How Do The Benefits Out Weigh Solar Panel Cost?

The environment has become an increasing concern for everyone. It's not something that's just going to go away, it's an issue that will take everyone making changes small and large alike to get our environment back on the right track. There are many things people can do, they can recycle, reuse, and make smart choices with what they purchase. This comes in the form of considering solar panel cost.

What Are The Financial Benefits Of Solar Energy

The best thing about solar energy is that it's free. Once the system is installed it's an investment that will be able to pay for itself, and even make the homeowner cash in the long run. For years people have been saying it's wise to make investments into one's home. This should start with thinking about energy efficiency, whether that means having proper insulation, good windows and other ways to keep heating and cooling where it's meant to be, or larger, more usable options. This may mean figuring out what's the real solar panel cost. When it comes to thinking about this, it's vital to understand the only real cost is the initial installation. This will quickly be recovered in the savings that will be gleaned with monthly bills. There will be an immediate decrease in the cost of electricity or energy bills monthly, often times it can even mean no more bills at all. When installed properly it may also mean the home owner may be able to sell energy back to the big companies, therefore giving them money in their pocket, making it the wisest investment a person may every make in their home.

Besides Saving Money...

Sure solar panel cost can quickly be outweighed with what is brought back into the budget financially, but they are also vital for the environment. There is a real problem with the way fossil fuels are being used up so quickly. Turning to alternate energy sources is the best thing a homeowner can do to be responsible not only to their own budget but to the environment. This is an energy source that is renewable, clean and pollution free. They can be easily installed, often come with excellent warranties and provide many ways to allow a person also be able to make money. There are often referral programs that allow a person incentive for recommending this fantastic resource to their friends or family.

In addition to being good for a home owner's budget and for the environment, solar panel cost should be outweighed against the benefits it can bring to the economy, both local and national. America often has to get energy from foreign governments. This puts our money to use in other nation's pockets. Bring the money home and make more jobs in America by getting on board with installing quality solar panels. With this bit of consideration it's easy to realize that the solar panel cost will quickly be gained back with all the money that will be saved for energy costs.2

JB Solar offers Solar Panels, solar kits, wholesale solar panels and solar inverters for residential and commercial installation. For details visit http://www.jbsolarcorp.com

Buying Solar Panels: 3 Money-Saving Secrets

Everyone's starting to jump onto the bandwagon of using solar energy because it is believed to be the answer to the worsening energy crisis worldwide. But don't you think every thinking person must dig deeper first and know whether there are possible dangers in using these panels? Or at least be aware of the possible negative aspects of purchasing them? In this article, let us explore the possible drawbacks of patronizing this innovation. After all, buying solar panels is not like buying light bulbs.

1) Materials- Newer thin solar panels are made from materials which are harmful to the environment. Although they will not create any problem until you dispose the system (which is probably in the next two decades or so), it is imperative that you know they can cause trouble to the planet you are trying to save. Currently, new disposal and even recycling methods are being developed. Hopefully, these methods would become feasible by the time you need to dispose your solar panels.

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2) Latest Technology- Many solar energy companies continuously do research on how they can improve or develop new products and systems. The research for renewable energy has actually become a big industry worldwide and new discoveries are being made at regular intervals. The thing is, not all products under experiments make it to the market. Some of them have huge market potentials but never really make it to the hands of the consumers. Just like other products going through research and development, solar panels using latest technologies sometimes do not work as expected. At times, they are just too expensive to produce. It is always some sort of a gamble to wait for breakthroughs. If you like to save the best for last, you may be waiting in vain. You should know when enough is enough.

3) Old Technology-Now, although waiting for the latest technology could not always be the best idea, it is also a big loss if you buy old technology. Meaning, since you don't want to wait any longer for the new breakthrough, you will just go for the cheaper technology available; thinking the idea is better when in fact, it is not. You may just spend thousands of dollars to buy solar panels which technology is almost obsolete.

Now, if you want to prevent this misfortune from happening to you, you must do your part to become a wise spender. Buying solar panels is not like buying light bulbs. They are much costlier and you really have to invest big in them. To make sure that you are getting ones which are worth your money, do your research. Use the internet, or better yet, hit the library. Business journals are available where product forecasts are published. These journals can give you an idea of what's to come and whether they are worth the wait. If not, you can always decide to go for what's currently available. Just make sure you pick the system which has been tested for sometime so even if the technology is relatively old, you know they truly work.

