Category Archives: Renewable Energy

Things to Know Before Residential Solar System Installation

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For the past few decades, the world has seen a significant shift to renewable energy sources, keeping in mind the adverse effects of environmental degradation and climate change. However, India and its government have been primarily focused on solar energy production, leading to a significant rise in solar system installation across all sectors, including industrial, commercial, and even residential.

In addition, India’s solar energy capacity grew from 35,000 megawatts in 2019 to 39,000 megawatts in 2020, giving the country international recognition for its solar power production. However, while the reason behind this major shift to solar energy has mainly been to tackle global warming and greenhouse emissions, low electricity bills have also motivated people for solar system installation in residential areas.

So, if you’re also contemplating getting a solar system for your home, here are the answers to some of the most-asked questions regarding residential solar system installation:

1. Can You Meet 100% of Your Power Requirements with A Residential Solar System Installation?

To answer the question, yes, you can meet all your power requirements by installing a solar system for your home. However, there are many factors in play that affect the solar system’s ability to meet your energy needs, including daily power consumption, sanctioned load, roof area with direct sunlight, and your state’s policies on solar system installation.

So, it is essential that you factor in all these points before you invest in a particular solar system, and it is best to consult with a professional for guidance.

2. How Much Can a Solar System Installation Save You on Power Bills?

When it comes to a residential solar system, you can easily save anywhere between 50 to 80 percent or more on electricity bills. However, while such high savings sound like a dream come true, it is important to remember that it takes time to reach that stage, as you won’t instantly see such significant savings. Regardless, you can use an online solar calculator for a clearer idea of how much you can save with a rooftop solar system in the coming years.

3. Is a Residential Solar System Installation Costly?

Even today, many people think that a solar system installation will burn a hole in their wallet, which is also what makes them give up the idea entirely. However, that is not the case, as, in recent years, the cost of solar system installations has gone down significantly, making it largely affordable. But a few external factors such as the solar system’s size, scale, and quality also affect the installation cost, so be sure to keep all these in mind.

4. How Can I Know if My Rooftop is Fit for a Solar System Installation?

Before you decide to opt for a residential solar system, it is essential to check whether your rooftop is stable, safe, and durable for installation. Doing so is crucial as panels and mounting structures are heavy, and a weak/unstable rooftop is more prone to breakage and accidents. So, make sure you get any necessary repairs before the installation of solar system, and also check if there is sufficient shadow-free space for the panels to harness energy efficiently. Make sure your roofing is done by a professional roofing company to be sure that your roof is stable, safe and durable for installation.

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5. Where Should I Purchase a Residential Solar System From?

If you have your heart set on getting a solar system for your home, it might be time to start exploring your options. However, the very first thing you should do is look for a reputable and credible brand that offers high-quality, efficient, and cost-effective solar systems. Even better, you get excellent after-sale services, warranties, and customer support for years to come.

So, what are you waiting for? Explore solar systems available in the market and get that solar system installation you’ve been looking forward to today!

What You Should Know Before Investing in Bioenergy Stocks

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In recent years, there has been a gradual shift that has seen people paying extra attention to biomass energy and more environmentally friendly options, which has filtered down to their lifestyle choices as well. However, this is not to say that it is a relatively new concept, as bioenergy is said to be one of the world’s oldest sources of energy. Although initially, it did not lead to many benefits or returns for investors, that has been improving. In 2021, particularly, reports have noted that the industry is starting to find its footing and entrench itself as one worth investing in.

Through the use of technology and key differentiators, many industry players are fast attracting investors and highlighting the competitive advantage that the industry holds over other less sustainable alternatives. In light of this, one might argue that investing in bioenergy may prove to be a viable sustainable forex trading option, given that the industry has been showing a certain level of growth and may possibly reach new heights in years to come.

biofuel-production

Investing in bioenergy stocks

Before investing in biomass energy stocks, however, it is worth noting that it is generally a more expensive energy source to produce. Additionally, naysayers have highlighted that it requires a lot of wood from natural forests, which some people will ultimately lead to deforestation. Although generally championed as the more environmentally friendly alternative, writings on the matter claim that if the wood is not fully burnt, it can result in particles that contribute to air pollution.

