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All About Solar Power: Clean Renewable Energy

What, exactly, is solar power? Stated very simply, energy from sunlight is converted to electricity when it contacts photovoltaic (PV) cells. Solar power can be generated bysolar roof shingles and solar panels. Excess energy can be stored in the cells, or occasionally in batteries, to continue providing electrical current after the sun goes down. If you are a scientist, you can probably understand the explanation of the photovoltaic process set forth by NASA: "Photovoltaics is the direct conversion of light into electricity at the atomic level. Some materials exhibit a property known as the photoelectric effect that causes them to absorb photons of light and release electrons. When these free electrons are captured, an electric current results that can be used as electricity." For the rest of us, it is simple enough to understand that, when ultraviolet (UV) light strikes a solar cell, it activates a thin semiconductor wafer in the cell, which forms an electric field (positive on one side, negative on the other). An electrical current results from the action of sunlight energy knocking electrons away from the atoms in the semiconductor. Well, maybe it is pretty technical after all. Let's turn to some common excuses used by people who are resistant to employ solar power. 1. I don't live in a sunny location! No worries. Energy is still captured by solar cells, even on cloudy or rainy days, because it is ultraviolet light - not necessarily direct sunshine - that produces the necessary PV reaction. Admittedly, the efficiency of the cells is lower on inclement days. But, if you need assurance that you will not have to purchase a home in the desert Southwest to use solar energy, note that Germany is a leading country (second only to Japan) with respect to solar power installations. It certainly isn't the Bahamas. 2. Isn't it too expensive? Not really. While coal-generated electricity is cheaper than solar power in the short run, there are a number of factors which should be considered in determining the bottom line. First, the more people that use solar panels, the less they cost. One estimate is that each time the volume of solar cells doubles, the cost goes down 20%. Plus, solar power installations will increase your home's resale value, according to the Appraisal Institute. It has reported that sellers can expect an additional $20.73 in purchase price for every $1 decrease in annual electric bills. Second, although there is an upfront cost for installation, the energy thereafter is free. More importantly, it is not controlled by supply and policies of a foreign country. Want even more good news? The price for PV cells is estimated to fall 30% over the next four years.

Finally, long-term benefits of solar energy cannot be discounted. Reduction of our individual carbon footprints is required to slow the progress of global warming. What price can you put on a polar bear? How about your oceanfront property?

Home Improvement :: How Solar Panels Work

To answer the question about how solar panels work, you need to first understand there are two different types of solar panels - one produces heat and the other produces electricity, each having its own working mechanism.

The first type of solar panels takes the sun' s thermal energy to heat water or oil through thermal collectors. Plastic piping and coils are usually used in these panels, and the sun heats the liquid that runs through the coils to pass on energy. These panels are generally used to heat swimming pools, spas, Jacuzzi, and hot tubs at home or work. When coupled with hot water flooring systems and baseboard units, they can also be used to heat the interiors of buildings. Once you have installed this type of solar panel at home, you can confidently get rid of any additional heating sources. Bear in mind, though, that a motorized pump is often required to help the flow of the liquid in the system. The second type of solar panels (often called photovoltaic cell system) typically uses silicon as a semi-conductor material, and DC (direct current) electricity can be generated when silicon interacts with sunlight. Based on this working mechanism, these panels only work in the day time when sunlight is available. Dependent on the size of your solar system, the electricity produced can be used to power general house appliances or even the entire house. In case you also would like to power your house with the photovoltaic cell system at nights or on unpleasant days, you will need to have batteries to store the excessive electricity. A cheap option is to use the lead-acid batteries that are commonly used in cars, but always remember to fill them with distilled water so that they will not lose their charge. You may also opt for more expensive batteries, such as the absorbent glass mat batteries. They are sealed and hence does not require distilled water to retain their charge. If you live in a cold area, gel batteries are good choices as they do not freeze in low temperature. Both types of solar panels use a glass frame to hold the collection cells, and both require direct sunlight to function at their maximum capacity. Hence, the solar panels are usually placed to face south in order to gain the greatest exposure to the sun rays throughout the day. Although solar panels can be used anywhere to tap the sun's energy, they obviously do not work effectively in places where cloudy weather dominates throughout the year! The above is just a brief introduction on how solar panels work. If you really like the idea of getting solar energy for your home, you might also like to consider keeping a generator as a backup. Even if you live in a sunny area, there might be unexpected spells of rainy days, or your batteries may occasionally fail to store the electricity. You can run your generator on bio-fuel to ensure a complete green life.