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buying solar panels

How Solar Panels Can Power Your Home

There are many ways to power your home with solar panels and solar power kits. These systems can fit nearly any size home, demand, and space requirement. In this article we will discuss three different kinds of photovoltaic (PV) systems and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Off-Grid Solar Dependent Systems

These systems are usually found in extremely remote locations where electricity and fuel sources are hard to come by. These systems consist of:

* Solar panel array: a combination of solar panels that are sized according to the cabin's electrical consumption. The higher the consumption of electricity, the larger and more expensive the array must be.

* Charge controller: this takes energy from the solar array and feeds it into the battery bank, while ensuring that the batteries are not over-charged (which would damage the batteries).

* Battery bank: this is specially designed to fit both the solar array and the needs of the home. For instance you might need a larger battery bank if the area you are in experiences frequent cloudy days. The battery bank would have to store several days worth of energy to account for lack of sunshine.

* Inverter: the solar panels and batteries produce DC power and most appliances require AC power. The inverter does the job of turning the DC power into AC power for your home.

Advantages

* These systems are great for remote cabins, cottages and villages. They allow people to live in areas where they would not normally be able to live. They also provide power to third world villages that would probably never have power otherwise.

* There is relatively little maintenance of this systems. The batteries will require the most attention and will have to be replaced before anything else.

* The cost of these systems, while not cheap, easily beat the costs of constructing a power line to remote areas 9 times out of 10.

Disadvantages

* There is no means of getting back up power should the system go down due to weather or malfunction.

Hybrid Solar-Generator Systems

Most often, off-grid solar installation are supplemented with a backup generator. This system has the same components, with the addition of these things:

* Generator: often powered by gas, oil, or propane, these units are essentially a combustion engine that turns an electric generator. This generates DC power that is fed into charge controller in the same fashion as PV power.

* Wind generator: these systems are gaining popularity for their ease of use, low maintenance, and low initial cost. They can be wired directly to the batteries in many cases as most of them have an internal charge controller. Some even have built in inverters so they can be tied into grid-tied homes directly.

* Micro-hydro: great for homes near flowing water, these systems have come a long way in the last few years. They can be tricky to install, as they consist of a turbine that is mounted in a river or stream. The water turns the turbine and generates electricity, which is fed into the charge controller.

Advantages

* These systems are ideal for off-grid, remote locations. They can be designed for varying weather conditions and consumption, and the homeowner has the added peace of mind knowing that there is a backup generator in case the sun doesn't shine.

Disadvantages

* These systems require a reliable secondary fuel source, whether it be propane or wind. Often these things are hard to come by in remote areas.

* The increased complexity of the system can often make installation difficult.

* Maintenance is heavier on these systems since they usually involve gassing and oiling a combustion engine.

Grid-Tied Solar Systems

This by far the most popular PV system. Since the vast majority of homes in the US are connected to the electrical grid, this system probably makes the most sense for homeowners. The system can have batteries, but most often consists of the panel array, inverter, and several breakers and disconnects. The homeowner must also be aware of these items:

* Interconnection Agreement: this is a legal document from the power utility outlining the details of your grid-tied system. This will tell you how to tie it in and when they will inspect it.

* Net Metering: this allows you to sell your excess power back to the utility.

Advantages

* These systems are far simpler and easier to install than off-grid applications.

* The grid acts as the battery, so if the solar array goes down or the sun is down the grid will keep the lights on.

* The cost for these systems is lower since the batteries and charge controllers are not necessary.

* Excess power can be sold to the utility to offset the cost of the system.

* Utilities often have rebates and incentives for homeowners installing PV systems which can offset the cost of the system.

Disadvantages

* Obviously this is not an option for people that don't have an electrical grid nearby.

For more information on solar power kits and solar panels, visit our website.

Kriss Bergethon is a solar expert and writer. For more of his useful articles on solar power, please visit Solar Panels, Kits and Systems.

Solar Panel Criteria you need to Remember

Making the switch to renewable energy by installing solar panels is probably one of the biggest home improvement decisions you will make. If done correctly it will add a lot of value to your home and enable you produce most of your own electricity, but it is an important decision concerning a reasonable amount of money so you definitely want to do your homework 1st to make the most out of every cent that you spent.

Warranty

Like any other products solar panels should come with a warranty, and an extensive one at that; normally the panels themselves come with 25 years of warranty, but be aware that there are other components which are more likely to break down and aren't necessarily included. The warranty should not only be a piece of card that comes with the product it should abide by the Australian Consumer Protection Law, go to the Clean Energy Council Website for more details and a list of approved products.

