Off Grid Home Blog

You guys are gonna love this. Some “Unknown Conservative” blogger decided that an article Putting Solar Myths to Shame, written by CalFinder’s own Brittany Mauriss and Taylen Peterson, was fit for debunking. He or she (he from here on out—an educated guess) did so in perfect Rush Limbaugh fashion, full of coarse words, suspicious sound bites and skewed logic. While I’d often disregard such antics as the desperate pedantry of a dying breed, sometimes when you’re singled out, you have to fight back. So here it is: our response to one Climate Change denier.

Each myth is on a new page so click the link below to move to the next page. Here are each of the myths:

1. Solar only works in hot areas
2. More pollution comes from manufacturing panels than is offset by solar energy
3. Solar is too expensive
4. Solar can’t meet the nation’s energy needs
5. The Sahara Desert could power Europe
6. Solar is too unreliable
7. Create your own panel with DIY sites

Please feel free to comment, in favor or opposition, to any point given below. Here’s to open dialogue!

#1 – Myth: Solar systems only work in really hot areas of the world

We’ve taken screen-shots of the original myth-buster answers and his responses. Below each is our rebuttal.

The point is not that solar could be the dominant source of energy in all climates around the world, but rather that it serves a legitimate function and is viable in any climate. Simply look at use of solar panels in Antarctica by government scientists, for example. Some locations are best for wind, some geothermal (see Iceland or East Africa), and some solar power.

Of course, weather plays a factor. Again, Unknown Conservative is missing the point. Different solar power systems are conducive to different climates with different weather patterns. But designed wisely, a solar system can be beneficial in any climate—solar thermal systems in climates that reach “two degrees above zero” utilize a propylene glycol (anti-freeze) solution to protect against freezing and enable the system to operate even in the cold. Admittedly, the system will work best on a hot, sunny day, but it will still work otherwise. And solar thermal systems, unlike many of their PV cousins, can provide solar energy on cloudy days, as the sun is still transmitting heat. PV panels, however, work MORE efficiently the cooler it is—a good reason some innovators are working to marry the two technologies. See here and here for examples.<

Germany is the world leader in solar power, which certainly makes up a small percentage of Germany’s total power production (coal still being number one), but coal has had a 100-year head start, and to ignore solar’s growth is to be ignorant and unattractively dismissive. In 1990, photovoltaics provided just 1 gigawatt-hour (GWh) of electricity to Germany’s national grid, according to Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. By 2009, that total had increased to 6,200 GWh of PV and counting. That’s a 6,200% increase in less than 20 years!

Solar power may never provide all the energy for a cloudy country like Germany, but it will, based on the country’s aggressive promotion of the technology today, provide a significant portion. Already, combined with other resources, renewable energy contributes over 16 percent of total energy consumption in Germany.

More »

Geothermal power plant uses geothermal energy to generate power and electricity. This is a natural energy source and is also a form of renewable energy which is also environmentally friendly. Geothermal power plants are usually setup at geothermal hot spots around the world. In order to harness energy, deep holes are drilled into the earth, until a geothermal source is reached. A pipe is then inserted into the hole which allows steam from the geothermal hotspot from within the earth to rise up to the earth’s surface. The steam is then forced into turbine which is connected to a generator, the pressurized steam begins to move the turbine which helps the generator to produce electricity.

This is a renewable source of energy . the earth’s crust lies on a sea of molten rock which produces tremendous amounts of heat. Cold water is then pumped down into another pipe which is then heated and converted into steam by the earth which is then sent back up the first pipe. The central problems with such a process is firstly , if too much cold water is pumped into the earth, this would cool down the geothermal hotspot. During the drilling process,dangerous toxic gasses may escape from the holes, these gasses can be extremely dangerous for power plant workers and even the surrounding environment. the earth’s crust lies on a sea of molten rock which produces tremendous amounts of heat. The earth’s crust lies on a sea of molten rock which produces tremendous amount of heat. The geothermal power plant uses the heat from within the earth to convert water into steam to run the turbines.

Some main benefits in using geothermal energy to power a power plant is that, geothermal power plant do create pollution, though it may however sometimes release dangerous gasses into the atmosphere. Geothermal power plants take up lesser room as compared to other energy source power plants. They are also cheaper to install as compared to other types of power plants. The running costs of the plant is low as there is no use of fossil fuel in operating the plant.

People who liked this Post also read

• What Are the Benefits of Solar Power?
• Microbes Produce Fuel Directly From Biomass
• Natural Energy Sources
• Benefits of Bio-fuels
• US Approves First Offshore Wind Farm
• Four Main Sources Of Renewable Energy
• Ten Major Benefits of Solar Energy
• Time To Switch On To Solar Power Products
• Common Berries To Help Solve Solar Power Issues
• How To Change Your Own Home To Solar Energy System?

