DIY Solar Panels - Build Your Own Homemade Solar Panels & Save the Environment Now

Are Homemade Solar Panels Possible, Economical, and Useful?

With energy prices rising steadily over the last few decades and no reason to think they'll fall anytime soon, many homeowners are exploring the option of powering their homes with renewable, or "green", power systems. The two most common home green energy systems are wind turbines and solar panels. Of these two, solar energy panels have emerged as the most popular, due to their solid-state nature - meaning that with fewer moving parts, they require less maintenance over the years.

Unfortunately, installing a solar power system in your home can be prohibitively expensive. Having pre-made solar power panels professionally installed costs at least $3000 - and the price tag only rises quickly from there. To reduce this huge cost, many homeowners are exploring the possibility of building and installing their own homemade solar panels. You may be one of them.

If so, you probably have a lot of questions. Can the average person really build a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) solar power system in their garage or basement? If they could, would it really be significantly cheaper than having it professionally installed? And finally, would homemade solar panels provide enough electricity to be worth all the time and effort? This article will seek to answer these questions.

What Are the Benefits of a Home Solar Power System?

o You can reduce or even eliminate your power bill.
o If you generate surplus electricity, you can sell it to your local power company.
o You can increase the property value of your home.
o You can get tax deductions for using eco-friendly home power systems.
o You no longer have to worry about power outages.
o You help protect the environment - solar energy produces no greenhouse gasses.

What Are the Benefits of Building Homemade Solar Panels?

o Money. Over half of a contractor's installation fee is time and labor. If you provide this yourself, you can drastically reduce the cost of building and installing your own home solar power system.

o Time. You can build your homemade solar panels in stages, adding new panels and producing more electricity at your own pace.

o Education. By building a home solar power system yourself, you'll learn how solar electrical technology works. You'll be able to perform your own maintenance and repairs, further reducing your costs.

Where Can I Find the Materials to Build a Homemade Solar Panel?

Almost all the materials you'll need to build a DIY solar panel (such as copper wire, plywood, glass, silicone, etc.) can be found at either your local hardware store (such as Home Depot) or electronics store (such as Radio Shack). The same goes for the tools and equipment you'll need to build your homemade solar panels. Any tool you don't already have in your garage or basement (such as a voltage meter), you can buy at your local hardware or electronics store.

The lone exception to this rule is the photovoltaic solar cells that you'll need to build together into DIY solar power panels. Unless you live in a very large city with a specialized solar hardware store, you'll probably need to order these online or you can make it on your own.

Where Should I Place My Homemade Solar Panels?

The two most common places to put DIY solar panels are either on the roof of your house, or on the ground in your yard.

The roof has emerged as the most popular location for two reasons. First, in order to convert sunlight into electricity, solar energy panels need a direct line-of-sight between them and the sun. Trees, other buildings, or any other obstacle that provides shade or otherwise gets in the way will block the sun from your homemade solar panels. The easiest way to solve this problem is to raise the solar power panels up higher than the obstacles. To do that, of course, you should place the DIY solar panels on the roof.

Second, solar energy panels are big, and take up a lot of space. Furthermore, you will probably need more than one to power your entire home. If you mount your homemade solar panels on the ground, you may quickly fill your entire yard. Mounting DIY solar panels in the roof instead has the advantage of keeping them out of the way and freeing up your yard.

Ground-mounted solar power panels, however, do have one big advantage: accessibility. It is much easier and safer to walk out into your yard than on the roof of your house to perform maintenance and repairs to your homemade solar panels. If you live in a part of the country where there are few trees, such as the Great Plains or the Southwest, and if you own enough property (like a farm) to mount several DIY solar panels and have room to spare, perhaps ground-mounted solar energy panels are the way to go.

What Direction Should I Point My Homemade Solar Panels?

Placing your DIY solar panels perfectly flat, facing straight up, is the best option. This way, no matter where the sun is in the sky or at what angle, sunlight is still hitting the solar panel somewhere. Unfortunately, however, many homes have angled roofs instead of flat, making the "pointing straight up" option impractical. In this case, mount your DIY solar panels on the south-facing side of your roof to collect the most sunlight. In the continental United States, the sun is in the southern part of the sky for the most part.

How Can I Build Homemade Solar Panels?

The answer to that question goes way beyond the scope of this brief article. What we can do, however, is point you in the right direction. The easiest and most efficient route for you to go is to buy a step-by-step instruction manual on how to build DIY solar panels from one of the many websites that sell them. These are usually $50 or less, and well worth the money.

Not all instruction manuals for DIY solar power panels are equal, however. Here are some things to look for when shopping online for a good instruction manual:

o Clear, Step-by-Step Instructions (instead of just overviews)
o Simple, Plain English (instead of confusing technical terms and slang)
o Multiple, Clear Illustrations (instead of just text)
o Demonstration Videos (although not necessary, they are very, very helpful)
o Shopping Tips (for solar cells, deep-cycles batteries, and other hard-to-find items)
o Good Reviews (from past customers)
o Price (more than $60 is too much)

If you can find a high-quality manual, you will start enjoying the benefits of DIY solar panels within 2 weeks, because the manual should be able to teach you to build homemade solar energy panels in just a weekend.

If you've enjoyed all the exciting information you read here about Homemade Solar Panels, you'll love everything else you find at DIY Solar Panels.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Interior Painting Ideas : Ideas for Painting Paneling

Consulting and Design

How to Identify the Different Varieties of Wood Grain Wall Paneling

In all my years of working as an interior decorator, I have never come across a subject that is so misunderstood as Wood Grain Wall Paneling. I'm here to set the record straight on this type of wall paneling. I will do my best to describe to you what is available in wood grain wall paneling. So join me as I walk you through what is being offered in the world of wood grain wall paneling. You will find out that you have a good variety of styles to choose from. After having given it some time and thought, I have put together some short definitions of the different types of wood grain wall paneling available today. This isn't your grandfather's wall paneling.

Okay, so let's take a look at wood grain wall paneling. This is the type of paneling most people think of when the subject of wall paneling comes up. Wood grain paneling comes in a variety of colors and planking widths. Your wood grain choices are Beaded Birch, Frosted Maple, Beaded White, Honey Birch, Lite Birch, Westminster White, Provincial Pine, Paintable Deep Beaded, Oakdale, Fireside Cherry, Plain White Perforated Utility Panel and Oakdale Perforated Utility Panel.

I will try to describe these wood grain wall panels to the best of my ability. The Beaded Birch has a medium brown stain with double-cut grooves cut down the length of the panel approximately 2 inches apart. The Frosted Maple is a grayish off-white stain. This panel also has double-cut grooves cut down the length of the panel approximately 2 inches apart.

