For several years in the Italian energy market was liberalized. Since that time there have been numerous holders of households that have decided to go to the free market. Others have preferred to stay in the cd. protection service, and pay electricity consumption based on prices set every three months by the Authority.

It is precisely this difference: in the free market are the sellers decide the price of energy, in the protected market is instead the Authority to fix costs.

However, do not always have a clear idea when choosing whether to switch to the free market. For this reason, before taking any decision, you should read up pray so that an informed choice.

Photovoltaic panels in plastic: it is really possible to achieve them? According to the researchers have developed the Csem, a research institute of the state of Minas Gerais, yes. Scholars, in fact, have achieved photovoltaic panels in plastic which are less expensive, less heavy and easier to handle than conventional panels: for this reason, this innovation could change in a revolutionary way the entire solar energy industry. It is, in practice, plastic sheets and striped transparent: printed panels with photovoltaic cells that have the ability to convert solar energy into electricity.

According to the statements of the Director of Maranhao Csem Tiago Alves, "photovoltaic these sheets have the same capacity to produce energy for normal silicon panels: the advantage of having recourse to them, however, is in the lower dimensions, which make possible applications not suitable for panels conventional. "

The traditional incandescent light bulbs are gradually disappearing, and they are claiming to arrogance energy-saving ones, thanks to the gradual banning of traditional light bulbs from the European Union, starting in September 2009. The new low-consumption lamps allow significant energy savings, are cheap and last much longer: are superior from all points of view. But they are not all the same: the vast majority are "compact fluorescent lamp (CFL)", but Ultimante are becoming increasingly popular, thanks to cost reduction, LED lamps. In this article will talk right in the latter, and the substantial advantages, but not only cheap, they have.

For some 'time are disappearing more and more the traditional bulbs home to be replaced by those with low consumption. Many have received the home. But they are the only alternative to save money on your electricity bill? We see and compare the characteristics of various types of light bulbs currently on the market and try to give us an idea on how to use them best to save electricity.

The factors to be taken into account to compare the different light bulbs are:

Power (W) - the electricity consumed by the bulb when it is operating.

The Solar Photovoltaic and 'a technology that allows you to use the energy from the sun to produce electricity. A photovoltaic device is, in fact, capable of producing electric energy using solar energy directly through specific devices (photovoltaic cells) using the so-called "photoelectric effect."

The photoelectric effect is achieved within some materials suitably treated (eg. silicon) in the moment in which they are affected by solar radiation, the physical result of this effect is the production of electricity. The elementary device of a photovoltaic system for the production of electrical energy is the "solar cell", a series of connected cells constitute a "photovoltaic module".

To calculate the size of a photovoltaic solar panel system should know the consumptions of users that will be installed, monthly insolation data for the site, the number of sunny days in the area, the quality of the electricity service. The data sull'insolazione the site are provided in the form of Joule / sqm per month and at a horizontal surface. To calculate the actual insolation of the panel is therefore necessary to correct the data taking into account the angle of the panel with respect to the horizontal plane.

The inclination of the solar panels

The inclination of a solar panel is usually calculated by adding 10 ° more in the latitude of the place. The more north you go, the more the panel will be less inclined (or more raised) to fully capture the sun's radiation. In Italy the inclination of the solar panels varies from 45 ° to 55 °. The solar panels are always facing south (in the northern hemisphere).

The latest innovation in the field of photovoltaics comes from Japan and is called Solar micro-sphere. It is a panel of reduced size that thanks to its spherical shape and arcuate fails to capture the rays of the sun throughout the day. These special panels are easy to handle and can be used in a completely different way compared to the more bulky solar panels.

For example they can be adapted also to curved surfaces, can be moved more easily and are able to generate energy with the same intensity from dawn to dusk, without the need for a motor that move them to remain always with rays perpendicular.

Lighting accounts for 15-20% on your electricity bill of every family. But few are aware that the expenditure can be easily reduced to a quarter without changing habits and at constant luminosity inside.

The solution is very simple, it is enough to replace incandescent lamps with more energy efficient ones. Let's do some calculations. The energy-saving lamps have a higher initial cost but also allow considerable savings on your bill. The initial price is, therefore, depreciate in a short time. They last longer. A fluorescent lamp has an average life of 8000 hours, eight times greater than a normal incandescent lamp. Are more efficient. Became light 20% of electricity compared to 4% of traditional incandescent lamps. In other words, an old bulb dissipates 96% of the electricity into heat and only 4% to illuminate a room, conversely a fluorescent lamp of the same wattage lights five times more than the same consumption.

The lighting is the most widespread electrical application in the domestic sector and constitutes little more than 10% of energy consumption in the home. For over two centuries the bulbs were invented many. Among the most common ones still in use include:

1. Incandescent bulbs, where the production of light takes place bringing a metallic filament of tungsten to incandescence, at a temperature of 2700 K, by the Joule effect. In incandescent bulbs, only 5% of the energy that feeds them is converted into light, the remaining 95% is wasted as heat. On 8 December 2008, the European Commission for Energy has approved, however, the ban in all Member States, according to a progressive replacement program starting in September 2009 with completion by 2012.

Despite the solar thermal is found to be considerably higher than in PV, remains much less common. The problem may be uncertain regulatory incentives

It is six times more efficient than a photovoltaic system. Provides hot water and heating from renewable sources. It will pay for itself within 3-10 years. A solar thermal system is a winning investment, provided you learn to correctly choose the features.

The main choice when you want to install a solar thermal system for domestic use is its purpose: "You just want to get hot water, or even space heating?