Solar gates and fencing to provide convenient security

In beautiful Central Oregon where I live, there are several things that are abundant here:  sunshine and property are two of them.  Wide open spaces and sunny skies are a wonderful combination!

Many people here own larger tracts of property that they farm and/or on which they raise livestock.  More and more often, I’m noticing solar powered gates at the entrances to the ranches’ driveways.  The solar gates are useful for a number of reasons: security, privacy and convenient top the list.

At my in-laws’ 40 acres near Sisters, Oregon, there is a long, metal swinging gate in front of their driveway.  Whenever we drive up, we need to get out of the car, unlatch the gate and swing it open.  Then we drive through, get out of the car and repeat the process to close the gate behind us.

We firmly believe that they need an electric gate opener powered by the sun.  Think of it like a garage door opener for a gate.  You can purchase a solar powered gate kit (for several hundred dollars), or create your own.  Using a car battery connected to a small solar panel, trickle charging during the course of the day can generate enough free solar energy to power the electric gate opener whenever you need it.  A perfect project for DIY ranchers!

There are also beautiful wrought iron solar gates for less rustic properties.  Check out the video below:

Single swing solar gate options are also available:

Why not make your life a little easier with a solar powered gate?

Solar blinds let the light in, while functioning as energy saving insulation

We’ve talked about how an easy way to tap into free solar energy is to utilize passive solar design.  No need to install solar panels when you can simply make minor changes to manage the amount of sunlight entering your home or office during certain times of the day or year.

Solar blinds, also known as insulating window panels, are an affordable home improvement project that can help you save 40% or more on annual heating and cooling bills!  No wonder they are Energy Star-rated.

Custom Climate Control Solar Blinds provide an environmentally friendly energy saving system that is beneficial any time of the year.  By functioning as insulation, they help regulate indoor temperature no matter what outdoor conditions are like.

Because windows are the most susceptible part of the building envelope to heat extremes, insulating window panels can minimize unnecessary swings in temperature inside your home.

Toronto Solar Blinds offers customized insulating window panels.  From consultation to design to installation, this company does it all!  As for the blinds themselves?  Here’s a brief summary of their functions in both hot and cold months of the year:

Solar Blinds function in summer

In the summer:

• Solar blinds keep heat out and cool air in
• Stop furniture and flooring fading caused by UV rays
• Reduce need for air conditioning
• Block up to 92% of harmful UV rays
• Reduce solar heat gain by 68%

In the winter:

• Blinds absorb sunlight and convert it into interior radiant heat
• Increase insulation value of windows by R10
• Reduce night time thermal heat loss
• Reduce condensation and ice build up
• Stop up to 71% of cold air infiltration

Even if you don’t purchase specially-designed Climate Control Solar Blinds, you can still capture some of the same passive solar energy benefits by properly opening and closing your own drapes or blinds.  Southern-facing windows should be shielded during summer months.  Over the winter, you’ll want to allow sunlight in to help warm the house during the day, but close the window coverings in the morning and evening to trap heat indoors.

Do you use passive solar energy techniques to cut down on heating and cooling bills?  What works best for you?

Abundant solar energy from the skies above!

The sun is shining again today in beautiful Bend, Oregon.  Fall is an unpredictable time of year here – from 4 inches of snow on October 4, to a 75 degree day on October 14.  But you can count on one thing here in the High Desert: abundant solar energy!

The local Chamber of Commerce claims that there are 300 days of sunshine each year.  There are times that I doubt that statistic!  Yet, even if they are off by 20 or 30 days…. you’ll still see a number of solar panel installations around town.  From local businesses to residential developments, many people here are harnessing free solar energy for their power needs.  Even a new elementary school has employed solar panels on its roof.

There are local businesses here in Bend that focus entirely on helping people convert to renewable energy, including the Bend Green Team and 3E Strategies.  One of the nation’s leading solar inverter manufacturers, PV Powered, continues to grow despite the recession.  It has big plans to become the largest employer in Central Oregon!  Even utility-scale solar power is on the horizon here, with several projects in development.

While Bend (and Oregon overall) is a leader with respect to solar energy, the industry has a whole has been growing both nation- and world-wide.  Component prices have dropped by 50% recently, and there are generous tax incentives and rebates offered at all levels of government.  Its a great time to go solar!

Harness the abundant solar energy that reaches earth each day!