Are Solar Panels Worth It?

One of green energy sources is the sun. The energy from the sun is known as solar energy which can be stored in the solar panels and can be used as electricity. There are many people who want to join hands in saving earth but the most basic question that comes in their mind is, 'are solar panels worth it?'. Following details will help you to understand the efficiency and value of installing solar panel in your house. Cost Affecting Factors There are many factors which affect the cost of solar panels, so the question 'are solar panel cost-effective' is totally based on the following factors. You can use the solar energy and go green but to get effective performance, you need to follow some criteria. Following are some of the factors on which installation and working of a solar panel depends. Level of Sunlight: Level of sunlight is the greatest factor which affects the solar panel. If you are staying in an area where you get ample of sunlight throughout the year, then the solar panel can be of great use. But if you get sunlight just for few days like in Seattle where there is sunlight for merely 58 days, then solar panel will be of no use. Here you may have to install many solar panels to fulfill the necessity. How Big is Your House: If you have a small or a normal sized house then your solar panels cost may reach $500 to $16,000. But if you have a big house then your cost may increase according to the size of your house. Government Grant: If you are among the lucky people who are getting help from the government to install solar panel in the house, then there is nothing better than this. Improved Technology: Solar panels have become efficient and cost-effective day by day. The new technology has helped to increase the life of the cells and their efficiency to perform better even after many years. You can also get lots of options in the market which can help you to make a choice according to your budget. Pros and Cons of Solar Panels Solar energy is non-renewable and is considered to be the safest and purest form of energy. It is very beneficial but due to its high cost, people get confused about its benefits. Let's find out the pros and cons of solar panels, which will help you to make decision on whether to use it or not. Pros of Solar Panels As we all know that solar energy is produced by sun and hence it is free. You can use as much energy as you can with the help of solar panels and there will be no charges for it. Once you have installed the panels, you don't need to worry about it. They require very less maintenance and work very efficiently. It is efficient in giving 90% output even after 20 years. This shows its long life and effectiveness. As it works on its own and if once installed can be used for more than 20 years, you don't need to waste your money in paying electricity bills.

Cons of Solar Panels Depending upon the size of your house, you need to do the installation. If you have a big house then you need to invest a lot to fulfill the overall requirement of electricity. Solar energy is time restricted as it will help you only at day time. For night you need to have storage batteries which in turn will increase the cost. Although they have a long life but still you have to replace them after 20 to 30 years. This will not be restricted to just one panel but you need to replace the whole lot which will require again the same or more amount of money. Use solar power for homes to make your home pollution free with green energy. Although it will need some money but will be safe not only for you but for the existence of life on earth. So, go green and save earth.

Solar energy has unlimited advantages as compared to other natural sources

We have a number of natural sources of energy with us. All these energies are highly important and can serve various purposes. But the fact, due to heavy use of all these sources, an energy drought can occur in the near future. Therefore, all scientists are trying to find out a solution. Solar energy is the best option as it is renewable and inexhaustible. This article is all about the major advantages of solar energy over other natural sources of energy available. Some of the major advantages of this form of energy that makes it the most important one from among all other natural sources of energy available are- Solar energy is highly abundant- This energy is unanimous. There will never be a scarcity of this energy. In winter season also, a moderate amount of this energy is available. That means this is a renewable source of energy that is consistent and will never end. This fact completes the search for a source of energy that is ever lasting. Solar energy is free. We have not to pay anything to get this energy. It is absolutely free. Although a small investment have to be done at the starting but afterwards no body has to pay anything to get the energy. It can satisfy the energy requirements effectively with no expenditures. Solar energy is highly Cost-effective. As compared to all other natural resources present, this energy is highly cheap. There is no doubt that the solar photovoltaic is expensive. But due to the advancement in technologies, scientists have made the generation of power from this energy in a very cost-effective manner. The solar hot water panels have been improved in recent years and its cost has highly reduced. The prices of other resources like coal, oil mans gas are increasing day by day but on the other hand, energy derived from sun has become the alternative for all these resources as it is cheaper. Solar energy is clean. The most important advantage of this energy is that it is absolutely clean. Slowly and gradually it has become the best alternative for fossil fuels and nuclear power that will never be short. Solar power can be captured without making noise. Hence, we can say it does not make any type of noise pollution. Wherever there is sunshine, solar power can be generated. It does not require any special laboratories. In the production of solar power, there is no production of any green house gases, carbon-dioxide and other poisonous gases. Hence, it does not aid air pollution.

