Advantages of Solar Panels

A solar panel is a device that is used to absorb energy from the sun in order to generate heat or in many cases electricity. It is also referred to as a photovoltaic cell since it is made of many cells that are used to convert the light from the sun into electricity. The only raw material for these solar panels is the sun. it is made in such a way that the cells face the sun in order to enable maximum absorption of the sun rays. The greater the energy from the sun is, the more the electricity that is generated. Solar panels are used in many homesteads in the world due to their many pros that are far more than cons. Some of these pros are discussed below.

One very important advantage of using solar panels is that they do not emit any gases that are common in green houses. The panels do not emit any smoke, chemical or heavy metals that can be risk factors to human health. Solar panels are therefore environmental friendly when compared to burning of fossil fuels to generate energy. This is very important since carbon emissions are dangerous and avoiding their emission helps in safeguarding our present and future environment. Being environment friendly is important since the government is constantly coming up with ways to control global warming and the use of solar panels is a great way to start. The solar panels therefore maintain a clean setting and they leave the air fresh. More importantly they help in prevention of many cancer incidences. This is because some products from some sources of energy like nuclear energy have been said to cause cancer due to initiation of mutations in cells.

Secondly, use of solar panels ensures ongoing free energy for those who use it. This is mainly because the only cost incurred is that of installation. Once the installation has been done the energy is free since the panel does not require regular maintenance or fuel to run it. It also requires no raw materials for its operation. It works as long as there are sun rays which is an everyday thing in most parts of the world. In a world where equal distribution of resources is continuously being sought, this is very important since each and everyone has equal rights when it comes to use of solar energy. This is because the energy from the sun falls on all. This is a good way to maintain equality as compared with energy from fossil fuel which low income homesteads do not afford in many cases.

There is also the advantage in that, the use of solar panels enable the decentralization of power. This is very important since it is very cheap. This is mainly because when power is not decentralized, it has to be shared by all and is as a result transported to many areas. With this happening, there are very many costs that are incurred. These include; the wear and tear of vehicles, the air pollution among others. These costs are all incorporated in the electricity bills of individuals as the government does not cover the expenses. It is therefore more advantageous to use solar panels as a saving plan and to create a sense of fairness since those in power tend to take advantage and use their positions to embezzle funds. This is not fair on the citizens' part. This is because most of them struggle to make ends meet.

A solar panel can be operated off grid. This is a great advantage for those who live in very isolated areas or in rural regions. Off grid means that the house is not connected to the state's electricity grid. This has the advantage of low cost since installation may be very expensive for those living in isolated areas. These individuals have their power lines disconnected in many instances due to the fact that it is sometimes less affordable for many. Solar panels offer a solution for this since they do not require as much to be installed. However, those living in towns can also use the off-grid technique. An added advantage in this is that there are no rules governing whether or not one wants to operate off- grid or on-grid when it comes to use of solar panels. This however is an issue when using fossil fuel generated electricity.

Solar panels generate job opportunities. This is of great importance since there is a very high rate of unemployment in the world today. These jobs are come about in the form of, manufacturing of the solar panels, research about further improvements, maintenance, development and cultural integration. With the continued presence of the sun, these jobs are guaranteed since there is ongoing improvements and modification of this device. Jobs like maintenance and installation do not require a long-term training and are therefore more advantageous for those who do not have many skills and are unemployed.

Use of solar energy is safe from price manipulations and politics. The fact that there are no raw materials that are solely controlled by monopolies ensures that there is no manipulation of prices as is the case with fossil fuels. With fossil fuels, the prices can rise as high as the monopolizing powers controlling them want. There is also less competitiveness with use of solar panels since there is no fight over such things as oil fields and other raw materials. Although the government has started addressing the issue of solar panels, there is little influence they can have in price manipulation. This is because no one controls the main raw material.

There is also less environmental destruction with the use of a solar panel. This is because there are no cases of mining or extraction of raw materials that eventually lead to destruction of forests and water catchment areas. With the use of solar panels, there is less of this and therefore there are steady rainfalls that greatly boost production and consequently the national income of each and every country. Many countries face problems of famine due to destruction of forests to get fuel. This can be prevented by using solar panels.

There is an advantage of reliability in using solar panels. This is because there is ability to predict the amount of sun to expect each and every day. Therefore one is has guarantee of energy. The devices are also made in such a way that they can absorb sun rays even when there a few clouds and the sun rays are not very strong. The solar energy is also renewable. It can therefore be used on and on without getting depleted. Although solar energy cannot be used at night, it operates full force during the day which is of great importance. The energy can also be stored in form of batteries for use at night.

Everyone loves some peace and quiet. This is something you get when you use solar panels. This is because they are very silent. There is no noise that gives away the fact that the solar panel is there apart from the fact that you can see it. This is a good thing since it makes the environment peaceful compared to wind and water generated power supplies which have moveable parts that are quite loud and destruct the peace. Solar panels are therefore good for use for people living in estates where hoses are close to each other. This is because with silence, peace is maintained between the neighbors.

