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Most power plants in the United States and all over world are using fossil fuels to operate and generate electricity. They have been used as an energy source as long as man has learned to generate power. These traditional fuel sources have been around for ages and when man started using this energy sources no one though about the consequences. Fossil fuels will eventually run out and there will be a shortage of it in near future. This shortage in will have its affect on our daily live and various industries. Today we see some of these affects already, prizes are raising and electricity is becoming more expensive. Although these fuels are more scares, the need will still be here and will not decrease in near future. To solve this shortage we will need to look for other possibilities for our energy demand.

Fortunately, alternative energy sources are growing in interest. For instance, locations with high water falls are experimenting on building a hydro-electric power plant, which turns out to be successful. Other locations with high wind speed make use of a power wind mills that can convert wind power into electricity. Also thermal and tidal powers are good alternatives.

Solar energy is also one of the energy sources that is gaining in interest. This form of energy has steadily been growing. Today it is widely used in the US and other parts of the world and the advantages are numerous. Our solar energy source, the sun, its life span is estimated to be another 4.5 billion years. It is fair to say that this energy source is almost endless.

Rate of Energy from the Sun

The sun’s radiation reaches a certain unit of area in space in the region of the Earth’s orbit and is estimated to be at 1,400 watts per square meter. Out of this, photovoltaic cells (also known as solar cells) can capture 19 to 56 watts per square meter (for 15% efficiency) or an equivalent of 0.45 to 1.35 kilowatt per hour (kWh) in an annual day and night average.

Therefore, if there would be more area that will be covered by several solar panels, these panels can produce slightly more energy in the form of electricity than what is currently available from oil, gas, and other sources of energy combined (assuming 8% solar cell efficiency).

Conversion of Solar Energy

There are two ways of conversion of solar energy. First is the direct solar energy which involves only one conversion into a usable form. For instance:

* Sunlight hits the solar cell, converting it into electricity.
* Sunlight hits the absorber surface of a solar thermal collector, converting into thermal energy which can be used to heat homes during cold season.

The second is the indirect solar energy which involves more than one conversion to reach a usable form. For instance:

* Plants use photosynthesis to transform solar energy to chemical energy, which can be burned later as fuel to generate electricity (also known as bio-fuel technology).

* Hydro-electric dams and wind turbines are indirectly supplied by solar energy through its interaction with the Earth’s atmosphere.

Pros and Cons of Solar Energy

Just like any other types of energy resources, this energy source has its pro’s and cons.

Pros:

* Pollution-free.
* Solar facilities can be run with little extra input or maintenance.
* It is abundant. As mentioned earlier, most of the inhabited areas here on Earth can be reached by sunlight.

Cons:

* Although it is abundant, some areas receive little sunlight. Thus, power that will be produced in these locations is a minimum.
* Only available during daytime, thus a need to conserve to energy for use in night time.
* Photovoltaic cell technologies generate direct current (DC) power which needs to be converted to alternating current (AC) power used in distribution grids.

Once massive development of the use of solar energy is materialized, expect that every household or industry in the world will now be powered by solar energy. It is not just a dream, it will be a dream come true.

A lot of people think of these large panels on the roof of homes, when they think of solar energy and solar power.  Let’s talk about some other solar energy facts.  Although it came to light, so to speak, in the 1960s, solar energy has advanced and can be used for everything from warming our households to fueling our cars.  Solar energy is free.  Our electrical energy bills get higher each and every year.  We can take this solar power using Earth4Energys kit for a fraction of what it cost us for electricity.  We hear that the environment is having troubles with global warming, green house gases, but solar power if we decide to use and invest in it, is positive for the environment.

A long time ago, we believed people who used solar energy to heat their homes pretty much as fruitcakes.  But today, they have the last laugh.  Each day we watch the price of oil grow and fall.  Never knowing where it is going to be tomorrow.  Then there is the trouble with global warming stairing us in the face.  People who practice the alternative energy source like solar and wind energy are the people who are saving and not to worring about the rise and fall of oil for heating and cooling or running their homes. 

A lot of new constructions are being developed with some consideration to solar energy as the energy crisis as well as the concerns about the environment are forefront in the minds of many individuals.  There are many uses for solar energy, other than heating.  There are other things that solar can be used for other than heating our households. We can use it to run our appliance’s in our homes and also run some electronic gizmo’s.   We are all familiar with solar powered calculators.  In most cases there is some type of rechargable storage device, but in some cases there is not even a battery needed.  So let’s use this to power other things.

Don’t forget there is the wind that can be controlled also to make energy. With that and solar, you can really have an impact on your energy cost and start to save in a big way.  Purposes for solar energy range from warming a house and running a car to actually cleaning H2O in third world nations that can end up saving lives.  As you can see there are numerous purposes for solar and wind energy.

