Solar Power saves Money

We have all heard about placing solar panels upon the roofs of homes and businesses in order to provide clean, cheap, and renewable energy. The problem up until now has been the cost. For a standard home, the panels, wiring, and installation can cost thousands of dollars. Even though this does leave the owner independent and free of monthly costs, that upfront price makes many people think twice. While states such as New Jersey have offered to pay up to 40% of the costs, there are still few private adopters. But as we move foreword, costs of solar technology is going down, and becoming more efficient and much thinner. Though many will still not adopt solar power as their main means of energy, there are many other possibilities that can begin to make solar power more familiar.

Vehicles

Solar powered production cars and boats are still years away, if they come at all, but there are still many uses between the two for solar technology. The most basic way to incorporate solar technology into vehicles would be to attach them to the already present electrical systems, with of course improved batteries. Cars will burn more gas with the air conditioner on, so why not have it powered by clean green solar panels attached to the roof of your car? It?s not just air conditioners either. In a car or boat, any item that requires electricity, from your GPS device to your cell phone charging in the cigarette lighter requires the engine to work harder. Boats are especially known for using a lot of gasoline when it comes to powering electrical appliances. Boats anchored out required either inboard or outboard generators. Solar panels and batteries could replace these, cutting down on gas cost and emissions.

Since solar technologies can power electrical appliances in cars and boats, there is then the possibility for use with hybrid engines. Yes, this is moving closer to the solar powered car, but still allows for a gasoline engine for the consumer who is worried about having a fail safe. Along with the hybrid style engine, there are other less likely, but still legitimate solutions such as a solar base station for electrically charged vehicles. The applications are endless.

Outdoor Activities

At this moment, there are a few companies making portable solar chargers for cell phones, GPS, and other portable devices that outdoors lovers desire will out and away from their homes. But making much more versatile items would probably be best. Let?s take for example, a simple day at the beach. Lets say you have a radio, a GPS, a cell phone, and an MP3 player with you. All of them require a base station at some time, whether for total power (the radio) or charging (everything else). So why not create a cooler with solar panels built into the top with standard outlets on the sides? You?re probably going to bring a cooler with you anyway, so why put it to good use? Admittedly these are only small items that use little electricity, but everyone must start somewhere, so why not here?

There are thousands of creative ways to use solar technology that would begin to introduce the public without to much dependency while bringing down the costs at the same time. It is just important at this time for companies to begin to think outside of the box or new companies to spring up to fill the gap. Solar power is definitely not something that everyone will being willing to dive right into, but if we start working it into modern culture, eventually we can achieve what seems like a science fiction writer?s dream: a solar powered world

There are two basic types of solar panels. One kind makes electricity, the other kind generates heat. It’s important to know which kind you need for the job you have in mind, because they are not interchangeable. But both kinds can save you money and help you live a greener lifestyle.

Solar thermal collectors use the sun’s energy to heat water and other fluids, like oil. They typically use plastic tubing, hoses or coils in the panel. The liquid runs through the coils and is heated by the sun. These types of panels are ideal for heating swimming pools, spas, hot tubs and hot water for homes and businesses. They can also heat building interiors by using baseboard heating units and hot water flooring systems. Once they are installed, there is usually no need for additional heating fuels. But the systems usually require some kind of motorized pump to circulate the fluids.

Solar photovoltaic cells create DC (direct current) electricity. Most typically, they use semi-conductor material (silicon) in the panel, which interacts with sunlight to create electricity. The electricity then can be used to power computers and appliances, or the entire house, if you build the system big enough. The electricity is only generated from the panels during the day when they are interacting with direct sunlight.

In order to use a photovoltaic system at night or during cloudy days, the electricity must be stored in a battery storage system. You can use inexpensive lead-acid batteries (like you car uses), but you will need to make sure they are filled with distilled water in order to maintain their charge. You can also use more expensive batteries. Sealed AGM (absorbent glass mat) batteries don’t require maintenance to retain their charge. Gel batteries are good choices for cold climates because of their freeze-resistance.

Both the thermal collector and the photovoltaic systems typically use glass panels to encase their collection systems, and both require access to direct sunlight. The panels are ideally situated in a location that faces south and allows maximum exposure to sunlight during the entire day. They can be used anywhere to harness the sun’s energy, but they are less effective in regions that typically have a lot of cloudy days throughout the year.

Even in mostly sunny regions, it’s always a good idea to add a backup generator to both kinds of solar panel system. Backup generators can be fueled with biodiesel to maintain your green lifestyle. And the generators can be used if your battery storage fails, or whenever there is an unexpected stretch of cloudy days.

Before you order your do-it-yourself home solar energy system and start building your own solar panels, you might want to save yourself a big headache (and several thousand dollars) by looking into your local zoning.  If you live on acreage in an unincorporated area, you might still be subject to some state restrictions.  So it is always wise do ask some questions and do some research at the beginning of your project’s planning process (instead of waiting until the money has been spent!).

In the United States, zoning restrictions usually are the least restrictive at the federal level, and become increasingly restrictive at the most local levels.  That means (usually), the state is less restrictive than the county; the county is less restrictive than the town or city; the town or city is less restrictive than the homeowners’ association.  So is you do your zoning research at the most restrictive level that applies to your situation, you should be in good shape.

If you live in a community that has a homeowner’s association, start there.  Find out if there are rules about installing solar panels (or any structures) on your roof, or if there are rules about the kind of roofing materials you can use.  It’s not the end of the world if your discover restrictions.  You’ll just have to develop a proposal that your association board will find so appeal that they’ll approve it with ease.

If your zoning comes from your town or city regulations, you’ll need to go the planning office and find out what your local zoning laws say about solar panel installations.  It may take you some time to find out exactly who to talk with; it may be the zoning department, or the planning department, or the building code department.  But once you uncover the proper authority, find out what permits you need, and what the process is that you’ll need to follow.  If there are no town or city zoning codes in place that cover solar panels, you’ll need to research at the next level.

The next zoning authority level is your county. If you can find the county website online, you may be able to get answers without having to visit the county offices in person.  Either way, though, you’ll need to find out which department handles zoning and permits, and get your answers there.  If the county has no zoning regarding solar panels, keep asking questions.  Someone at the county level should be able to tell you whether your state has any laws in place.

You can also approach all of this research by finding local solar equipment suppliers and installers.  Since the zoning regulations affect their businesses, they’ll usually know exactly what the laws are, if any.  Be sure you ask a reputable, licensed business person, though.  And double check their answers, don’t just rely on what they tell you.  As with any “home improvement” there are a lot of scams out there that are easy to avoid by doing a little research of your own.

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