and adjusts it if necessary.

 

The battery serves as the conduit for storing the power solar panels generate throughout the day. Whenever you need solar power, you simply channel the battery to discharge the energy it collected.

It’s crucial to have a battery with optimum storage to have a steady energy supply and to run your electrical appliances normally when there’s no sunlight.

6. Then, Place The Inverter

Solar panels produce electricity in the form of direct current (DC). However, electrical appliances can only use power alternating current (AC). Instead of using adapters when running your devices, inverters simplify the task by converting DC to AC.

Much like the inverter, you also need to set up the inverter correctly. They can also come in different power capacities. So, it’s important to get one that matches the needs of your household.

Note that not all inverters work for every device or appliance in your home. Check out your user’s manual or talk to an expert if you need to learn more about this.

7. Put Up The Solar Panels

Once all the other components are set, you can get to mounting the solar panels at the best spot. Again, you must place them somewhere with the optimal exposure. A professional can help you find that position and even help you with the placement. Ensure that your mounting stand is the same as the location’s latitude angle for maximum energy efficiency.

solar-battery

8. Work On Wiring The Components

You start by connecting the battery to the inverter. Next, wire the charge controller to the solar panels. Then, you connect the direct current load with the solar charge controller.

When connecting the charge controller and solar panel, it’s best to use an MC4 connector to get better results, especially if the panels are large. Once you connect the charge controller to the battery, you should see the LED lights lighting up.

If you are wiring smaller solar panels, try tracing a junction box at the back with a positive and negative terminal. Use the red wire for the former and the black one for the latter to connect everything.

After everything is put in place, give the solar power system a test run. The battery should start charging within a few moments. Then, pause and check if any problems pop up, like overheating, smoke, or odd smells. If everything goes without a hitch, you can now enjoy your new source of energy.

As you’ve seen throughout the article, the whole process is best done with the help of a professional solar panel installation crew. Don’t hesitate to look up the best ones in your area.

Time For You To Go Solar

Due to its many benefits for your budget and the environment in the long run, relying on solar energy may be one of the best investments you make. This guide should give you a good idea of how to properly set up a system. Of course, you should turn to professionals to make sure you did everything right. Here’s to more sustainable homes.

Tips To Sell Your Old Car and Earn Money

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Are you ready to sell your scrap car? Do you want to earn extra money and get rid of your old vehicle? If so, this post brings you some valuable tips to sell your car for maximum cash! A quick search of the nearby salvage yards will help you sell your junk car for the highest money.

To sell your car, there are a few steps you need to do to sell scrap cars for cash in Auckland.

how to sell your old car for cash

1. Gather Your Paperwork

Getting all of your papers and information organised is one of the first stages in junking your car. General details including the vehicle identification number (VIN), mileage, body condition, make, and model are included here. Additionally, you must offer the most thorough description you can of the condition and extent of the car’s damage. For the sale of a junk automobile, several states want titles, and yards frequently insist on them even when the law doesn’t demand it.

Also Read: What Your VIN Can Tell You

2. Advertise Your Car

Even if the junkyard is a great place to sell trash cars, you shouldn’t try to sell them on your own, even if doing so will result in a better price. Newspaper advertising is still effective, especially if you want to reach an older demographic, claims the paper writing service. If your junk automobile still operates but is ancient, it makes sense to link to an older audience. There may be an older person wanting to purchase what you are selling.

Don’t forget to advertise online on the many social media applications because you can reach younger individuals who are also interested in your car through social media. Such a person might be able to afford your junk car because of how inexpensive it is.

3. Call Car Salvagers

It’s ideal if you don’t worry about your car breaking down. Although you couldn’t sell it for more money, you could still make a tiny profit by selling it to car wreckers. Depending on how much your automobile weighs, they would pay you. Additionally, you may earn extra money by selling them the car pieces separately.

