Solar Panels Work

Shining Some Light on Solar Energy

Without a doubt, solar energy is the way of the future. Solar energy production is an extremely simple process to understand. A solar, or photovoltaic, cell collects energy from the Sun. A solar cell is a semiconductor device that is constructed using photovoltaic materials. It contains no liquids or chemicals, and no moving parts. Solar cells convert sunlight into electricity.

You can make solar panels quite easily – see here.

A solar panel generally consists of a series of individual cells, which are supported by a module that allows the cells to work in unison. The energy that is captured by the panel is stored in a battery. Solar panels generate direct current (DC) energy. Many solar energy systems have inverters in them which allow direct current (DC) electricity to be converted to alternating current (AC). Most consumer products such as appliances and electronics operate on AC current.

Unless you have a vast expanse of land to house an array of solar panels, it is unlikely that you will be able to power your entire home with solar energy. However, it is possible to power a single room in your house with a small array of panels fixed to the roof of your house. Multiply the wattage of each individual electrical device by the number of hours you expect to use them each day. That combined number will be your benchmark, or the bare minimum your system must be able to generate.

There are a number of options available to consumers that are considering converting to solar energy. A basic system that can be used to power a computer and a few other small items can be purchased for approximately $1000.00. Naturally, the price will increase with the production capacity of your system. In most regions, the price of an installed system will cost somewhere in the area of $10.00-$12.00 per watt.

Solar energy is one of a few truly renewable resources that can be used in energy and power generation. Every hour of every day, the Sun blankets our planet with enough energy to sustain our global energy needs for a year. As the technology behind photovoltaic energy advances, consumers will be unable to resist the urge to convert.

A lot of resources are being put into the development of solar energy technology. Most of the major oil and energy companies have entire divisions committed to solar energy. Researchers and engineers are spending countless hours trying to develop the technology today that will vastly improve conditions in the world tomorrow. It is no secret that we cannot continue down the path we are on. Fossil fuels are no longer a feasible option for energy production. The future is solar. The future is now.

About The Author

Jim Fritz has been a devout environmentalist for most of his adult life. He has been researching the benefits of solar energy for many years, and he is a contributing writer to http://www.thesolarguide.com – a brilliant online resource for information about Solar Energy, Solar Panels, Solar Consumer Goods and more.

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Is Solar Energy A Reliable And Practical Source Of Electrical Power?

More great tips on solar and renewable energy here.

You have probably heard it said by environmental groups that we should switch to solar energy as a power source because it is free, there is an unlimited supply, and it is a cleaner source of electrical power because there are no by-products (compared to fossil fuels like oil and gas which release greenhouse gases into the earth’s atmosphere when burned for power.) However, can solar energy be a reliable and practical source of electrical power indeed?

When we use the term solar power nowadays, it usually refers to man-made technologies that rely on the flow of sunlight from our sun to create electricity or even mechanical power. Early pioneers in the conversion of solar power into usable forms of power were Auguste Mouchout, Frank Shuman, Charles Tellier, and John Ericksson. But the real breakthrough in conversion of solar power into pure electricity was achieved by the Bell Laboratories research team when they created the solar cell. Other people have been able to build on this development so that solar cells now have an efficiency of more than 40% and their prices have fallen to not more than $3 per watt.

Solar power technology is categorized as either being active solar, passive solar, direct solar, or indirect solar. One way solar power is directly used nowadays is to heat water for households. Solar power has an efficiency level of up to 86% when it is applied for creating hot water, which makes it a very attractive option for countries with cold climates where people find it hard to survive without hot water. Another way solar power directly affects our lives is when solar cells are integrated into everyday electronic gadgets such as calculators, or as a steady source of power for satellites in orbit around the earth. Households can now have solar panels installed on their roofs so that they can take advantage of sunlight to power their home. However, the demand for solar panels may be affected because of the shortage of refined silicon supplies.

The more cost-effective solution for large-scale use of solar power for power generation needs is construction of solar power plants. Solar power plants may either be of the older type of concentrating solar thermal power plant or the newer multi-megawatt photovoltaic facilities. The first kind, which relies on concentrating solar thermal technology, basically relies on mirrors or lenses to direct sunlight into a much smaller area of focus. However, this type of solar power technology can be disadvantageous to rely on when skies are overcast and there is little direct sunlight.

