SO!...What Is Solar Energy?

For millions of years, sun has been heating our planet. Thanks to sun we have a planet that is full of different forms of live beautiful nature. Now, man kind finds the way to harvest suns energy to heat up hour homes even in the night. So, what is solar energy?

Solar energy is converting sunlight, so it can heat the water and produce electricity in our homes. This is achieved by using panels, which is called photovoltaic cells. With the use of photovoltaic cells, sunlight is converted to and electric current and that current are used to provide hot water and electricity.

You can install solar energy in your house by installing the solar panels on top of your roof or anyplace where it gets maximum amount of sunlight. However, installing these panels can be expensive. But, thanks to many resources online, you can be able to install it by yourself. Well, at least you can bring the cost of installation down by connecting many of the pieces together yourself.

So, you wanted to know what is solar energy. It is a natural gift that we can harvest to produce reusable energy to make our cup of tea.

Solar Energy ...How It Works

You probably decided to install solar power in your house and now you want to know How Does Solar Energy Work? The answer to this question is not as difficult as you may thing.

But before finding out how solar energy work, we need to see what solar energy can do for us? By using solar power, you can reduce your spending on electricity and heating dramatically. On top of that it is cleaner than many traditional energy producing methods. So you will do your part to save the climate.

Let us get back to our question: How does solar energy work? Sun has been heating our world millions of years. So, solar energy uses the mighty sun to produce energy to warm our houses.

So to be able to produce energy from sun we need to have solar panels (photovoltaic cells) to convert they rays from sun to electric current. And these are stored in batteries. Basically, it uses the sun light to charge the batteries with electric.

One of the good things about solar power is, you can easily install it to your home. However, the installation of the solar power can be expensive. Thanks to internet you can buy most of the thinks you need online with fraction of original price for installing solar panels to your roof.

I hope this article answered your question, if not you can find more on the internet How does solar energy work?

Solar Energy Facts

Solar Energy Facts

If you want to install solar energy to your home, or if you are thinking of installing solar energy to your home, you need to know the solar energy facts before you decide.

* Solar energy is much cleaner way compare to fossil fuels. That is way if you want to help environment you should use solar energy.
* You can use solar energy for producing electricity. It can also be used for water heating and at the same time you can cook food with solar energy. These solar energy facts are probably one of the most important ones as you can save lots of money.
* You probably used calculators that are powered by solar energy. With same concept, solar energy can power cars, warm up swimming pools, and other appliances that work with electricity.
* The usual way to produce electricity is expensive and also bad for the environment. That is why the demand for the solar energy is becoming more and more popular.
* Solar energy is calculated in kilowatt-hour. 1 kilowatt = 1000 watts. 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh), which is equal to the amount of electric needs to burn a 100 watt light bulb for 10 hours.
* Typical home solar power build from solar panels, and inverter, a battery, a charger controller, wiring and support structure. So, installing these can be very expensive. This is probably one of the solar energy facts that people do not prefer solar energy in their homes.
* A typical solar power system requires an installation area of 100 square feet. So, small house holds usually have problems because of this fact.
* Solar power systems can produce at least 750 kilowatts-hours per year in cloudy climates. So you don’t need the sun light constantly.
* With the help of its battery, a solar power system can provide electricity during the night, and during the cloudy weathers.
* This probably the post important solar energy facts; typical solar power system can save a lot on monthly energy bills.

Solar EnergyAdvantages and Disadvantages

Here is an article where you find advantages/disadvantages of solar energy. It explains clearly what the benefits for having solar energy are and what the downfalls are.



Solar Energy Advantages Disadvantages
By Anita Van Wyk

Many of us know that solar energy is a good thing, but few really understand why. Therefore, I compiled a comprehensive list of solar energy advantages and disadvantages that will enable you to make an educated decision whether on not Solar Power is right for YOU.

Solar Energy Advantages

1. Saves you money

* After the initial investment has been recovered, the energy from the sun is practically FREE.
* The recovery/ payback period for this investment can be very short depending on how much electricity your household uses.
* Financial incentives are available form the government that will reduce your cost.
* If your system produce more energy than you use, your utility company can buy it from you, building up a credit on your account! This is called net metering.
* It will save you money on your electricity bill if you have one at all.
* Solar energy does not require any fuel.
* It's not affected by the supply and demand of fuel and is therefore not subjected to the ever-increasing price of gasoline.
* The savings are immediate and for many years to come.
* The use of solar energy indirectly reduces health costs.

2. Environmentally friendly

* Solar Energy is clean, renewable (unlike gas, oil and coal) and sustainable, helping to protect our environment.
* It does not pollute our air by releasing carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide or mercury into the atmosphere like many traditional forms of electrical generations does.
* Therefore Solar Energy does not contribute to global warming, acid rain or smog.
* It actively contributes to the decrease of harmful green house gas emissions.
* It's generated where it is needed.
* By not using any fuel, Solar Energy does not contribute to the cost and problems of the recovery and transportation of fuel or the storage of radioactive waste.

3. Independent/ semi-independent

* Solar Energy can be utilized to offset utility-supplied energy consumption. It does not only reduce your electricity bill, but will also continue to supply your home/ business with electricity in the event of a power outage.
* A Solar Energy system can operate entirely independent, not requiring a connection to a power or gas grid at all. Systems can therefore be installed in remote locations (like holiday log cabins), making it more practical and cost-effective than the supply of utility electricity to a new site.
* The use of Solar Energy reduces our dependence on foreign and/or centralized sources of energy, influenced by natural disasters or international events and so contributes to a sustainable future.
* Solar Energy supports local job and wealth creation, fuelling local economies.

4. Low/ no maintenance

* Solar Energy systems are virtually maintenance free and will last for decades.
* Once installed, there are no recurring costs.
* They operate silently, have no moving parts, do not release offensive smells and do not require you to add any fuel.
* More solar panels can easily be added in the future when your family's needs grow.

Solar Energy Disadvantages

* The initial cost is the main disadvantage of installing a solar energy system, largely because of the high cost of the semi-conducting materials used in building one.
* The cost of solar energy is also high compared to non-renewable utility-supplied electricity. As energy shortages are becoming more common, solar energy is becoming more price-competitive.
* Solar panels require quite a large area for installation to achieve a good level of efficiency.
* The efficiency of the system also relies on the location of the sun, although this problem can be overcome with the installation of certain components.
* The production of solar energy is influenced by the presence of clouds or pollution in the air.
* Similarly, no solar energy will be produced during nighttime although a battery backup system and/or net metering will solve this problem. See www.dsireusa.org for details on how net metering allows you to save electricity and money.
* As far as solar powered cars go - their slower speed might not appeal to everyone caught up in today's rat race.