When installing solar panels, there is no large scale installation required. They therefore require very little space to install. This is very important when it comes to fast growing regions and towns. The installation will mainly involve a single cell to continually generate energy. Hence a homestead requires a single cell. There is therefore no congestion and a continued supply to the high demand of energy. This maintains a good image in a community since crowding may make the place less attractive which may prevent people from moving to the area since everyone wants to live somewhere they consider beautiful, for this reason, use of solar panels does not interfere with real estate sales.

Solar panels are durable. This is because there are no moving parts in the device. This therefore reduces the chance of it being destructed. It is possible to use a solar panel for a very long period of time without having to purchase another, studies estimate that it can last for over ten years. Such a device is beneficial because it reduces the stress that comes about when a machine stops running because something became lose or worn out. There is also reduced maintenance cost since it is less prone to wear. This generally makes the device very easy to handle for a person with very little skills in handling a solar panel.

Many companies that invest in solar energy get the advantage of higher profits. This is because they cut back on costs incurred in electricity and the rest of the profits are in most cases used to expand the business. This is very advantageous. Statistics show that the companies that use solar panels have greater returns compared to those that use other sources of energy. This may be due to the fact that electricity can be very expensive and may make these companies not afford allot of assets. This is especially evident in small or new companies. There is also an advantage that clients get when they get services from a company that uses clean energy. This is the fact that they can get access to government incentives that are made available to these companies.

Use of solar panels enables individuals and companies to enjoy the benefits of low taxes. This is because in most parts of the world, the taxes that are charged are about thirty percent less as compared to using other sources of energy. With all the taxes that one has to pay for every item purchased, this is a great opportunity to reduce spending on taxes. Since there is no monthly bill when using a solar panel, it makes it tax free. When using fossil fuel energy, this is no option since one has to pay their electricity on a monthly basis which in most cases is heavily taxed.

The size of solar panel required per meter to give maximum energy small. When there is full sun, one is able to get about one thousand watts per meter. This is equivalent to about 2900-watt hours per day. However this depends on the area in which you are locates, the time of the year and the strength in which the sun rays reach the solar panel. For this reason, there are times where one gets more energy compared to others. However the energy gives the desired effect even at low intensity and is therefore still very reliable.

It is highly unlikely to hear that someone got injured when using a solar panel. This is because there are few cases of electric shocks that are very frequent when using other sources of electricity. It is therefore safe to use solar panels for people. This creates fewer incidences of emergencies. However, careful measures should be taken as directed by the person that does the installation since there are instances where cables are left bare and could cause shock when touched. This is rare when the wiring is done correctly. Care should also be taken since the roof could be constantly emitting electricity.

Solar panels are not prone to destruction by harsh environmental conditions. For this reason, they are not easily destructed, this is important since the device is placed outside in order to absorb sun rays. The good thing about this is that it can be used by people who live in areas where the weather is up and down in most cases.

All these are great advantages that come with using solar panels. Solar panels can be used in any setting, whether in schools, homes or companies
If you've enjoyed all the exciting information you saw here about solar panels you'll love everything else you find at DIY Solar Panels.

For those who are living in Brisbane, Gold Coast you can contact Green Incentives QLD about the installation fee and solar system products, please visit their website for more information.

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Solar energy / Solar photovoltaics / Photovoltaic effect (3D animation)

                                                          
If you've enjoyed all the exciting information you saw here about solar panels you'll love everything else you find at DIY Solar Panels.

How to Work Out How Many Solar Panels You Need

If you are interested in the idea of using free, environmental friendly energy to power your household, and you want to have a solar panel array installed, one of the most basic requirements you need to keep track of is the number of solar panels that you need.

There are many factors that would determine just how many you would need to use, and how many you will actually be able to buy. Some of these include the results of your energy consumption target calculations (how much energy your household appliances and devices need in order to function properly), the budget you have at your disposal and the type of solar panel you are using.

Also, depending on whether you are considering the purchase of a high-tech solar array or you're thinking of building your own panels yourself out of cheaper materials, the prices may vary. Therefore, the number of solar panels you can put together in an array may be different, and their quality might also have to be assessed.

Calculating Energy Consumption

If you want to determine precisely how many solar panels you need, it is essential to measure the amount of energy that a solar panel can offer, and compare it with the value that you require. Considering that a normal household consumes about 8000 - 9000 kwh on a yearly basis, and the fact that a $300 solar panel of good quality can only provide about 100 - 200 watts of energy, the number of panels you need to power your entire home may be quite substantial.

Of course, depending on your needs, you might not always have to use up so much energy on a regular basis. Especially if you are an environmental enthusiast, and you know how to choose appliances that provide better functionality, while consuming less energy, you might actually be able to reduce that number to half, or even less.

Also, if you want to build your own solar panel, you might find that the manufacturing costs can effectively be reduced to under $200 for a standard 36 cell solar panel. Depending on the quality of your homemade solar array, you only need about 30 or 40 panels to provide enough power for your entire home.

This number may still be too large, but it can be reduced if you wish to use an additional type of energy, such as wind power. This can offer you more energy on cloudy and rainy days, when solar panels don't operate as well, and reduce the need for panels to half or even less.

