Home Solar Systems |
| Written by Adrian Fletcher | |
| Wednesday, 10 September 2008 | |
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Solar power and many other renewable energy systems are gaining more exposure for a couple of main reasons. The first reason is that traditional fossil fuels that typically power our homes are becoming expensive. Indeed, constant increases in utility bills has caused people to look for alternatives. And solar power kits and other forms of renewable energy offer a viable alternative. The second reason is that people are becoming more aware of the environment. A typical renewable energy system does not run out the more you use it. Indeed, the Sun's energy and wind power is a free resource that will not diminish if more people start to use it. Indeed, we are wasting the energy that can be gained from using the sun or harnessing the wind. And using these types of systems does not damage the environment and promote global warming as much as burning carbon based fossil fuels. There are a variety of solar power kits available but they fall into two categories. they either provide heat or electricity to the home. Heat is needed to physically keep the home warm or it is used to make hot water that can be used to wash dishes, have baths and showers and wash clothes. Electricity is an essential part of life these days. It powers most of our appliances and provides light to the home. Solar power kits for the home can provide hot water by passively heating water with thermal heat. This water is then passed to the home plumbing system. However, the most common form of solar power kit is the solar panel. A solar panel is a series of photo voltaic cells (PV). A PV cell is made of a compound of silicon. This reacts with the photons in Sunlight to displace an electron. When a number of PV cells are lined up, in a solar panel, a current flows. This current is direct current (DC). DC can be stored in a battery or it can be transformed into alternating current (AC). AC is used in the home to power many of our household appliances like the TV, oven, refrigerator, home theater and many others. Many people can set up a solar power system or a combination of systems but are always reliant on the Sun. This is one of the drawbacks of solar power and is another reason why it is always recommended to have a contingency plan should the Sun not shine or the day is cloudy. Most people have the utility company as their contingency plan but if you really want to take renewable energy to heart you should think about wind power. A wind generator is ideal for most residential homes because the free resource that it uses (wind) is likely to be available in a good quantity. Indeed, if you install a solar system and a wind powered system you will have two free energy systems working for you no matter what the weather is like. Of course, you should probably stay on the grid until you are sure that such systems can provide all your energy needs or until you become more experienced with renewable energy systems.
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For details on how to make wind mill and save on power bills then visit http://www.solarpowerappliances.com.
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