Is Car Exhaust The Only Real Problem Here?

Any of us who have flown into Los Angeles, Phoenix, or any other large city with large numbers of vehicles on the road, we know what the dirty are looks like.  We also know that much of this is pollutants from cars on the road. 

Currently there's over 247 vehicles on the roads in the United States so it is no wonder that the smog continues to be an issue.  Of those, about 133,000 are electric capable.  That may sound like a good start, but do we take into consideration the pollutants produced in making the electric to run these cars? 

This is such a vicious circle.  One depressing thought to me was the lack of information on numbers
of vehicles that could run, even short distances, on solar panels.  I will continue to do research on this subject and share what I find, when I find some solid information.  After all, if you can run a boat on panels, so could you a small vehicle.  Right?


By now you probably think that what is bothering me is the pollution caused by vehicles or the lack of solar powered cars.  But that isn't what got me started.  Just some of what bothers me, often. What I am having an issue with is something I saw on the news last week.  The issue - underground fuel storage tanks.

  
I live in Arizona, a state with plenty of sunshine to support solar energy.  In a recent state audit it was revealed that more than half of the almost 4,000 tanks are reaching or have passed their 30 year life expectancy.  The audit, performed by the Arizona Auditor General's Office, reported that 901 underground fuel storage tanks are older than 30 years old and another 2,935 are between 20 and 30 years old.  All of these tanks are at risk of leaking gasoline, diesel fuel and other chemicals into the soil and ground water.  A spokes person from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality stated that they are aware of this situation and are taking it very seriously.   I do sort of wonder just what that means.  I would be willing to be that everyone in that department, and anyone who has access to this information, has checked to make sure that the possible leaking tanks are not effecting their personal water source. 

This isn't meant to be a bitch session towards any government agency but it is meant to bring to the attention of anyone who is interested the fact that this entire problem goes right back to the beginning of this post. 

Fact - as of July of 2013, the average age of the 247 vehicles on the road is 11.4 years old.  There has been a slow increase over the past several year.  Partially due to the economy but also because more houses are adding more vehicles to the family,  vehicles are lasting longer and many people are financing cars for as many as 72 months.  And let's not forget the collectors of the good old, sturdy and just plain neat cars.  More cars and older cars results in the pollution. 

Another fact - utilizing the sun, when and where it is possible, would greatly aid in the pollution issue and the need for rusting, leaking fuel storage tanks. 

Imagine for just a moment - how fun would it be to pull up to a gas station to find people washing their windows and wiping off their solar panels, instead of standing there pumping a dozen gallons of fuel into their car? 

The Best States for Solar Power

     Which states have the most solar potential?  Here’s a roundup of the states with the best natural solar resources

     Wherever there’s sunlight, you can take advantage of solar energy. However, different places have different solar resources, so the same set of photovoltaic (PV) panels will produce much more electricity in some locations than in others.

     Many factors make a difference in how much electricity a PV system can produce at any one time — including constantly changing factors such as time of day, season and weather, but also geographic traits such as climate and latitude. In general, areas closer to the equator have far greater potential for producing solar electricity than those closer to the poles, and areas with consistent sun have greater solar potential then areas that are frequently overcast.

     As a whole, the United States has terrific solar resources. For perspective, check out this map of global solar radiation from the UnitedNations Environment Programme. Now consider that Germany and Spain lead the world in installed PV power. The United States is currently third in installed PV power worldwide, but has far greater natural solar resources than either Spain or Germany.

     But while the United States has strong solar potential across the country, some states are definitely sunnier than others. Here’s how you can find out which states have the best natural solar resources, and which have policies that support the development of solar power.

Naturally Sunny States

For the absolute best solar resources in the United States, think southwest.

     Take a look at this solar resources map from the NationalRenewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Based on this map, New Mexico and Arizona are red hot with solar potential, and California, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Colorado also have large areas highly favorable for PV development. PV systems will generate more electricity in these spots — and therefore earn more money — than PV panels in areas with fewer natural solar resources.

     Both this U.S. map and the global map mentioned above use a common measurement of solar irradiation, which is kwh/m2/day, also known as peak sun hours. Here’s more information about peak sun hours and how you can calculate them for your location using the PV Watts1 website.

     For yet another look at solar resources state-by-state, check out the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) state energy profiles. This is a set of maps and energy profiles of all 50 states. Any areas with above six peak sun hours per day are shaded on the maps to indicate that they are good sites to consider for future solar projects.

What About Your Roof Color?

