The Future of Solar Energy

Study is shedding new light on an unexpected source of power for heating houses and generating electricity-the sun.

The sun-directly or indirectly-is the primary source for many forms of power found on Earth. Solar power is clean, abundant and renewable.

Even though we think of solar energy as a brand new discovery, ancient civilizations found innovative approaches to utilize solar energy. Amongst them, the Greeks, Romans and Chinese all developed methods to utilize solar warmth for their homes, which includes working with southern exposures to maximize solar heating and creating use of solar lighting.

Now, thanks to innovative technologies, it's attainable to capture this energy, concentrate it, retailer it and convert it into electrical energy.

Sunlight is converted into electricity working with solar cells. Solar cells are also named photovoltaic cells, or "PV cells" for short. PV cells were first created within the 1950s for use in American space satellites. Nowadays, they may be employed for energy needs ranging from telecommunications to rural electrification. PV cells is usually identified on items we use every day, for instance calculators, flashlights, radios, landscape lighting and children's toys.

Portable solar photovoltaic units are also available for emergency and disaster use, like keeping cell phones and small appliances charged when the user is away from the grid or during blackouts.

Consumers can harness the power in the sun for themselves much more simply than ever. Solar panels you see on buildings and homes have been readily available in the marketplace for decades. New systems-which incorporate solar into roofing shingles-are now aesthetically pleasing, efficient and durable.

2006 ushers in new tax credits for solar energy technologies and buyers might also be eligible for state rebates.

Sunlight is not only employed to generate electricity. It's also utilized to heat water, which can be used to warm houses and businesses. Solar-powered radiant heating systems run some industrial processes and drive turbines to produce electrical energy. Lots of solar thermal technologies have been employed in homes for decades and may last more than 20 years.

Specialists believe that solar power technologies can benefit this nation in several strategies. They've the possible to assist diversify this country's power provide, decrease the dependence on imported fuels, boost air quality, offset greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate the economy by helping to make jobs in the manufacturing and installation of solar panel systems.

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Solar Power Saves Energy and Helps The Environment

Today, many homeowners are searching for alternative energy sources to their supply their energy needs. Renewable, "green", energy systems, such as home solar panel and home wind turbine, are the most common. Home solar panels have moved to the top of the most popular list since they are solid-state in nature. With fewer moving parts, they require less maintenance over the years, compared to wind turbines.

Professionally installed panels can be expensive starting at $3000 or more, with the costs only rising from there. Many homeowners are deciding to build and install their own homemade solar panels. Building your own solar panels from common items, sometime even found already lying around your home, is very possible, and practical.

This can raise many questions for the common homeowner, as it did for me when I first started looking into it myself. Is it really possible for the average homeowner to build a working solar panel? Will they be efficient and provide enough power to make it worth it? Would it be cheaper than hiring someone to just install them for me? Let's try to answer a few of these.

Benefits of Building Your Own Solar Panels:

• 1st of course is the money. If you have ever dealt much with contractors (as I have for over 20 years), you will find that 50% or more of the price is to cover their labor. If you are building and installing them yourself, the money stays in your pocket.

• Knowledge is power. If you are the one building the solar panels, then you are the one who knows how they were built, and how to repair them if they ever need it.

Another Nice Part:

• Most the materials needed to build a solar panel are found at your local hardware or electronics store. Some of these items include copper wire, plywood, glass, and silicone. Tools and equipment needed are also usually commonly found in most homes, or easy to pick up at local hardware and electronics stores.

• There is one exception though... the photovoltaic solar cells. These will most likely need to be purchased on-line.

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Solar Inverters For Solar Power

At present, solar energy is the most popular form of alternative energy on the globe, for both residential and commercial uses. These systems are increasingly more efficient, allowing them to be ever more adaptable and common. However, while most people are familiar with the most visible feature of these systems, solar panels, few people realize that solar inverters are what make these systems functional.

Solar panels are an essential part of photovoltaic systems, as they are the means by which sunlight is converted to electricity. The problem is that the electricity they create is of a DC (direct current) nature, while most electrical appliances and home components require the use of AC, or alternating current. This is where the inverters come into play.

The primary purpose of solar inverters is to change the direct current coming from the solar panels into alternating current before it is consumed by a home's electrical system. They are essentially the bridge between two separate power systems and allow the two different systems to work together. This being the case, it is highly recommended that one purchase the highest quality inverter that they can afford, as an inferior inverter can often fail and the worst possible time. If you're unsure as to which inverter is the best option for your needs, consulting with a solar power professional is often the best way to go. Many local photovoltaic suppliers will have experts available to answer any questions one might have.

