Installing solar panels for your home or business has gained popularity in new construction as well as current structures. How much do panels cost to install? What happens to the roofing underneath the panels? New technology has made saving energy more attractive than ever. With rising energy costs a common debate these on the political front, free energy from the sun is a viable solution to every person looking to save money today and in the future. Solar energy is there for the taking and installing solar panels is an idea that has been growing in popularity throughout the twenty-first century. Find out if solar panels are in your future.
Let’s face it, we all have heard how solar power systems work, so what’s stopping everyone from jumping on board? Looks? Past designs in solar panels have looked a bit alien, but today’s selections are nothing like the solar panels of the 1980′s. Maybe the hesitation to install solar panels comes from a lack of knowledge?Many people just don’t know enough about what makes them work.
Mini Lesson on solar energy and power systems:
- Solar cells are the key to energy by uitilizing or converting light from the sun
- Even on cloudy days, solar cells capture rays which are then streamed into a conversion box located within your home or office
- This renewable energy is then converted into electricity for your home
- Whereas wind power requires movement via wind, solar powers only require the suns rays.
- Today’s solar cell power systems are hardly even noticeable on a roof as compared to that UFO look-alike of the original panel design.
- Energy from solar cells is calculated in wattage and how much wattage your home will need is a factor when it comes to your homes solar panels cost
Solar Power History in a Nutshell
Solar energy was discovered long ago by a french physicist in the early 1800′s when a voltage of light was noticed while experimenting with electrodes. The experimentation continued and in 1941, the silicon solar cell was invented, however, it only had power of converting one percent of energy. In the late 1950′s Bell telephone funded a project to study solar power panels that ended up producing six percent solar energy. Bell was one of the first users of the solar power battery. Since that time advances in alternate power systems have continued, allowing for more energy conversion and newly designed panels that are attractive and efficient.
As of 2008 the leaders in solar panel manufacturing were China, Japan, Germany, Taiwan and the United States. According to the Earth Policy Institute, located in Washington D.C., usuage of photovolticians continues to rise yearly. For example, in 1976 only 0.3 megawatts of solar power were used by consumers versus the year 2011 where 1115.4 megawatts were used. These units of power are referring to solar power panels. Other forms of solar energy were produced or have been produced each year towards lighting, automobiles, batteries and more.
Solar Power and Cost
Making the decision to go with solar power as your main source for energy in your home can be a controversial topic when it comes to cost. Because of the shortage of traditional polysilicon based solar cells, a new technology had arisen. This shortage brought about the invention and useage of a thinner set photovoltiacs that were more flexible and easier to work with.
This new technology gave a new freedom to the way solar power systems looked. The grid effect has been covered by new materials that are a standard black and blend in well on many roofs, going virtually unnoticed.
Due to the recent shortage of materials, the panels cost were initially higher. However, the savings in the end to the consumer would greater. Converting the natural power of the sun into electricity has become standard in new constructions. The sun is a free resource for energy and should not be overlooked when it comes to dependency on others to feed your homes electric.
A Comparrison to Wind
Although there is no debating whether or not solar power systems work, wind power has seen a gain in growth, particularly with farmers. Government grants have allowed farmers and other large land owners to harness the wind but not without negative feedback. Noise is a big issue when it comes to wind. Lack of wind is another and we can not control mother nature. Solar roof panels do not need a bright and sunny day for them to work. Other than night time, the suns rays still have the ability to give off energy, making solar panels a more effective tool when using natural energy.
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