Consider their reputation when you want to sell scrap cars for cash; you may determine their legitimacy by reading customer evaluations.

removal and recycling of old vehicles

4. Choose Your Car’s Pick Up Time

You’re quite elated. You are doing a great job of turning your junk car into cash. Currently, getting your car to the junkyard is the only obstacle. The good news is that the salvage company has a tow truck that would come and take the car off your hands. You probably assume you need to get a tow truck to help you get your car to the junkyard. The bad news is that you’ll lose some money, but the stress-free environment makes it worthwhile.

5. Complete The Sale

The last step is to finalise the sale process once you’ve arrived at the junkyard. Get your cash or cheque before you sign any legal documents. After that, you will fill out the pink slip and sign a release of liability.

After you transfer the title, the junkyard owns the vehicle, and they are free to scrap it. This concludes the sale process if there are no pending legal issues with the disposal of your vehicle.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are a lot of things you need to do to sell your trash car. Ideally, you’ll be able to reuse the car’s components, remove it from your property, and earn a little cash.

What Determines the Price of Home Solar Panel Installation?

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People are leaning toward installing solar panels to have a “green” source of energy that would eventually cost them nothing. However, the price point is one of the major concerns that worry homeowners. People feel more inclined to check the price tag on home solar panels to decide whether they are going to go for them or not. Just like any renewable source of energy, the initial cost may sound very expensive, however, afterwards, the fuel price comes down to zero. The average cost swings between $15k and $25k, this gap in the range of prices depend mainly on the solar panel size.

But other than the size of solar panels, what other factors affect the price of home solar panel installation?

1. The Size Of Solar Panels

The cost of solar panels is calculated by dollar per watt depending on how much electricity you need to generate and what size solar system you need. A bigger system requires more work to install and that’s how the size affects the cost of installing solar panels. 2kW would averagely cost around $4k, while solar panels that would generate 25 kW costs $53k.

Crunching the numbers, it does sound that solar panel cost a lot more than average electricity bills paid per month, thanks to low-interest solar installment plans, buying big solar panels won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

2. Variation Of Price Between States

Solar panel prices may seem like they’re all the same across all states, however, you can use the same exact solar panels at two different states and you will get different costs. The reason behind these variations depends on the cost of electricity in every state. Let’s take Washington, for example, the cost of 6kw generated from a solar panel will cost around $9k, while the same in New York will cost $12k.

Solar panels are becoming more accessible, for homeowners and businesses

The prices definitely seem costly, however, if one thought about the overall cost of electricity from solar energy and normal sources, solar is definitely cheaper.

3. The Quality

Prices differ according to the manufacturer brand; prices can range from $13k up to $17k. The local Sandbar Solar not only provides high-quality panels, complex commercial and residential setups, but also cares about the community by sponsoring many events with their eco-friendly Solar Trailer.

Other than the panel brand you are going to choose, other factors must be kept in mind; the experience of the installer, racking equipment, cost of electricity by state and the location also affects the prices. So, when you are choosing the brand for the solar panel installation project, you need to be careful and consider all the factors and aspects.

Clean Energy

Choosing a renewable source of energy is the best thing one can do these days. The greenhouse effect that is caused by coal, petroleum, and gas will put an end to the earth at some point. It’s our responsibility to go “green” to save the Earth for a better world.

Other than that, even if you don’t care about the environment, a clean source of energy that depends on wind or the sun, would definitely cost you a big amount at the beginning, but in the long run, they are cheaper sources of electricity.

Renewable Energy in Refugee Camps

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Access to clean, affordable and renewable energy is a prerequisite for sustainable development of mankind, and refugees are no exception. Refugee camps across the world house more than 65 million people, and almost all refugee camps are plagued by fuel poverty. Needless to say, urgent measure are required to make camps livable and sustainable.

dabaab-refugee-camp

Rapid advancements in renewable energy technologies have made it possible to deploy such systems on various scales.  The scalability potential of renewable energy systems makes them well-suited for refugee camps, especially in conflict-afflicted areas of the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Renewable energy in refugee camps can be made available in the form of solar energy, biomass energy and wind energy. Solar panels, solar cooking units, solar lanterns, biomass cookstoves and biogas plants are some of the popular renewable energy technologies that can improve living standards in refugee camps. It is important to focus on specific needs of refugees and customization of technology towards local conditions. For example, solar technologies are better understood than biogas systems in Jordan.

