How Much Solar Power Can You Generate? Solar Power Calculator
By Admin | September 20, 2009
Depending on your location in the world will determine how much solar energy your solar panels can convert to electricity.
But how do you find that out?
Much easier now with a solar power calculator from the US Government’s National Renewable Energy Lab.
This calculator lets you use the standard settings so all you need to do is click on your location and you can get a general idea of the solar power you can generate in your area as well as how much credit, on average, you can earn.
For more advanced users, there is another version of the solar calculator that allows you to choose any location, not just major metropolitan areas in the US, but is more complicated to use.
To get a better idea of the solar generating potential in your area, here’s a map of the US. You’ll notice that the highest collection areas are noted in orange and lowest in blue and purple (only found in Alaska!).
Not surprisingly, the highest collection areas are in Arizona, New Mexico and parts of California, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Colorado.
Topics: alternative energy, green living, solar | No Comments »
Motorcycles Go Green: Zero Electric Motorcycle
By Admin | April 7, 2009
The first American company to introduce an electric powered street motorcycle to the market is now taking orders for the high performace Zero S.
Scheduled to start shipping withing the next 30 days, the Zero is an all electric powered motorcyle with a lightweight design.
The Zero is green in both design and power. It uses a completely non-toxic lithium ion array and most of the motorcycle is fully recyclable. The power pack that powers the Zero S recharges in less than four hours while plugged into a standard 110V or 220V outlet and is landfill approved. It has zero emissions and is cost effective, operating at less than one cent per mile. Very eco-friendly.
“The innovation behind the Zero S is what separates it from the competition. The Zero S is a high performance motorcycle that also happens to be fully electric and green. The fact that it’s electric means not having to get gas and reduced maintenance.” noted Neal Saiki, inventor and founder of Zero Motorcycles.
Priced at $9,950, it qualifies for the federal 10% plugin-in tax credit.
Get more details at the company website: www.zeromotorcycles.com
Topics: alternative energy, electronics, green living | No Comments »
Study: Buying Online Greener Than Traditional Retail
By Admin | March 30, 2009
A recent study by Carnegie Mellon University’s Green Design Institute found that purchasing goods online, specifically through Buy.com’s ecommerce model, had less impact on the environment than driving to a traditional retail store.
The study used Buy.com’s distribution model of shipping goods directly to a consumer from their manufacturer partners, skipping the ‘middle man’ shipping through a distribution center and then to either the consumer or to a store. This model was found to reduce environmental impact by 35% over driving to a retail store and reduced the total number of steps needed to get the product to a consumer.
“Consumers are looking for ways to live a more environmentally conscious lifestyle, whether that be recycling at home, reducing paper and packaging consumption or purchasing products that have less impact on our natural resources,” said Neel Grover, CEO and president of Buy.com. “This study solidifies that online shopping is another avenue they can embrace to help lower their carbon footprint and energy consumption.”
You can learn more about the Buy.com model at their website.
Topics: environment, green living, green shopping | No Comments »
Save on Eco Clothing: 4 Hour Sale This Morning Only
By Admin | August 25, 2008
Eco store Gaiam is having a Super Green Savings 4 Hour Sale today. You get an extra 30% off all items in Gaiam’s Clothing Outlet – when you use coupon GAS25. Offer is only valid from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Mountain time today, Monday, August 25, 2008.
Happy shopping!
Topics: green living, green shopping | No Comments »
What Green Products Do You Wish Everyone Had?
By Admin | August 4, 2008
Amazon has created a section on their web site called Your Green 3 that allows any customer to vote for their own top green products that they wish everyone had. Any ‘green’ product on their website qualifies, and they feature both the Top Ten, and also the complete list as well. What’s on the top ten list of most voted green products? Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: earth day, green living, green shopping | No Comments »
What Are The Best Green Energy Alternatives?
By Admin | July 29, 2008
Everybody wants green energy, especially today with our heavy reliance on imported oil. Being able to get the power we need without damaging the environment is an obvious goal – but what’s the best way to achieve it? Should we opt for wind farms, hydroelectricity, or solar energy as alternative power?
Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: alternative energy, green living, solar, wind | No Comments »
What You Eat (or don’t eat) Helps The Environment Most
By Admin | May 3, 2008
It may be surprising to most Americans is that what you eat affects our environment more than most anything else.
…more than switching to a hybrid car
…more than switching to mercury free lightbulbs
…more than recycling
Topics: earth day, energy conservation, environment, green living | 1 Comment »
Celebrate Earth Day Every Day
By Admin | April 21, 2008
With the celebration of Earth Day tomorrow, April 22nd, it’s a time to not only think about our environment today or this month, but every day.
Our health, resources and the well being of future generations will depend on what we do every day, not just one day out of the year. It’s wonderful to see the growing number of events, actions and products that are environmentally aware… and it’s a great start.
Topics: earth day, email fax, environment, green living, green shopping, online fax | No Comments »
Have Old Electronics Around the House? Recycle them!
By Admin | April 19, 2008
With Earth Day coming up in a few days, many communities are making responsible recycling available.
This is especially true with electronics equipment since it’s usually not easy to find a place to recycle them. Throwing electronics in the trash isn’t the best choice since there are hundreds if not thousands of toxic substances contained in many electronics equipment that will be buried in the ground and leak into our water supply.
Topics: electronics, recycling | No Comments »
Email Fax, The Best Way To Turn Your Office Green
By Admin | February 26, 2008
Did you know your office fax machine often consumes the most energy of all office equipment? According to EnergyStar, the joint US EPA and DOE government initiative to increase use of energy efficient materials, equipment and appliances, the average fax machine consumes between 30 and 350 watts per hour. And part of the reason why it consume more energy is that most office fax machines are kept on 24 hours a day.
Topics: email fax, energy conservation, green office, online fax, recycling | No Comments »
