| By :
Tammy Matthews
Have you been considering harnessing the power of the sun to reduce the impact on the environment and lower your home energy costs with solar power? This article will help you understand how solar energy can help you. Using the sun as an alternative source of energy is becoming more and more widespread. Unlike fossil fuels such as oil, coal, petroleum and natural gas,which cannot be re-grown, produced, regenerated or reused, there is an endless supply of energy created by the sun. The reasons for choosing this energy source range from the desire to live off the grid to the fact that this form of energy is more eco-friendly. How is solar power created? Solar power is created when the sun strikes a solar cell and a chemical reaction occurs generating electricity. This energy can be used to heat your water (solar thermal) and create electricity (photovoltaic) for your home. There are several factors that can determine the extent of energy created by a solar panel or cell. If you have open areas with full sun to the south the likelihood of living off the grid or having a major reduction to your utility costs is greater. How much can I save? In an optimal area you can expect to see a 60% decrease in energy costs by using a solar energy source. Depending on the geographical area, it is possible for a home to create an excess amount of energy from solar power that the utility companies will purchase from the homeowner. This would allow a person to live off the grid. What is the difference in solar energy sources? Passive or active are the two classifications most often used for solar space heating systems. Think about the inside of a car on a hot summer day. The inside of the car is heated up by the sun's rays. This is similar to what happens in buildings with passive space heating. Air is circulated past the surface of solar heat and throughout the building. A collector is used to absorb and collect solar radiation in an active heating system. The heated air or heat absorbing fluid is circulated by using fans or pumps. Flat-plate collectors are often used for heating buildings. These are known as non-concentrating collectors. Does the south side of my home have to be clear and open to the sky? It is widely thought that the south side of your dwelling should have a clear view of the southern sky. However, if you're priority is to defer winter heating bills you will be pleasantly surprised to find out that if you have deciduous trees planted on the south side of your home they will provide relief for your winter and summer utility costs. In the winter months when you want to get the most effect out of your solar energy source the limbs are bare allowing the sun to pass through to your solar panels. In the summer months the full leafy limbs provide shade to cool your home. Now that you have a better understanding of what solar energy can do for you go ahead and get started. Check out what works best in your geographical area and get ready to start saving money and the environment with your own solar energy system.
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