AstraluxSolar.com Solar Energy pays for itself from Day 1! Save up to 80% through state and federal rebates. Save the world and your pocketbook with Solar Energy.

One important piece of equipment for solar installation is a standard digital volt home meter. Learn the tools needed to install a solar energy system from aprofessional in this free energy conservation video. Expert: Roger Bacon Bio: Roger Bacon is the owner of RGB Home Repair and Renovation in Santa Barbara California. He has experience in all phases of home repair and renovations such as plumbing, heating and solar power. Filmmaker: Diana Bacon

Solar energy is the radiant light and heat from the sun. This free accessible energy has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Still today, only a infinitesimal fraction of the available solar energy is used. Solar power provides electrical generation by means of heat engines or photovoltaics. Solar applications includes space heating and cooling through solar architecture, potable water via distillation and disinfection, day lighting, hot water, thermal energy for cooking, and high temperature process heat for industrial purposes.

Energy obtained from solar energy is clean. Clean energy from the sun can replace power sources that pollute the environment. The few emissions of greenhouse gases or air pollutants generated by solar energy technologies occur mostly during the manufacturing process. A 100-megawatt solar thermal electric power plant, over its 20-year life, will avoid more than 3 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions when compared with the cleanest conventional fossil fuel-powered electric plants available today.

Many countries through several national and international institutes and agencies have started taking actions to reduce (or eliminate) the pollutant emissions and to attain a sustainable supply of energy. One way to achieve this is by using solar energy as much as possible. This is in compliance with the agreement signed in the December 1997 in International Kyoto Conference on climate change, where a list of fifteen concrete proposals emerged for the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions. The list includes, among others, the use of solar energy.

Energy is considered a prime agent in the generation of wealth and a significant factor in economic development. The importance of energy in economic development is recognized universally, and historical data verify that there is a strong relationship between the availability of energy and economic activity. Increase in economic activity also increases environmental problems. The growing evidence of environmental problems is due to a combination of several factors, since the environmental impact of human activities has grown dramatically. This is due to the increase of the world population, energy consumption and industrial activities.

The most important benefit of renewable energy systems is the decrease of environmental pollution, clean energy with no emissions or noise pollution, low operating and maintenance costs, emissions from manufacturing and construction are quickly offset, reliable systems, useful for grid connected and remote applications, modular systems that can be constructed to any size, and creation of new jobs.

The negative environmental impact of solar energy systems includes land displacement and possible air and water pollution resulting from manufacturing, normal maintenance operations and demolition of the systems. However, land use is not a problem when collectors are mounted on the roof of a building, the maintenance required is minimal and the pollution caused by demolition is not greater than the pollution caused from demolition of a conventional system of the same capacity.

It can, therefore, be concluded that solar energy systems are friendlier to the environment and offer significant protection of the environment. The reduction of greenhouse gases pollution is the main advantage of utilizing solar energy. Therefore, solar energy systems should be employed whenever possible in order to achieve a sustainable future, thus applying the slogan ”THINK GLOBALLY- ACT LOCALLY”.

Solar power systems for home come in a wide variety of types and sizes.  One of the first things you’ll need to know is exactly how you’ll be using your free energy.  The PV cells of a solar array absorb the sun’s ultraviolet rays and convert that energy into electric current… but that doesn’t mean you can use it right away.  The ‘juice’ created by the photovoltaic process is direct current (DC) and needs to be changed to alternating current (AC) before it can be used for your household electric needs.  This requires the use of an inverter.  There are some uses for DC current within the household, but most solar power in homes consists of electricity that’s been already transformed into a more standard usable form.The next thing to consider is how you’ll be gathering this free, clean, renewable energy from the sun!  When most people think of home solar heating panels they think of those great big monstrosities that used to clutter rooftops back in the 70’s and 80’s.  Those ugly eyesores did little to promote the industry, and if anything they hurt the image of solar energy for decades to come.  Luckily in today’s world, advances in PV cell technology have made it so that you can harness the sun’s rays in a multitude of new ways.  Rooftop solar panels installation is much simpler, easier, and a LOT more attractive these days!  Panels are smaller and better looking, and they can be mounted flush to the roofline.  Solar shingles are another way to go… you can build entire home photovoltaic systems that look the same as asphalt shingles or ceramic glazed roofing.  By tiling the top of your home with thousands of these tiny cells, you can harness free green energy year-round.  These systems go up easily with just a few solar panel installation classes, and in a few days or even hours you can begin lowering your electric bills while making the planet a cleaner place to live.Solar heaters for pools are another popular do it yourself project.  You can install a diy solar pool heater in just a matter of hours, saving you hundreds of dollars over the summer in pool heating costs.  Either the sun warms water in an insulated tank, or a vacuum tube system is utilized to make the most of the day’s UV rays.  Water tanks can also be used in the home – for showers, dishwashers, washing machines, or anywhere hot water is required.You can even take solar energy classes that will instruct you on the guidelines of step by step solar system setup.  From determining the angle of installation to drilling the struts that will support the array, one of the best ways to learn is through watching home solar panel kit videos.  The visuals and knowledge obtained by learning from these videos will give you the confidence to begin solar panels installation on any scale project, small or large.   You don’t have to have previous experience with any type of green energy – the instructions are all that you need.And when it comes to installation, usually only a few small tools are required: a laser level, a chalkline, a drill and a socket set.  In most cases connectors will snap together, but you may also need a soldering gun.  The hardware that comes with a home solar power kit is designed to attach to the backs of your PV panels and then be bolted or clamped right to the mounting struts.  In many cases these mounts will be adjustable so you can tilt them toward the sun no matter which month it is.  This allows you to maximize your solar exposure as the sun changes position (relative to your roof) throughout the year.