These are perhaps some of the reasons behind the initial hesitance to invest in biomass energy. On the upside, bioenergy is a great way to repurpose waste and it can be stored with minimal energy loss.

Penny stocks and economies

Given that most of the biomass energy companies are listed on stock exchanges, it is therefore true that the decisions that investors make on the stock market will affect the prices and availability of commodities in global economies.

Having an understanding of this can better guide and inform your decisions as an investor on how to trade stocks or commodities. These include penny stocks, which can be defined as common shares of small public companies that trade for less than one dollar per share. In light of the activity that the bio energy industry has been experiencing, it is no surprise that there is correlating activity amongst penny stocks.

bioethanol india

As at July 2021, listed amongst some of the best energy penny stocks that you might want to consider investing in were Southwestern Energy, Transportadora de Gas, Taronis Fuels and Denison Mines. Of these, Taronis Fuels is described as a global industry player that produces renewable and socially responsible fuel products. It is also said to have a high liquidity and trades more than 160 829 shares per day. Southwestern Energy is described as one of the largest natural gas and natural gas liquid providers in the US. To provide an indication of its activity and investor confidence, it reportedly trades more than a whopping 3.7 million shares per day.

Recommended Resource: How BioEnergy Can Change the World

5 Ways Solar Energy Positively Impacts The Environment

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Solar energy is one of the most eco-friendly power sources out there. And because of the environmental benefits of solar energy, an increasing number of homeowners and business owners are having solar panels mounted on their properties.

As a green alternative, solar power doesn’t only help reduce power costs but also provides numerous benefits to the natural surroundings. Below you’ll find just a few of solar energy’s most notable impacts on the planet.

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1. Promotes Water Conservation

Water is an essential natural resource, and if people continue to use it unabatedly, it may run out sooner rather than later. Traditional power generation and transmission processes use significant amounts of water to cool generators and refine and transport fuel through pipes. The same is true whether the facility uses natural gas, nuclear power, or coal power to meet massive electricity demand.

Solar energy, however, doesn’t require water to produce electricity, so it doesn’t further strain water resources. Residential solar panels maintenance works only require periodic rinses and removal of debris and other types of obstruction. In addition, it doesn’t give off wastewater, so it doesn’t contribute to water pollution.

2. Reduces Greenhouse Gases And Carbon Emissions

Most of the energy we use on the planet is produced from burning fossil fuels, which release carbon dioxide. This chemical compound generates heat once released into the atmosphere, that’s why it’s called a greenhouse gas. It’s said that carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for more than a thousand years, worsening global warming and negatively impacting the weather systems.

With solar panels meeting residential and commercial electrical needs, fossil fuels don’t have to be burned to make appliances and other power-hungry devices work. Making your home more self-sufficient by mounting solar panels on your roof isn’t only a way to reduce your electricity expenses but a planet-saving measure as well since it relies on a stable and renewable energy source.

3. Avoids Strain On Earth’s Non-renewable Resources

The majority of the world’s current power sources, such as natural gas, oil, and coal, aren’t infinite like the rest of the Earth’s natural resources. As the population continues to grow, so are the demands for those assets. This imbalance continues to strain the Earth’s finite resources, such as fossil fuel. In the face of fast-depleting natural reserves, humans should tap other means of renewable energy sources and minimize their use of the current supply available.

Solar Energy Guide for Students

Switching to solar energy is one great way to preserve the planet’s power resources and lower the demand for them. The sun is nature’s main energy reservoir. It’s said to generate about 173,000 terawatts of solar energy per second. Comparatively, the world’s electricity consumption for 2018 was pegged at 23,398 terawatt-hours. Best of all, solar energy is accessible as long as the sun’s still shining.

4. Helps Slow Down Climate Change

When released into the atmosphere, dangerous emissions from burning fossil fuels damage the environment. What’s more, they can contribute to global warming and extremely erratic climate patterns.

