As the world finally comes to terms with the fact that the use of oil based and fossil fuels as a primary source of energy is not infinite, the real hope for economic prosperity and energy independence in the United States is in the research and development of alternative fuel sources. There has also been much talk in the recent twelve months regarding the need to develop methods of harnessing and distributing “clean” alternative energy sources which will not negatively impact the environment by depleting natural energy sources or causing air or water pollution in the processing of fuels for energy.

Not only has the search for renewable fuel sources become a matter for global resource responsibility, but also a matter of national security and fiscal responsibility to the citizens of the U.S. to relieve them from being hostage to hostile foreign entities who controls the primary means of energy resources for our country. Alternative energy sources must be developed within the U.S. to secure it’s independence from foreign energy sources.

Solar and wind energy are the first alternatives that come to mind when considering other possibilities for producing energy, as these sources are unending in their availability and are free. Unfortunately, the harnessing of these energy sources and the conversion to usable energy for providing electricity and automotive fuels is currently still cost prohibitive. As the state and federal government bodies begin to recognize and concede large scale funding to the opportunities for energy independence through these forms of renewable energy, the cost of the products, power conversion, and installation will dramatically drop. Unfortunately, the fear is that the gas and electricity companies will, by then, have contrived a way to harness the dispersing of the converted energy, resulting in little cost savings to the consumer, although still relieving the rampant use of fossil fuels and pollution output affecting the global ecology.

As it stands today, the residential consumer can contract with a solar energy company to have a solar panel system installed on there home which will, in effect, convert the home to a “hybrid” which remains on the electric company’s energy grid, but allows the home to exclusively use its collected solar energy for electricity and heating when the conditions are favorable at no cost. In fact, electric companies in most areas are converting their billing systems to provide credits to the homeowner when enough solar energy is collected to supercede the current energy needs of the home. Therefore, you do not pay for electric service when your solar panels are doing their job, when it’s a cloudy day, you will pay for electricity you use from the electrics company’s power grid – BUT – if your solar panels have collected and converted more energy than you need, this energy is transferred back to the overall electric grid and the electric company will post a credit to your electric bill. You are, in effect, storing your unused solar energy with the electric company for future use, at no cost. Good deal !
Most solar panel fabricators and installers will also attest that you can eventually end up making money off of the electric company if your panels produce enough excess energy to greatly supercede your use. Since you are collecting the energy, and the electric company is providing the excess to its other customers by means of its electrical grid, the electric company will then pay you for the energy it is providing.

The United States Department of Energy is providing specific information on it’s website concerning the harnessing and distribution of solar powered energy sources on a broad commercial level, as well as to individual residential consumers. According the Department of Energy website, commercial power plants designed and constructed to make use of the renewable energy of the sun can be disbursed to provide energy to residential consumers without the necessity for purchasing personal solar technology systems for individual households.

Passive solar energy is the term used to describe a method of building design which considers the sun’s position in relation to the building to maximize solar heating sources. Without installing any technological devices specific to collecting solar energy, such as solar panels, utility costs can be dramatically affected by simply designing and constructing buildings to utilize the south facing walls for solar heat absorption and cooperatively designing the ventilation system of the building to direct the heat throughout the rest of the structure. By conscious placement of the structure there is a dramatic effect on energy consumption required to maintain the temperature within the building. Obviously, during the hot summer months, steps must be considered to shade the south facing walls from the sun’s impact, or the cost for cooling the building will overshadow the cost savings advantages exhibited during the winter months.

While the obvious benefits of passive solar power as a means of heating buildings includes that solar power is an unending energy source and no chemical reaction is required to convert the sun’s heat, therefore releasing no chemical bi-products or environmental pollutant emmisions, there are negatives to the use of passive solar energy which must be considered. For example, productive use of passive solar energy is dependant on the amount of consistent sunlight which can be expected for a geographical location. Even in areas of continual sunny weather, the heat transferred by the south facing walls in a passive solar application must be retained throughout the night time hours after sunset.

A compromising alternative to a spotty passive solar application may be to take advantage of the newest technology in solar grid films. While traditional collection grids designed for harnessing solar energy were previously constructed in large panel form which were typically attached to the roofs of buildings, new technology is emerging which has reduced the solar collection cells into a thin film which may be positioned flush with existing roof systems for unobtrusive installation. These films are much less costly than their predecessors in that less raw material is required for construction and are now also being seamlessly integrated with different types of roofing systems for virtually undetectable installations. Use of this type of solar energy system will allow your dwelling to remain on the electric utility company’s energy grid, but permit you to use the energy exclusively from your solar energy collector when available, at no cost. In this way, your home is hybridized to use passive solar energy to reduce overall fuel consumption, collected solar energy at no cost, and supplement your energy shortages with the utility company’s provided electricity.

