Home Solar Panels Buying Tips
Home Solar Panels Buying Tips
If you want to reduce your household’s expenses, while ensuring you bring down your carbon footprint, investing in a set of home solar panels can be a good decision to make. Photovoltaic cells have come a long way since the first designs were made more than three decades ago. Now they have become a ubiquitous sight on our streets and homes.
There is now a lot of interest in residential solar energy systems. As the efficiency of the PV cells has increased, and the costs have come down, it is an option that is now being considered and chosen by hundreds of thousands of families. Though there is an obvious expense when purchasing and installing the panels, the savings that can be made in the long term are huge. Over a number of years the system pays for itself, and also offers the option of selling surplus electricity back to the national grid for a handsome profit.
Before you start contacting the various retailers and installation firms, it is worth understanding the differences between solar power systems. By doing so you should be able to ensure your money is invested in the most productive way.
Perhaps the biggest question, is whether to choose this alternative energy source to power your complete home, or simply to offset your demand on the national grid. Many households now choose to become self sufficient in energy. You can calculate how many panels you would require by analyzing the amount of units of electricity you have used in the last month and then comparing this with the amount of energy that can be produced by the latest PV cells, and also factoring in the amount of sunlight received on an average basis in your region.
One of the great aspects about a solar energy system is that they are completely scalable, this means that you can add more panels to the set up as and when your demands require. This allows for you to gradually increase the amount of renewable energy you use over the months and years as opposed to making a big switch at the initial stage.
It is also important to think careful about how the energy that is created will be stored. You will need to invest in an array of batteries, these can also vary considerably in design and specification. Find out which batteries can hold their charge for the longest and require the least amount of maintenance.…
Living Off the Grid – Your Vision Can Be Realized
Living Off the Grid – Your Vision Can Be Realized
Living off the grid is a dream for lots people. The idea of being able to reduce the damage being done to the earth and to be able to live in accord with the natural environment and at the same time to have more affordable energy bills would be amazing.
The main impediment to many people realizing their vision of using only alternative energy is the cost, which means being able to come up with the money is outside the scope of many households, as well there is the question of where to start? Well just continue and we will answer your questions.
To start let us remind ourselves of the cost of an integrated solar and wind turbine retail system, planned and fitted for you commercially it would be in the region of twenty five thousand to around thirty thousand dollars.
OK! I will just give you a moment to catch your breath, before I proceed to explain that in the last few years there has been a terrific growth in the know how available to you that will allow you to make your own DIY green energy systems at a small percentage of the retail cost. There are lots of online kits that will show you with step by step instructions, using lots of parts from the local hardware store. So by doing the initial planning – following the guides, utilizing the your new found know-how – from the guides, the capacity to source parts at low prices – from the guides, and using your own labor – following the guides, will enable you to save $1000’s on your build and installation costs, when you use the info kits.
I have placed links through my site at the bottom of the page, to some of the best kits obtainable for instant download, they all have money back guarantees, so you cannot loose. They all include step by step written instructions, video footage enabling you actually see how a thingamabob looks like and how to fit it, wiring plans, wind charts, Energy Tax Rebate forms, parts lists, advice on where to buy the parts, online help desk and did I mention a money back guarantee.
So let’s get started with your dream of “living off the grid”.
Ease of construction – The wind and solar energy building and fitting instructions must be in plain English with simple logical step by step guides that people with restricted or no previous know-how will be able to understand. Online help desk for any queries you could have with the build.
Good Energy Savings – The recommended Information packs all give considerable energy savings.
Affordable and Realistic costing – I have endeavored to make sure that every product gets you to an entry level system for as little as $150. So you can begin to make a contribution to your energy usage with your new zero cost energy and expand it at your own speed utilizing the savings you will make, until you reach the stage when you are “living off the grid”.
Money Back Guarantee* – The guides publishers’ must all offer a one hundred percent “no questions asked” money back guarantee.
*I have recommended only information packs with a cast iron money back guarantee, I do not believe that, once you see the quality, you will need the guarantee, but it IS there if you decide for whatever reason to return the product.
