Solar Home Panels - Basics of Solar Panels for Homes

Radiation emitted by the sun can be captured and converted into useful forms of energy. This energy can be used to power electricity appliances in homes or heat water. The feasibility and economical operation of home solar panels depends on the availability of sunlight in the region.

Solar Energy

To get maximum benefit from home solar panels the ideal place to install it is on roof tops, ideally mounted to face south, but south/east and south/west are great too. PV home solar panels are electric generating solar panels, which are a little more expensive than solar thermal systems. PV solar panels have zero maintenance, and zero fuel cost. These panes have no moving parts. No one actually knows how long these panels will last as the very first PV panels are still producing electricity today.

The optimum size of home solar panels depend on how much energy in kilowatt-hours is necessary per month, and how much it costs per month. Shifting entirely to electricity generated from home solar panels will mean reducing the use of home appliances which draw plenty of electricity.

Home solar panels are becoming popular source of renewable energy for home owners. To have a hassle free installation, solar panels should be purchased from manufacturers who are leaders in this technology. The panels should have durable connectors on the module, as this is one of the items that give trouble. The connections should be sturdy as it is open to all weather conditions. The terminals should also be rugged.

Unlike electricity generated from finite fossil sources like oil, gas and coal, solar energy has no fuel price volatility. With no moving parts, home solar panels are ideal for small homes where solar power has negligible maintenance cost and are reliable. Solar cells generate electricity without air and water emissions. There is no noise pollution either.

The cost of solar electricity is higher than the cost of retail electricity from private power houses. This is so because home solar panels require relatively high up-front costs and low ongoing operational costs. The only obstacle for its mass popularity is its initial investment. As technology in home solar panels become mature, PV cell efficiency increases, manufacturing efficiencies better, and economies of scale improve, it will become more affordable to many more people. Another reason for its low popularity is its aesthetics. The present panels are bulky, heavy, rigid, fragile and non-modular. A flexible, lighter, modular solar panel which fits aesthetically into homes will be welcome.

Cost of Solar Energy and its Benefits

There are many different advantages to solar energy, but the financial aspects are often the most favorable. This is because once your initial investment is paid off, which would be used towards the startup costs of your solar power system, then the energy you will be harnessing from the sun is going to practically be free.

The cost of solar energy is free and this is obviously a positive thing for all people. However, the low to free cost of solar energy is just one of many benefits that are offered to you by solar energy.

What is Solar Energy?

Before you can really understand completely about all of the wonderful benefits of solar energy, you need to understand more about what solar energy actually is. Besides the low to free cost of solar energy, another of the most favorable benefits involves the environment. This is particularly important in the world of today where issues facing the environment are so serious and matters such as global warming have never been of more importance.

Solar energy is clean and renewable and in no way contributes to global warming, acid rain or smog. In fact it actively contributes to the decrease of harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, by not using any fuel solar energy also does not contribute to the cost and problems of the recovery and transportation of fuel or to the storage of radioactive waste.

There are also even other benefits to solar energy besides the low to free cost of solar energy. It is independent or at least semi-independent, and as a result in can be utilized to offset utility supplied energy consumption and therefore does not only help by reducing the cost of your electricity bill but as well will continue to supply your home or business with electricity in the event of a power outage. This means that even during the worst weather and conditions you will not have to worry about losing electricity and heat.

Not only is the low to free cost of solar energy favorable but also basically everything else about it. Solar energy is really the mother of all renewable resources on the earth and researching and learning about these and other advantages of solar power is really a fantastic starting point for everyone. This way you can take full advantage of all the wonderful benefits that solar energy has to offer you and your loved ones.

Chemical Energy - The Most Common Form of Energy Used by Man Today

Man uses chemical energy most out of all of the other forms of energy, and it finds use in everything from flashlight batteries to commercial airlines, being the energy released from chemical reactions. Also, most of the world’s electricity comes from chemical energy that is obtained by burning coal, oil as well as gas. Propane, which is a common fuel for stoves, as well as gasoline that powers portable electric generators are common means of obtaining chemical energy.

Energy Stored In Bonds Of Atoms

Chemical energy is energy that is stored in the bonds (force that holds two atoms together) of atoms. A release in the bonds causes a chemical reaction to take place and a new substance is created. A good example would be when iron rusts, which causes the iron atoms to combine with oxygen molecules to form iron oxide.

