With the rapid advancement of solar power, new products are entering the market containing “integrated solar panels”.

For example, solar shingles. Essentially, these are ordinary roof shingles which are made out of photovoltaic materials. They perform the same function as ordinary roof shingles, with the added capability of producing electricity.

The advantage of these thin “solar panels” is that they can now be integrated right into one’s building materials – so instead of having solar panels on your roof, you would now have a solar roof.

Aside from being more desirable from an aesthetic standpoint, this also eliminates the need for the installation of bulky and heavy “traditional solar panels”.

How are Solar Shingles Made?

Advancements in solar power technology, such as the inventions of solar ink and other combinations of semi-conductors, have made it possible to combine or include photovoltaic materials in with a wide range of other products and materials. Solar cells no longer need to be made out of bulky heavy-weight silicon panels. They can in fact be printed on just about any type of material – such as metal, plastic, and others. Researchers have even found methods of producing organic photovoltaics, although that is, at the moment, still in an entirely experimental phase.

Benefits of Solar Shingles

- Attractive style

- Fully integrated shingle roof

- Lower electric bill

- Free electricity

- Pollution-free power

- Increased home value

- Protects the environment

- Exceptionally durable

- Great investment

- Significant state cash rebates available

- Federal tax incentives available

Costs and Financing

To be honest, right at this moment solar shingles might still seem expensive to some, but as any new technology develops its products become cheaper with time. However it does appear that the cost will be considerably lower than installing a comparable set of conventional solar panels. In one recent example, the entire cost of a home solar shingle installation was approximately $16,000, with a $12,000 tax rebate. This brought the entire cost to only $4000. That’s considerably lower than the usual cost involved in installing a home solar power system – but one has to keep in mind as well that the cost of tiling or shingling a roof is covered at the same time. These are, after all, shingles as well as solar panels.

Clean energy cash incentives and tax rebates are available at a federal level, and most states also have a clean energy or sustainable energy source rebate program. This, combined with energy savings, does make them affordable, and will in most cases pay for itself over time.

Solar water heaters are quickly becoming common household product as consumers realize the benefits of going green. Still, the average user doesn’t understand how they function and which type would be suitable for his household needs. Because of these ambiguities, it might happen that the solar water heater you are using isn’t working well for you. The problem, most often, is not in the device but in your inappropriate selection. Read on to appreciate the various kinds of solar water heaters available so you can select the best one for yourself. Solar heaters typically have solar collectors and storage tanks. Mainly, these systems are classified as active solar heaters and passive solar heaters. Active heaters include circulating pumps so they usually cost more when it comes to maintenance. Passive solar water heaters, on the other hand, do not need pumps as they depend on natural circulation; hence, they are less of a hassle when it comes to maintenance and result in less maintenance expenditure after their installation.

Active solar water heaters are available in two different types: direct circulation systems and indirect circulation systems. Direct circulation systems heat water inside a storage tank and the circulating pumps move it forward into the house. But these systems aren’t successful in areas where water gets frozen often. Indirect circulation systems were introduced to solve this problem; these include a heat exchanger filled with a non-freezing fluid. Solar energy is used to heat this fluid, which in turn passes heat to water running inside your house.

Passive water heaters are low-priced but are less efficient that active heaters. They too come in two types: the integral collector storage (ICS) system and the thermosyphon system. Like direct circulation active systems, ICS systems work well in warmer climates where water freezing is not an issue. Thermosyphon systems, on the other hand, are designed to work in all temperatures. When the temp. hits the freezing point, water is brought to a regular water heater. Thermosyphons are generally more reliable than ICS systems but also come with a higher price.

Heating systems aside, solar collectors come in a few common types: flat-plate, ICS and evacuated-tube solar collectors. ‘Flat-plate collectors’ are made of dark absorbing plates within a tiny insulated area that keeps the plates safe from all outside events. Sometimes, they come without these insulated containers when they are needed for outdoor usage like heating a swimming pool.

‘ICS collectors’ often have one or multiple tanks within an insulated material and have a heat absorbing outside, so that both this and the tank can be inside one box. Water gets warmed as it passes through these tanks and is brought to a regular water heater before being brought through the home. These are feasible only in places where outer pipelines don’t get frozen during winters. While readymade ICS heater-collector systems are available in markets, several people build their own because they are rather simple to create.

