74 replies to this topic

[Magic Pixel]

Mine are solar-panels. I am waiting to relocate and when we do we are going to put them up. We'll do the works then, from solar-powered garden lights to solar-heated hot water. Electricity costs are soaring. It's practical as well to convert, as if it were a religion

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Insulation is the number one way to get there.
And not just attic depth but adding blown-in to the walls.
If people are disciplined and diligent, the money saved should be set aside specifically for solar panels
or upgrading a frig, or getting better windows.
It's amazing how much money can be saved with insulation. (But wait til fall depending on your location-
most areas are too hot to even think about climbing into a hot attic.)

[SFloridaMike]

Shortpoet-GTD, on 31 July 2012 - 03:30 AM, said:

Insulation is the number one way to get there.
And not just attic depth but adding blown-in to the walls.
If people are disciplined and diligent, the money saved should be set aside specifically for solar panels
or upgrading a frig, or getting better windows.
It's amazing how much money can be saved with insulation. (But wait til fall depending on your location-
most areas are too hot to even think about climbing into a hot attic.)

Yes indeed!

[johnygreen]

In my wish list, I have following:

I want to put rain water harvesting system in my home, so that rain water is percolated beneath the ground.

Want to put solar water heater and solar cells so that my electricity bills reduce to zero.

I want to create a garden near my house and to fill this garden with plethora of plants and trees.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

johnygreen, on 10 August 2012 - 01:27 AM, said:

In my wish list, I have following:

I want to put rain water harvesting system in my home, so that rain water is percolated beneath the ground.

Want to put solar water heater and solar cells so that my electricity bills reduce to zero.

I want to create a garden near my house and to fill this garden with plethora of plants and trees.

You can always start small with catching rain water. there are several barrels available that are inexpensive.
Garden wise, you can always go with containers or even small pots for herbs and such. Too late in the season
now though anyway for a regular garden. Too hot too.

[ACSAPA]

The thing that's uppermost in my mind and thoughts is just a better, safer apartment, which might also turn out to be green. My current apartment, which I despise, has a leaky roof, ancient electrical system, and old windows. I live through all the temperature extremes so I'm not even sure it's insulated. I think just finding a better place will make my life 35 percent better and more energy efficient so I'm working on that now.

[johnygreen]

Shortpoet-GTD, on 10 August 2012 - 01:53 AM, said:

You can always start small with catching rain water. there are several barrels available that are inexpensive.
Garden wise, you can always go with containers or even small pots for herbs and such. Too late in the season
now though anyway for a regular garden. Too hot too.

Yes You are right, I can also do like this... :)

[fancyfingers]

I live in a state that gets over 300 days of sunlight. You would think there would be solar panels on every roof, business and homes. No, there aren't many around. There should be a few solar farms to supply energy for the cities. But, no, there isn't. It would be a very wise investment for states that get so much sun to have the majority of their energy come from sun.

[aerieth]

fancyfingers, on 27 September 2012 - 03:07 PM, said:

I live in a state that gets over 300 days of sunlight. You would think there would be solar panels on every roof, business and homes. No, there aren't many around. There should be a few solar farms to supply energy for the cities. But, no, there isn't. It would be a very wise investment for states that get so much sun to have the majority of their energy come from sun.

Seeing as how sunlight is free you would think solar energy would be much more widespread! With the advent of peak oil, I think we'll start to see an ushering in of green energy applications including solar panels.

On that note, solar panels are definetely at the top of my "green energy wishlist" with some sort of biodiesel vehicle coming second. I'm a dreamer!

[Shortpoet-GTD]

I'm thinking that a lot a people along the Eastern seaboard will consider geothermal now, with so many weeks
of no heat and no light.
Costs more to install, but weather wouldn't impact it, unless of course your home is destroyed, but then
it wouldn't matter.

[Earthling]

Fossil fuel free energy that doesn't cost the earth, but I'm sane enough to realise that cheap energy was around when I couldn't afford it, whereas now it's expensive, I can.
Ö¿Ö

[Earthling]

Shortpoet-GTD, on 08 November 2012 - 01:23 PM, said:

I'm thinking that a lot a people along the Eastern seaboard will consider geothermal now, with so many weeks
of no heat and no light.
Costs more to install, but weather wouldn't impact it, unless of course your home is destroyed, but then
it wouldn't matter.

Where is geothermal available on the eastern seaboard of anywhere?

[abbodid]

It's only a very small step - but a fun one. Solar-powered nightlights for the kids. They really want nightlights; but not only do the fire hazards scare me- but I found a cool way to light up their rooms without electricity. Solpals nightlights are on Google, just search for "solpals" (I can't put a web link here), and even though I like the original ones, it looks like they now have some new ones that shoot images up on the ceiling and walls... kind of like those animal pets you see that run on batteries. Very cool idea - and they just stick on the window and charge themselves up with sunlight... they even sense the dark and come on by themselves, so it's a no-brainer!

[jenr]

I really want solar one day too but live in an apartment so it isn't possible right now.  I did want to mention to all of you that talked about wanting solar that not only is it way less expensive today then it was a few years ago but there are also some amazing financing options available.  There are companies offering solar leasing options, you don't have to pay for anything upfront but get to benefit from reduced electricity bills since you are able to sell some of your generated electricity back to the grid.

[SednaLED]

LED lights - they cut lighting costs by 80%! Solar panels are a good idea too but I must say they are a bit of an eye sore...

[Shortpoet-GTD]

SednaLED, on 28 January 2013 - 02:55 AM, said:

Solar panels are a good idea too but I must say they are a bit of an eye sore...

So are kids with asthma, climate change from coal, miners dying from black lung disease.

[SednaLED]

Haha fair point. I'm all for them but I fear that aesthetically concerned householders would be put off.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

SednaLED, on 28 January 2013 - 03:45 AM, said:

Haha fair point. I'm all for them but I fear that aesthetically concerned householders would be put off.

This example just looks like a roof; attractive and provides power to boot.

[SednaLED]

Looks great, the design has obviously been perfected.

[imgoingeco]

does a tesla count? ;)