For those that have no experience in solar energy production, it is often best to purchase a "complete" system rather than the individual components. Most manufacturers will offer complete systems that include all of the parts needed, including the inverter. These systems are the easiest way to get started, and can often be installed in a matter of hours or days, depending on the system. If, however, you are familiar with electricity and understand what you need, it is possible to piece together and build your own system from individual components. Building solar panels this way allows one to customize and upgrade whenever the need should arise.

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Advantages of Home Solar Power Systems

Alternative energy sources are more common these days and home solar power systems are getting much public attention nowadays. There has been a widespread campaign for renewable energy sources as a result of various factors.

First is the fast decline of current energy sources and to some extent predicted to be incapable of supplying the future demands of the global population for energy. Second is the looming effects of climate change which is also partly blamed on the exhaust of combustion of non-renewable energy sources whose emissions do affect the health of the environment drastically and negatively. And as the existence of people is put to great risk, more and more people accept the idea of greener energy sources.

The number of households investing in home solar power systems is increasing greatly. Unlike before where the materials necessary to start collecting the sun's energy is quite expensive, there are a number of ways and means these days in which even ordinary households can create their own panels and start harnessing the power from the sun.

Aside from the availability of cheap solar panels, alternative materials are also available online as a cheaper option. Step by step guides on DIY panel construction is also widespread on the World Wide Web, so virtually everyone can create their own unit.

But aside from alternative materials that will not require as much investment, there are a number of advantages that should entice you to use this form of energy source. First would be this form of energy source spares Mother Earth from unhealthy exhaust.

Second, the source itself is renewable. Simply put, you will never have to worry about potential shortages. You will never be threatened with a depleting supply and you can also be certain of sustained power all the time. As long as you get to collect more than what your house needs, you will never have to encounter a power shortage again.

Third, if you are currently residing in a remote area, you will never have to wait a lifetime when the electricity company will be able to supply power to your home. As most remote areas are quite difficult to reach and would require hundreds of meters of wires and electrical posts which would affect operational costs of the company, it would indeed be too difficult to supply energy to these sites.

But with this alternative energy source, as long as the right materials are present and the place is reached by the sun, then the electricity problem will be solved. Home solar power systems are gaining in momentum around the world, will you make the change?

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Planning a Suitable Site For Your Solar Power System

It can be helpful to draw up a rough sketch of the site. It doesn’t have to be accurate, but it can be a useful tool to have, both during the site survey and afterwards when you are designing your system.

Include all properties and trees that are close to your site – not just those on your land – and make a note of which way is north.

Positioning the Solar Array

Your next task is to identify the best location to position your solar array.

Solar arrays need to be mounted at an angle, facing into the sunshine. The optimum angle varies throughout the year, but the best compromise is to install the solar arrays at an angle equal to the angle of the sun in the sky during March and September.

I’ll explain how you can calculate that later, but for now you’re looking at an optimum angle of between 40 deg and 64 deg from vertical in the United States, 33 deg and 40 deg from vertical in the United Kingdom and between 20 and 40 deg from vertical in Canada.

If the solar array is going to be installed in a building, then the solar array itself is quite often installed on the roof on the building.

This is an effective solution where the roof is south facing or where the roof is flat and angled mountings can be used to mount the solar array.

Other alternatives are to site solar panels on a wall. This can work well with longer, slimmer panels that can be mounted at an angle without protruding too far out from the wall itself.

Alternatively, solar panels can be ground mounted or mounted on a pole.

When considering a position for your solar array, you need to consider how easy it is going to be to be able to clean the DIY solar panels. Solar panels don’t need to be spotless, but dirt and grime will certainly reduce the efficiency of your home solar power systems over time, so whilst you are looking at mounting solutions, it is definitely worth considering how you can access your panels to give them a quick wash every few months. Learn how to build a solar panel today!

