Eye-Fi's claim to fame so far has been its Wi-Fi-enabled SD cards that let digital cameras interact with a variety of Web services like Flickr and Facebook, as well as wirelessly transferring your photos to your Mac. On Tuesday, the company announced that it will soon add smartphones and tablets into the mix.
Eye-Fi, which dubs these upcoming features "Direct Mode," says the capability will arrive later in 2011 as a free update to its SD cards and iPhone app. Instead of uploading your photos to social media sites or the company's recently released Eye-Fi View service, Direct Mode will let you send your photos from your digital camera to your iPhone or iPod touch. The company's announcement also cites "tablet" a couple of times, suggesting that the update might bring its iPhone app to the iPad as well.
By adding the option of sending your photos to an iPhone or iPad instead of directly to social networks, your iOS device may be able to become a sort of on-the-go backup for your photography, or an intermediary for touching up photos before sharing them.
When it arrives, the update will be free for the Eye-Fi X2 card line, as well as the company's iOS app.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Causes Of Land Pollution And Recycling Facts
Current info about the causes of land pollution is not
always the easiest thing to locate. Fortunately, this report
includes the latest facts about solar energy available.
Solar energy is energy from the sun. When the sun is shining
solar energy is being produced as it sends the heat
radiating to the earth. Solar energy is as plentiful as
daylight, as limitless as organic life itself, a fuel that
comes free of charge and replenishes itself every time the
earth rotates on its axis. Almost all energy, after all, is
ultimately stored solar power: Oil, gas, and coal were born
of the ancient sunlight that fed prehistoric animals and
plants, the wind is set howling by the sun's unequal heating
of the atmosphere, and even a campfire draws its warmth from
solar power trapped long ago through photosynthesis.
Wind and water have been used to power mills for centuries.
Wind power is a totally renewable energy source with no
greenhouse gas emissions, but due to its unpredictability,
has problems integrating with national grids. Combined
together, wind and hydrogen can cancel out their inherent
defects and be an effective tool in the battle against
carbon dioxide and global warming. Winds are rated in seven
classes; higher class numbers indicate stronger winds.
It seems like new information is discovered about something
every day. And the topic of solar energy is no exception.
Keep reading to get more fresh news about the causes of land
pollution.
Wind forecasting played a significant role in enabling
large-scale wind power penetration and we believe that
forecasting PV production is less complex and will have
similar results for enabling industry growth. Wind energy in
Spain has now entered a dynamic phase where the serious
challenges that arise when wind energy becomes one of the
main energy supply technologies need to be met. Current
policy direction signals how an intermittent power source
can be integrated into the electricity market in significant
quantities.
Solar energy research is expanding rapidly, with many new
ideas being explored - some using exotic nano-materials
combined with ingenious engineering approaches. PVs look set
to contribute significantly to future power generation.
Solar energy use accounted for 129 kilo tons of oil
equivalent (ktoe) in 2000 and is projected to be 431 ktoe
and 828 ktoe in 2010 and 2020, respectively.
Renewable energy provides more jobs per unit of output and
per dollar spent than conventional energies do. Economic
woes and high unemployment rates influenced Spain's 94
decision to invest in renewable energy. Renewable energy is
no less reliable than energy generated from more traditional
sources and using it does not mean that you have to change
your lifestyle or your appliances. Using renewable energy
can be as simple as using the sun for drying clothes or can
mean taking advantage of more sophisticated renewable
technologies, such as photovoltaic cell systems, which
use the sun's heat and light to generate energy, wind
turbines or ground source heat pumps which extract energy
from underground. Renewable energy is important for the
environment as it produces little or no greenhouse gases.
The exception is biomass which is considered as being
'carbon neutral'.
Now you can be a confident expert on the causes of land
pollution. OK, maybe not an expert. But you should have
something to bring to the table next time you join a
discussion on the facts about solar energy.
About the author: EnergySavingSite.info brings you
information on
(http://www.energysavingsite.info/pollution/land_pollution.php)
land pollution and the
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causes of land pollution. You have permission to reprint
this article provided all links are kept unchanged.
Can I Really Heat My Pool From Solar Panels?
Would you like to heat your pool with solar energy? Because, there’s good news! Installing solar panels to heat your pool won’t cost you much. You can even construct them yourself for under 0 in materials and less than a weekend’s worth of your time. An added benefit is that, after the initial installation cost, you won’t be paying an ongoing fuel bill.
Why Not Discover the Advantages of Building Solar Energy Here?
