An Introduction to Solar Energy for Children

By Teri Ferreira 

When you look up at the sky in the morning - what do you see? The sun! The sun is a star that is full of gases that burn all the time. It gives off heat when it burns. The amount of gas that burns for the sun is very large indeed! These burning gases make the sun very, very hot. The gas that burns also causes the sun's glow. And this is how we get light and heat from the sun, in the form of the sun's rays.
Solar energy is a form of energy from the sun. Like electricity, solar energy can also be used as power. Solar energy is found wherever you find sunshine. So what is energy? Energy is a force or power whose help we use to do things. We need physical energy when we need to move something like a heavy box. A jar of sweets contains lots of potential energy as there are many sweets in there or fire crackers that you use have chemical energy in them. A bulb glows because of electric energy.
The sun's rays travel and hit the surface of the earth and they have a lot of heat and light in them and that is why we call it solar - sun - energy. Without sunlight there would be no life on earth. Plants depend on it to live and animals depend on plants for food. Sunlight and the atmosphere make sure that our earth has temperatures that we can survive and live in. Solar energy can be used to cook food, power cars and other vehicles, power homes, and is 100% free! Unlike other types of energy, the sun won't ever run out.
Solar energy is energy taken from the sun that changed into electrical energy. This electric energy is also known as thermal energy. The sun has been producing energy for billions of years. The sun is the richest energy source. Solar energy is clean and can be made into other energy forms. With the human help it can power inventions to provide pollution-free energy. It can used as electric energy in homes, theatres, hospitals, movie houses, schools, night soccer games, greenhouses, businesses and in so many other ways. It can also heat water in your home and swimming pool too! It can make electricity. There are homes that get all their electric energy from solar energy.
Because the sun sets and it's not always sunny outside, solar batteries help store the energy from the sun. At night or on cloudy days these batteries can use the energy they have stored from the sun and in that way we benefit from solar energy too.
Solar energy can save money and make a huge difference in pollution. So if we all start to use solar energy we will have a much cleaner planet to live in. We will actually be taking very good care of our planet!
Solar panels can power just about anything from calculators to large homes or business. How does it work? Solar cells can directly turn sunshine into electricity. When light hits the solar cells on the solar panels, the collision (crashing) knocks electrons loose. The cells electric field forces the electrons to flow in a current. Metal contacts on the top and bottom of each cell create a circuit that draws of the current. To care for solar panels dust and wash the regularly and remove dirt and things such as bird droppings. To work, panels have to be pointed to the sun, at an angle of about 30°. Some panels are put flat against the roof but they do not do the job quite as well then.
So if we are responsible citizens of Planet Earth we should start to think about how we can use solar energy in our everyday lives so that we can make a difference to the well being of our planet.
Compiled by Teri Ferreira

http://www.squirreldirect.co.za

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Residential Solar Energy Systems Power the Witchcliffe Eco-Village

By Garry Baverstock 

Residential solar energy systems do not need to be isolated systems providing power for one individual home. They are most effective when grouped to service a complete land development or sub-division. A prime example of this can be seen in a new eco-village development at Witchcliffe, near Margaret River, Western Australia.
Sustainable Green Building Design
If most Australians were aware of what was going to happen to planet earth this century, they would be lining up to buy a house and land package in an environmentally sustainable eco-village.
Shaping such a development is not a simple task. A developer needs to be fully aware of how to design a sustainable residential subdivision and set guidelines that will work. Correct green building design must be incorporated into every unit. It is imperative that solid guidelines are attached to property developments to deliver outcomes that are a win for the residents, the community and the environment, by reducing energy and water and conserving the natural world.
For a small developer, joining forces with a major real estate development company with high ethics is a smart move for all involved. In this case it gave the smaller developer of the project the financial clout it needed to succeed. Whilst so many dream, very few successfully act and deliver.
Affordable Housing
A developer needs to start by considering the needs and best interests of the community. In Margaret River, not everyone is a retired real estate agent or doctor, or has a large bank account. They may not be rich in financial resources but they are good, down-to-earth people who greatly appreciate nature and want to help co-exist with it.
Unfortunately the huge explosion in the demand for large expensive houses by those mainly benefiting from the mining boom in Western Australia, has pushed up consumption, energy use and the sizes of houses.
With building costs skyrocketing over the last few years, many people have had the dream of owning their own home all but destroyed. This particular developer in Margaret River decided from the beginning when buying the land, to not only to do something for the environment, but to also tackle the issue of affordability. By producing correctly designed, small blocks as part of a wider community, he has combined economies of scale and collective action, to reduce the costs of a house and land to within the reach of the average person in the region. At the same time it makes it attractive for similar people in the city to opt for an alternative style of living.
His timing is impeccable. Energy use is set to increase by 50% world-wide thus compounding the greenhouse effect. It will also produce huge increases in energy prices in the next couple of decades, as all known sources of energy are depleted. The cost-effective residential solar energy systems used provide power for a groups of homes, not just single units.
Alternative Lifestyle
What we now call an 'alternative' lifestyle may not be described this way for much longer. If the world keeps going the way it is, then we are going to need more of this style of living. The growth of energy use and the depletion of the world's energy resources will ensure that conventional lifestyles will not be afforded by anyone except the wealthy and those lacking public consciousness.
Healthy food and fresh clean water is the key to a healthy life and through cutting-edge water technology and productive landscaping, a well designed development such as this will deliver these precious commodities to all residents. Food and water bills will be kept to a minimum. This will be a great environment to bring up children and create a generation of socially and scientifically, sustainable people.
Green by Design
The developers also had the good sense to enlist an environmentalist and expert sustainable landscape designer and gardener, to ensure that the gardens and landscape are designed in detail to complement their vision for the estate.
The vision for this eco-village is to create a world leading sustainable community in Witchcliffe. The village will comprise 180 strata titled home sites with an extensive range of on-site infrastructure and services to create a world-leading example of sustainable development that achieves:

• 100% net power generation on site with solar PV and wind turbines,
• 100% self-sufficiency in water through on-site rainwater harvesting,
• 100% production of seasonal fresh produce on site,
• Class A recycled water for household garden and toilets,
• all homes to face expansive open space and community gardens,
• high-efficiency, solar passive homes,
• affordable house and land packages,
• on-site wind turbines to provide free charging for up to 100 electric vehicles,
• a local energy grid that employs smart grid technology

Micro Solar Economy
As a solar energy specialist deeply concerned with the problems of climate change and the contribution that our built environment makes to pollution, I am pleased with this initiative and wish the developer every success for the project.
Solar energy in the forms of passive solar, green building design of the individual houses, photovoltaic panels and solar water heating, all will form a lynch pin to make this development a truly 'micro solar' economy. When combined with the organic approaches to water collection, grey water and waste recycling and the generation of bio fuels (courtesy of the greatest energy gift - the sun), the beneficial consequences from this development will be far-reaching.

