| Solar energy technology has evolved over the | | | | The part of the solar cell the sunlight is absorbed |
| years with the capability to get you completely | | | | into is considered to be electrically negative, and |
| off the grid even if you live in a housing tract. | | | | the bottom of each cell is considered to be |
| When you envision a solar-powered home do you | | | | electrically positive. When the sun is absorbed into |
| see a cabin in the woods where the only energy | | | | the silicon cells, electrons are knocked loose and |
| you can get is from solar and wind, or do you | | | | travel from the top (electrically negative) to the |
| see large, unattractive panels on roofs where | | | | bottom (electrically positive) layer. This |
| people are constantly worrying about their | | | | sun-induced electrical energy is passed through the |
| electrical consumption. Do you envision not being | | | | contacts in the top layer and is routed through |
| able to enjoy the big-screen televisions, multiple | | | | the circuit array, producing electrical power. |
| refrigerators, or even living without air conditioning | | | | Effectiveness of Solar Panels in Your Area |
| in a hot climate? These views on solar capabilities | | | | Solar panel systems can churn out sufficient |
| are much different today as the demand for solar | | | | electricity under optimal conditions to power all the |
| energy has become vital in this economy. Getting | | | | lights and electrical appliances in a typical American |
| off-the-grid is no longer only a dream, but is | | | | home and even to keep warm in the winter and |
| becoming a reality for residential and commercial | | | | cool in the summer. The efficiency of your solar |
| properties. | | | | panels really depends on your location. Solar panels |
| Solar panel technology and know-how has | | | | are installed on whichever surface of your house |
| developed more efficient and affordable systems | | | | gets the majority of solar exposure-in southern |
| you can install for your home. Even though the | | | | climates this is the north-facing side, and in |
| solar option is still more expensive to install than | | | | northern climates it is the south-facing side. |
| conventional power, with fuel and utility expenses | | | | If your residential home does not get an average |
| rising, the demand for solar energy rising-and the | | | | of six hours of constant sunlight everyday |
| industry is prepared to meet that demand. Many | | | | throughout the year, you will not generate as |
| newly built homes are being constructed with a | | | | much energy. Also, the sun shines stronger in |
| solar panel array on the roof that is less obtrusive | | | | some areas than in others. A home in less sunny |
| than the huge panels of earlier times. The solar | | | | areas will need more solar panels to produce the |
| panels of today are much more efficient and can | | | | same energy as a home with less solar panel in a |
| convert an abundant amount of energy with a | | | | sunnier area. |
| smaller size than in the past. This makes them | | | | Not enough sunlight? |
| more inconspicuous and, although a solar array on | | | | Even if you do not get enough sun to generate |
| a roof will still be seen, it will blend in substantially | | | | electricity to satisfy all of your energy needs, you |
| more with your building, actually looking very | | | | can still benefit greatly by installing solar panels for |
| attractive and "modern". | | | | your home. The majority of modern homes with |
| Generating solar electricity is really a new concept | | | | solar panels installed are not entirely off-the-grid. |
| for some people. The "old" off-the-grid stereotype | | | | Many homes use both solar panels and |
| does not fit in the economy of today with its | | | | conventional utilities. Doing it this way, they reduce |
| advanced technology. When you see houses with | | | | the cost of their electricity consumption and |
| solar arrays on the roof today, these homes are | | | | depend less on the conventional power received |
| often connected to conventional utilities also. By | | | | from the utility company. They are not |
| utilizing a mixture of traditional energy and solar | | | | completely off-the-grid, but they can still conserve |
| energy, these homeowners are able to drastically | | | | energy while continuing to make use of all the |
| slash their electricity costs and not sacrifice their | | | | appliances they are accustomed to. |
| lifestyle at all in the way they use electricity. It is | | | | How much will Solar Panels cost? |
| highly likely that the homeowners of today can | | | | If you do not go the "hybrid" route of being |
| churn out a sufficient amount of solar energy to | | | | partly on the grid and supplementing your energy |
| meet their needs and even have excess energy | | | | with solar, you should expect your installation to |
| they can sell back to the utility companies for a | | | | cost more. Getting completely off the grid |
| change, rather than getting charged for the | | | | generally costs about $12 to $15 per watt. This |
| energy they consume. | | | | equates to $12K to $15K per kilowatt hour of |
| Installing a solar array on your roof does not cost | | | | energy you want to produce. Compared to |
| as much as many expect. Local and federal | | | | upwards of $35K per mile the utility company |
| government is subsidizing the costs of installing | | | | would charge you to run electric lines to your |
| solar panels for homes in many ways. There are | | | | location, solar energy is much more cost |
| at least 10 federal incentives you can get for | | | | effective. If your home is in an isolated area |
| installing renewable and efficient energy. Most | | | | where commercial electricity is not available, the |
| federal programs contain tax credits, corporate | | | | only way to get electricity is to rely on solar |
| and private exemptions and special loans and | | | | energy. The cost of installing solar panels is far |
| grants for residential home mortgages and | | | | outweighed by the significant breaks in your |
| renewable energy manufacturing. Most, if not all | | | | electric bill as a result. Even so, it will take a few |
| states offer incentives as well, including local | | | | years to realize a return on your investment and |
| rebates, property tax incentives, sales tax | | | | less time if you are able to sell excess energy |
| incentives, and many more. Some states even | | | | back to the utility company. |
| take care of up to 70 percent of installation costs. | | | | Solar panels are a fantastic way to save on |
| If you are thinking about installing solar panels for | | | | energy and resources. Combining solar power with |
| your home, here are a few facts you will need to | | | | wind turbines and other alternative energy |
| know to help you in making the decision to go | | | | sources can make you totally self-sufficient. To |
| solar. | | | | be successful in reaping the benefits of alternative |
| About Solar Panels for Homes | | | | energy, you should be sure to do all you can to |
| Solar panels, or photovoltaic systems, convert | | | | make your home energy-efficient by installing |
| sunlight into electrical energy. Every solar panel is | | | | things like Energy Star appliances, efficient light |
| composed usually of a group of about 30-40 solar | | | | bulbs, efficient cooling and heating systems and |
| cells made with crystalline silicon or some other | | | | other efficient appliances. In addition, separate |
| type of sun absorbing material. The materials they | | | | dedicated energy systems can be used such as |
| are made of are highly efficient at absorbing light. | | | | solar and geothermal water heating systems for |
| Each solar panel is simply a series of solar cells | | | | your pool and/or bath, using portable solar panel |
| connected all together and encased in a shielding | | | | systems for areas where you do not need |
| enclosure with a clear face to allow sun to enter | | | | electricity all the time and, generally, just learning |
| and a solid backing. The entire panel is sealed to | | | | about your energy consumption habits to insure |
| prevent moisture from degrading the panel. | | | | your home is energy efficient and eco-friendly. |