Photovoltaic (pv) solar panels, unfortunately, have much lower levels of energy efficiency compared to other sources of renewable energy. In one sense this doesn’t matter very much because the source of energy – sunlight – is free. Looked at another way, however, solar home energy installations tend to eat up large areas of roof space to produce a satisfactory amount of electricity. It is true that do it yourself solar power assemblies are simple to build, and the materials are quite cheap. But it would obviously be a good thing if the system could be made smaller, and many large energy companies – Mitsubishi, for example – are making big strides in developing both commercial and residential solar energy systems that will deliver pv solar panels with both greater efficiency and lower costs.
Costs are likely to be halved every eight years, at the same time achieving efficiency improvements of 25% to 30%.
One development uses a type of magnifying glass to squeeze more solar power on to each pv cell. It is called the fresnel effect, which uses optical lenses to beam sunlight on to the PV material. This has resulted in a reduction in size of as much as one fortieth of a normal cell, and there are even better efficiencies expected.
Some pv solar panels are beginning to use new types of polycrystalline cells which produce nearly 25% more power than present systems. Solar power for homes is getting better and cheaper, and it is not confined to sunbelt states either. Contrary to popular belief, pv solar panels work in available light rather than direct sunshine. They do work best in hot countries, where daylight levels are good, but they do also work very well in colder climates, for example Canada and the UK.
Expect developments like these shortly in a solar home near you.
Turning to the vexed question of investment assistance from state and local authorities, there is now a noticeable determination to be seen in many governments to put the funding of diy home energy systems on a sound footing. For example, the EU has introduced quite ambitious targets for improving renewable energy levels by 2020 in its member states, and this has had a very positive effect on solar energy developments. As a consequence, energy produced from photovoltaic sources will rise from its current average of about 1% to perhaps as much as 12% and, to [enable this to|make this] happen, so-called feed-in tariffs have been introduced by many countries to encourage investment in commercial and residential alternative energy systems. There are similar financial incentive systems already available in a number of US states.
The system shifts the emphasis from grant-based incentives, which seldom pay very much of the total costs, to a legislated price for each unit of energy fed into the national grid. This is much more attractive for investors, and will have a great influence on getting a better home solar power system at lower cost.
We have always believed in solar energy, and we know that diy solar power is both easy to make and also very rewarding. We know that there are going to be better pv cells available shortly, but every second’s delay in building your own system NOW loses you more money as you continue to pour cash in to the utility company’s pockets.
Building a solar panel will make a big difference. It is also a good idea to get some professional guidance and to use good quality plans, so we suggest you take a look at an excellent kit, which we believe to be the best presently available. It works very well, doesn’t cost much, and will give you an excellent return very quickly. You will not be disappointed if you take our advice.
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