Methane, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrous oxide can amplify the greenhouse effect. Under normal circumstances, the greenhouse effect is a natural process of warming the earth, making it suitable for life. Unfortunately, processing fossil fuels to generate energy has led to abnormally warmer temperatures at unprecedented rates. As a result, the planet has experienced highly dramatic weather disturbances, including unpredictable atmospheric conditions, violent storms, extreme flooding, and severe drought.

Solar panels produce electricity without emitting dangerous chemicals or toxic gases. As more homes and buildings are switching to the use of solar panels, the current power generation practices are expected to become more environment-friendly. With solar energy, you don’t need to burn fuel and exacerbate the greenhouse effect.

5. Minimizes Air Pollution

Besides the environmentally harmful carbon dioxide, burning fossil fuels can generate other hazardous gases such as methane and sulfur dioxide. These toxic chemicals are released into the air and decrease air quality.

air-pollution-repurcussions

Such gases can endanger people’s health and well-being. Various health problems are linked to long-term exposure to air pollution. These include lung cancer, asthma attacks, allergies, lung diseases, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and headaches, to name a few. Inversely, you won’t have any of those problems with solar energy since it doesn’t produce toxic emissions that harm people and the environment.

Wrap Up

Energy use is essential for human existence. But common power generation methods, for the most part, have proven to be detrimental to the planet and human beings. Access to sustainable and eco-friendly energy sources should be a priority for everyone, and you can do your part by harnessing solar energy for your own power requirements.

How Texans Are Making Money With Solar Power

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Texans are all about doing things in a big way and that includes saving and making money. One of the newest ways that residents across Texas are padding their wallets is by adding solar arrays to their homes. Most people know that you can save money with solar but aren’t aware that you can actually make money too.

The most popular trend in home design today is adding eco-friendly features. From full Net Zero homes to adding Energy Star appliances, homeowners are looking for ways to adopt a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Carbon footprint reduction has become a serious issue for people around the world.

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One of the biggest roadblocks of adding solar to your home is the initial set up cost. Putting up solar panels and setting up a full battery and conversion system can be expensive. But, it’s worth the cost when you take part in a solar panels buyback scheme that will have the power companies paying you instead of you paying out to them.

We have put together a list of some of the ways that you can make money by adding solar to your home in Texas and around the country.

Lower Your Bills

The amount of money that you can save on your energy bills is largely dependent on the size of the solar array you choose to invest in. You can calculate how much solar power you need to run your home using an online app or talk to your provider about how many panels are right for your home.

Once you are set up you will start to see an immediate reduction in the cost to power your home. If you add a large enough array you can eliminate your energy bills altogether, putting money back in your pocket every month.

Raise Property Value

Your home is likely the largest financial investment that you will ever make. With the markets still recovering, it’s important to find ways to increase the value of your home. When you add solar to your home you can expect a 4% increase in your property value. That can be a big chunk for many homeowners and a great way to put money in the bank when it comes time to sell your home.

solar-leasing

Tax Break

The only things in life that you can’t avoid are death and taxes. But, wouldn’t it be nice to make a better return during tax season? When you decide to go solar you can get a great tax break at the end of the year.

Up to 25% of your initial set up cost for home solar can be written off on your annual tax return. That’s a huge break for many families and allows you to invest in your solar package with confidence.

Buyback Program

For those homeowners that end up collecting more solar energy than they need to power their homes, there are great benefits to signing up for a solar buyback program. This means that any power that you produce in excess of what you need can be sold back to be used by your local grid. This means that instead of sending money out to the energy companies, they will actually start paying you.

Everyone loves to make money, so why not join the environmental movement of switching over to solar power for your home and watch your bank account grow.

Solar Energy Prospects in Oman

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Even the fleetest of glances at global solar energy map shows Oman to be well placed to exploit the energy-giving rays of the sun. In fact, over the last few years, a gaggle of reports have been published extolling the virtues of exploiting this renewable energy source. However, with increasing and more urbanised populations consuming greater and greater amounts of energy, only now are governments across the Gulf and wider MENA regions seriously looking at harnessing solar power to help fill potential energy deficits.