Use caution, as different types of solar cells will provide a varying amount of energy. You can calculate the energy output easily, however: after you build your DIY solar panel, measure the current and voltage it produces, and multiply them to obtain the watt value. As a result, a small, 6 ampere solar panel that produces 12 volts, for instance, will offer about 72 watts.

Now, such a weak solar panel may not provide you with too much energy, but the good news is that there are many inexpensive panels on the market that can offer two or more times as much power, and you don't have to pay more than 300 to 400 dollars for one. A solar array made of 10 to 20 of these panels would, therefore, represent a viable option when it comes to powering a large number of low energy appliances or gadgets.

 
Different Solar Panel Types

The rate and efficiency with which solar cells are able to transform solar energy into electricity also plays a part in determining how many solar panels you will need.

In the case of panels using monocrystalline solar cells, for example, the amount of sunlight needed for generating a specific amount of energy is far less than in the case of thin film or polycrystalline cells.

In 2010, a company that produces high quality monocrystalline solar panels was able to break the world record for solar energy efficiency, producing solar cells that could transform more than 24 % of the sun's rays into usable electrical power.

Some researchers even consider that, in a few years, it may be possible to create monocrystalline solar cells that are able to go beyond the 30 % or even the 40 % mark, significantly increasing the efficiency rating of these types of solar cells, and that of solar energy in general.

A good example of the energy efficiency that these solar panels can offer would be that a solar panel using a total of 36 monocrystalline cells can generally produce around 100 to 130 watts. This practically means that if you want to get 1 kw (1000 watts), you will need about 10 of these panels. Depending on the quality and brand of the panel, pricing can range between $3000 and $5000 for this plan.

In contrast with these results, technologies using polycrystalline cells are barely able to get close to the 20 % limit today, while thin film based technologies hardly provide about 15 to 17 % efficiency.

These numbers may conclude the technological superiority of monocrystalline PV cells, but they do not prove that the best decision is to buy such panels. It's true that you will not need as many panels to reach a general output of about 1 to 3 kw in this case, but the problem is that the more monocrystalline solar panels you buy, the greater the price difference becomes.

You may also opt for less energy efficiency and a better pricing option in order to save money. In this regard, polycrystalline cells are far better, as they are not as weak as thin film-based technologies, and are somewhat less expensive than monocrystalline solar cells.

Budget Issues

Now, everyone is usually thinking about budget issues when it comes to buying or manufacturing a solar panel. DIY solar panels are obviously cheaper, however, the quality differences can be great, not to mention that you will need to put a lot of work into it, if you want your new panels to perform properly.

If you decide to buy a solar panel, on the other hand, you will already have all the numbers necessary regarding how many watts it produces, and how stable it is. By using some simple math, you can then calculate exactly how many of these devices you need in order to meet your energy target.

The main problem here is that there are many brands focusing on offering different types of solar panels based on a large number of different technologies. As a result, you may have a hard time choosing between them, and you will have to look around on numerous websites to find out what past buyers think about any particular product.

Most people would believe that about $3000 to $8000 would be enough for a viable solar panel array; however, the numbers might double depending on your needs and the technology you want to use. Fortunately, most manufacturers are already starting to develop better technologies that allow people to buy more efficient solar arrays at a considerably lower price.

You have to take all the options into account, however, and avoid clinging to some brands simply because they have a "catchier" marketing agenda. Ultimately, the numbers will show you everything you need to know, and you can make up your own mind regarding which types of panels you should buy, and how many of them you will need.

Summary

You will often find that the company you do business with may actually provide you with a viable plan when it comes to dealing with energy consumption and solar panel numbers. Based on your budget and the proficiency of the solar power array you require, they can often give you a precise estimate of how much energy you can get from your purchase.

Use caution, however, since various brands may at times come up with new technologies that are cheaper and more effective, and would make the designs of other companies seemingly obsolete. You might actually realize then that new opportunities can appear at every step of the way.

So, if you are thoroughly informed about the factors that determine the quality of the technology used for manufacturing panels, you will find that you are in a much better position to establish how many of them you need yourself, without having to worry about any unknown factors.

To find out more about the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy go to http://advantagesanddisadvantagessolarenergy.com
You'll discover...

• The facts about solar energy
• Exactly how solar energy works
• The price of installing solar energy
• Solar energy for home and business
• How to build a solar energy system
• How to make a solar oven

...and lots more! The information is ideal for students learning about solar energy and home owners who are looking into installing solar panels in their home.
Learn how to cheaply make your own solar panels with your own copy of  "Home Made Energy"  

If you can find a high-quality manual, you will start enjoying the benefits of DIY solar panels within 2 weeks, because the manual should be able to teach you to build homemade solar energy panels in just a weekend.

If you've enjoyed all the exciting information you read here about Homemade solar panels you'll love everything else you find at DIY Solar Panels.

