Have you been thinking about changing your power source over to renewable energy? I have also listed some of the Solar Energy Cons. A person can’t sincerely arrive at an honest conclusion without acknowledging the advantages and minuses. You should check into every aspect of changing over before approaching to your ultimate conclusion.There are more Pros that are not listed here that may or will not be essential to you depending upon your stance regarding the environment.

* Solar energy is a renewable resource. It doesn’t induce pollution while you generate it.
* Sunlight, unlike fossil fuels is all over, all though it is not evenly dispensed throughout the world. Solar energy can be made anywhere, even when there are no local utility supplier, therefore you are able to have power in inaccessible areas.
* With the correct resources, the components necessary to construct a solar system can be bought or produced rather inexpensively
* The nicest matter about solar power is that it’s costless to all.
* The engineering in use to implement solar radiation as energy to get electricity, heat, and mechanical power currently exists
* Solar systems possess no moving elements and can last numerous years.
* You don’t require fuel to be delivered to your home, and you will never run out.
* Granted the correct data, it’s almost always possible to forecast the amount of power a solar energy system will give.
* The systems are silent and becoming more and more unnoticeable.
* You will be able to qualify for financial incentives from the government to assist with paying for your system and also get tax breaks while it is in use.
* Using solar energy means one less home burning fossil fuels, and reduces the creation of greenhouse gas.

Solar Energy Cons

I’ve listed the Cons for using Solar Energy as well. Although there aren’t many disadvantages, they should still be weighed in.

* If you don’t know where to get the components at a discount, the original costs can be kind of high.
* Solar panels can require a lot of space. That’s why the roof is the optimal location for them to be set up.
* You can’t generate solar energy at nighttime, so you need a way to store it. Batteries are a good energy storage choice. With the right information, you can purchase batteries for as low a $10 apiece or even free!
* Bad weather conditions can impact the amount of energy generated.

As you can see the Solar Energy Pros overbalance the Solar Energy Cons. If you are worried about the environment and you also acknowledge the income saving potential of using solar power, then this can be a good path for you to choose. I think that someday in our lifetime, solar power will become a more popular choice. By harnessing the power of sunshine, the Earth could change for the better one home at a time. Besides, our grandchildren will appreciate it.

Green energy is the newest movement in for home owners, and solar energy is one of the more popular options.  Through the use of the various types of solar energy, homes and be heated and provided with electricity without causing any damage to the environment. For modern applications, solar energy can be used for several different reasons.  Those are;

• Heating
• Cooling
• Water Heating
• Light
• Electricity Generation

Each of these, aside from generating electricity, comes in two distinct forms, active and passive.  The difference is simple, active solar energy require extensive interference from technology in order to harness solar power, while passive gets solar energy without the use of any technology.

The sun has long been considered to be one of the greatest natural energy sources known to man.  Now, through both careful planning and creative technology, you can harness solar energy to help deplete your need for the use of fossil fuels.  Here is a breakdown of the different types of solar energy.

Heating

The sun naturally gives off the heat that makes this planet habitable, so why not use it to heat things like your home, office, or even your car.  Both active and passive solar heating can easily be achieved.  Passive solar heating is by far the better of the two options.  It involve the use of large windows appropriately oriented to get maximum exposure to the sun.  These large windows slightly focus the sun’s rays, slightly magnifying them, heating the inside of the structure.  For those that live in the northern hemisphere, your large windows should face south.  Those in the southern hemisphere, north.  These windows should be double paned and appropriately size to maximize sun exposure.  They should also not be blocked by vegetation or landscaping, providing them with a constant exposure to the sun.

There are two types of active solar heating (solar heating achieved through the use of technology).  Those types are liquid or air based heating system.  Liquid systems use the solar power to heat water, typically through tiles and boards on the roof, then store the hot water in a storage tank.  This water is then either used to fuel a blower, distributing hot air through the home, or the hot water is run through the different structures of the home, like the floors and walls.  Air systems heat air using solar power, then pump it through the home just like a furnace would.

