Showing posts with label solar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label solar. Show all posts

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Using A Spray Can and the Sun to Make Fire

There are many ways to make fire. Usually, it involves friction and a source of fuel. We can picture fire created from a match, a cigarette lighter, and a stove, but can you imagine fire coming from a pressurized spray can? You probably can if you imagine spraying it's highly volatile contents onto a flame. That would surely create a big fire and this blog doesn't advise you to do that!

What we are talking about here is making fire from a pressurized spray can together with the light of the Sun. it's really simple. if you'd turn the can of an air freshener or a bug spray, you'd notice that the bottom is shiny and curved (concave). This is what you can use to make fire.

During a cloudless day at noon in summer, go out with your spray can and a thin piece of paper in the open sun and point the can bottom up towards the sun. You'll see that the light of the sun is reflected off the bottom of the can and focused at a point, much like when you use a convex magnifying glass to burn paper. Only this, time, we are using a concave device to focus the rays.

You can see where the rays converge by placing your piece of paper in front of the can bottom and moving it back and forth. You shouldn't block out the sun though and you have to keep the can parallel to the rays of the sun. It's tricky, but with enough practice you can get to burn a round hole in the paper you have. You should not stare too long at the reflected light from the
sun since it can be damaging to your eyes. Use a welder's glass to be on the safe side.

This activity shows you how much energy from sun can be harnessed from an area the same size as the bottom of a spray can! Please do not do this activity without supervision if you are a kid and never, ever look at the sun directly. You should not use any optical device like a telescope to look at the sun if you don't have proper filters and know-how.

Save gas! Convert your car to burn water.

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Sunday, October 26, 2008

Build Your Own Solar Panels Learn How It Is Easy Affordable And Fun To Build Solar Panels

by Houston

If you have thought about learning to build your own solar panels, today's technology has advanced to the point where it's very easy and affordable. Solar energy systems now can work twice as well and even work in less sunlight. Building solar panels has become much more simple and easy allowing any one with a little motivation and instruction manual to be able to build and install their own solar panels. By utilizing solar technology you can save thousands of dollars a year in energy costs.

All the materials like plywood, glass and copper wire needed to build solar panels can be purchased from your local hardware store. Photovoltaic cell's can be purchased for below wholesale prices if you know where to look. A lot of them are available online or in some cases they can be found at local retailers where you can purchase them. Solar panels can be built in your garage or back yard and it takes about a day to build a solar panel once you have all your materials.

With homemade solar panels saving you thousands of dollars, I would recommend you invest in a good quality instruction manual, as this would save you from many mistakes and wasted time researching for what you need. Over all the cost of building your own solar panels can be very low and a good how to guide can end up saving you even more.

The truth is solar energy has become a lot easier and affordable for home use, it is growing in popularity and can even be see along roadways in use to power signs and lights. Solar power could lesson the effect of global warming, save you money and help become less dependant on fossil fuels. With the energy crises, now could be the perfect time to go solar. Plus building your own solar panels can be a fun project the whole family can be involved in.

About the Author

Learning to build your own solar panels can be something you can be very proud of, it is very easy, fun and rewarding to build your own solar panels

Save gas! Convert your car to burn water.

Step-by-Step Guide to Increase IQ