It is also interesting that solar power can also be used nowadays to power light vehicles. Proof of this is the biannual World Solar Challenge in Australia, where solar cars developed by researchers from both industry and universities have been able to reach speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour during the race itself. Which is not bad, considering the speed limit for South Australia where the race is conducted is set at 110 kilometers per hour.

A very practical usage of solar power is to disinfect water supplies so that they become drinkable. Water can be disinfected either through solar water pasteurization or through solar water disinfection. Solar water pasteurization relies on solar power to make the pasteurization process work, involving sustaining application of heat to water for a certain period of time so that water temperatures stay within the 60 degrees to 70 degrees Celsius range. Solar water disinfection is a less intense use of solar power because the water is aerated first by vigorous shaking in a container which is then left to be exposed to direct sunlight.

All these uses of solar power indicate that eventually solar power may become a widespread source of power not just for large enterprises but also for the average human household. All that is required is for people to be able to afford the technology and its upkeep for solar power to become a practical and dependable source of power on a daily basis.

By: Martin Barwise

Green Store UK sells eco friendly gifts and energy saving gadgets. We have various energy saving gadgets such as the Smart Adapter which is a remote control plug set which enables you to quickly and easily turn off electric items off standby.

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All About Solar Energy

Every day the life-giving force of the sun bombards our little blue and green planet with untold amounts of solar energy. Everything thrives on our world because of the sun, and it never stops sending off infinite amounts of powerful solar radiation and is a source of monumentally renewable energy. These days, the idea of wasting this precious resource as it falls upon our planet is unthinkable, and it is only a matter of time before using solar energy for everything from powering our homes, heating our living spaces and warming our bath water is something that everyone is doing.

Using solar power to heat and power a home or business is just good sense. After the initial investment is made, solar energy becomes one of the most sustainable and renewable forms of energy available to us anywhere. Alternative energy and green power are fast becoming more than desirable, they are becoming necessary. As we move into the mew millennium, it has become obvious that our archaic and outmoded methods of powering modern life can not continue, and solar energy is at the forefront of the revolution and evolution of modern power systems.

Solar hot water, solar electricity and solar heat are all technologies that bring the incredible power of our life-giving star into the homes and offices of many, many people all over the world today. Solar power has many advantages over conventional methods of powering our lives such as coal, petroleum and nuclear. For one thing it is incredibly clean technology, with no harmful chemicals or toxic byproducts to worry about. For another thing, it is very inexpensive after the system is in place, and many people who are grid tied can attest to the fact that solar power reduces energy bills dramatically when properly installed, maintained and used.

With this growing field and greatly increasing demand, there are many people who have become experts in this cutting edge energy technology. Finding a reputable and knowledgeable company to consult and install a solar power system is not as difficult as it once was. Years of research and development in this field are at the disposal of these pioneers in the new field of green energy, and they are not only able to help, they are genuinely exciting and thrilled with the notion of helping you become more energy independent and lessen your impact on the environment.
Harnessing this incredibly valuable resource has become one of the hottest (pun intended) and most exciting categories of modern technology, and there are many companies making use of this growing market to bring solar power to consumers everywhere. Years of practice have shown us that once a technology becomes available to the general public, finding companies that specialize in that technology becomes easier and easier.

Photovoltaic cells, solar heated hot water systems, radiant floor heat and other aspects of solar technology are very exciting and promise to usher in a brand new age in our modern world. With so many devices reliant on electricity, is stands to reason that we cannot keep burning fossil fuels such as coal and petrochemicals anymore, and the ongoing dilemma of what to do with toxic nuclear waste is making solar power and other alternative energy systems more and more attractive. One day, these so called energy ‘alternatives’ will cease to be the alternative and will be the standard and the norm.

By: Jack Moe

jackmoe.blogspot.com/
www.atomicsolar.biz/

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Five Benefits Of Solar Energy

If there is one policy every first world nation can get behind, it is the movement away from fossil fuels and towards renewable, clean energy. While debates may rage about the viability of clean coal, everyone is in agreement that solar and wind technology will be at the forefront of this movement. Let’s take a look at just a few of the benefits of solar power technology and why it is clearly the energy of the future.