But before you go forward, you’ll need to take some things into consideration. First, would the system receive ample sunlight throughout the day? The solar panels best for heating pools are simple passive collectors. They usually consist of plastic, water-filled coils encased in shatter-resistant glass. As water collects in the coils, it becomes heated by the sun, then pumped into the pool.
If your property has a lot of shade trees, there might not be sufficient sunlight for a passive solar water heater. However, an unshaded south- or west-facing rooftop is an ideal spot for solar panels to get the full benefit of sunlight.
Building Solar Panel is Much More Simple
Next, think about the difference between how warm you want your pool to be and the temperature outside. For example, if you’re thinking about heating an outdoor pool in Minnesota to 80 degrees during a freezing winter, stay with pool covers and a powerful gas heating system. On the other hand, if you want to heat your outdoor pool in Texas to 80 degrees in 50-degree weather, then a solar heating system would be ideal.
When you do install a solar heater, you’ll still want to cover your pool for such times when the air is cooler than your pool’s water temperature. Any time you notice steam rising from the pool’s surface, it’s best to use the pool cover to retain the heat.
An Informative Instruction on How To Join Solar Cells Cheaply
Here’s a word of caution if you’re just learning about solar heating systems. Some people think they may be able to save even more money by using their pool’s solar heater for hot water in their house. But unfortunately, the two systems don’t mix well. The water in your pool is being conditioned with chlorine and muriatic acid. It won’t do any harm to swim in it or to swallow a little, but you really don’t want to mix it with your home’s drinking water system. Installing a solar water heating system for your home is an entirely separate project.
Why Not Discover the Advantages of Building Solar Energy Here?
But before you go forward, you’ll need to take some things into consideration. First, would the system receive ample sunlight throughout the day? The solar panels best for heating pools are simple passive collectors. They usually consist of plastic, water-filled coils encased in shatter-resistant glass. As water collects in the coils, it becomes heated by the sun, then pumped into the pool.
If your property has a lot of shade trees, there might not be sufficient sunlight for a passive solar water heater. However, an unshaded south- or west-facing rooftop is an ideal spot for solar panels to get the full benefit of sunlight.
Building Solar Panel is Much More Simple
Next, think about the difference between how warm you want your pool to be and the temperature outside. For example, if you’re thinking about heating an outdoor pool in Minnesota to 80 degrees during a freezing winter, stay with pool covers and a powerful gas heating system. On the other hand, if you want to heat your outdoor pool in Texas to 80 degrees in 50-degree weather, then a solar heating system would be ideal.
When you do install a solar heater, you’ll still want to cover your pool for such times when the air is cooler than your pool’s water temperature. Any time you notice steam rising from the pool’s surface, it’s best to use the pool cover to retain the heat.
An Informative Instruction on How To Join Solar Cells Cheaply
Here’s a word of caution if you’re just learning about solar heating systems. Some people think they may be able to save even more money by using their pool’s solar heater for hot water in their house. But unfortunately, the two systems don’t mix well. The water in your pool is being conditioned with chlorine and muriatic acid. It won’t do any harm to swim in it or to swallow a little, but you really don’t want to mix it with your home’s drinking water system. Installing a solar water heating system for your home is an entirely separate project.
Suniva solar cell technology powers India’s first large-scale solar project
Suniva®, Inc., a U.S. manufacturer of high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon solar cells and supplier of Suniva-branded solar modules, today announced the completion of its collaborative project with Titan Energy Systems Ltd. to create India’s first large-scale project in Jamuria, West Bengal. Suniva’s cells power the 1MW solar electric power plant which is expected to expand an additional 250kW early next year.
“High-efficiency solar technology presents significant advantages in terms of land use and balance of system costs, and Suniva is our key partner for delivering the high power and volumes needed to keep projects reliably moving forward,” said Sankar Chodagam, Managing Director of Titan Energy Systems Ltd.
The Indian government recently approved a National Solar Mission, which includes a target of deploying at least 20GW of solar projects by 2020, as part of its national strategy to provide power to millions of citizens and combat climate change. Over the next five years, Titan plans to develop a series of large-scale projects and installations in Andhra Pradesh, India. Suniva fully supports and looks forward to continuing its collaboration with the fast-growing Indian market.
“As India pursues its significant goals for solar power, innovative solar cell technology will be just as crucial as new system designs and deployment strategies,” said John Baumstark, CEO of Suniva. “We maintain a close and open dialogue with Titan in order to provide them with the best possible technology solutions and look forward to partnering with them in the recently announced 1 GW project in Andhra Pradesh. Our collaborative projects in India, the United States and throughout the world will help shape the future of renewable energy.”
