Arizona Solar Center Blog

Notice: Undefined offset: 1 in /usr/home/suntracker/public_html/j4.azsolarcenter.org/administrator/components/com_easyblog/includes/post/post.php on line 3658

...

Notice: Undefined offset: 1 in /usr/home/suntracker/public_html/j4.azsolarcenter.org/administrator/components/com_easyblog/includes/post/post.php on line 3658

• American Wind Energy Association
  AWEA is a national trade association representing wind power project developers, equipment suppliers, services providers, parts manufacturers, utilities, researchers, and others involved in the wind industry - one of the world's fastest growing energy industries.

  ...

Notice: Undefined offset: 1 in /usr/home/suntracker/public_html/j4.azsolarcenter.org/administrator/components/com_easyblog/includes/post/post.php on line 3658

• Berkeley Lab Geothermal Energy Development

  ...

Notice: Undefined offset: 1 in /usr/home/suntracker/public_html/j4.azsolarcenter.org/administrator/components/com_easyblog/includes/post/post.php on line 3658

• DOE - Active Solar Heating discontinued
  The helpful information once on the EnergySavers.gov website designed to help American residents save energy in their homes, workplaces, and vehicles is no longer available.  This resource was removed in February 2019.  However the information was rather dated.  The above link now goes to an article about the history of EnergySavers.gov by a commercial organization.  Linked for info only, not as a recommendation.

  ...

Notice: Undefined offset: 1 in /usr/home/suntracker/public_html/j4.azsolarcenter.org/administrator/components/com_easyblog/includes/post/post.php on line 3658

• California Energy Commission - Consumer Energy Center
  The Consumer Energy Center provides the public with a one-stop site for the latest information about energy resources and how to use them wisely in our home, work and vehicles.

  ...

Notice: Undefined offset: 1 in /usr/home/suntracker/public_html/j4.azsolarcenter.org/administrator/components/com_easyblog/includes/post/post.php on line 3658

• Heliography by James Riddle
  Describes the art of Heliography, or using mirrors for communications.

  ...

Notice: Undefined offset: 1 in /usr/home/suntracker/public_html/j4.azsolarcenter.org/administrator/components/com_easyblog/includes/post/post.php on line 3658

• Arizona Science Lab - Here Comes the Sun Workshop flyer
  This IEEE Arizona Science Lab workshop focuses on solar panel design and its application in a solar powered model car. The workshop is designed for grade levels 4-9.

• DOE - Solar Energy Technologies
  The U.S. Department of Energy funds R&D to develop solar energy technologies. Learn about DOE solar energy programs and initiatives, how to use solar energy and get financial incentives, and access solar information.

• DOE - SunShot Inititiative
  The DOE SunShot Initiative is a collaborative national initiative to make solar energy cost competitive with other forms of energy by the end of the decade. Reducing the installed cost of solar energy systems by about 75% will drive widespread, large-scale adoption of this renewable energy technology and restore U.S. leadership in the global clean energy race.

• NREL - Open PV Project
  The OpenPV project is a free database of real American solar project info sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. It has data on over 160,000 solar systems across the country - where they are, how big they are, how much they cost, and more. It's all illustrated in a Visualization Gallery with charts and graphs.

• Photovoltaic Power Resource Site
  PV Power, Inc. is a direct distributor of solar power-related equipment in North America.

• Sandia National Laboratories Photovoltaics Program
  Sandia’s solar PV work is focused on developing cost-effective, reliable photovoltaic energy systems and accelerating the integration of PV technology in the United States and globally.

  ...

Notice: Undefined offset: 1 in /usr/home/suntracker/public_html/j4.azsolarcenter.org/administrator/components/com_easyblog/includes/post/post.php on line 3658

Alternative Fuel Vehicles

...

Notice: Undefined offset: 1 in /usr/home/suntracker/public_html/j4.azsolarcenter.org/administrator/components/com_easyblog/includes/post/post.php on line 3658

• Journal of Green Building

  ...

Notice: Undefined offset: 1 in /usr/home/suntracker/public_html/j4.azsolarcenter.org/administrator/components/com_easyblog/includes/post/post.php on line 3658

• Canada - Solar and Sustainable Energy Society of Canada

  ...

Notice: Undefined offset: 1 in /usr/home/suntracker/public_html/j4.azsolarcenter.org/administrator/components/com_easyblog/includes/post/post.php on line 3658

• Arizona - Arizona Corporation Commission
  The ACC regulates utilities, corporations and securities in the state. The Commissioners have the ultimate responsibility for final decisions on granting or denying utility rate adjustments, enforcing safety and public service requirements, and approving securities matters.


• Arizona - Arizona Public Service's (APS) Green Choice Program
  APS' Green Choice Rates are an easy and affordable way to make use of renewable energy resources.


• Arizona - Arizona Smart Power
  Arizona Smart Power specializes in helping residential consumers understand and compare the bids they are getting from photovoltaic or solar thermal dealers – and to understand the solar installation process.


• Arizona - Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association (AriSEIA)
  The Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association is a non-profit trade association representing local, national and international solar companies in the Arizona market.


• Arizona - Arizona Solar Racing Team
The official website for the University of Arizona solar racing team.

