Solar energy

Electricity is more important in today's life where everything is controlled by electronic gadgets.. from mobile  to traffic signal lights.

It is not easy for the government to provide electiricity where the usage keeps on increasing as the population increases. Because of which electricity charge also increases. The common people and the people living under poverty line are the ones who suffer much due to this hick. In-order to ease or reduce the problem the profitable solution is using the solar energy which can be used after conversion as electricity. Sun is also one of the non-renewable source of energy.

Some of the basic details regarding solar energy.

Solar Energy is measured in kilowatt-hour. 1 kilowatt = 1000 watts.

1 kilowatt-hour (kWh) = the amount of electricity required to burn a 100 watt light bulb for 10 hours.

A home solar system is typically made up of solar panels, an inverter, a battery, a charge controller, wiring and support structure.  

Interesting Facts about Solar Energy: 

• Da Vinci predicted a solar industrialization as far back as 1447.
• A world record was set in 1990 when a solar powered aircraft flew 4060 km across the USA, using no fuel.
• Americans who are only 5 percent accounting to world's population, consumes 26 percent of world's energy.

How solar energy can be used ?

To dry our clothes direct sunlight is enough. But to power satellites, a storage mechanism along with sunlight is required. And to power cars, their hybrid batteries need to be charged by sun-rays. 

How Solar energy is converted into electricity ?

The most common method of using solar energy is to store them in photovoltaic cells. This method was first used in U.S. space satellites in 1950s. The cells are made from silicon.When sunlight enters the cells, it causes the electrons to move about. The electrons then move towards the front side of the solar panels. This causes an imbalance of the electrons between the front and back side of the panels. On joining the two surfaces, a conductor is formed, just like a wire, and current begins to flow. The individual solar cells are arranged together in a PV module and the modules are grouped together to form an array. This current is used to charge cells and this energy is used to light lamps, tube lights and also to drive cars now. The current can also be used to run appliances.

Another method of using solar energy is to direct the solar rays to a convergence point using a curved reflector and then make a current flowing system like a photo cell and store energy. This method is now used in India and U.S.

Some of the major projects taken by Indian government were:

Started 2011-finished 2012 :

While starting this project Gujarat CM Mr. Narendra Modi said “We now plan to install solar panels on the Narmada canal to generate solar energy. We plan to start by covering 25 km stretch of the canal, which will have the potential to generate 25 MW of power”

“The experiment to cover the canals with solar panels (for power generation) is proving to be a success. Initial estimate shows that by covering one km of canals by solar panels, one megawatt of energy can be generated,” he said.

This will reduce the water evaporation from the channel and no land will be wasted for installing thes solar  units as they are installed over the canal.

In Tamilnadu :

1. All houses should have water harvesting plans while getting sanction for building the house - this is to improve the ground level water.

Like this if there is a rule that a minimum percentage of roofing should be used for getting solar energy for their house use purpose. This reduces the burden on the government and also some of rural areas can depend on these form of energy.

What government can do for common people?

 Installing and generating for common use (street light e.t.c) by government will be good. But rather than that if there is a subsidy given to generate solar energy for houses, it will encourage people to install them and generate the power for their use. This in turn results in no wastage of land by installing huge units by government.

Credits:
http://www.idealsolarhome.com/working-principle-of-solar-energy/
http://www.esdalcollege.nl/eos/vakken/na/zonnecel.htm
http://allaboutsolarenergy.net/

Grey Zebra Finches

Scientific Classification
Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum    : Chordata
Class      : Aves
Order     : Passeriformes
Family    : Estrildidae
Genus    : Taeniopygia
Species  : guttata

The Zebra Finch is tiny, but is not the smallest of the finches. It gets its name from the zebra-like stripes across its neck, chest, and especially from its black and white barred tail. 