A chemical reaction could be endothermic in which energy gets absorbed, or it can be exothermic in which energy is given off. When energy is absorbed or given off, there is a certain amount of heat in which this energy is contained. The relationships that we expect from all forms of energy are also common to chemical energy. It is essential for humans to master as well as control and produce chemical energy if we are to survive on the planet.

When atoms are arranged in a special way with the molecules, there is energy present, which is chemical energy. Energy is also released when atoms become rearranged to form new molecules. Chemical energy is also stored in foods as well as in fuels and these are often released when such compounds are made to undergo chemical reactions.

You can also get chemical energy through photosynthesis, and plants grow thanks to the energy contained in light that builds organic molecules from the carbon dioxide contained in the air, and from water contained in the earth. Organofuels is how one describes the energy sources that originate from photosynthetic processes.

Mankind has found storing energy to be most convenient when it takes the form of chemical energy, and the foods that we eat as well as the oxygen that we breathe store energy in the body that is in turn converted into mechanical as well as thermal energy. Batteries are another good example of how chemical energy is stored, which can later be retrieved as electrical energy.

Are You Looking for Bosch Parts?

Bosch Power Tools is a division of one of the largest power tool and accessory manufacturers in the world. Bosch parts are in demand, because Bosch power tool enthusiasts like to extend the life of their Bosch power tools by finding Bosch parts and refurbishing or rehabilitating power tools that need work.

The Bosch Tool Product Line

Bosch offers every imaginable category of tools. Its digital measuring and detection product line includes all manner of laser levels and measuring devices. Bosch makes an amazing variety of cordless tools, like saws, drills, planers, hammers, flashlights, and combination kits.

In the drills and fastening category, Bosch makes cordless fastening drives, drills, screw drivers, and tappers. Bosch also makes hammers and hammer drills, grinders and metalworking tools, sanders and planers, routers and router tables, and a diverse variety of saws. Finally, the Bosch product line includes dust extraction systems and specialty tools like heat guns for paint removal and foam rubber cutters.

Bosch recently ventured into the jobsite audio business with the Power Box advanced jobsite stereo. Time will tell whether music is a good fit for Bosch.

The Market For Bosch Parts

When you buy cheap tools and they break, usually the tools aren't worth repairing. The customer ends up throwing a saw or drill away because one part is broken, and the cost of repairing a cheap power tool can be greater than the cost of replacing the cheap tool. If this process sounds familiar to you, perhaps you should consider buying higher quality tools, like Bosch tools. Bosch tools are worth repairing, so Bosch parts are always in demand.

Bosch tool owners are always on the lookout for Bosch brushes, switches, motors, cords, etc, for their Bosch power tools. Bosch replacement parts are readily available through many dealers. Once you identify the Bosch tool for which you need parts, you will be asked to compare your Bosch power tool to an exploded schematic drawing of the tool, where every single part has been assigned a number.

For example, the dustless rotary hammer has 96 Bosch parts that can be reordered from one online retailer. Available Bosch parts for the rotary hammer include needle bearings, ball bearings, gears, springs, seals, gaskets, and screws. Fifty-five Bosch parts can be reordered for the Bosch mini grinder. Mini grinder customers can order motor housings, fans, on-off switches, power cords, clamps, screws – virtually any Bosch part you need to keep your power tools running.

Most of the Bosch parts that you order will be shipped within one to two weeks, so plan ahead if you know that you're going to need an essential part.

The Power of Bosch Power Tools

Bosch Power Tools are synonymous with durability, quality and performance. There is no doubt that Bosch is one of the leading manufacturers of power tools. In addition to Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland, Bosch products are also made in the USA, Brazil, Malaysia, India and China.

Bosch Power Tools are not only associated with high quality and high performance, but they are innovative and are good value for money. There is a comprehensive range of accessories to support the DIY and Professional Bosch Power Tools.

A blue casing is used for the Professional range of power tools and the DIY market is green. Some Bosch products are also sold under the Dremel brand in the UK, like the popular "Multi", and these are mainly meant for the DIY market.

