One of the biggest worries that there is currently to maintain the financial health of the home is the electricity bill, since in recent months the price per kilowatt has increased significantly and we are taking more than one scare, especially those who do not have a fixed electricity tariff.

Electricity is one of those fixed household expenses that you can not do without, so we want to give you a review of a few recommendations so that in the next bill you do not take your hands to your head. They are a series of tips to minimize electricity consumption at home. Take note and put them into practice, you will notice it in your bank account!

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5 tips to save on your electricity bill

Efficient appliances

If you need to buy or renew an appliance (washing machine, refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, etc.) look at the label that marks its energy certification. Those that are classified as class A are those that consume up to 40% less electricity, so although its price is higher than other appliances, its expense is amortized in the electricity bill. It is a smart investment to make, since in addition to being more sustainable you will notice it in your pocket.

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Control your heating

Keeping the home at a comfortable temperature is one of the factors that most increases the electricity bill, so you have to put the heating at a stable temperature of about 22 degrees during the day and 15 at night. If you can’t afford the cost of heating for so many hours, try to wrap up warmer and use wool garments, with which in addition to getting warm you will be contributing to a lesser deterioration of the environment.

Energy-saving bulbs

LED bulbs are the most suitable, since their use saves between 50% and 80% of energy compared to normal bulbs, and they also illuminate the same or better.

The cost is higher, but they are also more durable and pollute less, so it is more profitable. You can use this type of energy-saving bulbs in both indoor and outdoor areas of the house.

Solar energy

Installing solar panels at home is a good option for self-consumption of solar energy. Although it involves a large financial outlay, there are currently subsidies that help you pay for the installation and in a few years you can amortize it.

With solar panels you will have a more responsible consumption of electricity, as it is a renewable resource and very abundant in Spain, you can also save on the electricity bill in the long term.

Full household appliances

When you have to run a washing machine or dishwasher, take advantage of their full capacity and fill them as much as possible, even if you have to wait a little longer, it’s worth it. The same happens when you use the oven, take the opportunity to cook more than one food and use the residual heat to finish cooking. It is a small gesture that seems unimportant, but with which you can save if you include it in your habits.

The installation of solar panels is spreading throughout Spain and the world. For reasons of economy, efficiency and ecology, more and more people are thinking about using solar energy to feed part of the energy consumption of their homes.

When making the decision, people think about the sustainability of their investment, and wonder how long the solar panel will remain productive. The truth is that advances in the manufacturing systems and structures of solar panels have extended their useful life. For this reason, it has become a good option for family use.

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How many years can the same solar panel be used?

Most photovoltaic solar panels, which are the most commonly used in homes, are guaranteed to last between 20 and 30 years. After that time the panel will continue to work, but its performance will decrease, that is to say, it will produce less energy.

The deterioration rate of the most current models of solar panels is 0.5%. This implies that after 25 years, the decrease in productivity will be 12.5%. The panel will still produce 67.5% of the energy it generated when it was new.

How can you tell if the solar panel is worn out?

An algorithm created by scientists is used. It is a formula that takes into account humidity, hours of sunshine, available solar energy, atmospheric pressure, temperature, wind speed, among other factors. The algorithm makes it possible to predict what the performance of the panel will be as the days go by.

Through these calculations, it is possible to determine with great certainty when it will be necessary to renew the solar panel to keep the installation in operation.

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Does the solar panel need to be maintained to last longer?

A determining factor for durability is the quality of the panel. The market offers solar panels of different quality and, of course, different prices. But in addition to the quality of origin, the conditions of maintenance and care are key to extend the life of the panel.

Whoever installs a solar panel should not believe that once it is installed and connected, it will be forgotten for 30 years. This is not the case. Panels require maintenance and cleaning.

It is essential to keep the solar panel clean, because the collection of sunlight depends on its cleanliness. Although it is advisable to follow the supplier’s instructions, in general, solar panels are washed with soap and water, using a soft sponge. This hygiene every two or three months will keep the panel in optimal productive conditions. If the area where it is installed is very dusty, more frequent washing will be necessary.

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The solar panel is a convenient option because of its durability and economy in consumption. Just keep in mind that it needs some very simple care that anyone can do.

What is agrovoltaics?

