12/17/2017 0 Comments How Solar Energy WorksSolar energy is awesome. The reason behind this is the fact that it has a variety of applications. These applications include lighting your home and at the same time, you can use it to heat your water. No need to bath using cold water or pay electricity bills just to heat water.
But how does this happen?
HOW SOLAR ENERGY WORKS
The first step involves sunlight shining on your solar panel. This is when Direct Current (DC) electricity is created. A Solar panel is a device you mount on your roof and it contains in it an approximate of 60 to 72 solar cells. To convert the DC electricity produced to Alternating Current (AC), you have to use a string inverter.
The inverter then feeds this AC electricity to your circuitry. Once this happens, you can now power your electrical appliances.
In case the power you need in your house is less than what the inverter delivers, you can then combine your solar energy power with grid power.
Sometimes, you may find that your solar panel is generating more power than you can use in your household. What happens to the extra power is that it flows out through your meter to the grid.
At night, the sun is not shining but you can still use solar energy to power your home. This you do by relying on your grid power. To do this, you need to have your own grid connect system.
USING SOLAR POWER AT NIGHT
In some states, where the net metering policy is 1:1, then for each kWh (that is kilo-watt hours) you export, you are credited with one kWh which you can use at night. This is an advantage to these states because if you own a solar panel that has the ability to produce the same amount of kWh as you have been buying from your utility, then your utility bill goes to zero.
A BATTERY STORAGE CAN STORE SOLAR ENERGY FOR USE AT NIGHT
It is not in all states that 1:1 policy is available. For those states without this policy, it becomes essential to acquire a battery to store the extra solar energy you get during the day for use at night. This is a better option instead of settling for a net metering policy that does not satisfy your needs.
CONCLUSION
Solar energy is a great way to power your home. The reason is that, when using solar power, you have the potential to save thousands of dollars that you could have used to pay electricity bills. Also, it does not take an engineer to understand how solar energy works. Actually, this article provides you with all the facts you need know about solar energy.
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12/17/2017 0 Comments Pros and Cons of Solar EnergyHuman population is increasing at an alarming rate and so are its needs. A sustainable use of the non-renewable resources has become the prime goal of all environmentalists and industries in today’s date.Thus, the solar energy, water energy, wind energy, geothermal energy are proving to be boons. Among these, solar energy is gaining maximum limelight for its ease of installation and long-term commitment for the purpose.
Solar energy is the use of solar radiations to produce electricity in simpler terms.This conversion purpose is served by special ever-evolving technologies like photovoltaics, solar architecture etc.Some of the pros and cons of solar energy are discussed below:
PROS OF SOLAR ENERGY
1.Solar energy is proving to be financially more fruitful and except the cost of installation,it is quite cost-effective.
2. Being a renewable resource, solar energy is promising a sweet answer for the increasing power hikes.
3.Sun being abundantly available to almost every part of the world, this is also environmentally friendly.
4. Community solars can be installed for overcoming installation problems and Government is also promoting this idea by providing financial support.
CONS OF SOLAR ENERGY
1.Though the cost is paid off in the long-term use, the initial capital cost is expensive enough.
2. The solar energy greatly depends upon the intensity of sunrays. Thus, at night, rain, clouds may hamper the efficiency of the system.
3.Energy storage in form of batteries that smoothen the load are quite expensive.
4. Production of nitrogen trifluoride and sulfur hexafluoride has been traced in the manufacturing of solar panels which are proven to be major greenhouse gases.
Though everything comes with its own pros and cons, our coming generations might not get the opportunity to see the coal and other non-renewable resources.Thus, solar energy may become the solution to this problem and other related issues.
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Solar panel installation on your home is considered a wise option by most property investors when it comes to saving on your electricity bill. After realizing you can cut off your electricity cost by setting up solar panels, ensure your item is sourced from a credible local distributor with good reviews and ratings. You still need to understand two simple solar energy questions before purchasing a solar panel. i) What constitutes of an efficient solar cell and solar panel technology ii) How to choose the top brand of solar panel that operates on your preferred solar cell technology Efficiency of Solar Panels This is a term used to refer to the amount of irradiation energy that can be converted to electricity by a solar panel. Efficient solar panels are known to use less square footage per panel to manufacture the desired quantity of solar power. Crystalline modules have an efficiency rate of 15-20%. They are also good for conservation on space required for your solar power system. Thin film solar panels require large space to install and are not easy to find at your local solar installer dealer. Space is a limited factor in most homes and it is important to find the highest rated output relative to physical size of the solar panel. Polycrystalline solar panels are considered less space efficient, while monocrystalline have a higher power output. However, since 2014 there has been a massive increase in new polycrystalline solar cell manufacturing and polycrystalline PV module assembly. These factors have led to improved efficiency and lowered cost for the polycrystalline solar panels. In recent years there has been an increase also in the average wattage of both monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels from 250 to 320 watts per panel. At present day it is possible to find polycrystalline solar panels with an average wattage rating that range from 260-300 watts. Monocrystalline solar panels have also been upgraded to an average wattage rating that range from 270-320 watts per panel.