It is almost impossible these days to turn on the news or open a paper without hearing or reading about the need for future alternative energy.  With the cost of fuel skyrocketing and the adverse environmental impact of fossil fuels  it is becoming critical that we look for alternative ways to provide the power that we need for our day-to-day lives.  You might ask, “So what can I do as an individual home owner to help?”  The answer is to reduce your demand for electricity from the power grid.  There are two ways of doing this:

    1.    The first is to learn ways to conserve electricity in your home.  

    2.    The second is to learn ways to generate electricity at your residence.  In times past, the cost to do this for the individual home owner was cost prohibitive, but with the Federal Energy Tax Credit of 30% it is becoming much more cost effective.  In addition to the 30% Federal Energy Tax Credit, many states and local power companies offer further incentives that reduce the initial cost of these systems even further.

The one source of alternative energy that is available to all of us is the Sun.  No matter where we live, we have this resource available to us free of charge.  The challenge is in converting this free resource into electricity. A residential solar power system is the best way to do this.

The first step in determining if A Residential Solar Power System is right for you is to see if you fit into one of the following 4 categories:

    1.    You want to lower your average electric bill.

    2.    You have an interest in reducing your dependence on your utility company.

    3.    You would like to reduce the environmental impact of electricity production.

    4.    A grid connection is not available in your area or can be made only through an expensive line extension. (The cost of running a power line to the utility grid at a remote site can be prohibitive, ranging from $15,000 to more than $50,000 per mile, depending upon the terrain.)

Secondly, there are 3 location factors to consider when determining whether you have a site that is appropriate for Solar Panels.

    1.    If you live in the Northern Hemisphere your site must have southern exposure.  For maximum daily power output, Solar Panels should be exposed to the sun for as much of the day as possible, especially during the peak sun hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    2.    The site must be free of obstructions such as trees, mountains, and buildings that might shade the panels.  Consider both summer and winter paths of the sun, as well as the growth of trees and future construction that may cause shading problems.

    3.    You also have appropriate terrain and sufficient space to install the solar system.  (A lot of people with south facing roof tops put them there instead of taking up yard space).

If you fit into one of the 4 categories and you meet all of the location factors then you need to ensure:

    1.    You have a strategy for meeting your energy needs during times of darkness or in really bad weather.

    2.    Your state or utility provides for electricity net metering, which allows you to connect your system with your utility and sell any excess electricity to your utility.

The sun is a free resource that provides unlimited potential.  If you fit into one of the 4 Categories and your location meets all of the location factors then you should seriously consider installing a Residential Solar Power System.  Once you learn how to tap into this resource you will greatly reduce your dependence on the power grid while reducing, if not eliminating, your average monthly electric bill.

Submitted by Everett Payne, http://www.averageelectricbillrelief.com which provides information on residential home energy saving tips as well as various methods to tap into alternative energy resources.

Solar power should definitely be an option for those who do not want to pay so much for electricity. From a practical standpoint, anyone should harness whatever they can from nature to reduce the growing cost of power. This is the very reason why many companies started selling solar panels because these are the essential items you need to have solar power for the home. The main challenge is that although many have bought these solar panels, they are not able to put them into use since they placed the panels in the wrong position. Below you will find guidelines how to position solar panels to maximize the energy they can get from the sun.

Keep in mind that as far as solar power for the home is concerned, the angle of your solar panels have a direct impact in the performance of your harnessed energy. The light that shines through them will not be sufficient. The first thing you need to be sure of is that your solar panels must get the maximum amount of light that they can and this is only made possible if the panels are directly under the sun. On top of these, there are angles you need to consider because the earth revolves around the sun all through the year and the angles will change. There is a lot of work that needs to be done and you must realize that harnessing solar power for the home is not kid’s stuff.

After deciding about the panels, the next thing you need to think about is the batteries where you will store the energy. Solar power for the home is not like electricity in which you get it when you want to. The battery you will choose will depend on the amount of power you need to consume from your solar panels. You will need the help of an electrician or engineer to calculate how much energy you will use from the battery by getting the expected wattage of your appliances that will get energy from it.

Now Pay Close Attention Here – Are you seriously looking for a proven way to save money on your electricity bills? There is a Guide which will help you to Build solar power at home. You will be surprised to know that how easy it is to Build solar power at Home, that will not only save your money but you will help in cleaning the environment. Check the Guide