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Understanding How Solar Power Works

How Does Solar Power Work?

Solar power is energy from the sun. You feel it every day when the sun shines, especially here in the Albuquerque area. That giant star in our solar system provides heat and light for the earth. But, what is going on when people decide to use solar power for their homes?

installsolarpoweralbuquerque Understanding How Solar Power Works It all starts with the sun’s rays. The sun bombards the earth with solar radiation. We know it as UVA and UVB radiation. Much of those rays are reflected back into space but there is enough of that energy that is absorbed by the earth to fuel homes all across the planet. Unfortunately technology hasn’t caught up with our grand ideas to save the planet but you can do your part with residential solar power.

You’ve seen solar panels in Albuquerque on rooftops and in yards. They have gotten a bit more thin and streamlined since they first came out. Before, only someone with a lot of money could afford residential solar power but the systems are widely used now.

Each solar panel is composed of photovoltaic cells. These cells are usually made of silicon or other semi-conductive material. The cells are arranged uniformly with a positive and a negative end to create the solar panel device. When the light of the sun hits the panels (usually placed on the south side of the roof or the lawn), it is absorbed into the solar cells.

The light energy (photons) hits the solar cells and electrons are knocked loose. These loose electrons move through the array and create the electricity you need to power your home. At this point, the electricity that is produced is DC, or direct current. Your home uses AC or alternating current so the energy has to be converted. This is where the rest of the solar electricity system takes over. The electricity that is produced by the solar PV (photovoltaic) array, is then passed to a DC disconnect device. This device interrupts the flow of electricity from the array. From there, you can use one of two methods for funneling the electricity into your home.

If you use a residential solar power system that is directly connected to your electrical system, the electricity will then pass through an inverter to change the DC to AC. If you are using a system that uses a battery to store solar electricity for later use, solar electricity is sent to a battery bank where it is stored until needed. When you are ready to use the electricity, it then passes through an inverter for use by AC outlets in your home.

Finding the Right Solar Power Business

Ask any of the many solar contractors out there and they will confirm that installing a residential solar power system lowers your home electricity bills. When you install solar power, you are tapping into the future of the earth which is alternative renewable energy. It pays to find out more by contacting a local Solar Power Contractor in the Albuquerque area and learn what is involved to complete a home solar panels installation.

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By admin
February 20, 2010

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Some Good Solar Energy Articles

People interested in learning more about residential solar energy often search for solar energy articles. Here we have compiled a few that may help to educate you and then you can search our site further to find more about residential solar installers, especially in the Albuquerque and Santa Fe areas.

A Variety of Solar Energy Articles

Residential Solar Installers

Thank you for this article, I’ve been wondering about the installer aspect of the Solar business, knowing that financing is it’s biggest bane, for a lot of average folks. I wanted to ask you if you might know of a/or any companies working … home owner will get cost-effective and eventually low cost solar energy. When our solar industry works together with the Government, all our tax payers will gain by reducing green house gas emmission and maximizing use of tax dollars. …

Publish Date: 03/02/2010 9:11

http://www.greenchipstocks.com/articles/residential-solar-installers/753

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Solar Power – Revealed | Content …

If you live in the suburbs you should easily be able to find someone in your neighborhood that already has solar power. Another great way to learn more about this enrgy source is to go to a store that sells the solar equipment and ask them if they … Popular Articles in this cathegory. 1: Advantages and Disadvantages of Renewable Energy. There are many energy sources today that are extremely limited in supply. Some of these sources include oil, natural gas, and coal. …

Publish Date: 10/18/2007 23:34

http://www.content4reprint.com/environment/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-solar-power-revealed.htm

Understanding The Advantages Of Residential Solar Energy

Everyone can benefit from the advantages of residential solar energy, but the tricky part is taking the time and understanding where to get started. Since the sun comes up everyday, gives us heat enregy all day without fail it is …

Publish Date: 01/29/2010 3:10

http://aquachannel.khetal-arts.com/?p=1112

A Few Solar Energy Tweets

sunshine normal Some Good Solar Energy Articles

Great new post How Does Solar Energy Works | 2012 Doomsday Predictions | World’s … http://bit.ly/cuUfzG Check it out

By trish_solar at 05/21/2010 12:53

default profile 2 normal Some Good Solar Energy Articles

By TechTweetTech at 05/21/2010 12:51

Solar Energy Basics for Your Home

A basic explanation of how your solar panels for your home will work… This video answers the question, “How is solar energy used?” Copyright © 2007 BSW

Come back often to Home Solar Panels Albuquerque to find more solar energy articles, tweets and videos and we intend to update this for you frequently.