Difference Between Photovoltaic Pv Solar Power And Concentrated Solar Power Csp

For those new to the world of solar energy, the terms can initially seem confusing. Two of the most common terms one will hear when researching solar energy are Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Power and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP). While these terms can sound confusing at first, they are important to understand if one is considering entering the solar energy market. The first thing to keep in mind is that both these concepts share the same fundamental principle: they both harness the energy from the sun and convert it into electricity usable to individuals and society. The only difference between PV Solar Power and CSP is in how that energy is converted. So regardless if one uses PV Solar Power or CSP, one can rest assured that their carbon emissions are being kept to a minimum. PV Solar Power is best understood as solar power on a small scale. This is typically the sort of solar power one would see installed on neighbours' roofs, inside a solar powered calculator, or powering electronic traffic warning signs on the side of a highway. This is what most people think of when they think of solar power. PV Solar Power is harnessed through the use of semi-conductors, which collect heat and light when exposed to the sun, passes that light along a circuit from a positive-type conductor to a negative-type conductor, and thereby produces electricity. This is most commonly done through the use of solar panels. PV Solar Panel is most useful for private citizens and small business owners who are either looking to reduce their carbon footprint or lower their energy bills, but do not have access to a utility company that provides solar energy on a large scale.

While the installation of solar panels can be expensive at first, this cost is decreasing and there are often government incentives for those who take the initiative of installing PV Solar Power panels on their property. Furthermore, the savings through reduced energy bills usually more than offsets the initial investment. CSP, as opposed to small scale PV Solar Power, is solar energy done on a truly grand scale. CSP is done not so much by the use of solar panels as by mirrors. A series of mirrors are set up in such a way and typically over a vast (and sunny) area so as to reflect and concentrate as much heat into a single point. This is similar to using a magnifying glass to create a fire from the sun, but done on a much larger scale. This heat is then stored and is used to power a turbine, which in turn creates electricity. CSP typically requires a large investment from both governments and private enterprises, and is thus not readily available to many consumers. But while CSP is not feasible for individual homeowners, it is important to know if one's energy provider offers this type of solar power as it could significantly lower one's energy bill and carbon footprint. By knowing the difference between PV Solar Power and CSP, one knows the two most fundamental terms in the solar industry. For those hoping to become more environmentally responsible or to pay less in energy bills, it is important to know which type of solar energy will work best for them. By: SelJones Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com The author of this article Sam Jones discusses the considerations one should make when they intend to buy solar panels.

Solar Panels - How To Fill Them The Easy Way by Chris Floate

Fitting a solar panel on your roof to heat the water is great but don't forget that it will require maintenance. Solar power, and that includes solar panels do need to be maintained. At least once a year you should be checking it over for leaks and the level of antifreeze in the circuit to make sure it can take the winter. It's all very well having an air vent on your solar panel but who wants to go up on the roof every time you need to re-fill or top up to bleed the air off.

Whatever the reason, a bit of thought at the design stage can make life easy. By incorporating three isolator valves in the correct places, and with a bucket and a small submersible pump you can make the job of checking, filling and bleeding your system quick easy and trouble free, The design revolves around using three isolating valves (you could use ball valves if you prefer). Using a tee on the return pipe, quite close to the exit from the hot water cylinder, place an isolator valve on the open end of the tee and a second isolator valve in the pipe going from the tee to back to the solar panel. My third isolator is in my filling loop that feeds into the expansion vessel. The isolator valve on the open end of the tee also serves as a tap for a drain point should I need to drain the system. To fill the system you use a bucket, a small submersible pump and two lengths of garden hose pipe. If required, mix up your antifreeze/water solution in the bucket. You will need an extra 2 or 3 litres of solution to make sure the base of the pump is covered when the system is full. Using two lengths of garden hose pipe, connect the pump output to the filling tube and the other length of hose to the drain point. This hose is then a drain back into the bucket. By opening the valves on the drain and the filling loop and closing the valve in the return line, the water can be forced around the circuit and discharged back into the tank through the drain. Make sure the drain is below the level of the water so you can see when the air bubbles stop, indicating that there circuit is full of water and any air has been discharged. Once you are happy that all the air has been removed, close the two open valves and open the return line valve. Allow the pump to pressurise the system. Submersible pumps don't produce much pressure but are adequate for a solar panel circuit. Mine will charge the circuit to approximately 0.5bar. And that's all there is too it. We go into more detail on our website http://realityGreen.co.uk/solar.aspx where illustrations and photos are also included.

