Locations For Home Solar Energy Systems
Locations For Home Solar Energy Systems
If you are thinking about converting your house to a home solar energy system, you need to take your location into consideration. Where you live can make a big difference in how much electricity your system can generate.
The reason? Different areas of the country get different amounts of average usable sunshine.
While some sales people for home solar energy systems would like you to believe that the amount of sunlight that will hit your solar panels is the same regardless of where you live. The truth is, your location can have a big impact on how much electricity your system produces.
The Solar Energy Map
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory produced a map for the US Department of Energy that shows the amount of usable solar energy for each location in the United States. It clearly shows that solar for home use will produce more electricity in some locations than others.
That isn’t to say that there isn’t any reason to convert to a home solar energy system if you live in one of the less favorable states. Using renewable forms of energy are always a good idea. You will still be able to see some cost savings on your utility bills regardless of your location. It just means that you will not see as much savings, and you will need to rely on public utilities a little bit more.
So where are the worst and the best locations?
The Worst Locations for Solar Energy
The two worst locations in the U. S. for average usable solar power are the State of Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest, specifically the Pacific coast of Washington.
Areas such as the Great Lakes region and the New England states did not fare well, but they are much better than the first two areas mentioned. In fact, the amount of usable energy is nearly 30% higher in these regions.
The Best Locations for Solar Energy
The best possible locations to set up a home solar energy system are the Southwest United States. Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and Western Texas all fared very well in the study. IF you live in these areas there is really no excuse not to take advantage of the free energy source that strikes your home every day.
More and more people are turning to solar power as a way to save money on their energy bills, to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, and to use a clean and renewable source of power.
If you haven’t considered a home solar energy system, now is the time to give it some thought. You will be amazed at the amount of money you can save. Solar power really does work.…
3 Alternative Cheap Electricity Suppliers to Slash Your Energy Bill
3 Alternative Cheap Electricity Suppliers to Slash Your Energy Bill
Due to increasing costs for home energy, more and more people are trying to find a cheap electricity supplier.
For many of these people it means turning to alternative sources of energy that many people may have not considered in the past.
Here are three great alternative sources, that are also green, that you can use as a cheap electricity supplier starting today.
Residential Windmills
Residential windmills are becoming more and more popular. This is because more companies are producing various different models, to fit all types of homes.
Quality home windmills can be purchased between $4000-$10,000. Usually these can be freestanding or attached to the top of your house.
To cut down on the cost, some people are even selling excess energy back to their energy suppliers.
Electromagnetic Generators
Electromagnetic generators, also called over-unity motors, can be a great way to generate free electricity. These systems are very easy to build and plans are often available on on the Internet.
While these may not be able to generate enough power for your whole house, by tying these into your house electrical grid you can dramatically reduce your energy bill.
Solar Energy
Solar energy panels are becoming more and more commonplace on homes across the country. While most energy panels currently only have a 15% efficiency rating, this rate is increasing yearly.
The great thing about solar energy is that it is almost an inexhaustible source and is fairly cheap to harvest.
As you can see, if you’re looking for a cheap energy supplier, you can find one. The three technologies mentioned do require some initial investment of capital on your part, but most of these should be able to pay for themselves in less than five years.…
Finding the Right Alternative Energy For You
Finding the Right Alternative Energy For You
Almost every year, we hear more evidence regarding Global Warming. For some people, they can see it themselves, as they see their winters getting shorter, and their summers hotter. One key to combating this problem is by making use of energy sources that do not release greenhouse gases into the environment. The question you have to answer for yourself is: which alternative energy source is best for you?
The most common alternative energy sources out on the market right now are: solar, wind, geothermal, tides, hydroelectric, and bio-diesel and ethanol. Some people would include the electric car, but there is the issue of where you get the electricity to power it? That all goes back to these same energy sources. Now, some of these, you can’t really implement on your own. Building a geothermal system or hydroelectric plant is more for an entire community to do.