Sealing and mounting application of epoxy resins increase the environmental tolerance of the solar equipment

Mr Jigar Shah, quoted in a recent article, said investors were “desperate to invest in the Middle East solar industry” and were waiting for clear instructions from the governments in the region. He said, “The economics of switching to solar energy are far better here than in South Africa, India, Brazil, China and the US. Now that the costs of developing solar technologies have significantly declined, it is time for the Middle East to turn talk into action.”

That there is huge potential in the solar industry was underlined in no uncertain terms by the announcement last year of a $2 billion project to develop solar power projects in Oman. The plans also envisage creating industrial plants for the manufacture of solar panels and aluminium frames, to be used by the power station and also for local consumption and export.

Knowledge and technology transfer were also critical contributors to the success of the project which also aimed to tie-up with major international technology companies and international universities with expertise in renewable energy education, to help train the local population in servicing this burgeoning industry.

David Heimhofer, Chairman of Terra Nex Group and Managing Director of Middle East Best Select Fund, said, “By attracting foreign direct investment in the growing renewable energy sector and using German expertise, Oman will become not just a regional leader in the field, but also benefit from the great intrinsic value within the complete value chain associated with this economic sector. He says“In addition to generating new jobs for the Omani people and boosting exports, this project creates an entire industry that Oman can be proud of.”

The project is expected to deliver more than 2000 jobs for Omanis across a diverse range of industrial sectors and services. In order to increase the skill set of the local population to help service these new jobs, the University of Zurich proposed the setting up of an educational institution in the Sultanate specialising in the field of renewable energy engineering.

The Future of Renewable Energy Harvesting

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The renewable energy market is set to grow to more than $1.5 trillion by 2025, according to Allied Market Research. With its many constituents, biomass remains the leading form of the renewable energy market. This is due to the sheer number of places to source it from. But apart from the supply, there is another critical factor in driving the renewable energy sector forward.

renewable-energy-harvesting

The continued advancement in renewable energy harvesting machines ensures that clean energy remains viable and cost-effective. Hence, it is pivotal in the quest to turn the world’s power grid 100% renewable.

Reliable Renewable Energy Sources

Nowadays, the most efficient form of renewable energy is biomass, followed by hydroelectricity and wind. They’re the resources we depend on the most for our clean energy goals. Getting more of these renewable energy resources is the best chance we have at reducing our carbon footprint. This is something that leaders in the world of machines and tools are tackling right now.

Machine Advancements and Renewable Energy Harvesting

As it stands, the most productive renewable energy sources heavily rely on harvesting machines with moving parts. Turbines on wind and hydroelectric generators, as well as biomass harvesters and processors. These devices themselves cost energy to use. Also, if we grow too reliant on them and experience too many breakdowns, it could compromise the entire energy supply chain. Therefore, ensuring efficiency and reliability is paramount.

ecofriendly-manufacturing

According to spiborescopes.com, this is thanks to tooling companies working closely with the energy sector. This helps them craft tools to their specifications. More Floating Offshore Wind farms are being erected. These wind farms have a greater capacity for energy production while being less intrusive. In fact, new compound harvesting vehicles are reducing the steps taken in making biofuel.

The Future Of Renewable Energy Harvesting

The renewable energy harvesting sector continues to advance in both production and technology. The fact that its market stayed steady while fossil fuels were evidence of that. This is all thanks to a strong support structure built by the machinery and tooling industry. It is also due to this intimate relationship that energy gathering will become more automated.

Soon, harvesting renewable energy will be passive as well as efficient. Many innovative automated energy harvesting devices are on the rise. These include trees fitted with photovoltaic cells. There are also companies developing pressure-powered generators. These can be placed under high-traffic roads and walkways.

Such devices have been dubbed the “ambient energy harvesters”. These devices owe their invention to important lessons in efficiency and reliability. Lessons that the machine and tool industry will keep learning as it helps the renewable energy sector reach maturity.

