SEPCO's blog on all things renewable and green

Solar power is the form of renewable energy available for human actions apart from wind, tide, and hydroelectric energy. There are several different techniques and technologies developed to use this natural energy. It is estimated that very little part of solar energy is efficiently used.

Solar power is not limited. It can be used for different purposes like water heating, water purification, cooking, lights, solar panels, solar inverters and for space heating and cooling. Solar buildings became popular in present days. It uses different techniques for efficient utilization of solar power to regulate the temperature of the building thereby eliminating the use of electrical devices. A recent study says that nearly 50000 trillion of solar energy is available per year. This occupies the higher proportion compared to other energies like tide energy, wind energy etc. It is also estimated that millions of people will shift to this eco-friendly homes in the coming years.

Modern solar power systems consist of augmenting glass apart from water pipes. The glasses present on the system are responsible for focusing the light on the fluid pipes. With this the fluid gets heated up. Generally these pipes are available in black color which absorbs the total solar power and it made of reflective silver surface which reflects the sunlight. The heat generated in this process heats up the water in the pipe there by saving large amount of gas and electricity. Solar technology is classified into two types active and passive based on its conversion and distribution.

It is a successful form of energy used for both residential and industrial purposes. Fossil fuels are the organic form of solar energy that has a major impact on the environment. Global warming and pollution are the striking issues in the present world. Due to this solar power has gained popularity. With the advancements in solar technology, it became an affordable form of energy compared to the fossil fuels. For example manufacturing cost of photovoltaic cells has decreased by 5% when compared to previous year rates. By this we can observe that it became the most affordable form of energy. Energy released by kilowatt of solar power is equal to the sweltering of 76kg of charcoal which releases the harmful carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere. According to the energy industry giant by 2040, 60% of global energy will be occupied by renewable sources.

This natural energy is used for electrical needs. Photovoltaic cells transform solar power into direct electric current. This stored energy can be directly used for home or industrial purposes or it can be utilized in the form of batteries. This energy can be used in our daily life applications such as domestic lighting, electrification, water pumping, purification of salt water, powering telecommunication networks, generating railway signals etc.

Solar energy has many advantages. It is the renewable energy compared to conventional sources. It is the cost-efficient energy. Once if you pay the installation cost, electricity supplied by the solar panels will be utilized for free of cost. Due to the advancements in solar systems the efficiency of the device power has been increased. It eliminates the transmission cost as the energy will be produced and consumed at the same location.

Author Bio: The guest post was contributed by Lucy, financial guest blogger from Manchester, UK. Wrote many articles on ppi claims . Find out more about her finance related blogs @financeport.

In today's consumer world, plastic is everywhere. From plentiful stores of bottled water to disposable plasticware to the containers that hold our store-bought food. It seems like you can't go out shopping without running into a good deal of plastic. And while this material is strong, reliable, and undoubtedly useful, we also may have way too much of the stuff that isn't being reused.

Recycling plastic uses much less energy than creating new plastic, and it conserves our valuable resources. Despite this; however, only about a third of our material that could be recycled actually is. Among younger generations, the problem of our overconsumption of plastic has been prevalent for as long as some can remember, and yet little has changed or progressed in alleviating the problem. Statistically, people in the Millennial generation (today's high schoolers, college students, and young adults) are much less likely to properly recycle plastic and other materials than those in older generations.

If you're of student or Millennial age, take a look at the following infographic—the reality is that younger generations need to start getting serious about recycling, or the future will be robbed of some very valuable resources.

Source: OnlineEducation

Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly more popular for many reasons. Not only do they save you money at the pump, they also are a healthy alternative to modern forms of transportation. And the amount of emissions given off is decreasing as technology for these vehicles increases. The more of these cars on the road means less pollution in our air. Studies have shown future electric vehicles will emit little to no pollution. The infographic lays out the health benefits and overall advantages that come with these vehicles. The downside is that they do not have the distance capability like gas-fueled cars. However, studies have shown that soon they will be able to outperform their gas-guzzling counterpart. Already, big car companies like Nissan, Chevrolet, and Ford have all come out with their own electric vehicle. Today, more and more people are making more of a conscious effort to do good for the environment. Convert to solar charged driving today and do a good thing for your environment.

Infographic courtesy of Baker Electric Solar.