About Garry Baverstock
Garry Baverstock, A.M. Leading Australian architect in passive solar design, challenges government to take the initiative in the matter of climate change.
He is passionate that we need a review of govern

Solar Energy for Commercial and Residential

By Natalie Eastaugh 

For many years now, the advantages of using solar energy have been obvious. The fact that it is supplied freely by nature makes it the cheapest energy source. Nevertheless, it is still not being used to capacity. One of the underlying reasons is that most potential buyers think that solar panels are utterly expensive which is no longer the case is nowadays as cheap panels are available everywhere. The prices of solar energy panels have fallen significantly. Today, there is an astounding variety of commercial solar PV cells that are cheaper than they were in the past. Normally, the initial high cost used to deter many home owners from using solar electricity at home. Over the years, a combination of several factors has made solar energy more cost effective. These include:
Economies of scale
With a low demand, the cost of manufacturing even a product with low production cost goes up significantly. On the other hand, when manufactured in bulk, an expensive product becomes cheaper. This has been the case with the manufacture of lower cost solar panels. Because of manufacturing in large scale, the companies are able to make decent profits from the sale of low cost, demand has increased. The overall increase in worldwide demand of these cheap panels and commercial solar PV cells has led to a considerable fall in their prices.
Efficiency
The current ones are more efficient than those which were in the market only a few years ago. This has mainly been attributed to the incredible technological advancement in the field of solar power efficiency. With the widening market, the increase in demand has seen competition between manufacturing companies increase. The increase in competition is always good as it leads to lower prices and high quality products. This has been the case with solar power panels as their quality and efficiency has gone up compared to the past models. The current models produce more energy than those of the past could ever produce. The users, therefore, get more from these panels than they could get from the old models.
Incentives
Governments have recognized the importance of solar energy as it reduces pressure on electricity and results to less need for the importation of fossil fuels. Incentives are now offered in form of tax breaks, rebates of different types and other financial incentives. These government incentives have increased the popularity of commercial solar panels. The incentives have allowed both homeowners and corporations to resort to solar energy. Initially, the main deterrent to the installation of large scale solar energy systems was the high capital requirements. The incentives have lowered the costs and this hindrance is no longer there.
High cost of electricity and fossil fuels
The developing countries have steadily increased their demand for fossil fuels over the years. This increase in demand has served to raise the price of oil. All over the world, electricity is produced in large scale by the use of fossil fuels. With increased cost of fossil fuels, the cost of electricity has therefore gone up considerably. With the prices coming down and the cost of electricity increasing, solar energy is positioned as an attractive source of power due to its low cost. Actually, the cost of electricity has been rising by 5-8% each year while on the other hand; the cost of cheap solar panels has been falling.

Please visit our website for more information on our commercial and residential solar panels. Click here to read about out FIT Feed-In tariffs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Natalie_Eastaugh

Solar Energy: If At First You Don't Succeed

By Chris L Everson 

Ever since Edmund Becquerel first explored the concept in 1838, humanity has been hyped up and let down-over and over again-concerning the opportunity to harvest cheap energy from our Sun. Each time, some group of researchers boasts the claim that they have found the secret to producing efficient solar cells, on the cheap, only to watch their claims vanish into the obscurity that has become the history of solar energy. We got our hopes up a few years back, when we started seeing panels going up in our neighbors yards, but when we learned the initial cost of these arrays, we quickly dismissed it as an expense that would not effectively cover the associated costs. Each wave of the evolution of solar power has swept over us in much the same fashion.
When we first heard about solar paint, we collectively jumped out of our seats! The idea of being able to coat any surface with a photo-voltaic film, was just the relief that a struggling group of supporters needed. Dave Levitan said, in his January 2012 article for EnergyWise, "The one-coat paint, made with semiconducting nanoparticles, achieved a one percent conversion rate when tested using artificial sunlight." Though this technology has not been entirely shelved, we know to not expect further developments in the near future.
Despite all the hurdles that this technology had been made to overcome, all was not lost. In 1982, researchers constructed an outside-the-box solution to large-scale solar power generation, in Barstow, California, by using a field of mirrors to focus large amounts of sunlight into a single point. This sunlight can, then, be used to superheat water, convert it into steam, and use the energy of that expansion to turn a large generator.
As the global community comes around to the realization that our current energy solutions have created huge environmental problems, solar energy is becoming an increasingly hot topic. The demand for clean energy production is now creating one of fastest growing fields of research since nuclear energy took the spotlight in the 40's and 50's. It is hard to say that any of this will produce results, and we do not have time to wait for the next generation of talent to look at this problem. We can only hope that we see a solar breakthrough soon, and if not solar, then what other direction will our search for clean energy take us?

For more by this author, please visit: http://www.chriseverson.wordpress.com

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How Does Passive Solar Energy Work?

By Gene C Armstrong 

In an attempt to reduce energy consumption, people have considered solar power and other means to cut down cost, save energy, and preserve the environment at the same time. While solar power is more popular in the form of solar panels, there is such a thing call passive solar energy, which people can take advantage of without having to invest in expensive installation.
What Differentiates Passive from Active Solar Power?
Active solar power is derived from external sources to generate electricity in the home. The best example is the PV panels that collect, stores, and converts the sun's light and heat to energy. Passive, on the other hand, doesn't make use of external equipment or mechanical devices to harness the energy. Even without PV panels, the home can harness heat and light by simply improving the home's layout, model and structure, making it useful in absorbing and radiating heat or vice versa.
To be able to have a clear understanding of how passive solar energy works, here are some examples:
Windows and Sunrooms
You can let heat and sunlight enter your home by having more windows or a sunroom. Instead of being highly dependent on electricity for artificial lighting and heating/cooling systems, you can take advantage of readily available light and heat without the cost. South-facing windows are strategic in absorbing heat and light from the outside. In the summer months, you can make use of blinds, awnings, or curtains to block light and heat from coming in.
The Concept of Thermal Mass
Thermal mass is a common concept in building green homes. It is making use of structural materials for walls, floors, and ceilings that have higher thermal mass or heat capacity. For example, masonry and concrete are good heat absorbers. Walls and floors can be made of these materials. In the summer, the heat can be absorbed to cool down the room. During the winter months, the heat absorbed can be radiated to the room and other adjacent rooms, thus providing better ventilation and avoiding temperature fluctuations. Painting the walls and floor in darker colors will also absorb heat better.
Clothesline
Do you own an electric clothes dryer? This is one of the appliances that consume a lot of energy just like fridges and air-conditioners. If you are used to using a clothes dryer, why spend more money on energy when you can, in fact, use the traditional method which is to let clothes dry out in the sun? People who live in homes with outdoor space have an advantage over people living in apartment buildings and condos in this scenario. They can take advantage of free and available solar energy.
Passive solar energy is one step to cut down cost and make households more energy efficient. While some of these examples require home remodeling, others are easy to practice and would already benefit any household today.