There’s no telling when we might see our power grid fully supplied by renewable resources. However, we may have just hit our stride in working towards that goal.

Biogas Sector in India: Perspectives

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Biogas is an often overlooked and neglected aspect of renewable energy in India. While solar, wind and hydropower dominate the discussion in the country, they are not the only options available. Biogas is a lesser known but highly important option to foster sustainable development in agriculture-based economies, such as India.

What is Biogas

Briefly speaking, biogas is the production of gaseous fuel, usually methane, by fermentation of organic material. It is an anaerobic process or one that takes place in the absence of oxygen. Technically, the yeast that causes your bread to rise or the alcohol in beer to ferment is a form of biogas. We don’t use it in the same way that we would use other renewable sources, but the idea is similar. Biogas can be used for cooking, lighting, heating, power generation and much more. Infact, biogas is an excellent and effective to promote development of rural and marginalized communities in all developing countries.

This presents a problem, however. The organic matter is putting off a gas, and to use it, we have to turn it into a liquid. This requires work, machinery and manpower. Research is still being done to figure out the most efficient methods to make it work, but there is a great deal of progress that has been made, and the technology is no longer new.

Fossil Fuel Imports

India has a rapidly expanding economy and the population to fit. This has created problems with electricity supplies to expanding areas. Like most countries, India mainly uses fossil fuels. However, as oil prices fluctuate and the country’s demand for oil grows, the supply doesn’t always keep up with the demand. In the past, India has primarily imported oil from the Middle East, specifically Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

Without a steady and sustainable fossil fuels supply, India has looking more seriously into renewable sources they can produce within the country. Biogas is an excellent candidate to meet those requirements and has been used for this goal before.

Biogas in India

There are significant differences between biogas and fossil fuels, but for India, one of the biggest is that you can create biogas at home. It’s pretty tricky to find, dig up and transform crude oil into gas, but biogas doesn’t have the same barriers. In fact, many farmers who those who have gardens or greenhouses could benefit with proper water management and temperature control so that plants can be grown year round, It still takes some learning and investment, but for many people, especially those who live in rural places, it’s doable.

This would be the most beneficial to people in India because it would help ease the strain of delivering reliable energy sources based on fossil fuels, and would allow the country to become more energy independent. Plus, the rural areas are places where the raw materials for biogas will be more available, such animal manure, crop residues and poultry litter. But this isn’t the first time most people there are hearing about it.

Biogas in India has been around for a long time. In the 1970’s the country began a program called the National Biogas and Manure Management Program (NBMMP) to deal with the same problem — a gas shortage. The country did a great deal of research and implemented a wide variety of ideas to help their people become more self-sufficient, regardless of the availability of traditional gasoline and other fossil fuel based products.

The original program was pioneering for its time, but the Chinese quickly followed suit and have been able to top the market in biogas production in relatively little time. Comparatively, India’s production of biogas is quite small. It only produces about 2.07 billion m3/year of biogas, while it’s estimated that it could produce as much as 48 billion m3/year. This means that there are various issues with the current method’s India is using in its biogas production.

Biogas_Animal

Biogas has the potential to rejuvenate India’s agricultural sector

The original planning in the NBMMP involved scientists who tried to create the most efficient biogas generators. This was good, but it slowed people’s abilities to adopt the techniques individually. China, on the other hand, explicitly worked to help their most rural areas create biogas. This allowed the country to spread the development of biogas to the most people with the lowest barriers to its proliferation.

If India can learn from the strategy that China has employed, they may be able to give their biogas production a significant boost which will also help in the rejuvenation of biomass sector in the country. Doing so will require the help and willingness of both the people and the government. Either way, this is an industry with a lot of room for growth.

Solar vs. Traditional Energy: Why It’s Time to Consider Making the Switch

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These days, with all the focus on new technology and protecting the environment, picking between solar power and old-fashioned energy sources has never mattered more. As neighborhoods look for green ways to keep houses and businesses running, solar panels sure seem tempting. This article explores why solar could beat out the usual stuff. It explains why now’s the perfect time to think about making the change.

