The First Issue Books and Antiques

Volt Exciter

Gm's Volt, Unplugged Before it Ever Gets Plug in

General Motors—world’s number 1 automaker and maker of quality GM water pumps -- has amazed the world last January when it announced its plans to build the Chevy Volt which is a plug-in hybrid car seen not much as a vehicle but more of a solution to the surging energy crisis.

The Volt has grabbed the headlines, has become topics of online chat boards and has become the buzz at the auto show in Detroit. Unfortunately, after all the excitement sad news came stating that the Volt may never make it to production.

The main obstacle seen in the production of the Volt is in terms of the battery technology that goes with it which according to the world’s largest automaker could take years to build. Before the introduction of the Volt in Detroit it has ignited intense debate within GM whether it is a smart move to include the concept vehicle for the Detroit Show since the automaker knows that once they introduce it the public will surely demand for its production. And that is exactly what happened.

The Volt as expected has created the buzz that the automaker needs for its products -- however there is a problem and that is how to come up with the production Volt which the world is waiting for GM to deliver. If ever the production of the Volt did push through it would have been the biggest environmental breakthrough for this century. But sadly it seems that the Volt would simply remain a concept. At present, company officials are trying to cool things down after disappointing the world by not pushing through with the Volt.

GM has called upon a group of journalists to whom they explained the ordeal that the company will go through if ever they would go on with the production of the Volt. They also stressed that they cannot guarantee that the futuristic car will every hit the road.

According to Nick Zielinski, Volt’s chief engineer said, “The pressure is intense. We came out with this idea and now people are saying, ‘OK, where is this car. We want it now’.”

General Motors said that theirs was not the first disappointment in the industry when it comes to the green technology. It is should be noted that in the year 2004 DaimlerChrysler has promised a production fuel-cell vehicle but was not able to deliver that is in spite of spending $1 billion on the technology. Similarly, with the project called the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles which cost tax payers $1.5 billion to build an 80-mile per gallon car. And just last year, Ford Motor Co. has backed away from a pledge to produce 250,000 hybrids on the road by 2010.

The Volt project with its cutting edge green technology could help GM to become an environmental leader and help it to compete against foreign rivals that dominate the market in the production of earth-friendly cars and trucks. The Volt concept is designed with an electric drivetrain and an internal combustion engine that has the ability to recharge batteries while on the road.

GM previously announced that its Volt concept unlike any other plug-in cars can cover a range of 40 miles on battery power alone that is more than the 20 to 30 miles achieved by current plug-in hybrids. GM also stressed the fact that drivers won’t have to stop every time that it needs to charge since the battery charges while the car is in motion.

The Obstacle…

Joseph Phillippi of AutoTrends Consulting in Short Hills, N.J. said, “All of this is irrelevant until they get a battery pack invented. For a long time, they were out there knocking the idea of a plug-in hybrid. Now they’re on board, but theoretically, GM is still learning.”

The Volt is not the first electric car concept that GM scrap. Remember the EV1? In the year 1990 General Motors has spent $1 billion on its EV1 electric car program which was short lived when GM demanded the return of its leased vehicles. The decision has aroused the anger of environmental groups which leads them to write the documentary, ---”Who killed the electric car?”

GM chairman and CEO Rock Wagoner have accepted the fact that killing the EV1 was his biggest mistake. For one he has seen the benefits that Toyota Motor Corp. has gained out from its hybrid cars. Toyota Motor Corp. the maker of the popular Prius hybrid brand has capitalized on its green image just as more Americans are patronizing environmentalism.

The Volt would have been the redemption for GM. David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor said, “Its breakthrough of immense magnitude—potentially one of the two or three most significant game changers that we’ve seen in a long time.”

Where GM made a mistake…

The Volt concept was not the problem but rather the announcement of Wagoner at last year’s Los Angeles Auto Show. It is understandable that GM would like to make a big impression with its unveiling of the Volt however when Wagoner began dropping hints about GM’s plans of developing an alternative energy sources that’s when expectations began to rise.

And that was further heightened when GM launched its “Vote for Volt” web site, which asks visitors to give their views on whether GM should build the Volt and in case it does will they be willing to buy one. Almost 440,000 people have participated in the said poll. But there are some people who see it as a publicity stunt of a company who is trying to make itself relevant again.

To deal with skeptics, GM try to keep the public updated about vehicles on production. GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said that they want for people to know early about any problems that the company is facing so that they don’t feel cheated should the Volt not succeed; a risk which he said would be about 10 percent.

About the Author

Noah Scott is a 30 year old native of New Jersey, writer, and car fan - having grown up with both parents being auto enthusiasts. He works for an automotive consultancy firm and regularly contributes articles to car magazines.

Slayer Exciter self-charging & running.ASF

Home Solar Energy: How the Electrical Current is Created (part 11)

Popped from their "holes" in the silicon atom, electrons flow through solar PV cells connected in series to produce useful electric voltage. This concept and a little more is the focus of this article. The United States is at the beginning of a huge, wide-spread, pervasive switch to solar energy as a primary energy source for our homes. The manufacturing costs are down, awareness and need is up, and new options to rent solar systems versus having to buy them all line up perfectly.

How do solar PV cells create an electric current?

The remainder of this article explains some of the details related to the internal workings of solar cells and how their arrangement, when placed into a solar array mounted on your roof can make a big difference in the energy output of your solar system.

The internal electric field of the silicon diode creates a flow of electric charges only when sunlight photons strike the silicon. As the photons hit electrons in silicon bonds, they create hole-electron pairs that are free to separate and wander around the silicon lattice or crystalline structure. Free electrons wandering near the p/n junction are pushed in one direction by the internal electric field.

