Silicon Monocrystalline Solar Panels

Silicon monocrystalline solar panels are the oldest among the three kinds of solar panels. These panels are made up of 36 slices of silicon connected in series. The panels are mounted in a rigid frame to protect the silicon crystals, which are brittle and can be easily damaged.

The production of the silicon monocrystalline solar panels require large amounts of energy. Add to that the high cost of pure silicon crystals, it is not surprising that these solar panels are quite expensive.

Silicon Polycrystalline Solar Panels

Silicon polycrystalline solar panels are a modified version of the technology used to created silicon monocrystalline solar panels. Silicon polycrystalline solar panels are made slightly flexible and much stronge than silicon monocrystalline solar panels. The polycrystalline panels are also less expensivce than the monocrystalline panels because less energy is required in making the silicon polcrystalline solar panels.

Thin Film Triple Junction Solar Panels

The thin film triple junction solar panels uses three thin layers of silicon semiconductor on a thin backing, hence the name. These solar panels are therefore flexible and durable. Thin film triple junction solar panels also requires the least amount of energy and materials to be produced.

The thin film triple junction solar panels are less efficient than the two silicon monocrystalline and silicon polycrystalline panels, however. But they are less affected by clouds or shadows and can outperform the two other panels in a northern climate.

Learn from those who have experienced it! Homeowners who use solar energy speak of the benefits of having a solar home.

A house of the future designed to be classy and simple, this house was designed to help you save energy.

Japan has made a modern house of their own, designed to be eco-friendly and automated to help you live a modern and simple lifestyle: Japan’s Panasonic House.

Majority of the citizens live in cities and towns, but what is the ideal home for each one of us? A survey in UK found out that majority of the people want a home in the countryside despite living in the city or in a town. America is more into the urban lifestyle, but a home in the countryside does sound like the ideal home even for city people.

From Mortgage Introducer UK: The key findings of a research by Halifax…

* People prefer detached houses - Half of people (50%) would prefer their ideal home to be a detached house.

* New builds are the most popular type of housing - Almost a quarter of respondents (22%) prefer new build properties.

* The countryside is the nation’s preferred location - When it comes to the location of their ideal home, almost one third (30%) of people would choose the countryside.

* Room for three – The typical house would have three bedrooms, with a lounge/ diner, study, kitchen/ diner, conservatory, playroom, family bathroom and toilet. Other key features would include central heating, double glazing, a fitted kitchen, modern bathroom, an enclosed garden, off-street parking, a garage and a home security system. Two thirds (66%) of people said a conservatory was desirable.

* Environmentally friendly features desirable – When considering their ideal home Brits don’t just want their surroundings to be green, they are also thinking about the impact of their home on the environment. Almost two-thirds (63%) cited environmentally friendly features as desirable whilst over half (56%) cited energy and fuel saving measures.

* The sitting room/ lounge and kitchen are the most important rooms in the ideal detached home – People in the ideal detached home would find the sitting room/ lounge (38%) and kitchen (37%) the most important room to them in terms of it being designed or decorated in a way they found appealing.

* Open plan living on the rise – People are spending more time in either lounge/diners or kitchen/diners than a kitchen or dining room which indicates a trend towards open plan living, especially when it comes to eating areas.

* Home is your office away from the office - The high proportion of people spending a lot of time in their study in the evening not only reflects the nation’s dependency on home computers, but also the tendency to work from home on a regular basis.

Do you think the US holds the same preferences for their ideal home?

For elderly patients and patients with chronic medical conditions, remembering to take medications can become a bother to the memory. Nevertheless, taking the medications are prescribed and for the better.

InforMedix has fortunately created a new interactive “smart pillbox” that will help remind patients to take their medications. This new creation is called the Med-eMonitor.

The Med-eMonitor alerts the patient with a musical chime when it’s time to take their medicine. It also informs the patient on how to take the medication, and asks the patient questions about their health. It also records the date and time when the medicine drawer has been opened.

In the event that the patient takes the wrong pill or medicine, or in cases where he or she forgets to take her medication, the Med-eMonitor will send an email, a text message, or a fax to a relative or loved one, or to a call center through which a health professional will be notified. The Med-eMonitor also has a questionnaire section for patient feedback, and a “to do” list to help the patients do the most critical tasks first.

Emergency medical service will be notified in minutes by the call center if necessary.

Domestic violence victims don’t usually win in court and have their way for a safe life with their family. They face imminent danger at any time.

