Event: American Solar Energy Society Conference, San Diego

This is one for the locals. The American Solar Energy Society will be hosting their annual conference this year in San Diego, May 4-8, 2008. Vendors, contractors and solar enthusiasts alike will all be out for the event. If you're in any way curious about how those funky panels work, check them out here at: ASES Solar 2008.

solar panel maintenance

Solar panels.
Big. Quiet. Effiecient.
Oftentimes they're hidden from view and as long as that green light on the inverter is illuminated, you don't really pay them any mind.

...that is...until you get your electricity bill and its in the black. NOOO! Well, there is something you can do. Obviously take inventory of any usage changes in your electricity consumption. But if there is nothing to report, then its time to get the hose out and clean off those panels. Just a little soap and water (nothing abrasive and nothing scratchy to scrub those panels) is all you really need. Some areas (particularly neighborhoods in the desert or near new construction) might need biweekly cleanings. other areas may never need to clean their panels if they get regular rain.

Either way, just like your car or your teeth, your solar panels need to be cleaned. Those solar panels are pretty self-sufficient and don't need anybody for anything, but there is something you can do for them that they can't do for themselves. Just clean behind the ears every now and then. It'll do you and them a world of good.

Dishwasher vs. Handwash?

Well, lets nip this one in the bud. A dishwasher is actually more efficient, according to a German Study. BUT this is true only if you ensure that the dishwasher is fully and correctly loaded. Handwashing is less efficient, in terms of water use. So go ahead and use that dishwasher, just make sure that its full and that you're using biodegradable dishwashing detergent without phosphates.

Bonus: you dont have to rinse those plates off before you put them in the dishwasher. shocker. but true. Most, if not all, dishwashers today are so efficient and "high-powered" that they dont need pre-rinsing because they are powerful enough to clean the plates. Unless you have some food that is hard-baked onto the plate/pan, then you might want to do some scratching ahead of time.

Recycling Plastic Hangers

What should you with all of those coathangers in your closet that seem to breed like rabbits when the lights are out? Well, you can always take them back to the drycleaners where you got them in the first place. Most of the time they will take them back, hey it saves them money on hangers, right? Just pile them with your drycleaning and take everything in together when the pile gets big enough. Easy enough, right?

Also, if you need coathangers, why not try a Goodwill or Salvation Army. Oftentimes they have packs of coathangers for just a few bucks, or even a few cents if you can hit them on a sale day. Instead of purchasing new plastic coathangers which will just take more resources to make (oil) and will eventually be more than you need.


Thought of the Day: Be Nice or Leave!

Electronic Recycling in San Diego

This coming Saturday, March 8, (8am-4pm) is a mega electronics recycling event here in San Diego. So gather all of those items that have long cluttered your house, apartment, job, car backseat, etc and bring 'em down.

Actually, its better to reuse than recycle, so if there is a way to repair the item, try doing that first. Oftentimes electronics places will take donations - if you're happy to part with the item, they'll fix it up and resell it for cheap. Check and see if they will recycle the item if its unfixable and just needs a proper burial.

For more information, check out at NBC San Diego Go Green.