Almaden Solar Power

Posts Tagged ‘High Power Solar Panels’

Increasingly, people are nowadays want to help save the environment because of the increasing problems caused by global warming. Nonetheless, people have the idea that green living costs a lot and uses up a great deal of time. In this article, we will touch upon some things that you could start doing today in order to begin living a greener life.

The number one thing that we all can do is to recycle. Many people continue to put glass and aluminum items in their normal garbage even though recycling is not that hard to do today. Nearly all American trash services nowadays offer a special bin for recycling this type of item. But even though the bins are there for the recycling, a lot of people still throw their cans and bottles in the normal trash. By taking an extra few seconds to wash off the cans and bottles and throw them in the recycle bin, you will be on the path to helping planet Earth.

Another huge waste product is newspapers. Most people will just take their daily paper and discard it in the bin when they are done reading it. But, there are a lot more other uses that you can get out of your newspaper other than poring over it it. You may not be aware that newsprints are wonderful for cleaning windows. While many people use paper towels and window cleaner, you can get better results using your old newspaper instead of paper towels, because you will not have those tiny white flakes all over your windowpanes and no streaks. In addition, many towns and villages as well as boy scout and girl scout troops do paper drives. Just place your papers in a stack and contact the organization to pick them up.

One more thing that may help you to start living green is to start walking a bit more. Lots of people think nothing of hopping in their car and driving one block to pick up a soda at the local convenience store. If you just walk to the store, not only could it take less time, as you won’t need to try to find a parking place, but you will be saving money on gasoline and helping to save Earth by not burning those fuels.

Car pool whenever you can and cut down your lawn less frequently to save even more fuel. I know that most people preferr to have nicely mowed lawns but waiting another week between mowing won’t make that much of a difference. If you’re a diehard fan of green living, see if you can obtain a manual push mower. You will be able to find these types of lawn mowers in quite a few hardware shops.

There really are a lot of means by which people can begin living green, they simply need to make some changes in their lifestyle and they can start helping the environment instead of polluting it. The web is a wonderful source of information on how to live green and how you can start.

If you are concerned in building to go green and put together your personal solar panel you may visit diy solar panels and discover easy ways to build solar panels at your house.

When considering how to make a solar panel advice, certain information should be known by the hobbyist. For instance, this structure is actually a unit that is composed of individual photovoltaic cells that function to gather energy from the sunlight. Light of wavelengths between 400 to 700 nanometers is generally effective on these devices. Comparatively less voltage output comes from longer, less energetic wavelengths of light, since the light ejects electrons from the surface of the metal, to produce electricity.

It is important to position the home-built light collecting device so that it will intercept as much light as possible. A bigger current will be produced by stronger sunlight.

A straight forward calculation will give someone the information they need to know how many photocells to put into the construction. The starting point is to know what power output is required, and then divide the hours that the panel will produce the rated output into the expected electrical use, as watt-hours per day.

Plywood that has been painted with a UV resistant varnish can be used to make the frame for the solar panel. After the number of units that should be used to make the device up is known, it should also be cut according to carefully made measurements.

A tagged Copper Indium diSelenide (CIS) photocell will be suitable to use. The single units can be soldered together in series (negative to positive) making use of the tabs. This type of circuit will result in the individual voltages adding together to produce the final voltage required.

After the wiring to the cells is soldered on and they are glued securely to the holding frame, the whole structure should be sealed up tightly with glass or plastic to prevent moisture from entering.

Finding out how to make a solar panel advice is easy because there is a lot of information easily accessed. This is a worthwhile project that will keep the pennies in the pocket and help to preserve the environment.

Some homeowners believe that rooftop solar can be a DIY project. Solar PV energy systems are expensive, complex, and even dangerous if installed incorrectly – all of which are very good reasons to hire a licensed installer. So, what do you need to know before commiting to such a long-term investment?

How to Check Your Installer’s Credibility

1. Ask for NABCEP Certification

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, or NABCEP, licenses and certifies solar panel installers, but they don’t maintain a list, and they are quite new, meaning certification is far from widespread. The NABCEP is not only the best, but almost the only certification of any value. This means that when you find a company or individual in your area who installs solar, you need to ask about NABCEP certification.

2. Can They Provide Outstanding References?

If not, you might consider a company or professional who has been around a long time and is willing to give you references (for a superb article on this subject, please visit BuildDirect). But certification is almost always preferable, because even the most experienced contractor, roofer or electrician may not understand the ins and outs of solar.

3. Are They Licensed and Bonded?

Also make sure that your contractor is licensed by all applicable jurisdictions (your municipality, city or county; whoever calls the shots) and has both a Contractor’s General and Professional Liability policy, and a performance bond (typically $100,000).

