Solar Hub

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to save money on your electricity bills and/or lead a more green life, you might consider switching to a renewable energy such as emission-free solar power. According to the Solar Energy Industry Association, in the next two years the amount of solar power used in the United States is expected to double, with more than 16 states expected to have more than 100MW installed in 2016. But smart consumers don’t just sign up with the first solar company to knock on their front door. Just as you’d do some research before buying a computer or a new car, you’ll want to do your homework before deciding which solar power system is right for your home or business. SunPower has been a leading solar technology innovator for more than 30 years, so we like to think we know a few things about harnessing the sun to power our world. We’ve compiled a short guide to our most popular "How to Go Solar" content to help answer some of the most common questions...

With spring just around the corner, many outdoor enthusiasts are starting to map out all of their camping adventures for the season. Although camping is an excellent way to connect with Mother Nature, the activity also necessitates that you plan ahead and arrive at your campsite prepared with all of the essentials. One of the most popular modern camping accessories is a set of portable solar panels. These portable solar panels will help to power your campsite in a way that naturally complements the power of nature. Here are a few things that you need to know about how to use portable solar panels for camping. Why choose portable solar panels? These types of portable solar panels allow you to immerse yourself in the beauty and tranquility of nature while still enjoying some of the modern comforts of home. Savvy campers understand the balance of feeling like you are getting away from it all while still feeling connected. With portable solar panels, you can sit outside at night by the ca...

The past decade has engendered the era of solar panels for home use. Homes and businesses across the country are transitioning away from a fossil-fueled electricity grid towards a clean energy economy, necessitated by emissions reduction targets in a time of global climate change. Amidst this period of energy reform, solar panel systems for houses are taking off at a remarkable rate. It’s time to give residential solar the credit it deserves. Learn everything there is to know about the booming residential solar industry in our list of home solar FAQs. Everything you need to know about home solar systems in 10 questions 1. How much has the price of solar for residential dropped in recent years? If you’re an optimist looking for feel-good statistics, the cost of solar electricity in the past decade is a great place to start. U.S. solar installation cost has dropped by around 70 percent over the past 10 years. In the last year alone, the residential market saw a five percent decrease in ...

Solar energy is the technology used to harness the sun's energy and make it useable, the technology produced less than one tenth of one percent of global energy demand. Many are familiar with so-called photovoltaic cells, or solar panels, found on things like spacecraft, rooftops, and handheld calculators. The cells are made of semiconductor materials like those found in computer chips. When sunlight hits the cells, it knocks electrons loose from their atoms. As the electrons flow through the cell, they generate electricity. On a much larger scale, solar-thermal power plants employ various techniques to concentrate the sun's energy as a heat source. The heat is then used to boil water to drive a steam turbine that generates electricity in much the same fashion as coal and nuclear power plants, supplying electricity for thousands of people. running a mini fridge on solar power https://www.solarafter.com/running-a-mini-fridge-on-solar-power-your-best-options How to Harness Solar...

#1 The three main components of a solar power system installation Solar power systems are comprised of: The panels, which can either be polycrystalline or monocrystalline. The two main types of solar panel technology in use for residential homes – there’s also a third type, cast mono, that’s a hybrid of the two. It doesn’t matter if you get a mono or a poly panel. What is important is you buy a good brand that will last 25+ years installed on your roof. There are good budget brands and good premium brands. But there are also ‘no-name’ panels that are re-badged junk, and are unlikely to last more than 3-5 years on an Australian roof. Avoid installing those modules at all costs. Pro-tip: Don’t stress over solar panel technology. Mono- and polycrystalline are both as good in Australian climates. You can choose to install a budget (think Kia), regular (think Toyota) or premium (think BMW) solar panel brand. You generally get what you pay for. You probably don’t know a good panel brand fro...

Solar power is usable energy generated from the sun in the form of electric or thermal energy. Solar energy is captured in a variety of ways, the most common of which is with photovoltaic solar panels that convert the sun’s rays into usable electricity. Aside from using photovoltaics to generate electricity, solar energy is commonly used in thermal applications to heat indoor spaces or fluids. Residential and commercial property owners can install solar hot water systems and design their buildings with passive solar heating in mind to fully take advantage of the sun's energy with solar technology. Interested in benefiting from solar power? Solar panels are installed at three main scales: residential, commercial, and utility. Residential-scale solar is typically installed on rooftops of homes or in open land (ground-mounted) and is generally between 5 and 20 kilowatts (kW), depending on the size of a property. Commercial solar energy projects are generally installed at a greater sc...

