| Solar Efficiency Has Increased | | | | Another very important aspect is that contrary |
| If you are researching PV panels, you are | | | | to most contractors’ misconception it is not a |
| someone that knows something about solar | | | | difficult installation. For those of you who live or |
| energy. For those of you who aren’t quite | | | | are considering living in extremely remote or rural |
| certain, I will save you a search of an online | | | | areas if electricity is available it is usually |
| definition. PV is short for Photovoltaic, and | | | | expensive. In those cases solar power is |
| according to Wikipedia, is the field of technology | | | | undoubtedly the right way to go. However, even |
| and research related to the application of solar | | | | in areas where power lines are nearby, solar may |
| cells for energy by converting solar energy | | | | still be a viable alternative to being connected to a |
| (sunlight, including ultra violet radiation) directly into | | | | power company. As stated, the average home |
| electricity. There is no need to go into the history | | | | has more than enough roof area to produce |
| of solar energy, accept to point out the | | | | enough solar electricity to supply all of its power |
| advancements in the last five years. The | | | | needs. All that is needed is an inverter, which |
| development of transistor and accompanying | | | | converts direct current (DC) power from the |
| semiconductor technology, has drastically | | | | solar cells to alternating current (AC), which are |
| increased photovoltaic power and efficiency. | | | | what most home appliances run on. A solar home, |
| Today, commonly available solar panels are 12% | | | | except for the obvious changes to the roof, will |
| efficient, which is four times greater than only a | | | | look and operate just like any home does when it |
| few years ago. An average home has more than | | | | was connected to the power line. |
| enough roof area to produce enough solar | | | | You Can Build a PV Panel |
| electricity to supply all of its power needs. You | | | | Do-It-Yourself and Save Thousands |
| must determine what those needs are. What I | | | | The cost of PV Panels and a complete solar |
| mean is, are you just planning on heating your | | | | energy power installation can run into the tens of |
| water, or perhaps looking at producing enough | | | | thousands if left in the hands of contractors. |
| energy to meet your entire electrical needs? Are | | | | There is a viable option that will save you tens of |
| you going off grid, or thinking about selling the | | | | thousands of dollars. I am referring to making this |
| excess energy back to the power company? | | | | a do-it-yourself project. There are kits available |
| Let the Sun Point the Way | | | | that will cut your cost in half. Even better than |
| Photovoltaic Power and You | | | | that there are online instructional guides that will |
| The obvious reason for considering solar is fact | | | | walk you through the entire process step by |
| that it is a renewable non- polluting source of | | | | step, and slash the price down to about $200.00 |
| energy. You should also know that it has no | | | | per panel. For those of you who don’t have |
| moving parts to break down, and requires very | | | | either the time or the inclination to do it all |
| little maintenance. Did you know that the small | | | | yourself, I might suggest that you take |
| amount that hits your roof, greatly surpasses all | | | | advantage of the current work shortage by hiring |
| the energy that is transported through the utility | | | | a couple of competent handymen to construct |
| company electric wires? That is the reason many | | | | the entire project. I bet with the right instructions, |
| people who have switched over to solar power, | | | | you could bring it in for a tenth of the original |
| either go off grid, or sell back to the utility | | | | estimate. |
| companies for a profit. Here is another fact that | | | | My own extensive research has helped me |
| will astound you. The entire total of fossil fuels | | | | narrow down the best of the best instructional |
| on Earth can be matched by the solar energy | | | | guides, complete with blueprints, photos, for that |
| output of the sun on Earth, in less than three | | | | do-it-yourself solar and/or wind power project |
| days. | | | | you might be considering. |