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Solar Power Systems - The New Era of Generating Energy

Due to the increasing improvement in solar power systems lately, many homes are solely dependent on solar power globally. This leads to the question of how solar energy is put to use. It is claimed that most solar power systems can collect heat created by sunlight striking an object. An example of this is to simply concentrate light with mirrors or lenses to produce enough heat to start a fire. This indirect method of producing solar power is known as "Concentrating Solar Power" (CSP). As briefly mentioned earlier, CSP systems use the simple technology of lenses or mirrors and tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam. The consequential heat is then used as the heat source for a conventional power plant. The "Parabolic Trough" and the "Stirling Dish" are two examples of concentrating technologies. In all concentrating solar power systems a working fluid is heated by the concentrated sunlight.

It is then used for either power generation or energy storage. Furthermore, it is important to provide the continuous availability of energy since solar energy is not available during the night. Since solar power is an intermittent energy source, all available energy made available should be taken when available, stored, or transported via transmission lines to where it can be used. In storage solar energy is stored at high temperatures using molten salts. These molten salts have low-cost, high specific heat capacity and can distribute heat at temperatures compatible with conventional power systems. This expertise helps increase efficiency of the system.

A direct method of solar technology involves the "Photoelectric Effect". It was in 1839 that Edmund Becquerel discovered the technique of producing an electric current in a solid material using sunlight. Once this method developed it was found out that photoelectric or photovoltaic effects caused certain materials to switch light energy to electrical energy at an atomic level. The Photoelectric Effect uses the simple method of reflecting, absorbing or direct pass of light. However, it is only the absorbed light that can actually generate electricity.

Hopefully this information should be useful if you are considering using solar power as an energy source for your home. Just remember even though there are certain disadvantages to think about, the number of advantages outweigh the number of disadvantages. These disadvantages can be improved vastly as technology improves. Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that solar powered appliances have vastly changed for the better when compared to ten years ago.

Bear in mind that home solar power systems are suitable in regions with a lot of available sunlight. So do not opt out to get a solar panel system unless you are completely sure of the surroundings. Again, as suggested earlier, it is best to have an alternate energy source in case of low availability of sunlight. Although solar power is an energy source that has only been recently utilized, it might just become the most crucial energy source of the future. Learn how to build a solar panel today!

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Living Off The Grid With Stand Alone Solar Power System

Worldwide, stand alone solar installations are the most popular.

Whether it is powering a shed light, providing power for a pocket calculator, or powering a complete home, stand alone home solar power systems fundamentally all work in the same way – power is generated by solar, stored in a battery and then used as required.

Almost everyone can benefit from a standalone solar power system for something – even if it is something as mundane as providing an outside light somewhere. Even if you are planning on something much bigger and grander, it is often a good idea to start with a very small and simple stand alone solar power system first and then progress from there. Learn how to build your very own DIY solar panels today!

Grid tie

Grid tie is gaining popularity – particularly in Europe and the United States – thanks to the availability of grants to reduce the installation costs, and the ability to earn money by selling electricity back into the power grid.

In a grid tie system, power generated when the sun shines is used to power your home. Any surplus power generated is sold back to the power companies.

When the sun is not shining, you then buy your power from the power companies in the usual way.

One disadvantage of most grid tie systems is that if there is a power cut, power from your solar array is also switched off.

The benefits of a grid tie solar installation are that they can be used to reduce the reliance on the national utility grid, ensuring that more of your electricity is produced in an environmentally efficient way. It is considered to be an environmentally friendly generator after all.

Grid tie can work especially well in hot, sunny climates where peak demand for electricity often coincides with the sun shining, thanks to the high power demand of air conditioning units.

Grid tie with power backup combines a grid the installation with a bank of batteries.

As with grid tie, the concept is that you use power from your solar array when the sun shines and sell the surplus to the power companies. Unlike a standard grid tie system, however, a battery bank provides contingency for power cuts – so that you can continue to use power from your system.

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Alternative Energy Solutions - Solar and Wind Energy

The world is gradually moving towards a serious energy crisis with an ever-increasing demand of energy overstepping its supply. It is known that the energy we use daily is not unlimited, yet we take it for granted. Oil, gas, power, even water has limited availability. Also, we have not taken enough precautions to deal with a possible energy crisis. When I say ‘we’, I am not referring to the governments but to all of us, the common people.

Oil and gas have already become too expensive, and with each passing day, they are moving towards being extinct. Some ignorant people think that energy crisis is a myth. They fail to see the big picture. There have been three major energy crises so far – the 1973 oil crisis, the 1979 energy crisis, and the 1990 oil-price hike, apart from several regional crisis.

Prices have been rapidly increasing for the last five years, thanks to the ever-increasing demand and the increasing shortage of energy resources.

