| Are you aware if the costs of Solar Energy are | | | | need a 2KW system. Costs per kW are typically |
| affordable now a days? There some important things | | | | around $9,500 per kW. To look at the cost of installing |
| to consider. A home solar energy system can be | | | | solar thermal panels, you need to look at the number |
| explained by a professional, as they take a look into | | | | of people in your house and how much hot water you |
| your energy needs as far as consumption by | | | | need. allow 50l of water per person, so for a 4 person |
| appliances, computers, etc. Perhaps the simplest solar | | | | house, you need 2panels and a 210 L cylinder. Cost for |
| power system to install is a solar hot water heater | | | | this is around $7-$9,000. |
| that can produce some or all of the household needs. | | | | The reason why solar power cost is so expensive is |
| In most households, however, this is a small share of | | | | because of the raw material that is used in the |
| the utility expense compared to heating and cooling. | | | | manufacturing process. The raw material that is so |
| Based on an average of five hours of sunlight per day, | | | | expensive is silicon, like the stuff they make microchips |
| spring to fall, Solar Energy will provide the power you | | | | from. Although silicon is a relatively common material, |
| need to operate your systems. The actual power | | | | the process needed to make it pure enough for |
| output will vary due to weather conditions and your | | | | semiconductors requires a lot of energy. Hopefully in |
| location. | | | | the near future some of these ideas can be put to use |
| The cost of installing solar power depends on how | | | | to reduce solar power cost. Wouldn't it be great if the |
| many KW you want to generate. A typical house | | | | average homeowner could use solar power for all of |
| uses around 4kW of electricity per year. So if you | | | | their energy needs. |
| want to produce half your electricity from solar, you | | | | |