Trends in Solar Energy Technology

Exploring Traditional Energy Sources

Let’s take a look at traditional energy sources before discussing the upsides of solar power. Fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas have been powering the world for ages. But we can’t ignore the environmental impact – greenhouse gases, dirty air, and the fact these fuels will eventually run out.

Plus, the complicated politics of getting and moving these fuels around makes relying on them risky. On the flip side, solar energy lets us tap into the sun’s huge, endless supply of power. Seems like a brighter idea compared to fossil fuels.

The Solar Energy Advantage

Solar power really stands out compared to old-school energy sources. The big thing is it’s so environmentally friendly. Solar panels provided by nj solar companies make electricity without pumping out greenhouse gases or pollutants. That means cleaner air and a healthier Earth. It fits right in with the worldwide push to shrink carbon footprints and fight climate change.

On top of being eco-friendly, solar energy is renewable and there’s tons of it. Unlike fossil fuels that will eventually run out, the sun’s energy is pretty much endless. This means solar could be crucial for making energy supplies sustainable long-term. Also, solar power could give communities more energy independence, so they’re not as dependent on outside energy sources that change all the time politically and economically.

Economics of Solar vs. Traditional Energy

When it comes to solar power, one of the biggest worries people have is how much it costs to set up initially. Traditional power sources like coal and gas have existing facilities already built, but solar panels require you to pay a lot upfront to install them. However, over the long run, that initial investment can save you a ton of money. Solar panels don’t need much maintenance or expense after they’re set up, unlike traditional power plants that constantly need fuel and repairs.

Looking at the economics down the road, solar can provide huge savings. Homeowners and businesses that make the change to solar can see their electricity bills drop dramatically. Even though the starting price of solar panels might seem high, the money you save on energy costs over their lifetime can more than makeup for it. This shows that, financially, solar is a viable option for energy.

Technological Advancements in Solar Energy

Nowadays, solar panels are way more efficient at turning sunlight into electricity. Even when it’s cloudy or the sun’s not at its peak, today’s solar panels can churn out plenty of power.

And get this – we’ve got batteries now that can store that sweet solar juice for when the sun’s not shining. So if it’s nighttime or a rainy day, no worries – those solar batteries have got you covered.

Using Green Energy to Power Your Life

Beyond just generating energy, solar power is getting stylish! Solar roofs and facades mean the panels themselves are becoming design elements for buildings. So solar’s not just about function anymore – it’s also adding form and flair. Who said renewable energy couldn’t look good too?

The future’s bright for solar power and all the nifty ways we can put the sun’s rays to work. This tech just keeps getting better and better!

Overcoming Challenges

Solar power rocks, but it’s not perfect. Some folks worry about how much it costs to set up those panels. That’s fair, but there are ways around it – loans, leases, tax credits from the government. When you do the math, solar can be pretty affordable.

Then there’s the whole “what about nights and cloudy days” thing. Yeah, solar needs the sun to make energy. But we’ve got batteries now that store power for when the sun’s not out. So even when it’s cloudy, you can use the sunshine from yesterday. Pretty cool, right?

And don’t get me started on how ugly solar panels are. Puh-lease. These days solar blends right into buildings – they can look slick on a roof or be part of nice-looking walls. Solar’s got style!

So while solar power isn’t flawless, the kinks are working themselves out. With financing options, batteries, and sleek designs, solar’s looking brighter every day.

Government Incentives and Policies

Lots of governments around the world realize it’s important to switch to cleaner energy sources. So they offer sweet deals to get people to put in solar panels. Tax credits, rebates, grants – they can take a huge chunk out of the upfront cost of installation. That makes solar power even more affordable for people and businesses.

Another popular policy is net metering. It lets solar panel owners sell extra energy back to the grid. So not only can they offset their own costs, they help make the whole energy grid more stable.

