Solar Energy Predictions for 2011
Solar Energy Predictions for 2011
2009 and 2010 were great years for the solar energy industry. This is rather odd when you think about it. Why? Well, nearly everything else was a complete disaster. So, will the good times continue in 2011 or will the solar energy industry start to reflect what is happening in the real economy? Let’s get to our predictions for 2011.
2011 is going to be a bumpy year for solar energy. There is no other way to view it and manufacturers are already more than a bit nervous. Is solar going out of favor with consumer? Are we going back to oil and coal? Has President Obama turned his back on alternative energy? I don’t know the answers to these questions, but I do know they are not at the heart of the problems for solar in 2011.
The problem is simple – oversupply. Solar energy has had so much momentum the last few years that every Tom, Dick and Harry has moved into the field. We now are looking at a supply rate that is forecast to be twice the demand level in 2011. This is a classic formula for price drops and the contraction of the industry.
As if things weren’t going to be rough enough, additional developments are pointing to an even slacker demand. Much of the solar panel sales explosion has occurred because state and federal government provides financial incentives to help people deal with the initial cost of panel systems. The economic collapse has slashed tax revenues, so governments are now slashing these incentives. That will weaken demand even further, a real shock to the system.
What about consumers? Solar will be a mixed bag in 2011 for us as well. There will not be nearly as many incentives to help us with purchases. That being said, the good news is a glut of panel systems should lead to some incredibly low prices on home systems. This will be particularly true as manufacturers fail, merge and try to get rid of inventory.
The solar energy industry got off lightly through the years of the Great Recession. That is about to change in 2011.…
A Green Thinkers List of Solar Energy Benefits
A Green Thinkers List of Solar Energy Benefits
There are usually two types of people when it comes to green products. There are the people who know little to nothing about it, and there are the people who are extremely passionate about them. This list of solar energy benefits is an attempt to bring a happy medium of awareness to those who know little to nothing about solar energy.
The first benefit is that solar power is a renewable resource. As long as the sun is in the sky we will be able to make use of its energy. You can’t say that about other traditional methods which might run out. Even trees which may be re-planted are being consumed faster than we can renew them.
Fossil fuels have an unfortunate side effect of releasing things like carbon dioxide, carcinogens or greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Solar power does not have this negative environmental effect. Noise pollution is also caused by other renewable energy resources, but this is not the case with solar energy cells.
More solar power benefits occur because the fact solar panels are very dependable. They do not frequently move so replacing parts is generally minimal. When it comes down to numbers, a few thousand hours of energy generation can occur with very little or even no maintenance.
Solar energy power also include those that involve money. You don’t have just one single company producing one type of solar energy panel. You can get ones that cost in the ten thousands and others in the hundreds. This means your budget doesn’t restrict you, you can start off going solar with any type of budget.
The original outlay of solar panels isn’t the only financial concern when taking advantage of solar panels, the long run shows that solar electricity is less expensive than getting it from the power company. Once your equipment is installed, it starts paying itself off. After you break even, you then see money back in your pocket!
You don’t necessarily stop there either. Most power companies want to buy your excess power also. You need to get in touch with your local power company for full details, but it would be exciting to have them pay you for energy they use! If you don’t want to contact them, you don’t have to: your solar energy benefits include the luxury of living off the grid.
Solar energy methods and equipment is constantly being researched and improving. With the increasing interest in solar energy alternatives costs are decreasing; solar products are becoming more mainstream and a variety of different solar energy products means that consumers have the option of going as green as they want to.
While there are a number of activists out there who want everything to be as ecologically friendly as possible, we live in a society where we are accustomed to some comforts, but by realizing the advantages, and know that solar energy benefits aren’t an all or nothing scenario, everyone can start going a little more green.…
What Is Solar Photovoltaic Technology?
What Is Solar Photovoltaic Technology?
Understanding Photovoltaic Cells
Photovoltaic cells, also referred to as solar cells, have a basic process that takes sunlight and convert it into electricity. Discovered in 1954, scientists found that silicon could be used to make an electric charge, if it was exposed to direct sunlight. Technology advanced, and with it solar cells were soon powering satellites, and even our most basic commodity; a watch or calculator. In today’s high tech world people now use these cells to power their homes, businesses, and utilities companies are now taking PV technology even further, by using this technology for power stations.
First generation solar panels that are used in businesses and homes, will normally use modules that hold as many as 40 cells. In order to provide electrical needs for an average home, one would need to use 10 – 20 panels, that are fixed at an angle; usually south. Some will use a mount design, that allows for a tracking device, that then moves with the sun, allowing for optimum sunlight to hit the panels. When you combine panels together you’ll hear them referred to as a solar array. Large solar arrays are most often used to power electric utility companies, or large industrial complexes. When interconnected, these solar arrays enable large PV systems to power thousands of homes and buildings combined.
As stated earlier, these cells are made from silicon, often found in sand, and are considered to be one of the most efficient types of solar panels. Cells that are second generation are comprised of amorphous silicon and nonsilicon materials. These cells are thin film cells, use semiconductor materials, and their thickness is measured in micrometers. Their flexibility and thinness gives them the appearance of house tiles or shingles, thereby making them a perfect choice for roofs, tiles, glazing on skylights and building facades.