Home Improvement :: How Solar Panels Work

All About Solar Power: Clean Renewable Energy

If you are a scientist, you can probably understand the explanation of the photovoltaic process set forth by NASA: "Photovoltaics is the direct conversion of light into electricity at the atomic level. Some materials exhibit a property known as the photoelectric effect that causes them to absorb photons of light and release electrons. When these free electrons are captured, an electric current results that can be used as electricity." For the rest of us, it is simple enough to understand that, when ultraviolet (UV) light strikes a solar cell, it activates a thin semiconductor wafer in the cell, which forms an electric field (positive on one side, negative on the other). An electrical current results from the action of sunlight energy knocking electrons away from the atoms in the semiconductor. Well, maybe it is pretty technical after all. Let's turn to some common excuses used by people who are resistant to employ solar power. 1. I don't live in a sunny location! No worries. Energy is still captured by solar cells, even on cloudy or rainy days, because it is ultraviolet light - not necessarily direct sunshine - that produces the necessary PV reaction. Admittedly, the efficiency of the cells is lower on inclement days. But, if you need assurance that you will not have to purchase a home in the desert Southwest to use solar energy, note that Germany is a leading country (second only to Japan) with respect to solar power installations. It certainly isn't the Bahamas. 2. Isn't it too expensive? Not really. While coal-generated electricity is cheaper than solar power in the short run, there are a number of factors which should be considered in determining the bottom line. First, the more people that use solar panels, the less they cost. One estimate is that each time the volume of solar cells doubles, the cost goes down 20%. Plus, solar power installations will increase your home's resale value, according to the Appraisal Institute. It has reported that sellers can expect an additional $20.73 in purchase price for every $1 decrease in annual electric bills. Second, although there is an upfront cost for installation, the energy thereafter is free. More importantly, it is not controlled by supply and policies of a foreign country. Want even more good news? The price for PV cells is estimated to fall 30% over the next four years. Finally, long-term benefits of solar energy cannot be discounted. Reduction of our individual carbon footprints is required to slow the progress of global warming. What price can you put on a polar bear? How about your oceanfront property?

Solar Energy Blog and Solar News

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Home Improvement :: Top 4 Green Energy Efficient HVAC Solutions for Your Home

Today the trend really is to go green. This applies in installing radiator and heating systems too. Since heating consumes a lot of energy and in turn, fuel as well, going green is important to avoid further damage to the environment. But with environment friendly solutions, your radiator and other heating systems no longer have to be hazards to the environment. Solar Heating Systems Solar heating systems cost a lot in installation. However, it has very operating costs. In fact, it has almost no operating cost so you will be able to recover your installation costs in less than 5 years. It could produce up to 80% of your heating needs. It would provide hot water and heating through radiant heating. As the name suggests this heating system taps on the sun's heat energy in order to produce heat. Ground Source Heat Pump Among the most efficient heating and cooling systems you can use in your home is the ground source heat pump. Heating systems that use ground source heat pumps are cheaper to run as well. Using a specialized heat pump it uses the ground heat which is constant in temperature. It can heat your home during winter and cool it during summer. It only uses a loop of piping which installed ground either under or near your home so you may not have to worry about the radiator. Liquid would generally be flowing in order to heat or cool your home. The soil is generally warm in winter. Your heating systems would utilize this heat in order to warm your home during this season. On the other hand, the ground is cool on summer so you can use the temperatures of the ground to chill your home during this time as well.