When governments set goals and make commitments to use more renewable energy, it shows how crucial solar is becoming in the global energy picture. These policies make it easier for people to think about going solar. It’s like rolling out the welcome mat.

Making the Transition

If you’re interested in solar power, switching over is totally doable. First, figure out how much energy you use and whether solar panels make sense for your place based on sunlight. Reputable solar companies can walk you through everything, from planning to setup.

Financing like loans or leases can help with the initial costs. Also, look into government rebates and tax credits – they can really cut down the money you pay out of pocket.

Conclusion

The choice between solar and traditional energy sources matters now more than ever before. With climate change happening, the world is looking for sustainable solutions. Solar energy shines as a ray of hope. It’s good for the environment, saves money in the long run, and keeps getting better with new technologies. So solar power attracts all kinds of people – homeowners, companies, towns. Going solar helps the planet while putting some green back in your wallet. There’s no time like the present to make the switch.

Thermal Conversion of Biomass

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A wide range of thermal technologies exists to harness the energy stored in biomass. These biomass thermal technologies can be classified according to the principal energy carrier produced in the conversion process. Carriers are in the form of heat, gas, liquid and/or solid products, depending on the extent to which oxygen is admitted to the conversion process (usually as air). The major methods for thermal conversion of biomass are combustion, gasification and pyrolysis.

biomass-gasification

1. Combustion

Conventional combustion technologies raise steam through the combustion of biomass. This steam may then be expanded through a conventional turbo-alternator to produce electricity. A number of combustion technology variants have been developed. Underfeed stokers are suitable for small scale boilers up to 6 MWth.

Grate type boilers are widely deployed. They have relatively low investment costs, low operating costs and good operation at partial loads. However, they can have higher NOx emissions and decreased efficiencies due to the requirement of excess air, and they have lower efficiencies.

Fluidized bed combustors (FBC), which use a bed of hot inert material such as sand, are a more recent development. Bubbling FBCs are generally used at 10-30 MWth capacity, while Circulating FBCs are more applicable at larger scales. Advantages of FBCs are that they can tolerate a wider range of poor quality fuel, while emitting lower NOx levels.

2. Co-Firing

Co-firing or co-combustion of biomass wastes with coal and other fossil fuels can provide a short-term, low-risk, low-cost option for producing renewable energy while simultaneously reducing the use of fossil fuels. Co-firing involves utilizing existing power generating plants that are fired with fossil fuel (generally coal), and displacing a small proportion of the fossil fuel with renewable biomass fuels.

types-of-biomass-cofiring

Co-firing has the major advantage of avoiding the construction of new, dedicated, waste-to-energy power plant. Co-firing may be implemented using different types and percentages of wastes in a range of combustion and gasification technologies. Most forms of biomass wastes are suitable for co-firing. These include dedicated municipal solid wastes, wood waste and agricultural residues such as straw and husk.

3. Gasification

Gasification of biomass takes place in a restricted supply of oxygen and occurs through initial devolatilization of the biomass, combustion of the volatile material and char, and further reduction to produce a fuel gas rich in carbon monoxide and hydrogen. This combustible gas has a lower calorific value than natural gas but can still be used as fuel for boilers, for engines, and potentially for combustion turbines after cleaning the gas stream of tars and particulates.

Biomass_Gasification_Process

Layout of a Typical Biomass Gasification Plant

If gasifiers are ‘air blown’, atmospheric nitrogen dilutes the fuel gas to a level of 10-14 percent that of the calorific value of natural gas. Oxygen and steam blown gasifiers produce a gas with a somewhat higher calorific value. Pressurized gasifiers are under development to reduce the physical size of major equipment items.

A variety of gasification reactors have been developed over several decades. These include the smaller scale fixed bed updraft, downdraft and cross flow gasifiers, as well as fluidized bed gasifiers for larger applications. At the small scale, downdraft gasifiers are noted for their relatively low tar production, but are not suitable for fuels with low ash melting point (such as straw). They also require fuel moisture levels to be controlled within narrow levels.