4. Always Get Free Estimates

Check to make sure you can get a free estimate; that the installing firm does a site survey to insure adequate solar insolation; that the sales firm is also the installer; that it knows your area’s building codes; and that it will do the paperwork to get you any and all applicable rebates. For  a list of licensed installers that do offer free estimates, click here.

5. Read the Fine Print

Finally, read the contract and make sure that everything is in black and white: the start date; the likely date of completion barring accidents or contingencies; the down payment and final cost, including all applicable taxes, fees and licenses; and a line item that guarantees components for their “normal” lifetime (again, see BuildDirect for typical warranties).

What Cost Range Can I Expect?

The typical residential rooftop (or ground-mounted) PV solar panel costs between $5 and $8 per watt, uninstalled. Of course, you can find cheaper prices, but be wary how cheap you go, because solar PV is complex technology, requiring careful assembly of delicate components like doped silicon chips, backboards, and a surface layer (glass, in the case of crystalline silicon, or c-Si).

Add to that an inverter, often a battery backup system and charge controller – not to mention a racking or mounting system that may or may not penetrate your valuable and expensive roof covering – and you are in “expert only” territory. Then tack on routine maintenance and inspection, which you most likely don’t have a clue how to tackle, and the reasons for hiring a licensed solar installer are abundantly clear in both dollars and worry-value.

One excellent participant in the solar installer training process is Boots on the Roof, but again, it doesn’t offer a provider directory.

Which leads you right back to where you started, the CalFinder Solar site, where you can access a list of licensed installers. There, wasn’t that easy?

Solar power as we know it has been around for almost a century. Many people believe that its still the same basic technology that helped power early spacecraft and the White House in the 1970′s. But advancements over the past 10 years have brought solar to the cutting edge with new investment and an emphasis on research. Here are three solar innovations that are making this type of renewable energy more affordable, easier to obtain, and more efficient for generations to come.

1. Thin-Film Cells

When most people picture solar panels, they think of the large black cells with aluminum framing that resemble windows. These are crystalline panels and have been used for decades. The limiting factor with this technology is actually the energy required to produce the panel itself along with weight in shipping. The process for making this technology is similar to the process for making silicon computer chips, it requires highly trained technicians, clean rooms, and energy hungry machinery.

Thin-film solar is a completely different take on solar cells. The cells themselves often come in a roll and the manufacturing process is similar to a printing process. This dramatically reduces the cost of solar power. Panels that use traditional crystalline technology still cost in the $2/watt range. Thin film cells cost closer to $1/watt and that price is falling quickly.

Thin film cells are being consumed in large quantities by utility scale projects now, making it difficult for consumers to get their hands on them. This is changing daily though as nearly every major solar manufacturer has a thin-film model coming out, which will make it easier for the average homeowner to have this exciting new technology. For more information check out First Solar, the premiere manufacturer of thin film solar cells.

2. Micro-Inverters

Inverters are an essential piece of any solar power system. An inverter takes the power that comes from the panels, which is direct current (DC), and changes it into alternating current (AC). AC is what we have in our outlets at home and work and is what most appliances need to operate on. The inverters of the past were large, expensive, and generated large amounts of waste heat. The cheapest inverters cost around $3000, which meant that the cheapest solar power systems were in the $10,000 range.

Microinverters have changed the equation dramatically. Now, for less than $200, you can have an inverter on each solar panel, and have a system that consists of as little as one solar panel if you wish. That means the entry point for installing a solar power system is now as low as $1000. Many people start with just one or two panels, and add on a panel or two each year.

Micro inverters also dramatically increase the efficiency and decrease the installation time for solar power kits. In the not so distance future there will be microinverters integrated into the actual construction of solar panels themselves, which means you may just be able to plug your solar panel right into the wall… or your car! Visit Enphase Solar for more information on microinverters.

3. Flexible Racking Solutions

Most people would be surprised to learn that at least 25% of the equipment cost, and 75% of the labor cost of solar kits goes into the racking systems that hold the panels. And this technology really hasn’t changed much in the past 100 years. The process of mounting bolts into the roof surface, rails to the hold the panels, and wiring and grounding systems has been time consuming and dangerous.

Now we are finally seeing some new options in racking for solar and the landscape is changing. In many cases rails are being all together eliminated and grounding systems can be installed in less than half the time it used to take! Check out Zep Solar for more information.

Solar costs have already come down by as much as 50% in the past 5 years. Over the next decade, prices should come down even more dramatically, thanks to a renewed interest in this promising technology. Before long solar power will achieve the holy grail: the ability to profitably compete with fossil fuel generated power, without government incentives or subsidies.

