Solar Energy Facts 1 2

Solar Energy Facts

Here I would like to provide some interesting and maybe some not so well known solar energy facts. Some of the facts are simply staggering. Every single hour the sun sheds more than enough energy onto planet Earth to satisfy the global energy needs for an entire year! Unfortunately, the technology to harness this energy produces less than one tenth of one percent of our global energy needs. The cool thing about solar energy is that it can be collected and stored in batteries, reflected and magnified to produce heat, absorbed, transmitted or simply used on the spot to power equipment. Although the United States accounts for roughly 5% of the world's population, Americans consume about 26% of the world's energy. There are nearly 2 billion people in the world right now who are without electricity. Shell Oil predicts that as much as 50% of the world's energy will come from renewable sources by the year 2040. By having a battery back up in place, a solar energy system can provide electricity twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The battery backup will fill in when it is cloudy or during the night time.

Home solar systems are usually composed of solar panels, a charge controller, an inverter, a battery, some wiring and the support structure. Solar energy is measured in kilowatt-hours. That means, 1 kilowatt = 1000 watts. 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh) = the amount of electricity that is required to power a 100 watt light bulb for 10 hours. In 1999, the US Department of Energy said that the average American household used approximately 866-kilwatt hours per month which cost the household $70.68. The earth receives approximately 1,366 watts of direct solar radiation per square meter. That is a staggering amount of energy! It has actually been estimated that the total surface area needed to power the world with only solar energy would only be something like 366,375 square kilometers. That might seem like a lot, but in reality it is only a small fraction of the earth's surface. A whopping 43% of the electricity that the US consumes comes from coal. Many people simply aren't aware of this. Coal powered electricity is cheap only without taking into account the hidden costs of coal mining, distribution, and the actual burning for the energy.

This could very well change in the near future though. U.S. electricity rates are increasing at a rate of about 6% each year, but possible policies that could be implemented in the near future such as renewable energy credits, or carbon tax credits could very well change the way we derive our energy. Solar energy has achieved what is known as grid parity. In other words, it's as cheap in some areas as coal based electricity, and it is expected to expand quite rapidly by 2012. Even passive solar technologies are being utilized more and more. By placing large windows on the sunny sides of buildings, it allows sunlight to shine on heat-absorbent materials on the floor and/or walls. At night, these surfaces will then release the heat they have collected throughout the day to keep the building warm. In addition, absorbent plates that are placed on the roof, can heat tubes of liquid to supply a house with hot water. A 1-kilowatt solar system for your home typically takes about 1 - 2 days to install and can cost around US $10,000. This however can vary greatly with smaller systems naturally costing less. It also doesn't take into account any incentives that are offered by the government. This same 1-kilowatt home solar system is usually comprised of around 10 - 12 solar panels and will require an area of about 100 square feet of area. You can expect a 1-kilowatt home solar system to generate approximately 1,600 kilowatt hours per year if you are in a sunny climate (receiving 5.5 hours of sunshine each day) . It will generate about 750 kilowatt hours per year in cloudier climates (those that receive 2.5 hours of sunshine every day). Here's something that's really cool. If you decide on outfitting your home with a 1-kilowatt solar system, you will prevent approximately 170 lbs. of coal from being burned, 105 gallons of water from being consumed, and 300 lbs. of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere every month! Even if you have a much smaller set-up, you will still be helping in a major way. This is the not so good news though. Homes in the Unites States that actually utilize solar energy are sitting at somewhere around 1% but most likely lower of the total. It's an incredibly small portion of the market when compared to something like air conditioning that is installed in somewhere between 50 - 60% of homes. Obviously there are some barriers that exist which effect residential solar installation rates, but the solar energy industry is expected to grow by as much as 20 - 40% each and every year for the next 10 years! The return on investment (ROI) for home solar systems is over 100%. This should be a good enough reason to start thinking about adopting a solar system for your home. Keep in mind that there are certain climates that are much better suited for utilizing solar energy though. Obviously someplace that is mostly cloudy or doesn't have much sunlight for part of the year isn't going to be as great of a choice as it will be for someone that gets more consistent sunlight. But the cool thing is that you can always use it to supplement other forms of electric generation. Something to consider is that solar panels are one of the only home improvements that pay for themselves, and depending on local factors like state rebates and electricity rates, the return on your investment can happen quicker than you might think. Each state has unique policies when it comes to incentives, subsidies, and rebates that are available to homeowners who are interested in solar power. In some areas, you can offset the cost of a home solar array by as much as 90% through rebates and solar energy credits! Thanks for checking out this article. I hope you have enjoyed it, you can find the full article here: Solar Energy Facts Plus you can find out much more about building your own solar panels here: Build Solar Energy Panels

Solar Energy Facts 1 2 3

Solar Energy Facts

This article will go over some of the most interesting solar energy facts. Solar energy is one of the most ecologically sound and appealing sources of power at this time. Let us begin with the obvious. Solar energy has been in existence since the beginning of time. It has always been utilized by animal, plant, and microbial life as the main energy supply. Plants, using photosynthesis, produce the majority of the food on the earth and are at the base of the food chain. Furthermore the fossil fuels we rely on so heavily today were created from plants and animals that lived a long time ago. Only in recent times have human beings been able to collect solar energy in a form that is able to be utilized at all times of day or night, and in any weather, stored and transferred. Each year, the earth's atmosphere receives 3.85 million exajoules of energy from our sun. This most likely does not mean anything to you, however by comparison, the entire consumption of electric energy by all people today in the world is just 56.7 exajoules per year. This means that within a few hours, the earth receives more energy from the sun than people today use during a whole year! Solar energy is an extremely clean supply of energy simply because, compared with fossil fuels, generating this type of energy does not discharge carbon dioxide or other damaging contaminants into the atmosphere. Furthermore solar energy is actually collected by practically every single form of life. You've almost certainly never experienced a wild animal collect wood to make a fire, but you probably have experienced one lying on a rock in order to soak up solar energy. Solar energy is most likely the most environmentally sound energy option readily available these days.

You may be wondering precisely what solar energy is capable of doing for our environment. Annually, humans consume 467 exajoules of energy by using several main power sources: burning coal, gasoline, and oil, together with ‘green' sources like wind, solar, and hydro power. If we could collect just 10% of the sun's energy, we would have the capacity to replace all of the fossil fuel sources and still have adequate room for growth. Without a doubt solar energy facts such as this illustrate how much better solar power is for the environment and how great the potential is for solar energy progress. Now that you've looked over some of the most impressive solar energy facts and now have an understanding as to what solar energy can certainly do for the environment, you would probably want to find out just exactly what solar energy is. To put it simply, solar energy is the heat and light energy emitted by the sun. The sun constantly generates tremendous amounts of energy into our solar system. Around 30% of the sun's energy that reaches the earth is generally deflected by the atmosphere, and another 20% is normally absorbed into the atmosphere. However, almost 50% of the energy gets to the earth's surface, where it fuels photosynthesis in plants, maintains hot tropical and warm temperate climates, sustains the temperature of the ocean, and generally speaking keeps our planet alive. Every bit of this is attained without creating any sort of pollution or destruction of natural resources.

