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Using Solar Energy

Are You Using Solar Energy?

The sun is one of our greatest resources and it's there waiting for the technology, and need, to harness the energy that is trapped within it's powerful beams of light. The technology for solar energy panels exists and the need is arriving quickly. The time for using solar energy is now. For a few hundred dollars you can begin your journey to energy independence.

Unobstructed southern, or south-western exposures are the most efficient locations for your solar panels.  This assures they receive as much of the sun's rays as possible.  The solar panels are made with photovoltaic cells, and when the sunlight hits them, a reaction is triggered that converts these rays into electric energy.  They are also called photovoltaic or PV panels. 'Photo' refers to light and 'voltaic' refers to electricity. The solar panels are comprised of several individual solar cells which function similarly to large semiconductors. The energy generated from photons striking the surface of the panels cause electrons in the cells to react and generate electricity. This electrical energy can then be conducted from the panels into your home for immediate use or stored in batteries for later use.

In planning for your solar panel installations pay particular attention to the mounting of the brackets that will hold them.  They need to be securely mounted to prevent the panels from blowing away in a strong wind.  The panels can then be installed into the brackets and hooked together to form an array.  The next step is to attach a conduit that will run electrical wires from the array to the grid connect inverter.

It is possible, but not necessary, to hook into backup batteries at this point.  A less expensive, and more common system, does not use a battery backup.  When you are out of solar power you are still hooked up to the grid and power is available to you.  When you unit is functioning, and the output is more than you are using, this excess get put back into the grid and you are credited for this power.  So the times when you are drawing power, it should be free power, just using your credits.

After the grid connect inverter is hooked up to the solar panels it then needs to be hooked into the main breaker box.  It might be required to have an electrician do this hookup for you, unless you really know what you are doing.  Once the panels are connected to your power box you will be living off the energy of the sun, just the way it should be.

Imagine the freedom of not having your power company dictate how to use electricity in your home. Are you not tired of being worried of how much your bill will be in the summer and winter seasons? Think of the extra cash you could have, and how your life, and your family's life, could be different.

Before you rush out and buy a solar system you first need to consider your needs and the types of systems available.  There are three basic types to choose from, the stand-alone off grid system, the battery-based grid-tied system and the battery-less grid-tied system.  If you are already tied to a grid you will probably choose to go with a battery-less grid tied system.  If you are living in a rural area and are not tied into a grid you would need to consider the other options, possibly even a generator for back up power.

The battery-based grid-tied solar power system has some benefits that a stand-alone system doesn't have. This type of solar system is a good choice if where you live is prone to the loss of power. This type of system has government incentive benefits, and is popular because in most cases, you can sell back surplus power that you generate. Both of the systems just covered can be expanded by adding more modules. This is cost effective. Grid-tied solar power systems are basically the same as the battery system, but you don't have the battery back-up in case of power loss. If you don't loose power to often, then you can consider the installation of this type system.

On grid power usage can be greatly reduced, if not eliminated, by using solar energy. A one kilowatt system can generate as much as 1600 kilowatt hours of energy per year in a sunny climate. This system, which consists of approximately 10-12 solar panels, will prevent about 170 pounds of coal from being burned and 300 pounds of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere. Also, it prevents the consumption of about 105 gallons of water. It is with these reasons in mind, that this kind of renewable energy system is becoming increasingly popular. Due to the modern technology in solar energy, it is now used for many common things. This energy can be used for cooking, powering cars, heating swimming pools and home electricity. A home that is conservative on it's use of energy can use solar energy as it's main source of power.

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