How The Government Can Encourage The Usage of Solar Technology




Around 120 years back, the first ever solar Photovoltaic (PV) cell was built using selenium and gold, but unfortunately the efficiency of such a cell was just 1%. With the introduction of photovoltaic panels, the energy production has increased substantially and can suffice the entire household.

These days such panel can generate enough power not only using energy from the Sun but also by using wind energy on those days when Sun energy is not available. With the vast improvement in the technology of both solar panels and solar thermal field, consumers have a choice to decide about which system to purchase.

There is an option of flat plate collectors, these devices can turn heat radiated by the Sun into hot water, one can also use evacuated tube collectors which have same function to perform, the manufacturing technique is different using several cylindrical collectors, which sit in parallel and collect more solar energy as the cylinders are capable of capturing sun energy from many angles.

The main function of photovoltaic panels is to save electrical energy by converting sunlight into electricity, we have now many such solar panels which can have multiple functions. The A-frames has brought new innovations and are specially designed for flat roof tops, this makes positioning easy and can be placed at the right angles to get maximum advantage from the solar panels.

New racking options have made installation easier and cheaper, though all the panels need regular maintenance but cost differs depending upon the type of solar panels. If you want to install hot water solar system, it comes with a warranty of ten years and does not require much maintenance, the annual inspection is recommended with the advice of MCS approved installer on regular intervals.

Solar photovoltaic panels if cleaned regularly last long and requires minimum maintenance, the care should be taken that the shades from the adjoining trees does not hamper sunlight. Such checks should be conducted with the help of MSC technician.



Stand alone system which means that these are not connected to grid system require maintenance on all the parts including the batteries. To encourage the use of solar energy the Governments are now trying to supply businesses, communities and home owners with more incentives, this will ensure the improvement of personal carbon footprint.

You can be rewarded for generating your own sustainable energy; this comes under the feed-in-tariffs. This scheme will pay you for every unit of electricity generated by using MCS approved renewable technologies like solar PV, irrespective of the fact that the energy is used in home or exported back to the grid.

Government as an incentive has started providing financial aid to the individuals, communities and businesses, which is termed as Renewable Heat incentives for using other fuels than fossil fuels for heating etc. if you adopt this scheme, you will have to switch from fossil fuel to other energies for heating like gas, oil and coal. This scheme allows you to get paid a set amount as incentives annually for adopting the eco-friendly schemes.

Fixing A Broken Photovoltaic Solar Panel On Your Roof




It is an established fact that Photovoltaic solar panels provide service for decades without any trouble and you get clean and renewable energy for years. There may be few occasions when you may to replace some parts but in any case such expenses are very low when you compare it with the rising electric bills.

If you have installed a home solar power system and it not working properly, the first step is to call the manufacturer or the installer. In case the panels have been installed by you or you have made your own panels, there may be some problems which you can fix yourself.

You must remember that these panels are at the mercy of the nature 365 days a year and one bad hail storm can easily damage the entire solar panels with array and debris. Too much of dust or water under the glass has the same effect.

Sometimes a simple loose connection in the cell can cause problems like low power, such a connection needs soldering. If you want to diagnose which cell may be creating trouble, cover four cells with a hat or a block of wood , you will immediately see that your power has started dropping, if not then one of the cells you have covered is out of circuit and you have diagnosed the problem. You may have to replace entire panel in this case.

Sometimes when it is too hot outside, you will find that the solar energy output is fading; this is because the panel cannot work properly in extreme high temperatures. You may put some water down on arrays with a hose; you will find that voltage once again stabilizes.

Use of voltmeter is highly recommended as it is crucial in testing the entire system. When there is a sudden drop in the voltage you will find wires to become hotter.

The most common problem seen is battery corrosion, this creates oxidation in the metal connection and when it happens, you will have to replace all metal connections and sometimes even battery to stop further heat to prevent further heat damage.

Weather also is an important factor which causes warping and shifting in the metals that connect the solar panel to the inverter, this creates resistance and is responsible for voltage output and further reduces the electric supply. You will have to regularly check the diodes; these are quite vulnerable to burning due to sustained shading in the junction box.

If you notice some leaks on your roof, you may have problems with solar panels, you will have to ensure that there is no leak in the roof by using tile-track system. Just ensure that all the screws are fixed properly even if you miss one, it may cause leak.

The life expectancy of solar power system is almost 25 years and even it can work beyond that period if it is properly maintained. Once you have installed solar power system, you would love to have another one due to efficiency, low maintenance and reducing your rising electric bills.

Do It Yourself (DIY) Solar Panel Guide

Do you want to learn how to make your own Photovoltaic panel by yourself with a small budget? If you do, check out the Homemade Energy guide by Ben Ford.

Ford’s DIY solar panel manual will show you step by step how to construct your own PV panel on a shoestring budget. Click on the link below to visit his web site right now.

==> Click here to visit Homemade Energy guide!

 

Investing In A Home Photovoltaic Solar Power System




With the growing demand of conventional energy and majority of the households using it across the world, there should be no surprise if the resources of the earth are getting depleted on regular basis. We have been using the resources available to us for thousands of years without actually contributing anything except the harmful polluted gases in the environment.

This is really shocking and we have to look for alternative resources to meet our energy requirements. With the rising population, this need has become even more important.

Home solar energy is being researched extensively these days, which can provide the required electricity in our homes and can be a cheap alternative. This source of energy being a simple and clean source does not harm the environment also.

People are becoming more aware about Photovoltaic (PV) solar power and have gained lot of popularity in the recent years. Gone are the days when solar power was available to most rich people of the society but now any one can use it. With the advanced technology and new storage facility the initial installation cost has become quite affordable.

With the availability of the material and other component, one can build own home solar power system from scratch. It no longer is a dream now, all the material can be found at the local hardware stores located in your locality. All you need is the skill to install your own solar panels that too in no time.

After having laid the PV panels, the other connection to the power supply should be left to the professional electrician. Home solar panels work better in the homes which has high sunshine levels. The excess energy produced is stored in the special batteries that can be used during the evening and night.

To start building your home solar power system can cost you around $2000 – $5000 and in some cases even for less. This is contrary to the common belief that installing solar power in homes needs thousands of dollars. Due to this many people get discouraged which is not true. It used to be expensive but with the latest technology the prices have come down drastically.



Now once people have realized that it does not cost much, more and more people have shown interest in getting installed their own solar power system. With the advanced technology chances are that you will be producing more energy than your needs, in such cases you can sell the extra power to the power companies and earn extra money.

With installation of your own PV power system, it is expected that your monthly power bills come down drastically and in some cases it can be as high as 80% reduction. As time is very hard right now and earning money is becoming difficult with each passing day, such an installation not only meets your energy needs, it will also reduce your energy bills and at the same time you can get extra income by selling the surplus power.

The maintenance is also very inexpensive, only few dollars should be sufficient and that too occasionally. Investing in a home solar power system is a good investment as you can recover your cost in few years.