4. Pyrolysis

Pyrolysis is the term given to the thermal degradation of wood in the absence of oxygen. It enables biomass to be converted to a combination of solid char, gas and a liquid bio-oil. Pyrolysis technologies are generally categorized as “fast” or “slow” according to the time taken for processing the feed into pyrolysis products. These products are generated in roughly equal proportions with slow pyrolysis. Using fast pyrolysis, bio-oil yield can be as high as 80 percent of the product on a dry fuel basis.

Biomass-Pyrolysis

Bio-oil can act as a liquid fuel or as a feedstock for chemical production. A range of bio-oil production processes are under development, including fluid bed reactors, ablative pyrolysis, entrained flow reactors, rotating cone reactors, and vacuum pyrolysis.

Solar Energy Guide for Students

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Have you ever wondered why the world isn’t taking advantage of the energy that our sun offers us? It’s free and it’s always there. Unlike natural gas or oil, which gets depleted, solar energy is clean and renewable.

Such energy will still be around, even when we humans won’t be. Other renewable energy sources include hydroelectricity and wind, or the use of water to run turbines to generate electricity. If you’re interested in solar energy, here is a guide for you.

Solar Energy Guide for Students

What is solar energy?

The sun has been our source of life. Most of the energy on Earth comes from the sun. This star keeps us warm, helps us grow plants to consume and to feed our animals. Flora and fauna from the past depended on the sun’s energy to thrive too.

When they died, their bodies broke down and became fossil fuel. Today, this product today is usually refined and used to provide energy for machines and vehicles. Unfortunately, this energy source won’t last since it’s not renewable. This is where solar energy comes in. Even if you run your vehicle or machines all day, every day, you cannot deplete the energy of the sun – that is, if we can harness this energy effectively. Solar power is the use of solar energy directly to produce electricity or heat.

Research on the importance of solar energy

In harnessing the energy of the sun, we must be very careful. If it’s not done right, it can affect the environment negatively. For instance, in a study done by a professor and his students, they found out that a huge amount of valuable agricultural land and forest habitat is disappearing because of solar farms development. They conducted this research to examine the effects of solar farms on rural areas. According to the findings, the land used by the development of solar farms is equal to about a third of Worchester city’s land area!

They also found that in today’s solar farms’ sighting regulations, the developers didn’t take into account the environmental effects. This means that the development of solar farms has caused the loss of forests and the environment’s fragmentation, both of which aren’t good for various species.

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In addition, the researchers voiced their concerns about transforming agricultural fields to solar farms since doing this will take the lands out of production. It was further discovered that solar farms could range in size from the equivalent of one-fifth of the size of a football field to the equivalent of twenty-six football fields. The researchers also suggested that there is a chance to encourage more solar panel development on the rooftops of urban areas where there is the highest demand for electricity.

Learn about solar energy through essay samples

Whenever you try to learn about important issues for a college assignment, you need to find sources that provide reliable information for students. For example, when you’re learning about solar energy and you have an assignment, you need to do some research. If you’re stuck, you can always reach out to do my research paper service StudyClerk. Here, you can go through many solar energy articles for students that will help you while you’re learning solar energy and how it affects us.

Harnessing solar energy for electricity

Photovoltaic cells absorb light and convert it into electricity directly. A group of these cells is commonly called a solar panel. Many of us have seen these solar panels installed on electric road signs, parking areas, or in houses to provide light.

Houses powered by solar panels now purchase less electricity from the utility companies since they produce some electricity on their own. If they have more solar panels, they can even generate more power than they need. In some states, this could mean that people can run their electric meter backward, then give their excess electricity to the rest of the people in the community.

Harnessing solar energy for heat

You can use solar power to heat air or water and you can do this actively or passively. With passive heating systems, you would use solar energy without using mechanical parts for moving the heated air or water elsewhere. You may include this passive heating in the design before construction.

Conclusion

Solar power is renewable energy generated by the sun in the form of either thermal or electric energy. We can capture solar energy in different ways but the most common of these is through the use of photovoltaic solar panel systems that convert the rays of the sun into energy we can use.