subject: Solar Panel Information And Tips [print this page] Your search for basic solar panel information has probably taken you to several websites and articles. Clean and inexpensive energy is on the forefront of everyone's mind. Not only does it make a household budget look better, it helps the environment. Information is abundant; good information can be more difficult to pinpoint.
The first place to start your journey toward freedom from high power bills is with a guide to solar power. You must first read and educate yourself on how it is created and maintained. Spending thousands of dollars on a full set of solar panels doesn't have to be your first move.
Solar Panel Guide
A well-written guide teaches the ins and outs of solar power. Informational guides are available as e-books, printed books or even in video formats you can watch directly from your computer. Buying the right type of guide is of utmost importance.
How Solar Panels Work
Photovoltaics have been in use for decades. Nearly every household in America is familiar with calculators that use light to operate. They have no batteries to worry about, so most don't even have an "off" button. As long as there's sufficient light, the calculator will operate indefinitely.
The technical explanation of how a photovoltaics work is quite in depth. The sun basically acts as a battery recharger. Cells within each panel absorb power from the sun. That power gets stored in batteries in a process that makes it usable as electricity.
A single photovoltaic cell measuring about 1/5 meter in diameter produces about 2 amps at 2 volts. This obviously isn't enough to power a piece of equipment, let alone a room or an entire home. A single photovoltaic panel may be used to power lights or small things in the event of a power outage.
The amount of electricity produced is dependent on the quality of the materials used. Most investments hold true to the age-old saying, "You get what you pay for." An investment that improves your quality of life, helps you save money and helps the environment simultaneously is one worth putting your money into.
Don't base your decision on the size of the panel, but the quality of materials used to create it. Dollars to watt ratio is the key factor to take into consideration.
Keep it Clean
Clean solar panels are simply more effective. Dust and dirt hinder the sun's ability to fully charge the cells and create electric current. Springtime and dry months are the most difficult times to keep a panel clean. Pollen and dust from every-day life can build up and reduce the efficiency of your solar panels.
Keep your investment clean and working efficiently by including them in a monthly cleaning routine. More frequent cleaning may be required in extremely dusty or pollen prone areas.
Your Path to Solar Power
No matter which path you choose, your journey to a solar powered life begins with your next move. Will you continue your every-day life dependent on your electric company, or will you make the move? The choice is yours.