Zebra Finches breed readily, and are a good beginner’s bird, easy to care for and requiring a minimal time commitment. Because they are generally kept in pairs, your Zebra Finches will not need you to keep them company 

Most Zebra Finches will not want to be handled. They are not really “trainable” as a parrot type bird is. Occasionally you can find hand-raised finches, or you may have to hand raise a baby yourself. In those cases you will have a finch that is bonded to humans, and will happily perch on your shoulder and be perfectly comfortable. Never try to force a finch to be “friendly” – you will only result in terrifying it.

They are dimorphic. Males and females can be

Labrador Retriever

Recently I bought a 40 days old Labrador puppy and named it Sweety. She is so cute and intelligent too.

As I was so curious about my Lab, I went through many sites which gave me an idea of what she likes and what she hates etc.
I thought of putting it in a nutshell here.
Before choosing a Labrador check the list of things you want from your dog.
If you would like to have your doggy the following characters then Lab is perfect

• Large and bouncy, with an enthusiastic attitude towards life
• Easy-care hair coat
• Cheerful, tail-wagging nature
• Thrives on exercise and athletic activities
• Steady-tempered and dependable with everyone
• Peaceful with other animals or pets
• Is eager to please and responsive to training

People who hates following things should drop the idea of getting a Lab

• Providing a goodly amount of exercise, not just a couple of short walks around the block
• Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young or not exercised enough
• Mouthiness -- carrying and chewing objects, mouthing your hands in play



3 months old

• Shedding (seasonal and average) of hair 

4 months old

 

6 months old

6 months old

From my experience
Things that you can expect from your lab

• to be in high spirit always...fully energetic
• to be a good friendly companion and even though it plays with everyone, it has a sharp ear that when called by the owner it turns immediately to the owner without any hesitation.
• easily trainable and learns to do tricks.

And you can never expect following things from your Lab

• They dont bark like other pups or dogs do.. in a single word its not a gaurd dog. But if training is given it will do so(I was told by the buyer), but the sound will be too loud. (My Puppy sometimes barks and its loud and now its really too loud).
• Other dogs may bark if any stranger comes, but Labs runaway from strangers and within 5 minutes they are not treated as strangers.
• Though intelligent and easy to train its needs lots of patience as they are highly distracted by anything that flies or runs or any new sound they hear.

Characteristics of Labrador:

Labs are friendly, gentle and intelligent. They are watchdogs and not guard dogs, although some have been known to gaurd (if training is given for that). They are also people oriented dogs who enjoy spending time with their human companions. Labs can also be stubborn, so training requires patience and persistence. Active and athletic, Labs are happiest when they get plenty of vigorous exercise every day. Their love of exercise and hunting instincts may lead them to roam if not confined. In earlier days the original purpose of lab was retrieving fishing nets, so still they have webbed paws.
Labs are delightful, high-spirited, and energetic, and so requires a great deal of exercise. They enjoy family play sessions, securely leashed walks, swimming, and a safely fenced yard to run and romp freely. They will do okay in an apartment dwelling provided they are given sufficient exercise, attention, and stimulation.

NOTE: Without human companionship and daily exercise, Labs often entertain themselves by developing destructive habits such as digging, chewing or Houdini-like escape attempts.

Height : Male : 22-24 inches ; Female : 21 - 23 inches

Weight : Male : 27-34 kg ; Female : 25 - 32 Kg

Diet : A 14 year study covering 48 dogs by food manufacturer Purina showed that Labradors fed to maintain a lean body shape outlived those fed freely by around two years, emphasizing the importance of not over-feeding. As for what they eat? and how much should be fed ? always follow the following points
They like to eat, so even if they are not hungry and food is provided they will finish it and still expect more :)
So always make sure to keep a very slight hourglass waist and be fit and light, rather than fat or heavy-set.

Training:

Early socialization and basic obedience are recommended. Labrador is very strong and must be taught not to pull on their leash. They do not respond to harsh or heavy-handed methods. Labs needs fairness, firmness, consistency, reward, and respect. They excel in tracking, police work, search and rescue, agility, competitive obedience, guide for the blind, and as service dogs for the disabled.

Stages in Puppy Development - Cesar Millan

Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
To get more information about other breeds click here

Credits:
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/labrador.htm 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labrador_Retriever