| Solar energy can be harnessed in several ways. The | | | | lower rates. |
| most common methods are using Solar Collectors or | | | | Many people mistakenly still think that we are waiting |
| using Solar Panels. It is very important to understand | | | | for a big scientific breakthrough for the use of |
| the difference between these two terms as they are | | | | photovoltaic panels to become feasible. The panels |
| completely different. In general Solar Collectors | | | | are extremely reliable and cost effective in many |
| produce usually hot water or hot air, while Solar Panels | | | | applications today. With more support from policy |
| produce electricity. | | | | makers, solar energy could become a significant |
| Solar Collectors use the greenhouse effect to capture | | | | contributor to the nation's energy production with the |
| the sun's energy. It is able to harvest the suns energy | | | | existing technology. |
| in the form of heat. Greenhouses use air to transfer | | | | Another myth is that in order to get a practical solar |
| heat and Collectors use water or a combination of | | | | panel kits system working, very large roof areas is |
| water and antifreeze. | | | | required. The rule of thumb is that a 1,000 watt system |
| Solar Panels (or solar panel kits) are very much | | | | (1KW) requires approx. 8-10 m² of roof surface |
| different.. They convert solar radiation into electricity | | | | area-this is much less that most people expect. |
| and they work best in direct sunlight at a low | | | | Another advantage of Solar Panel system is that |
| temperature. Large PV (Photo Voltaic) systems are | | | | Photovoltaic systems require almost no maintenance. |
| still quite costly. They produce DC current and require | | | | Consequently the operating and maintenance costs |
| inverters to convert the DC to compatible AC power. | | | | are very low. Dust and dirt are usually washed away |
| The AC power is often connected to the grid so that | | | | by the rain. Rarely remove any significant accumulation |
| solar energy may be sold back to the power | | | | of dirt, like leaves. |
| company. Due to the reimbursement tariffs it makes | | | | To learn more about building your own solar power |
| sense to feed all the solar power into the public grid | | | | system at a fraction of the cost of a commercially |
| and continue consuming household electricity at much | | | | installed system click here. |