Finally, the evacuated-tube solar collectors consist of translucent glass pipes that run parallel to each other. A meta-absorbing pipe is connected with a fin in such a way that the energy absorbed from the sun is conserved inside for a longer duration.

Having read all the details about the various types of solar water heaters and collectors, now you can choose one that suits your needs perfectly.

Considering installing solar power for homes? Here’s everything you’ll need so as you can get a sense of cost and scale of the job.

Begin by establishing exactly how much of your home’s total energy usage you want to be run on solar power. Do you want solar power merely to heat the water and the water-heating system? Do you want to go completely off-grid and power the whole house by solar power? Either way, you’ll need to know how much energy your home is consuming per month on average.

Using your monthly utility bills, calculate your home’s average energy usage. Note any peak times when you use radically more energy. The Christmas period can cause surprisingly heavy energy demands. In essence, you need to design your solar power system to cope with your home’s maximum energy demand.

Once you have these figures, I recommend multiplying the amount by at least 1.5. This will give you a working leeway for any extra appliances you might add to your home over time. Now you know how much solar energy you need to pull in from the sun, you also have an idea of the amount of solar panels you will need to buy.

I would advise you to buy solar panels online. Go to Ebay and input the words “solar panel pallet”. You’ll probably get an amazing bargain there. Prices have dropped dramatically recently. For an average family house, you can probably buy enough panels to power your home for less than $15,000.

Get good quality skilled and experienced tradesmen to do the job. Again, look online or check your local phone book. Always get at least three quotations. Cost is central, but it is very important that they have previous experience in installing solar power for homes.

Once you have someone you can trust at a good price, discuss with them which inverter to get and how much that will cost. Solar panels harness the power from the sun and turn it into direct current (aka DC power). The inverter converts this DC current into alternating current, (aka AC power). Everyone who installs solar power for homes needs to buy an inverter. Almost all the equipment in your home generally runs off AC so the inverter is essential.

A good inverter will cost about $2,000. Add another $500 or thereabouts for installation. Inverters have a lifespan of about 10 years, while solar panels, if looked after, will last 25-30 years. So you’ll probably need to replace your inverter over time.

If you want to go completely off-grid, you’ll need to store your excess energy in good quality batteries to store excess solar power harnessed on sunny days. That way, you’ll have a reserve of power to run your household appliances on darker days and at night-time. They cost about $50 – $100 each for the deep-cycle types. You’ll need about 10 of them. New batteries generally need replacing every 3-5 years.

Typically, your installation costs shouldn’t be much more than $10,000. However, installation costs depend on a variety of factors. How is your roof constructed? Steep roofs or Spanish tiles cost more to install as the panels need to be properly secured. Yet further cost goes into ensuring leak-proof seals in these roofing systems.

Installing solar power normally doesn’t need much electrical work to set up. Older houses may require additional rewiring, though this is rarely extensive. Nevertheless, have a qualified, experienced electrician check all the wiring.

Don’t forget to look for government support. Most local governments around the world are offering major tax credits. Your utility company might also have incentives to offer. These can all add up to as much as 50% of the total cost.

Final point – if you are investing in solar power for homes, it makes sense to protect your new asset. Ask your insurance advisor to add this to your homes and contents policy. Adding your new solar power system to your homeowner insurance policy won’t cost you more than $100 per annum. This will protect the investment you’ve made on your house. An additional $100 per year to cover your $40,000 solar system against any disaster really is an absolute bargain!

Look on your solar power system as a long-term investment. Each step of the installation process should be taken carefully. To remind yourself of the value of your investment, ask yourself, “What is the payback time?” Of course, after it’s all paid off, you have free electricity for years to come.

Consider if you were to take a loan to finance your solar power for homes system. Although it may seem like a hefty initial outlay, the monthly payments will probably be less than your current utility bill. So you will saving money all down the line.

Of course saving money is not the only reason it makes good sense to install solar power for homes. It’s good to know that you are reducing your carbon footprint. Thereby your children and their children can inherit a planet worth living in. That’s the very least you can do for them, don’t you agree?