1. Solar Energy

Solar energy can provide long-term resilience to people living in refugee camps. With many camps effectively transformed into full-fledged towns and cities, it is essential to harness the power of sun to run these camps smoothly. Solar cookers, solar lanterns and solar water heaters are already being used in several refugee camps, and focus has now shifted to grid-connected solar power projects.

The 5MW Azraq solar project is the world’s first grid-connected renewable energy project to be established in a refugee camp. The project is being funded entirely by Ikea through the Brighter Lives for Refugees campaign. The program, now in its third year, seeks to improve the lives of refugees around the world by providing access to sustainable energy supplies.

2. Biomass Energy

Due to lack of land and resources, refugee camps puts tremendous pressure on natural vegetation, especially supply of fuel wood to camp-dwellers. Replacement of traditional stoves with efficient biomass-fired cook stoves can save as much as 80% of cooking fuel.

Instead of wood, it would be also be a good option to use agricultural wastes, like husk and straw. Another interesting proposition for refugee camps is to set up small-scale DIY biogas plants, based on human wastes and food residuals. The biogas produced can be used as a cooking medium as well as for power/heat generation.

3. Wind Energy

Small wind turbines can also play a key role in providing energy to dwellers of refugee camps. Such turbines are used for micro-generation and can provide power from 1kW to 300kW. Majority of small wind turbines are traditional horizontal axis wind turbines but vertical axis wind turbines are a growing type of wind turbine in the small wind market.

Small wind turbines are usually mounted on a tower to raise them above any nearby obstacles, and can sited in refugee camps experiencing wind speeds of 4m/s or more.

Solar lights in Azraq Refugee Camp (Jordan)

Solar lights in Azraq Refugee Camp (Jordan)

Conclusions

Renewable energy systems have the potential to improve living standards in refugee camps and ease the sufferings of displaced and impoverished communities. Solar panels, biogas system, biomass stoves and micro wind turbines are some of the renewable energy systems that can be customized for refugee camps and transform them into a less harsh place for displaced people.

9 Eco-friendly Sustainable Landscape Design Ideas to Lead an Aesthetic Lawn

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Landscape designing has been an independent profession for a long time. It revolves around analysing, designing and planning exterior living spaces. Building an eco-friendly landscape design helps to combine nature and culture while designing the exterior living places.

Eco-friendly landscape designs not only provide a conducive living environment but also can influence the social, aesthetic and environmental qualities of the overall housing areas. It also helps you manage your time, money and efforts. Eco friendly landscape design helps to nurture the ecosystem, reduce pollution and also maintain healthy surroundings.

how to maintain a wooden fence

Best sustainable landscaping design ideas

Xeriscaping your landscape

Xeriscaping is a method of landscaping which eliminates the need for irrigation. In simpler words, it is using drought plants and grass to design your exterior living areas. In this, you use agriculture which needs little or no water other than what is provided by the climate of the place.edru9

Adopting this method does not mean turning your landscape into the barren land, it is merely the use of Drought-tolerant plants, Sand, Permeable hardscapes, Mulch etc. this method helps you conserve water that would otherwise be used up in maintaining huge green lands with grass. People have been using this method since 1981.

Despite Earth being 71% water only 2.5% of it is freshwater that is fit for usage. Since converting saltwater to freshwater is possible but it is not a viable solution as too many resources are needed. Thus, we need to conserve water and use it carefully.

