The Future is Looking Bright for Solar Power Initiatives

In recent years, interest in solar energy has steadily increased among investors. Solar energy, itself, converts sunlight or radiant energy into usable electricity. Of course, the amount of electricity that can be generated is directly dependent upon weather conditions and the sun’s angle in the sky.

That said, unlike fossil fuels, the availability of solar energy is limitless. Additionally, as this energy does not require large power station infrastructure, this type of energy is a much more accessible form of energy for individuals. Further, once solar infrastructure is in place, this infrastructure is essentially maintenance-free. Once the cost of the solar equipment has been recouped, the rest of the energy that you are obtaining is almost free of charge. Moreover, the price of solar energy has dropped dramatically in recent decades and the more commonplace solar energy becomes, the more economical solar energy will continue to become.

Solar energy can be obtained in a variety of different ways. Passive solar occurs when you build your house in a manner that takes advantage of the low-angle winter sun and/or when the mass of your house used to absorb the sun’s heat in winter. In addition, passive solar also refers to keeping your house cooler in the winter months by making adjustment that include placing trees and awnings on southern facing windows.

Another way to take advantage of solar power is through solar panel or photovoltaic cell installations. Photovoltaic cells create energy when sunlight hits the numerous semiconductors in the cells. More specifically, the sunlight transfers its radiant solar energy to the conductors. To make this energy transfer more efficient, mirrors and other equipment further concentrate this radiant energy. Additionally, these concentrators make the solar panels less costly as the individual photovoltaic cells are generally the most costly parts of the solar panels.

As mentioned, once the costs of installing the solar panels have been recouped, the cost savings of solar energy can be significant. For instance, the SunPower Company installed twenty-four solar panels on a California-based family’s roof. These solar panels resulted in significant cost savings for them; specifically, the family’s electricity costs were reduced from $2350 per year to $410 per year. Besides the cost savings, the solar panels were also aesthetically pleasing – in fact, the solar panels are barely noticeable at all. Also, the family’s carbon footprint was significantly reduced by 118,299 pounds. This amount is equivalent to moving thirty cars from the road or planting thirty acres of trees. In addition, SunPower offers monitoring services that allow consumers to be in complete control – permitting them to maximize their investments and save on energy expenses. As people are increasingly interested in saving money and preserving the environment, solar energy definitely looks to be quite a promising investment for various investors.

Solar Thermal is another method that people can utilize to obtain tangible energy from the sun’s radiant rays. Solar Thermal consists of placing mirrors or other reflective materials so that the sun’s rays are concentrated on a pool of fluid. When this liquid boils, the steam from the boiling fluid powers a turbine which then creates useable electricity. This type of solar energy is quite similar to the more conventional methods of creating tangible electricity – except that thermal solar energy does not require the use of fossil fuels to form this energy.

With respect to the future of solar power initiatives, the future is definitely looking “bright”. Engineers are currently developing new solar energy technologies at the present, which can only promise to bring more efficient solar energy technology to the general public in future years. As a result, even a Forex investor like myself finds solar energy a rather fascinating industry.

Written by guest contributor Jennifer Gorton from Forex Traders

Source: Green Progress

Solar energy is indeed a clean, renewable energy source that will never be depleted for as long as the Sun shines on our planet.  Solar energy technology has become more accessible to individuals; no longer do you need to be reliant on government for all your energy requirements.  Solar power for homes is now a reality for the global community and is especially suited to households in South Africa with its high irradiation rates (the Mpumalanga & Limpopo Lowveld has among the highest irradiation rates in South Africa).  Solar panels and solar geysers have come down in price and are made even more affordable via the current Eskom renewable energy rebate programme.  Water Rhapsody have incorporated Yes Solar in order to offer our clients high quality solar energy solutions.  Yes Solar markets and supplies Solsquare products that are made in Germany and carry the SABS mark of approval (Solsquare products also carry approvals from many other international standards bureaus).  Our wide range of Solsquare solar water heaters ensure that there is a solar product suited for your specific circumstances.  To ensure that you are able to claim cash back via Eskom rebates, our solar geysers are installed by qualified Eskom-approved solar installers only.

Water and energy are linked and we find that most of our clients that install a water conservation system are also interested in solar water heating systems and vice versa.  Going green and going ‘off-grid’ involve saving water and using renewable energy.  Water Rhapsody supplies and installs rainwater harvesting systems, rainwater tanks, grey water recycling systems (greywater irrigation and greywater for toilet flushing) as well as other water systems (see product demo).  Our WWF Award-winning water systems are designed to save you water without the need for big changes in your lifestyle.  Water tanks for rain water storage and contingency water storage are core to many of our water systems.  We are authorized JoJo Tanks dealers and supply and install JoJo water tanks (at low prices!) and JoJo tank stands (these water tank stands are designed by a structural engineer, Engineer’s Certificate available upon request).

Contact us for a FREE QUOTE on a solar geyser, water system or water tank.