Of all of the things that people take for granted, water is probably number one.  We see it every day and for most of us it is incredibly easy to find. As anyone in the green movement knows, what is easy is likely not sustainable. Mankind as a whole must take steps to ensure that our drinking supply does not diminish to the point that it becomes a crisis. Some countries are in a better position than others to use both technology and common sense to preserve our water supply. America is one of these countries, and there are simple actions that you can take in your everyday life to help out.

Routine Maintenance

It’s your responsibility to take care of your home. If you have a leaking shower, toilet, or faucet, and don’t take care of it right away, that lost water will add up. For example, a leaking toilet will waste 90,000 gallons of water every month. This will affect your water bill, and obviously have a negative effect on the environment.

Skip the Bottles

People who believe that water bottles are a waste of money are right. Bottled water doesn’t only cost more than tap water; it is also less pure. Some companies add salts to their water to add to the taste, which is why some people believe that it’s better. 86% of plastic water bottles eventually end up in the garbage, or as litter, so when all is said and done, just stick to the sink as your water source.

Inside The Home

There are adjustments that you can make to your home that will help you save some money. You can install dual flush toilets, lower flow showerheads, or water and energy efficient dishwashers, to name a few. Although these items may cost you a couple extra bucks initially, you will save more money with utility savings.

These are just a few methods that you can use to preserve water, and save money. The most important part is the difference that you will make for our environment. Sometimes it’s difficult to see how your contribution will help, but if everyone puts in just a little effort, then together we will make a change for the better.

Patrick Merryman is a writer at Total Mortgage and also writes for the Total Guide.

Holiday season is one of the best times of the year. The celebration involves giving gifts, cooking special recipes and buying stuff needed for the event. Indeed, it is very festive!

As a result, there are tons of waste generated after the occasion. This is the aftermath we have to face every year right after celebrating holidays. In the US alone, there is an estimated one million tons of waste produced. So imagine if the waste from around the globe are gathered together. It would be a big big big mess.

Fortunately, we can do simple ways to help reduce the post Christmas waste without sacrificing the festive mood. Carrying out the practices below is not only beneficial to the environment but to all living things as well.

• Recycle - This practice is perhaps one of the oldest and most common ways to lessen garbage. Even in grade school, recycling is being taught. Recycling is a process of converting waste materials into reusable ones. And so, when you shop for food or drink, it is advisable to opt for those brands packed in materials that can be recycled. These recyclables include plastic bottles, glass bottles, cans, papers and other containers. After Christmas, you can use them in the kitchen or in other rooms as water container, decorations and plant holders. Some can be used as container for jam and other condiments. Large cans can be used as pots.

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  Reuse leftovers - Much similar to recycling, this practice involves reusing unwanted items. However, this also includes foodstuff. For instance, you have a bowl of chicken meat left in the fridge and nobody wants to eat it anymore. You cannot just throw it away in the garbage bin. So, why not turn it into a new dish?Yes, there are plenty of recipes now that involves food leftovers. This is a good way to avoid wasting the food you prepared for the holidays as you can create a new menu out of it. You can make chicken salad from your chicken leftovers. Isn’t practical?

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  Reject plastic bags - There are some stores in the country that banned the use of plastic bags when shopping. But still, you can find shops utilizing this type of shopping bags specifically grocery stores. Instead of carrying your items inside this non-biodegradable material, try using recycled bags or the ones made from paper. If you prefer using the plastic bags, there is still simple way you can do to avoid muc waste. When you go to the grocery, you can bring your own plastic bag. This is somewhat similar to recycling. You can keep the plastic bag that you used in previous shopping and use it again whenever going to the store. Some stores encourage this practice.

• Rot biodegradable discards - During Christmas time, it can’t be avoided that there are plenty of mouth watering foods on the table. Oftentimes this would result into having many leftovers. Now, if these leftovers have been kept in the fridge for almost a week, it’s about time to dispose them. But not in the garbage bin where they can create disgusting and foul smell. Food and other organic items such as banana peels, meat and broccoli stems are considered as biodegradable. You can mix them with the garden soil since they can decompose in certain time. When decayed, they are good for the plants.

When you think of it, there are many ways anybody can do to reduce waste after celebrating holidays. These practices do not require hard work nor lots of time. With these four Rs, you can surely get rid of the headaches brought by post Christmas garbage.

