Solar Energy - The Future's So Bright

Solar energy is a relatively young technology but it has come a long way in a short time. Residential solar panels weren't commercially available until the early 1990s and were prohibitively expensive. Since then, the price has come down a lot while the technology has improved by leaps and bounds, such that, in 2010, the future of solar has never looked brighter. Let's take a look into our solar crystal ball and see where we may be going from here.

Where Are We Now?

Solar energy technology has come a long way in a relatively short time. And just as well, because, with the frightening effect global warming is having on the planet and everything living here, there's never been a greater need for solar energy and the other renewable energies that are also being developed.

Solar panels are popping up all over as more and more homeowners and businesses see the benefits of solar energy. Homes are being heated by solar thermal technology, as are more and more swimming pools in people's backyards.

Even utility companies are getting in on the act, as they're building solar power plants in areas of the southwestern United States, which receive more sunlight on a consistent basis, with the biggest solar power plant in the world being located near Kramer Junction, California.

Everything's Going Solar

Have you noticed how many things are powered by solar energy these days? If you walk around your neighbourhood, the chances are you'll see solar garden lights guiding somebody up the path to the front door. Next time you're in a public area such as an airport and you throw some garbage away, was that a solar trash compactor you deposited your precious discards in? When you park your car at a meter, does that ticket dispenser have a solar panel in it?

These are just a few examples of how prevalent solar energy is becoming and the different kinds of applications it's being used for.

As you're driving along the freeway, that's probably a solar panel that's powering that electronic sign you're looking at.

See what I mean?

The Solar Future's Shining Bright

How to Solve the Energy Crisis - Do-It-Yourself

We are all aware of the energy crisis which is a constant threat to our modern way of life, our economy and our environment. The energy crisis will not go away on its own but we are equally apt to forget about it when times are better or other problems dominate our lives.

However, we have known how to beat the energy crisis for many decades through the use of alternative fuels particularly alternative energy ideas or green energy technology. Sadly, government after government have led us along the same path of dependency on other countries' fossil fuel reserves with little or no real regard for the environment. 

Happily, there are men and women across the globe who have been fighting to get us all out of this mess whatever the pressures from government or big business dictate. Some have invented and developed alternative energy ideas only to find them bought up and shelved or worse yet, some have mysteriously died prematurely.

However, we no longer need to live under this curse due largely to the free access  of information the internet allows us. We have the solutions, we know many ways of how to solve the fuel crisis even if it is only one little step at a time. Solar, wind and wave technology are all familiar to us but not everyone is familiar with the concept of a free energy generator, which will run infinitely and create free electric energy. 

These days you can generate your own electric energy, using a magnetic energy generator that you can build yourself with readily available and inexpensive parts. It works by itself and it produces absolutely free eco-friendly energy sufficient to run your whole home. 

 
           If enough people know about this technology, pass the information on and most importantly act upon it then the answer to how to solve the energy crisis will be crystal clear - do it yourself.

Solar Energy is Green Energy

Solar energy is the earliest source of energy known to mankind, and is also the origin of other forms of energy used by man.

Other renewable sources of energy, such as, wind energy, hydro power, biomass and ocean energy are the indirect forms of solar energy. Solar energy has many salient features, which make it an attractive proposition. These features are wide-spread distribution, environment friendly and virtually inexhaustible supply.

The solar energy can also be converted into electrical energy in the solar homes by the use of specially designed Photovoltaic cells. They are also known as PV cells or solar cells. They are basically made up of silicon and a few other elements are added to give a more efficient combination. These days semiconductors are used in the Photovoltaic cells. The Photovoltaic cells convert the incident solar energy into electrical energy. They are assembled on the roofs of solar homes to obtain maximum incidence of solar energy and thus more electrical output. This electrical energy is stored in special storage batteries that can be used for an assortment of purposes. They can be used to heat as well as work cooling devices like fans and air conditioners. Thus during summers when cooling is essential PV cells play a major role. This electricity can be used for refrigeration as well as lighting. They also give rise to less consumption of electricity from conventional sources. Thus the solar energy finds a role in replacing the traditional sources of energy in every field of work not only in a household but in other aspects of life also.