The post How to Choose an Efficient Solar Panel appeared first on The Solar Companies. via http://ift.tt/2BTV7QC SALT LAKE CITY – The state of Utah showed an unprecedented employment growth in the solar energy sector last year. The job market saw a 65% rise, which is double the national average. The executive director of HEAL Utah, Matt Pacenza, points out that a focus on clean energy can also foster economic growth. But while the state enjoys its rank as the 7th in solar employment opportunities per capita nationwide, Rep. Jeremy Peterson, R-Ogden, prepares to introduce a bill that directly raises the cost of rooftop solar installations for its citizens. Utility companies like Rocky Mountain Power are losing revenue as more customers shift to the cleaner, cheaper alternative of solar energy. Peterson also argues that the current Solar Tax Credit cuts into the general fund used for education in the state. He proposes that the credit be decreased every year by increments of $400 from the next fiscal year. It is estimated that by 2021, the Tax Credit can be completely repealed as cost of solar rooftop installations becomes more competitive. With the rising number of solar careers in the state and growing capacity for producing electricity, the solar industry is forcing Utah’s legislators to treat it as a major source of energy and employment. The post Solar Jobs Growth in Utah, More Than Twice National Average appeared first on The Solar Companies. via http://ift.tt/2x7GEym 10/16/2017 0 Comments Solar Careers on the RiseThe green energy job market can expect to see continued improvements throughout the year. One area where employment is going to increase in demand is the solar industry. Those with experience in any area of green energy can easily retool their current knowledge base and expand their search for employment. Below you will find some examples of solar careers that are expected to increase in demand. Solar & PV Installer If you have the skills to install electricity-producing photovoltaic (PV) solar panels into the roofs of residential, commercial homes, and buildings, the job market is yours to command. Skilled professionals are hard to find, and the job pool isn’t close to reaching the gap of the demand. Solar Lab Technician Employment will increase in this research and development industry. Companies are looking to hire professionals with skills in design, production, testing, and installation of new solar energy technologies. Solar Operations Engineer These engineers are responsible for designing new solar systems, the supervision and inspection of structures during construction, and the testing and monitoring of new/old solar energy facilities. They are essentially the architects of the entire facility operation. Photovoltaic-PV Fabrication Testing Technician These professionals are responsible to test and assemble solar cells into electricity-generating solar panels. With the increase of homes and commercial buildings looking to invest in solar energy, so does the need to find skilled professionals with the knowledge to get the job done. Solar Hot Water Installer Folks nationwide are purchasing more solar heating systems to harness the sun’s power. The technology involved increases/improves continually as does the need for solar hot water installers. The demand for professionals is across the board for commercial, domestic, and industrial industries. The post Solar Careers on the Rise appeared first on The Solar Companies. via http://ift.tt/2yujk1d Solar energy is about harnessing the kinetic and potential energy of the Sun and converting it into electricity for both industrial and domestic use. From 1888 when the first ever solar cells were built to the current contemporary innovations in the solar energy sector, many individuals have pursued solar careers in this field of inexhaustible energy source of free renewable energy though prior to 1888, humans have used the Sun’s energy in one crude form or the other. Early humans actually used it to start fire while some used it for thermal heating purposes. Going into a Solar Career Due to the innovations in harnessing and using solar energy, there are lots of career opportunities in the solar energy sector as more companies and individuals expand the horizon of solar energy possibilities. In the United States alone, a top research institute known as The Solar Foundation discovered, in a study conducted in 2013 on the solar industry that about 142,698 workers in the U.S.A were involved in solar careers in the solar energy sector. Another industry watchdog Greentech Media reported that the solar industry is expanding at an astronomical rate with solar corporations in the United States now installing solar systems at a rate of one Photovoltaic system installation per four minutes. Career Opportunities in the Solar Industry Sector There are lots of career opportunities in the solar sector today ranging from solar engineers to mechanics, to salespersons, to construction engineers, to clerks, to office assistants to administrative personnel, and to utility workers etc. In the solar sector, there are both indoor white-collar office jobs and outdoor blue-collar field jobs available for individuals interested in pursuing a solar career. Here are some job appellations available in the solar industry:
Remuneration Your potential earning in the solar industry depends on a number of factors like skills, level of education, and the particular firm you work for though there is an average minimum across the industry pertaining to workers remuneration. According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, the top 10% of solar workers earn approximately $57, 980 per annum; while those at the middle level point earn about $37, 900 yearly, and finally those at the lower 10% of solar careers earn within the range of $26, 250 annually. The Future The solar industry is rapidly expanding, pursuing a solar career therefore comes with lot of benefits like job stability, skill acquisition, and a decent pay. Also, solar energy being a renewable source of energy is cleaner and environmental friendly. With the growing advocacy for industries to go green, solar energy in the near future might replace fossil fuel as the major source of energy as the world consciously strive to shift from non-renewal energy sources that pollute our environment to cleaner renewable energy in a bid to protect and preserve the earth. The post Going Into a Solar Career For a Greener World appeared first on The Solar Companies. via http://ift.tt/2idFK0F The presence of India on the world stage has become harder and harder to ignore over the past few decades. With one of the fastest growing economies in the world, some feel that people think too much of China as the up-and-coming global power but should instead be focusing on India. When it comes to energy production, this is no exception. In the realm of renewable energy, India is rapidly becoming a world leader. India’s energy production is projected to double in the period between 2015 and 2030, and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) predicts that around 25 % of the country’s total energy output will be composed of different forms of renewable energy. According to their study, solar will lead the way, but hydro and wind, as well as biofuels, will also be part of this percentage. The world’s largest democracy is taking steps to turn this bright future into reality even now; for instance, the country was ahead of schedule in 2017, exceeding their wind energy goal by 1.5 gigawatts. India has much incentive to do all this: the investment in infrastructure is expected to pay for itself twelve times over by 2030. Beyond that is the prospect of job creation, as the IRENA study showed that around 1,000,000 solar careers, as well as 180,000 jobs in wind energy, could be created in a mere five years. The country is uniquely suited to experimenting in this way, with its large population and unparalleled abundance of renewable energy sources. IRENA predicts that, by 2030, India will be one the top players in renewable energy, constituting the fourth largest market for renewable energy on the planet. This unfolding progress will be of major interest to those interested in the industry over the next decade. The post India: A New Leader in Renewable Energy? appeared first on Find Solar Jobs. via http://ift.tt/2gl5wzH 10/14/2017 0 Comments Solar Jobs: Progress and ChallengesThis week has been full of positives in the U.S. solar and renewable energy circles as two reports indicated. The first report cited obvious growth in California solar labor force while the other emphasized the overall solar renewable energy expansion in the Midwest states. While diversity in labor force is attractive, when it excessively favored one group, then striking a balance is necessary. In California, people of color have the largest share of solar jobs, followed by Latinos with African American and military veterans coming next respectively. The disadvantaged groups are women, Asian-Pacific and Native American. The good news is that a program to correct the unevenness is already in place. Some measure of preference in recruitment is now given to women among other disadvantaged groups through the partnership of labor groups with secondary education institutions and other organizations. For the Midwest states, the growth of solar renewable energy is impressive. Reports show that the 12-state heartland of Indiana, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Ohio, North Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Michigan and Kansas are all enjoying a boost in the number of renewable energy jobs since 2015 with Illinois leading the pack with 119,395 of such jobs. While it is hoped that a balance in the diversity of California renewable labor force will be achieved in no distant time, indications show that the good trend in the Midwest states will not be short-lived. In all, happenings in the solar renewable energy circles are encouraging. The post Solar Jobs: Progress and Challenges appeared first on Find Solar Jobs. via http://ift.tt/2yjqgia 10/14/2017 0 Comments 3 Reasons Why Solar Power Will Take Over Coal and Solar Jobs Will Dominate the Energy MarketUntil the development of solar and other renewable energies, coal was the only way through which civilization could get electricity. The coal industry employed an enormous quantity of people. But as the use and efficiency of solar power is increasing, more people work in the solar industry than they do in the coal industry and solar power is getting more and more ahead of coal power. Why? Numbers In 2016 the solar industry produced 56.22 million megawatt – hours and employed 260,000 to 374,000 workers. On the other hand the coal industry produces 1240 million megawatt – hours and employed about 160,000 workers. If we calculate this in a different way we can easily find that the solar industry employed 35 to 50 times as many workers per unit of electricity produced in comparison to the coal industry. This means that the solar workers or the researching solar panel chemists are the jobs of the future which will constitute a very significant part of the economy. Costs Coal jobs generate higher labor costs per employee. The increased costs which include hazard pay and pension and health benefits originate from the health risks that coal workers face in their job. Solar jobs cause less costs for employers while they decrease pollution and the price of electricity and increase the number of jobs. Low prices The unsubsidized costs of new solar power have slipped below those of new coal power. This means that solar power in the same time creates more and better jobs than the coal industry and decreases the prices of electricity which benefits the economy and consumers profoundly. The post 3 Reasons Why Solar Power Will Take Over Coal and Solar Jobs Will Dominate the Energy Market appeared first on Find Solar Jobs. via http://ift.tt/2xH2SM3 |