| un provides us a virtually unlimited source of renewable | | | | sunlight. These solar thermal systems are simple to |
| energy that can be harnessed to provide the power | | | | install and very inexpensive to operate. They can save |
| we need everyday. There are a wide range of solar | | | | the average home thousands of dollars a year in |
| power systems that can convert this solar energy into | | | | energy costs to heat the hot water used everyday by |
| a more useful form and enable us to charge our | | | | their household members. |
| portable devices or power and heat our homes. All of | | | | Portable Systems Complement Your Home System |
| these systems are available today and allow you to | | | | Another one of the solar power uses that is starting to |
| reduce the price of energy considerably by using a | | | | catch on are the portable solar chargers that allow |
| solar power system. | | | | you to charge your portable devices like laptops and |
| Electricity Generation Tops The List | | | | cell phones with sunlight. These come in a few |
| The most common use of solar power by far are the | | | | different styles and allow you to either charge the |
| various home solar electric systems. These have been | | | | device directly, or charge an internal battery in the |
| available for years and current versions are less | | | | charger itself for later use in powering your device. |
| expensive, more flexible and easier to install than ever | | | | Most of these portable solar chargers have a flexible |
| before. They do a great job of turning sunlight into | | | | solar panel that can be unfolded or rolled out and |
| power that can be used in your home and help you | | | | placed in the sun. This solar panel either connects to |
| eliminate your monthly electricity bill. The advantage | | | | the device it is charging, or simply charges an internal |
| that these newer home solar electric systems provide | | | | battery. Most of these portable solar power chargers |
| is their greater efficiency and flexibility. These newer | | | | have a few different connection options and usually |
| systems can provide more power from less | | | | supply a standard connector that you can use to |
| equipment than ever before. | | | | charge your device. |
| System Flexibility | | | | Remote Monitoring Aids Data Collection |
| They are also flexible enough to allow you to start | | | | Another one of the creative solar power uses are for |
| with a smaller and very affordable system and | | | | remote monitoring stations. These stations are usually |
| expand that system over time to eventually generate | | | | setup in remote areas to monitor weather conditions |
| all the power your home requires. This way you can | | | | or other environmental data. Because they are remote, |
| start small with solar power for your home and grow | | | | there is very limited access to conventional power. |
| your system over time as your budget permits. | | | | Older systems required regular visits to change out |
| Heat Your Water with the Sun | | | | their heavy battery packs to keep the system |
| Another related use of solar power for homes is in | | | | operational. Now with the advent of solar power, these |
| heating the water you use to bathe and cook. These | | | | systems can use a set of solar panels to charge the |
| systems consist of a solar collector that is mounted on | | | | batteries needed to run the equipment. This eliminates |
| the roof of the home facing south. This collector is | | | | the need for a monthly visit and also makes these |
| connected to the hot water supply of the home and | | | | monitoring stations much less expensive to operate. |
| will heat this water using the thermal component in | | | | |