• Arizona - Arizona State University (ASU) LightWorks Solar Initiative
  LightWorks pulls light-inspired research at ASU under one strategic framework. It is a multi-disciplinary effort to leverage ASU’s unique strengths, particularly in renewable energy fields including artificial photosynthesis, biofuels, and next-generation photovoltaics.

  ...

Notice: Undefined offset: 1 in /usr/home/suntracker/public_html/j4.azsolarcenter.org/administrator/components/com_easyblog/includes/post/post.php on line 3658

• DOE - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Network

  ...

Notice: Undefined offset: 1 in /usr/home/suntracker/public_html/j4.azsolarcenter.org/administrator/components/com_easyblog/includes/post/post.php on line 3658
98% OF A LEAD ACID BATTERY IS RECYCLABLE
The first step in simple, the bottom of the scrap battery is cut by a mechanical saw, allowing the sulphuric acid and any lead suspended in the acid to be drained off. The battery is then fed into a hammer mill for crushing.
Once crushed, the remaining components are floated off through a series of flotation ponds. The plastic pieces of the battery case, each by now no larger than a fifty cent coin are re-granulated into plastic which is used to manufacture the next generation of battery cases.
Next, the remaining two components of the scrap battery - lead and lead oxide - are fed into a rotary furnace along with lead dross, sludge, coke and other additives used to assist in the removal of impurities. This mixture is smelted for about seven hours at temperatures of approximately 500 degrees Celsius (that's over 900 degrees Fahrenheit).
The molten lead is poured off into a holding kettle and then transferred into refining pots where the final impurities and dross are removed. Lead with a purity of 99.97 per cent is capable of being made, however sometimes, antimony or calcium is added to the lead to make alloys. Various grades of lead alloy are made, depending on the manufacturing end use.
The refined lead is then used to manufacture new generation batteries.
________________________________________

BATTERIES ARE VITAL

Lead acid batteries are crucial to life in the modern world. They are essential to transport and communication systems, electrical utilities and often provide life-saving backup during power failures.
Many times, we do not realize how important batteries are because, so often, they can not be seen. Batteries are typically out of sight and out of mind.
Telephones, for example, will work during electrical storms and power outages. This is because telecommunication systems are backed-up by battery power. Lead acid batteries maintain emergency power for computer systems and critical operations such as air traffic control, rail crossings, and hospitals. Civil Defense communications during natural disasters sometimes rely heavily on battery power.
Electric wheelchairs are powered by batteries, as are electric forklifts and industrial vehicles in warehouses, distribution centers, mines and other enclosed spaces where fumes from combustion engines would be hazardous. Without these powerful workhorses, life as we know it could be very difficult and different.
Lead acid batteries, while developed in the late 19th century, look likely to be a crucial power source well into the 21st century. Inventors are striving for economic battery-power alternatives to oil and gas fuels.
LEAD IS A VALUABLE RESOURCE.
The value of lead has been known for centuries. Lead products formed part of the Ancient world's wonders, from lead-glazed mosaic tiles, to stained glass windows and the hanging Gardens of Babylon.
Lead roofing and flashing has been used in Europe for years because of its low maintenance, resistance to corrosion, ease of installation and its beauty. St Paul's Cathedral in London was built with a lead roof in the 17th century and it has never required re-roofing. Lead is renowned for its resistance to moisture. Power companies sheathe underground electric cables with lead to protect against dampness.Lead alloys are used for X-ray and radiotherapy shields for cancer patients. It is essential in television screens and computer monitors because lead compounds can block radiation without affecting screen quality. Lead is used to provide top quality soundproofing in some of the world's best hotels. It is also used to protect against high altitude radiation in commercial aircraft.
Lead's future also looks promising. The first lead based computer chips have been developed to retain data when the power is switched off and lead shock dampers are now used for earthquake damage prevention.
________________________________________

RECYCLING SUCCESS

More than 98 per cent of a lead acid batteries can be recycled, making them the most recycled of any consumer product. New generation lead acid batteries can be made from 100 per cent recycled lead and from up to 90 per cent recycled plastic.
When lead acid batteries are improperly disposed of, the acid inside them can leach into soil and waterways causing serious contamination. Recycling lead acid batteries safely means a lot less lead gets into the environment and therefore, health risks are much reduced.
________________________________________

RESPONSIBILITY AND THE BATTERY MANUFACTURER

As responsible battery manufacturers, all U.S. Manufactures are committed to ensuring the majority of used lead-acid batteries are recycled.
These companies believe strongly in moving with the technological improvements. They are also committed to continuing to providing the "cradle to grave" management of all Lead Acid products.

(Original source of this article is unknown.)

Notice: Undefined offset: 1 in /usr/home/suntracker/public_html/j4.azsolarcenter.org/administrator/components/com_easyblog/includes/post/post.php on line 3658

Solar photovoltaic systems often require battery subsystems to store reserve electrical energy for times of zero insolation. This handbook is designed to help the system designer make optimum choices of battery type, battery size and charge control circuits. Handbook of Secondary Storage Batteries and Charge Regulators in PV Systems.

NOTE: All files are PDF format Complete Handbook (4,337kb)

...