Solar technology is a great renewable resource that is growing in popularity with the average consumer. As energy prices skyrocket and the average income stagnating, if not falling, consumers are looking for a way to reduce their costs of living in any area possible. The rise of renewable energy, and the desire to wean our society off from fossil fuels, makes using solar panels for the home a great alternative for power.
Solar power kits save energy for the homeowner because they allow the homeowner to generate their own electricity to power their home. In some cases, the flexible solar homeowner can go completely off-grid and even sell additional electricity back to the ability company. What a powerful concept to be able to take an expense and turn it into an asset.
What are solar panels?
A cell is a packaged interconnected assembly of solar cells that are cased in a housing unit to protect the cells from the weather and from physical damage. These panels generate electricity, which is then used to directly power devices in the house, or charge battery cells to store the ability for evening use. A solar power kit typically includes solar panels, an inverter and interconnection electrical wiring to plug the panel to the electrical system in the house. For those trying to live off the grid, batteries are included for continuous power during the day and night. The use of infrared solar cells also allows the homeowner to generate electricity at night, thus increasing the efficiency of these cells.
The technology of solar cells continues to advance with time. Currently, the efficiency rate of solar cells range from 5% to 19% dependant on the technology. The excuse is that the solar cells (or photo-voltaic cells) only convert a restricted choice of sunlight frequencies into electricity. The renewable energy industry is refining advanced technologies that will improve the efficiency of these solar cells by a massive 50%.
A new technology for solar cells, also called thin film or third generation solar cells, is being researched. The benefit of this new generation is they may have a higher efficiency and they cost less. These brands are both rigid and flexible thin film adventures. The differences between the rigid thin film component and the flexible thin film component are due to differences in the materials that are used to make the adventures and differences in the production of the adventures.
Solar adventures can last anywhere from 10 to 25 years while still operating at 80% of their original capacity. Every year the number of panels sold to consumers continues to grow. In 2007 over 4 million solar units were sold. There are a number of manufacturers that produce solar panels for consumer use, however the average consumer can create their own solar panels using materials from their local hardware store.
Solar panels for the home can provide renewable energy for the consumer. The initial costs can range greatly if the consumer prefers to build their own solar technology kit or have another company put in a solar power kit. As the technology improves, the homeowner will have more options available to them to totally power their home with renewable solar power energy.