by Colin Swan | Jul 11, 2013 | News
Solar energy is a great way to power a home or business, though not everyone is familiar with how solar panels work or how solar power can be a benefit. If you are hoping to learn more about solar power, you may be interested in learning a few solar energy facts.
1. Solar power today is used to provide electricity and hot water to homes, and is being seriously considered as a way to power the electric car.
2. Leonardo Da Vinci envisioned solar power as an energy source all the way back in the fifteenth century.
3. Solar energy is a completely renewable resource that does not produce any pollutants. It also emits fewer greenhouse gases than fossil fuels.
4. Solar cells are used to harness the sun’s potential energy by capturing sunlight and converting it into electricity. These cells are known as photovoltaic cells, and they are the key to how solar panels work.
5. You probably already have one form of solar power in your home or office. Calculators have been harnessing solar power for years.
6. Solar power can bring electricity to remote locations around the world that are not currently attached to a power grid. This means that no matter where you live, you can always have access to electricity.
While we may not have the completely solar-powered electric car yet, solar power is becoming a great alternative to the traditional way that we power homes and businesses. Learning more about solar energy facts will help everyone see just how valuable it is as a resource for every aspect of everyday life.
by Colin Swan | Jul 9, 2013 | News
Many homeowners are looking to solar energy to save money on energy costs and reduce the use of fossil fuels. If you are thinking about making the switch to solar power for your home, you may want to consider the solar energy pros and cons before making a decision.
There are many benefits to adding a solar power system to your home. Adding panels can be as easy as attaching them to your roof, which means that you will not have to struggle to find space for their installation. Since solar energy does not give off any pollution, you can rest assured that your home’s power is earth-friendly. The most attractive reason to harness solar power is the positive effect it has on the environment by reducing the world’s dependency on fossil fuels, one home at a time.
Of course, when weighing solar energy pros and cons, you will find that there are a few drawbacks to using solar panels for home electrical access. The initial cost of installation can be a deterrent for some homeowners, though you should keep your eye on long-term energy costs when considering solar panels. In some cases, weather and pollution levels can affect the efficiency of your solar power system. Fortunately, the technology for solar power is ever changing, and efficiency during overcast weather is constantly improving.
If you are considering the switch to solar panels for home use, the benefits truly outweigh any arguments against it. As technology improves, so does the efficiency and reliability of this completely renewable energy source.
by Colin Swan | Jul 4, 2013 | News
People may have expected technology to move along a bit faster, when it comes to gas-consuming cars. While cars are not whizzing through the air, the electric car certainly has made an impact on the world. The very existence of it means different things to different people, but there really are few downsides to owning an electric car.
This vehicle was first introduced years ago. A handful of people were given an electric car to drive as a way to test it out. Stations were created that offered power supplies for these vehicles. The drivers loved them. Not one driver wanted to return their car, but oil companies made it impossible for production to move forward.
Because of this, many people see this type of vehicle as a way to get away from the big oil companies and what they are doing to the world. For some, it is a matter of thumbing their noses. For others, it is simply a step in the right direction to reduce pollutants in the air, land, and sea.
In fact, the only people who want nothing to do with this type of vehicle are the ones who are still in love with the muscle cars and trucks on lift kits. These cars will never go away, because they have their place as well, but the world is finally able to embrace the use of electricity in place of petroleum products. These drivers are also grateful to be able to provide their own power supply at home.
by Colin Swan | Jul 2, 2013 | News
If you want to have an energy-efficient home, you are going to need to do a bit of research. An energy-efficient home is not created by purchasing the products that match your décor, alone, but by buying the products that serve your household in the way that you want it to be served. Below are some of the things that you will find in most energy-efficient homes.
Solar panel kits: When you really want to go green, solar panel kits are a must. Using solar panel kits will also help you stay focused when you go to buy appliances, because you are going to want to get the most out of your solar panels. You are not putting them up there just so you can waste energy.
Energy Star appliances: Energy Star appliances are built to conserve energy. Until you get to the point where you avoid dairy, and you begin to dry your meats instead of freeze them, an Energy Star refrigerator is the best way to conserve energy when keeping your food cool and safe. An Energy Star range will also help until you start cooking everything on the grill or wood burner, and make your outdoor oven.
Power strips: You have to have power strips, so you can stop things like your television and computer from wasting energy when they are not being used. You just turn off the strip when the items are not in use, and turn it back on when they are. You might be surprised at how much energy this move, alone, can save.
by Colin Swan | Jun 27, 2013 | News
Making the decision as to whether or not you should begin using solar energy is a purely personal choice. You may have other ideas, or you may just be wondering about the advantages of solar energy and if they are worth the investment. Maybe a bit of detailed information can help you make your decision.
Right now, one of the advantages of solar energy is that you may be able to rely less on power from large companies and be able to rely more on the environment for your power needs. Couple that with the idea that your electric bill is going to be reduced, while your house value is increased, and you can see that there are significant financial benefits. However, you may not be focused on the financial end of things. Maybe your decision is more personal than that.
You may or may not be aware that there are all types of pollution. The air is polluted, as is the water and the soil around you. Wouldn’t it be nice to know that your energy production does not involve pollution of any kind, including noise pollution? In fact, solar panels do not even pollute your line of sight, because they lay flat on your roof.
Maybe you just want to be self-sufficient, and you are considering all the different ways you can create energy for your home. There are other options, but you need to meet land qualifications and other specifications. None of those options are going to be as quiet as solar energy, so you still have to contend with that issue, as well.
by Colin Swan | Jun 25, 2013 | News
Are you planning to purchase and install a solar power system sometime in the future? Many people are turning to this method of providing power to their home, simply because they want to be able to know that they made an effort to do something to reduce the waste of resources on this planet. But before you make your investment, you may have a few questions about things like how to store the energy that your solar panels produce.
When you buy and install a solar power system, you have the option to use batteries, or not. If you are going to store your energy, then you do need to purchase the batteries that hold the energy that is produced, but not immediately used. The reason that you may not need to buy batteries with your system is that you may choose to use solar power as merely a supplement to your existing power system. If this is the case, it is not as necessary to purchase batteries for your solar power system.
If your intention is to go completely off the grid, eventually, then you may want to hold off on purchasing the batteries until you have enough solar panels to run your entire home. This can be tricky, since your home use can fluctuate, from day to day, but it is entirely possible to do, which can result in significant cost savings for you and your family. Skytech Solar offers a wide variety of solar panels for home that can significantly reduce your energy bills.