First and foremost, solar power technology is limitless. One of the industry buzzwords we have all been hearing more and more about lately is ‘peak oil’, the belief that the world’s oil supplies are in decline and that we, as a civilization, are due to run out of fossil fuels sooner rather than later. When it comes to solar power technology, we won’t ever have to worry about hitting our peak. Even in traditionally rainy climates like the Pacific Northwest, solar power technology is flourishing, thanks to super sensitive solar panels that capture energy even during overcast days and more efficient batteries that can hold more charge for longer periods of time. It is safe to say that the old excuses that used to be used to marginalize solar power are now obsolete.

Speaking of antiquated myths about solar power, a company in California recently unveiled a solar panel that could sell for less than any other panel on Earth. Nanosolar recently exhibited a panel that puts solar energy on par with coal manufacturing plants on a per-kilowatt basis. One of the most enduring arguments against solar power technology has always been the cost. The world has been waiting decades for a truly cost effective solar panel and now, thankfully, we don’t have to wait any longer.

What is solar energy. While more and more countries build nuclear plants to deal with the spiralling demand for energy, there doesn’t seem to be similar plans in place to deal with all of the toxic nuclear waste those plants will produce over their lifetimes. Solar power technology, on the other hand, is completely clean, with no residues, waste or byproducts of any kind. Until someone comes up with cold fusion, solar is far and away the most environmentally friendly energy source in the world.

Thanks to improving technology, solar is also extremely portable. There are rollable solar panels that can be unplugged and taken with you on a trip and there are even tiny solar panels that you can attach to your backpack and use to charge your mp3 player while you walk. This is one area in which solar has wind power beat.

Finally, solar power can create more energy than a single family needs. Just like wind, extra power from solar panels can be fed back into the power grid, providing clean, free energy to people throughout an entire community.

While other forms of power may offer a stopgap as we wean ourselves off of fossil fuels, the power of the future is clearly solar.

By: Brent Crouch

Reduce Electric Bill Reduce your electric bill, anywhere between 8%-25% www.howtosaveelectricity.net/

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Have you considered generating your own energy with solar panels? Well, a major consideration is how much they will cost. If the panels are too expensive, then they may not pay off for you in the long run.

So, how much do solar panels cost? Well, the prices vary obviously depending on what you are getting. A good way to compare various solar panels is the watts of power that the panel will put out. This really tells you what you are getting for your money.

Make your own system and save much more.

When dealing with solar panels, there are two common materials you will come across that the panels are made of. Some panels are made of amorphous silicon. Other panels are made of crystalline silicon or micro-crystalline silicon.

Crystalline silicon tends to produce a more efficient solar panel. In other words, more of the suns energy will be converted to electricity.

Amorphous silicon panels are less efficient, but cheaper to produce. So, there is a balance to be reached between cost and efficiency.

However, for our purposes, we will just look at the actual power output to compare prices between various panels.

For example, Sunsei produces a crystalline silica solar panel called the SE-4000 that is priced at about $650. This panels has a maximum power output of 65 watts. This ends up being about $10 per watt.

Another company Kyocera produces a crystalline silicon panel called the KS20 that costs about $300 retail. The panel has a maximum power output of 20 watts. This ends up being about $15 per watt.

Kyocera produces another crystalline silicon panel called the KD135GX-LP. This panel costs about $700 and is a maximum of 135 watts. This ends up costing about $5 per watt.

The other option of course is using an amorphous silicon panel. Since amorphous panels are less efficient, they cover a larger area to produce the same number of watts.

Silicon Solar produces an amorphous silicon solar panel for about $250. The panel has a maximum power output of 40 watts. So, the cost per watt is about $5.

Sanyo also produces a mixed amorphous and crystalline panel called the HIP-195BA3 that costs about $1000. So, you are looking at about $5 per watt.

So, how much do solar panels cost? Both amorphous and crystalline silicon solar panels cost about $5 per watt and some panels can go as high as $10 or $15 per watt.

