Solar Energy Tutorial: Get the Best Solar Energy Tutorial for Non-Technical Folks
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A Solar energy tutorial for everyone
Global warming is one of the most contentious issues today. The current global climate change is the worst yet to take place in the memory of modern man. Global warming takes place when an overall rise in world temperature occurs which is attributed to the rising number of greenhouse gases trapped in the atmosphere.
Moving the attention of the world to alternative fuel sources other than relying on fossil fuel is among the solutions in resolving the severe change in our climate. Greenpeace quoted that with the smart use of renewable energy, we can distribute half of the world's energy requirements by 2050. We need to search for an alternate source of energy to bring down the toxic emissions and energy from the sun is one of the alternatives to help us to reduce the effect of global warming.
Energy obtained from the sun is clean and renewable, because the sun will always be there. So it makes sense to employ it at your home to bring down your electricity costs and lower the effect of global warming at the same time.
Contents at a Glance
- Benefits for having your own solar electrical power plant at your home
- Solar Energy Tutorial Video: How Solar Energy Panels Work
With millions of family wage manufacturing jobs lost since 2001, we need an energy bill that takes bold action to tap into American ingenuity in order to lead the world in new clean energy technology, rather than playing catch-up to the Japanese, Danish, and Germans. -- Jay Inslee
Benefits for having your own solar electrical power plant at your home
Did you know that amount of sunlight reaching the earth's surface is more than adequate for our energy requirements - almost 6,000 times more than the average power consumed by humans. Additionally, solar electricity generation has the highest power density among renewable energies. People are starting to recognize this: photovoltaic (technology to convert sunlight into electricity) production has been doubling every two years, increasing by an average of 48% each year since 2002, making it the world's fastest-growing energy technology.Here are some of the benefits for having your own home solar power system:
- Your dependency upon the Power Company becomes less, i.e. you are not so
much affected by power outages - You can lower or even eliminate your monthly electricity bills
- You will go green -- less greenhouse gasses are emitted by fossil
fuel-driven power stations (if enough houses use solar electricity) - Energy from the sun allows electricity to be produced in the place where it is consumed (i.e. your home), also known as distributed generation. Since sunlight hours overlap nicely with peak demand, PV panels produce electricity when it is both most costly and most required.
- You will add more value to your property
- Your solar power installation can operate with little maintenance or
intervention after initial setup. - You can even get money from the Power Company for generating surplus
electricity that they can distribute, or get a rebate from the Power Company
for installing a solar power system (depending on where you live)
Solar Energy Tutorial Video: How Solar Energy Panels Work
Solar Energy Tutorial: How does a residential solar electrical system work?
This solar energy tutorial gives a brief introduction into the conversion of the sun's energy into electricity at your house. Solar or PV panels are placed in your yard or on your rooftop where they can get the most amount of sun during daytime by adjusting the angle of the panels facing the sun. The solar panels consist of a number of interconnected photovoltaic cells which convert energy from direct sunlight into electricity. If you have enough of these photovoltaic panels, you can provide in all your home's electricity needs.
The electricity from the PV panels flow in the form of direct current (DC) at a low voltage, however most domestic appliances require alternating current (AC) at a higher voltage. An inverter is required to convert the DC (usually about 12 volts) to AC (110 volts or 220 volts, depending on where you live).
No electricity is generated when the sunlight is not available at night or on overcast days. Batteries are used to store surplus electricity during sunny days, and electric power is obtained from the batteries when the sun is not available. An additional charge controller is required to ensure that the batteries are not overcharged or drained - this helps to prolong the battery's life.
Is it possible to build your own home solar electric power system?
Yes, it is possible to build your own home solar power system, however if you get an installation company to do the job, it is going to cost you a lot of money. A better idea is to investigate the growing number of DIY home solar electrical kits, or in a good professional DIY solar energy tutorial.Using such a DIY home solar power kit and solar energy tutorial it is possible to do all the work on your own, therefore eliminating the cost of hiring a professional to perform the installation. However, if you are not technically minded, it is a good idea to hire an electrician to check that all the wiring is done correctly (in some countries or states it may be required by law to have an electrical job certified by a professional).
Making the decision to build your own PV panels is amongst the most excellent investments you can ever make, both for your own future and that of our planet. If you start to generate your own power at home, you can also benefit from this exceptional way to save money, educate your kids as well as yourself on solar electricity and energy, and help to save the environment at the same time.
Where can I find a good solar energy tutorial?
Here's my favorite link:
Reader Feedback on Solar Energy Tutorial
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- MrBurton MrBurton Dec 27, 2009 @ 1:27 pm
- This is an excellent introduction to solar power for houses. I liked the breakdown of all the different components of how to go solar. You should keep in mind that while all the different components are broken down no prices are listed. Also the different permits and associated fees with going solar are not mentioned either. But yes a tool for understanding is what this lens is all about.
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