Most countries of the world are trying to lessen or completely end their dependency on fossil fuel; this is because of the rising prices of fossil fuel and its pollution effects on our environment and our health, which is also contributing a great deal in the climate change and global warming. The use of natural energy for heating, electricity production and fueling purposes is gaining in popularity day by day. By investing in natural and alternative sources of energy can help reduce the burden of fossil fuel on our country’s economy. Anyone can contribute to improve the current condition of our environment by switching to an alternative or natural energy sources. Some natural energy sources are wind energy, solar energy, tidal energy. There are other renewable energy like hydrogen fuel and biomass also.

Solar energy:

Solar energy is the energy which the sun produces in the form of solar radiation. Through the use of solar panels or solar cells, the photons in the solar radiation are converted into electricity. However one disadvantage going with this form of energy is the high prices of solar panels. Large numbers of solar panels are necessary to produce a substantial amount of electricity.

Wind Energy:

Another form of natural energy is wind energy. This form of natural energy source uses a wind turbine which harnesses the power of the wind to produce electricity. In order to produce decent amount of electricity, a large wind turbine is required. These turbines are usually made from minerals obtained in an impure way but after the turbines are built, it requires no fossil fuel or minerals to run it, but may require it for its maintenance.

Wave energy:

Wave energy or tidal energy harnesses the power of the waves to run water turbines to produce electricity. This is a renewable energy source as tides go in and out the turbines.

By doing our part by switching to a natural energy source we will be taking a large step forward in the fight for a better, cleaner and safer environment for us and for our future generation.

People who liked this Post also read

• Geothermal Power Plant
• Renewable Energy Cost
• Solar Powered Refrigerator
• Four Main Sources Of Renewable Energy
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Energy
• New Process Converts Wind And Solar Power To Gas
• How Is Global Warming Produced?
• Portable Solar Panel From Esico
• Wind Turbine Goes Portable
• What Are the Benefits of Solar Power?

It’s a well known fact that fossil fuels have toyed with our environment and this has resulted in pollution and global warming besides many other issues. Now with the awareness of environmental hazards and the entire world going green, the popularity of Bio-fuels is growing by the day

Biological Fuels or Bio-fuels are prepared from reusable or recycled materials. And thanks to the modern-day scientific research, bio-fuels are playing a vital role in contributing to the world a number of benefits. Below are just some of the benefits illustrated.

1. It’s unavoidable that the need for fossil fuel is increasing with its supply decreasing. This is where bio-fuels steps in. Because it is made up from recycled material, it works as a sustainable alternative for fossil fuel.
2. Bio-fuels emit less carbon when in use as compared to the fossil fuels. In this way it reduces greenhouse gas, toxins and air pollution as well.
3. Most of the ingredients that go into the making of bio-fuels are ‘waste products’ for example corn stalks and other agricultural bi-products. Thus solving the problem of waste material storage.
4. Bio-fuels contain biodegradable material. This makes it less hazardous to our health and environment. And incase of a leakage, it becomes very easy to clean up. Plus it costs less.
5. Bio-fuels put less strain on the earth because it is made up of recycled material. As compared to fossil fuels like coal and oil which has to be extracted from the earth’s crust by digging deep.
6. With the development of bio-fuels comes the decrease in unemployment. From farming right till the transportation industry, the demand for employees would increase.
7. Each and every country is capable of their very own bio-fuel production. This will decrease the country’s amount of dependence on other countries.
8. 3.  One of the advantages of bio-fuel is the cost. Unlike fossil fuel, its prices won’t fluctuate and it won’t be too expensive
9. 4.  Farmers worldwide could also reap the benefits of bio-fuels since bio-fuels are made up mostly of crop’s waste. Farmers along with their crop production could also increase their prices to match the growing demand.

So let us all do our bit to save our environment and our planet by switching to bio-fuels.

People who liked this Post also read

• Step Up To Stop Climate Change
• Some Measures To Improve Environment
• Benefits of Biomass Energy
• Nepalese Teenager Invents £23 Solar Panel Made From Human Hair
• Four Main Sources Of Renewable Energy
• Time To Switch On To Solar Power Products
• Major Gases Responsible For Global Warming
• Wind Turbine Goes Portable
• Microbes Produce Fuel Directly From Biomass
• Renewable Energy Market To Grow 25% Each Year By 2030

In an effort to combat the desertification and drought of several African countries, the Global Environment Facility is lending a much-needed helping hand. How, exactly? By planting a living wall of trees, 9 miles thick and an amazing 4,400 miles long across Africa. The wall will traverse 11 countries in the Sahel-Saharan region.

The Global Environment Facility, GEF, is a ground-breaking independent financial institution that addresses environmental issues to bring about lasting change. Their announcement to help the “Great Green Wall” project appropriately coincided with the United Nations’ “World Day to Combat Desertification.”

All in all, the GEF pledged $119 million to put the plan, originally adopted by the African Union three years ago, in motion. The amount that each country receives will depend solely on their size. Currently, the wall is slated to go up in Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti.

GEF has already donated $8.8 billion, and an additional $38.7 billion in co-financing to environmental projects in over 165 countries. Upon completion, the “Great Green Wall” will be a visual representation of the positive impact we can have on our own environment.

Photo Credit: Gorilla Forest Summit Lodge & Somar

More »