Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Sun Power's Perks And Costs

A prevalent clean energy option these days is solar energy. This technology may appear complicated at first, but from a technical standpoint solar panels are not difficult to install. These panels consist of photovoltaic cells, or solar cells, which are placed in layers on a frame and accumulate sun power to change into electricity. The setup process is simple for professional installers, and there are also numerous do-it-yourself options available. A strength of solar panels is that they can be added on new or existing homes alike, usually without planning permission. They can be particularly useful for homes in rural areas outside of any power grids.

Many individuals are having a close look at renewable energy sources as a result of rapidly depleting supplies of fossil fuel and the effects of global warming. Renewable energy sources are still behind fossil fuels when it comes to worldwide energy consumption, however given their huge potential, the future should eventually belong to renewables - and you can start making use of them today. Solar energy is a particularly popular energy source because the sun's power is free and lots of people, particularly in warm locales, can easily use it. Another benefit is that photovoltaic systems do not require the usage of any water to create electricity. Property area is negligible because many individuals position them on pre-existing structures.

Solar panels can be expensive to set up initially, but a photovoltaic system will generate enough power to support you for at least thirty years, and pay for itself in about eight. Solar panels can be found in many sizes and shapes, including square, round, and rectangular. Panels will usually be placed facing north at a roof angle of a minimum 10 degrees. The materials and type of solar panels you use will affect their overall quality. It's smart to look beyond solar panels' appearance because of this, and at the dollars/watt ratio instead. A qualified professional can help you look at numerous options in order to get the best savings available.

Solar insolation is another way for you to measure the amount of solar energy you will receive with solar panels. This is a measurement of how much radiation will hit a particular location over a period of time (usually a day). This will help to inform you about how much sunlight a solar panel would be able to absorb, and more specifically, how much it will absorb within a certain area on your property. You should additionally take into consideration common weather conditions, shade caused by obstructions to sunlight, and the position and angle at which the solar panel is installed.

Solar panel efficiency can be heightened by looking at different mounts that follow the position of the sun throughout the day and rotate the panels to get a high amount of direct exposure. This sort of technology can be combined with your attention to different price options and your home's strongest areas for sun exposure, so that you can save money and invest in a renewable resource that will provide for many years to come. Both your wallet and the planet will benefit from the positive power of solar energy.

Experience the potential of solar power and how it's getting used to help reduce emissions and save revenue all through Australia. Get 3 no cost estimates on a solar system or solar panels in your home or business.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Discover Solar Powered Energy System Mechanics

While they might appear overwhelming at first glance, solar energy systems consist of various fairly comprehensible components in truth. Numerous devices work in unison so that solar power can generate direct current (DC) energy, and change it into alternating current (AC) energy to be used by appliances. Four main aspects of a solar energy system are solar panels, a charge controller, a power inverter, and batteries. These items may be bought so that you can put together a solar energy system yourself, or you can work with a professional so that you can be sure your alternative energy system is set up properly. Either way, it is best to get quotes from various companies so you can get the best deal before investing in a solar energy system.

The foremost and most widely understood aspect of solar energy are solar panels. The panels can be created out of several types of cells, and their quality differs depending on what materials are employed. However, all types of solar panels use photons produced by sunlight to generate electrical current. One solar cell only produces around half a volt of energy, but typical solar panels use thirty-six cells wired together in order to produce seventeen volts of peak output. An entire solar energy system will, of course, use more than a single panel, and hence produce plenty of electricity for a home or business.

The next aspect of a solar energy system is the charge controller. More voltage is produced when sunlight is very bright, and hence batteries need to be protected against excessive voltage created during these times. The charge controller's job is to monitor the energy produced by the solar energy system until it reaches its maximum current. It then maintains this level for a while before reducing it to a "float" level where the system will be safe.

Perhaps the most important aspect of a solar energy system is the power inverter. The power inverter is what changes DC energy to AC energy. It also charges the batteries of your system when connected to a utility grid or AC generator, if you are using a standalone system. Different types of inverters have varying efficiency levels due to the types of AC energy waves they produce. Most people end up using a modified sine wave inverter since they are a medium between the poorest functioning inverter and the priciest type.

The battery, or batteries, are the last part of a solar energy system. Batteries store electrical power so that a home or business will still be provided with energy when sunlight is not available. Smaller appliances can also benefit from solar energy, such as in calculators that use solar power to run. Larger systems will need to use flooded, gel, or AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries. Using these components and the assistance of someone in the know - or with your own resources - you will be able to own a useful and efficient alternative energy system.

Explore the potential of solar power and the way it is being used in lowering emissions and conserve revenue all through Australia. Get 3 free quotes on a solar system or solar panels for use in your home or business.