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In one quarter of an hour, the sun diffuses upon the planet enough radiation to supply all of humanity the totality of energy that we consume in one year.

Our society still reaches for combustible fossil fuels of seriously worrying proportions. Today, we know that a large part of our polluting activities can be replaced by non- or little-polluting alternatives.

It's time to take action !

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A solar panel is a tool derived to recuperate a part of the sun's radiation energy in order to convert it into an energetic format (electric or thermal) that we can then use.

There are two distinguishable types of solar panels:

* thermal solar panels, also called thermal solar capters, which recuperate and convert light into usable hot water;

* photovoltaic solar panels, also called photovoltaic modules, which convert light into electricity.

In either case, the panels are normally flat, with a surface area precisely calculated to facilitate and optimise their installation. Solar panels are the basic components of the great majority of solar energy production equipment.

thermal solar panels

Currently, thermal solar panels are a more economically feasible choice than photovoltaic modules, due to a high output level in the area of 80%. However, the recuperated energy is, for now, used essentially for heating and sanitary hot water.

There are two types of thermal solar panels: solar hot water collection panels and solar air collection panels.

hot water
With this type of thermal collector, water, or more often a heat transfer fluid, circulates in a closed circuit of tubes with incorporated fins.  The tubes carry the heated water from the solar water heater to a place where it can be used or stored. A heat exchanger releases heat and circulates the cooled water back to the solar hot water array to be reheated. This cycle of heating, energy utilization, and cooling restarts each day at sunrise and lasts throughout the day for the effective life of the solar hot water heater.

Hot water solar panels are the most profitable option in terms of solar recuperation. Combined solar collection systems (CSS) are in the development process, with the objective of producing sanitary hot water as well as hot water destined to participate in the heating of a building.  These systems enable savings in the range of 350 kWh per year per square metre of panelling.

air
In the system of air-based thermal collectors, air circulates and heats upon contact with the absorbants.  The hot air is then used either to heat the building, or, when used in agricultural sector, for drying produce.

In France the "Plan Soleil" ("Sun Plan"), launched in 2000 by the ADEME (Agence de l'environnement et de la maîtrise de l'énergie - Environment and Energy Management Agency), encourages the public to invest in solar equipment through state, regional and departmental financial incentives.

photovoltaic solar panels

Photovoltaic solar panels produce continuous current under a tension of 200 Volts, which is then transformed into alternative, EDF-type current via  an electrical device to be then either consumed or transferred to another network or receptory.

If not directly consumed by a working device, the current is injected into the public network and purchased at a price pre-determined by the Villepin government.

If a household chooses to consume the production yielded by the photovoltaic panel, the network will automatically take over in the event of a shortage (ie nighttime, storm) and supply the necessary electricity. 

At this point in time, it is equally possible to sell the totality of the electricity production at 15,25 cents/Kwh, to then buy it back at a lower price (approx. 10,5 cents/Kwh during peak hours and 6 cents/Kwh during the off-peak period).

The functioning of a solar roof is of great simplicity and high reliability for the user, who needs not intervene. Photovoltaic modules are guaranteed at 80% of their production for a period of 25 years.


sources :
Maisons Bois - Spécial Écologie - 1er trimestre 2008
www.travaux.com

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If the wind mill has been marginalised for a long time in the renewable energy industry in France, it seems to be progressively catching up and now represents a veritable alternative for anyone who wishes to achieve energetic autonomy.

First condition to become equipped: sufficient land surface area.  THe ideal scenario is a large unobstructed space in the presence of wind, and a mast of 12m. Why 12m? Because, in this case, no authorization is required. 
The second aspect to consider is the distance separating the wind mill from the dwelling, which depends on the model.  Certain wind mills may be placed at several dozen metres from the house, whereas others must be some hundreds of metres away. In any case, a wind mill may not be installed on an existing building where it is susceptible to generate vibrations, which can be amplified by the building structure and render the noise insupportable.  At 10 metres from the house, the same wind mill is perfectly silent.

Regarding the production capacity, private homes, agricultural professionals and businesses alike generally opt for 8kw-30kw mills, which are capable of producing between 10,000kwh and 50,000kwh per year on average. To relate these figures, annual consumption for electric heating for a household of four lies between 8,000kwh and 10,000kwh annually. Le price of wind mill equipment varying between 15,000 and 25,000 euros, (inclusive of installation, exclusive of civil engineering fees), the return on investment is evaluated at 8 to 13 years.

Moreover, the installation of a wind mill allows for a tax credit of 50% and a VAT rate of 5,5%, provided that the installation is performed by a professional.

source :
www.travaux.com

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The provence well, also referred to as the canadian well, enables the renewal of air in a building while taking advantage of the naturally consistent temperature below ground.  In fact, at 2 metres below the ground's surface, the earth maintains a practically constant temperature of 15°C.

A simple and uncumbersome technology, the provence well is also extremely economical in energy; when used in conjuction with a ventilation system, it consumes 10 times less energy than air-conditioning in the summer.

the principle of the provence well

The provence well consists in transferring renewed air (before it enters the building) through pipes buried at a minimum of 1.5 metres below the ground's surface. In the winter, the at 1.5 metres below ground, the earth is warmer than the termperature outside.  The cold air is then pre-heated when it passes in the underground circuit.  In the summer, the earth is naturally cooler than the outside air; thus, the air is cooled via the provence well and hence refreshes the building upon entering. 

The performance level of a provence well depends on certain variables: the land, the depth of the installation, the exchange surface area, the speed of the air circulation and the characteristics of the circuit walls.

source :
www.ecosources.info

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La double flux CMV consists of installing a system that simultaneously injects new air into and extracts fouled air from the house.

The first step is to install the injection and extraction openings, along with a new-air distribution reservoir, all of which are connected to the central double flux. The injection openings are installed on all main rooms (bedrooms, living room, dining room), while the extraction openings are installed in rooms from which foul air requires removal (washrooms, bathrooms and kitchen).

If coupled with a provence well, the effectiveness of a double flux CMV increases. As the temperature adjustment of new air represents approximately 25% of the main heating system, these costs can be reduced by 80% with the coupling of a provence well and a double flux CMV.


source:
www.leroymerlin.fr