| While most of us have heard of solar power, the | | | | money. |
| general consensus is that it would be great, but it costs | | | | Pros and Cons |
| too much. I know this is how I felt about it. When solar | | | | Crystalline Photovoltaic Modules: |
| energy panels first came out this was true. Today the | | | | 1. 170 to 220W |
| technology has had time to advance and many solar | | | | 2. 12% to 17% efficiency |
| energy products can be set up at a more reasonable | | | | 3. 3 by 5 foot in size |
| cost. | | | | 4. Takes less room |
| We now have options that were not available when | | | | 5. Stabilizes immediately |
| solar energy products first came on the market. Along | | | | 6. Less output in shady areas |
| with the large crystalline panels of photovoltaic cells | | | | 7. Estimated cost 3KW system 27,900 |
| that we were first introduced to there are also thinner, | | | | Thin Film Module: |
| more flexible thin film versions on the market. This | | | | 1. 60 to 70 W |
| does not necessarily mean that they are a better | | | | 2. 6%to 8% efficiency |
| option; it just means that you do have options. What it | | | | 3. 3 by 3 foot in size |
| does mean is that before you decide to make the | | | | 4. Takes more room for same output |
| investment in a solar energy system you need to do | | | | 5. 6 to 12 months to stabilize |
| some research to see which option is the best for | | | | 6. Better output in shady areas |
| your energy needs and the area that you live in. That | | | | 7. Estimated cost 3KW system 35,600 |
| is what I will try to help you with in this article. | | | | These are just some of the thing s to consider when |
| I will be assuming that most of us do not plan on | | | | you are trying to decide on a solar energy system. |
| installing these systems ourselves, so talking to the | | | | You should also be sure to check zoning laws in your |
| contractor you hire to install the system is always a | | | | area some areas do not allow solar energy panels. |
| wise choice. I will try to give you enough information so | | | | Talk to your contractor about the best place to put this |
| that you can ask intelligent questions when you talk to | | | | system. We usually see them on rooftops, but if you |
| him/her. I will be looking at utility-interactive systems, | | | | live in an area that receives much snow in the winter |
| ones that can hook into your current electrical supply. | | | | you may want them accessible so that you can keep |
| These are set up so that you use the energy from the | | | | them cleaned off. I try to avoid snowy rooftops in the |
| system first and any supply you do not use is sent on | | | | winter; they are bad for my health. |
| to the grid. Keep in mind however, that there are also | | | | While these systems are not inexpensive, consider |
| systems that operate completely off the grid; these | | | | how much a new car would cost you. These systems |
| are handy for remote areas that do not have electrical | | | | are comparable and instead of costing you money for |
| suppliers nearby. These systems allow you to receive | | | | upkeep they would be saving you money on your |
| a credit for the energy your system supplies to the | | | | energy costs. Most of these systems are also |
| grid, which reduces the amount you have to pay for | | | | guaranteed to produce at least 80% of rated energy |
| energy you use when your system is not supplying | | | | for 25 years. You could easily save the cost of the |
| enough, for instance during storms or at night. In some | | | | system in just a few years; still this is a long-term |
| cases your energy supplier could be paying you | | | | investment. |