| Solar power investing, is it worth it? | | | | lines to your house and reconnect wires for it all. This |
| I'm sure you've all heard the recent hype about solar | | | | can cost you a lot, into the tens of thousands if you're |
| power and how it may be used as possible wide scale | | | | really remote. Once you get that power, you still have |
| power source. Well we'll discuss whether or not it's a | | | | to pay for every single kilowatt you use. The costs of |
| good investment for the average family. The upfront | | | | having power to an un-serviced area are anywhere |
| costs can be in the hundreds of dollars; will the savings | | | | from 18000$-60000$. |
| ever even match that amount? Lets see. | | | | With solar power you install the system once and your |
| What is a Solar Panel? : A solar panel is a series of | | | | set. No payments after the installation fee, which will |
| photovoltaic modules placed together and wired into | | | | probably be cheaper then the installation fee of the |
| one field-installable unit. A photovoltaic module is made | | | | power lines. Now you have a quiet, reliable, safe, |
| out of many cells, which convert sunlight into direct | | | | cheap, hassle free and especially green source of |
| current electricity. So from smallest to biggest: cells, | | | | energy. A 600W system can cost 8000$. |
| modules, panels and arrays. Arrays are a large | | | | What can I use it for? : Other then bringing energy to |
| number of panels placed together to gather sunlight. | | | | your home, solar power can also be used to heat your |
| There are usually 36 cells per each module, each with | | | | water. A system may cost you around 5000$ but you |
| a voltage of .5 volts. | | | | can save on your water bill anywhere form 50-100% a |
| How efficient are they? : Depending on the type of | | | | year. For around 3000$ you can get a solar pool |
| module the sunlight conversion efficiency can range | | | | heater. Since solar panels have such long lifetimes they |
| from 5% to 12%. Single Crystalline is the best, oldest | | | | will save you money in the long run, no matter what |
| and most expensive method of conversion (10-12%). | | | | their cost. |
| Polycrystalline is not as efficient, however it does cost | | | | Is solar power a good investment? : It depends on |
| less. (10-11%) String Ribbon costs even less but its | | | | what your circumstances are. If you live in an |
| rates are only 5-7%. Amorphous is the cheapest, and | | | | un-serviced area, then yes, solar power is a lot better |
| it is dispersed as a vapour over materials such as | | | | then being hooked up to the grid. If you're planning on |
| glass. (5-7%) | | | | building a home from scratch, then yes, you can design |
| Why use solar power? : Solar energy is free energy. If | | | | the home to be the most efficient at collecting solar |
| you don't use it, you lose it. We know the sun will | | | | energy. If you are living in a major city in a pre-built |
| always shine in our lifetimes; it's not going to run out. | | | | home or apartment, then no solar energy is not a good |
| Almost everyday we get sunlight, unless you're in | | | | investment. So it really depends on your |
| Britain, and it's there for the taking. If you build a house | | | | circumstances. |
| out in the country, which is not connected to any | | | | Solar energy will pay off in the long run, this means in |
| power lines, then to receive power you must contact | | | | years time. If you are capable in waiting that long then |
| the nearest power agency and they must build new | | | | yes, it's a good investment. |