Plenty of men and women do not recognize how solar energy functions on the technical level, and so they wonder what solar energy is going to add to their households, businesses, and communities. During the last three decades, solar energy technology has developed at a rapid rate. Solar energy is collected at a few huge power plants in the U.S., Spain, Australia, and in various other nations, where it provides power directly to the power grid. This signifies that many houses across the planet currently get electrical energy produced from the sun. One of several lesser known solar energy facts is that solar power may also be used on a much smaller scale. Solar panels on the tops of houses and businesses, can potentially create a percentage (or perhaps all) of the power these buildings require. On an even smaller scale, solar panels are utilized in India and Indonesia to disinfect water, and compact solar burners and ovens are currently employed in order to cook meals in other parts of the planet . Solar power may possibly be utilized to power practically any process you can come up with, from large-scale electric power generation for metropolitan areas to boiling just one pot of water. The thing that makes virtually all of these various uses feasible is the development of solar energy systems. You'll notice that there are two primary kinds of solar energy technology presently utilized at this time: solar thermal energy (STE) and photovoltaic (PV) energy. Solar thermal collectors simply just harness the heat or thermal energy released by the sun. This thermal energy is normally utilized to heat water which then may be stored and used for typical household needs or piped to a household heating system. STE can be stored by heating or energizing a thermal mass that can continue to radiate heat energy even when the sun is not shining. Solar thermal collectors have always been considerably more efficient in comparison with photovoltaic collectors however energy storage is without question a little more cumbersome. Photovoltaic solar panels create an electric current when exposed to sunlight. The electric current can be used at once or stored using batteries for future use. This is generally one of the most important solar energy facts whenever you are working with PV energy systems. Battery storage is particularly valuable because it means it is feasible to store solar power for use during the night or even during cloudy or stormy days. Solar energy is a very important alternative power source which will help us preserve the environment. It will also help to decrease our reliance on fossil fuels. You might be wondering how big of an expense it will be for you to change to solar power? Solar power is not as costly as most people think. A full solar energy system for a home might cost you in excess of $30,000, having said that this doesn't really mean you will pay that entire amount. For starters, you'll find a lot of types of incentive programs, including tax credits, rebates and grants, which may lower the cost of installing solar panels by 30% or more . An alternative route you might want to consider is a scaled-down solar energy system that only supplements your household energy requirements. A small system is going to cost substantially less, while still cutting down your current energy bills, and it will certainly make your home a lot more environmentally sound. Currently nearly all electrical energy is generated using fossil fuels. So cutting down your current use of electrical power coming from your area power company by 50% is actually a important step towards establishing a sustainable power grid. In this article, we've made an effort to supply you with a number of useful and thought provoking solar energy facts. As you consider these facts, also consider how much significance you place on the health of our natural environment and on mankind's ability to take care of it. Even if fossil fuels don't run out in the next 50 years, it's likely that their prolonged use as our primary energy resource is likely to cause environmental havoc. Investing in solar power now might not instantly save you money, however your monetary investment can certainly provide a more desirable future for all of us under the sun.

Solar Energy Facts 1

Solar Energy Facts

This article will address some of the most intriguing solar energy facts. Solar energy is typically among the most ecologically sound and attractive sources of energy these days. Let us get started with the most apparent. Solar power has actually been around since the dawn of time. It has always been utilized by plant, animal, and microbial life as the primary energy supply. Plants, making use of photosynthesis, generate almost all of the food on the earth and are at the base of the food chain. Furthermore the fossil fuels we rely on so heavily these days were created from plants and animals that existed a long time ago. Only just in recent times have people had the capacity to capture solar energy in a form that can be used any time of day and night, and in any climate, stored and transferred. Each year, the earth's atmosphere receives 3.85 million exajoules of energy from our sun. This may not mean much to you, but by comparison, the overall usage of electric power by all people on the planet is just 56.7 exajoules per year. This indicates that in a matter of a few hours, our planet receives more energy from the sun than people today use in an entire year! Solar energy is a very clean supply of energy simply because, in contrast to fossil fuels, using this type of energy will not discharge carbon dioxide or various other damaging pollutants into the atmosphere. Also solar energy is collected by nearly every form of life. You've probably never observed a reptile collect wood to start a fire, but you in all probability have observed one lying on a rock in order to absorb solar energy. Solar energy is possibly the most environmentally sound energy selection accessible today.

Perhaps you may be concerned about what exactly solar energy is able to do for our natural environment. Every year, humans consume 467 exajoules of energy through several main power sources: burning coal, gasoline, and oil, together with ‘green' sources like wind, solar, and hydro energy. In the event that we could capture just 10% of the sun's energy, we would have the ability to replace all of the fossil fuel sources and still have sufficient room for growth. Indisputably solar energy facts like this make it clear just how much better solar energy is for the environment and how huge the potential actually is for solar energy progress. At this point you have seen some of the most remarkable solar energy facts and now have an idea as to what solar energy can potentially do for the environment, you'd almost certainly want to know precisely what solar energy is. Quite simply, solar energy is the heat and light energy emitted by the sun. The sun continuously produces massive amounts of energy into our solar system. About 30% of the sun's energy that will reach the earth is typically deflected by the atmosphere, and an additional 20% is absorbed by the atmosphere. Having said that, roughly 50% of the energy actually gets to the earth's surface, where it fuels photosynthesis in plants, sustains both hot tropical and warm temperate climates, maintains the temperature of the ocean, and generally speaking keeps our planet alive. All of this is attained without generating any type of pollution or destruction of natural resources.

Many people do not recognize how solar energy functions on the technical level, and so they question what exactly solar energy is going to provide to their households, businesses, and communities. In the last three decades, solar energy technology has developed at a accelerated rate. Solar energy is gathered at a number of massive power plants in the U.S., Spain, Australia, and in other nations, where it provides power directly to the power grid. This implies that countless houses all over the globe already receive electricity produced from the sun. One of the lesser known solar energy facts is that solar power can also be used on a considerably smaller scale. Solar panels on the roofs of homes and businesses, can potentially generate a percentage (or even all) of the energy these buildings need. On an even smaller scale, solar panel systems are put to use in India and Indonesia to disinfect drinking water, and small solar burners and ovens are utilized in order to cook meals in other parts of the globe . Solar power may be utilized to fuel almost any sort of procedure you can come up with, from large-scale electrical power generation for cities to boiling just one pot of water. What makes pretty much all of these different uses possible is the creation of solar energy systems. You will notice that there are two basic forms of solar power technology currently employed today: solar thermal energy (STE) and photovoltaic (PV) energy. Solar thermal collectors basically just harness the heat or thermal energy generated by the sun. This thermal energy is generally utilized to heat water which in turn can be stored and used for normal household requirements or piped for use in a home heating system. STE can easily be stored by heating or energizing a thermal mass that can continue to radiate heat even when the sun isn't shining. Solar thermal collectors have always been a lot more efficient compared to photovoltaic collectors however energy storage is certainly somewhat more cumbersome. Photovoltaic solar panels produce an electric current when exposed to sunlight. The resulting electric current may easily be utilized at once or alternatively stored by using batteries for later use. This is one of the most valuable solar energy facts when dealing with PV energy systems. Battery storage is exceptionally valuable because it means it is feasible to keep solar energy for use during the night as well as during overcast or stormy days. Solar energy is a crucial alternative energy source which will help us preserve our environment. It can also help to lower our dependency on fossil fuels. You may be curious about just how big of an expense it could be for you to switch to solar power? Solar power is typically not as high-priced as most people think. A full solar energy system for a house can cost around $30,000, however this does not really mean you'll be paying that total amount. To begin with, you'll discover quite a few different incentive plans, such as tax credits, rebates and grants, that may reduce the expense of installing solar panel systems by 30% or more . An alternative course of action you may wish to give some thought to is a scaled-down solar energy system that just supplements your home power needs. A smaller sized system will certainly cost you significantly less, while still lowering your current energy bills, and it will help make your house far more environmentally sound. Currently nearly all electrical energy still is produced using fossil fuels. So cutting down your current use of electricity from the area power company by 50% is actually a considerable measure towards creating a sustainable power grid. In this article, we've attempted to present you with some helpful and thought provoking solar energy facts. While you contemplate these facts, also give thought to the amount of significance you place on the quality of the environment and on humanity's obligation to help maintain it. No matter if fossil fuels do not run out within the next 50 years, it is very likely that their prolonged use as our principal energy resource is going to wreak environmental havoc. Investing in solar power now may not immediately save you money, but your monetary investment may provide a more desirable future for everybody under the sun.