The term “agrovoltaics” or “agri-voltaics” is now commonly used in the industry to refer to self-consumption photovoltaic projects, generally in which an area of land is used to install solar panels and obtain agricultural products through crops. Therefore, this is a trend in which agricultural activity benefits from the existence of an energy infrastructure. This is due to different factors, including the shadows produced by the photovoltaic panels or the protection provided by the installation against wild animals or adverse weather conditions, among others, which we will see later on.

Specifically, in arid lands located in regions with very dry conditions, the existence of shadows makes it possible to protect certain crops and thus take advantage of this surface area to produce fruit and vegetables. In addition, the use of solar energy for photovoltaic self-consumption makes it possible to cover the energy needs of farms.

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Technologically, these lands are undergoing a significant evolution. Photovoltaics uses advanced equipment that requires monitoring and economically revalorizes the surface area. These systems take into account the growth phases of the crops and the weather, an important aid for the landowner. Some of the equipment used are fixed support systems to elevate the solar panels to allow agricultural machinery to perform its work. Solar tracking systems can also be found in this type of project, allowing the panels to be oriented to maximize their efficiency and avoid casting shadows in the same direction, thus helping all plants or crops to benefit from the same weather conditions.

Outstanding benefits

Although the trend is growing and this means that new and better benefits are being sought for the rural environment, there are five outstanding benefits that are usually found in practically any “agrovoltaic” project, which are detailed below:

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1. Reduction of the carbon footprint of the agricultural sector.

The agricultural and livestock sectors are polluters. Although to a lesser extent than the transportation or industrial sectors, agricultural waste pollutes water and some processes emit greenhouse gases. The integration of photovoltaics to generate energy for self-consumption allows the agricultural sector to reduce its carbon footprint, since it will consume 100% renewable electricity.

2. Enables new crops

On unsuitable land, the incorporation of solar panels makes it possible to grow food crops. Even on land that was suitable, solar panels modify the light conditions that plants receive and can benefit the growth of some plants by reducing excessive solar radiation, heat, drought or heavy rainfall. In very hot or heavy rainy seasons, this provides much-needed protection for crops, as they grow without being affected by seasonal changes. In addition, the shade they generate means that the soil maintains humidity for a longer period of time and thus the optimum water level for the plants.

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3. Ecosystem improvement

Growing and producing solar energy in the same place increases the benefits for the owner and for the ecosystem, something that is increasingly important considering the growth of photovoltaic solar energy in the world. The fact is that ground-mounted photovoltaic plants are becoming nature reserves, areas where, by taking advantage of the vigilance to keep the equipment in good condition, the lives of endangered animals can be protected. It is therefore extremely common for developers of “agrovoltaic” projects to install nesting boxes and structures for insects, perimeter fences with vegetation that allows birds to pass through, use the installation for natural pasture for sheep or cows, or seek to encourage the operation of beehives and the breeding of other animals, among other examples of ecosystem improvement.

4. Employment and positive impact for isolated areas

The demographic challenge is a problem in Spain where photovoltaics can play a very important role. The construction and maintenance of “agrovoltaic” projects involves relying on local labor, personnel who are usually trained by the company itself to carry out the projects. In this way, the locality benefits from training for its inhabitants in a job with great future and potential, improving their quality of life. Additionally, there are many companies that are also committed to groups with labor insertion difficulties, which prioritize the contracting of goods and services nearby, or the use of national components or services, giving priority to local suppliers.

5. Increases the value of the land

The area on which solar panels are grown and installed increases in economic value. In addition to the fact that the structures and equipment have a guaranteed useful life of more than 25 years, the land becomes an electricity-producing plant which, depending on the conditions, can inject the energy produced into the electricity grid, thus also receiving economic benefits.

The future of photovoltaics

Addressing climate change is the great challenge of our generation. To this end, the integration of renewable energy sources, which are young and constantly growing technologies, must take place under the best possible conditions for everyone.

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Unlike conventional sources, photovoltaics offers a series of social and environmental benefits that make it a fundamental technology for meeting this great challenge.

Undoubtedly, and given that the availability of land is not infinite, incorporating photovoltaics on agricultural land is essential for the future of both sectors, energy and agriculture, and the best news is that the benefits for both are numerous.

The answer to the question in the headline of this article is yes, definitely. And this is thanks to the versatility of solar panels, the capacity of installers and, above all, the solar potential of Spain, which makes it possible to take advantage of it in any region of the territory.

The slope of a roof defines the way in which the modules must be installed, the number of units and the orientation that the panels will have in an installation for self-consumption. Therefore, depending on these three factors, we can find different types of roofs.