Solar battery chargers have been around for decades, but their popularity has increased a lot in just the last two years. This is partially because of advancements in technology, and partially because of our increased awareness of the need to shift to cleaner renewable energy sources.

Advancements in technology have reduced the sizes and weights of solar panels, while increasing their efficiency. This makes it possible for small lightweight portable solar chargers to be produced. Another factor which plays a part in the rapidly expanding field of portable solar power, is the increased amount of electronic gadgets that we carry around.

Twenty years ago, not many people were walking around with cell phones. Today, most of us carry at least a cell phone, iPod or MP3 player, and a digital camera around with us – either on a daily basis, or during weekends and vacations.

With all these electronic gadgets comes the need for electricity and power. And thus solar chargers have found their niche.

There are several advantages to using portable solar chargers and solar panels. First of all, they are eco/environment-friendly. They do not produce harmful waste, and can be used anywhere where there is daylight.

Many people think that solar chargers can only be used in warm sunny areas. This is not necessarily true. Solar panels are more effective in colder temperatures. In fact, a solar panel or charger would create more electricity on a clear day in Alaska, than it would in the sun of the Arizona dessert. This is because the temperature of the solar panel influences the effectiveness with which it can convert solar energy into electrical energy.

The above fact, combined with the increased effectiveness of solar panels, has made solar chargers an attractive method of powering or recharging small electronic gadgets.

These days, a small solar battery charger can run your cell phone, iPod, or MP3 Player. It can recharge your digital camera and it can be used to recharge batteries.

Some solar chargers, such as the Solio Charger, come with internal batteries. These batteries are automatically charged when the solar charger is exposed to daylight. This allows you to recharge your cell phone, or other electronic device, from the solar charger, later on. Solar chargers with built-in batteries usually store sufficient power to recharge your cell phone twice, or to run an MP3 player or iPod for several hours. Your digital camera can also be fully recharged by one of these devices.

Solar chargers are starting to be a part of many standard emergency kits. They are a reliable source of power so long as there is daylight available.

Solar chargers are a convenient source of power in remote areas, on field trips, or when out hiking and camping. They can recharge batteries, cell phones, or other gadgets in any location.

In addition to being convenient, solar chargers are a clean energy source and do not cause pollution or other harmful emissions while creating electricity. They also reduce the need for disposable batteries, and thus reduce the overall volume of harmful chemicals and toxic waste in circulation on the planet.

Improve Safety

Not many people understand the importance of the fact that a
solar pool cover can keep your family safe. If you have an in ground pool, then
you are required by law to have a fence put up around it. However, if you are
one of the thousands of people who have an above ground pool, then you more
than likely have no protective barrier set up around it. This can leave your
pool open for small children and animals to fall into it when it is not in use.
By using a swimming pool solar cover that is strong enough to hold an adult,
you no longer have to worry about people or animals drowning in the exposed
water.

Extend Your Swimming
Time

Even during the summer months in some states, it is often
too cold to swim during the early morning hours. For these locations a solar
pool cover can extend your swimming time by keeping the heat of the previous
day from escaping, and allowing the water to stay warm all day long. This makes
your pool warm enough for swimming all day, every day during the summer.

There are several areas where it is only warm enough to swim
for just few months out of the year. In these places, a swimming pool solar
cover can be used to capture the heat from the warmest part of the day and
allow for swimming a few months more out of the year.

Less Work More Money

By using a solar pool cover you not only create less work
for yourself but you save more money as well. These covers often eliminate the
need for a lot of cleansing chemicals which would be necessary if debris and algae
were allowed to build up in your pool. Several different types of swimming pool
solar covers let you capture debris before it reaches your pool with water.

These covers also cut back on the amount of electricity that
you must use to hear your pool, or the amount of money that you would spend
while filling your pool with more water after it has been lost through
evaporation. Imagine not having to wake up in the morning and refill your pool
because a large amount of water was lost the previous day.

The advantages that a solar pool cover offers its users are
extremely beneficial. You can keep your family safer, extend your swimming time
each year, and create less work for yourself while saving more money. It is
easy to see why many consumers are now switching to the use of a swimming pool
solar cover instead of just a regular one.

One of the energy sources that modern technology has recently put to good use is solar energy. Solar energy isn’t anything new, but new advancements in technology have been placing solar energy more into the mainstream, and it may one day be one of the more primary power sources.