Solar Energy Collecting An Alternative Source Of Power Earth4Energy

Solar Energy Collecting An Alternative Source Of Power Earth4Energy

Due to its gradual cost-effectiveness, alternative energy has become extremely popular in many areas of the world. A good example is the solar battery, which is today on many houses and businesses. The black squares on solar arrays, called photovoltaic cells, have become inexpensive and more efficient to use. Because of advancement in technology, these cells can collect the sun's energy in a smaller area. The photovoltaic cells have become more productive, as they have become smaller and less costly to create. In the last two decades, the cost per watt hour for producing solar-generated energy, has been essentially cut down by one-half. The wonderful thing about solar power that environmentalists like is that it doesn't cause pollution. For most of us, solar power can help us save a lot of money on our electric bill. As majority of people are more interested in money savings than the environment, it has taken the lowering of costs to get them to utilize solar power. There is no longer a barrier to put solar batteries in a house since they've become really easy to set up.

To produce hot water by utilizing solar cells, the water is heated while it is inside the cells, and then sent through your pipes. The photovoltaic cells have become efficient enough to store energy on cloudy days. A company knowns as Uni-Solar has created solar collection arrays that can collect energy during severe weather. This technology is advanced where more energy can be collected during sunny days to compensate for days when sunlight is limited. There is one other system referred to as PV that people are using. This system is linked to the electrical grid that is nearby, and transfers the excess energy to that grid for shared use. As a result, there is less ependence on major electrical plants and lower electrical bills for the home. The main benefits of employing a system like PV is reduced costs, decrease in the amount of pollution made, and less reliance on the central grid system. There is a growing trend in a lot of communities and suburbs where they are designing their own centralized solar collection arrays. An indication that solar power is becoming an acceptable alternative energy option is that a number of large companies are getting into solar energy. Google has been utilizing a 1.6 megawatt system to power its offices and Wal Mart is trying to develop their own 100 megawatt solar energy system to power their stores.

Governments are providing aid to the solar energy cause, with nations, including Germany, Japan, Switzerland and the United States, offering subsidies and tax benefits to individuals or business organizations for producing electrical power using solar energy.

Solar Energy Facts

Solar Energy Facts

Our sun, which is the nearest star, bathes us with an enormous amount of energy every second of the day. The sun is considered an "alternative" energy source even though it is the mother of nearly all natural resources sources we use. In fact, without the sun's natural resources, life on this planet would never have been developed. Oxygen is produced from plants that use the sun's natural light to grow. the results of which is rich oxygen yield and a bounty of assorted fruits and vegetables. So in reality, we humans have been making use of this "substitute" natural energy source since the dawn of time. Put another way, when you think about it, the energy that is created by the sun's power is really the only energy source that we on Earth have. For instance all forms of fossil fuels are a result of stored energy received from sunshine. Gas, oil, and coal are all the products of decayed plants that grew millions of years ago from the sun's energy. Wind energy is additionally a product of weather patterns that are driven by the sun's energy. Biomass fuels such as wood additionally rely on sunlight to grow. With the possible exception of nuclear power, we have always relied on the sun in one way or another.

Even though the sun has been around since the beginning of time, and harnessing it's power directly is a relatively new development. While high ongoing purchase and installation costs can be a barrier for many who'd like to enter the solar energy market, solar energy is rapidly becoming more efficient, and cost competitive with traditional energy sources. Start With The Most Obvious Things Some of the simplest ways homeowners can take advantage of energy from the sun includes drying clothes outdoors on a clothesline on a sunny day, to utilizing many passive solar design techniques to heat a home during the wintertime months. Solar water heating is another common choice for using the energy of the sun very effectively. These systems are a notable entry level step into the world of solar energy as they have a low first cost, are simple to install and are time-tested. The fantastic thing about photovoltaic panel arrays is they can meet most of the electrical needs, if not all of the electrical needs of a typical home, replacing the pollution of fossil fuel sources.

The following are some of the solar natural resources facts that we can capture from our sun with our high tech collectors and sun can act like a giant storage battery in the sky to supply us with unending energy to use wherever and whenever we need it. One hour of sunlight that hits our earth generates more natural resources than the entire population of our planet can use in one year. Solar energy is measured in units called watts and kilowatts or kilowatt-hours. 1 kilowatt equals 1000 watts of electricity. To light one 100 watt light bulb for 10 hours will take 1 kilowatt of power or (1kWh). The DOE (Department of energy) estimated that an average home in the United State used approximately 866 kilowatt hours of power per month in the year 1999. In order to produce approximately 1 kilowatt of power, a residential solar energy system will necessitate about 10 to 12 panels in the array, which works out to about 100 net squire feet of area. About 1,600 kilowatts of energy will be created by a one kilowatt residential array that receives an average of 5.5 hours of sunlight every day. This would equal burning about 160 pounds of coal, which additionally pollutes our atmosphere with 300 pounds of carbon dioxide gas. Even with a typical efficiencies of only 15 percent that typical solar panels get, there is so much energy that hits the earth every day, it makes sense to invest in a solar panel system both commercially and for smaller scale residence systems. Research and development is leading to a gradual decline in the price of solar energy technology of around 3 to 5% a year. It Has Never Been Better To Invest In Solar Technology With improving efficiencies and technologies, the ongoing decrease in first time costs, and the constant increase in the amount of traditional natural resources sources like coal and oil, there's never been a better time to invest in solar energy! But wait, if you want to make the move, but you sill are not sure, look into some of the tax breaks that are associated with these systems. There are some substantial tax credits being offered by our federal, state and local governments which make this even an easier choice to go to this alternative green energy source. Article Source Solar Energy Facts. For Additional Green Tips: Green Living Made Easy.

Solar Energy and Why We Need to Focus on It for Tomorrow's Energy Needs 1

Solar Energy and Why We Need to Focus on It for Tomorrow's Energy Needs

Energy consumption is a huge problem in this day and age. Everyone is plugged into something; whether it is a computer, telephone, or even driving your car to and from work, you are consuming energy. Now, most of the time, this can have some pretty nasty results. Pollution, dwindling resources, high energy prices, destruction of habitats through drilling, oil spills that kills thousand of animals each year, you name it. No one wants to hear about that type of thing, but also, no one wants to stop living the way they are. Electricity has become a part of everyone's lives, and it's not going anywhere. So, where can one find a solution to the problems addressed earlier? The answer is simple. Solar energy, of course.With solar energy, there are none of the problems that come with traditional energy sources such as coal, oil, or nuclear power. There is no digging, drilling, leaks or spills. Since nothing is being burned, air pollution goes right out the window. Solar energy is becoming a very real possibility for relieving the burden of fossil fuels. If everyone added solar panels to their roofs, emissions would take a nose dive. Besides just powering our home, there are also exciting new possibilities on the way in solar-powered vehicles, as well as solar-powered chargers for everything from your cell phone to your laptop. The future is in solar power, an abundant, renewable resource. Perhaps the first of its kind and it's been staring the people of earth right in the face this entire time.It's very important that people begin looking more into solar power, as fossil fuels are a limited resource and could soon be a thing of the past. Just as coal used to be a major power source, the danger and expense of getting it ushered in oil and nuclear power sources. Now that these too are getting to be considered too dangerous and hard to get (not to mention, expensive), people are starting to think outside the box. Imagine a world with no power? Seems impossible, and that's because it is. The human race cannot survive the way it is now without modern technologies. With no power, those are all gone. Luckily, people are investing in solar, wind, and other alternative energy sources.Unlike some of the more traditional sources of energy, solar power comes cheap and easy. After all, solar power comes from the sun. No more paying the electric bill every month. With solar heating, you can knock down your gas bill too. Soon, you'll be on your way to more conscientious power sources that agree with your wallet as well. So, again, what are the pros to solar energy? After initial installation of solar panels, it's cheap and nearly (if not completely) free. It doesn't hurt the environment by pollution or drilling. No more oil spills! It's much more abundant, because it is created using the power of the sun. The cons? Doesn't sound like there are any.

