Solar Panel: A Viable source of Energy
Climate change has always been a stern issue; more people are finding ways to reduce their energy consumption and carbon footprint. With gas prices on the rise, many people are considering investing in photovoltaic (PV) panels, also known as solar panels. Solar energy is the most effective source of renewable energy. The ever-advancing technologies that are emerging will continue to harness this source in better, easier and cheaper ways making solar the fastest growing renewable energy source. Solar energy is gaining popularity in the UK and is becoming more affordable and easier to generate than ever.
A solar photovoltaic (PV) system changes sunlight into electricity. The solar panels collect sunlight, which the converter converts into electricity. This energy can then be used to directly power appliances in your home or saved in a battery for usage when the sun is not shining. Excess electricity is diverted back to the grid if not consumed or stored.
If you want to install a solar panel, you must choose a certified company and take estimates from them. Before the installation process, your installer will need to survey your property for better analysis. After this process, you are now ready to install a solar panel and enjoy its benefits.
Solar energy has several benefits, it is a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, it has a low environmental impact, and being able to be produced in almost any country. Permission is usually not required to install them on your roof and once installed, solar panels require relatively little maintenance. If you invest in a solar power system, you will be less dependent on the National Grid for your electricity. Solar panels do also have several disadvantages, they can only generate power when the sun is shining, they require a large amount of land, and some solar technologies also require rare components which can be expensive.
Solar energy is gaining popularity in the United Kingdom, and it is becoming more affordable and accessible than ever before. Solar panels are generally a beneficial investment for your home. According to current market trends, a house with solar panels may command a higher profit in the future even though it is not one of the most powerful and dependable sources of power.
Disney is designing new residential communities
Walt Disney has announced the opening of a new home development division called Story-living by Disney. It is a new venture of developing master-planned residential neighbourhoods with the Disney touch. These master-planned communities are designed to encourage people to form new friendships, explore their passions, and write the next exciting chapter in their lives, all while enjoying Disney’s attention to detail, distinctive amenities, and personal touches.
Cotino, the first Story-living neighbourhood by Disney, is going to develop in Rancho Mirage, California’s Coachella Valley, where Walt Disney formerly had a home and spent time with his family. Disney already has a luxury housing community in Florida, near Walt Disney World Resort. Additional areas in the United States are under consideration for future development. Prices and other details have not yet been announced, but the development includes a variety of properties such as condominiums, single-family homes, and estates.
Disney Imagineers, the company’s research and development team that designs and creates Disney theme parks, resort hotels, and cruise ships, will collaborate with experienced real estate developers and home builders in each region to complete the development projects.
The communities will be under the supervision of Disney cast members, who are best known for managing theme parks, once they are built. Some of these communities will also be designed for residents aged 55 and over. A hotel, shopping, dining, entertainment, and a voluntary club will be available in addition to the residential dwellings. With a day pass, the general public will be able to access the club and the various activities.
Disney has attempted to establish a residential community before; in the 1990s, the town of Celebration was designed and built just outside of its Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The village has been the subject of some controversy over the years, including legal challenges over the quality of craftsmanship on some of the homes. Celebration’s economic center, the town center, was sold to a private equity firm in 2004. Disney describes Story-living concepts to be “placed infused with Disney placemaking” that are also an “energetic community with the warmth and charm of a small town, and the beauty of a resort.”
Sources: Daily Mail, The Independent.
Petrol and Diesel reach record high prices
Diesel prices have risen to a new high, raising concerns that businesses would raise consumer costs even more. According to the AA, the average price of a litre of gasoline was 151.21p on Thursday. Last year the price was 151.10p. The average price of petrol is 147.67p, which is only 0.05p higher than the most costly level. Many businesses have already announced price hikes due to rising raw material, labor, and energy expenses.
Businesses warned this week that they have little choice but to pass on rising prices to consumers,’ said AA fuel price spokesperson Luke Bosdet. The current increase in the price of diesel, the business and haulage workhorse fuel, adds to the inflationary strain.’ The company is experiencing the ‘biggest inflation we’ve seen in a decade,’ according to Graeme Pitkethly, the chief financial officer. Increases in freight expenses jump in the cost of oils used in Pitkethly’s goods, such as a 130 percent increase in the price of palm oil, have all had a significant impact on the company, according to Pitkethly. ‘There will be price rises on some products and in some markets, but they will not be consistent across the board,’ he added.
With Britons already facing an impending cost of living crisis, primarily owing to rising gas costs, restaurant owners are now telling guests that their entire bill might increase by as much as 20% by the end of the year. It will be a further setback for individuals who are already concerned about rising living costs, with power and gas bills, as well as weekly grocery store prices, on the rise. Furthermore, if the situation in Ukraine worsens, oil and gas shipments from Russia to Europe could be disrupted, pushing wholesale prices even higher.
If you’ve never bothered to shop around for the best fuel rates, now is the time to do so. Supermarket forecourts as compared to motorways typically offer the best petrol prices due to the market strength that they wield. Companies like Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Morrisons compete for customers, so they keep petrol prices as low as possible in the hopes that when motorists come to fill their tank, they will also do their weekly grocery shopping. There are recurrent rumours that supermarket gasoline includes fewer additives and is of lower quality than gasoline purchased from traditional forecourts, but there is little evidence to support this. The Motor Fuel Law mandates all fuel sold in the United Kingdom to meet certain standards.
Sources: Sky News, National World
All About Electric Vehicles (EV)
Electric vehicle (EV) is powered by an electric motor rather than an internal-combustion engine that burns a mixture of gasoline and gases to generate power. As a result, such a vehicle is considered a potential replacement for current-generation automobiles. It solves issues like growing pollution, global warming, natural resource depletion, etc. Even though the concept of electric vehicles has been around for a long time, it has garnered attention in the last decade due to the rising carbon footprint and other environmental implications of gasoline-powered vehicles.
Electric cars work by hooking into a charging station and drawing power from the grid. They store electricity in rechargeable batteries used to power an electric motor that rotates the wheels. Electric vehicles accelerate more quickly than vehicles powered by standard gasoline engines, making them feel lighter to drive. While you’re out and about in the UK, there are plenty of charging stations to keep you completely charged. The distance you can travel on a full charge varies by vehicle. The range, battery size, and efficiency of each model vary in models. The ideal electric vehicle for you will be one you can drive on regular trips without needing to stop and charge halfway through.
Electric vehicles come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Hybrid electric cars may run on either gasoline or diesel. On average, an electric automobile uses about 2,000 kWh of energy per year with three different charging speeds for electric vehicles: slow, fast, and rapid. Compared to an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) car, EV’s have 90% fewer moving parts.
In the long run, purchasing an electric vehicle will save you money. It may be a high initial investment, but it costs less in the long run. Most drivers’ decisions on whether to purchase an electric vehicle are influenced by how they utilise their vehicle. The thought of moving to an electric automobile is particularly enticing because of short city drives and daily commutes with regular charging chances. If you have a long daily commute or frequently travel on highways, you’ll want to be sure the electric car you choose has a long-range, or a hybrid vehicle might be a better option.
Sources: Earth Justice, Heycar