Solar Energy Panels - A Practical and Responsible Energy Alternative (And It's Free!)
In recent years the demand for fossil fuels has risen substantially due to the energy consumption of third world countries clawing their way into technological reality. Because of this rising demand an ever increased focus has turned towards alternative energy solutions like solar power. Solar energy panels are the primary parts of an energy system that has become more affordable over the years and afford savvy homeowners the ability to not only save on their utility bills but also allow them to be environmentally responsible.
Solar electricity is not only a free energy source but is also unique in that it is relatively simple to design a system that can either supplement or replace your current grid-tied electrical system. Solar energy panels are essentially made up of photovoltaic cells (PV) that absorbs sunlight and converts it into electricity. The energy is stored in batteries and then converted to usable direct current (DC) electricity for your home through the use of a power inverter
With this free energy you can heat your pool, power your workshop, power outside utilities or depending on your personal electrical needs, power your entire home or office. Because there is no moving parts, maintenance costs are virtually nil. This also translates into solar energy panels whose serviceable life can exceed 30 years! Heck, I just had GE service out to the house for the third time this year ( a pop just to show up) because of issues on appliances that are less than 2 years old!
Over the 30+ yean the energy savings that are realized equates to a REAL financial benefit which more than justifies the initial costs of building and installing a solar energy system. Coupled with the facts that prices are falling for equipment, the numerous tax advantages, and installation rebates, the use of solar energy panels is a very attractive energy alternative both environmentally and financially. It just makes sense.
Small solar energy panels are ideal for applications like powering your water heater or lighting up outside security lights; and these are available at your local hardware store. If you want to power your home or business however, it might be best to seek assistance from either your local agreen retailera or you can find loads of retailers on the web.
Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
If there are solar energy panels, is there anything to save water?
I know there are solar energy panels and wind turbines but is there anything for water? Also, how much money would you save a year if you installed a solar panel and wind turbine? No rude comments.-
ANSWER:
to save water .here r some methods
Water-saving technology for the home includes:
Low-flow shower heads sometimes called energy-efficient shower heads as they also use less energy,
Low-flush toilets and composting toilets. These have a dramatic impact in the developed world, as conventional Western toilets use large volumes of water.
Dual flush toilets created by Caroma includes two buttons or handles to flush different levels of water. Dual flush toilets use up to 67% less water than conventional toilets.
Saline water (sea water) or rain water can be used for flushing toilets.
Faucet aerators, which break water flow into fine droplets to maintain "wetting effectiveness" while using less water. An additional benefit is that they reduce splashing while washing hands and dishes.
Wastewater reuse or recycling systems, allowing: Reuse of graywater for flushing toilets or watering gardens
Recycling of wastewater through purification at a water treatment plant. See also Wastewater - ReuseRainwater harvesting
High-efficiency clothes washers
Weather-based irrigation controllers
Garden hose nozzles that shut off water when it is not being used, instead of letting a hose run.
using low flow taps in wash basins
Automatic faucet is a water conservation faucet that eliminates water waste at the faucet. It automates the use of faucets without the use of hands.
A valve which reduces water, gas, time, money and CO2 known as a CombisaveWater can also be conserved by landscaping with native plants and by changing behavior, such as shortening showers and not running the faucet while brushing teeth.
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QUESTION:
How much do solar energy panels cost?
My husband is interested in buying solar panels for the roof and i dont know where to find them.-
ANSWER:
Buying solar panels can be very expensive, especially for installation.If your average daily usage is 6.6 kilowatt per hour, then you would need a 2 kilowatt system that could generate ten kilowatts per hour in a day. This system could cost between ,000 to ,000. Of course, the higher wattage, the higher the cost.
There are some alternatives to spending thousands of dollars on solar panels.
1) Buy several solar panel kits and link them together yourself.
2) Combine solar with wind power to decrease the number of panels you will need.
3) Build your own solar panels for around 0 each.If you are handy with some basic soldering, then you can make your own solar panels.
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QUESTION:
How do you calculate how much energy solar panels create in a month?
I am doing research on solar panels and I am having trouble figuring out how much energy each one can produce in a given span of time. Knowing this would help me to approximate how many I would need to offset certain consumers in my home.-
ANSWER:
Lucky you! The National Renewable Energy Lab has already created an application to do pretty much what you're looking for. It's called pvwatts, and is linked below.What you do is click on the map for the city nearest you, then enter the size of your proposed array, it's tilt, and orientation. You'll get a month-by-month printout of the expected energy output. This is based on historical measurements over almost 40 years, so takes into account local climate, such as fog, rain, and altitude.
If there is no reference city near you, you can still use another version of the program to do predictions for an arbitrary location.
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