Manufacturer

With the solar industry booming there arehas been a great increase in manufacturers; remember your warranty (above) will come from them, not your retailer, so look for well established companies with offices in your country. You can have a great idea of a company from the various online solar forums available. You can also have a good idea of what the company is like from their customer support. Quality products often times are supported by quality customer care.

Efficiency and cost

The panel's efficiency should be reasonable for its cost, with a pay-back time of 4-7 years standard at the moment. Efficiency varies depending on the brand, the being matching with suitable components of equally high quality, the overall system design and the installation. But for it to be cost effective it must deliver enough electricity into your meter box every day; buy the largest KWh size you can fit onto your available roof space, the cost is proportionally much lower and the return on investment from the amount of electricity you can generate will be much greater.

Panel specifications

Various technological advances have been developed in recent years, mono crystalline, multi crystalline and thin films were invented to improve the system. Be sure to have an idea what are advantages and drawbacks of each and decide from there which suits you the most.

Also don't forget the Inverter; this is a crucial part of how much electricity your system can generate, so get the best quality one you can afford.

Installation Quality

Having your solar panel system installed in the best location and at the correct angle will make a big difference to its efficiency; only trust accredited installers with a good reputation.

Do a visual inspection of the actual panels afterwards, normally the edges are lined and/or sealed by aluminum scaffoldings. It should perfectly fit the edges and no seams should be visible since it serves as one of the primary protectors of the solar panels from wear and tear.

Aside from that, the back side of the panels should also be covered by high grade plastic materials to protect the solar cells from dust and other damaging factors.

Keep them clean from dust and debris for the best output, even a small coating of dirt will greatly affect the amount of sunlight energy they can absorb.

Premier Solar is committed to being Australia's leading Solar Power & Renewable Energy solutions provider for both homes and medium to large scale commercial solar projects. We are specialists in effective and affordable solar PV panel System design and use only fully certified installers and product components which pass all government standards and certifications, to enable our customers to access full discounts and rebates, as well enjoy the peace of mind of 25 year warranties from long established manufacturers.

Queensland Solar Panel Installation Incentive Scheme

The Queensland government is committed in reducing the states carbon footprint by one-third by the year 2020. They aim to accelerate the installation and generation of electricity by using clean energy sources and follow the Queensland Renewable Energy Plan. The federal government is also giving out financial incentives for the installation of roof-top solar panels through the Small-scale renewable energy scheme (SRES).

With this scheme, the projected electricity production capacity of a roof-top solar panel system is eligible for a certain number of small scale technology certificates (STCs), which are timed by the solar multiplier number. This is being reduced from July 1st from 5 down to 3 which represents about a $2500 increase in the out of pocket cost of a solar panel system. The multiplier will reduce by 1 each year until 2014 when the scheme will end.

The Renewable Energy Plan will provide a series of financial incentives that will help make the switch to renewable energy financially viable for an average family. This incentive can be taken advantage by any Queensland home owners. There also is another incentive given by the Queensland (QLD) government, which is the solar hot water rebate. QLD homeowners will be provided with up to $1,000 to be invested as an initial fund for the installation of the solar hot water system. This rebate should cover the installation of over 200,000 hot water systems in the next three years.

Queensland has the highest solar energy production of any area in Australia, thanks both the strong government support & favourable climate. There are currently about 15 to 24 Mega joules of soalr energy per square meter under production. Thanks to a commercial feed in tariff in place as well, solar panel installation is not only good for the environment, but also has exciting potential as a high return low risk investment for people with a large area of land or roof space available.

For anyone with just an average sized home though it is possible to significantly reduce the cost of your electricity bill. For example in the city of Brisbane a 1.5 kW solar panel will generate an average amount of 6.3 kWh of energy; this amount of electricity production combined with QLD government's 44 cents/kWh feed tariff is the amount the households can save. At current electricity prices this would be about $736 per year, but prices are expecting to increase exponentially in the next couple of years. Choosing to install a 2.5-3KWh system can eliminate the bill of an average family completely.

Another factor that has made renewable energy such a popular choice in Queensland is the support of the local government in creating awareness through promotion. Solar panels in Brisbane account for a significant number of the total solar installations in the state, and other major cities like Sunshine coast also add a considerable number, in fact that region from Brisbane through to Gympie and Hervey Bay is a booming area for solar!

Premier Solar is committed to being Australia's leading Solar Power & Renewable Energy solutions provider for both homes and medium to large scale commercial solar projects. We are specialists in effective and affordable solar PV panel System design and use only fully certified installers and product components which pass all government standards and certifications, to enable our customers to access full discounts and rebates, as well enjoy the peace of mind of 25 year warranties from long established manufacturers.

