My name is Nick Trank and I have done a lot of things in my life. I have worked as an IT- technician, a builder, an advertisement agent, teacher and more. I decided to begin to share my life experience on my web page www.techbookreviews.net and through articles.
Solar power technology is a rather broad definition. It includes both heat and electric energy generating technology. This article will focus on solar panels that generates electricity as it is the most effective way for ordinary consumers to save money.
The pro’s
So, what do you as a consumer have to gain from solar panels? The two most obvious must be:
Once the initial investment is made there are no costs associated with having parts of you electrical needs generated by solar panels. Once connected to your house they lessens your dependence to the power grid thus saving money on your electrical bill.
The second reason to get solar panels is the environmental angle. When you use less energy from the power grid means less oil, gas and coal produced electricity which in turn lessens the release of green house gasses in to our atmosphere. Wether or not you believe global warming is partly caused by humanity, lessened CO2 emissions can’t be bad, right?
Financial incentives is also something to consider. Several countries, including the US, Canada and several European nations have tax rebates and different tax deductions that you most definitely should look up.
The con’s
Efficiency is an issue. Solar panels still requires quite large surfaces to generate energy in any usable amounts.
Cost is also a problem. Initial investments can run very high even for a private home system. Solar panels, battery banks, other electrical equipment and installation can cost several $10,000. This might, however, soon be a problem of the past. Several DIY system have begun to emerge on the market where you can build your own solar panels for just a fraction of the normal cost.
Reliability can, of course, be a problem if you live in an area were the sun doesn’t shine regularly due to weather conditions or long winter nights.
The conclusion
If you live in a relatively sunny part of the world, solar power is absolutely something worth examining. A couple of panels on the roof might be enough to help the air conditioner and that will make a positive “dent” in your electrical bill.
If you live in, for instance, California, Nevada, Arizona or any other “sunsafe” place you could evern become totally self-sufficient if you go all out with solar panels. With the new more cost effective alternatives this could be an investment that pays for itself rather quick!
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- DIY Solar Power Panels | Residential Solar Panels | Solar Power Electricity
- Great Trends in Solar Panels and Solar Energy
- Facts About Thin Film Solar Panels
- Avail the Best Quality Solar Panels That Work on Solar Power Only at Solarcelldepot
- Build Your Own Solar Panels Learn How it is Easy Affordable and Fun to Build Solar Panels
- Solar Panel Importance - Using Solar Energy Magic For A Better World
- Build Your Solar Panel
- Explaining the various types of solar panels
Kids Picnic Table Plans - Making It Happen
By: Philip | 22/12/2009Me and my wife have talked about having a kids picnic table in our garden for so long now, it has almost become an embarrassment for me whenever she raises the topic in conversation. The fact is, and you might have guessed already, that I have not yet done anything about building one of these. They do not look too difficult to build from the plans I have seen, so I thought I would have a go at constructing one myself.
DIY Shed Ramps - Strength Is The Key
By: Philip | 22/12/2009Although we have a big garden, it is not all at the same ground level, so I am all the time having to man handle garden equipment from one level to the other, somehow. Until now, I have been happy enough to pick whatever it is up, and put it down on the new level. That has been the way I have always done it until my wife's friend and her husband came to visit us last weekend, and he was shocked to see what I did, and suggested we try ramps.
Doghouse Plans - Building One Yourself
By: Philip | 22/12/2009My wife is a bit fussy about keeping our house neat and tidy, and any transgressing of this can make her a bit grumpy. When I mentioned to her about bringing home the dog we had spoken about, as a birthday gift for our daughter, she was quite emphatic in her desire for the animal to be housed outdoors in its own doghouse.
Do It Yourself Shed Plans
By: Philip | 22/12/2009If you like to create things with your hands, and you are passionate about woodworking, you will probably come to the point where you want to try and build solid practical projects, such as a shed. Just being able to make small things out of wood, gives you a lot of confidence and satisfaction, and encourages you to take on bigger projects.
How To Build Shed Foundations – What You Need To Know
By: John Herberte | 22/12/2009Your shed will only be as good as the foundations. Planning at this stage will ensure it's done right and your efforts will last for a very long time. In this article I will discuss a range of shed foundations that are commonly used. 1. The Dirt Floor If your building a pole shed structure then a dirt floor is suitable. It is important though that water drains away from your shed as you don't want your stored goods getting damp from pooling of water on the shed floor 2. Blocks and Gravel
Do I Need A Plan For Building A Shed?
By: John Herberte | 22/12/2009Every one needs a shed for storing away those tools, mowers, ladders, painting equipment, ect that we don't want to clutter our house up with. And with the possibility of thieves scouring our neighborhood looking for easy pickings it's important to have somewhere to lock away our valuable equipment that's going to give us peace of mind when we're not at home. If you want to build one yourself you need a plan for building a shed. I have built quite a few sheds myself
What's the best way to build a shed roof?
By: John Herberte | 22/12/2009Are you thinking of building your own shed roof? You may well have decided to take it on because you have been floored by the exorbitant prices of for kit sheds or to have one built for you. Probably the most daunting aspect of building your shed will be pitching the roof. First let's look at different ways you could build a shed roof. There are different styles of roof you can have. The simplest would be a skillion or flat roof with a slight gradient for water run off.
Can I save Money Using Garage Building Plans?
By: John Herberte | 22/12/2009Many people wouldn't consider building their own garage but if you are, would you really save much? Well the answer is yes but whether you build it yourself or hire the job out to a local contractor you need to get a reliable set of garage building plans first. Let's look at 3 ways you could save. 1. Having the plans means that if you have reasonable basic skills you could build the garage yourself, saving heaps on labor.