The Beaded White is a white stain with double-cut grooves cut down the length of the panel approximately 2 inches apart. The Honey Birch is a medium-dark brown stain with single grooves running down the length of the panel alternating between 4 and 6 inches apart.

The Lite Birch is a lighter brown stain with single grooves running down the length of the panel alternating between 4 and 6 inches apart. The Westminster White is, of course, white stain. Westminster White panel is a smooth panel and has no grooves.

Next we have Provincial Pine. Provincial Pine is a light brown stain which has double-cut grooves cut down the length of the panel approximately 4 inches apart. Paintable Deep Beaded comes with a white stain. It has the look of typical bead board. This panel has double-cut grooves cut down the length of the panel approximately 2 inches apart.

Next we have Oakdale. Oakdale is a medium dark brown stain panel with double-cut grooves cut down the length of the panel approximately 4 inches apart. So now we are at Fireside Cherry. Fireside Cherry is a deep dark brown stain. This panel has a single black groove going down the length of the panel alternating between 4 and 6 inches apart.

The next 2 wood grain wall panels are perforated. These panels are called Utility Wall Panels. The holes on these panels serve a purpose. What you do is install these panels in your workshop or garage over the open studs of the wall, so there is an open space behind the perforated panel. There are all types of hooks and holders you can buy at your local hardware store that slide into these perforations. After you apply the hooks that you choose, you will be able to hang your tools, brooms, winter shovels, gardening tools and just about anything within a reasonable size and weight. There are a wide variety of shelves and small storage units that are made to hang on perforated utility panels.

The first of these 2 perforated panels is the Plain White Perforated Utility Panel. That pretty much says it all. This is a white stained 4' x 8' perforated wall panel. The second perforated utility panel is called the Oakdale Perforated wall panel. This 4' x 8' perforated utility wall panel is finished in a medium-dark oak finish. If you are looking for a beautiful wood finished utility panel to organize your tools and supplies, then this panel is for you.

So now you know what is available to you in regards to wood grain wall paneling. Wood grain wall paneling is only a small part of what is available in wall paneling in general. I will follow up in the near future with more information on other types of wall paneling. I hope this has helped you to understand what is available to you when it comes to wall paneling of the wood grain type.

Author Bio: After growing up as the apprentice of his father who was a master of all trades, Joe Tobiasz, Owner/Webmaster: [http://www.wall-decor-concepts.com] explored the idea of a career in interior decorating and design over 25 years ago. Since then he has never looked back. He has both volunteered and consulted for many friends and associates over the years offering his natural talent for decorating and remodeling in both interior and exterior applications. When it come to his website, his unusual way of presenting information in the form of short stories has him the talk of both webmasters and the online community.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Experimenting Rhino Panelling Tools

Consulting and Design

Build Your Own Solar Panel System

The 2003 the Northeast blackout affected 45 million people in eight US states. Those using alternative sources of energy such as solar panels were able to benefit from their independence from the grid. No food going bad in refrigerators, no sitting in the dark for them. The Council on Foreign Relations, a think tank, has reported that electricity consumption and production have consistently expanded, resulting in an increased burden on a system not designed for such a large load, meaning that many people are turning to solar panels for security as well as financial and environmental reasons.

Solar power is a "green" and renewable power and doesn't emit harmful carbon dioxide, which means it's a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Close to 3000 pounds of CO2 per year can be saved by a typical home solar energy system, which works out to about 30 tons over its lifetime. These clean, green technologies will be the core of the next industrial revolution, according to Tony Juniper, Friends of the Earth director.

The use of solar power drastically reduces electricity costs, and this is one of the most common reasons for choosing it. Federal and state governments offer solar incentives, which help to offset the initial expenses of a solar energy system. The 2005 Energy Policy Act provides two ways to be given a solar energy tax credit from the federal government. Solar energy rebates are also offered by more than 50% of US states.

An average of 164 watts of solar power per square meter is delivered to the Earth's crust by the sun. If we placed enough solar panels in the Sahara desert to cover just one percent of it, we could generate enough electricity to power the entire planet. This abundance of solar power means there's more than we'll ever need. But because the power sent out by the sun arrives as a mixture of light and heat, we can't use it as it is to directly power a car or a computer. This is why solar panels were invented - to convert the sun's power into a form we can use, like electricity.

Any extra electricity you create using your solar panels, if you're attached to the grid, will be paid for by the utility company. Accounting for a solar energy system's electricity production and enabling utilities to purchase excess energy from homeowners, net metering is allowed in 30 states. The most frequently used option is a single, reversible meter. As a solar energy system produces electricity, the kilowatts are used first to meet on-site energy demand. Excess electricity is then fed into the grid, turning the electric meter backwards, instead of being stored in a battery. The homeowner is credited for the extra kilowatts at the end of each metering period.

Excess electricity can be stored for use on days that are overcast. The ability to store excess electricity in batteries means you don't need to be attached to the grid even for cloudy days. In stand alone solar power systems batteries are charged with surplus electricity for night-time use. The life cycle of a battery is what determines its suitability for use with solar cells. The amount of electricity required, along with the size of the battery, will determine the number of hours energy will last during periods of no sunlight.

How is solar power produced? To produce solar power, you'll need a solar panel, which is composed of one or more solar cells. As sunlight falls onto a solar cell, the cell takes in light particles (called photons). Each photon contains power, and when soaked up, the photon releases an electron in the material of the solar cell. Electric wiring on both sides of the cell enable a flow of current as the photon is absorbed. Using this method, the solar cell produces electricity, which can be used immediately, or stored within a battery for future use.

Solar panels are made up of solar cells. An individual solar cell is not able to produce enough power for most purposes; therefore, several are joined in solar panels because of course, they create more electricity together. Solar panels are available in many types and sizes, the most typical of which produce as much as 50 W of electricity and consist of silicon solar cells. Interconnecting solar panels produce even more electricity.

A solar panel is a sizable flat, rectangular shape, usually somewhere between the dimensions of a radiator and a door. Power collectors, called solar cells, make up solar panels. A solar cell is usually 8-sided and blue-black in color, about the size of your palm. Just like the cells in a battery, these cells are intended to generate electricity. However, these cells use sunlight instead of chemicals to create electricity. Solar panels are also called photovoltaic panels (or PV panels), which comes from a combination of the Greek word for light, and electricity pioneer Alessandro Volta.

You may be curious about how sunlight is transformed into electricity. When the sun shines onto a solar cell, photons (light particles) are bombarded onto the upper surface of the cell. Each light particle then carries its energy down through the cell. The photons then transfer their power to electrons in the lower layer of the cell. The electrons use this energy to escape into the circuit by jumping the barrier into the upper layer. The movement of these electrons through the circuit generates the power for our lights and appliances.