Note, the wattage rating is based on a maximum. The actual output that you will receive will depend on the intensity of the sun where you live.

Author: Joseph Sawvel

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When you are lying in the sun soaking up those rays, think about how this source of energy can be used. The sun has enough energy to take care of the power needs of the world over and over again. It does not pollute the earth. It is not costly and will not be depleted by use.

The light from the sun can be turned into electricity by using a few simple steps. When the sun shines on you, don’t you feel the heat? This is the principle by which solar power works. There are certain materials, such as solar panels which when heated by the sun can be used to power all types of electrical items.

The old time way of creating solar energy used very large crystals. The crystals were made of silicon and when the sunlight hit them, an electrical current was produced. Silicon has electrons which move when the sunlight is directed on them. They help to turn a lot of light into electricity. The only problem with this method is the large crystals are hard to grow.

With today’s technology the development of small crystals are being utilized, which are cheaper than the large ones. The crystals today can be formed into a thin film.

The problem with using solar energy is the expense. When compared to wood or coal the expense of solar energy is higher which is why people are not switching right away. Some people build their own solar panels, which is easier than you may think.

The government is trying to encourage the change from regular fossil fuels to solar power. By offering incentives for changing to solar power in the form of rebates and discounts, their hope is that many people will switch.

Solar panels can be installed on roofs or in yards depending upon where the maximum amount of sunlight is available. The panels are made up of solar cells which are wired together. The whole thing is enclosed under glass to protect it from rain, snow and other types of severe weather. The groups of solar cells are called modules.

On the side which gets the sun, the cells are under a see-through solar glass pane. When the solar cells have a run in with the photons, this transforms the energy into electrons. The electrons are then carried to wires which are connected to the cell. Electricity is available for running appliances or lights.

One hundred fifty watts of electricity can be produced by just one square meter of solar panels. Overcast days will still allow the power to be generated. It just will not be as much power. There is not much change in the voltage; it is the amps and watts that will change.

Once the development of solar power has progressed to the point of being easily affordable, there will be more usage. The problem right now is the high cost of installing the panels. They will pay for themselves over a period of time, but for many people the expense of installing them is more than they can afford at the present.

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Residential solar panels will connect with your current utilities to power your home. They are available with plug and play features, power electronics and solar modules. The solar cells which are in the panels on your roof change the sunlight into DC power. The inverter is a device that changes the DC power to AC. This allows it to be used in your home.

When setting up your system, check with your power company and see if they will allow the return of excess electricity to the grid. This allows you to save even more. Most utility companies do this and if you want, you can get a battery back up for providing power in case of an emergency or a power outage. During the night when you need power you use it from your regular utility company.

The residential solar panels will provide enough electricity for your use during the day. Although on cloudy days they may only provide about half the electricity provided if the sun were shining.

Many people get confused by the concept of using residential solar panels. They are under the impression that the panels will provide all the electricity they need. This is not the way it works. The solar electric system will not provide all of the electricity needed. But the system you use will cut your electricity bill by about 40 to 50%. This is a big savings for most people.

There are systems that can provide all of your needs when it comes to electricity but the average person will find them very expensive. However, most people are happy with the reduction in their electricity bill as it can be quite substantial. 

Net metering is one of the aspects of residential solar panels that make a big difference in utility bills. The extra electricity produced by your solar energy system can be sent back into the utility grid, which will cause your meter to spin backwards. The meter can be configured to keep track of what goes back and the difference when you are using electric from the meter.

There are many states that require net metering to be offered by the utility companies. However, not all states offer this option. If yours does not, you can still use the solar panels. You will just have to purchase a meter and measure the amount of electricity your residential solar panels produce.

When choosing a system for your home there are two basic types. One will provide electricity for your home in the daylight but no power when the electricity goes out. The other will power it in daylight and has a battery back up for supplying power when there is an outage. 

Each solar panel for your home is going to be about 5 feet by 2 ½ feet. These are always put in groups of four. The minimum amount of modules is 12. The area of your roof where the panels will be needs to measure about 120 square feet.

When it comes to residential solar panels, you may as well get educated and ready. The world will eventually be using mostly solar power versus electricity.

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