Gene Armstrong is an energy expert based in Australia. He wishes to share his knowledge about switching, energy efficiency, and green energy through his articles. He recommends Origin solar power in Switchwise for Australian households.

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Solar Power For Renters!

By Jerry Cahalan 

It's pretty much an understood fact that in order to have solar energy in your home, you must own your house. The installation of most panels requires a permanent fixture to be mounted on your roof. This has been a problem in the past as most renters are not allowed or do not have the capability to install their own panels. I am one of these renters. I have been looking into solar power for a while, just to see if it might be possible in my home and I found the perfect option!
Through my research I have found that a company called SpinRay Energy makes portable panels that do not need to be permanently fixed to your house! These panels are transportable and attach to any porch or deck. This is an ideal situation as most renters, including myself, may need to move often and it would not make sense for them to install permanent panels even if they were allowed to. A lot of homes also have some sort of a porch so, needless to say, I was very excited about this possibility!
When I looked into this option further, I found that the panels that this company provides connect through the outlets in your home without causing any damage or changes to the electric system already in place. This is also perfect for renters. It is important that these panels will not disrupt any of the house's normal functions that your landlord has already put in place. When you move and bring your panels with you, it will look and function as if there were never even any apparatus there!
All of this being said, these portable panels are not capable of producing as much energy as permanent panels. If you install five of them, you can get up to 1,000 watts of power. This may not be enough to power your entire home, but it will significantly decrease your energy bill and cut down your environmental impact. Even if these panels do not provide for all of your electric needs, they are the best option for renters and technology is moving in the right direction!
These panels are not only good for your home and your wallet, they are also so simple to install that you can do it yourself! This idea is very appealing to renters because the ease of install will make it easier to pick up and move if need be. These solar panels are the best option for renewable energy for renters. They are easy, portable, and will not make any permanent changes to your house! Even if you do not rent your home, these panels would be an easy, efficient solution.

Are you interested in saving money and the environment? Check out South Carolina solar power installation today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jerry_Cahalan

The Value and Cost of Solar Energy As Compared to Other Renewable Energy Sources

By John A Jewett Jr 

In today's discussion we will take a look at "renewable" energy, what it is, from where does it come?, how is it used?, and most importantly, what does it cost. We will also take a look at the many forms in which it is found. "Many forms", you ask?. Yes, renewable energy, contrary to what 90% of the human population believes, is not just "wind" and "solar" energy. As a matter of fact Solar energy, as a power source, has only come into "vogue" in the last couple of hundred years.
So how do we define "renewable" energy? Well, I like to use the following simple guideline as my definition of what renewable energy is. Here we go. "Renewable energy" is any natural energy source which is... "Renewable". Wow, sometimes I amaze myself. Seriously though, that's all it is. I might add the fact that it also is given to us by; provided by, nature. In other words, Nature is saying, "here you go people, use this for energy because I always have more".
OK, now let me clarify something here. Based on my above definition you might assume that Coal, Oil, and Natural gas are also renewable energy sources due to the fact that they also come from and are provided through nature. They are, however the keyword here is "renewable".
You see, Coal, Oil and Natural gas while created through nature and natural processes, cannot be renewed, at least, not for hundreds of millions of years. They are called "fossil" fuels because, as the name implies, they are created, literally from fossils, dead organisms, packed one upon the other, under enormous pressure for a long, long, time.
So, how many forms of natural, renewable energy are there?
We are all familiar with the two most well known, Solar and wind energy. However there are some other forms used but not as well known. Time and space will not allow for discussion of all these but I will name some of them. Biomass, Bio-fuels, Geo-thermal and, I'll bet you forgot this one, It's also one of the oldest, Hydropower.
Of all of these this writer prefers Solar energy most, after all, who doesn't love the sun? Honestly, there many reasons I believe solar renewable energy is positioned to become one of the most commonly used sources available within the next generation. What do I mean? Well let's look at three measures that determine popularity; cost, technology and availability/ accessibility
Cost and Technology. The cost to build and use any form of solar equipment has been cut drastically in the last generation. This is due to the increase in new technology, (ie) thinner, lighter, more flexible panels able to generate much higher, more concentrated power than the old heavy expensive panels.
Availability/Accessibility. I call this the "Henry Ford effect". When increase in tech. advances to the point that manufacturing becomes automated, (assembly line). Supply and demand take effect. More supply, higher demand creates more competition which forces lower cost. Availability and accessibility become one and the same in that, now the more populated middle class, businesses and homeowners alike have access and can now afford these solar products. Add to this the national and local government incentives for using renewable energy, and the advances in battery technology, you begin to see that this becomes a "win win" situation for us all. See you next time
John A Jewett Jr.

As an internet marketer I sell and promote several different kinds of products and services. However, I promote only those products and services about which I know quite a bit, and in which I have complete confidence either through research or personal experience.

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News Updates About Solar Energy

By Rhona Brenner 

There are news updates about solar energy from all over the world. It seems that the international goal regarding renewable energy relates to solar energy more than any other sustainable clean energy that is being researched. For instance, in Spain you can find the massive Gemasolar Plant that uses a circular format of panels that are mirrored to create electricity at night after the sun goes down. The researchers that developed Gemasolar arranged the mirrored panels in a circular pattern for a reason. It is to take the radiation or radiant light from the sun and aim it onto a receiver that is in the center of the panels. Heat is created to warm the salt tanks that generate steam. The steam is responsible for turning the turbines which create the energy which can be stored for at least fifteen hours during the night or for days without sunlight.
The location of Gemasolar is in the outskirts of Seville. The climate is usually sunny and at this time the energy produced by this plant is powering over 25,000 homes. Climates such as found in California and other western states in the U.S. would offer great locales for this type of solar energy plant. California is the leading state in the numbers of solar arrays functioning in both industry and private homes and goals have been set to increase the use of electricity from solar energy greatly in the next twenty years.
There are critics of large solar arrays. Some people feel that it ruins that rural landscape and interferes with the habitats of wildlife. The transport of the electricity from rural areas to urban areas where there are larger populations may include the building of unsightly power lines that would be built above the ground. However, there are also critics of transporting electricity in structures below the ground. The positive news updates about solar energy is that compared to other forms of energy that require mining, oil drilling, and hydraulic fracturing, there is no carbon waste connected to solar energy other than what it takes to manufacture the panels. There is no risk to underground sources of water from solar arrays and there are no moving parts such as the blades of wind turbines that kill birds when they fly into them.
The good news updates about solar energy today is that scientists and engineers all over the world are researching practical, clean, and efficient ways of delivering electricity from solar power. The progress regarding solar technology will continue so that the world can use clean and sustainable energy from the sun.