Photovoltaic cells generate electricity from sunlight, but there are other methods for making solar energy. You can also get solar-thermal panels which heat water as opposed to creating electricity. Solar-thermal panels work differently than PV panels, and don't involve electricity. Although they seem similar to solar panels, instead of light particles being grabbed by solar cells, solar thermal panels have black glass which absorbs the sun's heat. Hot water is generated by directing water between the solar panels, heating it up as it goes, after which it is channeled into the water system and of course, comes out of the faucets as hot water.

It's incredible to think that the power transmitted by the sun in just one hour, is more than the whole world uses in a year. Designing (or redesigning) a building to take advantage of sunlight and heat is using passive solar power. This can be achieved by adding more insulation to your roof, or installing an extra south-facing window. Any "passive" adjustments like these would be installed either when the house is initially built, or during major renovation. Adding solar panels or other sunlight collectors would be referred to as active solar energy.

Any form of light that hits solar panels can be transformed to solar power, which means that even on gray days they can still create some power. You can receive back-up energy (for example at night) in one of two ways. One is that you can apply to be connected to the grid in the regular way, so that this acts as a back-up supply for when your solar panels are not operating as would be the case after dark. The other option is storing additional electricity from your solar panels in batteries which will then power your appliances and lights during hours of darkness.

In this environment of global warming and diminishing oil resources, it makes sense.to turn our awareness to natural and renewable resources. Solar power systems have become the most widespread source of renewable energy due to the fact that they make no clatter and manufacture no pollutants. Fitting photovoltaic (solar) panels while continuing to be connected to the grid is the most common method of changing to solar power. Any added electricity generated by the solar system is then fed into the grid. In this way the household can get paid for additional electricity produced, and can also acquire electricity at night.

Water bills can be cut by 50 to 70 % by using a first-rate solar water panel system. Apart from the evident environmental benefits of solar power, it makes financial sense. By combining both solar water panel and PV panel systems you can save even more. Installation costs for solar energy systems are high, although there are different grants available to help finance solar technology. A much more reasonably priced option is to assemble your own solar panels.

Traditional fuel sources are proving to be more tricky and costly to use, meaning an expansion in the value of solar power. Considering global warming and pollution it's apparent that traditional energy sources will no longer be viable. Renewable power sources, by definition, are limitless, unlike fossil fuel. As renewable energy technology continues to mature and the prices of accepted power sources rise, solar technology is starting to become more affordable.

Environmentally aware Hollywood celebrities, such as Cate Blanchett and Orlando Bloom, have taken their commitment further than recycling and driving hybrid cars. These actors have switched to using solar panels and other renewable power sources in their homes, slashing their energy use. Johnny "Captain Jack Sparrow" Depp's island in the Bahamas is to be powered by solar power rather than environmentally unfriendly generators. "Dallas" star, Larry Hagman has saved $24,000 per year by switching to solar power, taking his electricity bill from $37,000 to a mere $13,000 a year.

Actor, Edward Norton was so inspired by the solar panels installed in his own house that he created a program, in partnership with BP, to provide solar energy systems to lower income households in the LA area. Through the BP Solar Neighbors program a free solar system is offered to a low income household each time a celebrity buys one. An outstanding idea, the project has already had some of the best of Hollywood talent participating in it, including Owen Wilson, Alicia Silverstone and Will Ferrell. This project is probably contributing to the 30% annual growth of BP's solar division.

Around 50% the world's power supply will come from sustainable energy sources within the next 30 years according to forecasts from Shell. A great sustainable energy project is being shared by some of the top global corporations, including Total, General Electric and BP. The recent BP oil spill disaster has turned the world's attention to the increasing demand for alternative sources of energy and has increased public interest in solar energy as well as other renewable sources of power. The serious consequences of the oil spill have resulted in a substantial reshuffle of investment priorities, with American energy marketing campaigns placing a lot more focus on sustainable sources of power.

The United States is by far the major energy consumer in the world. 25% of the world's power consumption is by the US - even though it accounts for only 5% of the entire population of the earth. A 100mw solar energy plant in Israel will provide more than 200,000 people with electricity, and they have plans to build an even bigger plant in the future - a 500mw plant. The world's largest solar electricity system can be found in Bavaria, while around 1/2 of solar panels manufactured worldwide are used in Japan. When looking at these facts we can see how far America has to go in order to make the most of solar energy.

If you switch to using solar panels for your house, there are 2 aspects to the financial benefits. Using solar energy firstly means lower electricity bills. Second, if you stay connected to the grid, you've got the option to sell excess electricity to the utility company. With installation costs still being very high, the typical residential solar power system takes around 18 months to have paid for itself - although making your own solar panels is a less expensive option.

Many more individuals are creating their own solar panels now than ever before. Since solar system installation costs are still very high DIY solar panels are fast becoming popular. And the process is easier than you may think. DIY solar panels can be safe and highly effective if created and installed using a good instruction guide. Certainly, creating your own solar panels saves the initial installation costs which means the savings are even greater in the long run.

Property value can be increased by the addition of solar panels. According to HUD, for every $1,000 you save in annual utility bills the value of your home rises by $20,000. A house which is energy efficient is of great value in the eyes of a potential buyer. In addition to the other benefits, a solar system means a home has a back-up system during electricity blackouts. A home-buyer knows that if they buy a house with a solar power system installed, they are also buying peace of mind - knowing that during any power outages they will be unaffected.

Installing panels on a roof that faces east or west will still work - you don't have to have a south-facing roof. Another effective option is the ground-mounted solar system placed in a flat, un-shaded area. A pole, cemented into the ground holds the solar panel in place. Batteries which have been charged with any surplus electricity produced by the solar panels during the day can provide energy overnight.

Solar panels will still work with a roof that faces east or west and are not reliant on a south/north one. Another effective option is the ground-mounted solar system placed in a flat, un-shaded area. A pole, fixed into the ground with cement holds the solar panel in place. Your overnight energy can come either from the grid - if you're still connected - or from batteries which have been charged with excess electricity from your solar system during the day. To Find Out More Go To http://buildyourownsolarpanelsystem.com

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

FuseMail Webmail v3 Beta Panelling

Consulting and Design

Installing Stone Veneer Panels and Siding

It looks like real stone but saves money, time and labor. Stone veneer panels made of strong, lightweight polyurethane is the right material for lots of projects inside and outside your home or business. And you don't need special skills or tools to do the installation yourself. If you have a measuring tape, a level, and basic woodworking tools like saws and drills, you can do it. Here's how.