Solar Energy and Why We Need to Focus on It for Tomorrow's Energy Needs

Solar Energy and Why We Need to Focus on It for Tomorrow's Energy Needs

Energy consumption is a huge problem in this day and age. Everyone is plugged into something; whether it is a computer, telephone, or even driving your car to and from work, you are consuming energy. Now, most of the time, this can have some pretty nasty results. Pollution, dwindling resources, high energy prices, destruction of habitats through drilling, oil spills that kills thousand of animals each year, you name it. No one wants to hear about that type of thing, but also, no one wants to stop living the way they are. Electricity has become a part of everyone's lives, and it's not going anywhere. So, where can one find a solution to the problems addressed earlier? The answer is simple. Solar energy, of course.With solar energy, there are none of the problems that come with traditional energy sources such as coal, oil, or nuclear power. There is no digging, drilling, leaks or spills. Since nothing is being burned, air pollution goes right out the window. Solar energy is becoming a very real possibility for relieving the burden of fossil fuels. If everyone added solar panels to their roofs, emissions would take a nose dive. Besides just powering our home, there are also exciting new possibilities on the way in solar-powered vehicles, as well as solar-powered chargers for everything from your cell phone to your laptop. The future is in solar power, an abundant, renewable resource. Perhaps the first of its kind and it's been staring the people of earth right in the face this entire time.It's very important that people begin looking more into solar power, as fossil fuels are a limited resource and could soon be a thing of the past. Just as coal used to be a major power source, the danger and expense of getting it ushered in oil and nuclear power sources. Now that these too are getting to be considered too dangerous and hard to get (not to mention, expensive), people are starting to think outside the box. Imagine a world with no power? Seems impossible, and that's because it is. The human race cannot survive the way it is now without modern technologies. With no power, those are all gone. Luckily, people are investing in solar, wind, and other alternative energy sources.Unlike some of the more traditional sources of energy, solar power comes cheap and easy. After all, solar power comes from the sun. No more paying the electric bill every month. With solar heating, you can knock down your gas bill too. Soon, you'll be on your way to more conscientious power sources that agree with your wallet as well. So, again, what are the pros to solar energy? After initial installation of solar panels, it's cheap and nearly (if not completely) free. It doesn't hurt the environment by pollution or drilling. No more oil spills! It's much more abundant, because it is created using the power of the sun. The cons? Doesn't sound like there are any.

Solar Energy Advantages

Solar Energy Advantages

Here's an extensive compilation of solar energy advantages in addition to its disadvantages. Power from the sun in the purest form was produced from the radiant light and also heat of the sun. The electricity of sunlight with the utilization of technologies is primarily employed by humans as an effective electrical source, energy to appliances, devices and many machines in both homes and industries. Like other alternative energies, power from the sun has also its share of disadvantages. Because of this, not a person has settled on a particular source yet. However, by studying the following broad list, you'll discover the fact that disadvantages are less compared to advantages. Solar energy advantages: Money Saving •Following the recovery of the energy production. There exists absolutely nothing to pay for anymore because the sun's energy is absolutely free. •Based on your household electricity requirement, the recovery period can really be short. •Financial incentives are offered by the government to lower your cost. (Find out more at www.dsireusa.org to comprehend the incentives found in the region.)

•An attractive scheme called "net-metering" can be purchased once your system happens to produce more than you consume, your utility company is likely to buy it out, accumulating credits to your account. •Allows one to cut costs in case you have electricity charges. •There's basically no great need of fuel with power from the sun. •It has nothing to do with the production and need for fuel, thus, it is unaffected by the spiraling worth of gasoline. •Immediate savings is realistic, which may last for years. •Utilizing solar panel technology could cause the decrease in health costs. Environment-friendly •Unlike coal, gas and oil, solar power is pure, renewable and sustainable that assist in the preservation and protection from the environment. •Unlike other traditional sources of producing usable energy, solar energy isn't going to emit nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide, mercury or sulphur dioxide to the air, which prevent air pollution. •This indicates that power from the sun does nothing to climate change, acid rain along with other atmospheric pollutants.

•Largely makes a contribution to the decrease in environment damage resulting from green house gas emissions. •Produced only where necessary. •Since solar powered energy doesn't necessarily utilize fuel, it doesn't cause any problem that really needs recovery, transit and storage of harmful radioactive waste. Independent /Semi Independent •You can make use of power from the sun to balance the intake of utility- supplied energy. This indicates that it is possible to greatly abate your electricity bills, besides utilizing an uninterrupted power supply in cases when disruption happens. •Since a Solar Powered Energy system can independently operate without necessarily connecting with a power or gas grid at all, it can therefore be positioned in distant locations (much like holiday log cabins) and that is much less expensive than installing utility-supplied electricity. •Solar Energy utilization promotes a sustainable future that's independent from foreign and/or centralized sources which might be usually affected by earthquakes and international events. •The production of Solar Powered Energy systems promotes local economic growth since it creates more jobs and employment opportunities. Low or No Maintenance whatsoever •Solar Energy systems require low to practically no maintenance at all that may even last a long time. •After every component has been installed, there would be no other cost to fret about. •Solar energy systems have zero moving parts, thus, they operate without any disturbing sounds. You don't ought to add any fuel, meaning that emission of bad smell is going to be prevented. •It's all too easy to combine solar power systems as you desire. Solar Energy Disadvantages: •The very high cost of semi-conducting materials utilized in the main installation is often the main disadvantage. •As energy shortages have grown more frequent, the price of solar energy is also rising versus the non-renewable utility-supplied electricity. •A large area for installation is necessary for installing of solar power panels in order to take a steady method of getting solar power. •The performance from the system basically relies on the position of the sun. However, this problem will be solved by installing some components. •The presence of clouds and air pollutants also change the generation of solar power. •No solar panel technology is generated during the night, but battery power backup system or net metering can solve this matter. •Visit www.dsireusa.org for instructions about how net metering can help you save money and electricity. •The slower speed of solar- powered cars is probably not as easy for the fast-paced everyday living nowadays. Obviously, whilst you'll find problems with taking a Solar Panel Technology, nonetheless the available solutions assure the best manageability. Explore the SolarEnergyAdvantagesInformation.com, site that provides you information on solar power systems, solar energy advantages and many other informative tips on generating electricity.

