For years scientists have struggled to make large quantities of electricity from the sun's light. Unfortunately, it has not been as cost competitive to generate power for commercial buildings as with power generated from coal or natural gas. However, as early as 2007 energy companies are using miles of mirrors to gather the sun's heat instead. A thermal plant was built across 400 acres of desert outside of Boulder City Nevada in mid-2007. The companies who developed it will not disclose production costs but the Energy Department for the United States did subsidize it. Power generated from these solar thermal panels costs between 33% to 66% less than power generated in more traditional means.
New York launching solar energy incentive program Under the plan, people who add a photovoltaic system up to 10 kilowatts to their home or business will be eligible to have up to 50 percent of the installed cost paid for.
Solar panels produce electricity from sunlight. The first solar powered satellite was launched in 1958 and until the late 70s solar panels were used to power space satellites, lights and small electronics like calculators and watches. The desire to decrease the cost of electricity as well as to increase independence from the corporate energy grid has pushed people to investigate solar power to provide alternate electricity. In the early 1990s Germany and Japan initiated a long-term installation program that resulted in lower costs for power and spur the growth of industry in both countries.
The solar energy movement was strong on the West Coast of the United States. In 2006 California made a major commitment by adopting an initiative with the goal of installing 3000 MW of panels on the equivalent of one million rooftops. The program started in 1998 but the long-term commitment will have a profound effect on the amount of solar energy installed in residential homes on the California coastline.
Solar panels are also used extensively in rural areas where the corporate utility grid is not available. These are called off grid solar power systems because they allow individual residential homes to maintain electrical power while not having to connect with the corporate electrical utility. Solar power systems which are connected in parallel to the corporate utility enable homes to solar power their homes and sell excess solar energy back to the corporate utility.
Solar panels work when sunlight hits the panel cells and directs the current through the inverter, which converts this direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). Solar electrical power, used by appliances, hot water heaters and air conditioners, is stored into backup batteries as direct current (DC). If there are no backup batteries and the electricity flows back into the corporate utility then the electricity meter will turn backwards.
Photovoltaic cells are the core of a solar power electrical system. They are made up of at least two layers of semi conductor material. One layer has a positive charge and the other layer has a negative charge. When the sunlight strikes the panel, photons from the light release electrons. The electrons, which are freed from the negative side of the semiconductor, float to the positive side. This produces an electrical current that flows in one direction, much like a battery. This electricity is called direct current (DC).
Solar panels will continue to produce power during overcast or cloudy days but the production will be decreased. Solar cells cannot supply power during the night but energy that was either stored in backup batteries or returned to the electrical utility can now be called upon to power the home.
Once these systems are installed the source of fuel is free and unlimited in the right areas of the world. There is little to no maintenance and since the government hasn't figured out a way to tax sunshine there are no current taxes to the system. With luke warm interest in developing alternate fuel systems that don't rely on fossil fuel the government is giving home owners a tax rebate on the installation of energy products that increase fuel efficiency.
The price of installing solar power home system has, very, slowly declined. The price in 2003 may have run around $75,000.00 but has since decreased to around $40,000.00 for the same sized home. The bigger the home, the more expensive the system. And, with the new government tax rebates on fuel-efficient products, the cost is reduced. But cost still remains an obstacle for most home owners.
Most Homeowners will need to get a loan to pay for the solar system but with government rebates and the decreased cost of fuel the system will soon pay for itself. However, no matter how soon or late the cost is recouped. The money spent on alternate energy is far wiser than spending on the corporate energy manipulators.
Before installing solar power panels on your roof be certain to inspect and repair any bad roof shingle. Once these solar panels are installed replacement or repair to the existing roof will be expensive.
- Global Solar Center: Serving both residential and commercial customers by providing free quotes detailing solar costs and incentives, and a marketplace for them to connect with quality installers.
- The Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy and Sustainable Living
- Earth4Energy.com: Step-by-step guide how to build your own solar panels for a fraction of retail cost.
- Solar Hot Water, Heating, and Cooling Systems Solar Hot Water, Heating, and Cooling Systems
- Greendiyenergy.com: Do It Yourself" Solar Guide.
- Introducing the Honeywell Wind Turbine. WT6500 Wind Turbine, Gearless Blade Tip System
- Build a Wind Generator - Wind Generator Plans
Yes you can do it!
- - - Peter Landy.
"Freedom, is not Free - - - Use it or Lose it "
Contact: landypeter@yahoo.com