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By admin
May 12, 2010

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Home Solar Power System – The Problems with DIY Home Solar Power Systems

To some people the concept of home solar power system is very appealing and looks just about simplistic. However if you are going to try and make a home made solar power system, especially here in Albuquerque, there are a few things that you need to take into consideration prior to getting started.

The concept of residential solar energy panels is a smart idea and can save any home owner serious cash on their power bills but the mechanism behind home solar energy is extremely complicated and requires years of training to do correctly. If you actually want to get into putting a home solar power system on your home then you may want to consult with a pro first in order that you can avoid some of the problems that come with making an attempt to make your own residential solar energy panels.

There is a very difficult scientific concept behind home solar power that has to do with the easy way to capture the energy, how to store the energy, and the how to use the energy. If you are planning to make home solar power system then your system should be reliable because many important elements of your home, like your house defense system and your environmental mechanisms need a continuous source of power to operate properly.

DIY Home Solar Power Systems involve a Lot Of Construction

Many a disastrous project has begun with the concept that something looks easy.  If your home solar power system is not supplying enough energy, or not supplying energy at all, then you run the chance of these systems failing and that can put you and your folks at risk.

There is a lot of remodeling and construction that needs to be done to your home to accommodate a home solar power system and if you begin to do the construction incorrect then your home could truly suffer. Improperly done construction along with bad finishing work can allow water in places it is not meant to go and other tragedies. In the end you might actually be better off with a pro.

Installing and making DIY Home Solar Power Systems is highly complex and isn’t something a beginner should be attempting. Too many things can go bad and too many imperative systems in your home require repeated energy to operate. Leave the solar power projects to the pros. So do yourself a favor and contact an Albuquerque Solar Installer before you make a big mistake.

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April 13, 2010

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Which are Best between the 3 Types of Solar Panels?

Home Solar Panels offer the ultimate, eco-friendly, way to obtain energy with out necessitating lots of upkeep. As solar panel technology continues to improve, home Solar Panels in Albuquerque have grown to be increasingly affordable for a growing number of consumers that would choose to utilize solar energy sources as either a primary or a back-up energy source.

Generally, most Home Solar Panels are designed to produce the identical amount of energy from the sun, that is half a volt per solar cell. A standard 12 volt solar cell (which generates about the equivalent amount of energy as a car outlet) may generally have 36 cells and be about 25 inches wide by 54 inches long. A large number of households install multiple solar cells so they can 24 volts, 48 volts, or maybe more of solar energy output.

With regards to deciding on the right solar panels for your energy requirements, it is essential to be familiar with the variations in panels. The main variances in types of solar panels consist of size, materials, and efficiency. Here’s an overview of the 3 types of solar panels you could possibly select:

Monocrystalline: Monocrystalline solar panels would be the most energy efficient (but expensive) solar panels on the market due to the fact they’re, literally, made with monocrystalline (silicon) cells. The growth process for the monocrystalline is extremely complex, which is a major reason behind the higher expense of monocrystalline products. In order to make the silicon cells, manufacturers produce long silicon rods, that are then cut into discs that are .2 or .4 mm thick. These discs are then integrated into the individual cells and wired together to create a single solar panel.

Polycrystalline: Polycrystalline (or multi-crystalline) solar panels have a tendency to be somewhat less efficient and less expensive than their monocrystalline alternative. The reason being the individual cells are grown in a large block consisting of numerous crystals, rather than as a single crystal rod. Single discs are produced from the large crystal block and transposed in to linked solar panel cells. As a direct result the multi-crystal manufacturing process, polycrystalline solar panels typically have a distinguishing shattered glass appearance.

Amorphous: Amorphous solar panels tend to be the least expensive of all of the solar electric panels technologies, however they are also considerably less expensive. Rather than utilizing crystals to construct the cells, amorphous solar panels are made by pouring a thin layer of silicon over a base material, like glass or metal. Due to the fact amorphous solar panels produce less energy than polycrystalline or monocrystalline solar panels, more amorphous panels are required in order to generate the same volume of energy as crystal panels. Nevertheless, amorphous panels can be made into long sheets which could double as roofing material for south-facing homes.

If you’re thinking about investing in a Solar Panels Installation, make sure to consult with qualified solar contractors who can counsel you on the best solar panels in Albuquerque, on budget, and lifestyle. Home Solar Panels can make a huge difference in your energy bill – and reduce your environmental impact every day.