I look forward to hearing from you when you get your system up and running and hopefully you will be “living off the grid.”…
Solar Panel DIY – You Can Make Your Own Solar Energy
Solar Panel DIY – You Can Make Your Own Solar Energy
Building a solar panel is a lot easier than you might think. There are many DIY guides and kits that allow anyone to build their very own solar energy solutions, no matter how skilled or unskilled they might be when it comes to building things and using tools. Too many people think they have to pay a lot of money for panels and professional installation or that they have to be mechanically inclined to build their own. Neither of these things is true. With the right research and effort, anyone can build their own solar energy solutions and start saving money immediately.
You will need glass, wiring, screws and hardware, plywood, and solar cells for a basic panel construction. The exact tools and pieces that you need will be outlined in the guide that you choose to work with, but these are the basic essentials. Once you have gotten all the materials that you need from your local hardware store or an online store, you can then begin the construction process. You will need to make sure that you follow the rules accordingly so that you don’t accidentally mess up the construction and ruin the effectiveness of your panels.
Anyone can make their own solar energy panel if they are willing to invest the effort. It can be a great way to save money and decrease your impact on synthetic materials that aren’t good for the environment. With the right type of panel and enough time, you might even be able to completely eliminate your need for the electric company because your panels are so effective. Take the time to research the process and figure out what you need to do so that you can utilize alternative energy solutions like this.
When you are building a panel, you will want to be sure that you are very deliberate and precise in the way that you build things. There is no limit to the energy that you can collect with panels, but you have to be willing to take the time to find the right guide or kit for your needs. Even if you’ve never worked with tools or built anything, you can find a guide to help you build a panel with ease. Don’t get discouraged because you think that you cannot afford solar energy or that you don’t have the skill to build a panel. If you invest the time to research, you will likely realize that you have more access to alternative energy than you thought.…
Busting Solar Energy Myths – It’s Too Expensive!
Busting Solar Energy Myths – It’s Too Expensive!
The cost of production of solar energy components is rapidly getting cheaper and cheaper, but yet the cost to install a residential solar energy system still seems to be prohibitive – or is it?
Smoke And Mirrors
The U.S. government has historically provided subsidies to traditional (i.e. mature) energy sources such as coal and nuclear power. The subsidies provided to renewable sources are about 100 times less, thus making it seem much more expensive than, in fact, it really is, compared to the sources mentioned above. A serious case of behind-the-scenes smoke and mirrors.
Will Your Utility Bill Get Cheaper?
The short answer is a resounding “No”. As the supply of traditional fossil fuels decreases, so the cost of accessing those fuels increases, and those increased costs are then passed on to you, the situation will only get worse, and the costs will continue to escalate. Since 1970, utility rates have increased annually an average of 5.5%. Not only that, but paying your utility bill will never provide you with any equity. it’s more like a variable interest rate loan that can never be paid off and whose rate continually increases.
Hidden Costs Of Traditional Electricity Sources
The federal subsidies make traditional electricity sources look like a great deal. But, what about the intangible costs, or the costs not readily apparent? Did you know that the cost of these subsidies is covered by the income the government garners from your income taxes? Other hidden costs include increased pollution, damage to the environment and natural habitats, increased health care costs due to the effects of the increased pollution, etc.
If all these hidden costs are taken into account, renewable energy begins to look like a much more attractive proposition.
States To The Rescue
More and more states are answering the call to increase their presence in the solar energy field by providing substantial rebates for new installations. California is one of the leading lights in this area, with the California Solar Initiative providing rebates depending on the expected performance of any new solar installation. These rebates go a long way to leveling the energy playing field.
Hidden Benefits Of Solar Energy
While certain benefits of installing a solar electric system may be obvious (reduced, or eliminated, electricity bill; environmental benefits), others may not be so obvious. For example, did you know that having a solar electric system installed on your home may well increase the equity value of that home? This alone could cover the cost of installing a system, should you ever need to sell your home.
Even though awareness of the problems caused by carbon emissions and the dangers presented by global warming is increasing, adoption of solar and renewable energies is taking place slower than is desirable. The cause is generally attributed to myths and misinformation regarding renewable energy and solar energy in particular, the primary myth being that solar is far too expensive. Hopefully, the facts presented here will lay that myth to rest and open the door to wider acceptance of and investment in solar and renewable energy.…
Residential Solar Electric – Free Electricity For Your Home
Residential Solar Electric – Free Electricity For Your Home
To aid us to trim current energy needs, we can tap into the suns power in many applications. There are a few systems on the marketplace that will turn the suns heat into use able energy to supply hot water for a household.
