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Posts Tagged ‘solar energy panels’

During the year 170 Petawatts of energy rain down on the earth from the sun and around 80 Petawatts reach its surface. To better relate to how much energy this is, 40 Petawatts (80,000 trillion watts) or half a year’s worth is equal to all of the fossil fuels that we can ever extract from the earth. It is relatively cost free, doesn’t pollute the environment, and adds absolutely no CO2 or other “greenhouse gases. So if you live where the sun shines a lot you are ideally situated to make your own solar cell array and drastically reduce your electric bill while simultaneously doing your part to protect the environment for future generations.

Since we are burning up fossil fuel at a greater rate than further supplies can be discovered, it only makes sense to start turning to one of the most abundant energy sources available for free—solar energy. It is an alternative energy resource that still hasn’t been fully appreciated by a great many other countries which makes it a very practical option in the future. You can generate this energy when you make a solar cell panel that you install on or close to your house in such a manner as to catch as much sunshine as possible and convert it to electicity. You should count on needing 10 to 12 panels for every kilowatt of power.

The biggest drawback to using solar power is that it can only generate power during the day. The answer to this is to put an auxiliary system in place that will store the energy and then kick-in when the sun is not available. This comes in the form of deep cycle batteries which will provide power in the evening or during a brownout.

There are a lot of people who procrastinate about converting their home to solar energy fearing that they cost way too much and are too difficult to put up. They are fairly expensive if you have a professional install them but you might be surprised at how cheap and easy it is to install an alternative solar panel solution to that high monthly electric bill. If the sun shines a lot where you live and there aren’t trees or nearby mountains to block out the light, then you need to look into making your own solar panels and eliminating those high monthly power bills.

In California it is generally accepted that a house that converts to “green energy” is the same as removing two cars from the freeways. Solar cell arrays have additional pluses apart from their benefit to the environment. They require very little maintenance which saves you time and money. Moreover, solar cell arrays provide a pretty quick return on your investment making your system free after that. Solar energy makes so much sense as an option for alternative energy and you can dramatically cut costs while getting the enjoyment from building your own solar cell panel.

Solar energy panels are once again on the minds of consumers. More and more homes are looking to install solar energy panel systems to combat rising cost of fuel. Be cautious if you are considering doing it for your home. Do your research and read reviews. Electricity is dangerous. Ensure you get a kit that is made by certified professional. The last example of this specific phenomenon was apparent was in the early 70′s, when there was a crude oil trade embargo and hence, no gasoline. Substitute energies began to pop up here and there with many people jumping on the band wagon. As gasoline became plentiful again in the marketplace, alternative energy resources dropped off the radars of the average consumer once again. Now that 2009 is here, the common consumer is once again experiencing rising costs of oil and realizing that global warming will have a direct impact on their wallets. Renewable energy is back on the minds of the average consumer and, perhaps, this time for good.

Where did solar go?

Solar power for the home was a big seller during the energy crisis of the 70′s. Many houses found tri-pods of solar panels on their roofs gathering what power they could. These units were soon found across the world but were initially popular in Arizona where the consumers are environmentally sensitive. Unfortunately, the solar power cell of the 70′s just wasn’t all that cost-effective and cost quite a bit to put in and maintain. Demand for solar cells dropped during a time of large energy consumption as fossil fuel returned to the marketplace. However, the concept of solar energy was a solid one and the early adopters of this technology knew that it was way ahead of its time. Solar panels never went away; they just slid back into the laboratory to await solar panel 2.0.

Solar is back and ready

Today’s solar panel is not your father’s solar panel. Depending upon which type of energy you care to generate, electricity or hot water, today’s solar panel has come a very long way in the form of photovoltaic’s and will go further still. These cells, when combined into panel form, turn the suns rays (so-to-speak) right into power ready for use. They have also become more economical, environmentally sound, and extremely efficient. Today’s solar panel will sit almost anywhere and is quickly finding itself being turned into a panel the thickness of a nano particle. The technology of solar power is evolving at an aggressive pace and driving down costs to a more economical level.

Who are the people using solar energy panels?

As discussed, it will take a change in the purse strings to affect a change in consumer buying behavior. With a technology and paradigm shift on the order of solar panels it requires a solid leap forward in panel efficiency, costs of panels , associated elements and an increase in existing costs of fuel. When these factors reach a critical point, then solar panels will be found not just at the consumer level but at the corporate and industrial levels. This is simply because business moves its money where the costs-over time-are less. This is just good business. Solar panels are now, as in this past two years, become more cost effective for industry to use then to not use them over time.

Why solar panels now?

Solar panels are now being used primarily because fuel costs are just too high to ignore in favor of a new technology that is worth checking out. Companies have available empty roof space and the choice of trying something on a larger scale to see if it works versus continuing to pay higher fuel bills and environmental costs. The whole concept is extremely self serving. This does not involve environmental consideration. Companies that choose to not use solar energy panels face air clean-up costs as well as fuel expenses. They put the solar energy panels through testing to see if they work now. If they do, the company can; commit to a full solar panel program with even more efficient solar panels, significantly reduce fuel costs and almost eliminate air cleaning needs along the way. There is not much environmental about it. It’s simply excellent business sense. Consumers will jump on the solar energy panel bandwagon after demands starts to skyrocket because only then will the costs drop dramatically.

Ralph Somers

Contributor to Ralph’s Green Energy Guide