We all love the sun, but now there’s a reason to love it even more, it’s called solar energy and it’s a quiet revolution which is slowly taking the UK by storm. With every sunrise and sunset more and more people are becoming turned on to the economic and financial benefits of clean and green energy. The Government wants us to go solar, the earth wants us to go solar, and if you haven’t yet made the switch but are seriously considering it, allow us to convince you by explaining exactly how solar energy, in particular, how photovoltaic solar panels work.

What are Photovoltaic Solar Panels?

In a nutshell photovoltaic solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. How does it happen? Simple! A photovoltaic solar panel consists of a number of Photovoltaic (PV) cells (usually 40 in number) which together form solar modules. These cells are made from layers of semi-conducting material such as silicon.

Light is absorbed greedily by these cells before it is converted into the electricity needed to make your washing machines spin, your televisions tick, your kettles boil and power a thousand and one other things the modern household relies on electricity for.
The amount of electricity generated by photovoltaic panels is dependent on the size of your solar system and the strength of the sunshine. With this in mind, it is always wise to have your solar panels installed in a strategic position to fully take advantage and capitalise on the power of the sun’s rays.

What Happens When The Sun Doesn’t Shine?

It is a common misapprehension that solar power only works when the sun is shining. It doesn’t. PV solar panels don’t need direct sunlight to work. Even on cloudy days they are capable of generating electricity. And what is more, solar panels can provide electricity around the clock because any surplus energy they generate, can be collected and stored in batteries.

Do Photovoltaic Solar Panels Need Regular Maintenance?

Quite simply, no! Little maintenance is required when it comes to solar PV panels. You just need to keep your panels relatively clean and make sure they are not overshadowed by any trees. The panels themselves should last at least 25 years.

How Much will it Cost?

UK Prime Minister David Cameron has called his Government the most environmentally aware in history. He’s backed this up with a wide range of grants and incentives, such as the Feed-in-Tarrif scheme which take the sting out of any upfront installation costs people wishing to go solar have to make. Such incentives offer real relief from energy prices, and as an extra bonus,
solar installation adds to the overall price of your house. So it really is a win, win situation.

How Popular are Photovoltaic Solar Panels?

Solar photovoltaic systems have become hugely popular in recent years and it is an ongoing trend. Both residential and businesses are beginning to see light and make the switch to solar.

It is cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and the only viable solution to any potential energy crisis. There’s never been a better time than right now! So make the switch and go solar today.

Solar Contact provide up-to-date information on solar energy including solar panel technology, solar panel suppliers and installers based in the UK.

With the depletion of the Earth’s natural gas and oil reserves and the growing concern over air pollution, more and more homeowners are searching for an eco friendly way to heat their homes and help reduce their individual carbon footprints. Air Source Heat Pumps offer a way for homeowners in milder climates to heat and cool their homes without relying on natural gas and the pollution it causes.

Air Source Heat Pumps

Air source heat pumps, or ASHPs, is a pump that uses outdoor air as a source for heating and cooling the inside of a building. ASHPs can even be used to heat water up to about 175 degrees Fahrenheit, or 80 degrees Celsius.

Clean Energy

One advantage of using an air source heat pump is the clean energy it provides. This type of heating uses less electricity than typical electric home heaters, using the electric power source to pull in heat from outdoors. Homeowners living in areas where utility companies offer wind powered electricity can benefit from using eco friendly energy for their electricity as well.

Home Temperatures

ASHP units are generally used in homes where winters are milder because this type of heating becomes less efficient at temperatures below 41 degrees Fahrenheit, and can even frost up at temperatures between 32 and 41 degrees. There are air source heat pumps that are designed for colder climates which can provide heat up to -20 degrees Fahrenheit for individuals looking for a more eco friendly option where winters are more severe.

Another solution for homeowners living areas with more severe winters is to have a supplemental heating source and turn off the ASHP when the temperature outside drops too low for the air source heat pump to work efficiently.

Minimal Maintenaince

ASHP units are fairly simple to maintain, and require homeowners essentially to keep the outdoor heat exchanger and fan clean, brushing away leaves and other outdoor debris that can accumulate. It is also a good idea to have a heating technician inspect air source heat pumps on a routine basis to make sure the unit is working efficiently.

In a world where natural gas and oil resources are being depleted and home heating costs are becoming more and more expensive, finding alternative energy resources is more important than ever. Air source heat pumps are one way for individual homeowners to help reduce pollution and energy consumption without sacrificing the comfort of a warm home, while keeping utility bills lower.