These systems only involve a few small solar panels on the roof to furnish you with unlimited free hot water. Additional systems provides light for your homes interior using average natural sunlight which lowers your monthly bill and cuts out the demand for artificial luminance. Further methods to get costless heat for your homes interior is to have your place face due south and the emplacement of big windows allowing the sun to enter and heat the homes walls and floors.
The warm walls and floors will then relinquish heat in the evenings allowing a moderate temperature all year using only sunlight. Electrical solar energy has gained wide spread interest in modern years as an substitute source of free strength from the sun. This technology takes the light the sun provides and converts it into useful electricity for your domicile. For decades this technology has been use able but only lately has it been so widely accepted. The reasoning is obvious which is much better pricing and much improved efficiency.
Today these systems furnish a frugal way for the medium householder to create their own electrical solar energy from the sun and never have to submit another electricity bill again. The electrical solar energy systems chief factor is the solar panel. This solar panel is responsible for converting the suns luminance into electricity through a accumulation of solar cells located within the solar panels. The process of photovoltaics is the precept that these solar cells use that does the changeover, and over the years have made huge improvements. The photovoltaic outcome occurs when particular materials are placed in straight sunlight and yield a small electrical current as a result.
Even while this current may be extremely small, when a number of these cells are connected together in a solar panel, they can generate quite a bit of ability. The electrical requirements of most homes demand to have a number of solar panels containing these solar cells to yield them the electrical yield that is needed. These solar panels render DC electricity which is a component of the transition process.
Our homes work on AC current and the DC current from the solar panels is converted to AC current that may be used by us through the usage of an inverter. An inverter will substitute the solar panels current through to the homes electrical system for everyday use. The inverter will also send some of this power to a battery bank if you resolve to place one to charge these batteries for employ in the evenings when the sun has set and the solar panels are inactive. The battery banks that had been recharged from the electric solar energy system will render electricity in the evenings.
Every one of these parts are in all the residential solar electric systems and connected together to yield you all the energy your home can practice.
The bulk of the parts needed to render this costless energy can be installed by yourself. A qualified electrician should be hired to make all the final connections to meet local electrical codes and safety requirements. When your new residential solar electric method is installed you can render all the power you demand for years with really little care.…
Green Living – How Solar Panels Work And The Benefits Of Using Them
Green Living – How Solar Panels Work And The Benefits Of Using Them
I was staring at approximately the 50 houses as I was walking up my street in sunny Southern California and it struck me, “Why wouldn’t every house have solar panels? And if they did, we would have an abundance of energy and be free of the tyranny that exists around our dependence of oil.
Once you understand how solar energy is harnessed, you will find it very easy to see the benefits of green solar energy. Thermal and Light are the two types of green solar energy that exist.
1) Thermal energy is considered “passive”. An example would be capturing solar energy from the materials and design of the building when it was constructed. Specifically, the building would be built to integrate south facing windows with materials that would capture and retain the heat, hence reducing your energy needs because your structure is more efficient. Another example would be using the thermal energy produced by the sun to heat water for solar hot water systems.
2) Light energy is considered “active” and is produced immediately from the rays of the sun. The sun’s light and radiation is captured by solar panels to create electricity.
The current motivation and popular reason to use green solar energy today is for saving money. The relatively higher initial costs of these systems generally pay for themselves over a few years.
The newly installed systems provide supplemental electricity and often all of the electricity for your home. Business are taking advantage of this as well.
One of the most cost effective ways to capitalize on these benefits is building your own solar panels. In conjunction with the many government rebate programs, refunds and net metering (where you sell your unused electricity back to the power company) make it very advantageous and directly reduce the cost of implementing a green solar energy system. One of the best advantages is green solar energy systems require little to no maintenance after they are installed.
The real benefit and probably most important of utilizing green solar energy is the significantly reduced impact on the environment. Climate changes have been scientifically linked to the increased storms, polar ice caps melting and other issues caused by global warming. Green energy provides a clean energy alternative as it creates little pollution and reduces our dependence on fossil fuels.
Solar systems can be used by homes and businesses alike. If going solar cannot meet all of your energy needs, it can certainly reduce them. Utilizing green solar energy can save you money, but its greatest benefit is to the environment and our future.