In any case power tools are an investment. When buying power tools, the time you are going to spend in using the tool is very often much more valuable than the cost of the tool itself. Bosch Power Tools allows you to purchase the power tools with the features that you want, and the prices are often lower than the competition.

Bosch Power Tools include Metal Working and Wood Working Power Tools. The tools can be ordered on the website of Bosch and all the tools listed in the store are inventory items and can be shipped on the same business day as it is ordered. There are several cordless tools as well, so that it is possible to work without an electricity connection.

Go Cordless

The cordless Bosch Power Tools are the most popular items. The Bosch Lithium-Ion Pocket Driver is tiny, light as a feather, including the battery, but it packs unbelievable power. Bosch has fuelled it with "litheon" and it is the industry's most advanced lithium-ion battery technology.

It is one of the rare Power Tools which suits everyone like carpenters, remodelers, cabinet makers, builders, hobbyists and homeowners. It is one of the indispensable Bosch Power Tools

The other popular Bosch Power Tools are saws, router, cutout tools, rotary hammers, grinders, corded drills, planers and vacuum cleaners. These tools are often sold by retail agents, who also have websites and it is possible to order the tools from them.

Power Box

The face of job site entertainment was totally changed by the Bosch Power Box. Now Bosch Power Tools and Accessories have announced the Power Box Advanced which has a new multi-function keychain remote control. The sound is enhanced, the reception is an improvement on its previous model and all the new features have made it the world's number one job site radio with CD player.

The cordless six-tool combo kit and the power handsaw are innovate features of the Bosch Power Tools and with every purchase, the customers are realizing the value of having reliable and yet affordable power tools.

The innovative products among the Bosch Power Tools are the ranges of lawn and garden equipment like lawnmowers, hedge cutters and pressure washers. The Bosch Power Tools Division in England focuses on education and training with ongoing courses for dealers and users.

A Starter's Guide to Alternative Fuel Sources

Alternative sources of fuel for cars may be too little too late, but they are certainly better than nothing. In many cities all across the nation, alternative fuel sources are becoming increasingly popular, as people begin to plan for what looks to be a bleak energy future. The importance of alternative fuel sources can not be overrated. We have reached the half way point for oil consumption, and from here on in, it will get more and more expensive to extract smaller and smaller amounts of oil, resulting in the end of fossil fuel use. The sooner we switch to alternative fuel sources, the better, but it seems that our economy is so completely dependent on gasoline that switching might not be enough to save us now.
Solar is a really useful alternative fuel source which will always be available. Although solar power is not one of the alternative fuel sources for cars, it is a great source of power for houses. A few solar panels can provide all of the heating needed for the water tanks, and for the house as well. It is even possible for a house to become completely powered by alternative fuel sources, although this is still often an expensive option.

Alternate fuel sources for cares are varied. Hybrid cars, although technically not using alternative fuel sources, have found ways to make gas consumption much more efficient. These vehicles can get 50 miles per gallon or more out of conventional fuel! This is, in my opinion, better than alternative fuel sources which involve the inefficient burning of vegetable oil. Biodeisel, and ethanol powered cars, while eliminating our dependence on oil through using alternative fuel sources, still pollute the environment with their smoke. Does it make sense to switch to an alternative fuel source which does every bit as much to pollute as the one which we were using before it? It sure does not make sense to me!

Two of the most promising alternative fuel sources are electricity and hydrogen. These alternative fuel sources are actually closely related; hydrogen is a highly efficient way to store power which can be then converted into electricity in the car. This alleviates the need for huge, bulky, heavy batteries. The car can be lighter, which means that it can be more efficient and easier to maintain. If these alternative fuel sources are perfected, they might form the best solution to all of our fuel problems.

All About Solar Energy Projects

There is no way around it, completely changing over a house from electric power to solar power is going to be costly and it is not going to be easy. This is especially true if you are trying to save money by completing the job yourself. While there are just some basics to the procedure, it can be a job that is extremely stressful and not something that you want to mess up just because you wanted to save money by not hiring a professional. Solar energy projects can be done by the homeowner but it is always best to do a little research before hand to make sure it is all done right.

