| There are a number of ways in which the warmth of | | | | power system can be more cost effective than being |
| the sun can be transformed into fuel which can be | | | | connected to an existing power line, especially when |
| used to meet our household power requirements. The | | | | you live some distance from power lines or a power |
| two most popular systems used today are the PV | | | | plant. Also power generated from the sun cannot only |
| (Photovoltaic) one and the CSP (Concentrating Solar | | | | be cheaper but will make it easier as you won't have |
| Power) one. The first system takes the light from the | | | | to pay such outrageous bills for the power you use. |
| sun and creates electricity from it whilst the CSP | | | | A concentrating solar power (CSP) system utilizes |
| system takes the suns heat and produces fuel for a | | | | solar thermal technology and uses a complex array of |
| power plant. | | | | mirrors and panels in order to collect heat from the sun |
| The photovoltaic panels are the most well known of | | | | and sunlight. The heat collected is then transferred to a |
| the solar power systems available and consist of solar | | | | generator and will either be done directly or through |
| panels which inside contain a special semiconductor | | | | using fluids contained within the panels of this solar |
| material that generates electricity when it comes into | | | | system. Heat which is generated in many power plants |
| contact with sunlight, and so creates solar power. | | | | today by burning coal or fossil fuels could in fact |
| When solar power is created in this way it is clean and | | | | possibly be reduced by using a CSP system instead. |
| has not impact on the environment and also provides | | | | Not just individuals but businesses as well could save |
| a renewable source of energy that in the long term will | | | | quite a considerable sum each year through using solar |
| save you money. | | | | power systems. Each month they could find their |
| The power created by a PV solar powered system | | | | energy bills being dramatically reduced if they choose |
| will be routed into the house through a converter which | | | | to install a solar powered system to work in |
| alters the direct current electricity into the standard | | | | conjunction with their existing electrical supply. It can |
| alternating current before it can be used. This is | | | | even become nonexistent when you choose to use |
| actually pretty much the same as what a utility | | | | solar power as the primary source of energy. |
| company does when supplying the current through the | | | | Although you may balk because it costs a lot to have |
| circuit breaker panel in a home. After passing through | | | | it installed, you create and install a small system for just |
| the inverter the current can be stored in a backup | | | | over $200 if you do it yourself. However it is one of |
| system (batteries) for use at night or be sent directly | | | | the more major home improvement projects which |
| through to power lights and other electrical appliances | | | | can start paying for itself immediately after it has been |
| in the home. | | | | done. Although building an extra bathroom my increase |
| If a PV solar powered system is installed correctly it | | | | your home's value, you won't be able to recoup these |
| will be used to power homes that may be far from | | | | costs if you are not able to sell your home at a profit. |
| more traditional types of power grids. Such a solar | | | | |