Alternative Energy Sources

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Do we not have the technology to implement them yet? Does the technology exist but the cost makes it too expensive to use? Are coal and oil lobbyists forcing us to disregard them for use?

Why doesn't the US use more solar and nuclear power?

they are alternatives because the lion's share of our energy is from crude oil.30 years from now, when the oil is gone, we'll have a different primary source, maybe one of those.

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Has anyone else had a bad experience with this company?
They are based near Bournemouth and claim to offer big subsidies on their systems, but really they are overcharging and you still pay more than anywhere else.

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I want to move to the field of photovoltaic design in a few years after the economy gets better and I have some more experience as a regular electrical designer. Right now, I design and spec everything after the power company's transformers in commercial and residential buildings.

As far as the job descriptions, all the ads I have seen are pretty vague. They want some solar experience, a BSEE or equivalent experience, a background in power/systems design, etc. The thing is that photovoltaic is so much of a niche industry that I never took any classes in school even mentioning it (even with 3-phase power, we only got a few weeks explaining it) and the information out there is scarce. I am thinking of NABCEP certification, but what else would be beneficial?

It looks to me like NABCEP is directed toward installer certification rather than design, but they would probably teach the NEC requirements and make you familiar with the specialized products available.

You could study the photovoltaic product manufacturer's literature and contact some of them to see if they have information not on their web sites. Go to trade shows and energy fairs and talk to the vendors. Attend seminars put on by suppliers. Keep looking for trade magazine type web sites and subscribe to any related print trade magazines you can find.

Eng-tips.com might help:
http://www.eng-tips.com/threadminder.cfm?pid=731
http://www.eng-tips.com/threadminder.cfm?pid=626

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The book "Project New America" puts great stock in alternative energy investments for lifting the country out of the recession. Here's a link if you'd like to review it yourself: http://www.sitenet.com/books/NewAmerica/New%20America%207.pdf. How well do you believe this could work?

I would prefer they invest in Nuclear Power. It is more reliable, works in all climate areas, less environmental impact area, and cheaper power.

Nothing wrong with Solar and Wind, they are just not as cost effective and efficient.

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Which types of renewable energy should be improved so it is safe and efficient for everybody to use and why?

Nuclear

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Can anyone explain how electricity is produced through a wind turbine.

THANKS!~(:

As the wind passes through the blades they rotate a shaft. This shaft is connected to an electrical generator, often through gears, so that the speed increases. The power generated depends on the wind speed, and there is also a threshold wind speed below which the generator does not work at all. In a good location the average power generated my be about 30% of the maximum power it can generate.

When connected to an electricity grid as in a wind farm, special arrangements of the generator are required to allow it to synchronise with the grid.

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Can someone please help me with an intro and what I should talk about. I have to compare 3 types of renewable energy sources. I already chose geothermal energy but I need two more, which 2 are also the best?

I have no idea how to start it, should I start talking about one source or introduce them all together? HELP PLEASE
talk about all 3 in your intro then in your body paragraphs talk about about each one separately. Some other ideas: cars running on water, solar panels, wind power

hope i helped

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I know that there are panels (or whatever they're called) that take in the suns rays and distributes energy but I was hoping that someone could tell me more about it. Also how could you go about making a solar panel?

It works by having a layer of n-type silicon over a layer of p-type silicon, such that when the p-type silicon absorbs photons it's electrons, now in a higher orbit, are motivated by the positive charge of the n-type layer to transfer to the n-type silicon. This generates current.

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