Technologies

Solar

Why use Solar Energy
Fluctuating electricity and natural gas prices, climate change and environmental pollution, and reliable access to fuel supplies are often cited as the basis for a growing interest in energy conservation and the use of alternative energy resources, especially renewable energy. There is no doubt of the magnitude of renewable energy resources; the energy available from the sun in just one day is sufficient to supply society’s energy demands for many years. Nevertheless, harnessing this energy at a reasonable cost and efficiency has been challenging. We are in a unique time however, where the use of solar, wind, and geothermal renewable resources are not only possible, but in some cases, the most cost-effective energy sources. In the very least, the technologies utilizing renewable resources are technically feasible, mature, and widely available.

FINANCIALLY
Americans use 25% of the world’s oil production daily. The world is running out of oil and energy costs will only continue to go up. Fixing the cost of your energy needs is a smart investment when compared to the inevitable rise in energy costs. Solar energy systems have never been more affordable and with local, state and federal programs to help defer installation costs they have never made more financial sense.

GLOBALLY
Climate change is a serious problem affecting all of us. Our current carbon dioxide emission levels are causing global warming and are unsustainable for the planet. Clean, free and unlimited solar energy is energy generated with no pollution, no emissions, and no waste. With net-metering, affordable solar technology and a willingness to change it is possible, right now, to increase the energy efficiency of your home and achieve net-zero fossil fuel consumption, reducing your carbon footprint in a meaningful way.

SOCIALLY
The debate over the politics of oil is currently a hot topic in the public forum. As this resource becomes more scarce the repercussions will become more pronounced and have a greater impact on our daily lives. Local, decentralized energy production is the key to our energy independence and security.

Wind

What is wind energy?
In reality, wind energy is a converted form of solar energy. The sun's radiation heats different parts of the earth at different rates-most notably during the day and night, but also when different surfaces (for example, water and land) absorb or reflect at different rates. This in turn causes portions of the atmosphere to warm differently. Hot air rises, reducing the atmospheric pressure at the earth's surface, and cooler air is drawn in to replace it. The result is wind.
Air has mass, and when it is in motion, it contains the energy of that motion("kinetic energy"). Some portion of that energy can converted into other forms mechanical force or electricity that we can use to perform work.
More reading: “Where Does Wind Energy Come From”

What is a wind turbine and how does it work?
A wind energy system transforms the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical or electrical energy that can be harnessed for practical use. Mechanical energy is most commonly used for pumping water in rural or remote locations- the "farm windmill" still seen in many rural areas of the U.S. is a mechanical wind pumper - but it can also be used for many other purposes (grinding grain, sawing, pushing a sailboat, etc.). Wind electric turbines generate electricity for homes and businesses and for sale to utilities.

There are two basic designs of wind electric turbines: vertical-axis, or "egg-beater" style, and horizontal-axis (propeller-style) machines. Horizontal-axis wind turbines are most common today, constituting nearly all of the "utility-scale" (100 kilowatts, kW, capacity and larger) turbines in the global market.

Water

Our primary focus in water is to reduce. Through implementation of our Low Flush toilets, Waterless Urinals and Low Flow shower heads in our product offering we can provide substantial reductions in water use, water heating and wastewater disposal all of which contribute to the depletion of this vital resource. At Praxis, we also offer grey water solutions, rainwater harvesting and other usage reduction devices.
Following is an article from Scientific American from Aug. 2008. If you have a chance, read through it and gain a better understanding on the future of our most precious resource, water!

KEY CONCEPTS - Excerpts taken from Scientific American / August 2008 issue
"Facing the Freshwater Crisis" by: Peter Rogers "Global freshwater resources are threatened by rising demands from many quarters. Growing populations need ever more water for drinking, hygiene, sanitation, food production and industry. Climate change, meanwhile, is expected to contribute to droughts. Policymakers need to figure out how to supply water without degrading the natural ecosystems that provide it. Existing low-tech approaches can help prevent scarcity, as can ways to boost supplies, such as improved methods to desalinate water. But governments at all levels need to start setting policies and making investments in infrastructure for water conservation now."