The Radiance of Knowing

When it comes to sustainable energy, solar power is the buzzword of our times; when most people think of energy efficiency, of being ‘eco-friendly’, or of ‘going green’, the first port of call, it seems, is often solar energy.

Within the field of solar power, though, there are many different systems and designs. First, the most common.

Photovoltaics

This is the type of solar energy conversion most readily associated with the term ’solar power’. Photovoltaics is the use of solar cells - light absorbent panels - to garner energy from the sun, to be converted into electricity.

Indeed it was the first type of solar power; the first cell was constructed in the 1880s. Photovoltaics did not reach a mass audience, though, until the 1960s and ’70s.

With its use of solar cells, photovoltaics is the solar energy system that is most commonly used in households.

Solar Thermal Power

These systems can be divided into low, medium or high temperature thermal collectors. At the higher end of the spectrum are power towers and parabolic troughs.

The first is a tall tower that absorbs heat reflected from an array of mirrors placed around its base. The second is a collection of mirrors curved into a trough, with an absorbent strip running through the middle. The angles of the trough mean that heat is reflected from the mirrors on the outer rims onto the absorber in the centre.

Of the systems deemed as low temperature collectors, the most notable are solar chimneys and solar air conditioning.

These are used mostly in households. A solar chimney - which is linked directly to the process of solar air conditioning - is heated by the sun from the outside, and creates heat for the air on the inside. In a similar process, solar air conditioning uses a suction system to create cold air at the base of the chimney, for use in the building below it.

Thin Film Solar Panels

A new development in technology means that ‘thin film’ - material that can be as thin as a nanometre - is being developed into a method of utilising solar energy through photovoltaics.

It could make for a revolutionary step, simply because the materials are cheaper and can be mass produced. If the developments are a success, ‘thin film’ could replace traditional heavyweight solar panels as the default platform for photovoltaics.

Solar Dye

In its early stages of development, the concept behind a solar dye is that - with the chemical capacity for light or heat absorption - the dye can be sprayed on to surfaces.

As a main benefit, then, solar dye technology allows for easy transportation and relatively low cost. It also appeals to a number of people because it does not involve the installation of equipment; simply spray selected surfaces and areas.

So there are many different types of solar energy out there, and these are just the main contenders. There are more, and - as solar power becomes more reliable, more cost efficient - more will develop.

Until then, have fun with these.

Chris Woolfrey is the solar power expert at EcoSwitch The environmental social network.

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Ondeck Sailing & Yachting are one of the admired yachting schools in the country currently, with more than 10 years of sailing practise under their belts they have merited this title. The sailing and yachting company itself was not established until two thousand and four where they then became labelled as the Ondeck Sailing Group. The original suggestion was to develop the charter yachting sector of the company to individuals, teams & businesses. The investment they chose to make in purchasing yachts has absolutely paid off well for them, they have built on what they previously had and basically extended on it. They have a big range of sailing tutorials aboard their performance boats & ay present provide skippered charters, corporate sailing race charters, mile building opportunities, cruising, adventure sailing trips, ocean passages and finally Caribbean charter. Ondeck makes it easier for you to take part in numerous Corporate Sailing Events. Visit the website today!

Ondeck Sailing and Yachting Group offer Corporate and Team sailing opportunities to all of their existing and new sailing clients. Ondeck Sailing Group aspiration is to aid all of their clientele to construct stronger more competent teams & lucrative enduring business relationships via a unique collection of corporate yachting day activities which are tough but are also enjoyable and there is something for each & everyone.

The Corporate Sailing activities are obtainable to everyone with a party scaled from 6 to six-hundred & the selections of what can be provided to you are endless, in reality it does count on what sort of event you are looking for. It is key to take into account that corporate yachting is for everybody and it’s not continually about spectating & racing at all of the key events in the yachting calendar, they also cater for any festivities, networking & company or leadership trainings that you possibly will wish to apart off.

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How disciplined are you?

If you’re like most freelancers, you love the “time freedom” of
your lifestyle. No more punching a time clock or being chained
to a desk. No more “hanging up quickly” when the boss walks by.

As a freelancer those days are gone forever…but one quickly
learns that in order to make a great living as a copywriter,
you’re now the “boss” to whom you must be accountable!

It’s ironic, to be sure. And as you strive for higher and higher
income and greater and greater success, you’ll realize that
neither will come without strict time discipline on your part.

Setting Your “Policy”

Now that you work from home (as most freelance writers do),
people will know that you’re available for rides to the airport
and other favors. Since part of the pleasure of freelancing is
its time flexibility, you might want to be able to say “yes”
from time to time.

However there’s a big danger lurking called “part time work,”
and if you spend too much time not working, you wind up with
“part time pay.” If you have a family or small children,
enormous amounts of time can also be siphoned away through small
but endless interruptions.

The best way to deal with “time thieves” is to institute a
“policy,” as most businesses do. When you say “I’m sorry, my
policy is to devote two hours per week to doing favors and this
week I’ve already used them up,” you’ll probably find little
resistance. That’s because policies are like printed signs:
people rarely argue with them.

A Simple But Powerful Daily Schedule Document

As a freelancer, you’ll need to create your own work system and
your own documents. Over the years I’ve refined my own system
and documents to near perfection (I’m always changing and
improving as ideas come to me).

One of my most powerful documents is my “Daily Timesheet and
Schedule.” It helps me prioritize my most important projects,
lays out what I need to do in half hour increments, shames me
into doing my daily exercise routine, and forces me to be
accountable throughout the day. If someone needs a favor of me,
it must go on the Daily Schedule where it “bumps” a work item.

Here is the Formula for Creating Your Own “Task Master”

Since it’s so easy for us freelancers to procrastinate when
we’re faced with a task we’d rather put off, I put right at the
top of my Daily Schedule the question, “How will I earn money
today?” And then I must write it down in the top position for
that day’s work.

This forces me to put aside the fun but less important jobs, to
focus on the most lucrative.

My Daily Schedule also has two columns: the left hand column is
for “Task”; the right hand column is for “Activity.” The Task
column shows what I should be doing at any appointed time. The
Activity column shows what I AM doing.

Having to write down what I’m actually doing under “Activity”
exposes those moments when I’m doing something I shouldn’t be
doing…those time-wasters that detract from my income. You can
imagine how powerful it is to acknowledge — by physically
writing it down — that you’re not doing what you’re supposed to
be doing!

If you adopt this system for keeping you on the
straight-and-narrow, be sure to create your plan for the day the
night before. That way you can gather the tools, papers,
research and other items you need so you can truly stay on
schedule throughout the day.

By working from such a schedule you can identify your personal
work weaknesses, increase your billable time and effectiveness,
and conquer your procrastination.

Try this system for yourself and see if you don’t get more done,
earn more, and feel more successful — because you are!

© 2005 Chris Marlow

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