Please email any questions to support@advantagesanddisadvantagessolarenergy.com

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7 Steps to Install Solar Panels on Your Roof

Solar panel systems have a bright future in the roofing industry and for home and building owners alike. Solar panels, also known as solar photovoltaic panels are excellent tools for reducing monthly electric bills, providing clean power, lowering dependence on traditional fossil fuels, and adding value to a home or building. Installing rooftop solar panels is one of the best ways to increase the value of a home or building. And, not to mention the fact that federal legislation extended a 30% tax credit for commercial and residential solar panel installations.
The following "7 Steps to Installing Solar Panels" can be used to guide both commercial and residential customers through the solar panel shopping and installation process, and help make it as smooth and easy as possible.
1. Make your home more energy efficient.
Before you begin the solar installation process you first need to examine the energy efficiency of your home. Adding solar photovoltaic panels to a home with poor energy efficiency is not going to provide the results you expected. In some states to be applicable for the tax credit your home needs to have an energy audit performed before the solar panel system is installed, making your home's energy efficiency paramount. Here are some tips to make your home more energy efficient:
* Upgrade or replace windows
* Well insulate walls and attic
* Replace inefficient hot water heaters and/or furnaces
* Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs
2. Evaluate the solar site or roof.
Ask yourself a few questions: Is the roof strong enough to support the panels? Is the available space large enough to hold the panels? Does the roof offer southern exposure? And most important, does your roof receive enough sun light? Solar panels are recommended to receive full sun exposure between 9am and 3pm in order for them to be the most effective.
3. Get competitive bids.
Solar panels are a big investment, but done correctly they can provide a significant return and increase the value of a building or home. Shop around a little and find the best price. But be aware; don't just look for the cheapest price. Find a well established retailer and installer with a strong track record. Educate yourself and ask the right questions, because sometimes a higher costing solar system might be the better option, and in the long run provide a higher return on your investment.
4. Research the cost.
Solar photovoltaic panels vary in cost, which is usually determined by the size measured in Watts, the actual dimensions, the brand, the longevity, the warranty, and any certifications the solar panel might have. As solar systems increase in size so does the price. Expect to pay approximately double for a solar system of double the watts.
It is probably a good idea to receive multiple quotes, and if there are large differences inquire why. And, as mentioned before, don't choose your solar panels based solely on price; make sure it will supply enough energy to fit your needs.
5. Determine the required size and Watts.
To begin, study your electricity bill. It will provide you with a lot of useful information to estimate your energy needs. Find out how many kilowatt hours (kWh) you use per day, month and year. When sunlight is optimal, a 100 Watt panel will generate 100 Watts of electricity per hour. Most homes electricity needs can be fulfilled with a solar system between 1 to 5 kilowatts or 1,000-5,000 Watts. And in general, 1 square foot of solar photovoltaic panels in bright sunlight yields 10 Watts, but that can vary depending on the type. Ultimately, when determining the required size of solar panels be sure that they will supply enough electricity to meet or exceed your needs.
6. Choose the Solar Panel Type.
There are 3 main types of solar photovoltaic panels that are available to choose from and vary in efficiencies.
* Mono-crystalline panels are essentially one large solar cell. They are smaller than the polycrystalline panels.
* Poly-crystalline panels are comprised of many small cells grouped together which produce a little less efficiency than the mono-crystalline panels, and are potentially available for a lesser cost.
* Amorphous (or thin-film) panels are larger in size and require more space than the other panels. However, there are other significant benefits, such as a lower cost, versatility, flexibility and greater efficiencies in the Midwest.
It should be noted that efficiency only addresses the amount of light that is created on bright sunny days. The thin film panels have the unique ability to produce watts in low light and overcast conditions, therefore increasing its yield of watts over the same time for the other panels in less than optimal climates like the Midwest. Side by side comparisons in the desert reveal one thing, but side by side comparison in an area that only has 4.2 hours of sunlight on average daily, the thin film provides a distinct advantage.
One must also consider that the framework required to mount the panel type vs. the thin film can add cost and future maintenance.
As there are different types of solar photovoltaic panel roofing systems available, there are also different types of installation methods, such as a grid-tied system, which offers the ability to have more solar photovoltaic panels added at a later date.
7. Review the quote and solar system specifications.

Read the fine print and be clear on all aspects of the new solar panel system. Here are specific points to review:
* Total Cost - Labor, installation and equipment.
* Projected savings - how many years will it take to pay itself off?
* Operational and maintenance costs
* Required permit costs, if any
* Solar system make and model - is it a trustworthy brand?
* Taxes
* Tax credits - 30% federal tax credit with no cap.
* Utility rebates
* Warranty - how many years? Most reputable brands will offer a 25 year warranty. If less, inquire how long it takes to pay itself off.
Solar Panels remain a great choice to lower your energy costs, as well as reduce your carbon footprint on the environment. Innovative solar panel design and technology is rapidly hitting the market, so the future is bright for the solar panel industry. Learn more about solar panels and speak with a reputable solar panel installation company today.
Learn how to cheaply make your own solar panels with your own copy of  "Home Made Energy"  

If you can find a high-quality manual, you will start enjoying the benefits of DIY solar panels within 2 weeks, because the manual should be able to teach you to build homemade solar energy panels in just a weekend.

If you've enjoyed all the exciting information you read here about Homemade solar panels you'll love everything else you find at DIY Solar Panels.

For more information on installing solar panels on your home or building contact a reputable roofing contractor.

