PV Gap

Don Said:

Environment friendlyGreen Dog Cage!!?

We Answered:

What a commendable idea. I like the planting on the roof idea. Rather than solar panels, go with solar hot water panels for heating. From many years of living off grid I can assure you that a solar system to power some form of heat would be way too complicated. With solar hot water, the sun heats the water and it circulates usually through pipes in the floor to warm an area.

You could also try to find building materials made from recycled materials. I can't think of any specifics.

http://www.jc-solarhomes.com/how_to.htm

Sonia Said:

How much would I save using 40 watts less on my electric bill per month?

We Answered:

Well electricity is usually measured in KW per hour. Lets say you rate is $0.25 per KWH and you save 40 watts per hours for 10 hours. Then you will save $0.10 in 10 hours.

Gina Said:

What Alternative Energy Source do you think is the best?

We Answered:

I think that the best energy source differs depending on where you are. It's been said already that using solar energy in sunny places like California would work, but maybe not in other places.

I do not think nuclear energy is the answer. To me it seems very dangerous and something that should not even be considered as an option.

I think that just about every building in Australia (which is where I live) should have a solar panel and use solar energy for electricity and water heating. Some places in Victoria and Tasmania may not find that at all useful, but for the rest of Australia there is a lot of sunshine that isn't being taken advantage of.

Other energy options include: kinetic, wave, geothermal, biomass and tidal.

Kinetic energy is the energy of something that moves. At the Science Centre we used to have in Adelaide, there was a bike you could get on, and as you pedalled it would tell you what you could power with that much energy. I think that this could be used so much - for example, it could be used in cars to make a car create it's own electricity to move.

Wave energy is apparently one of the most difficult ones to turn into something useful. It's done by the air pressure above the waves as they go up and down. The air pressure moves the turbines, which create energy. Provided it didn't have a negative effect on the ocean environment, I think this would be a great resource to use.

Geothermal energy can be used for heating or to turn turbines and therefore create electrical energy. It's done by pumping cold water down into the earth, and the heat in the earth forces hot water up.

I don't really know much about biomass energy, except that it uses fermentation.

Tidal energy is generate pretty much the same way as hydroelectric.

I think we need to find ways of working with nature to create electricity. Exploiting unrenewable resources (coal, uranium, etc) does not help us in the long run. And in some cases could cause massive catastrophe if one tiny thing went wrong. Hydroelectricity forces nature to do what we want, and is also bad in the long run - dams don't last forever.

I think the other thing we need is some kind of battery that will store enough energy from sources like solar and wind for when there isn't any.

Joan Said:

will someone read my speech?

We Answered:

Hi.
I am a trained voice specialist (as well as Human Right's Priest) who frequently helps people write speeches or prepare for presentations or performances( acting or singing).
I love helping kids.If you need help in the future and live in Marin,feel free to contact me for help. I sometimes help students for free.
I think your information was basic,clear and good.
Idea One:Content~
I would suggest giving your listeners a a reference resource list of local solar companies with good reputations, and give a sense of the range of prices it normally costs to solar equip homes or businesses( ie with photovoltaic panels,etc.) Money is a real issue for people these days and initial outlays of money sometimes keeps interested people from making a more environmentally conscious shift!
Idea Two: Mechanics~
I would also suggest putting in the bolding, spacing, and other reading tools you might need in order to help you give the speech with greater ease.
I hope it went well. If you have another before the end of the year be sure to ask for help earlier if you'd like. I'd be willing to give you some free assistance! Sincerely, Kaaren

Laura Said:

how many of you would just like to pack up and move to the woods

We Answered:

I have lived in the woods all my life . It is a wonderful place to be . Right now I live in the city and would give anything for the quiet of the woods again . Being raised in the mountains I am use to the peace and quiet not all this destructive nature and noise .