solar power installation
It seems that the cost of gas, electricity and oil to provide power to our homes continues to rise every year. This rise often seems to outstrip average inflation. We are often told that there are a number of legitimate reasons for this inflation. One that may not be so well publicized is that many utilities companies are privatized and have to run at a profit. Indeed, the management would not be doing their job if they did not turn a profit.
However, the companies themselves are at pains to point out that the real reason for increases is that the fuel used is becoming scarce. Coal, oil and gas are resources that are used by power stations to create electricity or are supplied directly to homes. All of these resources are finite and the more they get used the harder they become to find and extract. All these extra costs have to be passed on to the consumer by the utility companies.
Within this context, people are embracing new ways to create power for the home that are considerably cheaper and have a long term future. A popular option is solar power. Solar power in one form or the other has been around for thousands of years. In more recent times the technology has been developed to take advantage of sunlight energy. Before that it was principally the heat from the sun that was used. This article will discuss how to run a house on solar power using both these sources.
A popular way to run a home with solar power is to utilize the Sun’s thermal energy. Heat from the Sun can heat water. This can be used as hot water or the heat in the water can be used indirectly to provide warmth in the house.
The principle behind this idea is that if you expose a flat metal plate to sunlight it will become hot. If the plate is painted black then more of the heat energy is absorbed. If you put insulation on the underside of the plate then less of the heat is lost back to the environment.
When you allow water to come into contact with this hot plate the heat is transferred to the water. Thus you have hot water. This can be connected the plumbing of your home and used as a water source. In some cases it may not be hot enough for use and can still be connected to the standard water heater.
Thus a solar water heating system can save on one of the more expensive items on a normal households utility bills.
Sunlight can also be used to create electricity. The technology that utilizes sunlight is known as photovoltaics (PV). A PV cell is made from a silicon based semi conductor. The PV cell reacts with sunlight to displace an electron. The flow of an electron from a negative to a positive terminal is the creation of electric current. By increasing the number of PV cells connected in series you can increase the voltage between the positive and negative terminals and the current of the electricity.
This is direct current (DC) that can be stored in a battery or transformed to alternating current (AC). This can be done using a power inverter. The resulting AC can be used to power the home.
The solar panels that you may have seen on the roofs of many a home are a number of PV cells formed together in a series or parallel configuration to optimize the production of electricity. Installing a solar panel in your home has become easier as the energy industries focus more attention on solar power. The cost and installation of solar panels has also come down in recent years
Solar panels have become easier to install as utility companies become more conducive to solar power. Many states have agreements whereby the electricity company must buy electricity from the household at retail price. This can make installation and viability of solar power more acceptable.
Having a hybrid system of grid and solar power means that if the Sun stops shining or there are cloudy days then you can still use the grid for power. This takes a lot of the responsibility for creating power off the home owner.
The next stage in solar electricity is to go completely off grid. This means you cut off the utility company and rely on solar power solely. This may be scary for some people new to solar power but it is possible but more work. You will need storage devices for your electricity and backup systems should the Sun not shine. Many people have fuel powered generators or have wind or water power systems as backup.
Learn more about solar power grants and rebates that can save you money on solar power systems and how can solar power conserve energy at http://www.solarpowerappliances.com . Adrian Whittle writes about using solar power and appliances that can utilize renewable energy sources.
