Solar energy, sunlight, is converted into electricity by photovoltaic cells. Those black squares which comprise a solar panel are getting more efficient, and gradually less expensive, all the time, thanks to ever-better designs. These designs focus the gathered sunlight on a more and more concentrated point.
The size of the cells is decreasing as their efficiency rises, meaning that each cell becomes cheaper to produce and more productive. As far as the cost, the price of producing solar-generated energy per watt hour has come down to around $4.00 and less at the time of this writing. Just 17 years ago, it was nearly double that cost.
Solar powered electricity generation is certainly good for the environment, as this alternative form of producing energy gives off absolutely zero emissions. Solar energy is merely utilizing one of the most naturally occurring of all things as its driver. Sunshine or light. Solar collection cells are becoming slowly but surely more practical for placing on rooftops of homes. They are not a difficult system to use for heating one’s home, creating hot water, or producing electricity. In the case of using the photovoltaic cells for hot water generation, the system works by having the water encased in the cells, where it is heated and then sent through your pipes.
Photovoltaic cells are increasingly better at collecting radiation from the sun even on overcast days. One company, Uni-Solar, has developed solar collection arrays for the home that work well on cloudy or rainy days, by way of a technologically more advanced system that stores more energy at one time during sunlit days than previous arrays.
There is another solar power system available for use called the PV System. The PV System is connected to the nearest electrical grid; whenever there is an excess of solar energy being collected at a particular home, it is transferred to the grid for shared use and as a means of lowering the grid’s dependence on the hydroelectrically-driven electricity production. Being connected to the PV System can keep your costs down as compared to full-fledged solar energy, while at once reducing pollution and taking pressure off the grid system. Some areas are designing centralized solar collection arrays for small towns or suburban communities.
Some big name corporations are also getting into the act of using solar power (an indication that solar generated energy is becoming a viable alternate energy source). Google is putting in a 1.6 megawatt solar power generation plant on the roof of its corporate headquarters, while Wal Mart wants to put in an enormous 100 megawatt system of its own.
Countries such as Japan, Germany, the United States, and Switzerland have been helping the cause of solar energy creation by providing govt subsidies or by giving tax breaks to companies and individuals who agree to utilize solar power for generating their heat or electrical power. As technology advances more and more private investors will see the value of investing in this ‘green’ technology and further its implementation.
With the federal tax credits, state tax credits and rebates some solar collectors can actually pay you for installing them. Obviously you’ll need to check with your state to see if they offer any tax or other incentives for you to install solar power. With the added attraction of all the money you’ll save and all the money you can earn from your power company for selling them your excess power. It really does make sense for you to look into it. If you can actually make some money by installing solar collectors it seems like a no brainer to me.