Materials and Tools
o Stone veneer siding panels
o Construction adhesive (PL® Polyurethane Premium recommended)
o Screws appropriate for your installation, as described in the instructions below
o Filler or caulk to match the panels
o Screwdriver (cordless driver-drill recommended)
o Wood-cutting saw for cutting panels (jigsaw, bandsaw, etc.)
o For installation over concrete: Either a hammer drill and masonry bit; or, for adhesive-only installation, Great Stuff(TM) Gaps & Cracks filler and disposable gloves

Instructions
1. Make sure the stone veneer panels will fill the height of the wall without leaving a narrow strip uncovered. For example, say your wall needs four rows of panels plus just one inch. Because it's hard to cut and install a strip that narrow, you should plan to cut an inch or two off the bottom of the bottom row of panels. Then the top row will be that much wider and easier to work with.
2. Sweep or vacuum the wall to remove dust and loose dirt. For concrete, use a stiff broom or brush and sweep firmly.
3. Snap a level line on the wall at the top of the first row of panels. If the panels will be scribed to the floor, measure up from the lowest point of the floor. If any gap at the bottom will be hidden by trim, measure up from the highest point of the floor.
4. Decide where the first panel should start by laying out some panels on the floor along the wall. Or, measure the width of the wall and the width of a single panel, and do the layout on paper. Your goal is to avoid cutting very narrow panels at each end of the wall. Keep in mind that you will be staggering the rows of panels so their vertical seams do not line up.
5. Install the first panel of the bottom row (scroll down to read section entitled "Installing Each Stone Veneer Panel"). You can work from the left or right, and you can start with the very end panel or the one next to it. When you do install an end panel, you may need to scribe it to the adjacent wall surface (read last section of this article, "Scribing Stone Veneer PanelsInstalling Each Stone Veneer Panel
Usually you use both adhesive and screws to install each stone veneer panel. If you are installing the panels on concrete, you may instead follow a different method using adhesive only.

Adhesive and Screws (any surface)
1. Choose flat-head Phillips screws appropriate for your installation:
o You need four screws per panel.
o For exterior installations, be sure to use exterior screws that won't rust.
o For installation into wood studs, use screws long enough to penetrate between 3/4 inch and 1 inch into the stud. Do not use longer screws; you could hit wires or pipes!
o For installation over concrete, use Tapcon® concrete screws long enough to penetrate between 1 inch and 1 3/4 inch into the concrete.
2. Dry-fit the panel in place and make sure it fits. If you are installing on concrete, pre-drill a hole near each corner for the Tapcon screw. Follow the manufacturer's specification for the hole size.
3. Apply construction adhesive in a zigzag pattern to the back of the panel.
4. Apply adhesive to any edge that fits against an existing panel. Apply it so it will squeeze out toward the back rather than the front.
5. Slip the panel into place, interlocking the seams with adjacent panels. Use your hand or fist to tap the panel so the seams are very tight.
6. Drive a screw into the panel near each corner, slightly countersinking the screw head.

Adhesive Only (alternative method for concrete)
1. Read the instructions on the can of Great Stuff Gaps & Cracks filler. Wear disposable gloves; Great Stuff is extremely sticky.
2. Dry fit the panel in place and make sure it fits.
3. If this panel fits against already-installed panels, apply construction adhesive to those edges on the installed panels. Apply it so it will squeeze out toward the back rather than the front.
4. Carefully apply a zigzag snake of Great Stuff to the back of the panel. Stay several inches away from the edges, and don't apply too much. The foam expands as it cures.
5. Immediately slip the panel into place on the wall. Wiggle it slightly to spread the foam, and press it firmly against adjacent panels so the seams are tight.
6. Hold the panel firmly against the wall for a few minutes until the foam sets. Make sure it's firmly attached before installing the next panel.

Scribing Stone Veneer Panels
When you fit a faux stone veneer panel against a perfectly plumb adjacent wall or a perfectly level floor, all you need to do is cut the panel straight across. But if the wall or floor is irregular or out of square, you need to scribe the edge of the panel so it fits precisely without any unsightly gaps.
These steps explain scribing to a wall. Use a similar procedure to scribe to a ceiling or floor.
1. Set the compass spread:
o If you're installing the first panel in a row, and the panel is already cut to the right rough length, spread the compass just wide enough to cover the biggest gap between the wall and the solid part of the panel -- say, 1/2 inch.
o If you're fitting the last panel in a row, first cut the panel an inch or two over-long. Hold it in place, level and butted against the wall, so it slightly overlaps the next-to-last panel. Then spread the compass to exactly match the amount of the overlap (not counting the interlocking tabs).
2. Carefully hold the panel in place, level and butted against the wall. With the compass pencil resting on the panel and the point resting against the wall, slide the compass so the pencil traces a line on the panel as the point follows the contour of the wall.
3. Cut carefully along the line. Test the fit and use a coarse file to remove any high spots.

Jon McLean is a lifelong home remodeler, woodworker, furniture maker, and Mac enthusiast who lives in NH and supports his money-draining hobbies by sharing instruction articles. When he finds a product like stone veneer panels that he loves, he writes about it.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Final spray coat on panelling

Consulting and Design

DIY Solar Panels - Build Your Own Homemade Solar Panels & Save the Environment Now

Are Homemade Solar Panels Possible, Economical, and Useful?

With energy prices rising steadily over the last few decades and no reason to think they'll fall anytime soon, many homeowners are exploring the option of powering their homes with renewable, or "green", power systems. The two most common home green energy systems are wind turbines and solar panels. Of these two, solar energy panels have emerged as the most popular, due to their solid-state nature - meaning that with fewer moving parts, they require less maintenance over the years.

Unfortunately, installing a solar power system in your home can be prohibitively expensive. Having pre-made solar power panels professionally installed costs at least $3000 - and the price tag only rises quickly from there. To reduce this huge cost, many homeowners are exploring the possibility of building and installing their own homemade solar panels. You may be one of them.

If so, you probably have a lot of questions. Can the average person really build a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) solar power system in their garage or basement? If they could, would it really be significantly cheaper than having it professionally installed? And finally, would homemade solar panels provide enough electricity to be worth all the time and effort? This article will seek to answer these questions.

What Are the Benefits of a Home Solar Power System?

o You can reduce or even eliminate your power bill.
o If you generate surplus electricity, you can sell it to your local power company.
o You can increase the property value of your home.
o You can get tax deductions for using eco-friendly home power systems.
o You no longer have to worry about power outages.
o You help protect the environment - solar energy produces no greenhouse gasses.

What Are the Benefits of Building Homemade Solar Panels?

o Money. Over half of a contractor's installation fee is time and labor. If you provide this yourself, you can drastically reduce the cost of building and installing your own home solar power system.

o Time. You can build your homemade solar panels in stages, adding new panels and producing more electricity at your own pace.

o Education. By building a home solar power system yourself, you'll learn how solar electrical technology works. You'll be able to perform your own maintenance and repairs, further reducing your costs.

