Jonathan Gal is a solar lighting expert and owner of YCA Solar Lights, an organization dedicated to promoting clean, energy efficient solar lighting technology. To find out more about how solar technology is changing the way we live, especially with respect to lighting, you are invited to visit Jonathan's Solar outdoor lighting site.
Less than fifty years ago it would have been hard to imagine a home that was powered by the sun. It would have been even less possible to imagine a backpacker who used a slim and collapsible solar panel mounted to their backpack to power a GPS unit. Today, we are all ready at that point. We have been rapidly assessing the alternative energy sources that will eventually free us from the use of coal, nuclear, oil and gas energies and we have been implementing them in a staggering number of ways.
Among the most popular and well-developed of the alternative energies are those using the sun and those using wind. Solar technology has all ready allowed for the creation for entire power plants that use fields of collectors and concentrated beams of sunlight to produce enough electricity to power entire towns. We have also witnessed the creation of solar chargers that are installed in the same fashion as traditional roofing shingles and which can offer homeowners electrical services throughout the entire day and well into the night. This is all a far cry from the enormous roof-mounted panels of thirty years ago, which provided hot water and some electrical service.
There are also wind-based power plants utilizing enormous windmills or “turbines” and these exist in remote mountainous areas as well as in offshore locations.
Interestingly, many people in the United States have started to really assess what is now called the “carbon footprint”. This is a calculation based on the amount of non-renewable energy used by an individual in any given year. This includes their home electricity and heating as well as their automobile fuel consumption and a number of other “consumer” data. With this fairly accurate data, many consumers are working with alternative energy groups to purchase “carbon offsets”. These are funds donated directly to the groups working in the world of alternative energy. For example, a family of five will use all relevant data to figure their approximate carbon footprint in a single year. The carbon offset group assigns a dollar value to this amount, which the family may contribute in full or in part to the agency. They, in turn, pour the funds directly into the development of a wind farm or solar power plant. In this way, many consumers are able to cancel out their consumption while also contributing to the future renewable energy solutions.
Of course it doesn’t end with wind and sun. There are hydro (water based) technologies still to be explored and there are even alternative fuels already at work – including the Biofuels used in many modern cars and vehicles
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Solar Lights
- Solar Lighting
- Solar Lighting Can Save You Money
- Benefits of Solar Lighting
- Solar Lighting - The Future of Energy Management
- Save on outdoor lighting and think solar lights
- How to Make Good of Outdoor Solar Lighting Products
- Solar Lighting Ideas for the Garden – Just Like Mom Leaving on the Porch Lights
Energy Conservation Tips that Won't Change your Lifestyle
By: Anne At Green Community | 30/11/2009Most of our energy is produced by burning fossil fuels, one of the greatest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. There are simple ways to conserve energy that don't mean big changes in the way you live your life, but will make a difference to the planet, to the environment - and your pocket.
Green Solutions, Green Earth
By: Adolphpaul | 30/11/2009The impending doom brought about by climate change has got people worrying about the future. Will the Earth be habitable in 50 to 100 years? Will the next war be fought over depleting natural resources? These questions of survival have been playing in different media. Forget about terrorism and nuclear proliferation. It is assumed that climate change and its consequences are the grave issues governments across the world will be dealing with in the coming years.
Communities and Planning for Environmental Concerns
By: Greenenergy | 29/11/2009The economics of environmental factors should be addresses before the reaction to effects takes more resources than businesses or communities have. Planning stages and forecasting should assist in community development and economic growth, which has long term benefits to both businesses and citizens.
Sustainability in Easy Terms
By: Steve Reed | 29/11/2009How do you define sustainability? There will be a wide array of answers if you ask that question to a few different people. Many people will define it as not messing up the planet for future generations. Sustainability has as much to do with making good lifestyle choices, supporting your local village or community and enhancing long term economic strength as it has to do with being environmentally conscious and aware. 'Sustainable', as opposed to the term 'Green' promotes a much wider ranging se
Oiled Wildlife Response Planning
By: oil | 28/11/2009The oiled wildlife response planning is a report by IPIECA containing the guidelines for conservation of wildlife that inhabit the area affected by an oil spill. The combined efforts taken by the stakeholders, the volunteers, the media, and the general public contribute towards a streamlined oiled wildlife response planning.
What Can We Learn From The Case Of Venice?
By: melon | 28/11/2009Venice, once famous city in Italy, is becoming a lifeless city. On November 14, 2009, the local residents had a funeral for the dying city. From the case of Venice, we should understand a truth that all the development of economy must conform to scientific requirements and bring benefit to local residents.
Motor Oil - Polluting Our Environment
By: Diane Stroup | 27/11/2009Most folks do not understand that oil from our cars, trucks, and any other vehicles is ruining our waterways. In this article I will explain how this happens and some basic things the common person can do to help from contributing to this problem.
Compatible Inkjet Cartridges and the Environment
By: Jennyhicks | 27/11/2009Many inkjet and toner cartridge suppliers offer a recycling scheme which pays money back for each cartridge sent for recycling whilst at the same time helping the environment.
President Obama’s Green Initiative
By: Jonathan Gal | 23/11/2009 | PoliticsPresident Obama has set forth multiple bills which are designed to move the country, and thus the world, toward a completely different future in the way that we create, pay for, and utilize the energy resources that we need. Solar power is one of the key factors moving forward in this crusade, offering backup resources and a fine-tuned safety net for the research and design of our future power plants and advanced technologies.
Are Obama’s Environmental Policies Succeeding or Failing?
By: Jonathan Gal | 28/10/2009 | EnvironmentIt has proved difficult to move the large corporations toward renewable and sustainable energy methods, mostly because the costs of research, building, and implementation are so devastatingly high.
Money Saving Tips For Furnishing Your Yard
By: Jonathan Gal | 15/10/2009 | FurnitureIn order to keep your outdoor furnishings sustainable as well as low cost, your first investment has to be the right one. If you have decided to go with Adirondack style furniture, you might do best to purchase a natural finish product in the fashion that you prefer.
Advantages of Building With Natural Materials
By: Jonathan Gal | 03/10/2009 | Home ImprovementNatural materials can take on new lives and shapes easily, and can be made to look like anything you could dream of. Old peeling and faded paint can be removed and a new, rich finish added to a freshly sanded piece. Just the simple act of taking wood from its natural grain to a deep stained finish can change the entire temperature, feel, and ambiance of your back yard or lounge area.
3 Ways Solar Lighting Can Make Your Home Safer
By: Jonathan Gal | 02/10/2009 | Home SecurityWe are so dependent upon the electrical grid, we often do not see the very extraordinary resource that could be harnessed in case of emergencies, blackouts, or just to shed an intimate light on the darkness each evening.
How to relax In an Eco-Friendly Way
By: Jonathan Gal | 04/09/2009 | WellnessHammocks are, arguably, the most comfortable and natural ancient means of rest available to man today. The medical community has even sounded in on the clamor, prescribing these free standing beds as therapeutic devices for people suffering ailments from blood pressure, autism, lack of concentration, and back trauma.
Light Lumens Vs. Watts Explained – A Homeowner’s Lighting Guide
By: Jonathan Gal | 02/09/2009 | Home & FamilyAny lighting fixture has various ways of being described. For example, a single lamp can provide a certain amount of light, a certain power of light and even a certain color. One way in which all lights are describes is in terms of “lumens” or the total amount of light produced by the lamp.
How to upgrade your outdoor space with Adirondack style
By: Jonathan Gal | 02/09/2009 | AccessoriesThough Adirondack furniture is available in many styles, colors, and designs, there are a few standard details which never seem to change, the first of them being comfort.