Worldwide interest in solar technology made in the United States continues to grow. Suniva’s technology is currently being integrated into a variety of installations throughout the United States, including a 550kW solar farm in North Carolina and a 10MW development in Georgia.
“High-efficiency solar technology presents significant advantages in terms of land use and balance of system costs, and Suniva is our key partner for delivering the high power and volumes needed to keep projects reliably moving forward,” said Sankar Chodagam, Managing Director of Titan Energy Systems Ltd.
The Indian government recently approved a National Solar Mission, which includes a target of deploying at least 20GW of solar projects by 2020, as part of its national strategy to provide power to millions of citizens and combat climate change. Over the next five years, Titan plans to develop a series of large-scale projects and installations in Andhra Pradesh, India. Suniva fully supports and looks forward to continuing its collaboration with the fast-growing Indian market.
“As India pursues its significant goals for solar power, innovative solar cell technology will be just as crucial as new system designs and deployment strategies,” said John Baumstark, CEO of Suniva. “We maintain a close and open dialogue with Titan in order to provide them with the best possible technology solutions and look forward to partnering with them in the recently announced 1 GW project in Andhra Pradesh. Our collaborative projects in India, the United States and throughout the world will help shape the future of renewable energy.”
Worldwide interest in solar technology made in the United States continues to grow. Suniva’s technology is currently being integrated into a variety of installations throughout the United States, including a 550kW solar farm in North Carolina and a 10MW development in Georgia.
Solar Power 50% Cheaper By Year End
By the end of 2009, there will have been a 50% drop in the levelized cost--i.e. the lifetime cost per kWh before subsidies--of solar power, and a 10% reduction in the levelized cost of other sources of renewable energy sectors compared to the end of 2008, according to new analysis by New Energy Finance.
“So far this year, the steady decline in the cost of equipment in sectors like solar and wind has been largely offset by the increasing costs of financing,” said Michael Liebreich, chairman and CEO of New Energy Finance. “By the end of this year, however, as capital markets loosen up and equipment prices continue their decline, we will see the levelized costs decline, finishing the year 10% below the end of last year across the board and far more than that in solar.”
Photovoltaic (PV) module prices across the board have continued their downward trend, although the rate of decline has tapered. Thin-film remains the low-cost leader in solar with projects as cheap as $3/W, making thin-film projects 25% less expensive than crystalline silicon systems on a levelized basis.
PV projects with tracking systems have seen the least reduction in costs due to the fact that costs for single- and double-axis trackers have remained buoyant relative to panel prices.
Although new transactions have been few, turbine prices have fallen to their lowest levels in several years at 18-20% below early 2008 levels. To date, this drop in equipment prices has mostly been offset by higher costs of financing.
In the offshore market, costs continue to rise with projects moving into deeper waters, facing increasingly complex construction and capital costs. As capital markets begin to recover, both onshore and offshore projects should begin to see falling levelized costs.
Levelized geothermal costs are particularly sensitive to fluctuations in capital markets and drilling stage debt and equity has been in scarce supply through this year. Drilling costs fell by nearly 50% as drilling rigs flew into excess with a falling oil price, but these have recovered in the last quarter in step with oil. In the past quarter levelized costs have risen by 8-10% but should remain flat at year end.
Reprinted with permission from SustainableBusiness.com
“So far this year, the steady decline in the cost of equipment in sectors like solar and wind has been largely offset by the increasing costs of financing,” said Michael Liebreich, chairman and CEO of New Energy Finance. “By the end of this year, however, as capital markets loosen up and equipment prices continue their decline, we will see the levelized costs decline, finishing the year 10% below the end of last year across the board and far more than that in solar.”
Photovoltaic (PV) module prices across the board have continued their downward trend, although the rate of decline has tapered. Thin-film remains the low-cost leader in solar with projects as cheap as $3/W, making thin-film projects 25% less expensive than crystalline silicon systems on a levelized basis.
PV projects with tracking systems have seen the least reduction in costs due to the fact that costs for single- and double-axis trackers have remained buoyant relative to panel prices.
Although new transactions have been few, turbine prices have fallen to their lowest levels in several years at 18-20% below early 2008 levels. To date, this drop in equipment prices has mostly been offset by higher costs of financing.
In the offshore market, costs continue to rise with projects moving into deeper waters, facing increasingly complex construction and capital costs. As capital markets begin to recover, both onshore and offshore projects should begin to see falling levelized costs.
