subject: Solar Power - How Can I Set My Home Up to Benefit? And What Are the Advantages [print this page] Solar Power - How Can I Set My Home Up to Benefit? And What Are the Advantages
The Environment we are living in, our earth, is a fragile place. We are finding that the cost of energy is going up constantly, primarily as we are using a finite fuel, most often either coal, or in some countries, nuclear power.
Whilst nuclear power is relatively clean, (no polluted smoke to the atmosphere) it does pose serious risks with regard to safety when the waste is disposed of, not to mention the risks to the environment as well. I don't think I need to mention Chernobyl too often to make my point there.
However, on a a very much more positive note, may I bring to the fore, the concept of solar energy, as well as wind power.
However, for the purpose of this article, I'd like to concentrate on the issues of solar energy, as it is becoming cheaper and cheaper to install this sort of power system into many of our homes, and even businesses.
Power from the sun has a once off installation cost for the equipment, and possibly, labor for doing so, although if you are technically able, you may be able to do much of this work yourself.
The idea behind the use of solar panels is two fold.
They can:
1. Provide power for charging batteries, and powering inverters, to supply household current, and
2. The hot water system can pipe water through specially made cells to heat the water during the day, so you have stored hot water for the evening.
It should be noted that traditional coal power is becoming more and more expensive to have, and we will not only find it economically beneficial, but also environmentally better for all concerned as well.
Saving our hard earned income is a massive benefit too.
The technology employed in solar cells (both for water, and electricity generation) has dramatically improved over the last few years, and thus, for the same amount of money invested, we end up with more power output, or we can [pay less, and still have a usable system.
An advantage of extra capacity however, is that in some councils in some countries, excess power that you have , may be sold back to the supply grid. Now, you're being both environmentally friendly, as well as entrepreneurial.
