Photovoltaic cells—those black squares an array of which comprises a solar panel—are getting more efficient, and gradually less expensive, all the time, thanks to ever-better designs which all them to focus the gathered sunlight on a more and more concentrated point. The size of the cells is decreasing as their efficiency rises, meaning that each cell becomes cheaper to produce and at once more productive. As far as the aforementioned cost, the price of producing solar-generated energy per watt hour has come down to $4.00 at the time of this writing. Just 17 years ago, it was nearly double that cost.
Solar powered electricity generation is certainly good for the environment, as this alternative form of producing energy gives off absolutely zero emissions into the atmosphere and is merely utilizing one of the most naturally occurring of all things as its driver. Solar collection cells are becoming slowly but surely ever more practical for placing upon the rooftops of people’s homes, and they are not a difficult system to use for heating one’s home, creating hot water, or producing electricity. In the case of using the photovoltaic cells for hot water generation, the system works by having the water encased in the cells, where it is heated and then sent through your pipes.
Photovoltaic cells are becoming increasingly better at collecting sufficient radiation from the sun even on overcast or stormy days. One company in particular, Uni-Solar, has developed solar collection arrays for the home that work well on inclement days, by way of a technologically more advanced system that stores more energy at one time during sunlit days than previous or other arrays.
There is actually another solar power system available for use called the PV System. The PV System is connected to the nearest electrical grid; whenever there is an excess of solar energy being collected at a particular home, it is transferred to the grid for shared use and as a means of lowering the grid’s dependence on the hydroelectrically-driven electricity production. Being connected to the PV System can keep your costs down as compared to full-fledged solar energy, while at once reducing pollution and taking pressure off the grid system. Some areas are designing centralized solar collection arrays for small towns or suburban communities.
Some big-name corporations have made it clear that they are also getting into the act of using solar power (a further indication that solar generated energy is becoming an economically viable alternative energy source). Google is putting in a 1.6 megawatt solar power generation plant on the roof of its corporate headquarters, while Wal Mart wants to put in an enormous 100 megawatt system of its own.
Nations such as Japan, Germany, the United States, and Switzerland have been furthering the cause of solar energy production by providing government subsidies or by giving tax breaks to companies and individuals who agree to utilize solar power for generating their heat or electrical power. As technology advances and a greater storage of solar collection materials is made available, more and more private investors will see the value of investing in this “green” technology and further its implementation much more.
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Solar panels can easily and quite quickly be constructed yourself. In most areas, you do have a choice as to whether to connect or continue to connect with a utility company or to put in place your own source of electrical energy. Rather than being held in bondage to a utility company and take advantage of free sources of wind and the sun that so far are not being taxed yet, why not take advantage of the advancements that science has made utilizing the wind and the sun to create your own electrical power source.
The great news is that new technologies have been developed which now place the knowledge and the materials for building your own wind and solar devices for your own personal use to be easily and economically affordable. Homeowners around the globe can now declare he independence from their utility companies. Why not set yourself free from not only the electrical bill that comes in the mail every month, also remember that these bills have to be paid with after-tax dollars, a least in America. Consider for example, a 30% tax bracket would actually be equal to the equivalent of a $100 electricity bill paid with after-tax money would be equal to a savings of $130 from gross income. It becomes relevant and important to think this way because every dollar saved from an after-tax payment had to be generated with before tax dollars from your gross earnings paycheck.
Building your own alternative power system is not as challenging and scary as it once was. With the techniques, training and information that are available for the homeowner, very average homeowners can usually use readily available tools to build very satisfactory solar panels and windmills in their basement or workshop. Generally parts are easily available in most hardware stores or from the Internet and are quite affordable.
Be sure to purchase a quality resource guide that covers not only how to build solar panels or windmills, look for all-inclusive material that provides resource areas showing you where to make your purchases of the various parts necessary for building your projects.
As you begin to build your own sources of power, either from the sun or from the wind you may find a new income source developing as your neighbors want the same for their homes :>)
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What is a ball park price for converting an 1800sq house to solar power? What is involved? Things 2 consider? How long is the process?Any info would be appreciated.
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Wind energy is simply an air in motion, the suns rays fall on an object and the object heats up. The object in this discussion can be land or water, with the land heating up faster than water. As the sun heats the surface of the earth or water in our oceans and lakes, the air above these surfaces also heats up and becomes lighter and begins to rise. Adjoining areas where the temperature is cooler on the land and water surface correspondingly also have cooler air masses. As the hot air rises this cool air rushes in to take the place of the hot air create in what we call or breeze.
