| With today's energy bills out of control more and more | | | | run backward which means more money back into |
| people are considering going to something more | | | | your pocket. How exciting would be it be to get a |
| efficient such as solar power. Unfortunately that's as | | | | check back from your local electric company? |
| far as most people get, just thinking about it. Somehow | | | | Today, commonly available solar panels are 12% |
| the idea is a good one, but too intimidating. Hopefully | | | | efficient, which is four times greater than only a few |
| we can provide you with enough information to get | | | | years ago. Today, solar power still comes in two |
| you motivated into action. | | | | primary forms: thermal solar, where the heat of the |
| The ultimate goal of residential solar panels once | | | | sun is used to heat water which drives the turbines to |
| installed is to effectively run the household and | | | | create electricity; and photovoltaic, where electricity is |
| eliminate the dependence on the conventional electrical | | | | produced directly from the sun with no moving parts. |
| power from the local utility. | | | | Over time the solar panels can be become less |
| The latest technology is a high-efficiency, | | | | efficient. However, instead of stopping production |
| ultra-lightweight personal solar power solution that has | | | | completely, a solar panel will gradually produce less |
| proven itself in numerous applications, ranging from | | | | and less power over decades. Single-crystal solar |
| marine to desert environments for the military and | | | | panels are currently the most efficient available, |
| others. That technology is making its way into the | | | | meaning that they produce the most power per |
| hands of everyday consumers. Even more exciting is | | | | square foot of module. |
| that some individual homes and businesses with solar | | | | The biggest drawback that people see and also the |
| panels are now connecting directly to the existing | | | | biggest hurdle to getting started is the upfront cost. |
| power grid. By generating more electricity than they | | | | The startup cost for solar power is rather high, but the |
| need and supplying the excess energy to utilities, | | | | ongoing expenses are very low so over time you will |
| homeowners can actually make their electric meters | | | | actually be money ahead. |