Farming and agriculture are other areas where solar energy plays a major role. India has one of the largest solar energy programs in the world. The Indian government has dedicated a ministry for renewable energy and extensive work goes on in this field. Prominent Indian industrialists like Tata and Birla are involved in this project. Though it is still at its nascent stage these programs have the potential to become a roaring success as this will save a lot of money for the consumers.

How Does Solar Energy Work?

Many people today are trying to save money on their energy bills and one of the more popular ways is through using solar energy. How does solar energy work?

Energy from the sun in the form of heat and light is abundantly available to everyone on Earth, even in places that do not get a lot of a sun. Did you know that the Earth receives more energy from the sun in an hour than our entire population can use in an entire year? With all that clean, renewable energy that is coming from the sun every day, it is worthwhile to figure out a way to use it.

Active Solar

There are two different types of solar energy that can be used to power our homes and daily lives. One is active solar energy, which works through solar panels, which are set up with the use of photovoltaic cells. These cells are linked together in order to produce electricity.

How much electrical output they produce depends on a few factors. One of them is how many cells are linked together in a panel, and how many panels are being used.

The energy from the sun comes in the form of direct current, DC, instead of the alternating current, AC, that is used in your home. For this reason you will need a way to convert the energy. The simplest solution is to buy a power inverter, which convert the sun's energy into usable AC elecricity. Another option is to convert your household's electrical needs to DC power, although this is in most cases impractical especially in existing homes.

Thermal Solar Energy

There is another form of active solar power that uses thermal energy from the sun to heat the water in your home. Devices that circulate and pump the water help to keep it warm. Depending on where you live, solar power can heat water up to sixty degrees or more. While this may not be ideal for taking a shower, it can be effective for dish washing or even doing your laundry. Solar power for heating water can cut your water heating bills substantially, and can be used in combination with solar electricity.

Passive Solar

Passive solar energy uses the power of the sun without the use of any mechanical devices. When you go out on a sunny day, you feel the warm sun's rays, and this principle is really the same for heating your home. A passive solar home has south facing windows and uses building materials that absorb the sun's rays and then dissipates the heat into your home efficiently. Passive solar can also be used to heat water in our home.

Residential Solar Energy Explained

Residential solar energy is no longer just for the early adopting environmentalists in Berkeley, CA or for cabins so far out of town that they're completely off the energy grid. Its time has come, and residential solar energy is now being adopted by the masses. A majority of the people who go solar are still mostly motivated by environmental concerns, but now financial goals are playing into their decision as well. Namely, homeowners want predictable energy costs, and going solar can provide just that.

On the environmental side, going solar can reduce pollution, slow global warming, reduce your carbon footprint, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and can generally make you feel good about the energy you're saving. Just read what Andrew Kin had to say about having solar panels on his townhouse in Los Angeles. It's inspired him to use less energy too. Better yet, your friends may follow your lead and switch their homes to solar energy.

Federal, state, and local solar rebates are bringing the price of residential solar energy way down such that it is getting competitive with the heavily subsidized coal energy that makes up much of the grid energy. In some states like New Jersey, the incentive programs are so aggressive that a system will pay for itself in 3 or 4 years, and will end up saving a homeowner a tremendous amount of money over it's 25+ year life, all the while supplying clean energy to their home.

In other areas, like San Francisco, it may take closer to 7-10 years for a system to pay for itself if you buy it outright from the start. You'd pay a larger lump sum up front, then have an extremely small energy bill for the next 25 years and the savings from the energy bill will pay for the system in 7-10 years. Beyond that the savings are all upside and home owners often end up saving tens of thousands of dollars, if not hundreds of thousands over the life of the system.