Where Can I Find the Materials to Build a Homemade Solar Panel?

Almost all the materials you'll need to build a DIY solar panel (such as copper wire, plywood, glass, silicone, etc.) can be found at either your local hardware store (such as Home Depot) or electronics store (such as Radio Shack). The same goes for the tools and equipment you'll need to build your homemade solar panels. Any tool you don't already have in your garage or basement (such as a voltage meter), you can buy at your local hardware or electronics store.

The lone exception to this rule is the photovoltaic solar cells that you'll need to build together into DIY solar power panels. Unless you live in a very large city with a specialized solar hardware store, you'll probably need to order these online or you can make it on your own.

Where Should I Place My Homemade Solar Panels?

The two most common places to put DIY solar panels are either on the roof of your house, or on the ground in your yard.

The roof has emerged as the most popular location for two reasons. First, in order to convert sunlight into electricity, solar energy panels need a direct line-of-sight between them and the sun. Trees, other buildings, or any other obstacle that provides shade or otherwise gets in the way will block the sun from your homemade solar panels. The easiest way to solve this problem is to raise the solar power panels up higher than the obstacles. To do that, of course, you should place the DIY solar panels on the roof.

Second, solar energy panels are big, and take up a lot of space. Furthermore, you will probably need more than one to power your entire home. If you mount your homemade solar panels on the ground, you may quickly fill your entire yard. Mounting DIY solar panels in the roof instead has the advantage of keeping them out of the way and freeing up your yard.

Ground-mounted solar power panels, however, do have one big advantage: accessibility. It is much easier and safer to walk out into your yard than on the roof of your house to perform maintenance and repairs to your homemade solar panels. If you live in a part of the country where there are few trees, such as the Great Plains or the Southwest, and if you own enough property (like a farm) to mount several DIY solar panels and have room to spare, perhaps ground-mounted solar energy panels are the way to go.

What Direction Should I Point My Homemade Solar Panels?

Placing your DIY solar panels perfectly flat, facing straight up, is the best option. This way, no matter where the sun is in the sky or at what angle, sunlight is still hitting the solar panel somewhere. Unfortunately, however, many homes have angled roofs instead of flat, making the "pointing straight up" option impractical. In this case, mount your DIY solar panels on the south-facing side of your roof to collect the most sunlight. In the continental United States, the sun is in the southern part of the sky for the most part.

How Can I Build Homemade Solar Panels?

The answer to that question goes way beyond the scope of this brief article. What we can do, however, is point you in the right direction. The easiest and most efficient route for you to go is to buy a step-by-step instruction manual on how to build DIY solar panels from one of the many websites that sell them. These are usually $50 or less, and well worth the money.

Not all instruction manuals for DIY solar power panels are equal, however. Here are some things to look for when shopping online for a good instruction manual:

o Clear, Step-by-Step Instructions (instead of just overviews)
o Simple, Plain English (instead of confusing technical terms and slang)
o Multiple, Clear Illustrations (instead of just text)
o Demonstration Videos (although not necessary, they are very, very helpful)
o Shopping Tips (for solar cells, deep-cycles batteries, and other hard-to-find items)
o Good Reviews (from past customers)
o Price (more than $60 is too much)

If you can find a high-quality manual, you will start enjoying the benefits of DIY solar panels within 2 weeks, because the manual should be able to teach you to build homemade solar energy panels in just a weekend.

If you've enjoyed all the exciting information you read here about Homemade Solar Panels, you'll love everything else you find at DIY Solar Panels.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Wall Panelling Ltd

Consulting and Design

How to Identify the Different Varieties of Wood Grain Wall Paneling

In all my years of working as an interior decorator, I have never come across a subject that is so misunderstood as Wood Grain Wall Paneling. I'm here to set the record straight on this type of wall paneling. I will do my best to describe to you what is available in wood grain wall paneling. So join me as I walk you through what is being offered in the world of wood grain wall paneling. You will find out that you have a good variety of styles to choose from. After having given it some time and thought, I have put together some short definitions of the different types of wood grain wall paneling available today. This isn't your grandfather's wall paneling.

Okay, so let's take a look at wood grain wall paneling. This is the type of paneling most people think of when the subject of wall paneling comes up. Wood grain paneling comes in a variety of colors and planking widths. Your wood grain choices are Beaded Birch, Frosted Maple, Beaded White, Honey Birch, Lite Birch, Westminster White, Provincial Pine, Paintable Deep Beaded, Oakdale, Fireside Cherry, Plain White Perforated Utility Panel and Oakdale Perforated Utility Panel.

I will try to describe these wood grain wall panels to the best of my ability. The Beaded Birch has a medium brown stain with double-cut grooves cut down the length of the panel approximately 2 inches apart. The Frosted Maple is a grayish off-white stain. This panel also has double-cut grooves cut down the length of the panel approximately 2 inches apart.

The Beaded White is a white stain with double-cut grooves cut down the length of the panel approximately 2 inches apart. The Honey Birch is a medium-dark brown stain with single grooves running down the length of the panel alternating between 4 and 6 inches apart.

The Lite Birch is a lighter brown stain with single grooves running down the length of the panel alternating between 4 and 6 inches apart. The Westminster White is, of course, white stain. Westminster White panel is a smooth panel and has no grooves.

Next we have Provincial Pine. Provincial Pine is a light brown stain which has double-cut grooves cut down the length of the panel approximately 4 inches apart. Paintable Deep Beaded comes with a white stain. It has the look of typical bead board. This panel has double-cut grooves cut down the length of the panel approximately 2 inches apart.

Next we have Oakdale. Oakdale is a medium dark brown stain panel with double-cut grooves cut down the length of the panel approximately 4 inches apart. So now we are at Fireside Cherry. Fireside Cherry is a deep dark brown stain. This panel has a single black groove going down the length of the panel alternating between 4 and 6 inches apart.

The next 2 wood grain wall panels are perforated. These panels are called Utility Wall Panels. The holes on these panels serve a purpose. What you do is install these panels in your workshop or garage over the open studs of the wall, so there is an open space behind the perforated panel. There are all types of hooks and holders you can buy at your local hardware store that slide into these perforations. After you apply the hooks that you choose, you will be able to hang your tools, brooms, winter shovels, gardening tools and just about anything within a reasonable size and weight. There are a wide variety of shelves and small storage units that are made to hang on perforated utility panels.

The first of these 2 perforated panels is the Plain White Perforated Utility Panel. That pretty much says it all. This is a white stained 4' x 8' perforated wall panel. The second perforated utility panel is called the Oakdale Perforated wall panel. This 4' x 8' perforated utility wall panel is finished in a medium-dark oak finish. If you are looking for a beautiful wood finished utility panel to organize your tools and supplies, then this panel is for you.