About the author. This guest post was written by Ashley O’connor. She is a social media blogger who works with various companies such as Glasstic, a healthy lifestyle company offering environmental friendly product. When not writing, she is just at home reading books or watching tv.

In a time of rising energy costs and environmental concerns, renewable energy is a hot topic, and one that we hear talked about politically, environmentally and socially. But it’s not always clear what renewable energy is, and how everyday Australians can use and access it.

What is renewable energy?

Renewable energy is a form of energy that comes from natural resources that are easily replenished. The most common forms of renewable energy are wind power, solar energy, hydropower and biomass. Renewable energy is different to fossil fuels, such as coal, that are not easily replenished.

How can I use renewable energy in my home?

There are a few different options when it comes to using renewable energy in your home. Firstly, there is the option of generating your own renewable energy (most commonly via solar panels), and using that energy to power your home. Those that produce their own renewable energy can also sell unused energy back to the power grids.

Secondly, there is the option to purchase GreenPower from your energy supplier. Under the GreenPower program, the Australian government has added renewable energy to power grids. Energy retailers can then sell this power onto their customers to be used in their homes.

For the consumer, this makes it very easy to use renewable energy in the home with very little effort. It is also possible to only elect for a portion of your energy to be Green - whether that be 10%, 20% or 50% - as GreenPower is more expensive than purchasing regular energy from non renewable resources.

Why is renewable energy important?

Renewable energy is important because it allows consumers to make a difference to the level of Australia’s energy emissions. It’s also important in combating the negative environmental impacts of fossil fuels and the environmental concerns that surround our energy consumption.

Even if you elect for 10% of your energy use to be offset by GreenPower, you can make a difference, and ensure that Australia’s resources last longer. Also, a greater demand for renewable and green energy will further the investment by the government and energy suppliers in renewable energy.

When it comes to renewable energy, many people think it is too hard to integrate into their everyday lives. . But using renewable energy is simple and effective. No contribution is too small, and you’ll be making a real impact to the Australian environmental footprint.

Image courtesy of Danilo Rizzuti/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The environment is in danger, but fortunately, going green can help save the environment from further degradation. One of the things that people can do to save the environment is reduce waste consumption by encouraging recycling. Seventy-five percent of the waste in the United States is recyclable. However, studies have shown that only five percent of it is recycled.

Converting from heating oil to natural gas can also save the environment. Gas is much cleaner than oil. It also burns 30 percent less carbon dioxide. New York City plans to totally eliminate its use of heating oil by 2030. Natural gas is not only better for the environment, but it is also cheaper.

Additionally, the environment can be saved if there were more electric cars available. Electric cars use 50 to 60 percent less petroleum than regular cars. Furthermore, some people argue that electric cars perform better than regular cars.

Source: Best Sociology Programs

Solar powered signs are being introduced at businesses, schools, hospitals and governmental office across the country as a way to advertise and market services. The signs are standard signs but are illuminated by solar lights to create an attractive and functional mechanism to get a message out. The signs combine solar power with current sign building techniques, therefore requiring no special modification to existing signs. The solar panel and light can either be mounted on the top of the sign or can be located a short distance from the sign. The solar panel harnesses solar energy during the day then provides the energy required to operate the solar lights that then illuminates the sign after dark. 

The biggest cost saver; the sign does not require the infrastructure that is takes to connect to electric lines as a power source. These sun-charged illuminated signs are quickly gaining in popularity. This can be explained by the economical benefits of the energy savings realized by not paying into the grid. There are also associated practical benefits. These types of signs can be used in remotes spots where grid connection can be complicated and expensive. Solar panels can solve this problem. For example, remote sections of parking lots can be illuminated to provide better security.

The illuminated signs can also be utilized for many other purposes including advertising and marketing. They could be used to illuminate signs at schools or municipal buildings to announce upcoming events past regular hours. The signs can even be used by a Realtor to give an edge over competition by illuminating a sign to advertise a house for sale beyond normal daylight hours.

The utilization of sun as an energy source is also important marketing signal to potential businesses or clients. Its shows an entity's willingness to start taking responsibility for their energy footprint. By putting the sun to work for you by utilizing solar energy represents a sustainable and renewable energy commitment from your organization and your customers will be appreciative.

Want to know more, check out our guide to sign lighting for some great information.