Written in association with Geothermal International

Buying solar panels can help the environment and help your pocket book because you get cheap electricity and can resell the electricity back to your grid. Also, the initial investment for buying solar panels might not be very high if your local government helps you pay for it.

However, solar panels are not just something you go out and buy. Though almost anybody can have them and save money, there are three things you need to do before you install solar panels.

Make sure your roof is suitable

Whoever installs your solar panels for you will know their way around a roof (many solar panel installers are also roofers) but you should still make sure your roof is in good shape. Consider asking a roofing company to audit your roof, or at the very least if you know that your installers are also roofers, ask them to check it out to make sure it is safe and can handle the extra weight.

Make sure your climate is good for solar panels

You don’t need to live in Arizona or California to buy solar panels. In fact, Germany is roughly as cloudy as Seattle, but they are successfully utilizing solar. Last year alone, they installed 7,400 MW of new solar PV. Right now, it accounts for around 2% of their electricity. However, though someone living in Seattle can probably put solar panels on their roof, it’s not ideal for people living above the Arctic Circle where the Sun does not rise for months. If you are still unsure, you can get a light survey meter and see if your area is suitable for solar power.

Check your credit score so that you can get a good deal

Go online to get a free credit check so that you can see your credit report. A credit report shows your credit score, which lenders will consider if you take out a loan to buy solar panels, which you may or may not have to do depending on how big your roof is. This is actually good advice for before any significant loan, such as a car loan.

About the author: Murray Newlands and his company Influence People do blogger outreach for a variety of clients.

For the most part, you probably figure that as long as there is a roof over your head, it does not matter what kind of roof it is. This tends to be a sentiment for most. However, it isn’t so much the construction of the roof that is a worry. After all, most roofs are still built with wood beam frames and plywood sheets. What matters is the exterior surface that comes in contact with the sun and its damaging ultraviolet rays. What this exterior surface is made of can determine your roofs energy efficiency, lifespan and safety.

Out with the Old

Traditional roofing has either been tarring, shingles or combination of these materials. History has shown that tarring and shingles do not represent the most cost effective and energy efficient solution.

Tar

Tar is black, absorbs the sun’s rays and converts the energy into heat. Add to this that tar needs to be constantly resurfaced and doesn’t provide very good insulation.

Shingles

They provide exceptional aesthetic value, and they are durable; however, they conduct heat and can be heavy for roofs.

In with the New

New technologies have been introduced to the roofing market: single ply roofing systems. They are proving to be a durable, energy efficient and cost effective alternative. Companies that offer these single ply systems have formulated proprietary manufacturing techniques that produce an exceptionally durable single ply membrane. These manufacturing techniques use a combination of plastics and PVC construction, creating an ultra durable and impenetrable PVC roofing membrane.  In fact, the durability is so great that they provide the same impenetrable surface years after the competing technologies need reapplication. In terms of energy savings and efficiency, the single ply roofs are huge cost savers, because manufactures of these systems understand the benefit of a high solar reflectance index (SRI).

“What is solar reflectance index?” you may ask. Well, it’s a term used to measure the reflectivity and ability of your roof to reject solar radiation. This is important because, when solar energy (light) hits an object, it quickly converts into heat energy. However, energy efficient single ply roofs are designed to have SRI levels approaching 90 percent, even after several years of use.

What’s Best for You

So, next time you see yourself spending too much money in the summer to cool down the space under your roof, consider the energy efficiency of single ply roofing solutions and how they can benefit you.

Amanda is an avid writer. She highly enjoys writing about energy. If you’d like more information regarding what is solar reflectance index, please visit duro-last.com

Although building an eco-friendly home is an overwhelming process, understanding the various options you and your family have throughout will be boosted if you inform and surround yourself with the right help. During the course of planning and researching, looking for a professional within the design industry who specifically understands eco-friendly and green building necessities is vital to achieving the home you dream about. Take a look at these guidelines as you search for professional help and begin brainstorming about the construction of your green home.

Sustainability is Imperative

One aspect that will make your home more eco-friendly is if it is constructed with materials that are made to last. What is the point of building a home filled with the latest green technological advances if it is not sustainable? When sitting down with a green designer, make sure to discuss the various materials and construction practices that will make your home last and help it weather any climate, location or stresses it may face. How can your designer help you create a home that will survive and thrive?