What's great about this type of HVAC system is that it is completely safe. And since it uses renewable resources, you are not destroying the environment either. By using the ground source heat pump you would save as much as 70% of your usual heating costs. Hybrid Heat Pumps and Radiant Floor Heating A certain radiator and heating systems can be efficient in some ways and in other instances not. That is why hybrid heat pumps get a share of demand in the market today. It basically makes use the traditional heat pumps and gas furnaces. Since heat pumps are efficient in the warm weather but not that efficient during the cold weather, gas furnaces are the best supplement to the whole system. With both pieces of in the systems you are assured of seamless switching from heating and cooling functions. On the other hand, the radiant heating system does its work by circulating heated water using pex tubing on the floor. That is why the heat comes from the floor and it heats up the space from the ground. Because of this you can enjoy toasty warm floors even during cold weather. In the end though, your choice of radiator and heating systems would depend on the existing structure of your home, your budget and your preference.

Product Reviews :: What do Photovoltaic Panels (PV Panels) provide?

PV Panels There is a lot of discussion in the press and the Solar Industry about Photovoltaic (PV) Panels. There are a number of grants available from Government and some Local Government incentives. Historically the use of solar technology and PV panels has been expensive to install and difficult to work out an economic payback. This has not delayed some people installing solar panels and generating their own power with a feel good factor that they were doing their bit to lessen dependence on non-renewable energy. What do Photovoltaic Panels (PV Panels) provide? Photovoltaic Panels turn sunlight into electricity. The PV panels convert the sun's energy into electricity. This electricity powers your home and exports excess electricity to the national grid. PV panels have become increasingly popular over the last few years. PV Solar Panels in a 2.5 kWp system can generate over 50 % of the electricity needed for an average family home. The government solar panels grants are Feed In Tariffs (FITS), which aim to reward the earliest adopters of solar panels the most. The Government are to launch a Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (RHI) in April 2011. FITS Scheme - Feed in tariffs for PV electric solar panels This government incentive pays you 41.3p per Kwh produced. This will be paid even if you use the energy yourself, giving a guaranteed income and savings on your electricity bills. RHI Scheme - Renewable Heat Incentive for solar heating The governments Renewable Heat Incentive solar grant will pay 18p per KW produced, giving a guaranteed income from your installation of renewable energy products The benefits of PV Panels are: 1. Quick and easy to install 2. Government backed income for 25 years (Feed-In Tariff) 3. Make no noise 4. Pay for themselves and generate a profit 5. Require minimal maintenance, as there are no moving parts 6. Work even on cloudy days 7. Invest in the future and reduce your carbon footprint There are a number of different PV installations from domestic to large scale commercial operations. Four power generating breakpoints for solar photovoltaic power generating systems are: Systems up to 4kWp These solar PV panel systems are configured to optimise the power output from smaller mounting areas. Whilst looking good and complying with building regulations. These panels are for residential and smaller industrial buildings and can be roof or ground mounted even on garden sheds, greenhouses or balconies Systems from 4kWp to 10kWp These mid-range Solar PV panels with higher power outputs and three phase power options are suitable for larger residential properties, industrial buildings and schools. They can be installed on roofs or ground mounted, some even have a purpose built frame or if a new build they can be built into the building Systems from 10kWp to 100kWp These systems are normally for larger buildings and can be designed either for direct grid connection or professionally integrated into existing power systems. Solar PV systems of this size could be mounted on a hospital, a school, a hotel, a larger industrial building or even a swimming pool. Systems over 100kWp These are designed and built for bespoke stand alone and directly grid connected systems. These stand-alone systems focus on achieving the best guaranteed return on investment. These are normally built for large campus type operations such as universities or large multiple office complexes. The equipment needed is provided with a full support package to ensure maximum productivity. Conclusion Keep any eye out for the RHI scheme and work out what is the best way to get a grant and generate your own energy while helping reduce carbon emissions and make the world a cleaner place for generations to come. There is a lot of information available on the Internet or from local government climate change departments. In addition to this, http://www.wholebuild.co.uk hosts important information from organisations like the Solar Trade Association, product manufacturers and solar PV installers.