Flat roofs

As mentioned above, this is the most common type in Spain. Despite their name, they have a surface that is not 100% horizontal since, by regulation, there must be a slight slope so that rainwater does not remain stagnant.

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One of their great advantages is that they allow the installation of support structures to orient the panels at the best angle. In order to produce the greatest amount of kWh of electricity, they are usually elevated on fixed structures that form an artificial slope, so that the sun’s rays can have a better impact. However, it is important to know that the weight of these supports can affect the building’s infrastructure.

Sloped pitched roofs

The other most common type of roof is the pitched roof, and those with a minimum slope of 10º fall into this classification. However, it is also possible to install support structures on these roofs and, in addition, the panels can be installed directly as long as the slope does not exceed 35º on the roof itself.

It should be remembered that the ideal slope in Spain for solar panels is around 30 – 40º.

Inverted roofs

The characteristics of inverted roofs are the same as those of flat roofs and are equally passable. The main difference lies in the fact that, in the case of inverted roofs, they have a total waterproofing system that better withstands inclement weather.

They are also perfectly suitable for the installation of solar panels and the degree of inclination of the structure should be the same as in the first case.

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Mansard roofs

Mansard roofs, sometimes called “French roofs”, designate roofs formed by combined surfaces with two different slopes, the lower one steeper than the upper one.

Despite having this double slope with different degrees of inclination, one slope of 35º and the others of between 70 and 80º generally do not pose a problem when it comes to installing solar panels.

Provided that the square meters are sufficient to house panels, engineering companies are prepared to offer structural installation solutions that also allow taking advantage of this type of roofs.

Roofs with carpentry roofs

These are special pitched roofs with steep slopes that converge in a peak, like a tent. These roofs are probably the most challenging to install panels on and it will always be easy or advisable to do so. It will depend on the available surface and the slope.

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Highlights

While there are possibilities for installing panels on any roof, practically speaking, one must always consider the effect of shadows cast on the panels by elements external to the project, as well as the climatic conditions of the area. In cold regions, when it snows, the structure can be affected and it is important in these cases that there is enough space between rows of panels to be able to clean the equipment.

Another common practice is to grow or plant vegetation in these spaces, as this helps the natural cooling of the solar equipment.

Whatever the roof and climate of the area in which a project is carried out, the solar industry is sufficiently mature and capable of executing a photovoltaic project with greater or lesser difficulty. But the roof, in general, is not a barrier to betting on energy self-consumption.

If you’ve ever wondered whether the benefits of solar power outweigh its costs, you’re not alone-you’re not alone.

Interest in this alternative energy source has steadily increased since it was first introduced. In fact, installations with solar panels increased by 70% in 2015 over the previous year, while costs have decreased by 73% since 2006.

Not sure yet? Here are 6 reasons why you should consider installing solar panels on your home.

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Save on your electricity bill.

The average solar installation costs between $10,000 and $35,000. If that sounds too expensive, consider this: a recent study showed that customers save an average of $44 to $187 per month the first year they install their solar panels. That’s $528 to $2,244 in a single year, which means your installation could pay for itself in five years – and continue to save money on your monthly electric bill for years to come. By some estimates, the average solar installation saves consumers more than $20,000 over 20 years. In some areas, savings can reach as much as $64,000.

Saves on taxes.

In some countries, governments encourage the installation of solar systems with tax breaks or low-interest credits. You can access credits or subsidies for the use of solar panels on your home or you can even sell the electricity you don’t use to the grid.

Increase the value of your home.

A recent U.S. Department of Energy study showed that prospective homebuyers are willing to pay a $15,000 premium for a home equipped with an average-sized solar system. The average solar system uses 3,600 watts, which means you can anticipate an additional $4 in home sale value per watt. Considering that the cost per watt today is around $3 , and is expected to drop even further in the future, solar will continue to be a profitable investment for your home.

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Self-sufficient home.

Generators can break, fossil fuels can run out, and utilities can dissolve. The sun isn’t going anywhere, at the moment. In fact, the sun supplies approximately four million tons of energy every second, and humanity only uses 0.0001% of that amount in energy consumption globally. So you never have to worry about running out.

Reduce your polluting emissions.

A single solar system installation offsets 178 tons of carbon dioxide over 30 years, the equivalent of planting 10 soccer fields of trees. Instead of burning fossil fuels that are slowly killing the Earth, solar energy does not harm the environment.