Cooling

Passive solar cooling is much simpler than it sounds.  It involves orienting the home so that it can naturally take advantage of things like wind flow, shade, and the sun’s natural arc.  Consider it to be the opposite to passive solar heating, at least in theory.  Setting up windows in your home to promote a good wind flow in your home will help keep it cool in summer, and having the appropriate windows size will help to reduce the amount of solar heat generated.  Adequate ventilation will keep a nice breeze flowing in your home, keeping you cooler in the hotter months.  You can also incorporate vegetation and other types of landscaping into passive cooling.  A large shade tree will help keep the sun’s rays off your home, or planting a thick climbing vine, like ivy, can help to reduce the amount of heat your home takes on from the sun.

Active solar cooling comes in three majorly used forms.  While many of these are not commonly used in the home quite yet, they have proven quite successful in larger buildings and office complexes.  Solar absorption is an air conditioner fuels by heated liquids.  When the liquids are heated by the sun’s energy, they separate from other substances, starting the air conditioner.  A desiccant system works differently than your traditional air conditioner.  If forces the air from a building though a filtering system that removes humidity from the air, making the building feel cooler.  Then, solar energy is used to dry out the filtration system.

The final can be considered a form of active solar cooling, but it is more a form of electricity generation.  It is included with active solar cooling because it makes perfect sense.  Photovoltaic cooling uses solar panels to generate electricity for a standard air conditioner.  Though there may be some conversion of power involved, a solar panel can more than adequately provide enough energy to to fuel a standard central air unit.  Since you primarily run your air conditioner on those hot, and sunny, summer days, why not use it to your advantage.  Setting up a system like this can save you a fortune on your summer heating bills.

Water Heating

We use a lot of water in our homes, but for cleaning and bathing purposes, we use mostly hot water.  Unfortunately, passive solar energy will not heat water enough for common application in the home.  Hot water much reach a certain temperature before it can be used to clean.

To get around this, there are two active solar water heat

ing systems, direct and indirect.  More commonly referred to as an open loop system, direct water heating systems push the water through solar heating panels to raise it to a certain temperature.  Then, the water is stored in an insulated collection tank, which serves as your hot water reserve.  It is pumped from there to the faucets of your home.  The water is continuously moved through the solar panels, constantly heating the water supply.

The closed loop system (indirect) is highly similar, but instead of pumping the water itself through the solar panels, the pumps a heating fluid.  Once this fluid is hot, it is pumped through the water supply, heating it in a similar fashion to a pot full of water on the stove.  From the hot water reserve, it is distributed to your home.

Light

This may seem like common sense, but creating a home designed to function off of passive solar energy is more complex than you would think.  It can involve several architectural changes and the possibility for a complete adaptation of your living space.  Passive solar lighting involves the use of large windows and sun lights to allow natural light in the entire time the sun is up, eliminating the need to turn on a single light during the daytime.  Having several windows that face south and sun lights (windows in the ceiling) are good starts, but you must also keep these free from obstructions.  You will also need to consider the natural arc of your day.  You wake up at sunrise, and go to sleep at sunset.  You will use your kitchen several times a day, and you will primarily use your living room in the evening.  So, since the sun moves from east to west, your bedroom should be on the east side of your home (first light during the day, completely dark by bedtime), the kitchen should be on the south side of your home (constant light throughout the day, should be on the north side for those in the southern hemisphere), and you living room should be on the west side of the home, so it will be able to harness the evening sun for light.  Using passive solar lighting can really add a new dynamic to your home.

Active solar lighting comes in two types of solar energy, either through electricity generation of photovoltaic lighting.  Most homes will need a complex energy generation system to light an entire home, but this type of system would be used to provide your entire home with electricity.  Photovoltaic lighting is most commonly used on the outside of the home.  These lights create enough energy to run that individual light through smaller photo-reactive electric semiconductors.  These semiconductors produce small amount of electricity when exposed to sunlight.  This energy is stored in the light until it gets dark, when the light will automatically turn on.  These are commonly used to light gardens, walkways, driveways, and various architectural structures.

Electricity Generation

This is what most people will think of when you mention any type of solar energy.  It is the use of technology to turn solar energy into usable electricity, which can then power anything you want to in the home.  This is thanks to photovoltaics.  Certain substances can convert solar energy into electricity, and placing several panels made of these photo-reactive substances can be used to generate a substantial amount of electricity.  Now how does this work in the home.