2. Install Solar Lights on your Lawn

Installing solar lights lower your electricity bill to a great extent. Moreover, it will let you show off the beauty of your landscapes even at night at a very minimal cost. Instead of connecting the lights in your lawn to a power source, you must install solar panels that convert and store the solar energy into electricity during the day and use the same energy to light up your lawn at night.

Solar lights, unlike regular garden lights do not require to be wired. This makes them highly portable and less messy. Solar lights use batteries instead, eliminating the need of sockets, wires and other electrical components.

solar-based landscape lighting

Solar panels are a one-time investment with a great resale value. It is environmentally beneficial and needs very less to no maintenance. It is an energy-independent source which will help you add beauty to your lawn and at the same time not be harmful to the environment.

3. Rock Garden for landscape

Rock gardens are a unique way to design a landscape. Carefully and creatively arranging rocks in a certain pattern will help you get a very beautiful and unusual landscape. The best part of having a rock garden is that you hardly need to do any work to maintain it. They are visually very appealing and need little or no water.

Rock gardens are very long-lasting as they can withstand harsh and extreme weather conditions and thus look great all year long. It also increases the value of your property as it gives an illusion of free space as they don’t need much greenery and plants

4. Wildlife Garden

A wildlife garden is a garden that is sustainable and habitable for wildlife and domesticated animals. Wildlife gardens contain a variety of habitats that cater to native and local plants, birds, amphibians, reptiles, insects, mammals and so on.

Building a wildlife garden is also better as it helps you reduce your cost for fertilizers and get access to natural chemical-free fertilizers. Wildlife gardening also allows us to connect to nature and provide a sense of peacefulness. It also gives you a sense of well-being and improved mental resilience.

5. Adding a Compost Station

Compost is a waste management facility where solid waste is managed and processed using composting technologies. This processed waste can be reintroduced into the environment. Waste like autumn leaves, grass clipping and yard trimmings can be dumped into the composting pit.

benefits of applying compost in garden

People misjudge the compost station as they think it would look like a pile of garbage on their lawn, but that is not the case. In fact, it is one of the most thoughtful ways to reduce waste in your home. You can make a homemade compost station and manage it pretty well using attractive wooden bins, beautiful flowers and other garden ornaments.

6. Vertical Garden

This method is the best way to make your lawn look beautiful even in a small space. All you need to build this is a vertical wall, it can even be built on a fence.

A vertical garden is a garden in which the plants are supported to grow along vertical, often tiered surfaces, especially fences, posts, trellises, and walls, rather than along the ground. these gardens help save space and also cleans the air we breathe.

It can be made very attractive with the use of gardening ornaments like plant pots etc. since they take up lesser space than traditional vegetable or herb gardens, they use significantly less amount of water. There are some vegetables that work better with vertical gardening than others too. Vertical gardening has become very popular in overpopulated cities due to the lack of space to have an on-ground garden or a lawn.

7. Permeable Hardscapes on Landscape

Permeable hardscapes are an attractive way to improve the sustainability of your property. In case of storms and floods, it decreases stormwater runoff and prevents soil erosion.

Due to its permeability, it helps the rainwater to enter the ground and recharge the groundwater reserves, which in turn can be beneficial for the plants in your lawn.

8. Native plants

Native plants are plants that have been growing in a particular area or habitat for a long time. Planting native plants can always be easier as they have been growing there naturally without any human interference while non-native plants have been introduced by humans.

Thus, native plants can thrive naturally and won’t need as much care as non-native plants. The native plants won’t even require chemicals to maintain and preserve them. The usage of lesser pesticides and fertilisers in turn helps in maintaining the quality of the soil and the plants.

Native plants have a deeper root system which also helps us to save water as they can extract water from the earth’s crust. Native plants are sustainable for your wallet too as you’ll save cash by spending less on chemicals. You also save more if you plant perennial natives because they bloom year after year.

bee-friendly garden

9. Green Wall

Green walls are intentionally created vertical green structures, that have different types of plants or other greenery attached to them. The greenery is often planted in a growth medium consisting of soil, stone, or water. Because the walls have living plants in them, they usually feature built-in irrigation systems.