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Two Key Solar Energy Solutions

By Richard L Fenneman

 

Solar energy has always been unaffordable for too many of our home and small business owners. The times... they are a changing! There are two key solar energy solutions whose time has finally arrived. The recent price reductions for solar photovoltaic panels have made it possible for nearly every home owner to enjoy the benefits of solar hot water and electricity generation. This article will explain why this is now possible and what actions you need to take in order to benefit from the opportunity.
A recent study released by Queen's University concluded that current cost-analysis models for solar energy systems are too conservative. The models do not take new technologies and recent price reductions into account. The study even went so far as to say, that analysts were keeping the public in the dark concerning the viability of solar energy. The research concluded that we are at a tipping point where solar energy generation is as cost-effective as traditional energy production.
When energy analysts rate solar photovoltaic systems, five major factors are taken into account:
• Cost variables- Current analysis do not factor in the 80 percent price reduction of PV panels since 2008.
• Installation costs- Installation costs continue to fall as competition and ease of assembly increases.
• Maintenance- Maintenance costs of solar arrays continue to be very low.
• Financing- Interest costs are at record low levels. Leasing is also becoming a popular option.
• Life expectancy- New research shows that there is only a.1 to.2 percent annual loss in production annually as the systems age. Currently analysts expect this to be 1 percent annually.
• Amount of electricity generated- Current technology is better and more efficient than even the recent past.
The estimates of analysts as recently as 2010, predicted costs of more than $7.60 per watt of installed power. Recent costs are in the $2.50 range installed and PV panel wattage is less than $1.00. There has never been a better time to consider installing a solar power array. So far, the discussion has been entirely about power generation, but another equally good option is solar hot water.
Research has proven that the most efficient method of using solar power is by using its thermal properties. Solar does a very efficient job of heating water. Systems are available for every size family or business. Every geographic region can benefit because the sun's power is strong regardless of the outside temperature. Direct and indirect hot water systems are available to address the climate related problems of any particular region. The Payback periods can be as low as 3 years. Strong consideration should be given to the purchase and utilization of a solar hot water system.
Now and then, we are presented with an opportunity to make a change. If you are a small business or home owner that could not afford a solar power system, this is a great time to reconsider. Federal tax credits of 30 percent are available to anyone. Many states and local utilities also have credit or rebate programs. In some areas, a system can be installed at a 60 percent discount. This is in addition to the already low prices for PV panels. You are urged to check with suppliers and learn the amount of savings available to you in your area. Two key solar energy solutions have been highlighted and are available at historically low prices. What are you waiting for?

Discover more key solar energy solutions. Read informative articles and learn more about solar energy solutions at my Sustainable Energy Advantage website.
Click the above links to further your sustainable energy knowledge.

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Basic Components of Solar Energy Panels

By Daniel R William

Solar energy systems make use of the sun's radiation, a renewable source of energy that is available in abundance to generate electricity which in turn can be used to power up your devices like computers, refrigerators and television sets to name a few. They capture the photons from sunlight and the solar cells convert them into electricity. Irrespective of what may be the size of solar energy panels systems the same basic components are required to electricity in a convenient and easily accessible form. While solar panels are the heart of any solar electricity system, it requires the following components in conjugation to operate smoothly. Depending upon individual preference one can either go for purchase of individual parts separately or can buy a solar panel system.
Solar Panels:Solar pv cells are usually made up of silicon alloys that convert the sunlight falling into direct current. Array of photovoltaic cells adjacent to each other is encased in a rigid frame that together makes up for a solar panel. The panels can either be ground mounted or can be installed on rooftops to maximize the suns' exposure. Depending upon your requirement you can choose the size of the system that can fulfill your houses average electricity requirements.
Rooftop Racking:
Racking is a metallic framework that is ideally attached to the roof to provide the necessary stability to the solar energy panels. It even makes sure that the panels remain positioned at the right angle to ensure maximum sunlight strikes the panel. Racking is fastened to the roof with bolts and even sealed to prevent any leakage.
Utility Meter & Grid:
Utility meter is something that makes an integral part of your existing electrical system. Once your solar energy panel system is successfully installed and connected, your utility meter will serve the dual purpose - it not only keeps track amount of the electricity that you generate in surplus of what is consumed by you. The excess of electricity generates is fed back into the power grids earning you credits in your electricity bills.
Battery:solar panels start generating energy from the very first day of installation. The energy generated is available for immediate use. However, to ensure uninterrupted supply of power to houses and business enterprises on days when sun does not shine or cloudy days, the electricity must be stored into batteries. Multiple batteries can also be connected in line to ensure that you do not run out of power anytime in cases of emergency or unfavorable weather conditions.
Inverters: To make the electricity generated by the solar energy panels used by any device, it must first be converted from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). Inverter is what exactly does the same thing. It draws the DC power from the battery and transforms it into AC electricity before feeding to the power grids.
Monitoring Device:
The wireless monitoring device connected with your inverter displays the amount of energy produced by your system at any point of time, without even making you step outside of your house.

Solar energy panels make for a perfect solution to cater to the myriad power needs of residential as well as corporate houses. Kindly visit our site for top quality solar power system.

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How Does Solar Energy Work?

