Insights Into Solar Power Costs
| There are 2 main factors that govern solar power cost and they are quite simply, the assembly cost of the solar panels and the installation cost of the solar system in your home. Solar power panels may be green, eco-friendly and help to save our planet but until they can compete in the energy market place then they will never be extensively used. A new coal-burning plant can easily deliver electricity at $2 per watt and so this is the benchmark figure that the solar experts want to match. For the last 20 years scientists have been developing innovative and cheaper designs of solar power panels. It is the Silicone based solar photovoltaic panels that have dominated the industry and sell for about $3 a watt, however this is before installation. For some time there was a real scarcity of silicone and although the demand for solar panels was growing, the solar panel suppliers were not able to meet that demand. Today even though there is an ample supply of silicone, nevertheless the process of refining it to make the semiconductors is a costly process and there are not too many companies that do this. The handful of factories that are able to produce this refined silicone have a monopoly on the supply meaning that even though the demand is high they can keep the price inflated. The price of refined silicone is one of the main elements in the cost of solar panels. The key thrust of research taking place today is in developing ways to reduce the quantity of silicone that is needed to produce a solar panel. There is also research taking place in using alternative cheaper materials which are equally effective. There are certain organic materials which have semiconductor properties which may be used rather than silicone. The expense of installation will vary quite dramatically depending on whether you do it yourself or if you call in an experienced installer. To install a solar power system in your home using a professional installer will cost you between $10 - $12 per watt. If you install the solar system by yourself then it will probably cost you about $4 per watt. While the initial expense of installation of a home solar energy system would still be fairly expensive there is no doubt that in the near future, given the astounding advancements that are taking place, the cost will come down. In the mean time, government authorities all over the world are encouraging and subsidizing the use of this technology by offering tax rebates and credits for home owners who install solar power systems. So if you install your solar energy system by yourself at the cost of about $4 per watt and claim all the tax savings and credits that are available in your area, then your solar power cost may not be so far from the $2 per watt benchmark of the electricity delivered by the coal-burning plant. Fascinating Solar Power Science Fun Facts Here is a collection of fascinating solar power fun facts. People have used the sun as a heat source for thousands of years. It is only with the advancements in technology that have taken place in recent years that have enabled us to fully harness this power. Solar Power Electricity - Encouraged By Governments All Over The World Solar power electricity is just one of several methods that are used to generate electrical power. Scientists state that solar energy can potentially supply many, many times the total world energy requirements. Solar Energy Powered Veranda String Lights - Affordable Combination With Your Yard Deck Lighting Effects Solar String lights are the most common patio lights, they are similar to Christmas tree lighting with the exception of a plug. Other times you see them wrapped around a tree trunk, hung across a veranda or utilized in some form of outdoor garden decorations. Additional Energy Just For Your Own Home The trend toward homes that are powered by alternative energy sources, ranging from wind turbines and solar collection cells to hydrogen fuel cells and biomass gases, is one that needs to continue into the 21 st century and beyond. Use Small Solar Panels For Small Scale Alternative Energy Projects In Your Home There has never been a better time to build a small solar panel, make a move to low carbon living and begin to save money on your electricity bills. Improve Your Outdoors By Solar Outdoor LED Bulbs You can find solar LED lights which have been made especially for the outside. These lights can exist through extreme weather conditions. There are also solar lights that feature vandal-proof panels. The actual fact that most of these are automatic also adds to their effectiveness. Sustainable Energy In The Sea: Hot Sea Water Found On The Surface Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) was conceived by the French engineer Jacques D'Arsonval in 1881. However, at the time of this writing the Natural Energy Laboratory from Hawaii was the home to the only operating experimental OTEC plant on the face of the earth. Alternative Electrical Power In Ireland - Developing A Green Lifestyle The Irish are currently pursuing energy independence and the further development of their robust economy through the implementation of research and development into alternative energy sources. |