The use of solar panels in residences has proved to be the best and most cost-efficient alternative for utility power. However, the use of solar power has yet to reach its full potential in the residential market.

Recent advances in technology can possibly change this, as the industry has seen opportunities to create solar panels with new designs, in terms of both aesthetics and functionality.

Aesthetically-pleasing designs

Solar power has only recently been given a great deal of attention. As a result, residential homes built 10, 20, or 30 years ago were not constructed in such a way that solar panels could be later added if the resident family decides to install some.

Previously, solar panels were very thick and had to be mounted with out-of-place brackets on top of existing roofs. Fortunately, the solar panel manufacturing industry has recently realized that poor aesthetics is one of the main reasons why solar power has not completely made its way into the residential market.

New panels are hardly noticeable. The tiles are seamlessly integrated into the existing roofs of residential homes, which achieve a very elegant look. The rise in number of solar installations in the U.S. rose by an amazing 45% in 2007 and is widely attributed to the creation of more aesthetically-pleasing panel designs.

There are a number of companies that have already come up with more aesthetically-pleasing solar panel designs. The Sun Power Corporation, for example, the leading U.S. solar panel manufacturer, has created some panels that are compatible with Mediterranean-styled clay tiles and flat roof tiles. Lumeta, another manufacturer, has design panels that are awaiting industry certification.

The panels made by both Sun Power and Lumeta are made from silicon. The market will soon see thinner panels made of copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS). As of now, however, such panels are less efficient than the currently existing silicon ones. Sometime in the near future, these thin-film panels are expected to dominate residential use by becoming a standard part of the building process.

Highly functional designs

One example of a new, more functional solar panel design is that recently designed by the Georgia Tech Research Institute. This innovative design allows the panels to absorb more sunlight, enabling them to produce up to 60 times more current. This new design makes use of nano-towers that add significant surface area to the solar panels, giving the particles of light from the sun more chances to strike the part of the cell that produces electricity.

However, these new panels still have a couple of kinks yet to be worked out. These new panel designs have too much resistance in their cells, resulting in an inability to generate the kind of electricity needed.

Jud Ready, senior research engineer at the Georgia Tech Research Institute and creator of this new solar panel design, is determined to work on the design and modify its features to resolve the difficulties within it. The US Air Force is currently partially sponsoring the research in high hopes that these smaller and more efficient solar panels will replace old, bulky ones and can eventually be used to power satellites and spacecrafts in the future.

About the Author:

John Mahoney is a freelance author who writes about various technology related subjects including solar panel . For more information about John visit: his website.

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Solar Power Energy has powered the Earth and today, there are various techniques you can use this form of energy, to translate into a regular and cost-effective option, for your homes. A look at how residential and passive solar energy can be used to help you make a difference towards Mother Nature.

So, what exactly is Solar Energy?

Solar energy is an environmentally friendly form of energy that uses the energy, which is available naturally. The best feature of this energy is that it is free and is available anywhere on earth. Unaffected by rising prices, solar power energy, is the most effective and renewable source of energy available. The sun is the main source in this case and it is the only powerful source of heat and light. In the face of ever increasing bills and the rise in global warming, it is now mandatory for individuals to use this solar power energy to the fullest.

Some facts about Solar Energy:

• It helps the environment.
• It is a renewable source.
• It can be used and translated into many forms for use (Cooking, heating etc.)
• It is the cheapest source for electricity.

Residential Solar Energy:

As the name suggests, residential solar energy is the use of solar energy for the home. It also depends on the different ways the homes are structured today. Various homes are designed to use the residential solar energy for diverse purposes. Considered to be an expensive affair, residential solar energy, once set up in the complex requires very little maintenance. And once it is implemented, it will obviously save the use of electricity that results in humongous electricity bills.

There are homes that may use the residential solar energy to heat water or for the use of outdoor lights. There are others that completely rely on this form. For example, residential solar energy can be utilized through various mechanical methods. This is an active solar form of energy and can be sourced by using solar panels and solar cells.

Passive Solar Energy:

The use of passive solar energy proves to be different from the one mentioned earlier. Here, the home is structured to reduce the use of energy in the house. For such cases, the buildings are designed to absorb the energy. This is then later distributed and circulated with the use of various features. The passive techniques employ the use of walls, windows, floors, roofs etc. Passive solar energy methods ensure that the building designs create a beautiful balance in terms of the energy requirements. Unlike residential solar energy, passive solar energy mainly used the features of the building to convert the energy of the sun for better use.