Solar Panels in Brisbane

Solar energy consumption has been has been a rapidly growing trend in Australia with nearly more homes installing solar panels in Brisbane in 2010 than in all the previous years combined. This is largely thanks to strong Australian federal and state government support which has made it more affordable for families to make the switch to solar energy through generous solar schemes and rebates. All Australian states have their individual guidelines and incentives in place, so check what you are eligible for before you make the decision to install solar panels.

There are three different types of solar panels; mono-crystalline, amorphous and crystalline, and a typical Brisbane home will have a combination of this three installed. Solar panels are excellent investment in Brisbane thanks to the very favourable climate, latitude and long hours of sunshine which allow the solar systems to produce their maximum possible energy output. The state government currently has no cap in place on its feed in tariff scheme which means that you can sell back any excess clean energy you produce to your local electricity provider at a much higher rate than you are paying to buy their fossil fuel produced electricity.

A solar PV purchase is a big decision that shouldn't be rushed into without expert advice as there are many variables which influence the amount of electricity a PV system will actual produce into your meter box. This includes your allowable roof space & its aspect & angle, if there is any shading, how much electricity your family is currently using and of course your available budget. These factors should all be assessed during an in home consultation by a solar specialist, don't rely on an over the phone quote.

There are other issues that need to be considered as well including the specific components that make up your system, (especially the inverter which is crucial), and their design and optimum installation. All government solar rebates are only given on solar panels & inverters that are accredited to Australian standards (see the Clean Energy Council website for a list) for their quality and then installed by accredited installers. Your solar PV system should last for 20+ years, so making sure that you purchase from long established manufacturers who are likely to still be around to fulfill their warranties is another important consideration that should influence your decision.

So before actually buying your solar panels look for a specialist in solar PV in Brisbane who offers an in home assessment to look at all of the factors mentioned above, can advise you about how to maximise your rebates and the feed in tariff, and has highly trained staff who understand how to correctly design a system that will give that maximum power output for the smallest investment.

Premier Solar is committed to being Australia's leading Solar Power & Renewable Energy solutions provider for both homes and medium to large scale commercial solar projects. We are specialists in effective and affordable solar PV panel System design and use only fully certified installers and product components which pass all government standards and certifications, to enable our customers to access full discounts and rebates, as well enjoy the peace of mind of 25 year warranties from long established manufacturers.

What is a Solar Panel?

Solar panels make use of the free and renewable energy from the sun, and it is a cleanprocess of gathering that solar energy and converting that into usable electricity with the aid of the photoelectric effect. This works by simply separating sunlight's particles and then collecting the electrically charged electrons. The panels are combined with other important components like the inverter which is required to convertthis electricity into a usable form.

The panels are made by utilising crystalline silicon, gallium silicon or amorphous silicon alloy, and the cost and efficiency varies depending on which one of these materials is used.

The crystalline silicon solar panel looks like a wafer disk which is less than a centimeter thick, and is combined with a dopant material to alter the electrical charge. A metal conductor is spread all over the disk to protect the silicon layer and a glass cover is attached to the top of the panel to bond the voltaic cells tightly and for durability purposes. Conductive cement is also applied to prevent the panel from overheating, but the usual overheating precautions should still be applied like proper ventilation and spacing.

The amorphous silicon panel uses the roll to roll process, which is a lot different from the traditional crystalline silicon. The roll to roll process generates vapor which is deposited in the silicon alloys and uses a specialized layer that absorbs the different parts of the solar spectrum. The amorphous panel is the preference in the future technology of solar panel manufacture mainly because of its efficiency, cost and manufacturing possibilities.

The only drawback with this kind of panel is the installation. Attaching the wires of each cell is not as difficult as the others because soldering each wire is not applicable. You have to use electrical tape or electrical epoxy, however it doesn't aid in the conduction of the electricity. This process is harder and more time consuming but it is a preferable way to assemble the panels to prevent damage associated with soldering.

Whichever material you choose, choosing to use solar panels to generate energy is beneficial both economically and environmentally. These two reasons are responsible for the boom in the solar industry over the past few years, which shows no signs of slowing down. Especially since recent events have caused large countries like Japan and Germany to phase out nuclear energy and replace it with solar power and other renewable energy sources.

Premier Solar is committed to being Australia's leading Solar Power & Renewable Energy solutions provider for both homes and medium to large scale commercial solar projects. We are specialists in effective and affordable solar PV panel System design and use only fully certified installers and product components which pass all government standards and certifications, to enable our customers to access full discounts and rebates, as well enjoy the peace of mind of 25 year warranties from long established manufacturers.