Both interior and exterior living green walls function to cool the air in the warmer summer months Exterior living green walls can reduce wall surface temperatures resulting in significant energy savings and air conditioning costs.

You can easily grow herbs and flowers here using containers and planters. Apart from serving as an area for more plants, it also improves the appearance of your yard.

Conclusion

An eco-friendly and sustainable landscape is a way by which we can repay society. Having an eco-friendly landscape will make the surrounding a better place for future generations.

With the growing urbanisation and population, we must not forget to take care of our planet, adopting the above methods will help us to be around nature and keep it from being exploited. Moreover, it is budget-friendly so instead of approaching fancy materialistic stuff to improve the visuals of your landscape, we must adopt eco-friendly landscaping ideas to quench our thirst for aesthetics.

The Benefits of Using High Voltage Motors in Electric Vehicles

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Electric vehicles (EVs) are quickly becoming more popular due to their environmental benefits and cost savings. A vital component of any electric vehicle is the motor, and when it comes to EVs, higher-voltage motors are often the preferred option. High voltage motors offer numerous advantages over lower voltage motors, which make them especially attractive in applications where weight or power is a concern. In particular, a 72 volt motor is becoming increasingly common in EVs, offering superior performance and reliability compared to lower-voltage alternatives.

benefits of HV motors in EVs

What are High Voltage Motors?

High voltage motors are particular types of motors used in a variety of industries and applications. Operating with higher voltages than the standard gives them a unique advantage over other motors and makes them suitable for use in many different situations. High voltage motors have higher torque capability than their low-voltage counterparts and increased power to meet the demands of various industrial applications.

By utilizing more complex constructions, these motors can be designed to provide stability and high performance within harsh operating conditions. High voltage motors are reliable and efficient due to their sizable mechanical power output while requiring less electrical energy input. Their high-speed air-gap features also give them enhanced starting power, making them ideal for many motion control applications.

How Do High Voltage Motors Work?

High voltage motors leverage electric current created by an electric battery or another energy source to create rotational energy. They use an alternating current (AC) to convert electrical power into mechanical torque, which powers the vehicle. This AC is converted into DC through a rectifier, creating a powerful and efficient motor that can be used in EVs.

High voltage electric motors often require less current than their lower-voltage counterparts, which lowers overall electric consumption and contributes to fuel efficiency. Furthermore, because of their ability to generate higher revolutions per minute with greater torque than other electric motors, high voltage electric motors are optimized for those seeking to maximize speed from their EVs.

Additionally, they require fewer parts than DC motors, making them more reliable and less expensive to repair or maintain.

Advantages of Using High Voltage Motors in EVs

High voltage motors offer many distinct advantages for electric vehicles, making them increasingly popular as the go-to choice for most applications. The main benefit of high-voltage motors is their increased efficiency, with higher power-to-weight ratios resulting in lighter vehicles that can still generate substantial power.

The increased efficiency of high-voltage motors is especially beneficial for battery-powered EVs such as e-bikes and small cars. Their light and improved power output provide a more cost-effective option than lower voltage models while still meeting performance requirements. They also make excellent solutions for smaller applications, such as drones or toys that require longer running times without sacrificing power.

For larger applications like heavy-duty electric vehicles, engineers can use a combination of lower and higher voltage motors to maximize efficiency. This approach typically uses a high-voltage motor to drive the vehicle’s primary transmission system while utilizing low-voltage solutions for auxiliary functions such as lighting and climate control systems. By partitioning the different types of systems between different voltages, engineers can create more efficient designs that can take full advantage of each type’s properties.

Another advantage of high-voltage motors is that they require less wiring than lower-voltage models. Since each wire will carry more current with less resistance, fewer wires must be connected to safely transfer the required current from the battery to the motor. This reduces installation costs and potential safety risks in cases where wiring needs to be routed through tight spaces.

