Solar Energy

Q:) What's the difference between different kinds of solar technology? A:) There's a couple of terms to consider;

Solar Photovoltaic (Above) or PV for short, is a technology that converts light directly into electricity. >>>>

Solar Heating is the usage of the sun to provide a process to heat through absorption. >>>>>

Solar Thermal Generators (Above) is a system that gathers and concentrates the energy of sunlight to produce hotwater & steam, used to operate a turbine and generator, similar to most power plants that >>>>

Q:) What are the Benefits?

A:) Long-term investment that will save you money and energy for many years, minimize the environmental effects and enjoying a comfortable, modern lifestyle. In addition, it provides insurance against energy price increases, help reduce our dependence on foreign oil, it's an investment in everyone's future.

By installing a solar heat and water heater, a typical household can meet 50 to 80% of their needs. Electric and gas prices will continue to go up but solar energy is free; you can rest assure there will be no fuel cost increase.

Low Investment/High Return - Reduced Energy Costs - Savings pay for the system in three to five years.

Q:) What climates will this work in?

A:) Works In Most Climates – This design is best suited for most temperate climates. In southern climates a unit can meet nearly 100% of a household's hot water needs. Independent Energy Source - No Fuel Cost Increase - Because the system is self-sufficient, you can still enjoy heat and hot water even during electric outage.

Q:) What is the maintanece & operating cost?

A:) There is low to no maintenance cost and virtually no operating cost.

Q:) Is there Tax Rebates and Incentives?

A:) On August 8, 2005 a new national policy for solar power, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, was implement. Homeowners who install solar energy systems will receive a tax credit worth 30% of the system cost, capped at $2,000. Additionally, businesses that purchase solar equipment will also receive a credit worth 30% of the overall system cost. These tax credits are authorized through 2008. Additional State Incentives are also available.

Improved Environment - Reduced demand for fossil fuels will improve the environment by reducing air and water pollution as well as the heat-trapping gases that cause global warming. And though they cost a little bit more up front to install, a Solar system will save consumers money in the long run as the fuel source (the sun's energy) will always be free.

Q:) Is this a Proven & Efficient Technology?

A:) Yes! Currently there are more than 300,000 Heating units installed across the United States (excluding swimming pool applications) and because these systems have been proven efficient and reliable, the number of installations continues to grow by the thousands every year.

Little History

First Solar Cell- According to Encyclopedia Britannica the first genuine solar cell was built around 1883 by Charles Fritts, who used junctions formed by coating selenium (a semiconductor) with an extremely thin layer of gold.

Silicon Solar Cell- Early solar cells, however, had energy conversion efficiencies of under one percent. In 1941, the silicon solar cell was invented by Russell Ohl.

Efficient Solar Cells- In 1954, three American researchers, Gerald Pearson, Calvin Fuller and Daryl Chapin, designed a silicon solar cell capable of a six percent energy conversion efficiency with direct sunlight. The three inventors created an array of several strips of silicon (each about the size of a razorblade), placed them in sunlight, captured the free electrons and turned them into electrical current. They created the first solar panels.

Bell Laboratories in New York announced the prototype manufacture of a new solar battery. Bell had funded the research. The first public service trial of the Bell Solar Battery began with a telephone carrier system (Americus, Georgia) on October 4, 1955.

The environmental importance of Photovoltaic (Click here for) forms of energy production cannot be overstated.

Nanosolar (Click here for) has developed proprietary technology that makes it possible to simply roll-print thin-film solar cells that can be as efficient and durable as conventional silicon cells.

This process technology, enables a dramatic increase in the process throughput and process yield possible in the production of thin-film solar cells, delivering unprecedented cost and production volume scalability advantages. The result sets the standard for the technology and products that make it possible to put A Solar Panel on Every Building®.

More Information will be added. Thank you for visiting, explore and click onto highlighted text to open that window. If you should have special interest, requests, comments, please “Contact Us”. Enjoy yourself. Sincerely Randal

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