Solar Power

You may be wondering why you need a solar power generator for your home. You hear about solar energy and ‘green power’ all the time but may think it doesn’t really apply to you. This alternative power source applies to everyone that uses electricity, hot water, heat or cooling in their household. Anyone that even cooks their family’s food at home needs clean, safe, environmentally sound power. If you own a swimming pool and want to heat the water, you need alternative power sources to make this affordable. As you can see, every home can benefit from the use of a solar power generator.

The Earth’s limited supply of fossil fuels is running out at an alarming pace. We don’t think much about it when we turn on a light switch or turn the thermostat to a comfortable temperature. It never crosses most people’s minds when they step into a comfortably hot shower that valuable resources are being eaten away by their actions. It is, however, true that the rising cost of traditional power sources is not just a ploy by utility companies to get more money and earn more profits. The location and development of new sources of the fuels required to produce the utilities we think so little about requires more and more every year. The sources in use are running out and, unfortunately, these resources are non-renewable. Someday, there simply won’t be any more for the power companies to obtain and use to generate energy for us to purchase.

Why should you decide to install a solar power generator system for your home now? There are many valid reasons besides saving resources. One of the most attractive reasons is that it can save you money over a period of time. After the initial investment in the solar powered energy generating system, which can range from only a couple of years to as many as ten or more depending on the solar power system you select, you get free power with almost no maintenance and effort for years to come. Solar generator systems have almost no moving parts and are not susceptible to frequent breakdowns, providing you with a lasting power source at no cost, or very little cost, to you. With the continual rise in fossil fuel prices, the pay off can happen even sooner as prices continue to sky rocket.

Another great reason to choose now as the time to install a solar power generator is the fact that you may be able to obtain a grant to pay for part of your system. A grant is a disbursement of funds for a specific purpose that, unlike a loan, does not have to be paid back. Often grants are available from the federal or state government to help you afford the cost of the solar power system.

Tax credits are available to people that use solar power generators. A break on federal income tax and, in some states, state income tax is available only to those that install and utilize alternative power systems to reduce their dependence on traditional power sources. To learn how installing a solar power system can help you with income taxes, contact the Internal Revenue Service, either online or by telephone, and contact your state income tax agency to learn what, if any, incentives are available in your state for alternative power installations. The savings in tax money can be substantial, helping defray the cost of installing the system.

The installation of a solar power generator can add to the resale value of your home. If you plan to sell your current home in order to move into a large home in the future, the addition of solar power raises the value of your property and makes it much more attractive to the potential buyers.

Now is the right time to act on obtaining a solar power generator. Reduce your dependence on fossil fuels and you’ll find you and your family benefit in many ways.

You’ve heard the buzz about alternative energy sources but have you ever wondered how solar energy panels work? Of course, if you want to install a system for your home, you want to understand something about how you’ll get energy from the sun and how it can benefit you.

You’ve probably used a solar powered calculator for doing mathematic problems. You know the kind; as long as the calculator is exposed to light, it operates perfectly. Did you know that there are portable solar energy panels that you could use to operate a laptop computer, a radio or CD player, a cell phone, digital camera or other small appliance when camping, hiking or even when sitting beside your swimming pool? These small, flexible solar energy panels roll up for storage in a small space and simply unroll for placement in the bright sunshine when you want a little power to run a small electric device. These solar panels function pretty much the same as a large roof-top solar collector panel.

These solar collection cells, whether large or small, are called photovoltaic cells. Photovoltaic, when broken down, is easy to understand. “Photo” means light and “voltaic” means electric; the word means electricity from light. These devices were invented to power satellites and devices in space but now are in use all over the world in households.

Solar energy panels, also called photovoltaic (PV) panels, are made of material that concentrate the sun’s rays. When the sun’s rays strike a PV panel, some of the energy can be absorbed by the panel. This can be used to heat water passing through pipes in the solar energy panel. It can be absorbed by semiconductor material and used to generate electricity.

When PV cells collect electrons from the light being absorbed, these electrons flow in a single direction because of the electric fields they contain. The flow of electrons is controlled by the use of metal contacts at the top and bottom of the solar energy panel so that current can be extracted for use. This can power the small appliance or used to power an entire house.

Using solar energy panels for collecting the sun’s power for home use can be quite simple. They usually consist of a black metal or wooden box that is designed to be the right size for placement on the roof of the house where it will be installed. The box is well insulated and is always black on the inside to help focus the sun’s energy and absorb it most efficiently. Inside the box may be semiconductor material or piping.

If hot water is being generated, the box will contain zigzag patterns of copper piping through which the water will pass, becoming hot from the energy of the sun. If the solar energy panel is used in this way, the heated water will then pass into a storage tank which is very well insulated and may be created from an altered traditional hot water heating tank. The water is then used when required by simply turning on a water tap in the bathtub, sink or when the hot water valve opens when operating the washer or dishwasher. The occupants of the home never realize the hot water is not being heating in a traditional manner using electricity or gas from the utility company. A carefully designed system can provide enough hot water for any family’s needs.

If the solar energy panel is used to create electricity, the current is stored inside the home in batteries somewhat like the one you’ve seen in your car. Usually there is a bank of several batteries that store the electricity. A control unit makes sure the right amount of voltage and amperage goes into the electric wires when someone turns on a light switch, when the home’s heat or air conditioning comes on, or other demand is placed on the batteries to supply their stored electric power to the house.

Of course, it is a bit more complex if you get into all the engineering details. This is, however, a basic explanation of how solar energy panels can provide for your energy needs.