To start, your home will stay hooked to the grid, that way you will never go without power.  Solar panels, made of these photovoltaic material, are installed on your roof, typically facing south to gather the most sun light.  When solar energy hits these panels , is generates electricity, which then flows through a converter to change it from a DC current to an AC current.  This energy is then used first to power your home, or, with certain systems, it can be stored for future use.  One of the bigger advantages is that energy you don’t use can back flow through your connection to the power company.  This provide the power company with additional energy, and pushes your meter back, lowering your bill when you’re not using your stores of solar power.

Electricity generation can be used to only power specific appliances as well.  This is a good gradual step into green energy.  Photo-reactive solar panels are used to power individual large appliances, eliminating their need to be attached to the grid, lowering your energy bill.  This can be set up to work on things like electric stoves, washers, dryers, air conditioners, or a number of large appliances found in the home.  Imagine eliminating your air conditioner from your electric bill during those hot summer months.

Just as solar energy can heat the water for a building, it can also heat and cool the air.

Space Heating

A solar space-heating system can consist of a passive system, an active system, or a combination of both. Passive systems are typically less costly and less complex than active systems. However, when retrofitting a building, active systems might be the only option for obtaining solar energy.

Passive Solar Space Heating

Passive solar space heating takes advantage of warmth from the sun through design features, such as large south-facing windows, and materials in the floors or walls that absorb warmth during the day and release that warmth at night when it is needed most. A sunspace or greenhouse is a good example of a passive system for solar space heating.

Passive solar design systems usually have one of three designs:

• Direct gain (the simplest system) stores and slowly releases heat energy collected from the sun shining directly into the building and warming materials such as tile or concrete. Care must be taken to avoid overheating the space.
• Indirect gain (similar to direct gain) uses materials that hold, store, and release heat; the material is located between the sun and living space (typically the wall).
• Isolated gain collects solar energy remote from the location of the primary living area. For example, a sunroom attached to a house collects warmer air that flows naturally to the rest of the house.

For more information about passive solar space heating, visit the EERE Passive Solar Heating, Cooling, and Daylighting page.

Active Solar Space Heating

Active solar space-heating systems consist of collectors that collect and absorb solar radiation combined with electric fans or pumps to transfer and distribute that solar heat. Active systems also generally have an energy-storage system to provide heat when the sun is not shining. The two basic types of active solar space-heating systems use either liquid or air as the heat-transfer medium in their solar energy collectors.

Liquid-based systems heat water or an antifreeze solution in a hydronic collector. Air-based systems heat air in an air collector. Air-based solar heating systems usually employ an air-to-water heat exchanger to supply heat to the domestic hot water system, making the system useful in the summertime. Both of these systems collect and absorb solar radiation, then transfer the solar heat directly to the interior space or to a storage system, from which the heat is distributed. An auxiliary or backup system provides heat when storage is discharged. Liquid systems are more often used when storage is included.

Here is a summary of the many different types of active solar space-heating systems:

Medium-temperature solar collectors are generally used for solar space heating. Solar space heating systems operate in much the same way as indirect solar water-heating systems, but they have a larger collector area, larger storage units, and more complex control systems. They are also usually configured to provide solar water heating and typically provide 30% to 70% of the residential heating, or combined heating and hot water, requirements. Active solar space-heating systems require more sophisticated design, installation, and maintenance techniques.

• A very economical, but specialized space heating system is based upon use of transpired air collectors, mounted as an exterior cladding on a south-facing wall. These systems are used for ventilation preheating. This system heats only outdoor air. These collectors are unglazed, and a blower or fan is used to draw air through perforations in the wall to deliver ventilation air into the building. Solar ventilation air preheating systems are generally used in commercial and industrial applications that require large quantities of ventilation air, including: a) buildings that require much outdoor ventilation, such as warehouses, large manufacturing plants, and airplane maintenance hangars; b) crop drying; and c) pre-heatingof boiler combustion air.

Space Cooling

Cooling and refrigeration can be accomplished using thermally activated cooling systems (TACS) driven by solar energy. These systems can provide year-round utilization of collected solar heat, thereby significantly increasing the cost effectiveness and energy contribution of solar installations. These systems are sized to provide 30% to 60% of building cooling requirements using solar, with the remainder usually dependent on TACS fueled by natural gas. The TACS available for solar-driven cooling include absorption systems and desiccant systems. Generally, solar cooling is not used because of the high initial costs of TACS and the solar fields needed to drive them.