The AWARE program was created for the purpose of protecting these victims from the danger and violence they had once experienced. Sponsored by ADT, the program donates and offers installation of electronic security systems for free in the homes of domestic violence victims who are threatened by the possible dangers that might happen again.

ADT has stated that there are qualifications to be in the program. To have a security system installed, the victims must have a restraining order against the attacker. At the very least, the victims must have attempted to get one. They must also agree to testify in court if the attacker was arrested as a result of the security system.

The main security device of the AWARE program is an alarm pendant that the victim can carry with her always. She can just press the button when an attack comes. The pendant will automatically send a signal to ADT, which will then notify the authorities.

It is estimated that around 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by a partner each year. While the AWARE program doesn’t entirely solve all the victim’s fear and problems, it can at least give them some comfort and peace of mind.

Debra Holtzman is an internationally acclaimed safety and health expert. She is also the best-selling author of The Safe Baby: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Home Safety. She now wants to share to us ten home safety devices which can help us keep our homes safe and secure for our family.

From NewsReleaseWire:

1. Install Smoke Alarms. Install alarms on every level of your home and in every sleeping area. Change batteries once every year; test them monthly; replace the units every 10 years. Smoke alarms can cut your family’s chances of dying in a fire by nearly half. Plan escape routes and conduct fire drills with the entire family. Find two ways out of each room.

2. Install battery-operated, carbon monoxide alarms or plug-in CO alarms with battery back-up: Install a CO alarm in the hallway near the bedrooms in each separate sleeping area. In addition, place one at least 15 feet from any fuel-burning appliance. Remember, the proper installation, operation and maintenance of all of fuel-burning appliances is the most important factor in reducing the risk of CO poisoning.

Important note: If your family uses a portable generator, be aware that most of the deaths and injuries associated with portable generators are from CO poisoning from generators used indoors or in partially enclosed spaces. Locate the portable generator outdoors and away from doors, windows and vents that could allow CO to come indoors.

3. Assemble a fully stocked disaster supplies kit. Include nonperishable foods, water, prescription and necessary OTC medication, manual can opener, flashlights, radio and batteries. Your kit should contain — at a minimum — a three-day supply. Store kit in easy to carry containers, like duffle bags. Include essential items for pets, too.

Designate a room in your home that will be your safe room. A big closet or interior room would be ideal. A hallway or bathroom will serve as well. Try to use a room with no outside walls or only one outside wall and small, if any, windows.

4. Purchase a NOAA weather radio. A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration radio broadcasts national weather service warnings, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day.

5. Assembly a fully stocked first aid kit. Include a first aid manual, non-latex gloves, bandages of several sizes, antiseptic wipes and sharp scissors. Holtzman recommends that adults and teens enroll in a first aid and CPR class.

6. Post a list of emergency numbers near every phone in your home. Include the National Poison Hotline (1-800-222-1222), Police, Pediatrician, Dentist, Family Doctor and Fire Department. Also, include the telephone number of a friend or relative living outside of the emergency area. (A caller is more likely to connect with a long-distance number outside the emergency area than with a local number within it.)
(You can download a free copy of Debra Holtzman’s emergency preparation sheet, taken from her book, “The Safe Baby.” Visit her Website www.thesafetyexpert.com)
Also, program emergency telephone numbers into all phones.

7. Install a hard-wired telephone. Regular phones that plug into a standard phone jack get their power from the phone company (which has emergency generators to power the telephone network), not from the power in your home. So, if the power goes out, the phone will probably still work. Portable phones and cell phones may not be reliable during a power outage and after major disasters.

In addition, Holtzman recommends to keep your cell phone with you at all times.

8. Buy a noncombustible escape ladder (for a multi-level dwelling). Make sure it supports the heaviest person in the home. Become totally familiar with the manufacturer’s instructions on how to safely use the ladder. Practice climbing out from a ground floor window.

9. Buy multi-purpose fire extinguishers: Install in the kitchen, basement and workshop area. Use the extinguisher for only small, confined fires. While you are extinguishing a small fire, have other family members exit the home and telephone the fire department.

10. Invest in a home security system. (At the very least, install audible alarms or tones on the doors and windows, which lets you know when someone enters or leaves your home.) Also, Holtzman recommends that you take these additional steps to protect your family from an invasion: Equip each of your entry doors with a good quality deadbolt lock. Use motion sensor lights near or around entry points. Install a peephole in your front door and use it before opening the door. Consider getting a dog with a yappy bark which can scare away intruders. And be sure to check references of people who work for you.