What is solar PV system? Solar photovoltaic system or Solar power system is one of renewable energy system which uses PV modules to convert sunlight into electricity. The electricity generated can be either stored or used directly, fed back into grid line or combined with one or more other electricity generators or more renewable energy source. Solar PV system is very reliable and clean source of electricity that can suit a wide range of applications such as residence, industry, agriculture, livestock, etc. Major system components Solar PV system includes different components that should be selected according to your system type, site location and applications. The major components for solar PV system are solar charge controller, inverter, battery bank, auxiliary energy sources and loads (appliances). PV module converts sunlight into DC electricity. Solar charge controller  regulates the voltage and current coming from the PV panels going to       battery ...

A solar water heating system uses solar thermal panels on your roof to heat water to use around your home. Fitting this type of water heating system isn’t cheap so, before you invest, you need to find out whether solar thermal panels are right for your home and your needs. Our expert advice will tell you how the system works, what you need to consider, and help make sure you get a good price from a reputable installer. Choose from the links below to jump straight to the section you want: How does solar water heating work? Types of solar thermal panels Solar water heating prices Can I save money with solar water heating? Are solar thermal panels right for my home? Pros and cons of solar water heating How to choose a solar water heating system How to find a good solar panel company What you need to know about solar thermal panel installation How to get the most from your solar thermal panels Do I need planning permission for solar thermal panels? If you’re looking to generate electricit...

Because solar power systems can impact the performance of the electricity grid, you need to have approval from your electricity distributor to connect your system to the grid. Network connection agreements A network connection agreement must be lodged and approved by your electricity distributor before you have solar installed. If you live: • in South East Queensland your electricity distributor is Energex • outside South East Queensland your electricity distributor is Ergon Energy or Origin Energy if you’re connected to the Essential Energy. Although this form is usually lodged on your behalf by your solar power installer, you should understand your electricity distributor’s process, and read Small-scale grid connection process for Queensland. Related Articles : https://www.solarafter.com The agreement sets out the terms and conditions of your connection to the grid, including the size and type of system approved by your electricity distributor (and technical requirements that must ...

Taking the first step to going solar is exciting! Once complete, you will first know what your best options are when choosing a solar energy system. Second, you will be able to competently size your system and identify whether it will be a roof-top or ground mounted system. Third, you will identify and choose whether you need a grid-tie, off-gird or hybrid with battery back-up. Finally, you will decide if you will choose your own systems components, or let Solaris design a system for you. Four Simple Steps Our guide will help walk you through all the steps you will need to take in surveying, evaluating, planning and installing the best photovoltaic system that will best suit your needs. Related Article : https://www.solarafter.com  Is solar right for you? -  Let’s identify the spaces you are working with and the availability of solar yields in your area. Analyzing your electricity bill is key, and lowering your usage where possible will prove worthwhile. Deciding whether the...

Welcome! In the video below you can get an animated and simplified look at how solar panels convert sunlight into usable electricity, to learn in more debth read below. Light from the sun travels 93 million miles before it gets to earth. Sunlight lands on your roof and is magically transformed into electricity. The generated power works your TV, heats water and lights your way at night. The key to this modern miracle is the photovoltaic cell that takes that renewable energy and sustainable supply and generates electricity. Of course, there’s more to it than that. Let’s start with the basic components of your average solar panel system – the sort you see on the roof of a house or out in the country as part of a solar farm. The main constituent of an effective solar power system is the photovoltaic cell. How Do I Know If My Roof Is Suitable For Solar Panels https://www.solarafter.com/how-do-i-know-if-my-roof-is-suitable-for-solar-panels Photovoltaic Cells Photovoltaics has been around f...

Solar energy is one of the biggest and most effective kinds of renewable energy in the world. We harvest the natural power of the sun to create electricity to heat and light homes and businesses. Your system can either produce electricity or heat your water whilst reducing the amount of carbon dioxide you produce. Solar panels give us a greener alternative to other forms of power, such as central heating, as they do not pollute or emit greenhouse gases whilst operating. There have been many advancements over the years into the technology of pv modules and more recently battery storage. They are now more than ever accessible and affordable. Solar can save homes and businesses hundreds of pounds a year on electricity bills. How Do I Know If My Roof Is Suitable For Solar Panels https://www.solarafter.com/how-do-i-know-if-my-roof-is-suitable-for-solar-panels Solar power works using individual PV cells. These are joined together to form the solar panel systems that are made up of cells and...