Solar Energy And Alternative Energy Devices The Solution To A Global Crisis Of High Energy Costs

Solar Energy And Alternative Energy Devices - The Solution To A Global Crisis Of High Energy Costs

We have all fallen prey for decades to the power brokers of the oil and power generation industries. Politicians have paid lip service to the principles of going green, solar energy and alternative energy but have done little to change the influence of the old energy establishment.It all starts with an upper layer of Oil Producing Countries primarily of middle eastern origin with little sympathy for the west that are determined to extract the highest profit for their crude oil. This is in order to provide a future buffer for their nations lavish living standards when the oil deposits finally run out.These Oil Producing Nations sell their crude to a second layer of Multinational Mining Corporations and Refineries who also take their pound of flesh in high margins before selling off downstream to the Electric Companies and Petroleum Distributors.Add to the mix the power generation monopolies backed by state contracts and laws and supported by bankers who face little risk of losing a penny by financing them. Nothing comes closer to a profit guarantee as both parties margins are predetermined by a steady pattern of demand and protected by penalty of disconnection.Consumers must pay the rate imposed with little recourse or protest and few persons can exist today without modern electrical conveniences. Even when there is competition, electricity rates rarely differ much between competing producers.The idea that efficient production and distribution of energy could be sustainable by a monopoly of a handful of power companies is flawed and contradicts basic economic theory that teaches diversity and competition as the main factors of efficiency.All told, this pyramid of profit has resulted in a looming energy crisis whose impact has contributed to a few other global crises.These include the war on terror, the war on drugs, human trafficking, global warming, ozone depletion, deforestation and the world financial meltdown. All of which arise from the global inflation triggered by oil price hikes and its crippling effect on the energy based industries of client nations.Surprisingly the solution to the world energy crisis is fairly simple.i.e. CUT DEMAND AND DEPENDENCY ON OIL AND THE PRICE WILL FALL FLAT ON IT'S FACE!How do we do this you might ask and again the answer is simple.A paradigm shift in conventional behavior by consumers worldwide in electricity production allowing for a major percentage increase in available energy from homesteads. The technology already exists, right now in fact for every household to become a net energy producer by way of solar and alternative energy devices. If each private home was equipped with enough alternative energy devices to cut their external consumption by a half it would eliminate the world energy crisis amongst others.Some call this initiative "Going Green" but this is a very mild term for a campaign that is as critical and urgent as the rescue of the world from the Tyranny of Adolf Hitler.

Solar Energy Advantages

Solar Energy Advantages

Many people have been making the shift to using solar powered energy because solar energy advantages carry a great deal of benefits. The very first benefit of solar energy is that you simply are able to reduce costs utilizing this type of power source, particularly long term. Second, solar energy advantages give people a way to enjoy an infinite method to obtain energy. And third, solar energy advantages create an opportunity for folks to green living and help the environment. Solar Power Cost Solar energy won't have a monthly recurrent expense, rather merely a certain up-front investment for your very own specific solar energy system, which possibly involves installation of solar panels and as a consequence, delivers the individual solar power energy. As soon as your system is actually working, there will be no more power bills. Solar energy, the source of energy for producing solar power, comes from sunlight and it's free for everybody to utilize. Among the numerous solar energy advantages of solar panel systems will be the fact that once they are installed correctly, they might need little or no maintenance. Additionally, if you choose one of the most simple solar energy systems and select self-installation, you'll save a lot more on solar energy costs and installation.

Solar Energy Limits Another critical solar technology advantage is its virtually limitless supply of energy. Solar energy is the energy source of solar power and this type of energy originates from the sun's rays. There will be no worrying about if the energy source of your electricity will deplete, because the sun continuously produces solar energy and will also be producing solar energy for numerous years to come. Solar Energy and the Environment Of the many solar panel technology advantages, being environment friendly is a very important one. Since solar power utilizes the energy from the sun, producing it won't harm the earth. There aren't any damaging gas emissions, odors, or noises, which is nuclear-free. Solar power is fully green and sustainable. Additionally, using solar power helps save the fast depleting non-renewable energy sources, which are being employed by today's top electricity companies. Subsequently, in the event you switch solely to solar energy, there is no need to rely upon central and foreign power resources similar to coal and oil.

Solar Energy Use Were you aware that 94% of US Energy is from NON-renewable sources? Do you realize what this implies? Which means almost 100% of the energy supply in the united states can't be recycled. Furthermore, most energy in the US is polluted into the atmosphere, unlike wind power and solar energy, which is renewable. Despite sunlight's significant possibility of supplying energy, solar power provides less than 1% of U.S. energy needs. This percentage is expected to enhance using the growth of new plus much more efficient solar technologies. More Solar Technology Advantages: Saves Money Good for the Environment and Non-Polluting Easy and Cost-effective to keep up Reliable Encouraged by the Government via grants and tax benefits Solar energy is non-polluting Solar cells (solar panels) are long-lasting and require little or no maintenance; they are completely silent and non-polluting, and have been no moving parts that may require maintenance. Reliability - solar energy provides independence from a controlled power company, it really is nice to know that you'll be able to count on alternate source of energy to have the ability to perform daily tasks and procedures, the whole time, disadvantage, or additional costs. Solar energy grants, rebates, or certain tax reductions could be obtained from the implementation of solar energy solutions for your house or business. In most cases, it's even possible to offer back power to the power grid and for that reason pay less of an electric bill, in the event you still use some conventional power resources. When you use solar energy responsibly for the common good and your personal welfare along with your fellow neighbors and family, we'll all live better, without dependence on our financial gain with responsibility to our environment. It is perhaps on this way-the greatest good thing about solar energy is that we develop greater abilities to reply to each other and to the environment. Find information on solar energy advantages, solar energy news, DIY solar panel, and the advantages of solar energy and power.

Solar energy Advantages Look for Pluses And Minuses Of Alternative Energy

Solar energy Advantages - Look for Pluses And Minuses Of Alternative Energy

I've build Diy solar energy advantages website as a general helper to anyone who has an interest in alternative energy. We shall discuss here about Diy home solar panels, wind energy, zero point energy in addition to areas of alternative energy investment. You will find here numerous tips and advices that can help you to get your alternative energy investment cheaper. Search for here about advantages and disadvantages of home solar panels, zero point energy and wind power. One important thing is definite. Whichever the types of energy mentioned above you are going to choose it can be for this benefit to your pocket and therefore the environment. We must shift everything from non-renewable fuels to water, wind and solar technology energy. Requirement for the energy keeps growing from year to year and resources for oil and coal are almost depleted. Alternative energy becomes a requirement rather than choice. Diy solar energy advantages website will assist you in making decision about alternative energy.

We have a special benefit of using WWS (water, wind, solar energy). It's cheaper, safer and environment friendly. Hydroelectric systems, wind generators and Diy home solar panels radiate no pollution and consequently are way ahead for earth's energy. A good option to consider for alternative energy technology is going to be Sun as most of our own energy proceeds from that star. Sun rays ( star that belong to the Solar System) generates more energy in contrast to people could use in a few years. Currently solar energy is applied via solar energy collectors. A super easy flat plate collector is all you must have to begin using free solar energy. These black solar panels work by absorbing and collecting solar energy and converting it to electricity. Some people plan to make ones own solar panels instead of paying premium for just a utility company so that you can supply them.Since the Diy home solar panels are less expensive than $200. It is just a great solar energy advantages.

Countries just like for example Usa, Japan, Switzerland and Germany happen to be encourage their residents to transition to solar energy by giving government subsidies or giving regulations to opportunity seekers who accept to apply Diy home solar panels for making their heat and electrical power. You will find numbers alternative solar energy technologies that can be referred to by work to reduce for your bills it is great solar energy advantages. You most likely are also angry on producers of typical fuel and coal energy and damaging that they can caused by the oxygen. Among the list of cons of Diy home solar panels are its sizes. You must have a spot making it possible to set it up. The most typical place could possibly be the roof and even garden. However, if you've got the place enabling you to position the solar cell, nothing is in the way to haveit done. You may require RV solar panels which does not take much place whatever. And even get it everywhere with you is solar energy advantages. We still can't manage the oil spill in the united states. Nuclear energy evokes enormous damage.We could observed that in Chernobyl it's true its destructive force reached the Japan. We should thing about our small children and grandchildren. Just how long will any of us need to look forward to changes? Should we expect others to alter entire world? Maybe we have to begin totally from us? In case you're still mixed up which power source to chose I strongly recommend that you simply examine at DiySolarEnergyAdvantages.com for Diy home solar panels.