There are a lot of books out there that can offer help on tackling solar energy projects yourself. It may seem simple when reading through everything but it can be a little tricky once you get started and you are in the middle of everything. If the money is there, it is probably a good idea to hire a professional so your solar energy projects do not fail and actually cost you more money in the long run. There is nothing to be ashamed of when asking for help, as solar energy projects are a big job for your normal handyman.

Learning More About The Process

Besides the books and magazines that are out there just filled with information, there is also the wonderful world of the Internet, which offers a lot of free information about solar energy projects. These sites can tell you what to do and most importantly, what not to do as knowing in advance some complications that could arise would be beneficial. It also would not hurt to call in a professional just for an estimate of what they would charge. Even if you cannot afford to hire them, you may learn a thing or two about what they would do and that could help you in your attempt at the solar energy projects you are going to try.

Make sure you have some friends and family available to help you because two minds are better then one and if you have three working on the solar energy projects then that is even better. It is important to have other people around for help and to give a different perspective so that things can get done in the most efficient manner. As long as things run smoothly and you start the solar energy projects with everything you need, it should not take too long at all to complete the project.

Top Advantages of Solar Energy

Solar power is probably the cleanest and most viable form of renewable energy. The advantages of solar energy beats any other form of energy as it depletes the natural resources of our planet and pollutes the environment. Oil and coal is not renewable. Once it is used, it is gone, and besides it takes a different form which pollutes the environment. Solar energy uses the power of the sun which traps during the day and supplies energy during the day through storage batteries in the nights. As long as we have the sun, we will have solar energy.

Towards a Greener Earth

One of the biggest advantages of solar energy is that it is non-polluting. It is also silent. The solar cells extract the energy from the sun without a beep. Compare this with noise polluting coal plants and one can figure out the benefit of shifting to solar energy. The solar cells have no moving parts so maintenance is almost negligible and the cells have a long lifetime.

The initial investment on solar panels and the installation of the system is at present expensive. But in the long run, advantages of solar energy generating systems pay for itself in terms of reduced energy bills. As the solar panels have a long life, once the investments costs are met, there is no more drain only gain. Once the system is installed and functioning well, you are free from blackouts and power failures and no more at the mercy of power generating companies.

The advantages of solar energy make up for the only possible disadvantage, that is, the initial cost. Solar energy at present costs twice as much as traditional sources of power generation which is oil and coal. But as natural sources of oil and coal deplete, the cost of producing energy from such sources will rise. The other disadvantage is that it is only possible to generate electricity during the daytime. But with good battery backups or provincial grid system the distribution and flow of electricity is maintained to an optimum level.

The advantages of solar energy generation from homes make it people-friendly. You don’t need massive power plants with expensive machinery to generate electricity. The electricity required can be generated at home, occupying minimum space and without any noise or disturbance to people living in the area. The installation of the system is also very easy and affordable to maintain.

Comparison between Active and Passive Solar Energy

Solar energy is electricity that is produced from the sun’s radiation. It can be divided into direct and indirect categories, and is harnessed through the use of photovoltaic cells, which generate electricity with no moving parts, no noise, and with no production of pollution or waste.

There are a few different types of solar energy, two being passive and active solar energy. There are both similarities and differences between passive and active solar energy and the biggest difference between the two lies in the applications that they are used for.

Applications of Solar Energy

Active solar energy technologies convert sunlight into other forms of energy by using a particular energy transfer fluid. This is most often water or air but can also be a variety of other substances as well.

These technologies are used to convert solar energy into useable heat and cause air movement for ventilation or cooling. Solar hot water systems, except for those which are based on the thermosiphon, typically use pumps or fans to circulate the water. Furthermore, these technologies use electrical or mechanical equipment to increase the usable heat in a system.

Comparison of Passive and Active Solar Energy 

When compared to passive solar energy, active solar energy is obviously very different. Passive solar systems require no additional energy to operate, whereas active solar systems do. Because of this, passive systems have zero operating costs and emit no greenhouse gasses in operation.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Active solar energy offers a number of wonderful benefits. For one, this energy is low maintenance, as once you have a solar energy system installed there are no recurring costs and you really never have to worry about maintenance because they operate silently, there are no moving parts and they do not release offensive smells.