So now you know what is available to you in regards to wood grain wall paneling. Wood grain wall paneling is only a small part of what is available in wall paneling in general. I will follow up in the near future with more information on other types of wall paneling. I hope this has helped you to understand what is available to you when it comes to wall paneling of the wood grain type.

Author Bio: After growing up as the apprentice of his father who was a master of all trades, Joe Tobiasz, Owner/Webmaster: [http://www.wall-decor-concepts.com] explored the idea of a career in interior decorating and design over 25 years ago. Since then he has never looked back. He has both volunteered and consulted for many friends and associates over the years offering his natural talent for decorating and remodeling in both interior and exterior applications. When it come to his website, his unusual way of presenting information in the form of short stories has him the talk of both webmasters and the online community.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Thin Film PV Finally Gains Ground

After a large number of companies developing thin film PV panels got huge amounts of venture capital funding between 2005 and 2008, a handful are now emerging with viable products.

These panels are manufactured in a radically different way to traditional crystalline silicon PV panels.  This means they have the potential to be dramatically cheaper than regular panels because the manufacturing process is faster, uses less energy and requires fewer raw materials.  Despite this promise, thin film PV has a number of drawbacks.  The mains ones are efficiency (thin film PV tends to 11% efficient at best compared with 16% for crystalline silicon) and reliability (early thin film panels showed signs of degradation).

Since the thin film companies got their money a few ago, many have fallen by the wayside.  Setting up a thin film solar factory requires huge amounts of capital so a lot of companies just ran out of money and couldn't convince investors to top them up with cash.  On the other hand, there are a few who managed to actually complete their manufacturing lines and start producing solar panels.  Unfortunately there is still a long way to go before the solar panels can be sold once that stage has been reached however.  In all markets, solar panels are now seen as a long term investment.  This means that investors need to have absolute confidence that the panels will last through their warranty period (usually 20 or 25 years).  Proving reliability is no easy task.  The panels have to go through months of intense testing, and many banks require at least 2 years of real field data before agreeing to lend money to projects involving those panels.  This means there is a long, long wait before these manufacturers can actually sell panels in any large quantities.

Up until recently there were only one, or possibly two, thin film PV companies that had reached that point, the most notable being First Solar who are one of the two largest solar manufacturers of any kind worldwide.  It seems that after all this time there is now a small selection of companies who may be about to join this list.

For me the front runners for this are the Californian company Miasole, the Japanese manufacturer Solar Frontier, and possibly the German company Q Cells with their Q.Smart thin film panels.  Miasole have just announced a large sales contract with the well respected German distributor Phoenix Solar on the back of two years of testing at their Bavarian headquarters.  Solar Frontier have announced a range of lucrative sales contracts around the world which should mean their panels should start to be seen much more widely in the near future.

There is still a long way to go before we know if people will start choosing silicon over thin film panels.  They still have a lower efficiency, which means they have to be sold significantly cheaper than higher efficiency panels, but it could be that the manufacturing costs are so much lower (once they get to large scale production) that the thin film PV companies are still able to make a good profit when selling at much below current prices.  Whether thin film PV enjoys rapid success or not, from now on there will be significantly more thin film PV companies to choose from.

Kevin Langley is a leading knowledge in the Solar Investment and Renewable Energy world. Having worked with the subject for many years, he is fast becoming an expert on green energy and investments in green stocks.

He writes for many blogs and runs a range of Solar websites. He has a keen interest in green renewable energy and spends most of this writing time focusing on this subject.

http://solarfeedintariff.co.uk/

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Thin film interference

Consulting and Design

Thin Film Solar Panels Will Revolutionize Renewable Energy

Thin Film Solar Panels

You may have heard of the solar revolution. It is currently here, in the beginning stages. Solar technology is expected to double every three years (moores law) - like the computer industry. With thin film solar panels, solar will become much cheaper and easier to install.

Thin Film Solar Panels are Cheaper to Produce

Is it cheaper to buy a piece of paper or a piece of glass? Is is easier to install something that weighs 10 pounds or something that weighs less than a pound? Is this really possible?

The answer is yes. Due to special dyes and inks, solar panels can be produced in a wide range of thin film plastics with a special printing machine. One company that pioneered thin film solar is Nanosolar. They are a start up company with a lot of financial backing from Google. Nanosolar has invented special inks that use nanotechnology to create a solar panel with a special layered printing process.

The other company to watch is Covalent Solar. They use special dyes instead of ink. The company was started at MIT and has some bright engineers working there. What is the difference between an ink and a dye? The difference is semantics, at best. What is important to know is that there is more than one company working on the same processes and they are both having success. The efficiency rates produced by Covalent solar are amazing. Both companies expect to be into full production in the near future.

So, the main thing about thin film solar is that the price is going to come way down. There is a certain threshold that will make or break the industry. When solar is less costly than using your utility provider, you can expect a revolution. Since utility prices vary widely, certain areas will catch onto solar first. However, once solar is cheaper than most utilities, you can expect the revolution to gain some real traction. Will it happen? Many proponents of solar are saying that it is going to happen soon. Already, at this point, many utilities have a huge backlog of customers that want to tie into the grid or that have applied for utility rebate programs. Many people are committed and just waiting for their utilities or for thin film to get into full production.

Thin Film Solar Panels are Easier to Install

Is it much easier to put something light onto our home than something heavy. The lightweight thin film solar will be able to be applied so much easier that installation cost will plummet. About half the cost of installing a solar system is paying for the contractor. With thin film solar, you can expect that the contractor pricing will be reduced by more than two thirds. As the industry gains momentum, homeowners will install their own solar panels as they get support from stores like Home Depot and Lowes. All these factors point to a much lower cost of getting into solar, for your home.

Innovation will take leaps and bounds with the new technology. Thin film solar can be applied in many new ways that have never been used or thought of before. For example, as of today, there are solar shingles and solar panels built into solar cars (like the Toyota Prius). These innovations are awesome, but much more is coming. For example, some engineers are working on producing solar paint. Can you imagine painting your entire home with a solar panel? That would be something a homeowner could do and could cover a lot of area for a great price. Thin film solar will also be light enough to roll up and pack around to install just about anywhere. Finally, people are planning on plugging their electric cars into their solar home grid. The day of fossil fuels may just be on its way out.

Final Thought
For solar to become the dominant energy source, it will take longer than expected and bumps in the road will exist. One of the largest bumps, in the road, will be huge displacements of wealth, as about a third of the fortune 500 companies are energy companies. In addition, how will foreign oil nations produce wealth? As people gain energy independence, they will become more free and have more real wealth, but people will need to stand up for it. There are a lot of companies trying to harness all the new customers and trying to take over the new solar energy market.