Third generation cells are made from a variety of materials. Inks used in printing press technology, conductive plastics, and solar dyes are the main ones currently being produced. As technology continues to advance in this field, we’re seeing solar cells using lenses made of plastic or mirrors, as a way to concentrate and enhance rays from the sun, into smaller than ever and more efficient PV materials. Although more expensive to purchase, less panels need to be used, thus making them a cost effective option for industrial uses, and for whole utility company usage. Concentrating collectors that use lenses have the drawback, that they are only suitable for some areas where there is a higher concentration of sun yearlong.
As we head into the future, it’s expected that solar technology will accelerate at an amazing pace, due to solar technology advancing and becoming smaller every year. Currently many homes are using this technology, as are businesses, but as solar become smaller and more affordable, prices will continue to drop, thus enabling the average homeowner to afford this new technology and go off-grid or sell power back to the grid.
The National Center for Photovoltaic offers information on all the latest research in solar cell PV technology, and currently supports the DOE SunShot Initiative, that plans to have large scale solar systems, that are cost effective by 2020. Everblue Courses are designed to teach about home energy efficiency and create knowledgeable technicians for the coming expansion of sustainable energy.…
More Solar Projects Are Sprouting Up In The Agriculture-Rich San Joaquin Valley
More Solar Projects Are Sprouting Up In The Agriculture-Rich San Joaquin Valley
Agriculture is a $20 billion per year industry in the San Joaquin Valley, and farmers there are the most efficient in the world. But that kind of production comes with a power price tag.
Water pumps, refrigeration and other farm-related uses accounted for 13% and 11% of the total electricity consumed in Fresno and Kern counties respectively in 2009, according to the California Energy Commission. So, it makes sense that growers would be interested in reducing their power bills.
In Delano, grape grower Castle Rock Vineyards recently installed a solar-energy system to power its 280,000-square-foot cold-storage facility – shaving at least $233,000 from its power bills annually.
The system was installed by REC Solar, which featured a profile of the project from Renewable Energy World on its Web site. Castle Rock Vineyards received a federal tax credit, state rebate and bank financing to pay for the 1.1 megawatt system – and is additional proof that clean energy has a place down on the farm.
The system is projected to offset more than 63 million pounds of CO2 emissions, equivalent to removing 6,112 cars from the road, over the next 20 years.
Castle Rock has vineyards in central and southern San Joaquin Valley and in Coachella, near Palm Springs.
With abundant sun, ample land and easy access to the grid, the San Joaquin Valley is considered ripe for solar projects. In fact, Southern California Edison announced today that it inked power-purchase contracts for more than 800 megawatts of power with SunPower Corp. of San Jose and Fotowatio Renewable Ventures of San Francisco that will be created, in part, from projects in Los Banos in Merced County and Arvin and Lamont, both in Kern County.
That is enough power for more than 460,000 average-sized California homes.
A Southern California Edison spokesman said solar is coming of age, making it more economical for utilities committed to increasing their clean-energy portfolio. “This is an important turning point…,” said utility vice president Marc Ulrich in a statement. “The advances in photovoltaic technology, couple with economies of scale, enable SCE to provide Californians with a large-scale power plant’s worth of emission-free energy at a competitive price.”
The contracts include 110 megawatts in Los Banos, scheduled to be operational by year-end 2014; 60 megawatts in Lamont, scheduled to go on-line by Dec. 31, 2013; and 20 megawatts in Arvin, slated to be operational by Sept. 30, 2013.…
Solar Energy: Here Are A Few Essential Things You Must Know Before Building Solar Panels
Solar Energy: Here Are A Few Essential Things You Must Know Before Building Solar Panels
So, you think it’s time to make your own solar energy generator to cut bills or have a non polluting energy source for your home. Before you begin you need to know how it works.
Solar energy is made by rays of sun that reach earth in just a few minutes after they leave the Sun’s surface covering the distance of 93 million miles in a few minutes. After all, light travels with the speed of light. The atmosphere absorbs most of this energy and one third of the sunlight is reflected back into space. What remains is what we can use to create energy.
Did you know that the biggest solar battery on our planet is Earth itself? It absorbs about 174,000 billion kilowatts (kW) from the Sun every 60 minutes? All in all, by now you should know that the light produced on one square meter during a cloudless summer afternoon, is generating about 1000 watts.
Unfortunately, most of this energy is wasted. The energy that does not go to waste gives birth to the winds and sustains life. Plants use it to generate oxygen, animals and human beings need it to strengthen their organisms.
However, we have reached that moment in our evolution where we can harvest more energy from the Sun. You must know that the types of solar energy are direct or indirect, active or passive.
Direct solar energy is created when sunlight is striking a solar cell directly and electricity is generated immediately. It directly transforms, without any other process.