Choose Materials Specific to Your Location

In addition to looking for quality materials that will last, make sure you and your architect consider what goods are best for the area you live. Consider the climate, ground and the protection your home will need as you choose what kinds of products you will need.

Consider the Layout

The layout of your proposed home should reflect your desire to create a wholly eco-friendly space. While the materials and building practices of your home are vital pieces of an earth-friendly puzzle, you should also keep the layout in mind. Is your backyard designed with recycling and composting and re-using in mind? Plan specific areas and what their uses will within outdoor areas as well as in the house itself. Gardens and yard areas can be designed with watering and green characteristics in mind. How your yard will be water, drainage, sunlight and run off are all vital components of creating a green space throughout your entire property.

Look for a Quality Location

Your home will benefit from a location that will feed into your overall hopes of creating a sustainable and green home. By looking at locations and picturing the diverse set-up and layout options on a property, you will gain a clearer picture of how your home can benefit from its natural environment. Note shade, hilliness, sunlight and natural barriers that will compliment your design by offering shade and drainage as well as protection from wind or other natural conditions and stressors.

Omar owns an engineering consulting company in Houston that provides structural engineering, architectural design, civil and mechanical engineering among other services.

It’s that time of year again when autumn arrives and people in the south are looking forward to turning down their A/C and lowering their electric bills. Meanwhile, people in the northeast are dreading the cost of fuel oil as the cooler temps come in and their heating bills go up. The change in the seasons turns our thoughts to saving money.

The government believes that you save on electricity through Daylight Savings Time. And many consumers believe that to save money on fuel, you need to buy a new hybrid vehicle. Conventional wisdom says that hybrids and Daylight Savings Time make the world a better place by saving energy, but does either of them deserve that consideration? According to several critics of these ideas, the answer is maybe not.

On November 6th, 2011, you’ll wake up to an extra hour of Sunday thanks to the end of Daylight Savings time. According to the Energy Act of 2005, we turn our clocks ahead to reduce energy consumption. Yet according to many recent studies, we really aren’t saving energy. True, we save energy by using less lamplight during the hours at the end of the day, but we then spend it during the darker hours of the early morning. Also, that extended summer afternoon hour is hotter, and so we use more air-conditioning; the number one least energy-efficient appliance in any home.

What then is the solution? According to Daylight Savings activists, we should instead move to two time zones and stop turning clocks, backward or forward. They suggest that if Daylight Savings is actually producing a savings, why not use it year round? If not, then why do it at all?

Ok, you turn back your clock, spend another hour with the Sunday paper, then hop into your Prius to pick up some coffee. Helping the environment? Not right away. According to a report in Wired magazine, it takes 113 million BTU’s of energy to produce a Toyota Prius (a big portion of this energy goes to producing the Prius battery back). Because there are 113,000 BTUs in a gallon of gasoline, this means that before you even drive it off the lot, your Prius has consumed the equivalent of 1,000 gallons of gasoline. Hold on to that Prius, because the environment doesn’t start to break even until you’ve driven it 46,000 miles or so.

What should you do instead of buying a Toyota Prius? According to many experts, your best bet is a fuel-efficient used car. A 10-year-old Toyota Tercel has already paid its carbon debt, and still runs at great fuel efficiency.

The moral of the story? Saving money and saving the environment are two noble goals, but look beyond the hype. The solutions are not always what they appear to be.

Author Jason Lancaster enjoys being a contrarian while writing for Olathe Toyota Parts, your source for replacement OEM Toyota parts.

Solar Has Been Around For a Long Time

Solar energy is seen as a modern phenomenon, as society continues to try to find alternatives to fossil fuels and eliminate our dependence on them.  But, actually, solar energy has been around a long time, as primitive civilizations have tried to use the natural heat of the sun for various purposes. Early societies knew that rocks that sat out in the sun all day became very hot, and a paste of corn meal and water could be heated and made into a type of bread in this way. The major disadvantage of this kind of solar energy is that once the sun is gone, the energy is also gone, limiting its uses.

The Improvements Modern Man Has Made

Today, solar energy is more widely used due to the simple fact that modern man has found a way to “save” the solar energy once the sun has set. This way, of course is battery storage power.  Nevertheless, the limits of solar power are multiple, which may lead to the argument that it is simply a green fad that its proponents would like to work, but probably can’t.  Solar energy collecting techniques use photovoltaic panels or solar thermal collectors to collect the energy from the sun.  For this, of course, the sun has to shine on them.