How soon will it be all gone?

Are the cynics right in saying that we are making a mountain of a molehill, or is the energy crisis for real? Picture this: We have already exhausted 50 percent of the available oil. At the current rate of consumption, the rest of the oil will finish in 32 years! Imagine if the rate of consumption increases! We all know it is bound to increase. So, even the present generation will face an acute energy crisis in the later years, let alone future generations.

What are we doing about it?

Are we equipped to face the impending energy crisis? What can you and I do to tackle it? For starters, we need to understand the importance of energy in our lives and stop taking it for granted. We have to minimize the use of oil, gas, electricity, or any other fuel. We cannot afford to waste any available energy. It is also important to spread awareness about limited availability of energy resources. Simple things like joining a car pool, switching off car engines at traffic lights, and minimizing the use of gas and oil in everyday activities will help a long way in crisis-readiness.

As a responsible world citizen, start looking for alternate energy solutions such as solar energy and wind energy. Employing these alternate power solutions is extremely feasible and cost-effective. You will not only cut down your power bills but also contribute to a better future of the world. Click here to learn more about home solar power systems and home wind turbine today.

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Home Solar Power Systems

Would you like to bid farewell to the utility company that you have been paying hundreds of dollars every month?

You can do just that with home solar power systems. This enables you to quickly produce your own in-house power-supply. You may be surprised but this technique can be easily duplicated and used for virtually unlimited applications.

The home solar power system isn't something that you go and buy in a store - you need to have one of these recommended guides that explain how to build a solar panel without having to be an expert. It may sound obvious, but be sure to choose the right guide; make sure it provides 'proofs' to be working for others. Well, here are just a few advantage & advices to help you better understand this topic.

Undoubtedly most of us can find this solution highly effective:

• No more power-interruptions.
• Enables us to get an extra income by quickly providing such energy saving system for others.
• Made of simple parts/tools found at any local hardware store.
• Helps our nation on becoming less dependent on external oil suppliers.
• It is portable and you can take it with you (camping for example).

Use high quality materials - you want your unit to hold for many years ahead, don't try to save a few dollars here and there and after a few months watch how everything falls apart.

Home solar power system truly brings outstanding results with a minimal investment on both time and cost. If we go a little further, it wouldn't be that hard to discover other advantages provided by this one-of-a-kind idea, simply because it is about to change the entire industry forever. The first action you need to take is to watch it in action in order for you to enjoy the benefits that it offers.

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Solar Power Projects

Solar Power Projects - Generally, solar power does not create any sort of pollutions. In other words, it does not harm the environment, and it is always available. It is one of the most readily available sources of renewable energy on earth, and yet only a small fraction of it is used, mainly due to the expense of installing photovoltaic cells that turn sunlight into energy. Experts have likened installing solar cells to paying for your energy for the next twenty years in advance; a solar setup can cost from $20,000 to $50,000. Although initially, installing solar panels can be quite costly, the long term result is sure to be that of great savings.

However, the present advancement in technology have made solar power kits more affordable, putting solar energy within reach of average American families who not only want to join the renewable energy movement but also save money on their energy bills. Solar power kits now can help homeowners to build their own solar system for as little as $200.

Materials you’ll need to prepare apart from the solar power kit:

• A sheet of plywood
• Wire crimping tool
• Wire cutters
• Solder, 60/40 or silver
• Soldering iron, or soldering station
• Sheets of glass
• Drill
• Copper wires
• Screwdriver
• Cobalt steel jobbers' twist drill bit, heavy duty, wire gauge size 26, 3" L, 1c" L flute
• Machine screw size high-speed steel hand tap taper, 10-24, H3 pitch diameter, 4 flute
• 7/32 drill bit
• Plastic sheet cutter
• Reamer
• Pliers
• Hacksaw

How can solar power kits help you save money on your energy bills? Try this simple exercise: compute how much energy your home appliances consume and how much it costs you to buy this electricity from your local power utility. Then consider that if you use solar power to operate these appliances, it is virtually free once you get past initial installation costs. You'll be surprised at how much you can save, even if not all of your appliances are powered by solar cells.

There truly is no reason for homeowners not to shift to using solar power to meet their electricity needs. And solar power kits could ease this transition by putting the technology within reach of the majority of American families.

If you’re tired of your expensive monthly electrical bills, learn how easily solar power can save you a whole lot of money every month.

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