Solar energy Advantages See Advantages and disadvantages Of Alternative Energy

Solar energy Advantages - See Advantages and disadvantages Of Alternative Energy

I've put together Diy solar energy advantages website as the helper to anybody who has an interest in alternative energy. We shall discuss here about Diy home solar panels, wind energy, zero point energy as well as other issues alternative energy investment. You'll discover here numerous tips and advices manufactured to assist you in getting your alternative energy investment cheaper. Read here about pluses and minuses of babies solar panels, zero point energy and wind power. A thing is for certain. No matter what form of energy remarked above you should choose it should be for the benefit to your wallet and also the environment. We need to shift the modern world from standard fuels to water, wind and solar powered energy. Interest in energy is growing from year upon year and resources for oil and coal are almost depleted. Alternative energy gets a requirement instead of a choice. Diy solar energy advantages website will draw you to make decision about alternative energy. There's a simple great benefit making use of WWS (water, wind, solar technology energy). It's cheaper, safer and ecological.

Hydroelectric systems, wind turbines and Diy home solar panels result in no pollution so are future of the world's energy. The best place to check out for alternative energy technology can be the Sun since most of the energy stems from that star. Sun rays ( star within the Solar System) generates more energy in comparison with people could used very many years. Currently solar energy is applied as solar energy collectors. A very easy flat plate collector 's all you have to make the most of free solar energy. These black solar panels work by absorbing and collecting solar energy and converting it to electricity. Most people like to make ones own solar panels as compared with paying premium for any electric company in order to supply them.Since the Diy home solar panels costs less than $200. It's really a great solar energy advantages. Countries including Unites states, Japan, Switzerland and Germany are encourage their residents to transition to solar energy through providing government subsidies or giving regulations and tax breaks to those who accept apply Diy home solar panels making their heat and electrical power.

There are masses alternative solar energy technologies that happens to be to be able to work to cut down within your bills it's actually amazing solar energy advantages. You'll probably be also upset on providers of traditional fuel and coal energy and damaging that they do to the atmosphere. Some of the cons of Diy home solar panels are its sizes. You need to have an area enabling you to arrange it. The commonest place is a roof and garden. However, if you have someplace where you could placed the solar panel, nothing is in the manner to make it. You may have RV solar panels which doesn't take much place in anyway. And in addition have it everywhere together with you is solar energy advantages. We still can't deal with the oil spill in the america. Nuclear energy evokes enormous damage.We could observed this situation in Chernobyl now its destructive force reached the Japan. We have to thing about our children and grandchildren. How much time will we must wait around for changes? Should we expect others to swap earth? Maybe we need to begin totally from us? In case you are still perplexed which power source decide I strongly recommend that you simply take a look at at DiySolarEnergyAdvantages.com for Diy home solar panels.

Solar Energy The Futuristic Source of Energy 1

Solar Energy - The Futuristic Source of Energy

Almost all the non-renewable sources of energy are progressing towards a state of exhaustion. If we do not harness the power of the renewable sources to their maximum potential, we may face severe consequences in the future. This is why it has become essential to identify and explore the renewable sources of energy, such as solar energy. The sun is probably the biggest reason behind the existence of our planet.However, there are certain challenges associated with harnessing solar power in an optimal fashion. For instance, the following three questions arise when you first think about utilizing solar power:• Earth receives only a minuscule amount of sun's energy. How can the heat reception and utilization at our planet be maximized?• We receive the solar radiations only during the day. How can we make up for the energy to last through the night?• Even after all the evolutions in technology to harness solar power, we can still only manage to use the energy falling on a given surface. How can we concentrate all this energy at one specific spot?All these questions compel us to think about the future of solar power. Many researchers have predicted that solar energy is the energy of future, and will soon be available as a fully competitive energy source along with the present sources.Solar Energy TodayIn the current scenario, solar electricity is mainly generated using solar panels or photovoltaic (PV) cells in a home solar system. In a home solar system, solar panels simply convert sunlight into electricity, which is then supplied further. The main drawbacks associated with the solar panels of the past were the efficiency and the absence of power in the night. However, recent developments in solar panels have resulted in increased efficiency of the solar panels as well as made it possible to produce limited amounts of electricity even during the night.Solar Energy FutureSolar panels are now globally used in the home-based solar systems as well as for commercial purposes. One of the main reasons for growing popularity of home solar systems is the guarantee that comes with the solar panels. These solar panels guarantee to offer you the continuous power supply for 25 years. Also, the government incentive schemes run by several state government become a motivating factor behind using solar power.It may still take a while until we can completely depend on solar energy for our power requirements. However, with the present rate of fossil fuel consumption, more and more people are turning towards the sun as the ultimate source of energy.

Solar Energy The Futuristic Source of Energy

Solar Energy - The Futuristic Source of Energy

Almost all the non-renewable sources of energy are progressing towards a state of exhaustion. If we do not harness the power of the renewable sources to their maximum potential, we may face severe consequences in the future. This is why it has become essential to identify and explore the renewable sources of energy, such as solar energy. The sun is probably the biggest reason behind the existence of our planet.However, there are certain challenges associated with harnessing solar power in an optimal fashion. For instance, the following three questions arise when you first think about utilizing solar power:• Earth receives only a minuscule amount of sun's energy. How can the heat reception and utilization at our planet be maximized?• We receive the solar radiations only during the day. How can we make up for the energy to last through the night?• Even after all the evolutions in technology to harness solar power, we can still only manage to use the energy falling on a given surface. How can we concentrate all this energy at one specific spot?All these questions compel us to think about the future of solar power. Many researchers have predicted that solar energy is the energy of future, and will soon be available as a fully competitive energy source along with the present sources.Solar Energy TodayIn the current scenario, solar electricity is mainly generated using solar panels or photovoltaic (PV) cells in a home solar system. In a home solar system, solar panels simply convert sunlight into electricity, which is then supplied further. The main drawbacks associated with the solar panels of the past were the efficiency and the absence of power in the night. However, recent developments in solar panels have resulted in increased efficiency of the solar panels as well as made it possible to produce limited amounts of electricity even during the night.Solar Energy FutureSolar panels are now globally used in the home-based solar systems as well as for commercial purposes. One of the main reasons for growing popularity of home solar systems is the guarantee that comes with the solar panels. These solar panels guarantee to offer you the continuous power supply for 25 years. Also, the government incentive schemes run by several state government become a motivating factor behind using solar power.It may still take a while until we can completely depend on solar energy for our power requirements. However, with the present rate of fossil fuel consumption, more and more people are turning towards the sun as the ultimate source of energy.

Solar Energy Producing Green and Changing Power 1

Solar Energy - Producing Green and Changing Power

Remember when TV's and cell phones and other electronic gadgets needed an upgrade only every two years instead of every year? Technology has done just about the same for solar power. The advances in the technologies and better efficiency are making solar power very competitive.In a few years solar energy will be a part of our lives in ways that we can barely fathom. Just imagine, more individuals will be producing their own power. They will be able to sell back the electricity that they don't use.In a few short years:The individual will be better able to control costs that were previously out of a consumer's control.Small businesses such as farms would benefit from having a second income apart from their main business and still be able to use their land and buildings, with minor changes.Companies that service small power producing stations will emerge to service the mini power stations, which will create new jobs.How will this effect the overall economy? Companies that have barely been heard of will be out in front.Many individuals are using the new solar technologies to do everyday things that we used to have to plug in to the grid for like running outdoor lights and we now run water fountains with a solar powered pumps and farmers are using solar powered electric fences.Solar energy isn't like the fuels we've gotten used to. The same sun that touches a solar panel can also heat your solar hot water panel, the lights on the outside of your home and charge your electronics. Not bad for one free energy source.Portable solar power is going to set us free in many ways. As solar panels get smaller they are easier to bring with you. Many camping lanterns and flashlights are now solar powered. As solar technology advances more new products will be introduced for the outdoors.Solar power is changing things in homes and businesses too. It is less expensive to light yards and parking lots with solar lights. Signs are solar powered. There are solar roof shingles. Transparent solar panels are being developed to be used to replace windows. People can use solar power to keep cars cool on a hot day.The convenience of new technology is not just going to save us money; it is literally shifting where the power is. When you produce more of the energy you need more of the power is yours.