By Anttu Lein

What is solar energy?
Sunlight is a source of food and energy to almost all forms of plant life on the Earth. Ancient humans utilized this knowledge in architecture to enhance heating and lighting in buildings. With advancements in science and technology the question was posed, "how do humans harness the full potential energy from the sun?" This question was answered by Alexandre Edmond Becquerel in 1839 when he discovered the photovoltaic system which was later refined by Russell Ohl in 1941 to produce the first solar cell which is employed to this day to produce electricity from the sun's rays.
How does solar power work?
Capturing solar power is a process which utilizes the heat and radiant light emitted from the sun's rays to generate electricity. But how is energy created from light? When the photon particles which make up light strike an object it produces energy which can be felt in the form of heat. Certain compounds of elements let off electrons when sunlight strikes while other elements accept electrons when light strikes them. It was discovered that combining both of these types of compounds together could create a system that would conduct an electrical current through a conductor, thus capturing electricity.
How is solar energy captured?
The most commonly thought of type of solar energy is the photovoltaic system (or PV system) which utilizes panels of silicon or another similar material contained within a layer of tempered glass for protection. Further advancements have allowed these PV systems to take on a variety of practical applications to allow the consumer a wider variety of choices on how this technology can be employed effectively. These are known as PV modules, configurations, panels and cells which allow a customized energy solution for the right environment.
Solar Power Efficiency
Although the sustainability factor of solar energy is in theory one of the most viable, in application capturing electricity through solar rays is a costly endeavor due to the materials required to capture the electron transference. So how is the cost of energy production measured? The price of power is measured by using the cost of kilowatt per hour (kWh). Standard coal power is approximated to cost about 10 cents per kilowatt per hour, while solar power is at approximately 25 cents per kilowatt per hour. These costs of course are calculated by the life cycle of the solar system generating electricity.
Solar Incentives
There are three major ways in which solar power can be incentivized to allow it to flourish despite the costly expenses a user can expect to pay over its lifetime of use.
Government solar power incentives
Governments that offer solar power incentives for installation and usage is one of the most effective ways to produce a demand for the energy source. Human nature is not to be wasteful by default, however we sometimes waste limited resources to produce power for our day to day lives. Incentive programs provided by the government can help make its citizens both feel productive and receive a reward for utilizing a cleaner renewable power source rather than fossil fuels.
Electricity grid integration
Integrating a solar energy system, whether on a home or business, with the power grid run by the city or state is another good way in provide an incentive for more consumers to get on board with solar power. This allows the consumer to produce the electricity needed to cut out the need of fossil fuel energy and allows the consumer to sell any unused power to the electric companies for reuse among other areas of need. This allows the consumer to recoup some of the losses spent on installation along with generating typically a small source of income all while providing a renewable infrastructure to produce power for others.
Cut costs on current electricity bills
Finally, cutting the cost of your electricity bill is another benefit of employing solar energy in personal and business environments. Combining the power grid integration and government incentive programs allows many individuals to dramatically reduce their cost of electricity usage with the added benefit of improving the environment.
Overall it is common knowledge that integration of solar power can dramatically affect our current environmental state of well being along with creating a state of mind within the public that renewable energy is an excellent alternative to fossil fuels. Despite the benefits of utilizing the power of the sun, it is a costly endeavor which is currently creating a halt in the widespread implementation of this renewable power source. In the coming years we expect to see advancements in this technology to allow solar energy to become more cost effective and energy efficient, thus allowing it into a permanent part of our nation's infrastructure to produce clean energy for our future.

Solar energy has been around for over a decade but it's commercial implementation has been a slow process due to the cost of installation and maintenance. Although most know of solar power, understanding of how it actually works eludes many.

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Solar Energy Facts

By William Benard By William Benard

This article will address some of the most intriguing solar energy facts. Solar energy is generally one of the most ecologically sound and desirable sources of power these days. Let's get going with the obvious. Solar power has been in existence since the dawn of time. It has been used by microbial, plant, and animal life as a primary energy supply. Plants, using photosynthesis, create nearly 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 nowadays are created from plants and animals that lived a long time ago. Only in recent times have human beings been able to capture solar energy so that it may be utilized any time of day and night, and in any weather, stored and transferred.
Annually, the earth's atmosphere absorbs 3.85 million exajoules of energy from our sun. This most likely doesn't mean much to you, however by comparison, the entire use of electric energy by all people today around the world is just 56.7 exajoules per year. This indicates that within a few hours, the earth receives more energy from the sun than people expend during an entire year! Solar energy is a remarkably clean supply of energy simply because, in contrast to fossil fuels, making use of this kind of energy doesn't discharge carbon dioxide or other types of harmful toxins into the environment. Furthermore solar energy is collected by almost every single form of life. You've almost certainly never seen a reptile collect wood to start a fire, but you most likely have seen one lying on a rock to absorb solar energy. Solar power is probably the most environmentally sound energy option attainable right now.
Perhaps you may be wondering what exactly solar power is capable of doing for our environment. Every year, humans consume 467 exajoules of energy by utilizing several principal power sources: burning coal, gasoline, and oil, along with 'green' sources like wind, solar, and hydro energy. However, if we could capture just 10% of the sun's energy, we would have the capacity to replace all of the fossil fuel sources and have enough space for growth. Without any doubt solar energy facts like this make it clear how much better solar power is for the environment and how great the potential is for solar energy development.
Considering that you've seen some of the most remarkable solar energy facts and now have an understanding regarding what solar energy can possibly do for the environment, you'd probably want to know just exactly what solar energy is. To put it simply, solar energy is the heat and light energy emitted from the sun. The sun constantly generates vast quantities of energy into our solar system. Approximately 30% of the sun's energy that reaches the earth is immediately deflected by the atmosphere, and another 20% is absorbed into the atmosphere. However, around 50% of the energy actually reaches the earth's surface, where it fuels photosynthesis in plants, maintains both hot tropical and warm temperate climates, maintains the temperature of the ocean, and generally speaking keeps our planet alive. All of this is accomplished without creating any pollution or destruction of natural resources.
A lot of people don't understand how solar energy functions on the technical level, and so they wonder just what solar energy is going to provide to their homes, businesses, and communities. In the last three decades, solar energy technology has developed at an accelerated rate. Solar energy is gathered at a number of large power plants in the U.S., Spain, Australia, and in other nations, where it delivers power directly to the power grid. This implies that countless houses around the globe already get electrical power generated by the sun. One of several lesser known solar energy facts is that solar power can also be employed on a considerably smaller scale. Solar panels on households and businesses, can certainly create a percentage (or possibly all) of the power these buildings have to have. On an even smaller scale, solar panel systems are put to use in India and Indonesia to disinfect water, and compact solar burners and ovens are often employed in order to cook food in other regions of the globe. Solar energy might be employed to power practically any procedure you can visualize, from large-scale power generation for towns and cities to boiling a single pot of water.
What makes all of these different uses achievable is the development of solar energy systems. You will notice two standard varieties of solar energy technologies presently used today: solar thermal energy (STE) and photovoltaic (PV) energy. Solar thermal collectors just harness the heat or thermal energy generated by the sun. This thermal energy is generally used to heat water which in turn can easily be stored and used for common every day requirements or piped to a household heating system. STE may be stored by heating up or energizing a thermal mass that is designed to continue to radiate heat even when the sun isn't shining. Solar thermal collectors actually are significantly more efficient in comparison with photovoltaic collectors but on the other hand energy storage is somewhat more cumbersome. Photovoltaic solar panel systems produce electricity when exposed to sunlight. This electric current may be used immediately or alternatively stored by using batteries for later use. This is actually one of the more significant solar energy facts whenever you are dealing with PV energy systems. Battery storage is incredibly significant since it means it is possible to store solar power for use through the night or during cloudy or rainy days.
Solar energy is a very important alternative power source which can help us take care of our environment. It can also help to cut down our reliance on fossil fuels. You may be asking yourself just how big of an expense it is going to be for you to convert to solar power? Solar power is not really as costly as most people think. A total solar energy system for a house can potentially cost more than $30,000, having said that this does not really mean you will be paying that total amount. To begin with, you will discover lots of different incentive plans, which include tax credits, rebates and grants, that may reduce the price of installing solar panel systems by 30% or more. One other option you might wish to look into is a smaller solar energy system that just supplements your household power needs. A smaller sized system will cost considerably less, while still lowering your current energy bills, and it will certainly help make your home much more environmentally sound. Currently most electrical power is generated using fossil fuels. So lowering your use of electrical power from the area power company by 50% is actually an important step towards establishing a sustainable power grid.
In this article, we've made an effort to supply you with a number of helpful and thought provoking solar energy facts. While you contemplate these facts, also think about just how much value you put on the quality of the environment and on humanity's ability to preserve it. No matter if fossil fuels do not run out during the next 50 years, it's very likely that their continued use as our primary energy source is going to wreak environmental havoc. Investing in solar power now might not instantly help you save money, but your monetary investment can certainly provide an improved future for everybody under the sun.