mysolarexperience.com – PG&E Solar Power Installation Part 3
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Mr Beams MB360 Wireless LED Spotlight with Motion Sensor and Photocell - Weatherproof - Battery Operated - 140 Lumens
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SE Wireless Motion Sensor Light - 10 Super-Bright LED
$8.32 Instantly add motion-activated light for security and safety - indoors or out*Infrared technology senses both movement and heat for fewer false activations*Compact (3" x 3") and lightweight (4.3 oz) lets you install almost anywhere; easy-mounting slot *10 super-bright LED cast pure white light, last for 100,000 hours, sip battery power*Wire-free installation, operates for months on 3 AA batteries ... |
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Honeywell Econoswitch RPLS740B 7-Day Solar Time Table Programmable Switch for Lights and Motors
$36.00 The Honeywell RPLS740B 7-Day Solar Time Table Programmable Switch for Lights and Motors helps you save money by ensuring that your lights come on only when you need them. This unit works with incandescent, halogen, and fluorescent lighting, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use. It also works with ceiling fans, bathroom fans, pond pumps, and pool pumps. Featuring three operating modes and sev... |
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Cisco-Linksys High Gain Antenna Kit for TNC Connectors HGA7T
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PowerCost Monitor TM
$99.99 As unobtrusive as a small electric clock, the PowerCost MonitorTM is a powerful real-time direct feedback display device that measures home electricity usage. It tells at a glance, in real-time, how much electricity your home is using in dollars and cents and in kW. Domestic energy use studies have demonstrated that real-time feedback yields energy savings anywhere between 10 and 20 percent. The ... |
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Visonic Prox Cards 25 Pack Fast Easy Installation External Reader Available Weatherproof
$179.80 Fast and easy installation. Weatherproof for indoor or outdoor use. Can be integrated with an alarm system. TAG-IN-A-BAG is the ideal stand-alone proximity system for commercial, industrial and residential applications. The system, which is based on a... |
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Solar Electricity Handbook - 2011 Edition: A Simple Practical Guide to Solar Energy - Designing and Installing Photovoltaic Solar Electric Systems
$13.48 The Solar Electricity Handbook is a simple, practical guide to using electric solar panels and designing and installing photovoltaic PV systems. Significantly updated for 2011, the latest edition assumes no previous knowledge of solar electric systems. The book explains how solar panels work and how they can be used. It explains the advantages of solar energy and the drawbacks that you n... |
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Photovoltaic Systems
$71.96 Demand for renewable-energy technologies is growing rapidly, requiring a greater number of skilled system technicians. Photovoltaic Systems is a comprehensive guide to the design and installation of several types of residential and commercial PV systems.The content covers the principles of PV electricity and how to effectively incorporate it into electrical systems. Numerous illustrations explain ... |
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Photovoltaics: Design and Installation Manual
$30.00 Producing electricity from the sun using photovoltaic (PV) systems has become a major industry worldwide. But designing, installing and maintaining such systems requires knowledge and training, and there have been few easily accessible, comprehensive guides to the subject.Now, with Photovoltaics: Design and Installation Manual, a world-class solar energy training and education providerâSolar ... |
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A Complete Guide to the Installation of Off-Grid PV Solar Power Systems
$55.00 This DVD set is a 4 hour, 16 chapter comprehensive course on the installation of Off-Grid photovoltaic solar power electric systems. It is designed to take the complete beginner to full competency. The course is taught by Bob Nagy who is the teacher in over 40 videos on high-tech subjects. Bob's bio includes 20 years at the University of Texas, ABC TV, and NASA. His clear and friendly style bri... |
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Small Capacity Solar-powered Water Pump System
$49.99 Water pump can be set up wherever desired without batteries or wiring installation Replace electric power with solar pump to make your fountain more environment-friendlySolar-powered pump is more portable and safer for your kids |
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The Complete Idiot`s Guide to Solar Power for Your Home (Paperback)
$13.43 This third edition explains the basics of photovoltaic, or solar, power and provides information for those interested in solar-powering their homes, including what options are available and descriptions of what`s involved during the installation proces... |
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Rock Solar Spot Lights (Set of 6)
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Plastic Solar Lights (Set of 12)
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Tricod GL97 Solar Light (Pack of 4)
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Mushroom Color Changing Solar Light (Set of 4)
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Large Rock Solar Spot Lights (Set of 4)
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A Solar Buyer`s Guide for the Home and Office (Paperback)
$11.1 Explains solar power and other renewable energy sources, including selecting the right equipment, hiring the best people to install it, redeeming government incentives, and maintaining the system once it is installed. |
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Solar-powered Wall-mountable 4-light LED Plastic Spot Light (Set of 6)
$87.99 Easy to install, this four-light spotlight saves energy and provides bright white light. |
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Convert Your Home to Solar Energy (Paperback)
$22.2 This colorful volume presents information on all of the major methods of harnessing solar energy for your home. Intended for home owners and designed to cover most aspects of the solar conversion, the work walks the reader through the planning, install... |
