Home Electricity Generated By Solar Panels

Some home owners would rather use solar power than the typical electricity received through utility companies. In solar panels, the cell collection creates a flat panel that converts light to electricity. One cell on its own does not do very much, but a large group of them can create enough power to supply electricity to the average size home or office.

The cost of making a home completely solar powered would be higher than most people can pay. The savings afterward would take many years to recoup. As electricity bills also continue to get higher, more people are searching for methods that will reduce this cost. Many turn to the clean method of solar gathering but find that the initial cost is too great, even considering the lowered utility bill.

Using panels in this way draws energy from sunlight. It is considered an exceptionally environmentally sound way to gather energy. They are also considered an extremely environmentally safe way to collect that energy. The solar cells are semi-conductors shaped like wafers that work to convert sunlight into electricity by what is called the photovoltaic effect. Electrons are knocked out and drawn into current when photons hit the surface of the panels. Metal contacts inside the panel use the dislocated electrons to form electricity.

When the possibility of laying long high voltage cables is out of the question, solar cells are used. An example of usage would be the satellite equipment in space. The space stations have been supplied with solar power for many years now.

This method of collecting electricity is environmentally healthy and people friendly. This is a clean method of powering electronics in remote places where there would otherwise be no way to generate it. There are other methods used by people all over the world. Solar power is one of the most popular and interest in it continues to rise.

There are a few advantages and a few disadvantages to utilizing the way of gathering and producing electricity. Advantages are generally environmental, as an efficient and clean method. A disadvantage, and the main one, is the cost of installation. Solar panels have to be used in large groups to produce the maximum amount of electricity. Also, producing the panels requires facilities vastly larger in space than nuclear or fossil fuel plants.

These panels usually come with a standard 25 year warranty, are extremely durable and can withstand severe weather. They can be integrated into the existing shingles on a roof or there are peel and stick laminates that are also available. They are rated by wattage for quality.

To lower the usage of electricity to your home or business or to get off the grid entirely, solar panels are the answer. PV panels supply electricity through photovoltaic power from the sun.

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Tags: Alternative Energy, Green Electricity, Home Improvement, photovoltaics, solar panels, solar pv, solar pv panels

October 02 2010 | Home Improvement | 1 Comment »

Build Your Own Affordable, Cheap Solar Panels

Solar energy is without a doubt today's number one alternative energy choice. It is no wonder then that one of the most searched for terms on the internet is cheap solar panels.

With the environmental disaster we are seeing unfold off the gulf of Mexico (The BP oil spill) more and more as a society we are finding our consciousness pricked into looking for cleaner and greener ways to help the environment.

For most people the idea of having their own solar system is indeed desirable, but there has always been the major stumbling block of the enormous cost of the solar panels.

Having a solar system installed can cost many thousands of dollars, money that many households simply do not have to spare, no matter how much they stand to save in the long run or how much they want to help the reduce their carbon footprints.

This alternative comes in the form of a DIY (do it yourself) kit. Now I'm sure some of you just tuned out at the thought of building your own solar panels, sounds complicated doesn't it? Well surprisingly it isn't, in fact it's all most child play.

The kits come in the form of an easy to follow video series and instruction manual which you can downloaded in a matter of seconds online

All the materials you need to build your own panels are available from most hardware stores (tip: save even more money by sourcing the parts from your local salvage or junkyard). Armed with the most basic handyman skills, you can assemble your panels in just a couple of days (I recommend freeing up a weekend to give yourself ample time).

It's a great project to get your children in on, provides them with an alternative to playing computer games all day, gives them a lesson in environmental issues and energy conservation. You won't believe the buzz they will get when they realize the solar panel they built is powering a laptop etc.

Not only will you stand to save a lot of cash by building your own cheap solar panels as opposed to purchasing them pre built, you will also cut (depending on the number of panels you build and your homes energy needs) anywhere up to 80% (in some cases above this) off your traditional power usage, this can translate to hundreds of dollars saved on every power bill.

So whether you are looking to help reduce your carbon footprint or simply want to save a few dollars, take a look at the following link for side by side reviews of the leading Solar Power Kits and build your own solar panels today.

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Tags: Alternative Energy, clean energy, do it yourself, energy, Environment, environmental, green energy, Home Improvement, residential solar power, solar, solar cells, Solar Energy, solar panels, Solar Power

August 16 2010 | Home Improvement | No Comments »