Methods Of Solar Energy Collection

Numerous individuals draw on solar power each day without realising that they are utilized it, because it has been utilised in several forms for so countless years. Solar energy is a recognized notion around the globe although not many people totally understand what solar energy is. Certainly one of the earliest known uses of solar power dates back towards the 1800's when it was utilised to prepare food with by travellers, they collected the heat from solar rays utilized a box like device, the heat produced was then utilised to cook the provisions. Gathering of Heat and Light energy from the sun's rays is the prime method of harnessing solar power, this might be used in a variety of ways either at home or in work. According to scientists, a exceptionally minute fraction of the power belonging to the sun is in fact being harnessed. It may possibly be considered that not a sufficient amount is done by certain countries to collect solar energy, but furthermore the belief of folks in less developed nations is simply that they do not have to harness the suns energy whilst more traditional power sources are less costly and more readily obtainable. Some of the more common ways to generate energy and electricity from sunlight includes the use of photovoltaic panels (or cells) and heat engines. The manner these systems generate and transfer the solar energy enables persons to recognise if they are surely passive or active systems. Photovoltaic devices and solar cells are known to convert the energy into electricity and are commonly utilized to power smaller electric devices such as watches and calculators. Devices produced for accumulating solar energy as well as photovoltaic collectors are categorised into active technologies because they receive the power and change it into electrical power we can use elsewhere. Whilst layouts and building materials that make it easier for folks to convert heat and light into power are categorised as passive technologies for employing energy from the sun. They manipulate the solar power to our requests, without changing it to electrical energy. Ordinary varieties of Passive Solar Technology contain solar heating systems that use the sun's rays to heat up water as an alternative to employing electrical energy, gas or oil, leading to a decline of power payments. They moreover embrace light wells as part of house design, these disperse light in a particular method to assist illuminating a structure. Yet if you are not sure what exactly solar power is, it is able to be utilized and often is across the globe. Uncomplicated Illumination is by far the more universal application of Solar Power. The amount of synthetic light that may be needed in a room is reduced when windows and skylights are integrated into a house. Additional general uses comprise of heating water using solar water heaters and also heating up rooms employing the alike notion. Persons as well make use of solar water heaters to heat up swimming pools.

Conversion of the Sun's rays to electrical energy via Photovoltaic Solar Panels is by far the more common Active Solar method. However, there is a drawback caught up within this method in that certain parts of the world receive sun rays at certain times of the year depending on the season, locality and climate condition. Whilst the sun is shining then folks who employ this collection method tend to try and collect as much power as possible! By: Mark Matherson Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Mark Matherson is an IT Professional and concerned about the environment. He runs an informational website detailing the type of renewable energy available in todays society at www.bluestonesolar.com

Solar Energy - InfoBarrel

Practically all life on earth depends on the sun's energy. If our Sun were to disappear in this very moment, well we would go down with it in a joy (well that is if we're mentally unstable). Without the energy the sun gives to our planet, harvesting crops, enjoying the heavenly weather summer and spring and also other seasons bring us, would be impossible. Thus over the years people have considered solar energy more than ever before and have decided and also took action into harvesting this infinite source of energy. In numbers, less than 0.1 % of our transportation, power and heating energy comes from the sun, but given the advances of technology no we are able to use this energy more efficiently and thus render ourselves and our children cleaner environments to grow up in. This type of energy can be used in many ways. For example solar panels is the most widely spread equipment to gather the sun's energy and produce power from it and other forms of energy. You can also use it to heat up your home converting it to thermal energy or to electricity, of course, with adequate equipment. But the main drawback of this type of energy is that it is weather dependent. Now the place where you live on the planet can really make a big difference. If you are likely to live in a country with just one season or two where the sun is always in the sky, then you can consider yourself very lucky for you will be able to use this method to gain a lot of energy for which you won't have to pay a dime. The only thing you will be paying for are the panels, which, truly can be expensive depending on their quality, but the final result is priceless and you will never have to pay the electricity bill in this lifetime.

But even though this type of energy is so environmentally friendly to harness and it can really make you declare your house energy independent most people do not consider it for it is very expensive to begin with. Why? Because there isn't too much competition going around on it and the government won't allow the people to have their houses covered in solar panels for this purpose. All things considered, solar energy may be an alternative but one that's far off into the future.

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?

