Archives for November 2012

The Most Effective Solar Cell

November 6, 2012 by kris de decker Filed Under: Solar

Solar cell embodied energy“One can note that the carbon intensity of China at 788 g/kWh is greater than that of Canada at 184 g/kWh. (…). The most effective carbon-mitigating PV cell would be produced in Canada and sent to China. The low carbon intensity of the electric grid in Canada and corresponding low embodied carbon of the cell would combine with the high mitigation potential in China to produce an optimized mitigation technology.”

Unfortunately, it is the other way around. Solar cells are produced in China, and shipped to countries with relatively clean electric grids.

The quote is from: “Towards real energy economics: energy policy driven by life-cycle carbon emission“, Energy Policy 38, 2010.

Build a Solar Thermal Direct-Air Heater for $200

November 1, 2012 by kris de decker Filed Under: DIY, Heating appliances, Random, Solar

solar thermal direct air heater

“The town I live in is located near the Alberta-BC border, about 100 miles north of the US Canada border. Winters here are long and cold, but many days are crystal clear and sunny.”

“Our tool shed has a south-facing wall which was ideal to mount a solar thermal direct-air collector panel. The collector panel exterior dimensions are 48” high x 49.5” wide. Total budget: $200.00 Result: 16 sq ft harvest up to 6 kWh/day.”

Build a Solar-Thermal Direct-Air Heater (PDF). Introduction (and another project) here.

Wooden Bicycle Rims

November 1, 2012 by kris de decker Filed Under: Bicycles, Bikes, Random, Travel, Wheels, Wood, Woodworking

wooden bicycle rims

“They are hard to build with, they require regular maintenance, they are expensive and they flex a lot. However, if you want a traditional looking wheel, avoiding metal altogether is a marvellous move, something that we’re lucky to still be able to do today.”

Cerchio Ghisallo has been producing wooden rims since 1946, and in this video father and son show how they do it. Inside Cerchio Ghisallo part 1, part 2, part 3.

More about wood rims: Building with Wooden Rims / Cycling before Lycra / Wheel Fanatyk / Is Wood the Goods? / Wood Sprints /Cerchio Ghisallo / Sacro Bosco Bicycle works / CB Italia.

Picture: d’Annata by Sartoria Cicli.