| As we experience the soaring monthly energy | | | | adapted the use of PV in their residential houses. |
| bills, we have to have a second look on how to | | | | This technology, although not yet very efficient, is |
| save money. Although we may already have | | | | the current trend to energy self-sufficiency. |
| changed our lifestyle to conform to agreed advice | | | | Photovoltaic derived its name from two main |
| on conserving energy in our house, the charges | | | | words. "Photo" means light, while "voltaic" means |
| for our electricity and gas requirements | | | | electricity. PV panels can be formed by placing |
| consistently increase. We therefore have to look | | | | positive and negative silicon between two |
| at the current technology of harnessing energy | | | | non-reflective glasses. One of the sheets is |
| using solar power for homes. | | | | treated with boron and the other phosphorous |
| Solar power is basically harnessing the free | | | | and this creates a positive and a negative charge. |
| energy of the sun to generate electricity. There | | | | When the PV cells are illuminated by the sun- |
| are two basic ways to generate electricity from | | | | electricity is created. |
| the heat and light of the sun. First one is by using | | | | PV panels can be directly connected to the |
| photovoltaics (PV) that can harness the light from | | | | electrical components that use direct current (DC). |
| the sun and directly converting it into electricity. | | | | Our normal house appliances uses alternating |
| The second is with concentration solar power | | | | current (AC) and it is required to be attached to |
| (CSP) that indirectly converts the heat from the | | | | an electronic device called inverter. As the sun is |
| sun to electricity. CSP requires the refocusing of | | | | not consistently available to illuminate the PV |
| the heat of the solar rays into a single focal point | | | | panels, the solar panels are normally used to |
| that will boil water. The superheated water will | | | | charge the batteries that run the house electrical |
| then be used to run the turbines that will | | | | components. |
| eventually generate electricity. | | | | Solar power is expensive, as we have to invest |
| The CSP technology was adapted by eco-friendly | | | | on new devices. We will be able to recover the |
| countries and large organisations to create | | | | cost as time progresses. In some countries, |
| electricity for communities. They use "solar | | | | rebates are offered by government institutions |
| farms", arrays of curved mirrors that follow the | | | | when solar power is used. Solar energy is the |
| location of the sun, to reflect all the beams into a | | | | way of the future. It is clean, effective and |
| single location. This technique is very simple and | | | | efficient. Producing it does not create toxic fumes |
| had proven to be successful. It also has a basic | | | | that destroy our environment. The good side is |
| drawback, as it is very dangerous to be used | | | | that we will be self-sufficient. Just imagine one less |
| domestically. Energy conscious households have | | | | bill to pay every month. |