Solar Energy Producing Green and Changing Power

Solar Energy - Producing Green and Changing Power

Remember when TV's and cell phones and other electronic gadgets needed an upgrade only every two years instead of every year? Technology has done just about the same for solar power. The advances in the technologies and better efficiency are making solar power very competitive.In a few years solar energy will be a part of our lives in ways that we can barely fathom. Just imagine, more individuals will be producing their own power. They will be able to sell back the electricity that they don't use.In a few short years:The individual will be better able to control costs that were previously out of a consumer's control.Small businesses such as farms would benefit from having a second income apart from their main business and still be able to use their land and buildings, with minor changes.Companies that service small power producing stations will emerge to service the mini power stations, which will create new jobs.How will this effect the overall economy? Companies that have barely been heard of will be out in front.Many individuals are using the new solar technologies to do everyday things that we used to have to plug in to the grid for like running outdoor lights and we now run water fountains with a solar powered pumps and farmers are using solar powered electric fences.Solar energy isn't like the fuels we've gotten used to. The same sun that touches a solar panel can also heat your solar hot water panel, the lights on the outside of your home and charge your electronics. Not bad for one free energy source.Portable solar power is going to set us free in many ways. As solar panels get smaller they are easier to bring with you. Many camping lanterns and flashlights are now solar powered. As solar technology advances more new products will be introduced for the outdoors.Solar power is changing things in homes and businesses too. It is less expensive to light yards and parking lots with solar lights. Signs are solar powered. There are solar roof shingles. Transparent solar panels are being developed to be used to replace windows. People can use solar power to keep cars cool on a hot day.The convenience of new technology is not just going to save us money; it is literally shifting where the power is. When you produce more of the energy you need more of the power is yours.

Residential Solar Energy Systems Are More Affordable Than Ever Before

Residential Solar Energy Systems Are More Affordable Than Ever Before

The only thing we have to deal with in order to make the best use of it to capture it in useful form. When we capture this type of energy, we can actually use it for a variety of purposes. However, most researches have been geared towards developing methods to convert solar power into electricity, and there have been significant developments so far. As it is, the sun can provide nearly 10,000 times more energy for humanity than any other conventional power source we have. But with science and the people who relentlessly pursue the ways to let us get hold of this power, the prospects are promising.There are three established ways of capturing solar energy today and one is through solar or photovoltaic (PV) cells. These are commonly known as solar panels which are made of semiconductor diodes that convert light energy and infrared or ultraviolet radiation into electricity, particularly a DC current. Solar panels are now being used today in households, farms and industrial plants, but they are still not very popular due to the amount of space that is required to have enough panels that generate electricity in sufficient amounts.

The use of solar water heaters is another common way of capturing solar energy today. If solar panels make use of the sun's light to produce electricity, solar water heaters tap on thermal solar energy or the sun's heat in order to produce the same. A flat-plate collector is made of a heat and weatherproof plate covered in transparent material while an evacuated tube collector, which works best in low temperatures, is a combination of two heat-trapping glass tubes attached together on one end. The third type is called concentrating, a term apparently derived from its main action which is to concentrate heat energy onto a receiving tube with the use of mirrors.The third common way of capturing solar energy is through the use of solar furnaces. These devices are essentially made of mirrors and other reflective materials that focus sunlight into one spot where heat can accumulate to an amount that is enough to produce electricity or hydrogen fuel. There are two types of these furnaces, namely, direct and heliostat. Both make use of reflective dishes or mirrors, but vary in terms of intensity. The heliostat uses more of these reflective materials and produces more energy than direct.

Are you a homeowner that's getting sick and tired of the exorbitant monthly utility bills? Are you looking for a sure way to save money? If you answered "yes" to these two questions, then there's welcome news coming your way. Have you ever heard of Solar Panels? If you haven't, it's fast becoming one of the most popular ways of conserving natural energy, and helping the environment as a whole. Residential Solar Energy Systems now have taken on a whole new meaning since a homeowner can now get a tax credit for having these powerful units in place.It used to be common knowledge that having Solar Panels installed were costly and even costlier to purchase outright. Well those days are soon coming to an end, because with so many companies manufacturing Residential Solar Energy Systems available, the prices are going way down. Even better is the easier installation process,that is prompting more people to bypass hiring a contractor and opting to do the job themselves.

Renewable Energy Solar Energy

Renewable Energy Solar Energy

What is Solar Energy?Solar energy is a way to convert light energy into electricity by using a device or medium that harnesses solar power. There are 2 ways we can convert solar energy into electricity, we can either convert it passively or harvesting solar power without the use of any mechanical device or actively by using a mechanical device.There are 3 types of energy that the we can get from the sun:Solar Light Energy. Photovoltaics is a way to convert solar energy into electricity by gathering photons or the small packets of energy inside the sun's rays. We can use this kind of energy to gather the light of the sun and use it to power the appliances inside our homes.Solar panels convert light energy to electricity by means of interconnected photovoltaic silicon(solar cells) arranged in a module or through an array.For a solar panel to work, it is installed to where the sun has most adequate light in your area. A solar panel only generates 12 volt of DC, therefore, an inverter is needed to convert DC to AC. AC is an electric current equal to 110/100/220 volt (depends on country) and this kind of voltage is required to power up any appliances inside the home.Advantage - Less maintenance because it gathers electricity passively. - Free source of fuel for energy gathering. - Endless supply of fuel. - Long operational life as it does not have any mechanical device that may wear and tear due to repeated operations. - Saves electricity bill.Disadvantage - High initial cost. ROI will be achieved in about 1 to 5 years. - Must be installed on places where 100% of the sun's light is achieved. A cloudy location means a decrease in power output. - Power can only gained during the day but we can install batteries so that we can still use solar energy even when the sun is not up.Solar Thermal Energy. Harnessing solar energy but it is converted to heat energy. Examples of which is using the sun to warm a home's indoor environment, heat water or a swimming pool.A solar thermal system is a like a solar panel but it's goal is to gather the sun's heat. Instead of mirrors and silicon solar panels, it uses a black colored panels with a heat collector and instead of generating electricity, it is converted heat energy.Advantage - Unlike solar panels, it does not require adequate solar light to gather solar energy. - It is used passively meaning less maintenance compared to mechanical type of solar power systems. - Endless supply of energy because the sun does not decrease nor deplete it's energy rate. - Saves fuel and/or electricity required to heat a water or keep your indoor environment warm.Disadvantage - Will only function during the day when the sun is rising. - Not recommended on shady or cloudy locations. - The initial cost is high but there are other options like recycling that can decrease the total initial cost.Concentrated Solar Power. Concentrated Solar Power uses lenses or reflective mirrors to focus light energy into a small area to generate a very high temperature that powers boils the water and powers the steam turbine thereby generating electricity.Concentrated solar power systems are not similar to solar panels although it appears as if though it is using a solar panel but it is not a solar panel but a reflective panel all aimed at a tower thereby generating heat high enough to make steam turbines work.Solar cooking is an example of concentrated solar power. It uses a reflective cooker that gathers the sun's light and then aims it at a specific location to concentrate light therefore generate heat.Concentrated Solar Power is also used to generate electricity. A dish or a parabolic trough may be used on homes but they all require a larger space and because concentrated solar power uses steam and a generator, but the downside is it might be too loud for neighbors.Advantage - Limitless fuel source. - Saves on electricity bill.Disadvantage - Too loud and not neighbor-friendly - Too bulky if used at home, requires larger space. - Must be on constant sunlight to acquire 100% power. - Has a mechanical device and uses water to generate electricity therefore requires more maintenance. - The sun is not available at night.ConclusionSolar energy is free and renewable however its primary cost is high. But if you think carefully, the one time cost of solar panels for example is sufficient enough to save you at least 40% of your electricity consumption per month that will go on for years and years.LEED, an internationally recognized green building system rates a building or a house that meets its standards for being environment friendly and conserves energy. With your green aims, plus using all the means necessary to save on electricity bills and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, it's a waste if you do not get your home or building be LEED certified. Who knows you might get a LEED Platinum rating for your efforts.