This article was contributed by Kriss Bergethon who lives off the grid with his wife and family. For more information visit his Solar Panel Store online.

If you’re searching for a different method to save money then solar electricity could be for you. Rather than paying electricity companies for using the energy that they provide, you could find yourself watching your television without spending a dime. There are many concerns regarding the use of photovoltaics: Just how much will it cost? How long will it last for? Can it be used during the night time? All of those and other questions that you did not think about will be answered in this article.

Can Solar Electricity be Used at Night?

Yes. Photovoltaics technology is also battery powered. If you needed to run off the battery constantly you are considering a week’s worth of energy. While the solar panels are using the sun’s energy the batteries are recharged. This means that on a night you can happily use solar electricity to your heart’s content without worrying about high bills or losing power. Due to the battery life, solar electricity can also be utilized in bad storms and power cuts too.

How Much Does Solar Electricity Cost?

Using solar electricity is completely free but solar panel systems do have a high cost. They are around eight thousand pounds initially but that money can easily be saved up when you no longer have to pay electricity companies for using their energy. Actually, you will have those companies paying you up to 1000 pounds per year because they are able to use the electricity after you since solar energy is renewable. Therefore you may see the cost of your photovoltaics being paid off faster than you initially imagined.

How Long Do the Panels Last? Solar panel systems can last up to thirty years, most carry a twenty five year guarantee. During this whole time you are able to use solar electricity totally free and gain the money from the electricity companies. Which means that you’ll have around 15-20 years of free electricity and that is all thanks to your panels.

Are there Any Tax Benefits?

Since solar electricity comes from a natural and renewable source and since it is emission free, the Government is happy to present tax benefits. All the money you get from the electricity companies is totally tax-free, so that you can use that in savings to invest in new solar panel systems if the original ones finally break.

Can they be Used the City?

Photovoltaics is available for both inner city use and rural areas, providing that one part of the house or flat faces the south. They can be placed on the house roof or in the garden, that is entirely up to you; it all varies according to whether you want the panels to be out of most views or if you do not mind having what could be considered an eyesore in your yard.

While solar electricity may cost a lot of money in start up costs, it is a worthwhile, long-term investment. After the first five to ten years you will be able to use your television, lights and your electric heating for free and you can guarantee that when all the non-renewable sources of energy be used up you will still be able to light the right path without candles or torches.

Los Angeles is the California hub of solar installations. We receive more requests to install solar in Southern California than anywhere else in the country, so we’d like to break down average cost information, utility rebates, and state and federal incentives to go solar in sunny SoCal.

Costs of Going Solar in Los Angeles

Installing rooftop solar panels may seem expensive, but you’d be surprised how wise and affordable an investment they can be. The numerous incentives available for installing solar, combined with their energy savings, make them pay for themselves faster than ever.

To find out how much it costs to install solar in your area, click here.

The California Solar Initiative offers cash rebates for rooftop solar panels. For residential systems of up to 30 kilowatt-hours of energy, solar rebates are calculated based on the Expected Performance-Based Buydown (EPBB). They are then paid as a lump cash sum when the solar system is connected. Rates vary based on the utility company of your region, the phase of the initiative in that region, the type and orientation of your solar panels, and how much of your monthly energy usage the unit provides.

Average Costs in Southern California

Recently, a 4 kilowatt system providing 93 percent of a consumer’s monthly electricity would have earned a $1.90 per kilowatt rebate, or $7,600, in Irvine, Orange County, through the Southern California Edison utility. In addition, the consumer’s monthly electric bill went from about $130 to $20 a month.

This may sound good, but rates in the city of Los Angeles get far better. The Solar Rebate Program of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) recently offered a rebate of over $20,000 for a $35,000, 5-kilowatt unit generating 82 percent of the consumer’s monthly electricity. This same unit also reduced an average monthly electric bill of $120 to just $267 for an entire year.

In addition, the Federal Renewable Energy Tax Credit is available after you take cash rebates through the California Solar Initiative. This credit gives you back 30 percent of the remaining cost of your solar panels. For example, if your unit cost $15,000 after your LADWP rebate, you would get an additional $5,000 credit when you file your federal tax return. This would either increase your federal tax rebate or reduce the total amount of federal taxes you owe by $5,000.

As a result, your originally $35,000 solar panels would have a net cost of $10,000. According to currently estimated rates, the panels would pay for themselves in just under 9 years. Remember that solar panels last 25 to 30 years on average. So once the panels have paid for themselves, you can simply enjoy an electric bill ranging from super low to non-existent, plus the unique satisfaction of living off clean, renewable energy in your own home.