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| Here's a can do free solar energy project done with little money but time for hard work over a weekend. |
Proactive Green Projects - On the Edge of Credibility
A few days ago I completed a two
cardboard box and aluminum sheet
two-sun solar oven project as an
experiment in ultra cheap, highly
educational things anyone can do.
This solar oven was made from two
dissimilar sized cardboard boxes
and a bit of left over insulation, includ-
ing Styrofoam packing, three feet of
aluminum foil and a can of flat
black spray paint, some glue and
small square’s of glass. (We’re
talking ultra-cheap, cheap, cheap
and recycled materials construction.).
My wife’s oven thermometer clocked
slow-bake temperatures of 190 with
cloud cover and 250 degrees with
pure sunshine. We were going to do
this project/experiment together with
our grandson (who didn’t show up
‘cause we’re too boring for him, I suppose.). Now we’re making sugar glazed cinnamon rolls for our
neighbors in order to promote free energy solar slow cooking and baking. My wife’s famous Texas
Style, slow-baked; super-tender shoulder roast with veggies is next up; but only after I find a lifeguard
to save me from drowning in my own saliva.
.
Last weekend I downloaded a course in operation and maintenance of photovoltaic electric systems
for $12.95. It’s terrific! After fast reading it I determined that buying a state of the art PV system (2006)
is not cost effective. On the other hand, how to repair broken PV arrays is in the course of study. I’ve
ordered a PV charge controller/inverter of moderate capacity. I also agreed to pick up PV arrays from a
company that had two broken ones. They’ll be free ones for discard. I am now re-reviewing the section
in the illustrated and step by step how-to-repair-broken-PV-array’s course, which was purchased with
the intent of repairing these gadgets; my further intent is to mount and wire in these two repaired free
PV energy collectors into my home electrical system such as to insert a percentage of free solar
energy into our home.
.
You might well ask, “Why will I install a not-up-to-spec PV system when the experts say that that
means of producing alternative energy is not 'cost effective?’” Good question: Because ANY free
collection of energy is actually cost effect to SOME degree and much more so if the free energy
collectors themselves are free from the get go. All one has to do is keep adding non-spec collectors
into ones' homes’ grid, after repairing them, and sooner or later, voila!... Cost effective green-energy!
Our goal is truly green, non-fossil fuel, non-pollution causing, and cheap energy consumption in our
all-compact fluorescent lighted, solar sun screened, deciduous vegetation shaded, extra reflective-
insulated and radiant barrier upgrade-insulated home; complete with E-Smart appliances taking the
place of old ones as they wear out!.
.
As more broken/repaired PV collectors join the array – our homes’ carbon footprint will begin to get
smaller and smaller. Oh? Hey? Our homes’ electric bill will likewise get smaller and smaller. Who
knows, in a few months or a small number of years time, we might be able to afford a Honda Civic DX
(CNG) with a “Phill” Individual Home Owner Compressed Natural Gas Compressor Station which
runs the compressor on 115 volt house power or even a Prius + PHEV car charged at night; in spite of
the fact that PV systems or Wind Turbines or other alternative energy systems are not “cost effective,”
or forbidden by local code enforcement rules which are not up to speed at this time, for individual
home owners. On my wish list is a natural gas internal combustion engine powered plug-in hybrid
electric vehicle with upgraded battery packs. That's NG PHEV+ for short. Sigh. Oil well, phossil phool.
.
On top of that it is our long-term goal to be founding co-owners, co-users of a co-operative, and grass-
roots PV utility if one does not appear ready made, soon.
.
Gotta go. The delivery truck came with our NG powered 13 kWh back-up home generator. Back to it! All
this on a retiree’s pocket book and a lot of work. Who says, “It takes a lotta money to go green?” I say
that upgrading is merely changing how we spend our disposable income. The long term savings
make it possible to actually have more Disposable Income into the bargain, as well! The Solar Sun
Screens on our windows; The vines and trellises that we buy and plant that are covering our western
exposure costing pennies to water; the Compact Fluorescent Lighting; the green utility company
electric rates have all dropped our electric bill about 25% this year, so far. That bill used to be the
second largest monthly expense we pay (mostly for air conditioning), after our mortgage.
.
What are you doing to green up this week, friends? Still think you can't start on the road to Green?
Check out how easy it is to get started by being a good example, by simply recycling. In the
meantime if you send two first class postal stamps with your name and address, I'll personally send
you a compact fluorescent light bulb (we find them at yard sales for a quarter and in surplus bins at
the dollar store and because they never seem to wear out we have loads of 'em.) and we'll insert your
name on a free green wish list for Betta Testing of new green related household items. Meanwhile you
could pledge to plant or have planted your share of 1 Billion Trees by the end of 2007.
.