OZ Solar Energy Solutions on the Doors

OZ Solar Energy Solutions on the Doors

With the growing needs and desires of the mankind, the usage of energy had to go one notch up. And to no wonders it did. Sooner than later, we realized that non-renewable resources of energy would get exhausted one day. And there played in, Innovation. Renewable resources of energy were the answers, i.e. Solar energy, bio energy, hydro energy and what not. Air Pod, a car that runs on compressed air was invented in 2009. A number of ways to utilize bio-energy were discovered. Hydro power plants were built to dams to harness the energy, and bring about the conversion of hydro energy to electricity. However, what makes a lasting impression is the solar energy. Something that finds applications in as many things as one can count. Be it the presence of solar cells in calculators, or the usage of solar panels for heating and microwave purposes, solar energy has found applications in things too many! The only advantage that can be drawn out from a decrease in the width of the ozone layer can be an increase in the applications and usage, the mighty sunrays can be put to.

Good to see that the encouragement that the usage of solar energy has got, again owing it all to the innovations (that lead to encouragement of renewable resources of energy). A number of solar energy usage competitions are held across the globe, wherein the participants need to build a solar solution to effect their participation in the races held. And the same is done by the corporate worlds where economy is run on the basis of solar energy. OZ solar energy solutions assure that the responsibility (of utilizing more and more of this form of energy) is carried forward by the wiser people rests in hands of budding, smart and pro-active intellectuals. To add to these, the no-pollution caused by solar energy makes it the first choice, quite convincingly and promisingly. Moreover, in a nation like Australia, where pollution levels have always been a concern, the resurgence of such a resource is like a boon.

OZ solar energy solutions provide the solar power government rebate that the government of Australia is ready to provide and that too at the time of purchase. Solar power government rebate is provided to the customers for the usage of devices based on solar energy wherein the amount of rebate that you will receive depends on many factors, starting with geographical factors, size of your roof, and amount of energy that you draw and many others. With OZ solar energy solutions, you are assured.

On a personal note, we believe, with the usefulness of solar energy so evident, more efforts shall be made to create awareness at the all the levels. Promotion of solar energy is necessary and it is time we become the architects of our future and reserve with ourselves the right to a more secured, relaxed living. Innovate now, for it may reap heavily tomorrow.

Maximizing Solar Energy for Agriculture

Maximizing Solar Energy for Agriculture

The uses of solar energy for agriculture cannot be denied. Aside from being a main component in the growth of plants and crops, sunlight has many other functions in an agricultural setting. Quite a number of farmers have already wised up to these additional benefits, which is why they have taken steps to maximize the use of solar energy in their farms. Historical Trend: Fruit Walls Increasing solar energy advantages in an agricultural setup isn’t a new concept. Back in the period known as the Little Ice Age in the 1600s, farmers developed fruit walls to boost their harvest. These walls functioned as thermal nets that harnessed solar energy, the greater amount of which kept the plants warm and allowed them to ripen faster. This technology was constantly improved over time for more efficient results. Multiple Uses The solar energy allotted for a specific unit of the farm isn’t exclusive for that unit only – it can be used for other areas as well. Solar collectors are the modern applications of fruit wall technology. They concentrate the sun’s rays in a specific region to generate more heat for the plants located there. If used solely for this purpose, the costs of running a solar collector might be quite high; It would be more efficient if the same solar collector is used to warm up other buildings and farm structures during alternating periods of the year.

Greenhouse Lighting and Heating Traditional solar energy use for greenhouses is limited to lighting. To maximize the power generated through this, some Northern California solar energy systems have expanded this function to greenhouse heating. Maintaining the temperature inside a greenhouse is essential for growing healthy plants and crops. Specialty Crops Solar greenhouses are also important for the long-term production of specialty crops that are not suitable for the local clime. Solar Butte County farmers, for example, are able to grow plants that were originally out of place in California’s weather. This translates to higher outputs and profit. With these advantages, it’s not a surprising to see that there are an increasing number of Northern California solar farmers and other similar agricultural producers around the country. This trend is expected to continue, especially since traditional sources of energy are quickly being depleted.

Leading Solar Energy Capacity Worldwide

Leading Solar Energy Capacity Worldwide

With the favorable climatic conditions it enjoys it is surprising to see that Australia is lagging behind in the international race for solar energy capacity. As of September last year the vast country had a total of only 300 MW of energy generation through solar PV panels. These relatively low figures when compared to other nations, is primarily because of the cost per KW of solar panels meant they weren’t as economically viable as the cost of coal produced electricity. This was up until the last couple of years, when the government stepped in with generous incentives and solar schemes to change that imbalance. So since 2009 though Australia has made great strides in making the solar industry more professional and better regulated, and as the industry has boomed worldwide manufacturing costs have dropped considerably. As a result of this, together with improved solar technology providing greater energy efficiency and smaller sized panels,the cost per KW of solar power has been halved and solar PV systems are much more affordable for an average family then before.

With considerable government investment support for renewable energy projects, the coming carbon tax to provide more funding for research and development, and increased investor interest in large scale solar and other projects, the country can be considered as a sleeping giant in the renewable energy field. With it widely tipped as being one of the top growth industries in the next 10 years, the solar energy capacity of Australia is expected to climb rapidly upwards, and hopefully we will soon belong to this list of world leaders in solar energy generation; Germany Despite an often gloomy sky Germany is clearly the highest electricity producer from solar photovoltaic energy. With almost 17,000 MW of solar energy capacity from solar farms, the business and industrial sector and nearly a quarter of a million private solar panels systems, Germany clearly outruns any solar industry to date. The success of the country is primarily because of the renewable energy act of 2000 which was designed to reduce the cost of solar panel systems, and improved energy efficiency from the economies of scale. With the country nearly saturated now though other younger solar countries will have the chance to emulate their success, like Australia whose government has drawn on Germany policy as a role model.

Spain Spain is one of the most advanced nations in solar energy development, and coupled with it’snatural blessings (the country has one of the longest sun hours in Europe) it’s not surprising it his home to over 3000 MW of total solar energy capacity. The country currently holds second spot as the most installed photovoltaic in the world. However with the recent delays and issues over government subsidies and programs, along with economic setbacks, the country is now only slowlyprogressing its solar industry and is on the verge of being outrun by other nations. Japan Although Japan is more likely to be known for its nuclear power plants, the truth is the Japanese already have the highest solar power capacity after Germany and Spain (over 2600 MW). After the recent nuclear disaster as a result of a tsunami, the Japanese government is increasing its efforts to improve the solar industry instead, and develop cheaper and more efficient solar cells in the future so they can gradually replace nuclear energy. United States The US solar energy capacity of 1650 MW is small for its population but expected to double within a few years as the government is now working on a state level policy and numerous large scale projects. Many of the countries major corporations are also embracing solar investments, as well as making it a priority to reduce their carbon footprints by making their buildings more energy efficient and reducing carbon emissions. Italy The rapid growth of the Italian solar industry has been brought about by a well-designed and segmented feed in tariff scheme that encouraged more and more residents to install rooftop solar panels. As a result Italy holds a record for one of the biggest spurts in solar capacity in a very short period of time.