People across the United States are finding that installing a photovoltaic solar system can generate surplus electricity. The best customer for your renewable energy system, next to your own household, is your public utility company. But first, let’s discuss renewable energy.

By definition, the source of an energy supply determines whether it is considered renewable energy. Wind, rain, ocean tides, and sunlight are common sources of renewable energy. Earth-stored heat, termed geothermal power, and biomass, a moniker for any biological material, are other energy sources that are also considered renewable, along with hydroelectricity, which is produced by moving water.

Home solar panels, also known as photovoltaic panels, convert sunbeams into electricity, and have proven themselves as credible sources of energy for homes across America as well as in other parts of the world. PV solar panels are made from cells containing simple electrical circuits. Semiconductor wafers are manufactured with negative and positive energy fields on opposing sides. Placing electrical conductors on both wafer sides forms a circuit. Rays from the sun strike the surface of the wafer, releasing electrons from the atoms of light, which are now renamed photo-electrons. This completes the current, thus creating usable electricity.

To sell electricity back to the local power company, a policy known as net metering must be in place. Net metering measures how much power a home or business produces compared to how much it uses. When they are equal amounts, the cost to the customer is zero dollars. Any extra power produced is sold back to the electricity company at a profit.

Simply put, when the sunlight is shining brightly during the day, PV systems convert it into free electricity. If the day is especially cloudy or energy needs of the home or building are high, the power company supplies whatever more is needed from the utility grid. However, if the business or home is producing more energy than it needs, the extra electricity is directed back to the grid, spinning the meter in a reverse direction. Special meters must be installed to accommodate this arrangement.

The utility company keeps an accounting of what is provided and what is received, reconciling the account at the end of each billing cycle. If the consumer has produced more than it has used, the electricity is sold back to the power company. It is necessary to ensure that the utility company has a buy-sell agreement and policy in place. A photovoltaic solar system installer may be able to negotiate the agreement and handle the paperwork as well.

Having your own renewable energy company in the form of a photovoltaic solar system can bring unique satisfaction to both homeowners and businesses. If your goal is simple living and leaving a small footprint on the planet, give it a try.

Mark Etinger

How would you like to reduce your electric bill? How would you like to have no electric bill at all? Then let me introduce you to renewable energy.?One of the most reliable sources of renewable energy is solar power.?Unfortunately, to have a solar power system installed professionally is way too expensive for most people, even those who are truly environmentally conscious. In addition, it could take a decade or more before your energy savings match your initial investment.?There is, however, an alternative. Say goodbye to professionally installed solar power and say hello to homemade solar panels. The most cost-effective way to take advantage of the power of the sun is to build solar panels at home.?

Sounds crazy? Not at all. Building your own solar panels is the most cost-effective way to harness the power of the sun. Don’t be frightened by the unknown, this is not as daunting a task as you may think. Actually, with the proper instructions it is easy to do. So easy, your children can even help and you can turn it into an enjoyable family project. Also, the components aren’t complicated at all.

Most of the parts you will need can be found at a hardware store. If you want everything rolled up into a nice neat package, and you have a few extra bucks, you can choose to buy a solar panel kit instead. These kits will contain everything you need to generate your own electricity from the sun.?You can start off by making a few small solar panels which could power some small appliances. Or, you could go full throttle and build solar panels to supplement or even replace your home’s existing power supply. ?

So how do you start? Well first and foremost you need to find quality detailed instructions.?After that you are off to the hardware store to get your supplies. Then, when you have some free time, you start the assembly process and eventually install the system.?If you build solar panels at home you will not only save money but you will also be helping the environment.

Bob Nesheim

When you hear renewable energy, what is the first type that comes to mind?

by: kristinmazz1There are many sources of renewable energy, and I am partial to one kind because I work in the industry(I won’t say which one until I pick best answer-because I don’t want to alter the results, but I was wondering what type comes to mind first for most.

Thanks for your answers.

Damien

Renewable Energy Sources – What are They and How Can You Use Them

by: Dave SimpsonAs our planet descends rapidly into an impending energy crisis, we need to end our dependency on fossil fuels and non-renewable energy sources as soon as possible. As their name suggests, non-renewable energy sources cannot be replaced, and once used, are gone forever. Renewable energy sources, by comparison never run out. The three main sources of renewable energy solutions are solar, hydro and wind energy. But, what are these and how can we benefit from them?

Solar energy : The energy from the sun is the most abundant energy source available on Earth. Not only is it free, in most parts of the world it is also extremely plentiful. Wherever possible we should make use of this fantastic free energy source. There are many solar power solutions available today that you can easily employ at home. Not only will this help you cut down on energy bills but you will also be contributing to a greener, cleaner world.. Solar power solutions comprise of solar cookers, solar heating systems, solar lighting systems, solar dryers etc.

In addition to being very cost effective and environmentally friendly, solar energy systems have many other advantages. They are low maintenance thus saving time and effort. You can also gain a very good return on your investment in a short time frame. This means that, after a short time, the systems will have paid for themselves, and will continue to provide completely free energy for a long time thereafter.

Hydro – electric power: Hydro-electric or water energy power is an extremely efficient renewable energy source. Although generally produced on an industrial scale, small hydro power generators are now available to enable you to harness this renewable source. It has been estimated that 90 percent of the electrical energy produced by renewable resources is produced solely by hydro power. With large scale hydro schemes dams are built to help generate electricity by creating a head of water that, when released , unleashes a huge amount of energy that can be turned into electricity by large turbines.

There have been some concerns about using this hydro-power because large schemes can destroy large areas of natural habitat as they are turned over to lakes.

Wind energy : Windmills have been used for thousands of years for a variety of uses. They helped tow boats and pump water as well as grind grain to make flour. Eventually in more modern times, they became a source for generating electricity.

Windmills, both large and small have proven to be extremely effective at producing large amounts of cheap electricity. When used on a smaller home-based scale, they can actually, very often, completely replace conventional power sources. An excellent renewable source of energy, the wind energy will go a long way in promising a good future to generations to come.

James