In a very simple fashion it’s reasonable to say that objects can represent two kinds of energy. One being potential energy which is energy attained it relative to its position. The other is kinetic energy which is energy relative to its speed of movement. Mass can possess one or both types of energy. A moving object for example represents kinetic energy that is stored, in a similar manner, an object perched in a lofty position would represent potential stored energy. Wind even though we cannot see it with our natural eyes represents a form of mass that is moving and because there is stored energy present this represents kinetic energy. When sailing a boat is kinetic energy that we look to provide the necessary thrust to overcome the drag on the boat from the surface of the water.
How Does Wind Energy Work
Take for example a windmill, the stream of moving air that we call wind pushes on the blades of the windmill causing them to rotate. The shape, size and angle of mounting of the blades along with the speed from the wind all working together determine the speed or rpm as well as the rotating direction of the windmill. In this manner distributes a portion of its kinetic energy to the blades of the windmill therefore slowing down due to its loss of energy having been consumed by the windmill. The windmill however has now harnessed some of the kinetic energy from the wind to be used in a different form like pumping water or grinding grain.
There has been significant advancements in the design modern windmills compared to windmills of our forefathers in that day are able to extract energy from the wind in a much more efficient manner. It is not uncommon in this day and age for windmills to boast of blades of one to 200 feet across that can produce large amounts of power or electricity.
Common Locations of Windmills
Windmills in the age that we live in mostly are of the horizontal axis type looking much like huge airplane propellers and are generally mounted on a tall tower. For windmills that produce large amounts of power, tall towers are also required with blades approximately 200 feet across mounted on a tower 250 feet in stature. Smaller capacity wind generators often mount directly on the turbine shaft compared to higher capacity wind generators that utilized gearboxes thereby increasing the rpm of the generator in proportion to the rpm of the windmill producing more electrical energy. High-voltage cables run from the generator down the length of the tower connecting to the power grid thereby making wind energy available for consumer use.
Smaller windmills, most often used with single homes or small business generally run about 100 kW or less in power with large commercial turbines running with larger capacities of 5 MW or more. Commercial wind farms often will group to gather several high power installations providing efficient wind energy connecting to utility or network grids.
Windmills should be located in areas where the average wind speed is not less than 10 mph in order to have a decent level of efficiency. Because of the size of the larger types of windmills with their long blades it is generally recommended for a minimum of one acre to be allocated for the windmill.
Power plants for converting wind energy to electrical energy most often are located at a considerable distance away from cities. Choice of locations would include places where obstructions to the wind would be minimal, seasonal variations moderate with preferences given to higher altitudes which are most often present with high open areas. Smooth rounded hills, wide open plains and shorelines also can be good locations for windmills as the absence of vertical objects do not slow down the velocity of the wind against the blades of the windmill. The funneling effect of gaps in mountains also provide likely locations for efficient windmill operation.
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I would love to use some solar energy in my home. What can you tell me about how much it costs to begin? Is there some sort of federal tax credit? What all do I need to buy (panels, batteries, etc)? Can a homeowner do the installation or must it be done by a professional? Would also appreciate any websites for retailers of solar energy items. Thank you very much for any information.
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Currently, solar cells are about 30% efficient. How can nanotechnology may change this in the future? What do they expect solar cell efficiency to increase to and what impact would this have on the use of solar cells?
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Wondered if anyone knew how to build a simple homemade wind generator to power our home? A homemade wind generator that is not too complicated would be good. Do you know how to build a wind generator? Please help us.Thanks
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A lot of solar hot water systems claim to also increase the value of your home but provide no real information regarding it. Who would determine this value or how might it be applied to the value of the home? If it does increase does this increase depreciate?
WP Robot
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I want to install a solar powered heating element in my hot water tank. I want a very simple system with out batteries or thermostat control. Basically convert solar power to electricity & send directly to the heating element which is fitted to my water tank.
1] Has anyone any experience of such a set-up?
2] Any advice on this system- what to do & what not to do?
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Hi,
For a school project, I was asked to setup a business model for a solar production factory. But I am stuck a little bit. The main thing that I have a problem with is to understand the difference between panels, voltaic solar and film or paint. Which is the current viable technology that one should opt for (to produce), taking less risk depending on future developments?
Can anyone help to clarify this for me?
Thanks!
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