Earth Tech Products Feature

Resolved Question: Solar Power Kits, what do I need to know?

I am interested in buying a 60 watt solar power kit from Home Depot... (http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical-Alternative-Energy-Solutions-Solar-Power-Solar-Panels-Kits/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbm1w/R-202218715/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051) Does the solar panel have to go on the roof? Will it go on any roof? I have regular shingles. Anything else a beginner should know? Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Open Question: Need hydrogen no-pressure storage?

I received a kit to make hydrogen using solar panels, just a fun, small kit. I want to find a way to store large amounts of hydrogen gas at no pressure (less than 1-2 psi). Currently included in the kit was a vial that stores up to 11 milliliters, which powers my fuel cell for about 30 seconds. The tube size is about 2 millimeters, or the inside is about as wide as normal pencil lead. The vial I have included in the kit works by having a tube that is flowing hydrogen into the top of a plastic bell that is submerged in a test tube, and the hydrogen is measure by the amount of water displaced. I need something like that, because any kind of storage that is an open space will mix the hydrogen with the air already in the vial, and dilute the hydrogen to the point of uselessness. any hydrogen storage system with any size valve will work, because I can buy adapters for the tube size. I seriously doubt that anywill can find such an item, but when nothing else works, the internet does. In related issues, does anyone know what an inner tube is? (and where i can buy one?)

Resolved Question: Why is Another Taxpayer Funded $825 Million Solar Loan Going to Waste?

Solyndra? Let's try Genesis. In Southern California, federal and state governments have been working to expedite a solar project in order to satisfy President Obama's solar agenda. The problems that could derail the $825 million taxpayer funded project? Kit foxes and an ancient burial site. The $1-billion Genesis Solar Energy Project has been expedited by state and federal regulatory agencies that are eager to demonstrate that the nation can build solar plants quickly to ease dependence on fossil fuels and curb global warming. Instead, the project is providing a cautionary example of how the rush to harness solar power in the desert can go wrong — possibly costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars and dealing an embarrassing blow to the Obama administration's solar initiative. Genesis had hoped to be among the first of 12 approved solar farms to start operating in Southern California deserts. To do so, it had to meet certain deadlines to receive federal assistance. The 250-megwatt plant, being built on federal Bureau of Land Management land 25 miles west of Blythe, is backed by an $825-million Department of Energy loan guarantee. Native Americans, including the leaders of a nearby reservation, are trying to have Genesis delayed or even scuttled because they say the distemper outbreak and discovery of a possible Native American cremation site show that accelerated procedures approved by state and federal regulators failed to protect wildlife and irreplaceable cultural resources. The problems threaten the entire project, said Michael O'Sullivan, senior vice president of development for Florida-based NextEra Energy Resources, one of the largest renewable energy suppliers in North America and the builder of Genesis. The project is to start producing power by 2014. If too many acres are deemed off-limits to construction, "the project could become uneconomical," O'Sullivan said. Clearly, the DOE loans the Obama Administration has approved for solar companies aren't working and they're throwing hard earned taxpayer dollars down the drain. The idea that solar is being pushed to combat global warming is also pathetic considering many global warming "scientists" have accused of fraud and making up the entire global warming narrative. Townhall The Tipsheet Katie Pavlich

Resolved Question: how to EMP proof solar kit?

Hello, im concerned about mass EMP outages nation wide, whither by Nuclear attack, or by solar flare, "the grid" is not hardened against EMP, if an EMP attack were to ever occur, it would ride the power lines for miles and depending on the location of origin the whole country could go dark in a moment. I am not connected to the grid, for more practical reasons than just paranoia, it simply cost less to build a solar kit with a battery bank than it would have to get power lines installed where I live. My concern, should such an event happen, what would happen to my solar kit if it were a broad range attack, solar flare, or high altitude nuclear. My kit is fairly simple, solar panels strung together with common copper wire, fed into a weather proof box out on my back yard with charge controllers, "golf cart batteries" as they were called by the dealer which they dont seem different from common car batteries, and a simple wave-sine inverter. How would things turn out in different scenarios and if I were subject to EMP how would I protect my kit, everything currently running on it, and if not what would I need in reserve to repair the kit after the event. Thank you.

Resolved Question: Can I use a 60-Watt Solar Panel Charging Kit to power a battery bank of about 2 or 4 batteries?

and how much power would i get from them. and would this kit be able to do what i want? Thanks http://www.amazon.com/Sunforce-50048-60-Watt-Solar-Charging/dp/B000CIADLG/ref=sr_1_16?s=garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1328818129&sr=1-16

Resolved Question: Solar Panel power question?

If I brought a solar panel kit for my holiday home could It power something for 24-7 or does it have to charge first?

Resolved Question: Survey - You and your horse are trapped on an island?

Let's say you are riding your horse one day and due to global warming / Barrack Obama you become trapped on a desolate island without any other people on it. What are the three things you would choose to have there with you? Initially I was thinking it would be more like a beach vacation for Marley and I (that's my horse (his name is Marley)). So I was going to bring some lawn chairs, a tent for Marley and I to sleep in and a solar-powered radio/mp3 player. But then I realized that we would need to rely on each other to survive so I decided that the 3 things I want are: A complete first aid kit, a toolbox full or hand tools and an Arby's franchise so we wouldn't get too hungry. Wow!! That's a disgusting answer. Who the hell eats Subway? @Soph3200 - Why would you put gasoline into a boat with a diesel engine?? You just wasted two of your items when you blew out that boat's motor.

Voting Question: Good science fair ideas?

I need to think of something cool, like a miniature solar power car model or something. It can be a kit.

Resolved Question: What are 3 Things you would Take back in Medieval Times for One Month?

1. A very Well done lift kit and suspension with all the best perks money can buy with a turret mounted on a Jeep Wangler 4x4 Four Door Rubicon. 2. My Mac Book with with solar power attachment. 3. 1 ton of gallons of Gasoline to a gas pump. A little nonsense I know but share your thoughts. whether it would realistic or not. Thanks

Resolved Question: Can anyone explain how to hook up solar panels in simple terms?

I want to put a 125 watt polycrystaline solar panel on my van. Im not mechanically inclined at all. Why are the kits so much more expensive then the panels alone? Doesnt seem right to charge 4 times as much for a charge controller and some wire. My undertanding so far, mount panel on roof, connect charge controller, drill hole to get wires inside, connect to battery, connect power inverter to batterry an I should have power? If anyone knows how or knows a site that explains this, it would be greatly appreciated, thanks.