| Energy is not as cheap as many of the power | | | | moisture. They are made of two designs usually; |
| companies like to tell you, especially if you're in the | | | | wafer-based crystalline silicon cells and thin-film cells, |
| habit of leaving a light switched on or leaving the air | | | | which have the material pressed on sheets of plastic. |
| conditioner running over night. We're all guilty of such | | | | Photovoltaic solar panels offer one of the most |
| things from time to time, but how can we ensure that | | | | cost-efficient solutions to the problems of meeting |
| when the bill arrives our eyes don't pop from their | | | | home and business power needs. While there has |
| sockets? | | | | been a surge in the number of photovoltaic power |
| The simple answer to that query is to seek out | | | | stations constructed around the world, the availability of |
| alternative power sources and solar power systems | | | | on-grid solar power depends heavily on where you live. |
| that can satisfy, easily and affordably, our energy | | | | Spain is the most developed nation with regards |
| needs is the obvious answer. | | | | on-grid solar power, with 17 of the 20 biggest |
| In recent decades, solar power has become | | | | photovoltaic power stations in the world to be found |
| increasingly popular but off-grid solar power systems | | | | there. |
| specifically designed for homes and businesses, have | | | | However, for the home and business owner it may be |
| taken off in popularity. There are two types available: | | | | better to invest in an off-grid system with photovoltaic |
| Solar Thermal Panel systems and Photovoltaic Panel | | | | panels (or modules) winning hands down in that |
| systems. | | | | regards also. It can be constructed into a the roof or |
| Thermal panel systems use the power of sunlight to | | | | wall of a building, or mounted on the roof, ensuring a |
| heat water (or air or another liquid) to serve such | | | | fast and disruption-free installation, regardless of |
| household or business systems as heating, ventilation | | | | whether your in an urban or rural area. |
| and air conditioning. Liquid is heated by solar 'collectors' | | | | Its cost-effectiveness is clearly illustrated with the fact |
| and then circulates the building though the piping | | | | that 30,000 small (up to 100W) solar panels are sold in |
| system. | | | | Kenya, a third-world nation, every year. It is also |
| There are a number of collectors ideal for your home | | | | calculated to be 85 times more efficient than ethanol, a |
| or business, but the two most commonly used are Flat | | | | fuel manufactured from sugar cane and which |
| Plate and Evacuated Tube collectors. | | | | represents 18 percent of Brazil's energy production. |
| In Flat Plate collectors, sunlight heats an absorber sheet | | | | Ethanol from one hectare of cane can fuel one car for |
| which in turn heats the liquid in the pipes, and through | | | | 30,000 miles; or in photovoltaic terms, 2.5 million miles! |
| thermosphyon (natural convection) it circulates through | | | | According to the European Photovoltaic Industry |
| the system. The liquid is usually passed to a storage | | | | Association (EPIA), photovoltaic panels have an |
| tank located above the collector. It is possible to get | | | | estimated panel lifespan of 25-40 years and a |
| 'freeze tolerant' collectors for use in areas where | | | | return-on-investment period of just 8 to 12 years. |
| extremely cold weather is common. | | | | There are other factors to consider regarding solar |
| Evacuated Tube collectors differ greatly in design. | | | | energy systems. Most governments offer a grant |
| They consist of a number of glass tubes, each of | | | | system to those who switch to alternative power. In |
| which has an inner glass tube through which the liquid | | | | the USA, the incentives can differ from state to state, |
| passes. A vacuum between the tubes ensure little | | | | with one of California's many incentives offering a |
| heat is lost, meaning they can use the sun's heat more | | | | property tax exemption to those who install solar |
| effectively that Flat Plate collectors, and since outside | | | | panels in their home. |
| air temperature does not influence the system, they | | | | But some governments even recognize the extent of |
| can be used in colder climates. | | | | the energy revolution with residents in Ontario, Canada, |
| Photovoltaic panel systems can convert sunlight into | | | | for example, able to sell their own energy to the grid |
| electricity directly. Each solar cell uses the light of the | | | | system at a price of USD0.42 per kWh. |
| sun to create a voltage. The cells are delicate, and | | | | So not only can you save money, you can also make |
| susceptible to the elements of natures - not least | | | | money. |