Solar Power
http://www.lowimpactliving.com/pages...ts/solar-power
What's
not to love about solar power? It's free, clean, and available every
day. And you don't have to live in California or the Australian outback
to harness the power of the sun. The costs of solar systems have come
down 80%+ over the past two decades, and as more consumers take to solar
the costs are falling still. There are a variety of solar power options
available, and it's important to understand the benefits and costs of
each option.
how solar power works
Solar power is produced by
using photovoltaic (PV) cells to capture the energy of the sun and
convert it into electricity. The basic unit of the system is the solar
cell, which are connected together into modules. PV cells are comprised
of semi-conductors, most often made of silicon (like the chips used in
computers). The semiconductors absorb power when they are struck by
light. These modules or panels of PV cells are what you see installed
typically on the roofs of homes and businesses. The electricity created
by the solar system is DC or direct current, and the electricity we use
in our homes is AC or alternating currents. Thus solar systems include
an inverter which changes the DC current into useable AC current.
Installing solar systems is a complicated technical process and most
people will benefit by using contractors skilled in solar technology and
electrical installation.
Find a solar installer in your area.
home solar power systems
There
are two main forms of solar systems for residential use: the “grid-tie”
system and the “off-grid” or stand-alone system. In a grid-tie system, a
home has solar cells but is still connected to the local power grid.
The home solar system includes solar cells installed on or near a home
that collect the sun's energy and convert it into DC electricity. Then
the inverter converts the DC power into AC power, which can then be used
directly in your home.
Electricity produced by the solar cells
that is not used immediately in the home is returned to the power grid.
When this happens your electricity meter literally spins backwards as
you are passing energy to the grid. You are also building a credit on
your power bill. This is called “net-metering”. The benefit of the
grid-tied system is that it does not include expensive batteries to be
installed in your home for the storage of power; the grid acts as the
storage system and your home and the grid exchange power as you need and
produce it.
Off-grid or stand-alone systems are typically used
in remote locations where standard grid-based power is not available.
These systems are more expensive, but do allow for complete electrical
independence. These systems require deep-cycle batteries for storing the
electricity as well as a charge controller to assure the flow of
electricity from the cells does not over-charge the batteries.
For
a solar system to work well it needs an unobstructed view of the sun.
In the United States, typically the best orientation for solar panels is
to the south as the sun is in the southern half of the sky (lower in
the winter and higher in the summer).
Solar panels can either be
attached directly to a slanting roof, or bolted onto frames on flat
roofs. If your roof is not a good option, then panels can also be
mounted on the ground. They can either be placed on a fixed mount frame
or on a “tracking mount” that follows the sun across the sky.
For an excellent consumer guide to selecting and purchasing the right solar system, please visit http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/35297.pdf
For more detail on how solar power works, please visit: http://www.solarelectricpower.org/in...&display=facts
solar water heaters
A
solar water heating system is fairly simple. You install solar panels,
typically on your roof, and the sun heats the panels. Then these solar
collectors heat a fluid in pipes held in the interior of the panel
boxes, and that fluid is transported into the house where it heats water
in a storage tank. The system can include a pump which circulates the
transmission fluid from the roof to the water tank and back again, but
pumpless systems are also available. In areas where freezing isn't an
issue, systems can heat your water directly. In most places a type of
antifreeze is used and the fluid and water do not mix.
One
convenient and less expensive option if you live in a warm climate is a
solar batch collector. Water is simply pumped up to a solar storage tank
on the roof and heated by the sun. Then you just use the hot water as
needed. (But you need to make sure you have a roof that is strong enough
to support the weight of the stored water and the tank.) These units
cost less than $1000. Another great way to save energy and money if you
are a pool-owner is to use solar power to heat your pool. Find a solar
installer in your area.
solar power costs and pay-back periods
The
cost of a solar system depends on the size of your home, the
orientation of your property, and your electricity needs. But for a
standard medium-size house it can run from $20,000-$40,000 before
rebates.
However, many state and local governments offer
incentives for solar installation that can significantly reduce the
costs. Rebates coupled with federal tax credits can knock thousands off
of your initial investment, sometimes cutting it in half! Be sure to
check with your local government for these offers. To see a list of
state and local incentives please visit: http://www.dsireusa.org/
One
way to cut the cost of a solar electric system is to reduce your
electricity use before installing the system. Such measures as replacing
light bulbs with compact fluorescents and upgrading old appliances can
cut your electricity use (and also your solar investment) in half.
You'll spend a bit of the savings on the new items, but you'll have that
brand new stainless refrigerator you've been craving too. Low Impact
Living's In-Home Environmental Assessment program will help you
understand what cuts can be made before you go solar and therefore save
you thousands of dollars - click here and sign up to receive more
information.
You can also finance solar installation using home
equity. This approach offers the possibility of making you “cash flow
positive” from day one, especially if you live in an area that has high
power prices, good exposure to the sun, and solid local rebates.
If
the cost of a full house solar system is daunting, a very attractive
option can be heating your water with the power of the sun. A solar
water heating system will save a typical California family $1000 in
power costs. The payback period on these units is typically under five
years.
Other great lower-cost solar options are distributed solar
applications. You can get attractive solar lights to illuminate your
yard or garden. You can also power a nice fountain or heat your pool
using solar energy. See great low-cost solar options.