Now, if you live in a coastal region, some form of tidal power might be available. However, the two most common systems that are both inexpensive and available for the individual consumer are solar and wind power. If you want to pay for one of these systems, get at least several cost estimates before hiring a contractor; some are very expensive. Also, check out what sort of tax credits and support programs are available to help defray the cost. In some areas, the power company is required to buy any excess electricity you generate. So, while you might be able to get enough power for just your home use from a small system, a larger one, which will generate enough for you to sell the excess, might be more cost efficient, in the long run.
Next, you have to consider how much sunlight you get in your area, during the average year. Typically, you can find that out from the local weather service. If you have limited sunlight for long periods, solar power might not be right for you. Or, you can look into systems that do not require strong sunlight to still generate power. Instead, you can also examine wind power as an alternative. Like solar, it will be dependent on the amount of wind your area gets. Here again, some wind turbines are very sensitive, and even a small breeze or occasional gust is enough to generate power. You can also look into doing a combination system: solar and wind. In some cases, if you don’t mind doing a lot of the work yourself, you can save a huge amount of money in the installation and wiring. This will allow you to recover the cost of your investment much quicker.…
Solar Panel Systems, a New Family Project Phenomenon
Solar Panel Systems, a New Family Project Phenomenon
I was born in the late seventies and while I was growing up there was little talk of solar panel systems for the home. When I was you there was buzz of solar panels and there where places that you could see them start to be installed and implemented.
In the 80’s and 90’s solar panels continued to improve as technology and material improved and became cheaper. While there where advancements people where still generally focused on the traditional forms for power creation such as coal fired power plants, hydo-electricity and even nuclear energy.
Most of us did not put two thoughts into where our power came from. We just flipped the switch and expected the lights to come on. Power was cheap and the thoughts of global warming where still new and for the most part people where not concerned about the issue.
Now things have changed and people are more conscious about the environment, but there is even a large factor at play right now and that is the economy. We have had to tighten our belts more than in the last fifty years and families are doing everything they can to cut their everyday living expenses.
The cost of power has skyrocketed and it is one of the largest expenses of the average household. This year there has been a heat wave that spread from coast to coast and people are running their air conditioners longer just trying to stay cool. In the summer months more than any other the power bills shoot up.
Now there are solar panel systems that just about anyone can build in their garage and install on their house without ever calling in a professional. There are very affordable systems that can be basically purchased off the shelf, but going in line with saving money and tightening our belts, building a system on your own can be extremely affordable and is literally easier than ever.
There are some added benefits to the do it yourself route. Along with tightening the family belt, how about bringing the family together and build your solar system together. This project can be accomplished by anyone that is willing to do a little research, put some time in and follow directions. Get your kids involved and divide up small tasks that they can accomplish. Spend a couple hours as a family in the garage talking and working together.
Once you and the family have completed the project your kids can have a sense of accomplishment every time they flip the light switch and the lights come on. They will know that this was something they helped to build and will also show them the importance of family activities and helping each other to keep the family on budget.
Solar panel systems are affordable, easier than ever and can be done at home. Don’t waste your hard earned money buying something that you and your family can do on your own. Below this article is a resource box. There is a link where you can access more valuable information on do it your self solar power systems.…
Solar Energy System – Free
Solar Energy System – Free
With the cost of producing energy continuing to climb, many Americans are asking themselves and their government what can be done to change this scenario. Americans already suffering from a lasting recession can no longer endure high electricity costs.
The Earth is suffering from the effects of a hundred years of crude oil and coal power being used to create energy. Could not both these problems be solved at one time? The answer is yes. There are two options that can be used to reduce the need for oil and coal, and their associated pollution. Solar and wind power could effectively reduce the cost of power to consumers and the need to pump oil or burn coal. The benefits of solar power are obvious.
The sun generates enough power to heat the planet each day. Harnessing that power to create electricity has already been accomplished. However, the cost to retrofit a home or business with enough solar panels to take them off the grid is very expensive. It would cost an average home owner over $30,000 to convert their home, and that is too much money for too many people. The government could issue tax credits, however, as most people know, these credits do little to help with the cost of anything. They could offer low interest loans for the purchase and installation of these products. This is a very good reason for the government to grant loans.
