Use The Power of The Sun With Solar Electricity

07:59 Build solar panels, Build Your Own Solar Panel, How to make solar panels, Off Grid Living-You Can Do It Too, solar electricity 1 Comment

Use The Power of The Sun With Solar Electricity

how Solar Electricity works

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When asked about alternative energy or renewable energy, most people think of solar electricity.  Generating electricity from the sun is a technology that everyone knows well.  Whether it is your pocket calculator, home, or workshop, regardless of your power needs, solar electricity can get the job done.  

Solar electricity has a number of unique advantages over conventional or grid-based electricity.  Solar electric systems can be designed for a variety of applications and are extremely beneficial in remote areas where other electric opportunities do not exist.  In addition, photovoltaic systems that generate solar electricity have no moving parts therefore requiring minimal maintenance, are easily expandable, and with many smaller units, transportable. 

Environmental compatibility is a huge selling point for converting to solar electricity.  The fuel for generating solar electricity is a free renewable resource, the sun.  Solar electricity offers no noise pollution and actually almost no pollution from their operation.  Another appealing factor for many who choose solar electricity over conventional electricity is simply the independence.  It is an attractive offer to many rural dwellers to know that when the lights go out due to storms or blackouts, theirs are still working.  No longer a slave to waiting on hold to report an outage to find it will be 10 hours before their service will be restored. 

The hardest part of converting to solar electricity is the cost of the system.  Investing in a solar energy system can be a substantial upfront cost.  The value of solar electricity is realized over several years.  A professionally installed solar array for an average dwelling (avg. $100/month in electric bills) could pay for itself in 5 years.  You could reduce that number by building your own solar panel system or by purchasing a used system.  With many solar energy systems in less rural areas and only in some states, you can sell your unused solar electricity back to the electric company.  In these situations the return on your investment is realized much more quickly. 

Using the power of sun with solar electricity is a benefit to the environment and to your home.  Solar electricity is already being used to supplement power for a number of large cities in North America.  Take time to learn more about solar electricity and how you can have trade in your electric bill for a carefree life with solar electricity.   

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What to Know Before Purchasing Home Solar Electricity

08:04 alternative energy sources, Build Your Own Solar Panel, home solar electricity, Off Grid Living-You Can Do It Too 1 Comment

 What to Know Before Purchasing Home Solar Electricity

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read carefully before purchasing

Getting home solar electricity is more affordable today than 10 years ago.  In fact, many state governments are currently offering tax rebates to persons that choose to convert to home solar electricity.  If installing a photovoltaic system to supply your home solar electricity is too far out of your financial abilities, there are also programs available to purchase your utilities from an accredited green energy supplier.  Green energy suppliers offer only utilities fueled by renewable resources, such as solar electricity, hydroelectricity and wind generated electricity.  However, if you made the decision to switch to solar electricity for your home it is important to determine your electricity needs before you start shopping.

The first thing to determine is how much power you will need from your home solar electricity system.  Different arrays and solar panel set-ups offer different wattage outputs.  Take the time to determine your average daily electricity usage.  You want to achieve a number that includes the entire year and affords for the different amount of energy used during winter and summer months (more lights, heaters, air conditioners). 

When shopping for the right photovoltaic system to supply your home solar electricity definitely research the quality of the product.  A product offering 13% efficiency and a lifetime warranty will be far more valuable than the panel offering 15% efficiency and a one-year warranty.  Ask neighbors, friends and even strangers currently using home solar electricity, to learn more about the differences in systems.  Sufficient time should also be spent interviewing installers and researching manufacturers as well.

A final decision needs to be made as to what kind of system you would like to use to supply your home solar electricity.  There are generally three types of solar panel systems used to supply home solar electricity.  The first type is a grid-tied system in which your solar panels are tied into your current power meter.  You are using both electricity supplied by your panels and your supply is then backed by electricity from your electric company.  The second available solar panel system for supplying home solar electricity is a grid-tie with battery backup.  With this system you are collecting electricity from you panels, filling your batteries for emergencies and then the excess is sent back to the electric company through your meter.  The final system is a stand-alone system.  Very similar to the grid-tied system with battery backup except that you are completely disconnected or maybe never connected to a major utility provider for your area. 

Once you educate yourself on providing your home solar electricity, you are probably ready to start shopping.  Remember that converting to home solar electricity is an investment and you will reap the rewards over time.  And don’t forget the pride you will have with reducing your carbon footprint by converting to home solar electricity.   

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Off Grid Living-You Can Do It Too

07:53 Off Grid Living-You Can Do It Too No Comments

 did you read my previous article about living off the grid yet ? if not, click here

Off Grid Living-You Can Do It Too

More and more people are realizing that you can still enjoy modern amenities while enjoying the independence of off grid living.  Being off the grid means being exactly that, off the grid.  No power lines, no electric bills, and being free of utility grid demands, not to mention their ever-rising rates.  Off grid living is environmentally friendly and cost effective and it is an option available to almost any one owning a home.

The principles of off grid living may be applied to any home in the world, even those currently tied to the grid.  From solar panels, hydropower and windmills, there is growing curiosity in off grid living and breaking free from fossil fuel burning power plants.  The technologies have advanced and the costs have dropped greatly.

Even do-it-yourselfers can take leaps into off grid living with many kits, resources and manuals available for instruction.  As energy demands increase globally, those living off grid can rest easy knowing their own energy costs are diminishing.

The idea of off grid living can be scary to some who believe they will have to give up some of their most prized possessions and electronic gadgets to achieve such freedom.  This is very far from the truth.  Off grid living is simply about learning to moderate your use of electricity.  It can be as simple as turning off lights that are not really in use.  Purchasing appliances that don’t use energy when not in use (like clocks on microwaves and stoves).  Learning to unplug, not just turn off.  Things like computers and printers, well anything with the little green light that is always on, these items are stealing precious energy and adding to your bill.  Wanting to become part of the off grid living adventure, doesn’t always mean giving up everything, sometimes it just means getting smarter about the things you have.

Off grid living has gotten so popular that even completely re-locatable high efficiency homes are being produced to meet those needs.  Very similar to mobile homes and travel travelers in layout and definitely only designed for a one or two person dwelling, these housing units use solar power, passive solar design and a small amount of natural gas to provide off grid living that you can take with you when you move.

If you are interested in off grid living, but need more success stories to drive you over the teetering point then start your research on the Internet.  There are tons of great resources available and individuals who took the plunge into off grid living with great success telling their stories.  Imagine, no more gathering around that one little candle when the power goes out, or having the neighbors over to watch their favorite shows when there is a blackout.  Off grid living is obtainable for anyone and you too can enjoy the life of off grid living no matter where you make your home.   

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