Where did this Fossil Fuel Addiction Come From?The Industrial Revolution in the United Kingdom (1750 to 1850) was a pivotal time in our evolution. This was a period in which major technological advances in transportation, agriculture, manufacturing and mining allowed for the mass exodus from farms and into cities. This period reshaped all aspects of society and culture - its impact continues to reflect on modern society for it was during the Industrial Revolution that our collective affinity for burning fossil fuels was first developed. Within the past 250 years, man's burning of fossil fuels (oil, gas and coal) has released hundreds of millions of years worth of carbon stores into the atmosphere and brought the concept of the Carbon Footprint into our lexicon. This method of energy generation is destroying our air quality and warming the planet, therefore increasing demand for alternative energy sources (wind, solar, hydroelectric) is creating more choices for consumers. I would not consider myself a 'hardcore' environmentalist, but I have modified my personal consumption in a severalways over the past decade. In 2006, I became interested in solar as a potential energy source for my home however the cost at that time was prohibitive (it would have taken me over 40 years to make back my initial investment in the form of cost savings). I have recently decided to revisit solar panels and am pleased to report that the industry has evolved and costs have come down. Before I get into the specifics of solar panel costs, I offer a bit of background on the technology. Solar Panels Solar panels convert photons from the sun into electricity (the photovoltaic effect). A panel is made of hundreds of individual solar cells. Each cell is able to generate a certain amount of electricity, therefore higher energy levels can be generated by adding extra panels. At the extreme, huge desert solar farms such as the 70,000 panel Nellis Solar Power Plant in Nevada are capable of producing 25 million kilowatt hours worth of electricity annually (enough to power 1,750 average American households). The cost to install enough solar panels to power your home depends on 2 factors - your consumption and the annual number of sunlight hours in your region. Step 1 - Determine Your Household Consumption The Department of Energy estimates that the average American household consumes 14,000 kilowatts of electricity each year. For a more precise measure of your specific consumption, you can either refer to your last electrical bill or visit the BD Batteries link in the Bibliography to this article, where you can provide an inventory of all your appliances and the site will estimate the consumption.

In all likelihood, if you decide to install solar panels, you will either under-produce Individuals who install solar panels are able to either produce less than their home requires (ie solar supplements their electrical needs) OR produce more than they require (and selling the excess back to their electrical supplier). Step 2 - Find the Average Number of Daily Sunlight Hours in your Region The average number of daily sunlight hours varies by region, and this information is easily found online. In 2011, Chicago averaged just 3.1 hours worth of sunshine per day (lowest in the US) while Inyokern, CA averaged 7.6 hours per day. Step 3 - Calculate Number of Panels needed to meet your Consumption Using an online calculator, it is a straightforward calculation to tell how many kilowatts per day you need to produce based on your available sunlight hours. For example, a Chicago home would need twice the number of panels to produce the same daily output as the same home in Inyokern. Said differently, if my home consumed 24 kilowatts (kw) per day and I averaged 3 hours of sun, I would need to buy enough panels to generate (24kw / 3hrs =) 8 kw/hr during my 3 sunlight hours. If I had 6 hours of sun, I would need to buy half the number of panels because I would need to generate (24kw / 6hrs =) 4 kw/hr. Step 4 - So How Much Are We Talking About Here? Once you know your required daily kw, you can now calculate how many panels you need. Panels come in different sizes, so for the purpose of this analysis I will assume 65 Watt Panelsat an average cost of $175 each. The conversion from kilowatts to watts and accounting for loss from inefficiencies is a little complicated, therefore I provide the following chart: Step 5 - The Cost-Benefit Analysis These costs may seem a little intimidating, but remember that we are paying a one time cost for no more electrical bills. To make sure we are comparing 'apples-to-apples', I like this quick-and-dirty tip to compare solar with conventional electricity: Find a mortgage payment calculator online. Your bank probably has one on their web site. Pretend that you are borrowing the full amount of the solar conversion as a new loan Assume a 6% annual rate and a 10 year term (and amortization) If the payments needed to carry this loan are LESS than your current monthly electrical bill, you should be investigating solar further. If the payments are a little bit MORE, do some digging and find out if you can cut back on your consumption and contact a local solar contractor. There may be government incentives that help swing the numbers. If the payments are a lot MORE, stick with what you already have. Unfortunately, I live in a rainy climate and solar panels are not feasible for my situation (although I am looking up realtors in Inyokern as you read this article!). If you are interested in exploring the topic of alternative energy further, Alternative Energy for Dummies is a decent place to start. I would love to hear your take on this approach, or if you have installed solar panels, how you are finding them. Please leave your comments below for other readers to see.

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Drove by the big solar farm with all of the mirrors out in the desert on my way to vegas. It’s about an hour past victorville ca and about 2 hours before you get to las vegas. You can see the tower from the 15 freeway and during the day you can see the bright mirrors pointing to the top of that tower. It takes a good 5 minutes maybe ten to drive across the entire site from end to end, which shows you how massive that solar plant is! Make sure you watch this video to learn more!

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