Are you interested in more information about how much solar panels cost? Just click for more information about discovering just how much money you would save by installing solar panels.

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Solar Power - The Endless Energy Source

By Saso Gjorevski

Most of us already know that the price tag of electrical energy, gasoline, natural gas, wood together with other energetics are repeatedly going up. Regarding that base we must always ask ourselves can our house budget stand with so many expenses. Each individual investment will need some amount of cash but still this isn't the end and even with investing each single day by day or every year by year we pay for electrical power, natural gas, wood, etc. Keep in mind that even with the use of solar-energy systems it is necessary to do some investment, even though it is minimal when compared with others. Exactly how? So all expenditures are initially with the setting up of the solar system and just about everything ends here. We work with over the following 20, 30, 50 years or better for good at no cost.
Each single hour from the sun reaches enough energy to satisfy our universal energy requests for a full year. Solar energy is released within the relevant technology with the usage of the energy of the sun. At this time, the world is utilized slightly less than 0.1% of the solar energy to fulfill world energy hunger.
Solar thermal energy is excreted by the effect of sunlight. They emit some radiation that reaches the Earth's surface. These rays work extremely well for warming, making use of thermal collectors, or for the production of electrical power via photovoltaic modules (active method of using solar energy).
This type of energy can be used in passive mode, i.e. without mechanical system as an intermediary.
Fundamentally, with the collection of solar radiation in an proper way, we are able to receive heat, electrical power and amount of light. Heat is excreted by using thermal collectors and electrical energy with the help of so-called photovoltaic modules. The two processes are quite distinctive in terms of technology and also by ways of their application.
A lot of people are familiar with photovoltaic cells - generally known as solar panels, which today are mounted on the spacecrafts, the roofs of many buildings and small calculators. The principle of functioning is simple - cells have semiconductor in them, and the period they are warmed by sun, they generate electrons and those electrons than make electricity.
On large scale, there are whole entire plants that generate electrical energy utilizing solar energy. They can work with different method for getting electricity. In a few solar energy is applied as a heat source to heat the water to steam, which in the end create electrical energy - identical to coal in power plant or a nuclear power plant.
There will be other techniques utilizing solar energy. Movable mirrors focus sunlight to collected tower where it is positioned receiver. It melts salt which in turn on the generator.
Passive solar technologies are establishing water tanks on the roofing to supply the house with hot water, special materials that absorb solar energy in the form of heat and at night warmth the rooms.
Solar energy facts tells that solar energy is an inexhaustible method to get energy, and it has no pollution and no noise. This technology is very diverse. For example, solar panels create electrical power for satellites orbiting the Earth.
This is an earth friendly method to obtain energy (it does not corrupt the environment), inexhaustible and 100% free. On top of that, it plays a role to sustainable development and bettering our standard of living, and illustrates another choice in terms of the use of fossil fuels that pollutes the atmosphere and is limited.

Solar Energy is endless green energy that we can and must use if we want to save our Nature for us and for next generations.

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Solar Energy: If At First You

By Chris L Everson

Ever since Edmund Becquerel first explored the concept in 1838, humanity has been hyped up and let down-over and over again-concerning the opportunity to harvest cheap energy from our Sun. Each time, some group of researchers boasts the claim that they have found the secret to producing efficient solar cells, on the cheap, only to watch their claims vanish into the obscurity that has become the history of solar energy. We got our hopes up a few years back, when we started seeing panels going up in our neighbors yards, but when we learned the initial cost of these arrays, we quickly dismissed it as an expense that would not effectively cover the associated costs. Each wave of the evolution of solar power has swept over us in much the same fashion.
When we first heard about solar paint, we collectively jumped out of our seats! The idea of being able to coat any surface with a photo-voltaic film, was just the relief that a struggling group of supporters needed. Dave Levitan said, in his January 2012 article for EnergyWise, "The one-coat paint, made with semiconducting nanoparticles, achieved a one percent conversion rate when tested using artificial sunlight." Though this technology has not been entirely shelved, we know to not expect further developments in the near future.
Despite all the hurdles that this technology had been made to overcome, all was not lost. In 1982, researchers constructed an outside-the-box solution to large-scale solar power generation, in Barstow, California, by using a field of mirrors to focus large amounts of sunlight into a single point. This sunlight can, then, be used to superheat water, convert it into steam, and use the energy of that expansion to turn a large generator.
As the global community comes around to the realization that our current energy solutions have created huge environmental problems, solar energy is becoming an increasingly hot topic. The demand for clean energy production is now creating one of fastest growing fields of research since nuclear energy took the spotlight in the 40's and 50's. It is hard to say that any of this will produce results, and we do not have time to wait for the next generation of talent to look at this problem. We can only hope that we see a solar breakthrough soon, and if not solar, then what other direction will our search for clean energy take us?

