Solar Residential energy

With predictions of an apocalyptic future and the catastrophe of running out of resources dictating headlines of major newspapers every second day, most people are making a conscious decision to reduce their carbon footprint. However, is solar electricity really the solution that the world is looking for? Here is separating the fact from fiction about solar electricity and its cousin passive solar water heating.

Solar electricity

Solar electricity is generated through home solar kits that often include a capturing assembly either solar panels or roof shingles that catch the heat energy of the sun. This is converted to electrical energy and then fed to the alternator that changes it to AC current, which can be subsequently used to power regular household appliances.

One square foot of solar electricity panels can produce as much as 72 Watts of electricity per day. So, you will need to accurately anticipate your energy needs vis a vis the size of the solar electricity panels that you need. Because the sun is a limitless source of heat energy, if you have enough space to install large solar panels, there are no restrictions on the amount of electricity that can be generated.

The most obvious benefit of solar electricity is its environment friendliness. Homeowners find that using solar energy usually helps them to cut their reliance on grid energy significantly and to slash their electricity bills by 50% to 90%. Actually, if your energy production exceeds your needs, you can add the generated electricity to the grid and earn credits from the power company.

While there are several advantages to using solar electricity, it is not devoid of concerns either.

The first of them being the exorbitant cost of the solar panels; although the cost can be recovered within a year or two of installing the units, you will need to shell out several thousand from your own pockets in the beginning. You could add the expense to your home loan.

Also, the weather and the seasonal climatic conditions will have a bearing on the amount of electricity generated. Finally, although solar energy generation is an efficacious alternative to traditional energy, it does not entirely eliminate your reliance on grid electricity.

Solar heating systems

Solar heating systems are a passive way to capture solar energy. They incorporate solar thermal panels that capture heat energy, which is used to heat water in black tubing. The heated water is either directly supplied to the house for use or it can be used in the temperature control system. The water may be stored in a tank or supplied directly into the temperature control assembly as it gets heated.

Solar thermal panels, which are an integral part of solar heating systems, can produce as much as 1000 BTUs of energy per day per square foot of panel area. Solar heating assembly can help you to become self-sufficient and save several hundred dollars each year in utility bills. They can also be used in colder climates depending on the area that you live in and the sunlight that it receives.

The primary benefit of solar heating systems is the fact that the homeowner does not incur any cost for the operation of the system once it has been installed. By using solar heating systems, you can help to reduce pollution in your own little way.

On the other hand, the efficacy of solar heating systems can be marred by the amount of average sunlight available in the area. Ideally, you will need at least 4 to7 hours of sunshine to generate enough heat to last you through the day.

This means that while solar heating systems can prove to be very efficient, you will need to have a grid energy powered back up for nights and cloudy days.

While the efficacy of solar energy cannot be denied, the technology could use major improvement. More can be done in the future to enhance the amount of heat energy captured through the panels and the electricity generated through it.

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