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Best Solar Panels - Basic Info and International Survey Results

 
If you are planning the purchase of a complete solar panel system or if you are shopping for parts to assemble your own solar panels you want to make sure to purchase the best solar panels for your individual purpose. This article puts up some basic information on solar panels to help you make the right decision.

One thing right at the beginning, there is nothing like "the world's best solar panels for everyone." It makes a big difference whether you want to generate electricity for your home and even feed surplus capacity in the power grid or if you want to charge a car battery now and then. And producing hot water from a solar installation needs actually a complete different technology. In narrower sense those so called "thermal solar collectors" or "solar collectors" are not even proper solar panels. So what's the difference?

Solar panels (photovoltaic panels, photovoltaic modules) convert shortwave radiation, e.g. parts of the sunlight, into electrical power. They consist of interconnected solar cells which are protected by a range of different materials. The surface is transparent and the solar panel is framed, mostly in an aluminum frame.

Solar collectors on the other hand, are a system of liquid filled tubes. Sunlight heats up the tubes and the liquid. A heat exchanger now transfers the heat to the facility water circuit for warm water and heating. Since this article discusses "best solar panels" let's get back to generating electricity out of sunlight and save solar collectors for another article.

Before you purchase solar panels make sure you take a close look at the Solar Panel Specification Sheet. It gives you vital details of the particular solar module and helps you choose the best solar panels for your purpose. You may want to look especially at the following data:

Solar cell itself - what kind of semiconductor material is being used?

-- Monocrystalline silicon cells (c-Si) have an efficiency degree of more than 20%
-- Polycrystalline silicon cells (mc-Si) have an efficiency of 16%
-- Flat film amorphous silicon cells (a-Si) have an efficiency of 5%--7% (best solar panels in sales at
thetime)
-- Microcrystalline silicon cells (µc-Si) in combination with a-Si cells have up to 10%
-- Gallium-Arsenik cells (GaAs), Cadmium-Tellur cells (CdTe) and Chalkopyrite cells (CIS, CIGS) have degrees of efficiency from 10 to over 40% (GaAs). They are not (yet) suitable for most private customers, because either they are very expensive or they are not fully developed, yet.
-- Panels containing organic solar cells may become the best solar panels in the future, as they can be produced at relatively low costs. At this time their efficiency is still low (pigmented Grätzel-cells have max. 10 %, others are lower) and their life expectancy is short (5000 hours). But keep them in mind for portable electric devices.

Solar module efficiency

Always look at the efficiency of the total solar module, not only of the individual solar cell and be aware that high efficiency degrees are nothing without a high minimum warranted power rating. (see next paragraph)

Solar module power rating

It tells you about the wattage of the particular solar electric module. Make sure to check the (warranted) minimum power since the maximum power, stated in Peak Watt (Wp), is always measured under standard test conditions (STC). As you know, nature is not a laboratory. It provides real live conditions and they can differ surprisingly in many ways.

Operation voltage

Open circuit voltage, stated in Volts (V), is the maximum voltage a solar cell produces when illuminated and not connected to a load. The hotter the Solar Panels get, the lower the open circuit voltage gets.

Temperature operating range (TOR)

As mentioned above, operation voltage decreases with increasing temperatures. Make sure the TOR suits your local climate conditions.

Construction

Consider that you are purchasing a fragile high tech product that may be installed on your rooftop and should be be able to withstand roasting sun as well as wind, hail and heavy snow loads. Choose the right mounting system. Medium duty is good, heavy duty is better. The best solar panels are useless when blown down the roof and crashed on the ground.

Dimensions

Compare the panel dimensions to the active area to avoid a waste of space.

Inverter

An inverter converts the solar produced electricity (direct current, DC) to alternate current (AC). Look for inverters with heavy duty copper wound output transformers. You set it and forget it. Otherwise you will have your inverter getting repaired or replaced - sooner or later. In worst case that can become necessary on a regular basis. This is no fun and a waste of time and money.

Warranty

20 - 25 years warranty on mono- and polycrystalline silicon solar panels are common. This should be the minimum when purchasing solar panels, since today best solar panels have life expectancies of 30 years and even longer. Take a look at the factory warranty and do not accept only a dealer's warranty.

Now it's up to you to choose the best solar panels for your needs. Take your time to compare different panels, inverters and mounting systems. If you want to purchase a complete solar system and get it installed, contact more than one dealer. Now you can ask them the right questions.

Learn how to cheaply make your own solar panels with your own copy of  "Home Made Energy"  

If you can find a high-quality manual, you will start enjoying the benefits of DIY solar panels within 2 weeks, because the manual should be able to teach you to build homemade solar energy panels in just a weekend.

If you've enjoyed all the exciting information you read here about Homemade solar panels you'll love everything else you find at DIY Solar Panels.

 In the following I have listed some manufacturers of solar panels, that made it into the Top 3 of ENF's 2007 brand survey on the world's best solar panels. ENF is a reputable photovoltaic information company located in China and in the U.K.