To keep solar and wind energy active and going forward, thought has to be given to the price of producing this power. We also have to remember to consider the eco system as well.  There are two types of people, the one’s who wish to save money using solar power.  Then there are the one’s concerned about the environment.  But both types of people are in agreement that solar and wind energy can be an solution to both of their concerns.

Learn more about solar energy facts.  It is easy to have solar energy for homes, a simple DIY kit, fully illistrated will have you saving money by the weekend. Click solar energy for homes for more information.

With the recent rise in energy costs many people have been looking to alternative sources of energy. One of the greatest energy sources (our sun) is readily available for the taking. We just need to be able to harness it’s power. For those interested, below is a brief history of how solar power came to be.

The history of photovoltaic energy (aka. solar cells) started way back in 1876. William Grylls Adams along with a student of his, Richard Day, discovered that when selenium was exposed to light, it produced electricity. An electricity expert, Werner von Siemens, stated that the discovery was “scientifically of the most far-reaching importance”. The selenium cells were not efficient, but it was proved that light, without heat or moving parts, could be converted into electricity.

In 1953, Calvin Fuller, Gerald Pearson, and Daryl Chapin, discovered the silicon solar cell. This cell actually produced enough electricity and was efficient enough to run small electrical devices. The New York Times stated that this discovery was “the beginning of a new era, leading eventually to the realization of harnessing the almost limitless energy of the sun for the uses of civilization.” The year is 1956, and the first solar cells are available commercially. The cost however is far from the reach of everyday people. At $300 for a 1 watt solar cell, the expense was far beyond anyone’s means. 1956 started showing us the first solar cells used in toys and radios. These novelty items were the first item to have solar cells available to consumers.

.In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s satellites in the USA’s and Soviet’s space program were powered by solar cells and in the late 1960’s solar power was basically the standard for powering space bound satellites.

In the early 1970’s a way to lower to cost of solar cells was discovered. This brought the price down from $100 per watt to around $20 per watt. This research was spearheaded by Exxon. Most off-shore oil rigs used the solar cells to power the waning lights on the top of the rigs. The period from the 1970’s to the 1990’s saw quite a change in the usage of solar cells. They began showing up on railroad crossings, in remote places to power homes, Australia used solar cells in their microwave towers to expand their telecommunication capabilities. Even desert regions saw solar power bring water to the soil where line fed power was not an option!

Today we see solar cells in a wide variety of places. You may see solar powered cars. There is even a solar powered aircraft that has flown higher than any other aircraft with the exception of the Blackbird. With the cost of solar cells well within everyone’s budget, solar power has never looked so tempting.

Recently new technology has given us screen printed solar cells, and a solar fabric that can be used to side a house, even solar shingles that install on our roofs. International markets have opened up and solar panel manufacturers are now playing a key role in the solar power industry.

To see the best energy saving products, facts, review and user feedback: http://www.neverpay2much.info

Solar Energy Systems

The use of solar energy or solar panels, has been catching on during tha last year or so. Originally due to the “Go Green” mentality , solar energy and wind turbine was a great way for us to conserve energy and be apart of earth conservation. But the recent boom in home made energy efforts , combined with current economic climate, leads many to believe that saving money is the newest reason for the solar energy upswing.

Solar Energy Help

Solar energy systems are actually not that complicated to build. Fpr the most part you can get everything you need from home depot. For under $150 , many have constructed 2 or 3 solar panels in there backyard, and some have even made small ones for the roof.

Some Facts About Solar Energy

The average household uses about 850 kilowatt hours a month, about $90. 30% of which is used solely for heating water. With lights being a close second place in over all usage. Solar energy panels that can be bought are around $10,000 for a 10×10 foot Solar System.

Solar energy can -

Be used for creating electricity
Dry clothes
Heat water through the use of Photovoltaic cells
Be used for powering cars
Heat swimming pools
Be used for lighting and small appliances
Even be used for heating food

Standard Solar Systems Premade-

Usually about 10 ft x 10 ft
Typically creates 1000 watts of energy (Burn a light bulb for 10 hours)
1600 hours of electricity a year.(Considering you get 5 hours of sunlight a day)
Saves 170 lbs. of coal from being burned
Stops 300 lbs of CO2 from being released
Cost $10,000
Energy can be stored in batteries

Homemade Solar Energy Panels-

Total cost of materials- $150-$200
Usually 8×8 ft
Absorb 1200-1600 kilowatts per year
Save the average family $500-$750 a year

Energy can be saved to batteries (The batteries can be acquired freely)
They can be created within 2-3 hours depending on size of panel and ability of person.
Can be used for heating water, drying clothes, running small appliances, charging cell phone batteries and car batteries, bigger ones can light 2 or 3 rooms.

Learn How To Make Your Own Solar Panels

Government Incentives

It is widely known that the Government provides huge checks for those that take it upon themselves to use Solar Panels and Wind Turbines for homemade energy. Although the incentives vary due to unique situations, they are usually enough to cover the complete cost of a homemade system.