• Solar absorption systems use the thermal energy from a solar collector to separate a binary mixture of an absorbent and a refrigerant fluid. The refrigerant is condensed, throttled, and evaporated to yield a cooling effect, which is then re-absorbed to continue the cycle. Double-effect absorption systems (which use the heat twice in series) are about twice as efficient as single-effect systems, but require significantly higher input temperatures. Because of the high temperature requirements of absorption cooling systems, evacuated-tube or concentrating collectors are typically used.
• Solar desiccant systems use thermal energy from the solar collector to regenerate dessicants that dry ambient air; they then use that dry air in indirect and/or direct evaporative stages to provide cooled air to the load. The solar heat is used to regenerate the desiccant, driving off the absorbed water. Some systems use flat-plate collectors at intermediate temperatures.

The Law of Conservation of Energy:

• Energy can only change from one form to another.
• Energy can not be created or destroyed.

Solar Energy is the energy from the Sun.  The Sun is a big ball of heat and light resulting from nuclear fusion at its core.  The nuclear reaction releases energy that travels outward to the surface of the Sun.  Along the way to the surface the energy transforms so that by the time it is released it is primarily light energy.  Sunlight.  The two major types of solar energy that make it to Earth are heat and light.

Solar energy is often called “alternative energy” to fossil fuel energy sources such as oil and coal.

One example of our use of solar heat energy is for water heating systems.  A solar panel is used to collect heat.  The heat is transferred to pipes inside the solar panel and water is heated as it passes through the pipes.  The hot water, heated by the Sun, can then be used for showers, cleaning, or heating your home.

We also use solar thermal energy through passive solar designs.  Windows or skylights in your home can be designed to face the Sun so that they let heat into the house, keeping you warmer in the winter.

The light energy from the Sun can be transformed into electrical energy and used immediately or stored in batteries. Photovoltaic (PV) panels are the devices that convert light energy into electrical energy.

Energy changes from one Form to Another.

Let’s look at a solar powered vehicle that runs on electricity directly from solar energy as a simple example in the transformation of energy from one form to another.

• Sunlight hits the PV panel and the panel transforms the light energy into electrical energy.
• The electrical energy (electricity) passes through the wire circuit to the motor.
• The motor transforms the electrical energy into mechanical energy to turn the drive shaft which turns the wheels.
• The wheels rotate on the ground to move the vehicle transforming mechanical energy into vehicle motion (kinetic energy).

Solar Vehicle Ideal Energy Chain:

Light Energy >> Electrical Energy >> Mechanical Energy >> Kinetic Energy

Energy transformation is not perfect…..

The above case is ideal because not all systems are perfect and in reality there will be losses of energy from our system.

In a simplified view of this case some losses will be from:

• friction of electrons passing through the wires;  this is released as heat energy.
• friction of the drive shaft or wheels on the ground;  this is released as either heat or sound energy.

Even with these losses the law of conservation of energy still holds.  The amount of energy into a system will always equal the amount of energy out of a system.

Thirty some years ago, just after I first started building houses, a friend (another builder) and I took on a solar hot water franchise as a side line to home building. We thought solar heating was cool and avant-garde, and that everyone else would too.

Boy, were we wrong! We couldn’t give solar heating away. People thought that the solar collectors were ugly and no one wanted those ugly contraptions on their roofs. Besides, electricity and gas were cheap, plentiful and we would never run out of either.

My, how times and thinking about things change.

Here’s the scoop from the NAHB Research Center:

“Harnessing energy from the sun to heat water is nothing new. Solar water heaters have been commercially available since the 1800s. What’s new is how solar water heaters look these days.

Most modern solar water heaters mount flush with a home’s roof and resemble skylights. Solar water heaters are an environmentally sound way to reduce energy bills.

Solar energy can meet part or all of a home’s domestic hot water needs. Geographic location, system design, collector orientation, and collector size will determine how much energy can be provided for domestic hot water heating.

Solar water heaters come in a variety of configurations. Each differs in design, cost, performance, and level of complexity.

Most systems have back-up water heating such as electricity or gas. A solar water heating system usually consists of a hot water storage tank, a solar collector that absorbs solar energy, a back-up energy source, and (for forced circulation systems) a pump and controls.

