Introducing Your Family to Solar EnergyWritten by Jim Fritz
One of difficulties that solar and renewable energy have faced in past is that it requires people to learn about it. People are busy and they are also reluctant to change and learn. It is much easier to get energy from traditional sources that seem to “magically” transfer power and electricity to homes through wires of electricity grid. However, we are becoming increasingly aware of problems with this entrenched attitude. We seem to hear almost daily about power blackouts and brownouts, along with warnings about dwindling energy supplies.One way to begin to educate yourself and your children about energy and electricity is to purchase one of many different kinds of small solar energy systems. From solar toys to solar lights to portable solar panels, small solar electric systems make it easy to learn some of basics of energy. You can learn about generation of energy and get an idea of how it is limited by certain factors. Your kids can use a small solar toy or solar energy kit to see directly relationship between energy generation and availability. From your solar light, you will learn that a sunlit day will make light shine powerfully that evening. Conversely, you will notice a relationship between cloudy days and dimness or lack of light from your solar light. While a small portable solar panel provides energy for your boat or RV, it can also teach need for energy storage (the battery) and conservation. Even a solar light gives you a micro-version of all electricity systems: panel generates energy, wires transfer it, a battery stores it and light bulb uses it.
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If you already have a mobile phone, you can switch to a different network and take your phone number with you, although you may need a different handset. You could get a connection with a new number, using your existing handsetNetworks When you buy a phone you need to choose a network O2, Vodafone, Orange and T-mobile are networks. Each network is a collection of radio towers all over country, linked together and transmitting people's conversations. A mobile phone service usually comes as a package, made up of phone itself and access to a network. There are five main mobile phone networks in UK - O2, T-Mobile, Orange, Vodafone and most recently '3' with its growing third generation network which can support mobile video. Other operators such as Virgin and BT Mobile use 5 main networks and there are many airtime resellers dealing with one or all networks. They offer two ways of using their services; by "pay as you go" or by monthly line rental. If you do not intend to make a great number of calls from a mobile phone, a pay as you go package may suffice but any reasonably regular use (especially during business hours) probably warrants a monthly package - which package will depend on volume of calls you anticipate making. You don't need to put pen to paper for most mobile phone contracts nowadays, but they are still legally binding. Contracts can be 'signed' over a website or over phone. The network should be first thing you choose when you're starting out. Your choice of network will decide where you get good coverage, and how good customer service is. Some networks have better coverage in particular areas than others, but customer service varies from day to day, depending on demand. Price plans Next, decide whether you want a pay as you go phone or a traditional contract arrangement. Pre-pay, where you pay (usually by buying vouchers) before you make calls. There is no risk of a high bill, but sometimes this is an expensive option, adding vouchers can be inconvenient and you may run out of credit during an important call. Pay as you go packages are useful if you only expect to use your mobile occasionally, and are cost effective if you expect to receive a lot of calls, but not to make many. But you should be aware that some companies set an expiry date on their credits, meaning that credit must be used in time allocated. Contract - where you get a bill each month, but call charges are usually lower, and there are more facilities offered. With rental you pay a monthly fee in same way as you would for a land line. Many monthly rental packages include some inclusive call minutes or talktime
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