Sunday, January 31, 2010

Save Money With Solar Panels


By Jerry Dyess

When you think of solar power and solar panels, what do you think of? Do you think of people living in the "rough," able only to have electric for a few hours a day, just to run a few things?

Sure it might be how some people live, but it doesn't have to be that way. In fact, in today's world solar panels have become quite inexpensive and very cost effective. Now you can actually supplement your regular energy with even hot water and electricity thanks to solar panels. Even more amazing is that you can help the planet by taking advantage of them and save money over the long haul. Most importantly you are still able to stay online and get whatever sources you need that the solar panels don't deliver.

How to use Solar Panels for home electricity and hot water needs - When you go scouting for solar panels there are two different variations you can choose. Either solar thermal or photovoltaic panels. The solar thermal panel is built to collect heat from the sun and transfer it to your home. The normal situation is that the sun's heat is collected by the panels and then the water circulates through these solar thermal collectors that give you hot water and heat. So during the winter time it can play a major role in how much you pay each month for your electric bill. Depending on how much you use it could take care of all your heating needs and give you a dramatic savings each month.

The second kind of solar panel is called a photovoltaic panel. The photovoltaic process takes the sun's power and converts it into electricity. With this, the photovoltaic cells in a solar panel are made of silicon, and they absorb the sun's light (rather than its warmth, as with the solar thermal panels). Then, that light is converted to electricity. The electricity is first converted to direct current, or DC; this is not usable for most households, which use alternating current, or AC. So, it's converted to alternating current; you do lose a small amount of the power captured by the photovoltaic cells when the conversion is done, but it's a small amount.

One additional benefit to these solar panels is the ability to use both types at the same time. If you ask around most of the people who use these do utilize both options. This way electric power and heating needs can both be justified.

Keep online even with Solar Panels - One of the most important things you can do is stay on the grid even when you install solar panels. This way you protect yourself in the case that you don't have enough. Also, you will be able to sell your excess energy back to the power company! Taking this route will give you the comfort in knowing you are getting electricity and hot water whenever it's needed, and still be able to cut your costs in the process. This will allow you to take your savings and put it towards other bills or simply enjoy the other parts of your life. Can you imagine the power company paying you instead of the other way around? It would definitely be a big turnaround.

How Much does it Cost? Well, in order to install these solar panels you can't really pinpoint an exact cost. Instead, you have to look at what the experts say, which is somewhere around four thousand dollars. However, the overall could change depending on whether or not solar panels become increasingly popular. Plus you have to look at the fact you can offset the costs thanks to tax and energy credits, as well as other avenues. In the end it's all about savings and being able to say you are helping the planet at the same time. This is one of the best options out there today, and it's better to get started sooner than later.

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