Stability.

Renewable energy will make you independent of expensive energy suppliers. Unlike an electricity supplier, the sun will never raise your rates. In the last two years, the U.S. has experienced an average increase of 3.2% in residential electricity prices. If this trend continues, you will have paid for your solar panels sooner than expected.

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Saving on electricity is often thought to be a bit more complicated, since it involves changing light bulbs, appliances and more. Now, it is possible to install in your home or business, your own source of renewable energy or cogeneration system in small or medium scale.

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Here you can learn about the benefits of having solar panels:

• It is renewable.
• It is abundant. The earth receives 120 thousand terawatts of solar radiation, 20 thousand times more energy than the energy needed in the whole world.
• Environmentally friendly. The sun’s energy does not cause pollution.
• Reduces electricity costs. With the new bi-directional meters it is possible that if a household produces more energy than it consumes, it can return it to the CFE electrical grid, thus giving
• the user credit.
• Shared systems. Not all homes or buildings have space to place dozens or hundreds of solar panels, which is why “community solar gardens” are being created, so that people can subscribe to
• these parks and save electricity.
• It is silent. There is no associated noise.
• Low maintenance. There is hardly any need to clean the panels, which have up to 20 years of warranty.
• It is undoubtedly the most economical, safe and easy to install alternative. Start producing your own electricity and forget about high electricity rates.

NASA was at it again. The U.S. space agency shared a photo taken by the Orion spacecraft, which this week reached the farthest point of its journey, more than 430,000 kilometers away from Earth.

NASA’s Orion spacecraft, designed to transport human beings into space and return them to Earth, managed to capture a never-before-seen photo of the Earth and the Moon, an image that shocked everyone and is already making its way around the world.

Impressive!

The Orion spacecraft’s camera is attached to the solar panels aboard the service module and from there it was able to photograph the Earth and the Moon in a unique and stunning composition. “The images are insane,” noted Artemis I mission flight director Rick LaBrode.

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“It’s really hard to articulate what it feels like. It’s incredible to see this,” added the NASA scientist. The Orion spacecraft’s trip is an uncrewed test that is intended to serve as a prelude to upcoming liftoffs with people aboard that will include a new lunar landing on the Artemis III mission.

The NASA capsule mission will not be complete until the spacecraft maneuvers around the Moon, returns to Earth, survives re-entry into the atmosphere, dives into the ocean and is recovered Nov. 11 off the coast of San Diego, United States.

Source: https://www.periodismochileno.cl/mundo/2022/11/30/nasa-comparte-impresionante-foto-de-la-tierra-la-luna-nunca-antes-vista-40083.html

A team of public and private laboratories in the United States is testing a new concept of wind turbine, easy to transport and install, for humanitarian or military missions.

Renewable energies are not only the main weapon of energy decarbonization. They can also be a first response to situations where quick access to energy is needed.

The challenge? The ability to ensure a secure and constant supply in the event of conflicts or natural disasters, and diesel generators, the first emergency response, do not always provide the necessary security. And they also need a constant flow of fuel to operate. That is why the Defense and Disaster Deployable Turbine (D3T) project is trying to develop new portable mini wind turbines.

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The initiative was officially launched in 2020 by the U.S. Department of Energy through a collaboration between NREL, Sandia National Laboratories and Idaho National Laboratory. Over the past two years, researchers have collaborated with the military and wind industry to study new technologies that can be deployed in humanitarian and defense operations.

Energy for emergencies.

Natural disasters and conflicts can occur anywhere in the world and not always in places with good wind resources.

In addition, “operations responding to these events are often temporary, lasting from a few weeks to a few years. And existing wind turbine products are rarely optimized for these circumstances.”

D3T conducted an initial assessment of the market for rapidly deployable wind turbines. Today, there are self-installing telescopic turbines or small backpack wind turbines that offer a certain degree of independence, but what the team is looking for is a reliable, efficient and fast solution that can adapt to difficult emergency conditions.

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The D3T researchers managed to strike a balance by designing 20 kW portable mini-turbines that could fit into containers used by the U.S. military and Red Cross.

The same box could also house new high-rise wind technologies, while leaving room for solar panels and batteries. The team plans to test these new portable machines by installing them in remote locations, such as Arctic weather monitoring sites and Alaskan communities.

Source: https://ecoinventos.com/d3t-miniturbinas-portatiles/