Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Solar Panel Systems - The Rewards Of Using Them

By Abigail F. Xavier


Many people are switching to solar energy because it is less expensive to develop and its energy source comes from the sun. Well, not for the next 4 billion years at least, which is how long the sun is expected to live. One of the key reasons that solar panels are becoming more popular is that discounts make it more affordable for those that want to try it out. You should be wondering by now how these solar panels work? By the end of this article, you will understand.

One of the biggest benefits of installing solar panels is that you will be producing your own energy and will no longer need to rely on the public electric grid. This means that you can greatly cut down your electricity bills and maybe even slash them dramatically. Also, you can actually earn money because in many areas the government will buy any surplus energy you create. However, even if this is not the case where you live, the savings you can make by installing a solar panel system are enormous.

In addition to you being able to save money you will also be helping the environment. Most of the processes that occur when producing electricity have quite a large negative impact on the environment due to waste and pollution. On the other hand, producing energy with a solar power system doesn't harm the environment at all and there are no by-products either. Plus, since it uses sunlight to make electricity, it is a renewable energy source, in other words it isn't a resource that can be depleted, like oil. You might not be able to see the positive effects on the environment just yet, but if more people start using clean energy sources the environment will do much better. The long-term effects will be immense, and the next generations will see these effects. Because we are destroying our planet at such a fast rate, our grandchildren may never get to see a tree outdoors; they'd have to go to a museum.

A component, the charge controller, must be placed between the solar panel and the battery for the following reasons. It is an essential component because it ensures that the voltage running into the battery is at the right level and it also ensures that the batteries don't overcharge. A charge controller will also ensure that no power flows out of the batteries and back into the solar panel, which would be a waste. They also prevent overcharging of your batteries which can happen if they are not used.

It takes about 80 solar cells to generate 100 watts of electricity, so you have to consider this ratio when figuring out your needs. This gives you a rough idea of how powerful your solar panels need to be and how many of them you'll need. Although it does require a small amount of do it yourself know how, building your own solar panel really isn't that hard after all. It's really no harder than knowing what materials you'll need, obtaining them before you begin and having the patience to complete the task.

Needless to say, we would all like to do a myriad of do it yourself jobs, but restricted funds occasionally gets in the way. When this occurs, it is simple to take a loan, since you will end up putting it straight into your home in any case. Talk to your bank to find out more.




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