A lot of people in the US are having financial difficulties these days. Are you in the same bandwagon? Well, then you must not hide the fact. You should rather take the bull by the horns and devise a solution that will help you out of the situation and will return the old days once again.

The economic crisis has taken away the jobs of most Americans and left many of us with the menace of debt. Resultantly, most of us are not able to pay back our utility bills. The government has a plan that helps such people by giving grants. This allows many people to pay back their bills. These government programs are helping people to get out of their financial turmoil and start their life once again.

The government grants provide monthly payments for utility bills such as heat and electricity. Education, medical, and other such expenses are also covered accounted for. The amounts extended are determined by your monetary requirements and the monthly income from your job. By receiving this government funding, you can pull yourself out of debt. This will save money from your monthly earnings as the utility bills will be paid from the grant.

You can apply for a government grant by filling out an application form that is available online. You will be asked to provide all the documents asked for by the application. This will speed up the grant process. You will also have to give proof of the fact that you under intense financial problems. This will raise the chances of approval of grant. A higher and convincing evidence of financial problems means a higher chance of approval.

Solar energy consists of the light and heat emitted by the sun, in the form of electromagnetic radiation.

With today’s technology, we are able to capture this radiation and turn it into usable forms of solar energy – such as heating or electricity.

Although one could go into technical dissertations on the subject of electromagnetic radiation, how it is converted into solar energy, and the exact qualities of its electromagnetic rays, this is not something the average person needs or wants to know.

But in order to be able to benefit from the use of solar energy, there are a few facts you should know. Knowing these facts can assist you to make sound decisions, when looking at the use of solar power as a clean energy source for your home, RV, or whatever the case may be.

Environmental Facts about Solar Energy 

All life on earth is dependent upon solar energy. In fact, without solar energy, there would be no life at all. Even the lowest life forms, such as plankton and microbes, need solar energy (in the form of sunlight) in order to survive.

Solar energy is completely environmental friendly, producing absolutely no carbon emissions or other harmful byproducts whatsoever.

Solar energy can be used successfully and cost-effectively just about anywhere on the planet. You do not need to live in a tropical or desert climate in order to benefit from the use of solar energy. Solar power has been used successfully in many cold climates and even in the polar regions.

Every area of the United States of America receives enough sunlight to benefit from and make use of solar energy and solar technology.

Currently, the cheapest and most effective way of using solar energy in your home is through the use of solar water heating systems. In fact, solar water heating systems have been commercially available in the United States for over a 100 years.

Solar energy can be used for heating homes effectively in cold climates, as well as in warm climates. In fact, for decades now, solar heating has been in use several cold-climate northern European countries.

Solar energy technology has advanced to the point where it can be now be a viable and cost-effective replacement for regular grid-electricity.

Solar energy is rapidly increasing in popularity – so much so that the demand for solar-powered gadgets is currently greater than the supply.

Facts about Solar Energy Usage

Solar energy can be used to provide electricity, heating and hot water for homes.

Solar energy can also be used to heat swimming pools. Many pools in Scandinavia and Europe are in fact heated with solar energy.

Solar Energy can be used to power vehicles, such as solar powered cars, and even a solar powered airplanes. NASA has successfully designed, built, and tested an airplane which is powered wholly by solar energy.

A few examples are: solar battery chargers, solar flashlights, solar calculators, solar radios, solar-powered attic fans, solar power backpacks (to recharge batteries for small devices), hybrid solar chargers (for cell phones, satellite phones, and more), solar-powered garden lights … and much, much more.

We all have the ability to save energy, but where to start? In today’s global climate every change enhances our combined efforts against energy loss. Read on for some amazing facts that will change the way you think about energy savings.

FACT: Did you know that one well positioned tree on the side of your house can provide as much cooling during summer as FIVE medium air-conditioned units?

Planting a tree on the southern side of your home (or north if you live in the Southern Hemisphere) will save energy and help our growing Greenhouse Gas problem too.

FACT: One open fireplace (uncovered) will send about eight percent of your heating bill up in smoke during winter!

Holes and draughts account for a HUGE amount of heat and energy loss. Start patching up gaps to begin energy savings right away (and be warmer too)!

FACT: Your television is drawing power right now if it is in Standby or Instant-On mode (up to a third of the power it needs to actually run). The combined energy from these television sets they could power a mammoth-sized nuclear power plant (and the 800,000 tonnes of carbon emissions they produce)!

Turn your television OFF at the power point. Yes, you may have to wait a minute or two before the screen works….but the earth will thank you.

FACT: A conventional electric stove can use up to three times as much energy as a microwave to heat food. If you also use the microwave to defrost your food, double the energy loss here!

Plan meals ahead and let frozen foods defrost in the refrigerator (this can actually help your fridge keep cooler and at a lower setting as well). If you’re reheating a small portion of food, use the microwave instead of the electric cooker.