- Advantages of Solar Energy

Since solar energy comes directly from the sun, it is not only renewable, but also accessible in any part of the world. As long as the proper equipment is utilized, unlimited amounts of solar power can be collected and put to good use.

Solar power is also one of the cleanest forms of energy, since it creates no pollution, and produces no greenhouse gases or waste products.

For residential uses, solar power minimizes any negative impacts on the surrounding environment, making it a safer alternative to wind or hydro power.

Not only is solar energy non-pollutant, in terms of gases, but it also causes zero noise pollution – since there are no moving parts in any of the devices which are used to capture the sun’s energy.

Because no moving parts are used, maintenance costs are low as well – only occasional cleaning and periodic battery replacements are needed. Most manufacturers of solar panels provide twenty-year warranties for their equipment, guaranteeing long-life operation.

Solar panels placed on rooftops also double as a heat absorbers, slightly cooling the top area of the house which is directly below the roof.

- Disadvantages of Solar Energy

The most obvious drawback of solar energy is its sole dependence on the sun. Once the weather becomes cloudy, or night strikes, energy collection comes to a halt. However, recent advancements of technology now allow the generated power to be stored in special batteries which provide roughly enough electricity to last a night. This is why solar-powered devices, including flashlights, are gaining in popularity and are proving to be efficient energy savers.

Solar panels can also be expensive, because of the materials that are used to create them. And even when these materials are taken out of the equation, the entire process, considering the other devices involved, can be a bit costly. This includes portable devices that utilize solar energy. But most of the cost involved is in the initial purchase and installation of a solar power system – not running costs.

Fortunately, there are some people who sell damaged solar cells, which are much cheaper. These damaged solar cells can be used to build fully functional solar panels, using the application of simple do-it-yourself techniques.

Although sunlight hits every part of the world, at some point in time, direct sunlight is needed in order to make the most of the sun’s energy, and to generate the highest amounts of power. This significantly restricts the placement of solar panels. And some areas in the world may receive little benefit, due to lesser sunlight.

- What’s the Bottom Line?

More research and development continues to be invested into this growing technology, and that’s a good sign for the future of our households – as solar power may, one day in the future, be used even more frequently than other energy sources. Of course, solar energy isn’t flawless as an energy solution, but it makes a great complimentary addition to other energy forms.

Basic facts about home solar power systems

A home solar power system has several standard components they are as follows:

* PV Modules or solar panels (to turn solar energy into electricity)

* A charge controller (this is an electrical device that prevents batteries from overcharging and from power running from the batteries into the solar panels).

* Batteries, to store the electricity for night time usage.

* An inverter (an electrical device that changes the electricity created through the solar panels into electricity ready for use in your regular household wall plugs). Solar panels create Direct Current DC and a household runs on A/C Alternating Current.

* In the case of a hybrid home solar system, an automatic switch to get current from the electrical grid, or some other power source such as a generator would be included as well. The advantage of using a hybrid system is that you will not be dependent upon solar energy alone.

* A 1-kilowatt home solar system is sufficient for most households.

* A 1-kilowatt home solar system will provide roughly 1,600 kilowatts per year in a sunny climate (receiving 5.5 hrs of sunlight each day) and about 750 kilowatt hours per year in cloudy climates (receiving 2.5 hours of sunlight each day).

* A 1-kilowatt home solar system is uses about 10-12 solar panels and requires about 100 square feet of installation area such as the roof of your house or a section of land on your property.

* A 1-kilowatt home solar system reduces waste and pollution by about 170 lbs. of coal from being burned, 300 lbs of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere and 105 gallons of water from being consumed each month! A big step toward protecting our environment, in other words.

* With abattery back-up, a solar power system can provide electricity day and night, no matter what the weather conditions. Other options such as back up generators or grid tie systems provide total security.

* On average a 1-kilowatt home solar system takes about 1-2 days to install and costs around US$10,000 (though prices are coming down), but can vary greatly and does not take into account any tax incentives offered by the government for reducing carbon emissions.

* Most systems come with a 5-year warranty, although the solar panels are warranted for 20 years. As technology advances, some systems are even coming out with a 30 year warranty.