The amount saved each month on paying utility bills could easily pay for a loan. Solar power costs approximately.45 per kilowatt hour to run for the home owner. Power from an electric company can range between 5 and 7 dollars per hour. The second option is that the government could make wind energy more accessible. They could do this by either funding the construction of wind turbines, or freeing up the blockades that so many wind companies face when trying to build a power plant.
On average, energy produced by wind turbines costs about.04 per kilowatt hour to generate – a savings that would benefit all. There are things that can be done to save the planet and reduce the cost of living to citizens of America. It is time for the government to honestly look at these alternative energy sources, and act accordingly.…
Harvest Solar Power
Harvest Solar Power
Using solar power is the best way of saving natural resources. It helps in conserving energy by utilizing natural sun light for the production of power.
Solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into electricity by way of photoelectric effect. There are different types and sizes of systems for different needs. These systems are capable of producing enough power to cover all the electricity requirements of any home or business.
However, these systems need to be installed by professional installers.
Although solar energy is free of cost, there are expenses related to its installation. The installation process is a one-time expense and would depend on the brand of panels and inverters used by you.
In fact, another important factor affects the installation expense largely.
This factor may not be in your control and it depends on the location of your home or commercial premises. For instance, if the angle of your roof is tilted, the mounting of solar panels can be difficult and that may increase the cost of installation. However, solar power will definitely be affordable in the long term.
If you have been thinking of harvesting the benefits of renewable energy, the first thing to do is to hire the services of an installer. While there are many installers available in the market, it is essential to choose a company that qualifies the quality and service criteria. This website can be of some help in the selection process. You can get quotes from installation service companies of good repute. This portal is dedicated to provide you with quotes from registered installers. There is no need to research multiple companies or make multiple phone calls. Moreover, getting quotes for these solar power installers is free. You don’t have to pay any fee for getting quotes. The installers are registered with the portal and you can purchase leads from them.
The process of getting quotes is quite simple. You simply have to fill out a contact form and enter your details. The solar installations company will login to their account and select the leads and send you the quotes. You don’t have to chase a company for getting the solar panels installed. Let the installer do the chase and send you a quote. Moreover, you can be assured that the installation company is an accredited installer.
The past performance of this website can help you take a right decision.
This service provider has installed more than 125000 systems for solar power. They have more than 1900 solar panel installers. You can expect solar panel rebate. Apart from that, you can also get feed-in tariffs, which depends on where you live. There are solar community plans and solar credits too.
With this renewable energy, you may incur one time solar power cost of installation, but it can lead to huge savings for the rest of your life. Indeed, it is a cost effective and green way of meeting your electricity needs. If you have been thinking of taking a step towards environment conservation, get your quotes painlessly from this portal. You can be assured of the quality of service.…
What Solar System Do I Need?
What Solar System Do I Need?
There are a huge range of choices when it comes to finding the right solar power system for your home, but finding the right solar power system doesn’t have to be all that difficult. Finding the right solar power system will depend on a number of factors including how much energy you would like to generate, how much space you have available and what your budget is.
What most people don’t know is that there are a whole lot of uses for solar power that make it even more efficient. Depending on its size, your solar system can power your whole site. You can use it to heat your home in winter, to power the lights in and around your home and to power your appliances. It can also be stored in batteries for later use giving you added independence from unstable fuel prices and electricity blackouts.
Assessing your solar power needs
There are several factors you need to take into consideration when assessing your solar power needs.
How much energy do you need?
This is essentially the first step in determining your solar power needs. Take the time to find out what the wattage of your appliances, machines, tools and other systems are. This will help you determine how much energy your household requires. While you are assessing these aspects, it may be a good opportunity to consider replacing any energy hungry items with more greener options.
How much space do you have?
The size of the area you anticipate your solar panels to go will dictate how large the system can be, and in turn, how much energy it can produce. The most popular and preferred location is the roof, but solar panels can also be mounted onto most surfaces including the ground. The prime importance is that they are positioned in the best possible way to get the most sunlight.
Research can save a fortune- Extra uses for your solar power system
There are so many things to consider when it comes to solar panels – what will you use the energy primarily for? Where should you install it? Who will install it? And what type of solar system do you want? With so many questions, researching all of the viable options available to you is important.
