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Advantages and Disadvantages of SOLAR ENERGY
Many of us know that solar energy is good, but few really understand why. Therefore, I compiled a comprehensive list of solar energy advantages and disadvantages that will enable you to make an educated decision whether on not Solar Power is right...
Energy Conservation - How Small Changes can dramatically reduce your Energy Bill
There are many good reasons to conserve energy. If we use less
gas, oil and electricity we will save money, and the pollution
associated with extracting and using fossil fuels will decrease.
Reducing greenhouse gas production may help to reverse...
Saving Energy By planting Nursery Stock
In the past week there has been an increasing interest in
landscape design for energy conservation. Rising fuel costs can
be offset by landscaping. The primary goal is to control wind
and sun. In Pa. the first line of defence for energy savings...
Saving Money by Saving Electicity
Are you aware of how much electricity you consume every day?
With the rising price of fuel, energy costs are on the rise. And
yet, electricity is still one of the most wasted forms of energy
on the planet. There are many ways to save...
Thirty positive actions for a sustainable Earth
There are many ways we can use our human energy to lighten the load on natural resources and tread lightly on our home planet. Check how many of these you do already: 1. Recycle and re-use Wherever possible, separate waste into compost material,...
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Shining Some Light on Solar Energy
Without a doubt, solar energy is the way of the future. Solar
energy production is an extremely simple process to understand.
A solar, or photovoltaic, cell collects energy from the Sun. A
solar cell is a semiconductor device that is constructed using
photovoltaic materials. It contains no liquids or chemicals, and
no moving parts. Solar cells convert sunlight into electricity.
A solar panel generally consists of a series of individual
cells, which are supported by a module that allows the cells to
work in unison. The energy that is captured by the panel is
stored in a battery. Solar panels generate direct current (DC)
energy. Many solar energy systems have inverters in them which
allow direct current (DC) electricity to be converted to
alternating current (AC). Most consumer products such as
appliances and electronics operate on AC current.
Unless you have a vast expanse of land to house an array of
solar panels, it is unlikely that you will be able to power your
entire home with solar energy. However, it is possible to power
a single room in your house with a small array of panels fixed
to the roof of your house. Multiply the wattage of each
individual electrical device by the number of hours you expect
to use them each day. That combined number will be your
benchmark, or the bare minimum your system must be able to
generate.
There are a number of options available to consumers that are
considering converting to solar energy. A basic system that can
be used to power a computer
and a few other small items can be
purchased for approximately $1000.00. Naturally, the price will
increase with the production capacity of your system. In most
regions, the price of an installed system will cost somewhere in
the area of $10.00-$12.00 per watt.
Solar energy is one of a few truly renewable resources that can
be used in energy and power generation. Every hour of every day,
the Sun blankets our planet with enough energy to sustain our
global energy needs for a year. As the technology behind
photovoltaic energy advances, consumers will be unable to resist
the urge to convert.
A lot of resources are being put into the development of solar
energy technology. Most of the major oil and energy companies
have entire divisions committed to solar energy. Researchers and
engineers are spending countless hours trying to develop the
technology today that will vastly improve conditions in the
world tomorrow. It is no secret that we cannot continue down the
path we are on. Fossil fuels are no longer a feasible option for
energy production. The future is solar. The future is now.
About the author:
Jim Fritz is a contributing writer to thesolarguide.com - a
brilliant online resource for information about Solar Energy, Solar Panels, Solar Consumer Goods and more.
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