Integrated Structures: Solar Energy Systems Manufactured in Pieces

The module structure is designed to protect the solar cells from the environment. It consists of a number of layers to protect the circuit of solar PV cells and to make the module easy to install. The materials used in these layers determine the cost and durability of the modules.

The solar cells themselves and their circuits are totally wrapped in plastic. A shock resistant, shatter proof glass covers the solar PV cells and provides a clear, low absorption cover for the solar panel. It is also tempered for strength in order to reduce the effects of falling trees or hail. The multi-layered back sheet protects the plastic and cells from abrasions and prevents moisture from getting into the module.

An edge seal is applied to protect the edges of the glass from the infiltration of dirt, water, or other non-friendly substances. The metal frame is secured around the entire glass laminate. The all metal frame provides the structure and strength. It is the frame that is then bolted to the mounting system embedded directly into the roofing structure. Common Solar Module Design Types

There are three basic module solar designs. The first is the standard frame module that you may have experienced in the past. This design approach has been used for 30 years and usually involves an aluminum frame that allows the modules to be mounted onto a rail structure of some kind that is then directly attached to the roof. The modules are positioned above the roof surface, providing space for air to flow under the module, which helps cool the system and makes it work more efficiently.

At the same time, rain water, leaves, twigs, and other debris can also flow under the solar panels. The rail structure is attached to the roof by means of posts that are secured into the roof rafters with long lag screws. Roof mounted systems is a good fit for structures comprised of ceramic tiles and wood & asphalt shingles. The roof is sealed tightly after the posts are installed to prevent any chance of leaks.

Modified Metal Frame for a Ground Mount Module Design

This module design can also be mounted to a ground based frame structure. Such a structure can be built on any stable terrain, can be made of metal or wood, and can hold the modules at any tilt angle or azimuth orientation (note: see previous articles related to sun angles). The ground mount can also be a pole structure to cut down on foundation work to your home. It can be stationary (i.e. not have a small motor to constantly orientate the solar panel with the sun as it tracks across the sky) or it can use a small motor to track the sun throughout the day and year.

Residential Roof Integrated Solar Energy Modules

A second type of module design is one that allows the module to be integrated into residential roofing materials. Systems connecting directly to the roofing materials (i.e. replacing shingles or laying flat to the roofing boards) are called integrated solar modules. The module frame design is modified so that it has the same profile as neighboring flat concrete tiles. The modules are not mounted to a rail structure but are attached directly to the roof surface. This low profile mount allows the module to blend in to the look of the roof and avoid the retrofit appearance of standard mounted solar energy modules.

The emergence of this more attractive roof integrated product has encouraged many production home builders to incorporate solar systems into their projects. This type blends in with the roofing materials and is attached directly to the roof surface.

Types Integrated Solar PV Panels

One is the mono crystalline ridged frame design offered by some existing manufacturers. The integrated solar cells have better through put and are gaining in efficiency all of the time. They also incorporate well into existing roofing materials like shingles and tiles. These solar cells use the same crystalline silicon technology as standard modules today. This set up has more mounting frame with fewer solar cells connected in series. The can result in a solar system that is a little more expensive. Because the roof integrated systems mount directly to the roof, they do not have the air flow of standard modules therefore the solar cell temperature gets higher, limiting their efficiency.

The other integrated solar cell product offered, by UNISOLAR, is a flexible amorphous technology. Often this type of solar energy module is called thin film or nano-solar cells. It is made to blend in with an asphalt shingle roof. It is somewhat less efficient, tends to degrade more quickly, and may have a shorter workable live spam. The manufacturer claims that this module is better in high shade situations.

Solar Energy Options Hitting a Roofs Everywhere

It is encouraging to see new solar energy systems hitting the market with enhanced technology, better integration options, and less complexity. It will take time to work out the bugs with these cutting edge products. It will be the newer solar technologies will increase solar usage dramatically as wells as enhanced financing options to help pay for the residential solar energy equipment.

New solar energy technologies are on the march. Exciting investments and technology proof of concepts are everywhere. It is hard to refute the good, faithful, and well-established silicon based solar cells. These systems have a life span of 30 years and have been in active use for decades. The only deterrent, until now, has been the high price for the systems. With the option to rental the entire solar energy system including the ongoing maintenance of the system for up to 25 years, the choices homeowners now have related to renewable energy adoption in their homes is very exciting.

