Solar Energy Facts
Posted by admin on Mar 25, 2010
Solar energy facts will explore the variables that are important to know before purchase. On the market today are a large number of solar panel manufacturers that produce solar panels with different levels of efficiency. Some panels are most efficient only if sun is directly hitting them, while others can track the sun and expand the time they are most efficient. Purchasing the most efficient panel could provide all the energy you need to operate your home or business and using the space on your roof wisely.
People believe that solar panels are only efficient on the most sunny days and for most panels that is accurate, but there are new solar panels that are more efficient even on cloudy days and these are worth exploring.
Solar panels have a long-term warranty of 20-30 years and require little maintenance this is a solar energy fact. It’s also worth exploring with your insurance company prior to installation of solar panels so that in the event of a storm or fire you are covered.
Solar energy facts includes how to get the most for your money and explore new options. Your single biggest savings is by reducing your energy usage before investing in solar energy. Secondly, choosing the panels with the highest efficiency for your situation and taking advantage of all the federal, state and local government incentives as well as incentives that your local energy company may provide. In some states, this reduces the cost up to 70%. Some communities are developing payment plans for solar panels that use the monthly savings as the payment method and they help to limit the upfront expense. A final factor that plays a role in the cost of your new solar panels is the increase in the value of your home.
Some new developments making solar energy facts more interesting are the options to rent solar panels which includes installation. This option eliminates the up-front expense and may make it possible to move to a renewable energy source much sooner.
If you produce all your own electricity your monthly savings will grow as your neighbors continue to live with rapidly rising utility costs. Hopefully solar energy facts has provided you with information that will make it possible for you to eliminate those rising utility costs and support your energy needs with a renewable energy source.
Solar Energy Advantages
Posted by admin on Mar 25, 2010
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</script>Solar energy advantages starts with energy from a renewable source and can be active or passive. Solar energy has wide uses, it can produce energy to heat and cool your home and operate all the appliances. It can supply hot water for your home, heat your pool, supply energy for an RV. While on the road or in remote locations solar power provides energy for your mobile devices.
Powered Remotely
Homes in remote locations have used solar energy as the sole source of electricity storing the excess energy in batteries. You can get a solar oven and a solar cooker so being in the backwoods no longer means peanut butter and jelly or beef jerky. Passive solar is the positioning of your home to capture solar heat and store it via a thermal mass like a concrete wall or floor which absorbs the heat all day and disperses it into the room as it becomes cooler. You may already have this free source in your home and not be aware of it.
Solar energy advantages are evident in business applications as well, it’s used in disinfecting, drying, water filtration and powering machinery. There are solar panels on the space shuttle, road lamps, street lamps as well as traffic cameras.
Numerous Products
Solar energy advantages continue in the variety of products that are available. Solar panels are usually photovoltaic and use silicon as part of their makeup, but solar roof tiles are available. Solar lights for your yard and spotlights are easily found at a home improvement store. You may have heard of thin-film solar that rolls out in long thin sheets, this is currently available for industrial applications but soon will be widely available for homeowners. You will be able to stick them on your roof unlike a bulky solar panel, they are nearly invisible. There is work with prism based solar that captures the light from all directions increasing the efficiency. A product that combines photovoltaic panels with thermal panels to produce both electricity and hot water, no longer two different systems is on the market. The advantage is that the circulating water cools the panels and increases the productivity of the photovoltaic panel.
The Energy You Produce is Free
Once a system is installed, it produces energy at no additional cost. The warranties on solar panels range from 20-30 years and they require little if any maintenance. Many governments around the world are offering generous incentives for people to include solar energy in their homes and businesses so the initial cost is significantly reduced. State and local governments may also offer incentives as well as your local utility company. You can store your excess energy in batteries for later use or sell your excess to your local utility company.
If the incentives and the cost savings are not enough to get you interested, then the increase in the value of your home with solar energy may be the deciding factor. Solar panels can be a do-it-yourself project, comes available in kits and are easily installed by homeowners. Home Power Magazine has some detailed information for homeowners. Rail systems for installation are now made so they track the sun and increase the efficiency of the panel. Renting solar panels is also an option and it includes installation and set-up.
The worldwide interest in developing a cost effective solar solution is high and businesses are responding with a variety of new technologies that improve the efficiency, ease of use and installation while significantly lowering the cost. Are you ready to take advantage of solar energy?