The survey gives you a good starting point to find the right panel for you. Please keep in mind that 2 years can be a long time in hightech business so do not rely blindly on the results. For actual info check my blog from time to time (see below). Here are the ENF results:

Best Solar Panels

Global No.1 Brand: SunPower (USA)
Global No.2 Brand: Schott Solar (Germany)
Global No.3 Brand: Solar World (Germany)

No.1 Product Quality: Sanyo (Japan)
No.1 VAlue for Money: Suntech Power (China)

Best Solar Panel Inverters

Global No.1 Brand: Kaco new energy (Germany)
Global No.2 Brand: OutBack Power Systems (USA)
Global No.3 Brand: Mastervolt (the Netherlands)

No.1 Product Quality: OutBack Power Systems (USA)
No.1 Value for Money: Kaco new energy (Germany)

Best Solar Panel Mounting Systems

Global No.1 Brand: Direct Power & Water (USA)
Global No.2 Brand: UniRac (USA)
Global No.3 Brand: Schüco (Germany)

Best Solar Trackers

Global No.1 Brand: Zomeworks (USA)

Best Solar Systems

Global No.1 Brand: Sharp (Japan)

Ulrich Lahn is an Internet Marketer, Business Coach and Consultant. He is passionate about his family, renewable energy (especially solar power), MindMapping and playing guitar.
Best Solar Panels [http://www.best--solar--panels.com].
Electric Solarpanels and Solar Collectors [http://www.best--solar--panels.com/best-solar-panels/best-solar-panels].

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DIY Solar Panels - Build Your Own Homemade Solar Panels & Save the Environment Now

 
Are Homemade Solar Panels Possible, Economical, and Useful?

With energy prices rising steadily over the last few decades and no reason to think they'll fall anytime soon, many homeowners are exploring the option of powering their homes with renewable, or "green", power systems. The two most common home green energy systems are wind turbines and solar panels. Of these two, solar energy panels have emerged as the most popular, due to their solid-state nature - meaning that with fewer moving parts, they require less maintenance over the years.

Unfortunately, installing a solar power system in your home can be prohibitively expensive. Having pre-made solar power panels professionally installed costs at least $3000 - and the price tag only rises quickly from there. To reduce this huge cost, many homeowners are exploring the possibility of building and installing their own homemade solar panels. You may be one of them.

If so, you probably have a lot of questions. Can the average person really build a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) solar power system in their garage or basement? If they could, would it really be significantly cheaper than having it professionally installed? And finally, would homemade solar panels provide enough electricity to be worth all the time and effort? This article will seek to answer these questions.

What Are the Benefits of a Home Solar Power System?

o You can reduce or even eliminate your power bill.
o If you generate surplus electricity, you can sell it to your local power company.
o You can increase the property value of your home.
o You can get tax deductions for using eco-friendly home power systems.
o You no longer have to worry about power outages.
o You help protect the environment - solar energy produces no greenhouse gasses.

What Are the Benefits of Building Homemade Solar Panels?

o Money. Over half of a contractor's installation fee is time and labor. If you provide this yourself, you can drastically reduce the cost of building and installing your own home solar power system.

o Time. You can build your homemade solar panels in stages, adding new panels and producing more electricity at your own pace.

o Education. By building a home solar power system yourself, you'll learn how solar electrical technology works. You'll be able to perform your own maintenance and repairs, further reducing your costs.

Where Can I Find the Materials to Build a Homemade Solar Panel?

Almost all the materials you'll need to build a DIY solar panel (such as copper wire, plywood, glass, silicone, etc.) can be found at either your local hardware store (such as Home Depot) or electronics store (such as Radio Shack). The same goes for the tools and equipment you'll need to build your homemade solar panels. Any tool you don't already have in your garage or basement (such as a voltage meter), you can buy at your local hardware or electronics store.

The lone exception to this rule is the photovoltaic solar cells that you'll need to build together into DIY solar power panels. Unless you live in a very large city with a specialized solar hardware store, you'll probably need to order these online or you can make it on your own.

Where Should I Place My Homemade Solar Panels?

The two most common places to put DIY solar panels are either on the roof of your house, or on the ground in your yard.

The roof has emerged as the most popular location for two reasons. First, in order to convert sunlight into electricity, solar energy panels need a direct line-of-sight between them and the sun. Trees, other buildings, or any other obstacle that provides shade or otherwise gets in the way will block the sun from your homemade solar panels. The easiest way to solve this problem is to raise the solar power panels up higher than the obstacles. To do that, of course, you should place the DIY solar panels on the roof.

Second, solar energy panels are big, and take up a lot of space. Furthermore, you will probably need more than one to power your entire home. If you mount your homemade solar panels on the ground, you may quickly fill your entire yard. Mounting DIY solar panels in the roof instead has the advantage of keeping them out of the way and freeing up your yard.

Ground-mounted solar power panels, however, do have one big advantage: accessibility. It is much easier and safer to walk out into your yard than on the roof of your house to perform maintenance and repairs to your homemade solar panels. If you live in a part of the country where there are few trees, such as the Great Plains or the Southwest, and if you own enough property (like a farm) to mount several DIY solar panels and have room to spare, perhaps ground-mounted solar energy panels are the way to go.

