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Solar Power Systems
Global Cooling (The Little Ice Age)
Question:
>Little Ice Age
<snip> >Burroughs (Weather, 1981) analyses the depiction of winter in paintings. >He notes that this occurred almost entirely from 1565 to 1665, and was >associated with the climatic decline from 1550 onwards. He notes that >before this there were almost no depictions of winter in art, and [...]
Solar hot water systems
Question:
I’m interested in installing a solar hotwater system (I’m in Brisbane, Australia). I’m just wondering how well they work, how much do they cut down your power usage for hotwater generation? Also, are you better of with gas or electricity back up, and what are the things to consider in such [...]
Solar Air Collector – Typical output temp?
Question:
>… my 1.6m^2 collector can typically get 40degC outlet temperature >with close to 100m^3/hour airflow rate.
How do you measure the airflow? Nick
Response:
> >… my 1.6m^2 collector can typically get 40degC outlet temperature >with close to 100m^3/hour airflow rate. > How do you measure the airflow?
An anemometer on [...]
Replacing Ceiling Fan
Question:
I have a fan upstairs that does not currently work. Do I replace it with something else or improve on it. For instance put exhaust fan that work with it to pull hot air out of the house ? The ceiling fans works as a way to pull air out of the [...]
Where to buy Mylar?
Question:
I’m planning to build a passive solar air heater. Since this is an experiment I would like to use cheap materials to start with. I’ve been looking at articles online and read some books on this subject and Mylar seems to be the best choice for what I want, cheap and [...]
Running lights off of solar / battery?
Question:
Hi, I’m not interested in running my entire house off of solar/battery at this point due to the huge conversion required… however, are there any (relatively cheap) systems out there, or something I could put together which would be good enough to power lights in several rooms for a few [...]
Performance of Solar Water Heaters
Question:
Dear All, I would like to know what everyone thinks about the performance of solar water heaters. I am considering purchasing one, but I want to know if the recovery rate for such a system is long (more than 2 hours), short (less than an hour), or somewhere in between. I [...]
anaerobic digesters at sea for sustainable methane-powered sea transport
Question:
Okay, here’s a crazy, left-field idea. Suppose the planet runs out of affordable oil. Suppose it’s impractical to revive intercontinental sailing ships. Suppose humans would like to continue sailing the oceans after the oil runs out. Solar electricity and wind-powered electricity are possible. But suppose you have a [...]
Spanish take the lead
Question:
Spanish newspaper El Pais, says all newly built and refurbished houses in Spain will need to be fitted with PV cells. This should increase production and drop the prices world wide.
Response:
Eventually. The short term effect will send them through the roof (pun intended)
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted [...]
Deadly Wind Power Claims Another Victim
Question:
> If you’re trying to prove that wind power is dangerous with the above > nonsense, you are accomplishing quite the opposite effect. > A mans death is nonsense? Do you want to rethink that statement again?
The assertion that windpower is "deadly" is the nonsense, and the "evidence" supplied by the [...]