Eco-Living Articles
Solar Panels
The sun produces a massive amount of raw energy that can be converted to power. Solar energy has been around since the dawn of time, ever since…well ever since the sun first rose over the horizon of our wonderful planet. The amount of energy produced by the sun is astounding, and there is quite a lot of it. In fact, the sun produces more energy every hour than the human race has used since the beginning of recorded history. That’s a lot of power in one little hour!
There is a difference between solar energy and solar power, but it is easy to explain. Solar energy is the raw energy produced by the sun. Solar power is that same energy after it has been converted over for use by people. It can now be used to light our lamps, run our computers, and get our coffee makers percolating.
Solar panels are one of the most popular methods of capturing and converting the sun’s energy into a power that we can use. If you are interested in doing research on your own, you can also look up photovoltaic panels. (Photovoltaic translates to light-electricity.) A solar panel is made up of many solar cells placed together. When sunlight hits the panel, electrons inside the cells begin to move through to wiring in the panel. This results in electricity that can be used to power a home. Most households that decide to use solar power install several panels. Any grouping of two or more panels together is known as a solar array.
The advantages of solar panels are easy to grasp. The sun shines for free, so the energy gathered by a solar panel can be used to help supply your home with electricity and decrease or eliminate your monthly electric bill.
Installing solar panels also dramatically reduces a home’s dependence on fossil fuels. This means the home is leaving a smaller carbon footprint. If you live in a sunny area and end up having leftover power, it can be sold back to your local electric company. Imagine the electric company sending you a check instead of a bill!
The benefits to solar power are very nice, but there are also challenges. The first, and most important, is cost. While the cost for electricity produced will be eliminated, the initial set-up fee for solar panels will be expensive. Figures vary depending on region and home type, but generally range anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000. Some people think that this initial investment is worth the eventual savings and ability to help the environment, but it is a difficult decision to make. A careful study of your own situation needs to be made to make sure it is the right choice for your home.
Another challenge is that the average household in the U.S. uses more energy than the average solar array can provide. Fortunately, there are things that can help even out this supply-and-demand problem. By investing in energy-efficient appliances and switching over to CFL or LED lights, the amount of power the average home requires goes down. In fact, switching over to a more energy efficient-home is a great idea in itself, even if you decide that solar panels are not the path you want to take right now.
The amount of sunlight your geographical region receives cannot be changed. Solar panels do generate power on cloudy days, but at a reduced rate. If you live in a sunny area, the power generated on sunny days can help balance out the cloudy ones. On the other hand, an area that is cloudy most of the time may not be the best place to use solar panels.
The good news is that solar panel technology is constantly advancing. Right now, solar cells capture very small amounts of the sun’s energy that are available to them. Researchers are always looking for new innovations to make these cells more efficient. Research is also being done to reduce the cost of solar panel construction. The hefty price tag for a panel comes mainly from the costly process of turning the very common element of silicone into a sophisticated energy-capturing cell. How common is silicon? It’s the same element that makes up the sand found on beaches all over the world! As the cell creation process improves, the prices will continue to come down.
Are you discouraged by the challenges and thinking that solar panels are not for you? If so, remember that there are simple ways to use solar power that do not require solar panels. Shades in your windows are a great example. By keeping them lowered in the heat of a summer day, you’ll reduce the electricity needed to cool the house. Keep them raised in the winter to capture more of the sun’s rays and your heating costs can be lowered. Taking easy steps like these allow everyone to use a part of the sun’s amazing energy.