Here, the buildings may need to include large windows that can help to illuminate the interiors better. This would in turn also help in proper distribution of heat. As mentioned earlier, due to the design features of the building, it absorbs the heat naturally. Passive solar heating occurs when the sunlight is let in and the heat is translated into different forms of energy. But one of the factors one must consider is the problem of overheating. For example: You can use a double layer of gypsum boards on the walls that will absorb the heat during the day and emit the heat once the sun sets.

The use of passive solar energy can also minimize the use of air conditioners or even completely eradicate the use of them. One can use simple methods such as adjustable shades that can reduce the flow of the radiation caused by the sun. This can in turn cool down the interiors. When the building is being planned, one can also use various techniques such as reduction of the size of the windows or implementing the use of reflective materials. This can help those people, who experience a warmer climate.

Ways to achieve Passive Cooling Using Passive Solar Energy:

Keep the windows open for cooling when needed.  The windows should be located in the upper floor. This would ensure it is heated well.  Ensure that you let the cooler air enter through the ground floor. This can in turn slowly pass on to the other rooms through ducts.  Consult a professional for the installation of proper windows. The right size and materials used, can help in better utilization of light and the sun’s energy.

Thus we can see that solar power energy can be put to use, in different ways to give us a very practical and cost-effective application of energies in our homes today. This technology of using the light from the sun can be translated into various techniques that will help us reduce not only the electricity bills but also the harmful effects caused by global warming.

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Have you been wondering what exactly solar power is? Perhaps you’ve heard the term but never quite understood what it was all about. Well, here you will learn more about what solar power actually is and how it works, so keep reading…

Basically, solar power is energy that is actually harnessed from the sun. Although the sun is millions of miles away from earth, if we had the ability to harness all the energy coming from the sun, there is more than enough power there to provide all the energy we need for the entire earth. In fact, there is enough energy to provide plenty of energy for 10,000 earths. While you can use solar power for a variety of appliances and other items, you have to realize that this is different than using this power to produce heat.

There are two different principles that are used with solar power. If you want to produce hot air or hot fluids, then solar thermal principles are used. However, if you want to product electricity, photovoltaic principles are used instead. If you want to produce solar power, there are four components that are needed, including a batter, a charge controller, a solar panel, and an inverter.

It is the solar panels that actually get the radiation from the sun and use it to charge up the battery. Then, the charge regulator actually makes sure that the battery charges as it should. Of course, probably the most important pieces of equipment are going to be the solar panels and usually they output energy in watts. These panels can be wired in a variety of ways, although usually parallel or series wiring is done to either increase the amperage or the voltage.

So, are there benefits to solar power? Yes! There are a variety of amazing benefits to using solar power. In fact, many people all over the world are already using this type of energy to supply their electricity. Some of the benefits are as follows:

-Creation of jobs
-Protection of the environment
-Solar power is abundant and free
-Fuel supply is diverse
-Rapid deployment

As long as the sun is hanging there in the sky, we will be able to have the energy that solar power produces. In fact, there is so much energy there, more than 10,000 times the amount of energy we need is available. You should learn as much as possible about solar power so that you will know about the great benefits offered and how your life will change for the better if you decide to go with solar power instead of using other energy sources.

Whether you have a business or a home, you’ll find that solar power can offer many advantages for both. Since solar power is friendly to the environment, you will not have to worry about toxins or pollutants from this type of energy and you won’t have to worry about the issue of global warming either.

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Technorati Tags: advantages, bills, define, domestic, electric, energy, home, on, panel, power, renewable, roofing, save, solar, works

So you are thinking about making an investment in Solar Power for your home or business? Well the time is right as there are multiple reasons why it makes sense now but also, it is important to know that the benefits of Solar Systems will increase over time.

1. SOLAR PANELS SAVE MONEY EVERY MONTH AND FOREVER Solar will save you money on electricity costs and protect you from future rate increases.

Electricity rates are at an all time high and and are showing no signs of going down. Switching to solar will increasing your financial independence by locking in your future electric bills.

2. SOLAR ELECTRIC INCREASES HOME VALUES Solar Electric increases your home value and can even more then the cost of the solar electric system itself.

This 1998 study by ICF Consulting concluded that saving $1 per year on energy costs certainly adds $20 to a home’s value or more. A saving of $1,000 per year increases a home’s value by $20,000.

3. THINK OF IT AS A CONSERVATIVE INVESTMENT In this current market, returns on a solar electric investment may be higher than your other investments.