Look out for my next article discussing alternative green energy sources including sun, wind and water and how you can save money by harnessing them.…
Free, Clean Energy With DIY Solar Panels
Free, Clean Energy With DIY Solar Panels
Do you dread opening your power bill? Are you one of the millions of people who’ve seen a steady increase in both the amount and cost of power used? The fact of the matter is that most homeowners have seen a consistent upward trend in power usage, thanks both to the increased number of appliances and gadgets in the average home as well as the ever-expensive cost of power itself. It’s enough to make a person swear off electronics and join a commune! Before you pack your bags and throw away your gadgets, there is some good news: Energy experts have long predicted the growing cost of power as well as its increasing scarcity, which is why they have emphasized the use of renewable resources to combat this syndrome. There’s a growing list of energy alternatives, but the most practical and accessible option is DIY solar energy.
Solar panels offer a simple, effective, and clean method of providing energy at a marginal cost. By utilizing photovoltaic cells, solar panels capture the heat of sunlight and turn it into real, usable power that is channeled into your home’s power system, reducing your dependence on traditional energy sources. There are a multitude of companies that manufacture DIY solar panel installation kits that make it fast and easy to install your own solar power generator, and you don’t have to be a genius to make it work. The typical solar power kit comes with the panel itself already manufactured, so all that is required of you is to simply install it onto your roof. Once in place, the DIY solar panel begins capturing energy from the sun immediately and converting it into power that can be used to run your iPod, television, and even refrigerator! The minor drawback of solar power is that it is dependent on sunlight, so if you live in an area that is prone to cloudiness and rain, you can expect a somewhat lessened amount of generated power, but don’t let that discourage you from solar panels. Even the smallest amount of clean energy helps reduce pollution and your power bill, and small steps really add up over time.
Whether you’re a clean energy enthusiast or just a regular Joe looking to cut back on energy usage, DIY solar energy is a realistic solution to your needs. As the cost of manufacturing solar power decreases and becomes more readily available, it’s more likely than ever that entire cities and states will switch over to the clean, free energy available from the sun. Be ahead of the crowd, and install your solar panel today!…
Solar Energy Home – Methods And Preparations To Lessen Your Expenditures
Solar Energy Home – Methods And Preparations To Lessen Your Expenditures
The area of your residence will certainly play a considerable part in your quest to make a solar energy home. To ensure that solar energy works, your own solar panels should get the sun’s rays. Not just the positioning of your panels is vital, but the area of your house because landscaping can also play a role in the quantity of power you can take from the sun.
Solar systems don’t require the use of water supply to be able to make electricity; simple fact, solar-thermal technologies may tap local water supply, and the water can be re-used when it has been condensed from vapor into water. Solar energy is transformation of the sun rays to electric energy.
A solar power cell, frequently called a solar power cell or PV, is a technology utilized to change solar instantly in to power. Shaded areas, such as partly shaded, are usually not perfect for solar installation.
Solar panels usually are devices which converts sun rays directly into electrical energy. These tools are usually referred to as solar power panels, since sun light is the often the main supply of power used. Solar panels can easily be acquired with a couple of methods, professionally or maybe homemade.
To put this simply, your own solar panel collects the suns energy that is definitely transformed in to electricity for one’s home. Solar panels are geared up to create a flow of electrons, in other terms, electrical power, as they accumulate protons from the sun, which usually displace neutrons in the electrical energy process.
Solar panels come in either flexible and hard types. Any versatile types are generally ideal for light, irregular utilization and are usually not high-priced. Solar energy panels are generally able to harness the energy acquired through the sunlight.
Consequently, the use of solar power panels is definitely environment friendly. Solar panel technology panels, also referred to as photovoltaic (PV) panels, usually are made of material that concentrate the sun’s rays. Whenever the sun’s rays affect a PV panel, the energy is absorbed by the solar panel.Solar energy panels are usually made of special materials, usually silicon, called semiconductors.
A solar energy home can certainly be obtained with four various types of solar panel technology power; passive solar, thermal solar, photovoltaics and thin film. Passive solar along with thermal modifications do not require the use of solar panel technology panels and are therefore the most cost efficient technique to get a solar energy home.
Setting solar right now indicates cash saved eventually. Setting up a photovoltaic solar energy collection and distribution technique to your residence costs less than you may believe and this will commence saving you money coming from the very first time you have it. If you spend two hundred dollars a month on conventional electrical costs, that can definitely decreased with solar energy.