__________________
http://www.lowimpactliving.com/pages...ts/solar-power
What's
not to love about solar power? It's free, clean, and available every
day. And you don't have to live in California or the Australian outback
to harness the power of the sun. The costs of solar systems have come
down 80%+ over the past two decades, and as more consumers take to solar
the costs are falling still. There are a variety of solar power options
available, and it's important to understand the benefits and costs of
each option.
how solar power works
Solar power is produced by
using photovoltaic (PV) cells to capture the energy of the sun and
convert it into electricity. The basic unit of the system is the solar
cell, which are connected together into modules. PV cells are comprised
of semi-conductors, most often made of silicon (like the chips used in
computers). The semiconductors absorb power when they are struck by
light. These modules or panels of PV cells are what you see installed
typically on the roofs of homes and businesses. The electricity created
by the solar system is DC or direct current, and the electricity we use
in our homes is AC or alternating currents. Thus solar systems include
an inverter which changes the DC current into useable AC current.
Installing solar systems is a complicated technical process and most
people will benefit by using contractors skilled in solar technology and
electrical installation.
Find a solar installer in your area.
home solar power systems
There
are two main forms of solar systems for residential use: the “grid-tie”
system and the “off-grid” or stand-alone system. In a grid-tie system, a
home has solar cells but is still connected to the local power grid.
The home solar system includes solar cells installed on or near a home
that collect the sun's energy and convert it into DC electricity. Then
the inverter converts the DC power into AC power, which can then be used
directly in your home.
Electricity produced by the solar cells
that is not used immediately in the home is returned to the power grid.
When this happens your electricity meter literally spins backwards as
you are passing energy to the grid. You are also building a credit on
your power bill. This is called “net-metering”. The benefit of the
grid-tied system is that it does not include expensive batteries to be
installed in your home for the storage of power; the grid acts as the
storage system and your home and the grid exchange power as you need and
produce it.
Off-grid or stand-alone systems are typically used
in remote locations where standard grid-based power is not available.
These systems are more expensive, but do allow for complete electrical
independence. These systems require deep-cycle batteries for storing the
electricity as well as a charge controller to assure the flow of
electricity from the cells does not over-charge the batteries.
For
a solar system to work well it needs an unobstructed view of the sun.
In the United States, typically the best orientation for solar panels is
to the south as the sun is in the southern half of the sky (lower in
the winter and higher in the summer).
Solar panels can either be
attached directly to a slanting roof, or bolted onto frames on flat
roofs. If your roof is not a good option, then panels can also be
mounted on the ground. They can either be placed on a fixed mount frame
or on a “tracking mount” that follows the sun across the sky.
For an excellent consumer guide to selecting and purchasing the right solar system, please visit http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/35297.pdf
For more detail on how solar power works, please visit: http://www.solarelectricpower.org/in...&display=facts
solar water heaters
A
solar water heating system is fairly simple. You install solar panels,
typically on your roof, and the sun heats the panels. Then these solar
collectors heat a fluid in pipes held in the interior of the panel
boxes, and that fluid is transported into the house where it heats water
in a storage tank. The system can include a pump which circulates the
transmission fluid from the roof to the water tank and back again, but
pumpless systems are also available. In areas where freezing isn't an
issue, systems can heat your water directly. In most places a type of
antifreeze is used and the fluid and water do not mix.
One
convenient and less expensive option if you live in a warm climate is a
solar batch collector. Water is simply pumped up to a solar storage tank
on the roof and heated by the sun. Then you just use the hot water as
needed. (But you need to make sure you have a roof that is strong enough
to support the weight of the stored water and the tank.) These units
cost less than $1000. Another great way to save energy and money if you
are a pool-owner is to use solar power to heat your pool. Find a solar
installer in your area.
solar power costs and pay-back periods
The
cost of a solar system depends on the size of your home, the
orientation of your property, and your electricity needs. But for a
standard medium-size house it can run from $20,000-$40,000 before
rebates.
However, many state and local governments offer
incentives for solar installation that can significantly reduce the
costs. Rebates coupled with federal tax credits can knock thousands off
of your initial investment, sometimes cutting it in half! Be sure to
check with your local government for these offers. To see a list of
state and local incentives please visit: http://www.dsireusa.org/
One
way to cut the cost of a solar electric system is to reduce your
electricity use before installing the system. Such measures as replacing
light bulbs with compact fluorescents and upgrading old appliances can
cut your electricity use (and also your solar investment) in half.
You'll spend a bit of the savings on the new items, but you'll have that
brand new stainless refrigerator you've been craving too. Low Impact
Living's In-Home Environmental Assessment program will help you
understand what cuts can be made before you go solar and therefore save
you thousands of dollars - click here and sign up to receive more
information.
You can also finance solar installation using home
equity. This approach offers the possibility of making you “cash flow
positive” from day one, especially if you live in an area that has high
power prices, good exposure to the sun, and solid local rebates.
If
the cost of a full house solar system is daunting, a very attractive
option can be heating your water with the power of the sun. A solar
water heating system will save a typical California family $1000 in
power costs. The payback period on these units is typically under five
years.
Other great lower-cost solar options are distributed solar
applications. You can get attractive solar lights to illuminate your
yard or garden. You can also power a nice fountain or heat your pool
using solar energy. See great low-cost solar options.
__________________
