Build Solar Panel

A solar panel, also called a photovoltaic panel, is a form of renewable energy that converts light energy into electricity. The word photovoltaic literally stands for light electricity. Although there may be other forms of light, sunlight is the most powerful source of it, thus the name “solar” panel.

Renewable energy is the kind of energy that restores itself naturally and comes from sources like sunlight, water, wind, rain, tides, biomass, biofuel, and geothermal heat. Among all forms of renewable energy, the use of sunlight through solar panels is the most carbon friendly. Solar panels are preferred substitutes to fossil fuels, like coal and oil. Fossil fuels produce carbon dioxide, which is harmful to the planet, and not to mention, these energy sources are approaching scarcity considering that they do not naturally renew. Solar panels do not produce carbon dioxide making them greener and cleaner choices for electricity, lessening carbon footprint on the planet. In fact, in a typical home system of solar panels, about 1 tonne of carbon dioxide is saved per year.

Even during the winter season or on cloudy days, solar panels can still generate energy. This is because the solar cells do not need heat or direct sunlight. All they simply need is light. The more light touches the cells, the greater the energy they can produce.

Kilowatts peak (kWp), which is described as the speed at which solar cells – in its peak level of performance under direct sunlight during the summer months – convert light to electricity, is the unit of measure of a solar cell’s power.  With the ability to produce around 2,500 kilowatt hours of electricity in a year, a 3 kWp solar panel system can handle three fourths of a typical household’s demands for electricity.

Flat plate collectors, evacuated tubes, and photovoltaic solar panels are the three major types of solar panels. Flat plate collectors are the simplest and most common ones used usually for water heating systems. Evacuated tubes, also used usually for water heating, are a more complex type preferred by many because of the system’s ability to keep itself heated up during winter. Photovoltaic solar panels are much complex ones where subtypes that are most expensive and most efficient belong.

Since the panels use energy from sunlight, which is absolutely for free, after paying for the installation of the solar panel system, a significant reduction in electricity bills will follow. Because of the potential savings on electricity, the installation and use of solar panel systems are significantly increasing both in commercial and residential settings that can produce power for the use of appliances, light, and water heating systems. In fact, Germany is a large solar energy producer accounting for one third of the world’s total solar power. Aside from being cost effective, solar panels are easy to maintain requiring only that they be kept constantly clean and that trees do not put shade over them so they can last for 25 years or even more.

With sky-rocketing fuel hikes and the increasing harmful effects of global warming, the benefits brought by the use of solar panel systems simply cannot be ignored.

Solar energy refers to energy that comes from sunlight. It is the kind of energy used in the technology of solar panels, wherein sunlight is converted into electricity to provide power to commercial and residential settings. Just like any product of technology, the use of solar energy has its own pros and cons.

Here are the disadvantages of solar energy.

The initial cost for installation is one of the main disadvantages. Initial installation of solar panels usually costs around $15,000 to 35,000. A typical solar panel should last for about 20 to 30 years.

For optimum performance, a large area should be occupied by solar panels. Homes occupying only a small area may not reap great fruits from this energy source.

Solar panels can’t produce energy during a cloudy day, a storm, and at night. Batteries may be used to store up energy for situations like this but it would only defeat the purpose of solar energy being environment friendly.

Governments receive a great deal of benefit from taxes paid by high profit energy corporations. If these fossil fuel giants were taken out of the picture, figure it out.

Finally, clean and green enthusiasts don’t quite agree that solar energy is eco-friendly. That’s because it would still take much energy from non-renewable sources to produce and manufacture solar cells to build solar panels.

The other side of the story holds the advantages of solar energy.

Saving on electricity bills is a highlighted advantage of using solar energy. Although many people would agree that initial installation would not be quite easy on the pocket, savings can be counted starting from the very minute solar energy is used instead of electricity. Because of the increasing demands for solar power, more and more research studies are being carried out to build a future of solar panel installation that is cost efficient. On the other hand, cost of oil is continuing to rise and chances are, considering that oil is running scarce, prices will never go down to a significant level.

Aside from savings, governments of some countries encourage the use of solar energy by way of making homeowners earn more money if they set up solar panels at home. Installation may sound a bit complicated but the truth is, installation of solar panels is easy, requiring no cords, cables, or power sources. Maintenance only requires annual cleaning and many companies already offer 20-30 years of full warranty.

The environment loves solar energy. This is because no carbon dioxide emissions are needed to make the sun produce its light. Green house effect is minimized and fossil fuels are not burnt. Fossil fuels, such as oil, coal, and natural gas as the three major types, have carbon as their main element. Every single time they are processed, carbon is emitted into the environment. Fossil fuels are energy sources that are not renewable. These energy sources have been formed millions of years ago and are slowly running out. For this reason, actions that favor conservation of energy from fossil fuels are always encouraged and preferred. Although manufacturing of solar cells may still require carbon sources today, more attention is being placed on researching about how to make production of solar cells friendlier to the planet.

As for the sun, it gives out energy that is constant and renewable. Even though winter months or dark clouds may cover sunlight for a time, there is always that certainty that the sun is just out there, sitting in the vast horizon, waiting for the skies to clear so it can consume the earth with its unfailing, everlasting energy.