Levelized geothermal costs are particularly sensitive to fluctuations in capital markets and drilling stage debt and equity has been in scarce supply through this year. Drilling costs fell by nearly 50% as drilling rigs flew into excess with a falling oil price, but these have recovered in the last quarter in step with oil. In the past quarter levelized costs have risen by 8-10% but should remain flat at year end.
Reprinted with permission from SustainableBusiness.com
Castle Drogo wins award for biomass boiler
Castle Drogo on Dartmoor has won an award for being one of the best examples of sustainable energy in the South West with its new biomass boiler.
One of eight winners, England’s last castle took home a highly-sought after Green Energy Award for its biomass boiler, in the category of ‘Best Renewable Energy Scheme’.
The new biomass boiler has reduced the Castle's annual carbon emissions by 150 tonnes and generated 1,000,000 kilowatt hours of renewable heat per year. It is easily accessible to 125,000+ visitors a year, and is included in visitor tours that further promote renewable energy. The fuel for the installation is supplied by a local woodchip supplier, with 50 per cent coming from the estate itself with 100 per cent by June 2010. Many members of the local community, other businesses and charities have also visited Drogo to have a look at the new boiler to see if our success can be replicated elsewhere.
The winners were chosen from a high-quality shortlist of entrants from across the region by an independent panel of judges who have expert knowledge in sustainable energy.
David Bailey, Castle Drogo Property Manager said: “We are thrilled at receiving this award; it’s a real credit to everyone who has been involved on this project. Our aim is to be free from fossil fuels by 2016 through using hydro and solar power and by reducing our energy requirements. Our new solar boiler has already reduced our fossil fuel needs by 50 percent. We not only want to be the last castle built in England but also the greenest!”
One of eight winners, England’s last castle took home a highly-sought after Green Energy Award for its biomass boiler, in the category of ‘Best Renewable Energy Scheme’.
The new biomass boiler has reduced the Castle's annual carbon emissions by 150 tonnes and generated 1,000,000 kilowatt hours of renewable heat per year. It is easily accessible to 125,000+ visitors a year, and is included in visitor tours that further promote renewable energy. The fuel for the installation is supplied by a local woodchip supplier, with 50 per cent coming from the estate itself with 100 per cent by June 2010. Many members of the local community, other businesses and charities have also visited Drogo to have a look at the new boiler to see if our success can be replicated elsewhere.
The winners were chosen from a high-quality shortlist of entrants from across the region by an independent panel of judges who have expert knowledge in sustainable energy.
David Bailey, Castle Drogo Property Manager said: “We are thrilled at receiving this award; it’s a real credit to everyone who has been involved on this project. Our aim is to be free from fossil fuels by 2016 through using hydro and solar power and by reducing our energy requirements. Our new solar boiler has already reduced our fossil fuel needs by 50 percent. We not only want to be the last castle built in England but also the greenest!”
Saturday, November 14, 2009
DIY-Solar-Air-Heater
Make a DIY solar air heater from soda cans for next to nothing.
Pictured below is a simple small passive solar heater made from recycled aluminium drinks cans and used to heat a room.
If the building to be heated is well insultated, a solar heater such as this can lift the temperature by a significant number of degrees. A larger heater or a number of similar heaters can be used to heat larger spaces, or to heat smaller spaces to a higher temperature.Offcuts of 2 x 4 and a sheet of plywood were used to build a box to tightly hold 5 rows of 10 black-painted aluminium drinks cans.
The inside of the box was then sealed using silicone to prevent hot air from escaping.
Cold air is drawn in from a hole at the bottom of the box, and the heated air emerges from the top passing through a pipe into the room to be heated. A perspex sheet was glued to the box to let sunlight in but not let the hot air escape.
Pictured below is a simple small passive solar heater made from recycled aluminium drinks cans and used to heat a room.
If the building to be heated is well insultated, a solar heater such as this can lift the temperature by a significant number of degrees. A larger heater or a number of similar heaters can be used to heat larger spaces, or to heat smaller spaces to a higher temperature.Offcuts of 2 x 4 and a sheet of plywood were used to build a box to tightly hold 5 rows of 10 black-painted aluminium drinks cans.
The inside of the box was then sealed using silicone to prevent hot air from escaping.
Cold air is drawn in from a hole at the bottom of the box, and the heated air emerges from the top passing through a pipe into the room to be heated. A perspex sheet was glued to the box to let sunlight in but not let the hot air escape.
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