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By admin
February 12, 2010

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What is the Cost of Solar Power?

Discussing the Cost of Solar Power

Before considering the cost of Installing a Solar Power System, you should first realize that it can save you a bunch of money over the long haul. Living in Albuquerque or anyplace in New Mexico for that matter, the amount of sunshine will more than suffice to keep your system running full force. What was once a fad has taken off in a big way as government scientists look for ways to break our dependence on the dwindling supply of fossil fuels. Now that you have the opportunity, can you afford to use solar power?

Solar energy will pay for itself once you have set up the solar panels and established a photovoltaic system, but the problem is the initial cost to the consumer to get the system going. For a business, these costs can be handled easier with the assumption that there is more capital available. For a homeowner in the Albuquerque area, it may not be as simple.

First of all, how much home solar energy you will need to power your dwelling depends on your energy consumption. With solar power, many families learn how to live on less to gain the most cost savings. If you live in the city, you are still tied to the grid system. This is the electrical grid that powers homes within the city limits and outlying areas.

Some want to eliminate their energy bill altogether. That requires more Home Solar Panels than someone who wants only to subsidize their energy bill with a residential solar power system. An installation of solar panels can run you anywhere from $8,000 to over $20,000. This includes the equipment, the cost of having the site inspected and hiring a solar power contractor to prepare the land for the panels if mounted in the yard or having a solar installer mount them on your home’s roof. You will also need the services of an electrician to wire the components into your home electrical system – even if you are on a grid intertied system, which uses a battery to store solar electricity until needed.

Discussing Solar Tax Incentives

The federal government and state governments applaud those who are committed to saving energy and reducing their dependence on fossil fuels. You can benefit greatly by looking into solar tax incentives and grants offered by the government to defray a portion of the overall cost of installing a solar power system.  For those who are ambitious and like DIY projects, it is possible to create your own residential solar power system, but we suggest that you contact a professional solar contractor for the best results. With all of the competition in the solar business nowadays, you may even be surprised at the pricing of solar power cost when your Albuquerque solar contractor offers their proposal for building solar power for your house.

Only you can decide whether you can afford the cost of a residential solar panel system. Think about reducing your energy consumption and other fuel costs to save money towards your new solar system.

It often pays to get more details by contacting a local Solar Power Contractor in the Albuquerque area and learn what is involved to complete a home solar panels installation. Contact us at your convenience and we will be happy to discuss your requirements.

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February 10, 2010

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Tax Incentives for Residential Solar Power Projects

Federal and state governments now offer tax breaks to help defer the cost of residential solar projects in Albuquerque and all of New Mexico. They, too, are looking into new ways to expand the use of solar energy for energy consumption and recognize people who are also working towards that end. Here is some information about those tax incentives if you are thinking about using residential solar power.

Be certain to read completely through any tax incentive you may come across. Some tax incentives only apply to commercial solar projects. What you will be searching for is tax information specific for residential solar projects and installing solar panels.

The federal government has a form, 5695 where you can enter the costs that you have paid for any residential solar power systems. Consumers can get a tax credit on solar systems residential use for up to thirty percent of their total costs up to $1,500 for existing homes through 2010 for home improvements. You can also claim a credit for a solar hot water heater if that is in your residential solar plans. The maximum credit amount of that is also $2,000.

Recently, the $2,000 cap was removed for solar hot water heaters. Consumers who use solar hot water heating can claim the full thirty percent of the cost of the solar residential system as a tax credit. This unlimited amount also applies to solar panels systems as long as they comply with electrical and fire safety codes.

Qualified costs for this tax credit include the money you spent on the solar energy installation and the hardware. Most residential solar kits include the equipment and the hardware you will need to build a complete system. Each state also has its own set of tax credits and incentives for residents who invest in solar electricity systems. A database was set up to catalog these incentives for renewable energy sources. It is called DSIRE (Database for State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency). Check it out at www.dsireusa.org.

Let’s take the state of California for an example. Sacramento has implemented a residential energy efficiency loan program to help district residents defer the costs of their home improvements that use renewable energy sources. If you own your own property, you can qualify for one of these loans. With plans like these and others, it doesn’t hurt to look and see what the State of New Mexico as well as the federal government is willing to do for you when it comes to saving the planet. Use tax incentives to turn your residential solar power system into an affordable proposition. You will also find that your local Solar Installers in Albuquerque will have up-to-date information on solar tax incentives and are more than willing to help you understand better.

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By admin
February 9, 2010

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