| On sunny days,
the sun shines around 1,000 watts of energy per square meter of the planet's
surface. If you could collect that solar energy and store it in a battery
system, you could easily power your home and office for free. Photovoltics
- collecting the sun's energy for free, renewable electric power.
Take for example, a small
solar power system (under $300) consisting of:
-
a 8" x 24" solar panel (about
$100) available from RV and boating sites
-
a 12 volt deep cycle battery
($50-60)
-
a battery box ($10)
-
a 12 volt DC meter. (Radio Shack
$25)
-
a triple DC input at an auto
parts store for $10
-
for AC appliances you need an
inverter. A 115v - 140 watt* inverter from Pep Boys is about $50. *Count
up the watts you need for your appliances (TV/62 watts + VCR/25 watts
= 87 watts). More powerful inverters are available on the internet.
This solar power system can
provide enough electrical power for your DC radio, laptop computer, cell
phone charger, computer modem, DVD player, TV, camera or lights, in your
greenhouse, in your motorhome, anywhere.
On the other hand, a complete
off-the-grid home system with a large array of solar panels might cost
$10,000-$30,000 or more depending on your electrical usage. As with anything
else, the sky's the limit.
Solar
Electric Power Association Solar
Electric Power Association is a network of over 150 companies, including
65 utilities, that are sharing experiences, knowledge, and lessons learned
about solar power. Expand your understanding about solar electric power
and how it can be used by electric utilities and their customers.
Citizenre
A new approach to green solar power. Citizenre supplies and installs the
solar array; solar panels, inverters and all necessary equipment on your
home. You sign a contract to pay the same as your present electric bill
to Citizenre. You are guaranteed your electric bill won't go up
for the life of the contract - up to 25 years. Depending on how much solar
power you generate, you might even be able to sell some back to the utility
company for a profit. A cleaner and greener way of thinking. Money making
opportunities are available. They are scheduled to go online in 2008. |
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