On the other hand, indirect solar energy needs one more step to change sunlight into useable energy. It’s the case of hydroelectric generators and wind generators, transforming solar-caused wind, rain and other climatic interactions into power.
We can change sunlight into some other type of energy by:
Solar thermal processes: Sun energy is changed into heat. During this process, the sun’s heat is absorbed by solar panels which then heat water which can be used to heat buildings. The solar panels are often placed on the roof or somewhere where they have more sunlight, and are introduced afterwards into a system of tubes called "thermal collectors" to the heating source.
Photovoltaic processes: Unlike the solar thermal systems, through this process, photovoltaic cells absorb the sun’s light and not its warmth, so sunlight is changed into electricity. They are viewed as the future of power generating technologies and are often silicon-based pieces of material. Solar panels are built of many of such cells, put together.…
Solar Decathlon House You Can Eat
Solar Decathlon House You Can Eat
Sounds crazy doesn’t it? But that’s exactly what is being accomplished in this year’s US Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon 2011.
The Solar Decathlon which originated in 2002, occurs over a two year period and challenges collegiate teams to design and build houses that operate on solar power.
They must be attractive, cost effective, and most certainly, energy efficient and affordable.
Twenty teams from around the world, including the US, Belgium, China, and New Zealand are participating, creating a competition that is diverse both geographically and academically.
One of the most unique projects ever conceived will be presented by the University of Maryland this year. They call it the Watershed house and its design incorporates the use of a mini eco-system that captures and fully utilizes the energy from the sun, wind, rain, and even the household waste that contains valuable energy and nutritional resources. Also included in it’s design is an edible wall, although not a support wall I’m sure.
The house is laid out with two rectangular sections that are parallel to each other with the two outside opposing walls built higher which creates a roof that looks somewhat like a butterfly. The roof is designed for maximum sunlight and rainwater capture.
The structure itself is actually quite attractive and features:
– A roof top array of photovoltaic solar panels;
– The latest “smart” technologies to control ventilation, humidity, temperature, and light;
– An edible wall connected with a beautiful garden;
– Modern building materials that are pleasant to the eye.
Amy Gardner, an associate professor of architecture at the University of Maryland says: “Our goal for Watershed is to produce an eco-system whose efficiency comes from the interconnectedness of building, site, and the people who inhabit them”.
This is the fourth time a Maryland team has made it to the finals. In 2002, they took fourth place with a residentially designed house that demonstrated the practicality of using solar energy. The team improved on their solar house project in 2005 and received the People’s Choice Award, the BP Solar Innovation Award, and a Safety Award honorable mention. In the 2007 competition, their LEAFHouse was the best in the US and placed second overall, winning the People’s Choice Award. They also gained some industry recognition as they received the ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers) award for “Integration for Renewables for Sustainable Living” and the NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) Marketing Curb Appeal First Place Award.
Students can focus their attention and sharpen their skills by taking courses offered in Architecture, Agriculture, and Engineering by UM beginning in the fall 2009 and concluding in the fall 2011. There are plenty of extracurricular activities where volunteers can help also.
Students come from a variety of fields of study including architecture, architectural landscaping, and environmental science and technology. They are accompanied by a very divers faculty as well. As Gardner puts it: “This year, the project will benefit from the UM tradition of an integrated, inter-generational team, with voices both fresh and seasoned, encompassing a depth and breadth of mentors and students from varied disciplines.”
All of the finalists will have their projects on display at the National Mall beginning in October 2011. The National Mall is located in Washington DC and the site of the Decathlon is usually in close proximity to the Washington Monument.
Let me suggest that you take a tour with family or friends if you have some extra time or happen to be in the area. It is a free event and one that I’m sure will fascinate you while giving some valuable information with regard to our solar energy future as well.…
Solar Energy Home and All Details on This Energy Alternative
Solar Energy Home and All Details on This Energy Alternative
People started to understand the idea behind usage of solar power and started using them for their homes and offices successfully. Solar energy home is one of the best energy green homes of the future green world. Many people think orientation towards solar energy is a costly affair. But this is totally wrong and one can see many budget friendly solutions in them with effective working to the needs. All the solar power designs are offers heating, cooling and natural light very effectively to these great green world solar energy homes. The solar electricity is capable to run your electrical appliances, solar water heating provides household water needs like cooking, laundry and showers. All these needs can be accomplished easily within your budget through many available solar power options.
All these days we all depended on many equipments for our needs as heating, cooling and natural light, But no longer we need to depend on those equipments and passive solar design is capable enough in supplying these all through natural ways in your solar energy homes. This way one can control his usage of energy and in turn you can control releasing carbon and few wastes. This energy alternate is purely through immediate environment and safe on you and planet too. Little construction material with latest green world technology can provide you heat by trapping sun’s heat during winter and it blocks the heat during summer. This way one gain all benefits naturally without depending on any equipment or electrical appliances and which is a great saving of energy too.
Solar energy homes are fully functional through solar electricity. This can be generated through solar panels by absorbing sunlight and converting the same into required format of electricity. Here an inverter will be used as an interface in converting the produced AC current into DC current.…
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.…