To put into perspective the amount of abundant solar energy available to us, consider that the amount of solar energy reaching the earth in a a single year is double that which could be generated by all other types of non-renewables (gas, coal, oil, etc.) combined (source: Wikipedia).

A common myth that many people believe is that it always has to be sunny for solar energy to be effective.  Not true.  Germany is a leader with respect to solar power worldwide; it certainly is not one of the sunniest locations!  However,sSolar panels do need exposure to UV light to absorb the energy, which will be converted to usable electricity.  South-facing roofs and adequate space to avoid shading are necessary.

As new laws are passed and additional incentives created to convert to solar power, people will probably wonder one day… what took so long?

In our next post, we’ll review some of the reasons Germany and other European nations are leading the way with respect to solar power.  And, we’ll discuss how to increase the use of abundant solar energy in our own hometowns.

Time to use solar energy without the investment

You already know that power from the sun is free, clean and renewable.  But maybe you’re not using solar power because of the expensive equipment.  No worries.  You can harness solar energy without the investment!

For centuries, people effectively used solar energy without PV panels, inverter boxes and wiring.  You too can tap into your inner pioneer and use solar energy on a daily basis with a few simple tips.

1.  Dry your clothes on a clothesline.  Its the original solar dryer.  No electricity required, just a nice day and a fresh breeze.  Not only are you saving money for using solar energy without the investment, but your energy conservation will put an extra $150-200 in your pocket each year if you forgo the electric dryer.

2.  Cook your food with an easy-to-make solar oven.  There are many DIY models out there, with detailed videos to show you how to build a solar cooker, but I saw one online the other day that is simply a cardboard pizza box, covered with foil, and sealed with plastic wrap.  I’m thinking about making my own, homemade pizza in this easy-bake solar oven.

3.  Grow your own fruits, vegetables and herbs.  All you need to buy are the seeds.  Rain, sunshine and the miracle of nature can provide you with a bounty of fresh food from the garden (with a little bit of TLC, as well).  Plants don’t grow without solar energy, so consider this as an easy, nearly-free way to harness the power of the sun.

4.  Heat your home with passive solar measures.  Position your windows to be south-facing and keep blinds and drapes open during the winter.  Just be sure that during warm months, you have shrubs for shade and can pull window coverings tight.  Another popular passive solar option is a Trombe Wall.  Minimal cash outlay for this extra insulated wall, sometimes filled with water, can cut heating and cooling costs by 90%.

5.  Finally, this last tips requires a small amount of cash, but for a big return!  Why not get some solar chargers to provide free solar energy for your electronics while you are on the go?  You can recharge cell phones, iPods, computers, cell phones and more, for a minimal investment.  My pick: get a solar backpack.  I can see that my laptop use is a huge energy drain.  With the solar chargers, I can tap into solar energy on the go, and I’ll never be stuck with a dead battery again.

It may be cliche to say, but you truly can save green while going green!

Got any other free solar energy tips?  Please share below!

Cool Solar Gadgets

There are many cool solar gadgets on the market these days.  There’s no question that its hip to go green with power from the sun.  Not to mention, being able to charge your electronics on the go is practical and cost-saving.

If you are outdoors at all during the day, its time to hook you up with some solar gadgets to re-power your phone, iPod, computer, camera and more.

Don’t ever suffer from a dead battery again.  Nor do you have to worry about tossing out old batteries, or finding a suitable recycling station.  Solar powered gadgets are truly the new best thing!

Do you like to backpack or camp?  You can get cool solar flashlights or solar backpacks.  Even on cloudy days, the UV light from the sun will recharge your batteries along the way (however, less time is required for recharging on bright sunny days).

Solar backpacks are a cool solar gadget

Green entrepreneurs are a growing breed.  You can find so many cool solar gadgets on the market these days.  From SolarBulbs to Solar Lampshades, and Solar Doghouses to Solar Dollhouses – the options are endless!  You can even get a car solar battery charger!

Before you pick up your next electronic device, consider whether you can re power it with energy from the sun.  I’ll bet the answer is yes!

Time to choose from the many solar gadgets that are on the market.  Put aside your traditional battery-wasting ways.  Solar gadgets will literally free you to enjoy your life, without worrying about environmental impact of tossed batteries and wondering when and where you can recharge your devices.

When you love being outdoors as much as I do, you’ll be looking for reliable solar gadgets.  Rest assured, there are many you can purchase and use.

Do you have any recommendations for other readers?  Or perhaps a word of caution?

We always love to read real-life experiences with the products we discuss.