What Direction Should I Point My Homemade Solar Panels?

Placing your DIY solar panels perfectly flat, facing straight up, is the best option. This way, no matter where the sun is in the sky or at what angle, sunlight is still hitting the solar panel somewhere. Unfortunately, however, many homes have angled roofs instead of flat, making the "pointing straight up" option impractical. In this case, mount your DIY solar panels on the south-facing side of your roof to collect the most sunlight. In the continental United States, the sun is in the southern part of the sky for the most part.

How Can I Build Homemade Solar Panels?

The answer to that question goes way beyond the scope of this brief article. What we can do, however, is point you in the right direction. The easiest and most efficient route for you to go is to buy a step-by-step instruction manual on how to build DIY solar panels from one of the many websites that sell them. These are usually $50 or less, and well worth the money.

Not all instruction manuals for DIY solar power panels are equal, however. Here are some things to look for when shopping online for a good instruction manual:

o Clear, Step-by-Step Instructions (instead of just overviews)
o Simple, Plain English (instead of confusing technical terms and slang)
o Multiple, Clear Illustrations (instead of just text)
o Demonstration Videos (although not necessary, they are very, very helpful)
o Shopping Tips (for solar cells, deep-cycles batteries, and other hard-to-find items)
o Good Reviews (from past customers)
o Price (more than $60 is too much)
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If you can find a high-quality manual, you will start enjoying the benefits of DIY solar panels within 2 weeks, because the manual should be able to teach you to build homemade solar energy panels in just a weekend.

If you've enjoyed all the exciting information you read here about Homemade solar panels you'll love everything else you find at DIY Solar Panels.

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Money Talks and Solar Walks in Our Quest For Cheap Alternative Energy

 Solar energy or power is the focus of the search for cheap alternative energy as we try to reduce our dependence on, and reduce the effects of, fossil fuels. Using solar power as a means of creating a cheaper alternative to our current energy sources is based upon the following principles.

1. Unlike our finite resources of fossil fuels, solar energy is an infinite and renewable energy source.
2. There are no harmful emissions.
3. The harnessing of solar energy greatly reduces the very significant usage of water that is typical of using coal, nuclear and combined energy sources.
4. After the initial expenditure involved with the installation of a solar powered source of energy, plus some maintenance costs, it is to all intents and purposes free.

Advocates of using solar energy have always faced two major difficulties with promoting this possible form of cheap alternative energy. Currently it is not in real terms a cheap alternative. Inefficiencies and the expenditure involved in the initial set up costs means that solar energy is still viewed by the majority as a fringe source of energy.

However great strides have been made in the search for greater efficiencies in the use of solar power. Recently a group of U.S. scientists set a world record in solar cell efficiency by transforming almost 41% of captured light into energy.

Whilst this is obviously good news in the long term it is not enough to see solar power gain worldwide acceptance as being a viable alternative energy source. The determining factor as always will be costs. Until the stage is reached where this form of energy is accessible to the majority of people it is never going to be an alternative energy let alone our main source.

It all boils down to finances and in a world of financial turmoil it is nearly always research and development that feels the swiftest and sharpest financial cutbacks. Research and development is the only way that solar energy is ever going to reach the stage that it is available to the masses. The masses will only be able to avail of it if it is a cheap alternative.

This is the vicious circle that solar energy and its proponents are caught in. Until the stage is reached where we achieve greater efficiencies in the use of this energy and the production of the units' solar power will not be a cheap alternative.
In recent times of economic boom the emphasis shifted from looking at cheap alternatives and fossil fuels strengthened their position of dominance. If sufficient strides and financing did not occur during times of prosperity it is highly unlikely to occur during an economic slump.

Local and national support for promoting solar energy as a cheap alternative energy source is unlikely to be enough to see this idea lighting up our world. If this form of energy is ever going to reach the stage of being a cheap alternative it needs worldwide collaboration and a long term strategy. Have we seen the light?
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Atul Tanna writes about energy and has equally knowledgeable guest authors also writing on the subject in the regularly updated blog called Cheap Alternative Energy. This thriving and popular blog is where you'll also find Alternative Sources of Renewable Energy and benefits arising therefrom.You must visit [http://cheap-alternative-energy.com]

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Alternative Energy Sources for a Cleaner World

The search for "alternative energy sources" is a worldwide effort. There are many government bodies, universities and scientists around the world all working to find ways of replacing conventional fossil fuels with the newest green energy. Most people are in agreement that as the world slowly moves to depleting the Earth of its natural resources, we need to reduce our dependency on non-renewable sources of energy such as the common types of fossil fuels known as coal, petroleum oil and natural gas.

Alternative energies fill the gap between non-realistic free energy sources and the more traditional fossil fuels. Once upon a time nuclear energy was seen as the answer to our global energy problem. The huge amounts of energy that could be produced from a small amount of uranium was seen as the future way to power our planet as it produces a clean energy with no contribution to global warming. But as we know, like fossil fuels, uranium is also a finite natural resource that over time will run out.