There is no question that solar energy is not too successful in areas of the world where there is not too much sun. Some of the greenest nations in the world, Germany and the Scandinavian nations, would love to see the use of solar energy spread more widely, but the sad fact is that these parts of northern Europe do not see enough sun to make this a real viable energy source over a long period of time. Even discounting the fact that these regions are frequently rainy and cloud covered, there is also the problem that winters are very long.  Despite these limitations, Germany ranks as the top producer of solar energy, due to aggressive methods that use both active and passive collection techniques.

The Future of Solar Energy

So how viable is solar energy as a long term solution? As countries with more temperate weather patterns move into solar energy, the trend will continue. Sunny Spain, in the south of Europe, is rapidly moving into the fourth largest producer, following Germany, Japan and the U.S.  The other advance that would really put solar energy on the energy map would be the development of super batteries that could store larger amounts of the energy garnered from the sun.

As long as fossil fuels continue to increase in price and decrease in supply, solar energy can never become a fad.

Solar energy can help any household. Before hiring someone to install panels in your home, use the best background check service.

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It is rather important for you to teach your children to know about solar panel and solar cell. You can show them the real materials by getting them at any hardware store that nearby where you live. Once you get all the necessary stuffs, you may start to show solar panels for kids and let them understand how the solar work. Of course it depends on the age of the kids to determine if they are acknowledging the whole process comprehensively. There are certain solar panels for kids available for different age groups and you may seek advice from the hardware storekeepers when you are trying to get the right stuffs for your kids.

Basic Concept on Solar Panels for Kids

Most schools are having lesson in teaching solar panels for kids. To help them to understand how solar works, most teachers will starting by explain to the kids that solar panels are actually comprise of silicon which is an element that are rather abundance in the globe. Daily sunlight leads to small particles inside the silicon (commonly known as electrons) to turn into very active and conduct via wire connections to transform to electricity. Most solar panels are come with large solar batteries that can be used to store electrical power in the daytime and to use them to power homes during the night time.

Solar Cells for Kids

Basically, solar cells are constructed from sets of solar panels that accumulate sunlight and instantly transform it directly into electrical power. Nowadays, there are many calculator and watch batteries are using solar cells to function. However, the solar cells are still not yet commonly use to heat the whole house since they are not yet powerful enough to do so.

There are solar concentrators over every solar cell. This focuses light through the huge concentrator space right down to smaller cell space. This enables the amount of solar cells to be reduced by the number of concentration. Solar concentrators work most effectively if you find a single light source and the solar concentrator will be able to direct correctly at it. Solar cells can said to be the most high cost among solar arrays parts, and solar arrays tend to be very expensive for consumers to install at their homes.

If you managed to let your kids totally comprehend of how solar works, then you can have them to make their own solar panels for kids. At the time your kids come out with their first solar cell, then you may consider of buying some second-hand or used solar cells on the internet for your kids to make a solar panel. This project of solar panel for kids can be harder, even many adults also facing difficulty in doing it. Therefore, you need not to push your children too hard even they are not able to come out with the finished solar panel.

Teaching Solar Energy to Kids

Solar Kids

Grid-connected solar photovoltaics (PV) is the fastest growing energy technology in the world. During 2007, investment in new solar photovoltaic manufacturing facilities was strong in the United States, Europe, China, Taiwan and Japan.

Top 10 Lists

Base on the data and statistic showed by EnergyTrend, the company have compiled a list of the Global Top 10 Polysilicon Companies, Top 10 Solar Cell Manufacturers and Top 10 Solar Module Manufacturers according to their capacity. From the list, we can see that these countries are including United States, Germany, Japan, Korea, China, and Taiwan.

The worth noticing data from the available list is the global top 10 solar cell manufacturers. We noticed that the list only comprised of companies from two countries – China and Taiwan. This indicate that Asia is now the leading solar cell manufacturers in the world with the possibility of they are having the low labor cost as well as technology that enable them for mass production.

In 2011, the global top 10 polysilicon manufacturers according to their capacity are as follows: GCL, Hemlock, OCI, Wacker, LDK, REC, MEMC, Tokuyama, LCY and Woongjin, represented by People’s Republic of China, United States, Taiwan, Germany, Japan and South Korea.

2011 Global Top Ten Polysilicon Manufacturers

2011 Global Top Ten Solar Cell Manufacturer

2011 Global Top Ten Solar Module

Source: EnergyTrend