Solar & Wind Power Solutions

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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I want to install some solar panels on my house. I’ve heard about a few companies where I can pay my current rate for electricity and they will install and maintain solar panels on my house. Then again, I could also buy my own system. What is the best deal here?

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How does the amount of chemical energy stored in plants compare to the electrical energy stored by solar panel/batteries?

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I just moved into a split level home in a suburb of Chicago. I was thinking of either installing solar panels or horizontal wind turbines on the roof of my porch. Any help in finding companies for this would be appreciated, I am more interested in wind then solar being that Chicago is pretty far north (little sun in the winter) and known for our wind.

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On sunny days, you could run off the solar panel, and on cloudy days the gasoline would kick in. How many batteries would it take, and would it be feasible?

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