     No need to panic because of the color of your roof.  A lighter colored roof may enhance the amount of energy provided since the lighter colors reflect sunlight a bit more, reflecting back onto the panels.  A darker roof will absorb sunlight.  But the difference is minimal.  So, don’t go changing your roof but if you are ready to add a new one, then thing ahead and make it panel friendly.  

                 Ready for a new roof?  Consider this -

        Choose photovoltaic tiles instead of solar panels. Photovoltaic tiles come in regular roof tiles colors, but are designed to blend in to the roof. The photovoltaic tiles generate energy from the collection of sunlight. The tiles are connected to your electric meter. In some systems the energy flows back to the general grid, which rolls your meter backward, rather than pumping energy directly into your house. Pieces of roof that are not covered by photovoltaic tiles may reflect onto the tiles if they are close enough and a light enough shade.

Build Your Own ?

     I have brain overload, just attempting to understand what I am reading.  In my head, the use of solar panels should be complex and complicated.  My head is wrong.  So I am attempting to reprogram myself to accept the truth.  The truth of the 21st Century.

     I have found a few sites (I should say a few hundred) that are simple enough for even me to understand.  I will combine a couple of them to show their concepts of how to build your own.
This from EHow -
     Solar panels can generate significant energy for your home if you are in an area that gets lots of sunlight. Many commercial solar panels are very expensive but you can build your own solar panels and save yourself a lot of money. Homemade solar panels are typically less efficient and produce less power than commercially available panels, but you can build them in an afternoon. 

Things You'll Need

Solar cells

 Flat-tabbed wire

 Insulated copper wire

 Lumber

 Plexiglas

 All-weather paint

 Silicone sealant

 Solder and soldering iron

 Drill

 Tools

        1.   Solder two lengths of flat-tabbed wire to the back of each solar cell. Each length of flat-tabbed wire should be twice as long as the solar cell is wide. Be careful when handling your solar cells because they are fragile.

        2.   Cut a sheet of plywood to the size you want your solar panel to be. Apply two coats of all-weather paint to the plywood. Draw a grid on your sheet of plywood to guide placement of your solar cells.

        3.   Lay your solar cells out on the plywood base in the position you want them. Solder the flat-tabbed wires from the back of one cell to the top of the adjacent cell. Repeat the process to string your solar cells together across the length of your plywood backing. Make as many strings of solar cells as you need to cover the face of your plywood backing. Ensure you leave a 3-inch border around the edge of your panel free for your border.

        4.    Carefully lift each solar cell and place a single drop of silicone sealant in the middle of the cell and then gently but firmly press the cell into place. Allow your sealant to dry. Wire each string of solar cells to the next by attaching the positive lead to the negative lead of the next string. You will be left with one positive lead and one negative lead for the entire panel. Solder these leads to lengths of insulated copper wire.

        5.   Cut one by 1-inch boards into lengths sufficient to form a border around the edges of the panel backing. Apply a strip of silicone sealant around the edge of the panel backing and press the border boards into place. Drill pilot holes through the backing into the boarder boards and drive screws through the backing and into the boarder boards to hold them in place.

        6.    Drill two holes through the border boards and run the wire leads through the holes. Apply silicone sealant to the holes to hold the wires in place and prevent water from entering your solar panel. Drill a drain hole in the bottom border board to allow condensation to drain out.

        7.   Apply a strip of silicone sealant to the top edge of the border and place a sheet of Plexiglas cut to size on top of the panel. Carefully drill pilot holes through the Plexiglas and into the panel border and then drive screws through to hold the Plexiglas in place. Allow your sealant to dry and place your panel in the sun. Run your leads to your home power system.

Even in this video, it all looks so simple.

So what do you think?  Ready to try your own?

     I think I will continue to shop for a reasonably priced unit that is ready to use.  Please let me know if any of you have built your own.  I would love to hear and share your story.

Now's The Time For Solar Power

     Solar energy became readily available in the 1980's.  We saw huge panels on roof tops and we were in aw.  I believe that most of us saw the use of solar energy being for the wealthy.  Granted - it was not an inexpensive venture.  And the stability was a bit questionable.  NOW - it's 2012.  Equipment is reasonably priced.  Panels are made for the do-it-yourself type person.  The variety of panels available range from large units for roof tops, smaller units for pool houses, yard lights and for that spoiled dog house, and even flexible units for easy mounting on recreational vehicles and boats.  If this isn't enough to spark your interest then think about this - local electric companies are buying back your extra power. 

I am as much to blame as the next.  I have yet to start my first solar energy project.  Now is the time for me and as I start my research and education, I will share what I find with all of you who may happen onto this site.  Wish me luck and follow me when you can.

     If you have any good ideas or suggestions, please feel free to share.  I am all ears.