With Abundant Affection,
The Richardson’s green.metroplex@yahoo.com . *
A few days ago I completed a two
cardboard box and aluminum sheet
two-sun solar oven project as an
experiment in ultra cheap, highly
educational things anyone can do.
This solar oven was made from two
dissimilar sized cardboard boxes
and a bit of left over insulation, includ-
ing Styrofoam packing, three feet of
aluminum foil and a can of flat
black spray paint, some glue and
small square’s of glass. (We’re
talking ultra-cheap, cheap, cheap
and recycled materials construction.).
My wife’s oven thermometer clocked
slow-bake temperatures of 190 with
cloud cover and 250 degrees with
pure sunshine. We were going to do
this project/experiment together with
our grandson (who didn’t show up
‘cause we’re too boring for him, I suppose.). Now we’re making sugar glazed cinnamon rolls for our
neighbors in order to promote free energy solar slow cooking and baking. My wife’s famous Texas
Style, slow-baked; super-tender shoulder roast with veggies is next up; but only after I find a lifeguard
to save me from drowning in my own saliva.
.
Last weekend I downloaded a course in operation and maintenance of photovoltaic electric systems
for $12.95. It’s terrific! After fast reading it I determined that buying a state of the art PV system (2006)
is not cost effective. On the other hand, how to repair broken PV arrays is in the course of study. I’ve
ordered a PV charge controller/inverter of moderate capacity. I also agreed to pick up PV arrays from a
company that had two broken ones. They’ll be free ones for discard. I am now re-reviewing the section
in the illustrated and step by step how-to-repair-broken-PV-array’s course, which was purchased with
the intent of repairing these gadgets; my further intent is to mount and wire in these two repaired free
PV energy collectors into my home electrical system such as to insert a percentage of free solar
energy into our home.
.
You might well ask, “Why will I install a not-up-to-spec PV system when the experts say that that
means of producing alternative energy is not 'cost effective?’” Good question: Because ANY free
collection of energy is actually cost effect to SOME degree and much more so if the free energy
collectors themselves are free from the get go. All one has to do is keep adding non-spec collectors
into ones' homes’ grid, after repairing them, and sooner or later, voila!... Cost effective green-energy!
Our goal is truly green, non-fossil fuel, non-pollution causing, and cheap energy consumption in our
all-compact fluorescent lighted, solar sun screened, deciduous vegetation shaded, extra reflective-
insulated and radiant barrier upgrade-insulated home; complete with E-Smart appliances taking the
place of old ones as they wear out!.
.
As more broken/repaired PV collectors join the array – our homes’ carbon footprint will begin to get
smaller and smaller. Oh? Hey? Our homes’ electric bill will likewise get smaller and smaller. Who
knows, in a few months or a small number of years time, we might be able to afford a Honda Civic DX
(CNG) with a “Phill” Individual Home Owner Compressed Natural Gas Compressor Station which
runs the compressor on 115 volt house power or even a Prius + PHEV car charged at night; in spite of
the fact that PV systems or Wind Turbines or other alternative energy systems are not “cost effective,”
or forbidden by local code enforcement rules which are not up to speed at this time, for individual
home owners. On my wish list is a natural gas internal combustion engine powered plug-in hybrid
electric vehicle with upgraded battery packs. That's NG PHEV+ for short. Sigh. Oil well, phossil phool.
.
On top of that it is our long-term goal to be founding co-owners, co-users of a co-operative, and grass-
roots PV utility if one does not appear ready made, soon.
.
Gotta go. The delivery truck came with our NG powered 13 kWh back-up home generator. Back to it! All
this on a retiree’s pocket book and a lot of work. Who says, “It takes a lotta money to go green?” I say
that upgrading is merely changing how we spend our disposable income. The long term savings
make it possible to actually have more Disposable Income into the bargain, as well! The Solar Sun
Screens on our windows; The vines and trellises that we buy and plant that are covering our western
exposure costing pennies to water; the Compact Fluorescent Lighting; the green utility company
electric rates have all dropped our electric bill about 25% this year, so far. That bill used to be the
second largest monthly expense we pay (mostly for air conditioning), after our mortgage.
.
What are you doing to green up this week, friends? Still think you can't start on the road to Green?
Check out how easy it is to get started by being a good example, by simply recycling. In the
meantime if you send two first class postal stamps with your name and address, I'll personally send
you a compact fluorescent light bulb (we find them at yard sales for a quarter and in surplus bins at
the dollar store and because they never seem to wear out we have loads of 'em.) and we'll insert your
name on a free green wish list for Betta Testing of new green related household items. Meanwhile you
could pledge to plant or have planted your share of 1 Billion Trees by the end of 2007.
.
With Abundant Affection,
The Richardson’s green.metroplex@yahoo.com . *
| Once we had it made and stood it upright in the sun... |
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| Practical Do-it Yourself Projects |