More about Renewable Energy
Please note: The following links have been reviewed, but endorsement of their
content or products is not implied by linking to them here.
The science of how
solar cells work. This page on 'About.com' does a thorough job of explaining
the science behind photovoltaic electricity. (see the links at the page bottom
to jump to areas that interest you.)
BC Hydro's Brand New
Net Metering Program - BC Hydro is allowing homeowners to generate their own
electricity, while remaining connected to the electrical grid. This allows
buildings to avoid the use of batteries, which add to the cost and maintenance
work of a photovoltaic system. BC Hydro will purchase any surplus energy from
the system as well.
Electrical
requirements for grid-intertie
Natural Resources Canada - Information on Solar Hot Water and the
REDI
incentive for businesses who install them. NEW: Residential systems are now
covered under certain conditions and the grant can pay for up to 25% of the cost
of the system. Particularly suitable for multi-suite housing cooperatives.
http://www.cansia.ca/downloads/factsheets/20.pdf
How Solar
Hot Water Systems Work - American information and prices, but still useful
information. Also, see solar thermal in our Products & Services
for further information.
Some Stats and basic
information about solar heated hot water
Solar Air Heating
Building a Greener Home
Our mutual friends
New evidence underlines the
benefits cooperatives and mutuals bring to their members - but also to the wider
economy and community
About workers
cooperatives (VREC is a workers cooperative)
|
A photovoltaic panel makes electricity from sunlight. It
has no moving parts and lasts for over 20 years. 'Grid intertied'
means that the electricity from the panels will feed directly into the
conventional power system, so that any excess will be sold back to BC Hydro
and any shortages (such as at night) will be drawn from the regular
electrical grid.
BC Hydro has recently approved grid intertie systems and
will pay the homeowner for any surplus energy generated. Grid intertied
systems like this, distributed where the electricity is consumed, make a lot
of sense, as they avoid energy losses due to transmission over distances and
provide stability to the grid. Solar generated electricity generates most
during peak electrical demand, during the day.
Did you know?
If we covered an area the size of the Sahara desert with
photovoltaic panels, we could provide enough energy to supply the entire
world.
Distributed energy, made at the same location where it
will be used, is much more efficient, as energy is not lost through
transmission, transportation, or storage.
Photovoltaic cells are made of silicon, one of the most
abundant minerals on the planet.
The very first photovoltaic cell, made 50 years ago, is
still working.
Almost all energy on the planet started as plants, even
oil, gas and coal, which are made up of solar energy stored by plants
millions of years ago.
Plants are the only living beings who fight the 'law of
entropy' by creating more order and concentration of energy than they
destroy. Similarly, a photovoltaic panel will produce far more energy than
it took to manufacture the panel in just 2-4 years. In contrast, fossil
fuels, never pay back the energy that it took to extract, refine and
transport them. |