They are also environmentally friendly and do not contribute to such environmental concerns as global warming. Solar energy does not pollute the air and is clean and renewable. Then there are also the financial aspects, as solar energy saves you a lot of money. Once your initial investment has been paid off, the energy you will be harnessing from the sun is practically free so you will be saving in spades.

Financial incentives are also available from the government which will help you to reduce your cost even further, and on top of all this, solar energy is not affected by the supply and demand of fuel and so therefore it is not ever subjected to the increasing price of gasoline.

A Brief Guide to Solar Power for Homes

Light, and more particularly sunlight is a readily available source of energy that can be used to make heat as well as to generate electricity, and this is the first thing that we need to learn about solar energy. Secondly, it is a very clean way to produce electricity, and, unlike other sources of energy, does not cause any pollution in the atmosphere and is available in two main forms.

Solar Thermal Conversion Or Photo-Voltaic

You can either use solar energy as solar thermal conversion in which sunlight creates heat and then electricity, while the second type of solar energy that you need to be aware of with regard to learning about solar energy is using photo-voltaic conversion in which sheets that are made from special materials are used to generate considerable amount of electricity directly from the sun.

The major advantages to using solar energy are that it is very cheap as compared to oil based and other systems of energy production and it is also easily transported from one place to another, which means that even when a person is out backpacking in remote places or lives far from a power grid, by using solar panels he or she can generate electricity to power up electronic equipment.

What’s more, as you learn more about solar energy, you will also realize that this is a form of energy that does not pollute the atmosphere, and if man switched over completely too using solar power, he would not need to worry about things such as global warming and greenhouse emissions.

It is thus important for us to learn as much as we can about solar energy if we want to do something serious to control the threat posed to our environment by other forms of energy. It would be ideal if solar power could be used in combination with other renewable forms of energy so that timely and remedial action could be taken against the more harmful methods being employed to generate electricity and thus keep the earth safe and clean, and to also be able to provide mankind with cheap and clean energy from the sun.

The only stumbling block with regard to learning about solar energy is that many times you will be confronted with facts that are really not facts. However, by turning to using photo-voltaic cells to produce electricity, we are moving in the right direction and the good news is that man is constantly striving to make more efficient solar cells so that in the future we can put all that we have learnt about solar energy to good use and save the planet from global warming and other threats.

A Brief Guide to Solar Energy Power for Homes

Solar Energy for Homes
Solar energy was used in ancient times for heating houses. It was after the discovery of the photoelectric effect and the invention of steam engine powered by solar energy that people started thinking about using solar power for running simple domestic machines, besides using it for heating purposes. The need for using solar power for homes was seriously considered in the 20th century when it was realized that fossil fuels (coal, gas, and oil) were not inexhaustible and that electricity will be harder to generate inexpensively in future. Using solar power for homes also offers little serious impact on the environment.

Uses of Solar Power for Homes

Solar energy can be used at homes for serving various purposes. They are primarily used for running small, low-power appliances like radios, lightings, gadgets, small water pumps, and even children’s toys. Solar power can also be stored in batteries and used for lighting the house during an episode of power failure. And of course, solar power is increasingly being used for heating homes during winter.

How Home Solar Power Systems Work?

To use solar power for homes, photovoltaic (PV) panels are attached to the roof of a house such that their expanded surfaces face south for houses located in the northern hemisphere. For those in the southern hemisphere, the panels should face north to gather maximum solar energy. The average power production of a solar cell is about 11 to 22 watt per square foot. The solar energy, when received by the panels, generates electric current in them. This current is stored in a large battery bank that is connected to the PV array through a charger controller. The DC current stored in the battery is converted to AC current (used in homes) by a DC-AC inverter for running home various appliances.

Odds against Using Solar Power for Homes

The major disadvantage that hampers the use of solar power for homes is their high cost of purchase and installation. Depending on the size of the home and the particular solar power system, it costs an average of $20,000 to $40,000 for installing a solar power system at home. The high costs of setting up solar panels at home are due to the requirement of using pure silicon in their manufacture. Recently, however, solar-grade silicon has been derived from metallurgical silicon. This innovation is expected to reduce the costs of installing solar power systems at home to about one-third of the current costs. Besides high costs, solar panels are not very useful in areas of little sunshine and also on cloudy days as well as after sunset.