These Massachusetts residents LuAnn Kuder and Maureen O’Brien found they “beat” Wall Street by investing in solar. Over the past 100 years, the stock market has returned just below 10% per year as an average. Solar electric ROI likely beats this, especially in states with high electricity costs.

4. FEEL GOOD ABOUT PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT Using solar power means less “brown power” produced by utility companies which means fewer emissions, less pollution, and a cleaner environment.

Most utility companies use coal and natural gas-fired power plants which emit greenhouse gases, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxides, radioactive materials, and heavy metals. So, power plants contribute to smog, acid rain, and global warming, affecting public health and our society’s future.

5. INCREASING NATIONAL SECURITY Installing a solar electric system reduces all our dependence on foreign energy.

There is no denying that our nation is becoming more and more reliant on foreign energy sources. The U.S. currently imports the majority of its energy supplies and has imported 166,270 million cubic feet more natural gas every year since 1985.

6. MONEY AND JOBS STAY AT HOME Supporting renewable energy in the U.S. helps to improve our economy by keeping money and jobs at home. These jobs get created when you make the decision to go solar.

The study by Navigant Consulting demonstrated that almost half a million permanent jobs and $232 billion in investment would be supported by the solar energy industry alone if Congress extends the federal tax rebates for solar for 8 years.

7. REDUCTION OF YOUR DEPENDENCE ON THE POWER GRID Solar electric systems are like a power plant on your roof, producing the energy you need clean, smart and efficient.

As 67% of the energy in fossil fuels is lost when it’s converted to electricity it is inefficient, 9-10% is lost as heat when transported to your home. Using solar panels on your prevents wasting energy or money because all the power you make is used in your home.

8. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOLAR TAX CREDITS With the combination of state and federal solar tax credits, the cost of your solar electric system is significantly reduced.

Many states offer solar rebates as well, the most generous of which are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, and Pennsylvania.

9. NEWLY AFFORDABLE & BETTER TECHNOLOGY SOLAR OPTIONS As companies and local governments become better informed, solar electricity is becoming more and more affordable.

Companies and governments are innovating with financing and programs for homeowners to go solar electric Whether this is a city-sponsored solar loan, a home solar service (PPA), or a solar lease, the various options becoming available reduce upfront costs.

10. SPREAD THE WORD Inspire your neighbors by being the first on your block to install a solar electric system.

By: Randy Connors

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

The Solar Energy Source is for those interested in wind, solar electric and alternative energy solutions. The alternative energy world is blossoming due to rising fuel prices, global politics, new technologies, carbon emission consciousness, and the realization that the “ECO” in both Economy and Ecology equates to the same thing; saving of a resource in a given system. See more at : thesolarenergysource.com

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Obviously, this liquid can be used to heat water and the temperature of your home, but solar thermal electric power can also be used to cool your home as well, surprisingly. With the thermal properties of air, it’s possible to use that [...]

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At first glance, solar cooling looks like an oxymoron. However, the same energy that can provide heat in the wintertime can also provide cooling during the summer.  Several passive cooling systems have been developed and tested. At their simplest, they rely on a coolant that absorbs and dissipates heat from the house. This could be a pool of water on the rooftop which absorbs seat from the inside of the house as it evaporates on exposure to the sun.

More sophisticated passive solar cooling systems have a solar collector which is shaded during the daytime. A storage medium collects heat during the day and dissipates it at night by exposing the solar collector to the cool night air.

Since the solar collector must be shaded, a retractable awning or overhang extension can be installed. Since the system can be reversed in the winter months, it is important that the solar collector can be exposed to sunshine if needed.

Solar panels can also be used to operate traditional air conditioners. As it happens, the periods of intense heat correspond to the periods of peak electricity production from photovoltaic cells. As long as you have solar panels which generate sufficient to electricity, you can operate air conditioners at no cost.  Solar cooling that does not take advantage of high technology is another possibility. The Romans used a system of running water to cool down exterior walls of their houses. The heat of the sun causes the water to evaporate and dissipate the heat within the house. This kind of system can be used on walls or on rooftops.

Heating and cooling are two of the biggest expenses for most households. Using solar energy to reduce this expense makes sense financially as well as ecologically. The less dependent we are on fossil fuels for heating and cooling the cleaner the environment will be.

About The Author

Hans Dekker is author at http://www.alternative-energy-guide.com/ the energy site for “non techies”.

This article was posted on January 10, 2006

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Technorati Tags: advantages, air, conditioning, domestic, electric bill, panels, photovoltaic cells, power, renewable energy, roofing, save, solar