For further information, please visit Solar Panels or you may also like Solar Power

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Thin Film Interference - The Art of Physics (with POV Ray)

Consulting and Design

Thin-Film Solar Technology

To date, the dominant solar cell technology has been crystalline silicon cells. Following the success of crystalline technology, many solar scientists and engineers started developing alternative, lower cost PV technologies which led to the development of thin-films. As the name suggests, thin-film cells are based on using thinner semiconductor layers to absorb and convert sunlight to electricity.

How thin you ask? Compared to silicon-wafer cells, which have light-absorbing layers that are generally 350 microns thick, thin-film solar cells have light-absorbing layers that are just one micron thick (1 micron = one-millionth of a meter).

How are they manufactured? Thin-film solar cells are created by depositing several layers of a light-absorbing material (a semiconductor) onto a substrate such as coated glass, metal, or plastic. These semiconductor layers don't have to be thick because they can absorb solar energy very efficiently. As a result, thin-film solar cells require less materials to manufacture, are flexible, and are therefore suitable for many applications that crystalline cells are not. Thin-film can also be manufactured in a large-area process, which can be an automated, continuous production process, and therefore has the potential to significantly reduce manufacturing costs.

So why haven't thin-film cells taken over the solar market? Thin-film solar cells are currently not as efficient as crystalline cells and are still more expensive to manufacture for most solar applications.

Are there different types of thin-film cells? There are three main types of thin-film cells, Amorphous Silicon (a-Si), Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) and Copper Indium, Gallium, and Selenium (CIGS) cells.

a-Si Cells Amorphous silicon cells are a thinner version of the traditional silicon-wafer cell. One of the biggest problems with a-Si solar cells is their efficiency. These cells are subject to significant degradation in power output when exposed to the sun. By reducing the thickness of the cells, these degradation issues can be overcome, however, thinner layers also absorb sunlight less efficiently. As a result, a-Si cells are perfect for smaller-scale applications, such as calculators, but less than ideal for larger-scale applications, such as solar-powered buildings.

CdTe Cells Moving on down the efficiency scale we come to CdTe cells. The basic structure and function of these cells is as follows:

The front and back of the module are made of laminated glass sheets. This glass is heat-strengthened to withstand transport and thermally-induced stresses. This ensures the modules durability over its 25+ year life.

The semiconductor is a CdTe compound semiconductor that is applied in a very thin layer and forms the active photovoltaic cells, which convert sunlight into electricity.

The laminate material or EVA is an adhesive used to bond the cover glass to the substrate. This seals the cell from the environment.

While CdTe thin-film cells are still not as efficient as crystalline, these cells are being used in large-scale commercial solar developments. As of 2008, First Solar, a leading CdTe manufacturer, reported that over 300 MW of First Solar PV modules had been installed worldwide.

CIGS Cells

Compared to CdTe cells, CIGS has been able to reach higher efficiencies and requires less toxic cadmium to produce.These cells operate similarly to conventional crystalline silicon solar cells. When light hits the cell it is absorbed in the CIGS and thus creates free electrons and holes. These electrons diffuse in the CIGS grains until they reach electric field within the junction region. At this point they are driven into the Cadmium Sulfide / Zinc Oxide (ZnO), which leads to a build up of voltage between the ZnO electrode and the Molybdenum (Mo) base.

CIGS exhibits a few characteristics that make it a valuable solar PV material. The first is its absorption coefficient, which is rated among the highest for all semiconductor materials. This means that ninety-nine percent of the light that hits CIGS is absorbed in the first micrometer, which allows these cells to remain thin yet efficient. In addition, CIGS has a high current density and as a result, has the potential to produce high current outputs.

Over 35 companies are currently developing CIGS technology, with the most notable being Solyndra who received a $535 million federal loan from the Department of Energy to build a state of the art CIGS manufacturing plant. Most recently, Solar Frontier (a Showa Shell company), announced it is building a 900 Megawatt factory in Japan. This $1 billion investment in the plant will provide Solar Frontier with a manufacturing capacity that could elevate the company to a CIGS market leader.

Health Concerns The health concerns with thin-films focus on the use of cadmium. Cadmium is a highly toxic substance that, like mercury, can accumulate in food chains. Many companies like First Solar have recognized the issue and have created recycling programs to deal with the solar cells at the end of their useful life. Many claim that this is a significant issue for the technology especially as it often included as part of the green energy revolution. Due to these health concerns, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and several other agencies and companies are currently investigating cadmium-free thin-film solar cells.

With investment dollars pouring into thin-film one could conclude that it is only a matter a time before thin-films dominate the solar market. The applications for these flexible solar cells are endless. Entire buildings could be blanketed with cells and they could help facilitate a new generation of solar-powered cars and trucks.

By Matthew Ryder-Smith

At Residential Solar 101! we are here to help you learn about powering your home or small business with solar energy. In fact, installing solar panels on your home has never been easier or more affordable. You've thought about switching to solar energy in the past, but were never sure when the technology, rebates, and motivation would all come together. NOW is that time! The high efficiency solar panels are tried and trusted, the federal rebates are better than ever, and many tax incentives are only here for a short while longer. Sign up now to speak with our solar experts and get up to 4 free solar quotes for your home. You could be paying less for clean energy sooner than you think!

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Growing Plants on Thin Films #DigInfo

Consulting and Design

Alternative Energy And Solar Energy - Thin-Film Solar Panels

As technology constantly advances there are many new green technologies released each day that can help us improve our energy efficiency. One such technology is the "Thin-Film Solar Panel." How are thin-film solar panels being used by consumers today? How do they compare against traditional photovoltaic (PV) panels?

How Solar Cells Work

Since every solar panel is built using lots of individual cells its important to understand how these cells work. According to GE, "Solar cells convert one form of energy (sunlight) into another form of energy (electricity). When the sunlight is reduced or stopped, for example, when a cloud passes in front of the sun or when the sun goes down in the evening, the conversion process slows down or stops completely. When the sunlight returns, the conversion process resumes. Solar cells do not store electricity. At night, a solar electric system needs some form of energy storage, usually batteries, to draw upon instead of the solar cells."

What is a Thin-Film Solar Panel?

A thin-film panel is named more for it's manufacturing process than it's actual size. Considered by many as part of the second generation of photovoltaic cells, thin-film solar panels use a manufacturing process which involves applying multiple thin layers of a sunlight reactive substance onto a base material.

What are the Benefits of Thin-Film Solar Panels?

Unlike their "thick-film" cousins, thin-film panels use much less raw material in manufacturing. Additionally thin-film cells can be manufactured in a large-area process. This process can be both continuous and automated. Another unique characteristic of thin-film panels is their ability to be deposited on flexible substrate materials. This means thin-film solar panels can be integrated into roofing tiles and other architectural products. Thin-film panels are also much lighter than traditional photovoltaics.