Alternative Energy generally refers to any group of non-traditional fuel sources that do not burn fossil fuels or use up any natural resources that will result in damage or harm to the environment. In other words "Alternative Energy" is a cleaner and greener energy, well at least in theory.

Alternative energy sources provide many advantages and benefits over the use of the more traditional fossil fuels such as less pollution and cheaper fuel costs, but the downside is that these alternative energy sources are not always available when we need them as sometimes the wind does not blow or the sun does not shine. But with the aid of modern technologies available today can make full use of these alternatives when they are available. So let's take a look at some of the most common alternative energy sources and see how each one works.

1. The Power of the Sun

The sun has always provided the Earth with a great source of heat and light energy. In its simplest terms, solar energy is the radiant energy derived from sunlight and by using several different methods we can convert this solar energy into electrical energy using solar photovoltaic cells. These photovoltaic cells produce an alternative source of energy commonly known as "Solar Power". Solar power pollution free since its source comes completely from the sun's rays.

Solar thermal heating uses the heat energy of the sun to heat water or other such thermally conductive fluids such as oil which flow through a set of thermally conducting metal pipes enclosed within a solar panel or reflective dish. Solar hot water heating using roof mounted flat pate solar panels is a cost effective way to generate lots of cheap hot water for your home just using the power of the sun.

We all know the benefits of using the suns energy to heat water, but the suns energy can also be used in solar pool heating systems to help heat the large quantities of cold water in an outdoor swimming pool without the need for expensive electrical pool heating units. Heating a pool with flat plate collectors can also increase the recreational use of an outdoor swimming pool by up to four months during the year just by using the free energy from the sun.

2. The Force of the Wind

Wind energy is power or energy derived from the movement of the wind which is harnessed by windmills, sails, and more commonly wind turbines. Windmills have been in existence for many thousands of years long before the birth of Christ, helping to power sailing boats, pump water and grind corn. Wind Power is all about converting the motional kinetic energy of the wind into physical mechanical energy for driving machines or pumps, or converting it into electricity energy to power our homes.

Wind energy has the ability to generate many megawatts of electricity and is quickly becoming the most invested in alternative energy resource. Wind farms are being erected everywhere with enormous arrays of three bladed windmills dotted across the landscape. Of course, there is nothing new in using windmills or wind turbines for capturing energy. Today's wind turbines are just more modern variations on the old theme. But these monsters of the landscape can help do away with conventional coal fired power stations. Wind energy is an excellent renewable source of energy and will go a long way in promising a good future to generations to come.

3. The Movement of Water

Hydro energy or water energy is an effective renewable energy that harnesses the energy or power produced by moving water using waterwheels and water turbines. The most common form of hydro energy is hydro-electric power which uses the potential energy of the water in large reservoirs held behind huge dams. The energy stored in the water is then used to rotate large electrical turbines to generate electricity. It's estimated that about 90 percent of all the electrical energy produced by renewable resources is generated solely by hydro electric power.

Tidal energy or tidal power as it is also called is another hydro energy resource which uses the movement or kinetic energy of the seas and oceans to generate electricity. New water power technologies such as marine and hydro-kinetic devices can transform the energy of the waves, tides, ocean currents and the natural flow of estuaries into sustainable clean energy. Tidal energy requires a large capital investment in dams, turbines and support ships, but once a "tidal power" plant is built the energy it generates is essentially free with the system being relatively inexpensive to run.

4. Fuel from the Earth

Another interesting alternative energy source that can also be classed as a "renewable energy resource" is the development of Biomass and Bioenergy. Biomass energy is made from agricultural crops and organic plant materials such as wood, peat, grasses and straw grown specifically to be burnt as fuels to generate heat and power as well as organic waste in the form of biodegradable materials, garbage, compost, animal manure and other waste products which can be converted into usable energy. Bioenergy is the energy derived from the Biomass (organic matter) which is sustainable as new crops and forests can be grown to replace those that have been harvested.

Geothermal is an alternative energy source that uses the natural buried heat from within the Earths core. Geothermal energy makes use of the enormous amount of energy stored as heat in the water deep below the Earths surface with the most prominent and visual example of this coming from "Geysers" and "Hot Springs" ejecting large columns of very hot water, steam and gases high up into the air. Water heated by underground magmatic activity is pumped to the surface and used to generate electricity or to heat buildings using geothermal heat pumps.

We have seen that the sun's energy can be used to create other forms of energy. Some of these alternative fuel sources above are not new. For centuries people have harnessed the power of running water in rivers and streams for a variety of needs, particularly for farming and transport. Water wheels and windmills have been used for many thousands of years to grind corn and husks to make flour for bread and a variety of different foods. Even passive solar energy was used to warm homes and dry clothes. Some forms of these "alternative energy sources" above are really just improvements of long-existing older technologies. But with the advancement of technology in the modern age other types of alternative energies are genuinely new, such as bioenergy, fuel cells and solar panels.

To learn more about the different types of alternative energy sources available and how you can use them in the home, or to explore the advantages and disadvantages of using the various Alternative Energy Source available, visit http://www.alternative-energy-tutorials.com today and find lots more good quality and free alternative energy tutorials as well as information and articles about the many different types of alternative energy sources available for the home.
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