For more by this author, please visit: http://www.chriseverson.wordpress.com

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Solar Energy Disadvantages

By Mark Franzen 

With the unstoppable price increase in the world energy market people are looking for alternative to save energy and they found that renewable energy can be the best sort just like the solar energy. However, there are still query in the mind of the people with regards to solar energy disadvantages. So what are they?
The idea about the solar power system is not new to people from the time it was developed the news spread all over the world giving hope and promise that it is the best alternative for energy consumption. But aside from that there are insight disadvantages;

• One is since the installation of the system is at the higher price some people cannot afford to have it. Mostly people from undeveloped country don't have the ways and means of securing each family the system in spite the fact that because of higher demand and supply the new price of the system is lower than before.
• To have an efficient source of electricity the installation of the system requires a large area. It is not advisable for a small house and lot.
• The pollution from other factories, engines, and other source of energy that uses fuel can harm your solar energy system for it blocks the sun rays that can led to reduce the efficiency of gathering solar energy. Being aware that it is only applicable to the old model because the new model has a latest technology to overcome it. But thinking of the cost the old model is quite cheaper than the latest one.
• If you don't have battery chargers at home the solar energy system becomes useless at night. For it is very effective and efficient when the sun is present thus its absence may cause problems to the home.
• Location where the system should be installed is very important for it should be located where there is a direct heat of the sun. Once there's something blocks the path of the sunlight to the system it will not work efficiently. So finding the right place becomes disadvantage especially if your location is not larger enough.

How Do I Build a System That Overcome the Solar Energy Disadvantages?The solar energy advantages is shown when a $89 home made solar power system slashed $20 per month from my hydro bill...

To learn how to minimize the solar energy disadvantages and See the exact design I used to build an $89 panel that cut $20 of my electricity bill every month Click HERE!
Which includes a completely FREE easy to follow Home Made Solar Energy Design and Construction Course including...
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Does Passive Solar Energy Work?

By Gene C Armstrong

In an attempt to reduce energy consumption, people have considered solar power and other means to cut down cost, save energy, and preserve the environment at the same time. While solar power is more popular in the form of solar panels, there is such a thing call passive solar energy, which people can take advantage of without having to invest in expensive installation.
What Differentiates Passive from Active Solar Power?
Active solar power is derived from external sources to generate electricity in the home. The best example is the PV panels that collect, stores, and converts the sun's light and heat to energy. Passive, on the other hand, doesn't make use of external equipment or mechanical devices to harness the energy. Even without PV panels, the home can harness heat and light by simply improving the home's layout, model and structure, making it useful in absorbing and radiating heat or vice versa.
To be able to have a clear understanding of how passive solar energy works, here are some examples:
Windows and Sunrooms
You can let heat and sunlight enter your home by having more windows or a sunroom. Instead of being highly dependent on electricity for artificial lighting and heating/cooling systems, you can take advantage of readily available light and heat without the cost. South-facing windows are strategic in absorbing heat and light from the outside. In the summer months, you can make use of blinds, awnings, or curtains to block light and heat from coming in.
The Concept of Thermal Mass
Thermal mass is a common concept in building green homes. It is making use of structural materials for walls, floors, and ceilings that have higher thermal mass or heat capacity. For example, masonry and concrete are good heat absorbers. Walls and floors can be made of these materials. In the summer, the heat can be absorbed to cool down the room. During the winter months, the heat absorbed can be radiated to the room and other adjacent rooms, thus providing better ventilation and avoiding temperature fluctuations. Painting the walls and floor in darker colors will also absorb heat better.
Clothesline
Do you own an electric clothes dryer? This is one of the appliances that consume a lot of energy just like fridges and air-conditioners. If you are used to using a clothes dryer, why spend more money on energy when you can, in fact, use the traditional method which is to let clothes dry out in the sun? People who live in homes with outdoor space have an advantage over people living in apartment buildings and condos in this scenario. They can take advantage of free and available solar energy.
Passive solar energy is one step to cut down cost and make households more energy efficient. While some of these examples require home remodeling, others are easy to practice and would already benefit any household today.

Gene Armstrong is an energy expert based in Australia. He wishes to share his knowledge about switching, energy efficiency, and green energy through his articles. He recommends Origin solar power in Switchwise for Australian households.

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Basic Components of Solar Energy Panels

By Daniel R William 
olar energy systems make use of the sun's radiation, a renewable source of energy that is available in abundance to generate electricity which in turn can be used to power up your devices like computers, refrigerators and television sets to name a few. They capture the photons from sunlight and the solar cells convert them into electricity. Irrespective of what may be the size of solar energy panels systems the same basic components are required to electricity in a convenient and easily accessible form. While solar panels are the heart of any solar electricity system, it requires the following components in conjugation to operate smoothly. Depending upon individual preference one can either go for purchase of individual parts separately or can buy a solar panel system.
Solar Panels:Solar pv cells are usually made up of silicon alloys that convert the sunlight falling into direct current. Array of photovoltaic cells adjacent to each other is encased in a rigid frame that together makes up for a solar panel. The panels can either be ground mounted or can be installed on rooftops to maximize the suns' exposure. Depending upon your requirement you can choose the size of the system that can fulfill your houses average electricity requirements.
Rooftop Racking:
Racking is a metallic framework that is ideally attached to the roof to provide the necessary stability to the solar energy panels. It even makes sure that the panels remain positioned at the right angle to ensure maximum sunlight strikes the panel. Racking is fastened to the roof with bolts and even sealed to prevent any leakage.
Utility Meter & Grid:
Utility meter is something that makes an integral part of your existing electrical system. Once your solar energy panel system is successfully installed and connected, your utility meter will serve the dual purpose - it not only keeps track amount of the electricity that you generate in surplus of what is consumed by you. The excess of electricity generates is fed back into the power grids earning you credits in your electricity bills.
Battery:solar panels start generating energy from the very first day of installation. The energy generated is available for immediate use. However, to ensure uninterrupted supply of power to houses and business enterprises on days when sun does not shine or cloudy days, the electricity must be stored into batteries. Multiple batteries can also be connected in line to ensure that you do not run out of power anytime in cases of emergency or unfavorable weather conditions.
Inverters: To make the electricity generated by the solar energy panels used by any device, it must first be converted from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). Inverter is what exactly does the same thing. It draws the DC power from the battery and transforms it into AC electricity before feeding to the power grids.
Monitoring Device:
The wireless monitoring device connected with your inverter displays the amount of energy produced by your system at any point of time, without even making you step outside of your house.

Solar energy panels make for a perfect solution to cater to the myriad power needs of residential as well as corporate houses. Kindly visit our site for top quality solar power system.