In addition to their superior performance characteristics, high-voltage motors also tend to be much less prone to overheating than their lower-voltage counterparts. With an increased insulation layer around the windings, these components are better equipped to handle sudden increases in a current draw in short bursts without damaging themselves or other components on the vehicle’s electrical system. This allows designers to build more reliable vehicles with fewer safety concerns due to potential heat-related operational failures.

Why Electric Cars are the More Sustainable Choice

Developing high-voltage motor technology has also allowed engineers to reduce their reliance on other cooling systems like radiators or air conditioning units while operating in hot environments. By increasing its overall thermal capacity through additional insulation layers and other design improvements, these components can dissipate excess heat without needing extra support from significant external cooling components outside the vehicle itself. This helps make overall designs lighter and can save money on maintenance costs due to reduced complexity in managing multiple cooling systems during operation.

Final Remarks

High voltage motors have numerous advantages over traditional DC models in powering EVs. From their lower maintenance requirements to their improved torque output and energy efficiency levels- plus added benefits such as easier installation times and reduced costs- there’s no doubt that these powerful engines will continue to be famous for manufacturers going forward as more consumers move towards electric mobility solutions.

Recommended Reading: What to Consider When Installing a Commercial EV Charging Equipment

Waste Management Challenges in Middle East

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Middle East is one of the most prolific waste generating regions worldwide with per capita waste production in several countries averaging more than 2 kg per day . High standards of living, ineffective legislation, infrastructural roadblocks, indifferent public attitude and lack of environmental awareness are the major factors responsible for growing waste management problem in the Middle East. Lavish lifestyles are contributing to more generation of waste which when coupled with lack of waste collection and disposal facilities have transformed ‘trash’ into a liability.

garbage-middle-east

Major Hurdles

The general perception towards waste is that of indifference and apathy. Waste is treated as ‘waste’ rather than as a ‘resource’. There is an urgent need to increase public awareness about environmental issues, waste management practices and sustainable living. Public participation in community-level waste management initiatives is lackluster mainly due to low level of environmental awareness and public education. Unfortunately none of the countries in the region have an effective source-segregation mechanism.

Waste management in Middle East is bogged down by deficiencies in waste management legislation and poor planning. Many countries lack legislative framework and regulations to deal with wastes. Insufficient funds, absence of strategic waste management plans, lack of coordination among stakeholders, shortage of skilled manpower and deficiencies in technical and operational decision-making are some of the hurdles experienced in implementing an integrated waste management strategy in the region. In many countries waste management is the sole prerogative of state-owned companies and municipalities which discourage participation of private companies and entrepreneurs.

Many Middle East nations lack legislative framework and regulations to deal with urban wastes.

Many Middle East nations lack legislative framework and regulations to deal with urban wastes.

Due to lack of garbage collection and disposal facilities, dumping of waste in open spaces, deserts and water bodies is a common sight across the region. Another critical issue is lack of awareness and public apathy towards waste reduction, source segregation and waste management.

A sustainable waste management system demands high degree of public participation, effective laws, sufficient funds and modern waste management practices/technologies. The region can hope to improve waste management scenario by implementing source-segregation, encouraging private sector participation, deploying recycling and waste-to-energy systems, and devising a strong legislative and institutional framework.

The Way Forward

In recent year, several countries, like Qatar, UAE and Oman, have established ambitious solid waste management projects but their efficacy is yet to be ascertained. On the whole, Middle East countries are slowly, but steadily, gearing up to meet the challenge posed by waste management by investing heavily in such projects, sourcing new technologies and raising public awareness.

However the pace of progress is not matched by the increasing amount of waste generated across the region. Sustainable waste management is a big challenge for policy-makers, urban planners and other stake-holders, and immediate steps are needed to tackle mountains of wastes accumulating in cities throughout the Middle East.