Man, how cool is Northern Tool?! Sorry, I don’t mean to toot our own horns here, but seriously, when news like this flutters into my inbox, it makes me like a proud papa to be writing about such a rad company. So what is the news that makes me so excited, you might be asking? Simple, the fact that some absolute giants in the technology world are rushing right to the adoption and wide-spread implementation of solar power.
The “tech giants” I am referring to might surprise you. How about computer technology powerhouses IBM and National Semiconductor? Believe it. Seems to be that semiconductor and computer chip companies are all weighing their solar options and heading as fast as they can towards the implementation and use of the earth-friendly technology. Thank goodness. The good news, there is more.
Here is a brief rundown of some solar plays being made by the biggest players of them all:
“IBM. The computer giant in May unveiled a breakthrough concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) system that magnifies sunlight to 10 times the energy from today’s CPV units, cutting the number of solar panels needed. A liquid metal absorbs heat so the semiconductor doesn’t melt, technology IBM developed to cool high-power computer chips. IBM last month announced a new technique for thin-film solar — which uses 1% of the semiconductor in standard panels — to cut costs and boost efficiency. IBM says it will license both technologies.
Intel. The No. 1 chipmaker this month said it’s investing $38 million in German solar panel maker Sulfurcell. That followed the June spinoff of its own fledgling solar unit.
National Semiconductor. The chip giant last month said its new technology can boost energy output in solar panels by minimizing losses from shade. It drew from its expertise in power management in cellphones. Executive Ralph Muenster wants to make passive solar systems “smarter.”
With global warming comes more sun. With more sun comes more heat. With more heat comes the need for more air conditioning, which in turn causes more global warming. Vicious cycle. Guess what, with all that extra sun, ALSO comes more opportunities to HARNESS its power, and use clean technology more efficiently. Northern Tool knows this, and as such has a great deal of amazing solar power products.
The thing many of us might NOT know, however, is that clean tech like solar energy goes a lot further beyond simple solar panels. I just found an “enlightening” (pun intended) article that highlights the ins, the outs, and the in betweens of solar energy.
It is simple enough to say that anything that is energized BY the sun are solar powered, and now you can find out all the different ways that is possible. Here are a few:
Solar Thermal
Photovoltaics
Silicon
Thin Film
Solar Dyes
Radical Solar Technologies
Head over and read up, you might just learn something that will spark a change in yourself. Then, go out and enjoy the sun this weekend yourself!
Now THIS is what I’m talking about! We all know and love the Toyota Prius for how it has very effectively burrowed its way into public consciousness and helped spread the idea of alternative energy solutions for the world. It looks like they are going to take things yet another step further in the near future, and all I can say is: MORE CAR COMPANIES FOLLOW SUIT, PLEASE!
Yes, it is true that other, smaller car companies are doing very similar things with the placement of solar panels to help drive the on-board electronics, but this simple fact remains: This is the first time a major car company is including solar power in a readily available, commercially produced car. Yay. According to reports, “the solar panels would provide a portion of the two to five kilowatts needed to power the air conditioning unit. The solar panels would be supplied by Kyocera.”
The other good news is this: Toyota plans to up production to 450,000 units, which represents a drastic 60% increase in previous production, which in turn means, a 60% increase in consumer demand. That, in turn means 60% increase in people that actually Care about this! Yay again!
As you probably know by now, Northern Tool is an amazing place to stop and shop for new, amazing alternative energy products. One of those products is rising in popularity around the globe so fast, it’s going to be the next huge way to beat the system and harness the power of the alternative energy to power your life. Solar panels.
That said, to a great deal of people, myself included, solar panels are kind of a mystery as to how they work, and even more so, how they are made. Now, not that it’s particularly Vital to know how they are made to use them, benefit from them, and help do your part in going green, but nevertheless, I found this little video absolutely fascinating. Discovery Channel rocks, and their demonstrative videos and “How It’s Made” series is amazing.
Check out how Solar Panels are made, and next time when you’re marveling at all the energy you’re getting from the sun, and how much you’re saving the planet you won’t be quite so mystified!
I’m not going to lie, I work for a company that is doing amazing things setting people up with alternative energy products, from solar power to wind power. I work for this company, I write about it a lot, and still, to this day, it kind of confuses me. Knowing this, how can people who don’t write about Northern Tool be expected to know anything?!
Q: Let’s start with the basics: How much will it cost to put a solar panel on my home?
A: The average cost of a rooftop solar system, also known as a photovoltaic, or PV, system, is roughly $8.25 per watt installed, based on companies’ listed selling prices and conversations with industry executives and analysts. What does that mean in English? Well, depending on the size of the system, the price before government subsidies and reimbursements might range anywhere from $8,250 for a one-kilowatt system to more than $40,000 for a five-kilowatt one.
The amount of electricity the system produces also varies, depending on factors such as the placement of the panels on the roof and the consistency of the sun in the region where the home is located. In sunny California, a four-kilowatt residential solar system — a typical size for many homes — would produce about 5,500 to 6,500 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, more than 80% of the electricity needs of the average ratepayer there, according to utility PG&E Corp., the utility serving the San Francisco Bay area. In New Jersey, where the sun is less consistent, it would take a larger, 5.1-kilowatt system to produce as much electricity.
You know that old saying “The future is so bright, you’ve gotta wear shades…?” Whoever invented that atrocious saying might have really been onto something. Looks like the good folks at Northern Tool are onto something too as researchers are saying that Solar Power might just be one of a few answers our planet, and our pocketbooks have been looking for.
Want or need proof that it really is THE best way to leap into the future of energy? How about trying this on for size: According to the International Energy Association (IEA), “the earth absorbs more energy from the sun in just one hour than the world uses from these other sources in a whole year.” Yes, you heard right. One HOUR > One YEAR of other sources. Wow.
As oil prices rise, as the gas pumps spin higher and higher out of control, it is very comforting to know that we’re leaping into new technology that can actually help facilitate a Better future. Not just for our pocketbooks, for once, but for our planet.
You know what makes my Monday’s go from absolute rubbish to absolute gems? Reading about how legislation all over this fine country of ours is pushing, and pushing Hard for pro-alternative energy actions. Seriously, very few things make me smile bigger on a mundane Monday than saving the planet.
Word on my block is that this is exactly what is going down in New Jersey. According to reports, where farmers used to toil and sweat to make ends meet by plowing fields, raising livestock and just keeping the farm going, they might be soon tending to solar panels and wind mills. Believe it.
The article I just read had some promising things to say:
“New Jersey lawmakers are contemplating a bill that defines solar and wind energy generation as agricultural activity. The measure aims to promote alternative energy sources, but has been criticized as a possible danger to farmland preservation efforts. The bill would allow the owners of preserved farmland to construct, operate and install solar or wind energy facilities or equipment on their farms. The generated power could be used to operate the farm or be sold to a utility company.”
I know one thing for sure, if they need the materials to get this ball rolling, Northern Tool can certainly step in and load them up!