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Why Solar Energy Is The Best Choice Among Green Energy Options

By Dr. Ashraf Hanafy Mahmoud Mohammed 

Many people are choosing to make green choices today because it is clearly understood that our continued use of fossil fuel is one of the major causes of unrest and environmental problems in the world today. Happily, there are a number of fairly affordable green energy choices available today. Government assistance can reduce even these reasonable costs tremendously. In this article we will discuss the reasons why solar energy is the best choice of all.
You can begin to go solar without spending a penny, and in fact, you will save money. Making passive solar choices, such as allowing the sun to pour in your windows in winter to help you heat and adding heavy thermal curtains in the summer to prevent overheating, can reduce your electric bill and is a sound way to take advantage of passive solar energy.
Inexpensive standalone solar technologies also allow you to make good use of the energy of the sun and save money. For example, you could choose a standalone outdoor solar lighting system to make your yard safer at night while saving you money on your electric bill.
There are lots of solar choices in yard and garden that you can take advantage of. For example, solar pool heaters and lights are very affordable and efficient. You can choose a whole pool system, or you can choose to power all of your pool equipment via a solar panel. You could also purchase a floating solar heater for your pool that would simply give your existing system an assist. This sort of heater can also be used for garden ponds if the type of fish you keep cannot tolerate the winter temperatures in your area.
If you are planning a new home, you can make tremendous use of passive solar power. Try to find an architect who knows how to make the most use of energy efficient materials and window placement to help you heat and cool your home with the very least possible use of fossil fuels. Even though this type of construction is a bit more expensive at the outset, the amount of money you save in the long run will make your investment well worth it. Be certain to research any grant, rebate or other assistance programs that may be available from your city, county, state or federal government.
Solar energy for an off the grid home, cabin or retreat is a truly wise choice. By not having to run electrical wiring to your out of the way place, you will save a great deal of money and you will be truly energy independent. When choosing the site for your new home or getaway, look for property that has lots of good southern exposure to make the best use of your solar energy system.
When you choose to go solar, you are making a smart choice indeed. You'll save money from the moment the sun hits your panels, and you'll keep saving for the foreseeable future. A solar energy system usually continues to work effectively and efficiently for 25-30 years with little or no maintenance. Follow the ideas presented here to make an easy and affordable transition to solar energy.

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Solar Energy Tips To Help You Go Green

By Dr. Ashraf Hanafy Mahmoud Mohammed

Going green is very popular and very wise. The best green choice in energy is solar energy. Using the clean, renewable energy of the sun to power your home reduces your carbon footprint and helps you save money. In this article, we will share some excellent tips to help you make good use of solar energy.
Although the highly efficient solar technology of today is actually capable of working well even in areas that don't have tremendous amounts of sunlight, it's always best to set your solar energy system up in a southward facing area. This will give you the most sun exposure. You will probably generate more energy than you need this way, but happily, you can sell it to your local utility.
In order to decide what kind of panels to buy and how many, you should find out the wattage you need. This can be done by studying your energy bills and determining how much energy you use a month on average. Then you will know the amount of energy your system must produce to meet the needs of your household.
Look for a good solar contractor to install your system. When you do this rather than attempting a DIY solar system, you'll be certain to get the newest solar technology properly installed. This will ensure your safety and give you someone to turn to in the rare case you have problems. Professional installation is more likely to be eligible for grant assistance. Additionally, having your job professionally done may increase the value of your home and save you some money on insurance premiums.
When choosing a professional solar installer, be sure to interview several. Start your search for a solar professional online or in the phone book. Look for the same sorts of qualifications you would look for in any service personnel. You want an installer who has a good rating with the Better Business Bureau, good testimonials from satisfied customers, fair prices and good guarantees. Of course, you should also feel comfortable with the person since your dealings may be ongoing for some time.
Solar energy systems need little or no maintenance; however, common sense dictates that you or your solar installer should tidy it up a bit several times a year. Keep dirt, dust, leaves and snow off the system so the sun can reach it, and check to be sure fittings and attachments are secure.
Generally speaking, solar energy systems are rugged and long-lived. Once installed, you can count on enjoying clean, affordable solar energy for 20-30 years or more. During that time, you'll save lots of money on energy, and you'll never be bothered with increases in the cost of energy. You'll also be able to enjoy having full power even when storms and other interruptions to your local utility occur. Happily, as time passes, solar technology just gets more and more affordable, so when the time comes to replace your system you will probably be able to save even more money! Just follow these tips to reap the benefits of solar energy.

solar energy

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Solar Energy Is An Option With the SunSource Home Energy System

By Brad Crawford 

Solar energy may sound like a great idea in the sunny areas of the country, but some of the complicated setups involved with Solar may be frustrating. If you're just getting started with solar power considerations, you need a simple, cost-effective system. The SunSource Home Energy System from Lennox gives you just that. The SunSource system consists of a high-efficiency air conditioner or heat pump integrated with roof-mounted solar modules (panels). To run your A/C or heat pump, the system uses solar energy before it draws electricity from your power company.
Electricity not needed for heating or cooling can be put toward powering other home electronics. After that, surplus electricity is fed back to your power company, giving you a credit on your next bill.
Other advantages of the SunSource system include:
Simple installation - Because the system is solar-ready, it doesn't require alterations during installation. Although it still requires professional installation, this simpler process makes things faster and cheaper for you. Flexibility - The system allows you to start with as little as one solar module and add up to 15 panels. You can get started immediately even if your budget doesn't allow for a system powered fully by solar energy. Long life span - The Dave Lennox Signature Collection condensing units used in the SunSource system carry a limited warranty for 10 years. The solar modules are guaranteed to perform at no less than 80 percent for 25 years, and the microinverters are covered by a 15-year limited warranty. Microinverter technology - An inverter is what turns the direct current (DC) electricity from the solar panels into alternating current (AC) your home can use. While many systems use a single invertor for all the panels, the SunSource system uses a microinverter for each individual solar panel. This allows for better performance optimization of each panel. Precision monitoring - Using your home's broadband Internet, the SunSource system updates you with real-time performance data. You'll be able to monitor your system's status, energy production levels and positive environmental impact. If cost concerns are holding you back, keep in mind there are a few ways to reduce your expenses.
Because the SunSource system is connected to your utility company's grid, you may be eligible for government and utility company rebates that lower your total installation costs.
The condensing units used in the SunSource system are Energy Star-qualified, so they're eligible for the federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit. Install your solar energy system before Dec. 31, 2016 and you'll be able to claim a 30 percent tax credit on your costs.
There are also financing options available to break the cost down into small monthly payments and then allow the utility savings to offset the payment amount.
If you're interested in adding the SunSource Home Energy System or any other energy-efficient HVAC equipment to your home, please contact a reputable HVAC dealer for help.

Crawford Services can provide you with professional, knowledgeable and thorough attention for your household HVAC needs. For more information about solar energy and other heating and air conditioning topics, visit us at http://www.crawford-services.com

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