| p>In the renewable energy category, solar power is | | | | available to the consumer including solar-powered fans, |
| easily one of the top two most recognized sources, | | | | water heaters, pool heaters, garden fountains, and |
| and for good reason. The volume of solar energy | | | | lights. |
| hitting the earth over the course of an hour is more | | | | Advanced solar technology has also made possible |
| than enough to cover global energy needs for an | | | | the thin-film solar panel. This is an awesome product |
| entire year. | | | | that is lighter and thinner than standard solar panels; |
| The beauty of this currently under-utilized energy | | | | think credit card thickness. They are easier to install, |
| source is that no matter how much we use, it will | | | | much more flexible and visually appealing in their |
| never run out, (at least not for the next 4 ½ | | | | application than standard panels and whilst their |
| billion years or so). Therefore, with zero pollutants or | | | | efficiency isn't yet comparable to regular solar panels, |
| byproducts, solar energy is truly a clean and | | | | it's quickly catching up. Thanks to their lighter weight |
| renewable energy source along with wind, wave and | | | | and flexibility, you can install them in a multitude of |
| geothermal energy, | | | | places where you would never be able to install |
| There are actually two forms of solar energy | | | | traditional solar panels. |
| classification, the most commonly known being "active | | | | Solar panels have been around for decades and while |
| solar", which relies on direct sunlight hitting a solar panel. | | | | their percentage of current energy output is |
| A chemical reaction then occurs between the sunlight | | | | comparatively small in the United States, some |
| and photovoltaic cells, (which simply means, "electricity | | | | speculators believe that by 2025 more than 20% of |
| from sunlight") inside the panel creating direct current | | | | our total energy demand could be met by solar power. |
| electricity (DC). This is converted into alternating | | | | Back in the present though, there are already realistic |
| current (AC) and can then be used immediately or | | | | and affordable resources available to help the individual |
| stored in batteries. Active solar panels should always | | | | homeowner create their own home solar power |
| be positioned to maximize their exposure to the sun. | | | | system. These systems harness the sun's infinite |
| The second form of solar power is "passive solar", | | | | power on a smaller scale for personal and immediate |
| where a structure is built in a sun friendly area and | | | | benefit and can be built at a fraction of the cost of |
| positioned so as to harness direct sunlight "passively", | | | | purchasing a mainstream professionally installed |
| simply through elements such as windows. | | | | system. As for any construction skills that are |
| In the wake of the increasing crude oil costs, renewed | | | | required... well let's just say that if you can follow the |
| interest has brought new life and purpose to the | | | | plans and successfully assemble an item purchased |
| continuing developments of mainstream solar panels | | | | from a Swedish furniture store, then you're more than |
| and an increasing variety of solar-powered products | | | | qualified. |