Solar Energy – Not for Sale

Something good actually came out of oil shortages and skyrocketing prices! Hard to believe, isn’t it? Interest in sources of alternative energy spiked again. Despite the price at the pump declining rapidly, the furor created by the public and the harm it did to business has put pressure on governments to encourage development of alternate energy sources. Hopefully the pressure will be maintained and alternative energy will remain in the spotlight for good.

While growing fuel crops has its appeal, turning the idea into reality will require a cautious balance so that existing food crops do not disappear. Harnessing the power of the wind another excellent idea however there are a lot of buts that come with wind generated power.

If the major objection to solar generated power is cost, that is an objection that should be ruled out.

Until recently, specialized installers were needed to install solar panels. As with anything else, high demand and limited supply means high prices. As there is more demand for alternative energy sources, the more companies work to develop better technology and the more labor enters that sector. That combination of better technology, greater demand and a larger labor pool results in the ability to produce in volume and lower prices. In the future, maybe we will see the majority of new builds incorporating solar roofing tiles in their constructions.

With the volatility of oil and gas prices in the world market, solar energy is making more and more sense, if only on an economic level. Even if those markets do stabilize, we need to keep in mind that solar energy is renewable, sustainable and free!

It seems that homeowners that are tapping into solar power are reaping benefits aside from lower electric bills. Solar powered and solar assisted homes are being appraised at higher values, electric bills are no longer unpredictable, power outages (and brown outs) are no longer a worry, and the homeowner feels good about their contribution to helping the environment.

Today, the typical ways to harness solar power are:

• Heliostats – A heliostat focuses collectors at the sun. The collectors are an array of mirrors that track the sun’s movement and collect the energy. The temperature that heliostats could generate reaches in excess of 4,000 degrees centigrade. This high a temperature could be used for a furnace.

• Flat Plate Collectors – The most common solar heating system for homes is the flat plate collector system. This system consists of a collector, circulating water and tubes. The collector heats the water that is circulating through the tubes and that water is dispatched for its intended use. It can be used to heat things like buildings or swimming pools.

• Solar Distillation – This process is similar in to that of a flat plate collector but this process is generally used to provide water. Salt water is run through the system and the water is turned to steam, which is drained off for drinking water. The most frequent use of solar distillation is near an ocean and it is used for the desalination of salt water.

• Photovoltaic Cells – Photovoltaic cells are the most common type of solar collectors. These are typically the solar panels we see installed in rooftops or in fields so they are in strong sunlight. PV solar panels convert the sun’s energy into electricity.

Harnessing solar energy need not incur costs in powering it up. It uses the energy that it generates so it is self-sustaining. Fixed base solar panels require minimal maintenance other than inspections from time to time and an occasional cleaning. Of course, if there is a tracking device or other mechanical parts, those parts will have to be routinely inspected and replaced if needed. Once installed, solar panels have a very long life expectancy and are often carry a 25-year warranty.