| Solar Panels are in the news with many conflicting | | | | panels consists of, for example, 24 solar cells hooked |
| claims, so here is a dose of reality with my ten top | | | | up electrically and with leads soldered onto each cell. |
| facts for Solar Electric Panels | | | | And if you wish to connect to your home electric |
| 1. Solar Panels are made by mounting solar cells on a | | | | circuits even a keen D.I.Y. enthusiast would be |
| backing plate. Some panels are rigid and can be roof | | | | recommended to call in a qualified electrician |
| mounted while others are flexible and can be rolled up | | | | experienced in home solar energy to check what they |
| and put into a rucksack | | | | are doing! |
| 2. Solar Cells are usually made from silica which | | | | 8. The cost of a factory made solar panel varies |
| comes from sand | | | | widely with it's size and construction. It may well be in |
| 3. Solar cells are small semiconductors which produce | | | | the $800 to $1200 range and the home would need |
| a small voltage and electric current when light shines | | | | perhaps a dozen of these or more. You can see why |
| on them | | | | the DIY market exists with prices like these! |
| 4. Solar Panels are getting cheaper now. With so | | | | 9. It is true that electric utility companies may buy solar |
| much pressure from climate change concerns lots of | | | | electricity from your home if you are generating more |
| technological effort is going into producing more | | | | than you are using but not all utilities do this, so check |
| cheaply. | | | | before hand if this is one of your goals |
| 5. Solar Panels are also getting more affordable due to | | | | 10. A solar survey done by an experienced solar |
| central government grants and perhaps local grants | | | | installer can help you and advise on the position and |
| too | | | | direction of your panels. The panels need to face the |
| 6. Solar panels are gaining in efficiency in leaps and | | | | sun and in the northern hemisphere they will face |
| bounds. Wikipedia has it that the first solar cell was | | | | South but shade from trees and chimneys may mean |
| only 1% efficient and commercial cells are commonly | | | | that an installation is not practical on that roof. Some |
| 20% efficient. Breaking news is that the latest | | | | people solve that problem by mounting their panels on |
| experimental cells in a laboratory setting are 45% | | | | poles or frames at a distance from their home. |
| efficient. These cells hold a promise of smaller cheaper | | | | Solar energy is over a hundred years old and is now |
| panels with even cheaper electric power. | | | | developing very fast. It is well worth checking to see if |
| 7. Do it Yourself enthusiasts are also building their own | | | | it can help you reduce both your impact on the |
| panels. The main skill needed for this kind of D.I.Y. | | | | environment your cost of living. |
| project is soldering. You need this skill because the | | | | |