There are two main types of systems: passive and forced circulation. Within each type, there are several configurations. A passive water heater consists of a water tank integrated into or located above a solar collector. In an integrated collector storage (ICS) system, also called batch water heater, the water is heated and stored inside the collector.

These systems are suitable only for warm climates where there is no risk of freezing. In a passive system where the storage is separate from the collector, as water in the collector warms, water flows by natural convection through the collector to the storage tank. A forced circulation system requires a pump to move water from the storage tank to the collector. Most solar water heaters in the United States are the forced circulation type.

There are several types of solar collectors. Most consist of a flat copper plate, painted black, that has water tubes attached to the absorber plate. As solar energy falls on the copper plate and is absorbed, the energy is transferred to water flowing in the tubes. The absorber plate is mounted in a casing that has a clear covering and insulation to protect the absorber plate from heat loss. Other collectors include an integrated collector and storage system and the evacuated tube collector.

Integral collector and storage systems combine the function of hot water storage and solar energy collection into one unit. Evacuated tube collectors produce higher temperature water and are more complex than flat plate collectors. Evacuated tube collectors consist of a series of tubes that contain a heat pipe to absorb solar energy and transfer it to a liquid medium. The tubes are evacuated (vacuum) so that there is very little heat loss from the tube.

Most solar collectors are roof-mounted. Solar water heaters are used for domestic hot water, pool heating and space heating needs.

There are a number of manufacturers of solar water heating systems. Manufacturers can provide information on local dealers and installers. The Solar Rating and Certification Corporation provides evaluations of solar collectors and solar hot water systems.

The evaluation includes an estimate of the performance of different systems based on the location where the system will be used.

Solar water heating systems may require periodic maintenance and have a relatively high initial cost. The payback period however is different depending on the cost of energy for heating water. In areas where electricity is used for water heating, the payback periods are shorter than for areas that use natural gas for water heating.

Care must be taken to guard against freezing of the collector and piping. Solar collectors may have installation limits some communities

An active, flat plate solar collector system will cost approximately $2,500 to $3,500installed and produce about 80 to 100 gallons of hot water per day. A passive system will cost about $1,000 to $2,000 installed but will have a lower capacity.

An experienced contractor should install solar water heating systems. Usually, a roof penetration is required

Solar water heaters save energy and use a renewable resource. By replacing electric energy or fossil fuel use for water heating, environmental carbon emissions associated with water heating are reduced or eliminated. Buy water heater with payday advance service

There are so many reasons why you should take advantage of DIY home solar energy that it’s actually kind of hard to know where to begin. The greatest benefit that leaps out to so many is the opportunity to create an endless amount of free electricity to power your home.

The other benefit will be appreciated by those that are concerned about the carbon footprint that we are leaving on this galactic rock that we inhabit called Earth. Fossil fuels emit pollutants into our atmosphere every time they are used and are a finite source of energy that are not only very expensive but are also being depleted by the day.

The increased demand by developing nations such as China and India are driving the costs of fossil fuels used in the home including heating oil and natural gas higher and higher. Couple that along with the ever present political turmoil in the Mideast and you have a recipe for runaway fuel costs.
Unless you are wealthy and money is no object then a DIY home solar energy system is hands down the way to go. You can go online and purchase an instantly downloadable e-book that contains complete plans for building and installing your own solar panels as well as videos that will walk you through how to do it step-by-step.

Constructing your own home solar energy system is relatively inexpensive, especially when compared to commercially built and installed solar panels. You can build your own photovoltaic solar cells and string them together into a solar panel that is every bit as good as a commercially constructed one for a fraction of the cost.

Commercial solar energy systems for a home of average size can run upwards of $20,000 and above. You can build your own solar panel and install it yourself for about $200 or even under $100. And once more, there are no special skills required to build your own solar panels and all the parts that you will need can be purchased at your neighborhood hardware store.

You can begin your foray into DIY home solar energy slowly by building a single panel which will generate enough electricity to run many of your household appliances. When you begin to become proficient at building the panels you can build more and add them to what you have already created which will of course enhance your ability to generate electricity free of charge.

And just think about this… it is very, very possible to generate enough electricity to completely power your home and no longer have to pay those expensive utility bills. Not only that but you can also go completely off the grid and even produce enough electricity that you can sell it back to the power company for a profit. It’s a beautiful thing isn’t it? And it’s all within your reach.