Creating Thin-Film Solar Panels

Like many new technologies not everything is positive. While thin-film solar panels can provide a "green" way to make electricity it's important we realize their underlying environmental cost as well. Thin-film panels, like other solar panels, are very energy intensive to produce. They also require precious limited resources such as silicon, copper and cadmium.

Thin-Film vs. Traditional Solar Panels

While the efficiency of solar cells can vary widely from 6%, for amorphous silicon-based solar cells, to 42.8%, for non-commercial, multiple-junction research lab cells. The most common commercially available type of solar cell is the "Multicrystalline Si" which offers between 14-19% efficiency. While thin-film solar panels are catching up in efficiency, currently, they offer between 7-9% efficiency.

With Lower Efficiency Rates Why Should I Consider Thin-Film Panels?

Thin-film solar panels are lighter than traditional crystalline photovoltaic materials. Thanks to their lighter weight you can install them in a multitude of places you'd never be able to install traditional solar panels. Consider a roof installation, thin-film solar panels are simpler to install because you can avoid large, ugly and expensive roof mounted racks. Why would you want to install a rack when you can simply bond thin-film PV laminates to your roof? According to a recent Mother Earth News article it takes only "five to 10 minutes to apply each PV sheet to a roof panel."

Thin-Film Solar Panel Pricing

If you are willing to trade the efficiency loss for more flexible installation options you will most likely be surprised to learn that thin-film panels are priced competitively when compared to similarly sized traditional solar panels. Depending upon where you purchase your panels you should find them priced between $4 to $5 per watt. Remember to include the installation cost into your total purchase price because thin-film solar panels require significantly less labor to install.

Solar Incentives and Rebates

Incentive and rebate programs vary greatly based on where you live but due to the volume available I encourage you to search for incentives and rebates online. The Database of State Incentives for Renewable & Efficiency (DSIRE), run by the North Carolina Solar Center, is a great place to start. You can find the DSIRE here:

• http://www.dsireusa.org/index.cfm?&CurrentPageID=3&EE=1&RE=1

While thin-film panels aren't for everyone they can offer some people a flexible way to add solar power to their home or business. In today's market, thin-film panels are already competitive and as technology improves you can expect their efficiency to increase. Solar panels can gradually reduce our dependence on fossil fuel based power. Residential electricity generated by fossil fuels is the 3rd largest contributor of CO2 emissions in the United States.

Do your part to fight global warming - by going solar.

Sam Greyhawk is an energy efficiency evangelist working with Cool-N-Save(tm), an Energy Star Partner, based in Huntington Beach, California.

Cool-N-Save(tm) is a brand new air conditioner add-on that can be installed in just 10 minutes with no tools required. In the hottest months, your air conditioner can be responsible for up to 90% of your monthly electrical bill. Cool-N-Save(tm) has been scientifically proven by Tulane University to improve air conditioner efficiency by up to 30% - which translates into real monthly savings for you. Saving energy helps fight global warming and Cool-N-Save(tm) is a cost-effective way to reduce your energy usage.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Kitchen Island design Naples, custom kitchen islands Naples, paint Kitchen Island, Naples fl

Consulting and Design

Kitchen Island Ideas for Great Custom Kitchen Islands

Use kitchen island ideas to better understand how to create a more functional and comfortable kitchen. Using custom kitchen islands means having the most appropriate island for your home and kitchen area based on your kitchen space and your needs. Kitchen island ideas take us back to the farmhouse kitchen, even back to medieval times when a large worktable was used to do most of the preparation work.

Besides meal preparation, the kitchen can become a gathering area for family and friends if there is enough space. Since so much happens in the kitchen on a regular basis, getting the layout right is important. The kitchen island can serve as an additional eating area, and food preparation can easily be done there. In a large kitchen, the kitchen island can shorten the distances within the working triangle (sink, refrigerator and range or cooktop) and make it more efficient.

Here are kitchen island ideas to consider when planning your kitchen:

1. Kitchen islands work best in larger L, U or G-shape kitchens. If the kitchen is too small, the kitchen island will become an obstruction and hinder easy movement. The best custom kitchen islands for small to midsize kitchens are a portable butcher block or kitchen cart for food prep or extra storage.

2. Include a ventilation hood overhead to eliminate smoke, steam and cooking odors if your kitchen island is going to have a cooktop. The range hood should extend beyond the cooking area by 3 inches or more on the sides for proper ventilation. Using the correct fan size will ensure that removal happens as intended. Have a fan capacity of about 50 cubic feet per minute (cfm) for each square foot of cooktop area.

3. A second kitchen sink can be included on the kitchen island. Use a sink that is deep enough for washing large pots and pans, and consider equipping the kitchen island with a trash compactor, garbage disposal, recycle bin and even a dishwasher. Cleanup will be much easier when these appliances are close by the sink.

4. Allow adequate countertop space on both sides (left and right) of the kitchen island if a sink or cooktop will be used. Include at least 15 inches of countertop space on each side, and if your kitchen is large enough, allow even more space. You can never have too much countertop space in a kitchen. Also, rounded countertop corners help protect everyone from bad bruises -- this is true about all kitchen countertop corners.

5. Additional kitchen island ideas are to consider using shelf space on the sides of your kitchen island for cookbooks, collectibles or storage. A built-in TV works here, especially if it faces the family room. Or a microwave may work well for heating up after-school snacks and cooking foods quickly.

6. Countertop material for the island doesn't have to match the rest of your kitchen countertops as long as it is harmonious with the room's overall design. You may want to splurge on solid surfacing here, for example, and use laminate on the other countertops. A butcher-block countertop is ideal for chopping, while granite or marble works well for baking purposes and for rolling pastry dough.

7. Maximize natural light by having windows and skylights, and keep kitchen wall surfaces light in color to reflect daylight. Custom kitchen islands work great by using pendant or recessed fixtures to direct light onto the kitchen island and other work areas. Electrical codes will likely require that electrical outlets be located on the sides of fixed kitchen islands, not on the top, to prevent electrical shock.

Use custom kitchen islands ideas to help you know how to create an attractive area that will perform a variety of useful functions. Designed correctly, kitchen islands will make your work area more functional and efficient and will be enjoyed by everyone for many years. Read as many kitchen island ideas as you can on using an island to improve the functionality and comfort in your kitchen -- after all, your kitchen is most likely the most popular room in the house.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

Learn more about kitchen design online and creating the very best kitchen for your home. David Buster is VP of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.yourdreamloghome.com - visit the website and find informative articles for a variety of home improvement topics on kitchen design, bathrooms, fireplaces, home storage and more.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com