This movement of electronics as a result of the photoelectric effect results in a steady flow of electric charges moving in a circuit within the silicon structure, i.e. an electric current. The flow is directly proportional to the intensity of light and the energy conversion efficiency of the solar cells included in the solar PV panel. The greater the sunlight hitting the silicon atom the greater the number of electrons bumped free. Ultimately, this creates a greater number of electrons flowing in and out of the silicon and into the solar inverter.

This whole continuous movement of electrons illustrates why it is so important for all solar cells in a module or solar array to get the same intensity of sunlight. It is important for the solar panels to receive the sunlight from the same direction and not to be shaded by trees or buildings. The exact number of photons from the sun must must strike each solar cell in order to bump the corresponding number of electrons in the next solar cell. In essence, the photons from the sun hit the silicon and cause a chain reaction within the silicon.

The additional movement of free silicon electrons, in and out of the holes produced in the silicon atoms, creates the electric current and flow of energy. Think of a game of billiards; the pool player hits the white ball which in turn hits the green ball into the pocket. This occurs in a chain reaction fashion as you add more balls each hitting each other. The little twist here is the fact that the sun will continually hit the white ball (i.e. the sun photon hitting the silicon atom) as long as the sunlight hits the solar cell.

Solar PV Cells Connected in Series

Individual solar cells produce only a small amount of voltage. They are most commonly connected together in series, positive to negative poles within a solar array, to produce a useful electric voltage.

When photons of sunlight strike solar cells in a string, the internal electric field pushes the electrons out of the cells in a continuous flow through the string. The electrons moving through the silicon structure each gain about one half of a volt during the photoelectric process. The displaced electrons are collected in a grid pattern of wiring printed on the cells.

Module manufacturers connect enough solar cells in series in a single module to produce a useful voltage. The typical high voltage grid tied module has 72 cells in series. Electrons moving about the solar cells get about one half of a volt from each solar cells. After moving through 72 solar cells connected in series gain enough electric voltage to account for about 40 volts.

If more voltage is needed to produce useful electric current for home use, then solar modules can be connected in series. The most common solar energy unit configuration has a solar array connected in series with 8 other solar modules. This results in a final operational electric voltage of about 320 volts.

Solar Cells, Arrays, and Solar Modules Connected in Series

In the previous article, we explained a little about the Photoelectric Effect, where photons of light hit electrons in the silicon lattice and provide energy to flow. We also described how electrons flowing from one cell into the next cell in a module gain about 1/2 volt from each cell.

To Rent a Home Solar Energy System or Buy It

The Option to Rent a Home Solar Energy System is fast approaching as a viable option for home electricity needs. The American homeowner has the option to produce renewable energy from the sun by renting a complete solar energy system versus having to purchase one outright. This is an exciting solar rental service that allows the average homeowner to created their own solar generated electricity from the son and keep the energy savings they create.

Those who have a suitable location (i.e. good sun, enough roof space, and moderate energy needs), who follow the reservation steps, and who complete the requirements have a home solar system installed have good chance of getting a solar unit installed on their home on a rental basis.

About the Author

At Solargies, our goal is to spread the adoption of renewable energy. Daniel Stouffer is a freelance writer and solar energy consultant. Solar electric system rentals allow homeowners to upgrade to solar power without the upfront system purchase. Learn more home solar energy at: => http://www.Solargies.com/Rethink_Solar.htm

Exciter $5.99 Exciter signals a new era of creativity for Dave Gahan, Andrew Fletcher and Martin Gore. The sounds (electronic and acoustic) are strikingly varied, the songs are emotionally rich, and Gahan s vocals are even more resonant than before. In the words of songwriter Martin Gore, It still has darkness. But I find it more uplifting.

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Exciter [LP] $29.98 Depeche Mode: Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Andrew Fletcher.Additional personnel includes: Knox Chandler (cello); Todd C. Reynolds, Joyce Hammann, Natalie Cenovia Cummins, Ralph H. Farris, Lee Grinhauz (strings); Airto Moreira (percussion).Recorded at RAK, Sarm West, London, England; Sound Design, Santa Barbara, California; Electric Lady, Sony Studios, New York, New York."I Feel Loved" was nominated for the 2002 Grammy Awards for Best Dance Recording and for Best Remixed Recording.With all its understated vocals, hushed instrumentals, and lyrical declarations of/investigations into love, EXCITER is undoubtedly the warmest and most "adult" Depeche Mode album to date. "When the Body Speaks" is an effectively poignant ballad complete with graceful string section. "Lovetheme" is a gentle ambient instrumental that wouldn't sound out of place next to any German electronicat you care to mention. Later another, slightly more melodic, instrumental ("Easy Tiger") pops up. "Goodnight Lovers" is a bittersweet tune full of open-hearted sentiment and heart-tugging melodicism.While "Breathe" is underlaid with low-key breakbeats, the group largely sticks with the sonic language they helped create in the '80s and early-'90s, leaving the trappings of latter-day electronica to the youngsters. With it's club-worthy beat, "I Feel Loved" is certainly the most danceable track on EXCITER, but its complex lyrical scheme and gnarly synth textures make it unlikely house party fodder. The harsh, bluesy tone of "The Dead of Night" harks back to "Your Own Personal Jesus," and finds David Gahan reveling in the kind of studied decadence that helped make the group's reputation, but the song is an anomaly. EXCITER offers a kinder, gentler, seemingly wiser Depeche Mode that's figured out how to grow up without growing old.

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