Talking to the experts- Finding the best solar power system for you
Once you have established your needs and researched some of the options, it’s time to talk to the experts. The good news is that there is an accreditation scheme in Australia, which the industry claims is the world’s best. Ideally you should look for an energy system which is back by at least one year’s guarantee and a busy and an accredited and experienced installer from an established company that has a proven track record and a good reputation. From there, it’s smooth sailing – the right installer will be able to assess your needs in more detail and recommend the best deal from the options you have shortlisted in the research stage.…
Homemade Solar Energy – Durability and Cost
Homemade Solar Energy – Durability and Cost
More and more homes are taking advantage of solar energy. If you have been thinking of installing a system in your home and have been put off by the high prices of buying, then you may well be interested in building your own. Homemade Solar Energy works just as well as any manufactured system and will cost you a fraction of the price.
How much will you need to spend?
If you are starting this project with no tools at home and with absolutely no experience, you will need to buy the manual and a few basic tools. The overall cost if you have a well equipped workshop could be less than $60 with the majority of the costs being for solar cells. The best online instruction manuals will cost you no more than $50. For those starting from scratch, you will need a soldering kit and paintbrushes as well as a saw which means that you will have to outlay around $250, but every panel build thereafter will be just a small investment.
Once you build one, how long will it last?
Manufacturers state that the lifespan of a solar panel is around 30 years. Although there is a misconception that homemade panels don’t work as well or last as long, this is not true. People who have the ability to build panels have the ability to maintain them. This means that without any further investment, you can maintain them and ensure that they last longer. It is true that the effectiveness of the panels will decrease as the lifespan lengthens, but many diy enthusiasts have managed to maintain them for decades without any major loss in energy production.…
Best Renewable Energy Resource – Solar To Electricity
Best Renewable Energy Resource – Solar To Electricity
Solar power is basically everywhere since it comes from the sun. Solar power can be utilized to generate electrical energy to supply power to your home, pump water, heats up your home/office, and even power up vehicles and appliances. With practically anything that we can carry out with solar power you have to speculate why we don’t perform adequate actions to make use of these so called alternative energy. Solar power could be used for nearly anything and it costs only a fraction of what you are paying for your power bill in a full year. Make use of solar power and make a difference not only to your power expenses but also to the environment.
At times when calamities or bad weather strikes the country, often we are left without power for a day but occasionally more. When these things come about we are so accustomed to our technological conveniences that we have a tough time adjusting our routines and going back to the basics as we are at ease with loading the dishwasher to wash the dishes, flipping on a light switch, using the microwave, taking a shower or bath and just press buttons and wait that the water be pumped and heated the same as it always is, washing and drying clothes through a machine. All of these services have need of the power to be on and once it is off is when you realize how useful back-up energy is. On the other hand, when you use solar power you are less prone to experience these paralyzing events for the reason that your power is produced through natural energy.
First Things First
In order to heat your home using solar energy; you have to understand the information on the types of solar homes which are a passive and an active home. These two types of solar homes gives the homeowner choices to choose from and cost of heating may perhaps be lesser. Solar energy does not only heat your home but it as well heats your water, charge your cell phones or iPods and if you use solar energy to supply electricity for your lights it can illuminate your entire home at nighttime.
Active homes alternatively do utilize gadgets and tools to assist circulate the heat in the home. A few of the devices that may be used are pumps, blowers and an alternative heating source or device in case that the sunlight was not sufficient throughout the daytime. In order to heat the home with sunlight these active homes use unique boxes placed outside so that it draws the sun rays to it. These boxes are commonly known as solar panels. They are made from a silicon material with a dark colored glass and metal frame to facilitate collecting the sun’s energy more.
Best Renewable Energy Resource
What we must depend on in the future is renewable resources. These resources are every single one of the resources that gives us an unlimited and abundant supply. They can be recharged and permits us to have the benefit of them repeatedly. The renewable resources consist of Solar, Wind, Biomass, Hydrogen, Geothermal, Ocean, and Hydropower. We require all of these and at present only solar energy is the easiest and cheapest among them to be obtained and maintained. So if you consider renewable energy resource, try using solar and be a living witness of how renewable energy can make a difference in our lives.…