Arnold Hexden asked:


With the advent of solar and wind power consumers are changing the way they look at powering their homes. Instead of using polluting fossil fuels, many environmentally conscious people are turning to these clean and renewable energy sources to power their homes and businesses. In this article, we’ll detail how wind and solar energy works and how these systems can save you money.

By converting kinetic energy into mechanical power wind turbines it can then run a generator to produce clean electricity. There are several things that you should keep in mind if you intend to invest in wind and solar energy. Firstly, your property must have a good wind resource and you will have to check with your local government to make sure that tall towers are allowed in your area.

It is a fact that wind energy systems are one of the most cost-effective method for home-based renewable energy . Depending on your wind resources, a small wind energy system can lower your electricity bill by 50% to 90% and help you avoid the high costs of having utility power lines extended to remote locations, prevent power interruptions and pollution.

“Solar electric” is the term used to describe something which uses sun power to produce electricity. Solar photovoltaic tiles and other forms of solar energy work by converting some of the energy in sunlight into a clean form of electricity. Solar power is a good power source if you have a sufficient southern exposure and live in an urban area.

Solar electric power can be used to provide domestic hot water, swimming pool heating and electricity for lights and appliances. Best of all your central heating can also be solar electric if you have adequate roof space for solar panels and an adequate amount of sun. An efficiently solar powered home will be able to reasonably create between 75% and 100% of their own power because of the grid tie system. By utilizing this technology it means your Electricity and gas bills will be significantly reduced.

When choosing between wind and solar power, you should determine how much electricity you need or want to produce and what works for you, economically. If your wind source is low or tall towers are not permitted in your area, then your best bet is to install solar panels. As a bonus, technology in the solar industry is rapidly advancing and the components are becoming much cheaper.

Keep in mind that installing more roof top modules beyond a certain point ceases to be cost effective. However, if you live in a rural location that is heavily shaded, then wind power may be your best choice.

The environmental benefits of wind and solar power is their greatest selling point. They improve air quality for us all by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide being emitted into the air. It accomplishes this because it does not use fossil fuel.

If we all make a concentrated effort to capitalize on these clean and cost efficient technologies, then we can guarantee power to the masses for years to come.

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Anita Van Wyk asked:


Many of us know that solar energy is good, but few really
understand why.
Therefore, I compiled a comprehensive list of solar energy
advantages and disadvantages that will enable you to make an
educated decision whether on not Solar Power is right for YOU.

Solar Energy Advantages
1. Saves you money

After the initial investment has been recovered, the
energy from the sun is practically FREE. The recovery/
payback period for this investment can be very short depending
on how much electricity your household uses. Financial
incentives are available form the government that will reduce
your cost. If your system produce more energy than you
use, your utility company can buy it from you, building up a
credit on your account! This is called net metering. It
will save you money on your electricity bill if you have one at
all. Solar energy does not require any fuel.

It’s not affected by the supply and demand of fuel and is
therefore not subjected to the ever-increasing price of
gasoline. The savings are immediate and for many years
to come. The use of solar energy indirectly reduces
health costs.

2. Environmentally friendly

Solar Energy is clean, renewable (unlike gas, oil and
coal) and sustainable, helping to protect our environment.
It does not pollute our air by releasing carbon dioxide,
nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide or mercury into the atmosphere
like many traditional forms of electrical generations does.
Therefore Solar Energy does not contribute to global
warming, acid rain or smog. It actively contributes to
the decrease of harmful green house gas emissions. It’s
generated where it is needed. By not using any fuel,
Solar Energy does not contribute to the cost and problems of the
recovery and transportation of fuel or the storage of
radioactive waste.

3. Independent/ semi-independent

Solar Energy can be utilized to offset utility-supplied
energy consumption. It does not only reduce your electricity
bill, but will also continue to supply your home/ business with
electricity in the event of a power outage. A Solar
Energy system can operate entirely independent, not requiring a
connection to a power or gas grid at all. Systems can therefore
be installed in remote locations (like holiday log cabins),
making it more practical and cost-effective than the supply of
utility electricity to a new site. The use of Solar
Energy reduces our dependence on foreign and/or centralized
sources of energy, influenced by natural disasters or
international events and so contributes to a sustainable
future. Solar Energy supports local job and wealth
creation, fuelling local economies.

4. Low/ no maintenance

Solar Energy systems are virtually maintenance free and
will last for decades. Once installed, there are no
recurring costs. They operate silently, have no moving
parts, do not release offensive smells and do not require you to
add any fuel. More solar panels can easily be added in
the future when your family’s needs grow.

Solar Energy Disadvantages

The initial cost is the main disadvantage of installing
a solar energy system, largely because of the high cost of the
semi-conducting materials used in building one. The
cost of solar energy is also high compared to non-renewable
utility-supplied electricity. As energy shortages are becoming
more common, solar energy is becoming more
price-competitive. Solar panels require quite a large
area for installation to achieve a good level of
efficiency. The efficiency of the system also relies on
the location of the sun, although this problem can be overcome
with the installation of certain components. The
production of solar energy is influenced by the presence of
clouds or pollution in the air. Similarly, no solar
energy will be produced during nighttime although a battery
backup system and/or net metering will solve this problem. See
www.dsireusa.org for details on how net metering allows you to
save electricity and money. As far as solar powered
cars go – their slower speed might not appeal to everyone caught
up in today’s rat race.
To learn more about solar energy, go to http://facts-about-so
lar-energy.com/
You’ll discover … what solar energy is
how solar energy works interesting facts about
solar energy how much solar energy costs
passive solar energy for homes, and how to build
solar energy systems
There’s a whole section for students, teachers and parents;
whiles homeowners can obtain FREE QUOTES for their solar energy
projects. You’ll find book and product reviews plus some helpful
energy saving tips.


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