Check with your electric company and check out if you can acquire green energy. Check DSIRE to see exactly what your state, regional, and federal bonuses that encourage eco-friendly energy and also energy efficacy may be. A number of states give superior incentives than others, and if you are one of those lucky individuals who reside in New-Jersey, you might absolutely want to check out a lot more into a solar residence. Check out into the government and state incentives. Check into simply how much better it is to the ecosystem.…
Putting Solar Energy To Work – More Than Just Panels
Putting Solar Energy To Work – More Than Just Panels
Two exceptions I’ll note here from the beginning, nuclear and geothermal energy, the sun account for all the forms of energy in the world. Biomass,wind, waves, biofuels, and hydroelectric power all are examples of indirect forms of solar energy. If we look at the ones that aren’t nonrenewable forms of energy, like for example coal, natural gas, and petroleum are really indirect forms of energy. The reason for this is they are derived from organic matter made by the sun.
In the other hand, direct forms of solar energy can be used as the energy gets to us. Some people like to build skylights in there homes (called daylighting). But let’s focus on the two that matter to us: solar electric and solar thermal, basically they are what produce heat and electricity.
Two ways to capture thermal energy
The two types of solar thermal systems to capture the energy of the sun, active and passive. In the active solar thermal, solar panels capture the sun’s energy as heat when it gets pass the collector and transfers that heat into fluid. The fluid moves through the collectors by a fan or circulator, it can be used immediately or stored for later.
Passive solar systems work a little different, it captures the sun’s energy as it enters a building without a circulator or a fan. When it’s inside the home, the heat can be stored in the mass the building and spread between conduction, convection, or radiation, or even forced means, such as fans.
Home Solar Panels
So we know that electric and thermal provide energy in our homes. Most of the thermal panels for homes uses are of the flat-plate type. Evacuated-tube panels also are used but, they’re not as common. Solar panels or PV or photovoltaic panels or whatever you call them, are all flat-plate type. You can get flat-plate style glazed or unglazed versions. The difference is the unglazed are flexible the glazed, firm. Regardless of which you go with, the semiconductor material of the cells has to well protected from moisture. The firm solar panels are encapsulated between glass on the part where the sun hits it, but on the back just vapor impassable material.
Flexible solar electric panels don’t have glass protection, but they have a transparent, UV-resistant protector to prevent damage to the cells.
So there you have it passive, active and all the home solar panels and how to put solar energy to work.…
Solar Lighting: Giving You the Right Choice
Solar Lighting: Giving You the Right Choice
Preserving our nature is the least we can do to make our life worthy. As human beings, it is our primary duty to take good care of the surrounding where we live. Without this environment, where else do you think we live? So, before everything gets burned, make a choice now. One of the options that you can do to preserve the natural environment is to avail the solar lighting products. Get to know the benefits of it to make a wise decision.
1. The common problem in rural areas is the lack of light sources at night. Usually, works stop at six o’clock in the evening because of the darkness after the sun sets. But according to some studies, villages that use solar lighting had observed progress in their economic activity and status since workdays were extended to nighttime because they had used the solar powered lights.
2. Also, try the solar lanterns as an alternate to the kerosene lamps. Do you know that when you use that kerosene lamp, you are endangering yourself and your family? Yes, base on the estimates of the World Bank, 780 million children and women that breathe kerosene fumes inhale two packs of cigarettes a day. So, why settle for a light source that would benefit you now and make you suffer later.
3. Another danger that kerosene lamps give you is fire hazard. Make yourself be known to the safety that solar lights give, that kerosene, gasoline, and diesel fuel that are stored for lamp use cannot give.
4. It is far better to study with solar lights than with the lamps. It is better and easier to read with solar lights than with the candles that might burn your books if you mess up with it.
5. Solar electricity is at its best for the developing countries. It will make them save money from purchasing the conventional power with the power distributor. It is cheaper and available in every place where sun appears. All you need is the sunlight and it is free everywhere. You just need the equipment to make use of it.
6. Just in. Use of solar electric systems may help reduce the chances of worsening the local air pollution. When you refrain from using kerosene lamps, you also lessen the effects of air pollution and that is a big step for preserving the nature.
Those are just six of the many benefits that you can get from using solar lights. Once you started using it, you will be discovering more onsets that you never expected from these light instruments. Hence, make a choice.…