A solar furnace produces heat by concentrating solar energy in a specific location. In order to concentrate this energy, the furnace uses a set of reflectors.

A small solar furnace can be used to prepare food as a substitute for firewood. A large solar furnace can produce enough electricity to power a small community.

Some organizations have introduced this technology to developing nations, in the hopes that it might lessen the consumption of firewood, and help solve the deforestation problems in that particular region.

How Does a Solar Furnace Work?

This is a really a very simple system. In principle, one needs to use at least two mirrors, and point them in the same direction, so that they focus light on a concentrated area. This in return intensifies the sunlight, because the area not only receives heat from the sun, but also from the two mirrors. If you add more mirrors into the set, you can produce a greater degree of heat, which can then be used for cooking or in other applications where heat energy is necessary.

There are some groups which can create such a furnace which produces a large amount of heat energy to turn organic materials into ashes.

It has been said that the only limiting factor to the amount of heat that can be created, is how efficiently the mirrors are focused on a single spot. The more accurate the focus of each mirror, the more heat can be produced.

When used properly, a solar furnace can harness the sun’s rays to produce very high temperatures. This is done by using a curved mirror, or an array of mirrors, which act as parabolic reflectors that concentrate the light onto a single point. The heat thus generated can be used as an alternative energy source, can be used to produce hydrogen fuel, or can even melt steel.

Small-scale furnaces can be used for cooking and for water pasteurization.

The main drawback to this form of renewable energy is that it still depends on weather conditions for its effectiveness. Once the sky gets cloudy, its heat output diminishes.

Solar Furnaces in History

It has been said that Greek inventor Archimedes used a solar furnace to set the sails of enemy ships on fire. If this is true, he would have had to have known the technology to precisely focus sunlight on a distant target. In ancient times, mirrors were made out of polished copper or silver. They couldn’t be accurately focused as easily as our modern mirrors can. However, those were times of strength and skill. In 1973, The Greek navy did recreate this scenario for the purpose of experiment, and they succeeded in setting fire to a wooden boat fifty meters away.

There may be more we can learn from history on the use of solar power and alternative energy. After all, those were times without gas pumps and power grids. But what’s most important is that we continue to research, develop, and implement clean energy solutions, wherever we can in the modern world – both for the sake of our nations’ respective economies, and for the sake of a cleaner future on Earth.

It has been said that the world is experiencing an energy crisis. And as oil prices go up, so do our electrical bills. One method of addressing this problem is by installing a solar roof over your home. A solar roof can become your very own home power generator.

A solar roof is made out of photovoltaic materials, which replace usual building materials. For flat roofs, thin-film cells are integrated into flexible polymer roofing membranes. For pitched roofs, you can use either multiple roof tiles, or solar shingles (which are designed to look just like regular shingles).

Not only will you’re roof look good, but you’ll be saving on your electrical bills as well. The roof will still shield you from the elements, and it will also and generate electricity when the sun is up. In other words, instead of buying ordinary roof tiles or shingles, you would be buying solar shingles or roofing material, which will serve both purposes.

Anyone planning to install a new roof should consider getting solar roof. This is one investment that can have a long-term impact in your financial situation.

Solar roofs are built to last as well. It has been said that solar roofs can last for up to fifty years. That’s comparable with the most durable building materials around. The typical installation involves laminating photovoltaic (PV) strips onto the roof pans, before the roofer puts them into place. The wires would then run in the ridge cap, out of view.

If the homeowner prefers to use PV shingles, then the shingles are installed by nailing them to the plywood sheathing of the roof. The interconnectors are laid in, under the plywood, and the roofers use regular asphalt shingles of the same color to fill in around the edges. The DC current generated by the shingles would is then be diverted into a battery bank which can be used around the home.

Governments of some countries provide tax or other financial incentives to encourage people to install solar roofs. Establishments with these installation can sometimes produce enough energy make them independent from other sources of electricity. Some governments even offer subsidies which help those who wish to have solar shingles or tiles placed on their own buildings.

Solar roofs are a great alternative energy source. They provide 100% clean and renewable energy, and the earth would definitely be a better place to live in if more homes used solar power.