Solar energy

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Solar energy technologies convert sunlight into electricity and can be used to operate almost everything in your home. You can heat your water supply and swimming pool with a solar water heater. Solar panels turn the sun's energy into DC current. An inverter then changes DC current to AC current so that it can power electric appliances in your house such as televisions, computers, lamps, refrigerators, etc.

Using solar energy technology in the home requires a significant upfront investment. One solar panel provides approximately 50 to 200 watts of power per day and can cost anywhere from $300 – $600. Therefore, using a home solar panel system to power all of your appliances may not be the most cost-effective solution.

Still, you should be able to reduce your home electricity costs each month by using solar panels. It could take many years for you to make back your initial investment, but using solar energy provides other rewards. Just as the first adopters of hybrid car technology invested to reduce their carbon imprint, you too will have the benefit of feeling positive about your green lifestyle. By using solar power you will eliminate 120 tons of carbon dioxide over a period of 30-plus years. (This assumes you use a 6 kW system for the duration of its expected lifespan.)

To get an estimate of how much money you will need to spend on solar panels for supplemental power to your home you should perform an energy audit of your house. This requires assessing how much power your solar powered system will need to generate each day. Grab a pen and paper and write down the wattage of all the electrical items you run in your house each day (e.g. computers, light bulbs, refrigerator/freezer, televisions, etc.). Then, add all the numbers up. Not only will this give you an idea of how many solar panels you will need, but it will also make you aware of how much energy you use in a given day in your household. You may find yourself reducing your electric bill just by doing this audit and eliminating any excess use of appliances.

After you've created a list of appliances you'd like to operate by using solar power, calculate the amount of wattage you would use during one day. Then you can calculate how many solar panels and estimate the cost of the solar power system you will want to install. If you need help with this process, then you should contact a sales representative at a solar panel store.

While investing in a solar power system can cost thousands of dollars, the result of not using solar power is greater pollution and consumption of our most valuable natural resources. For those interested in sustainable living and a green lifestyle, the benefits will likely outweigh the upfront costs. In addition, there are other economic benefits to installing solar panels. Advocates for solar power point out that there are state and federal financial incentives to encourage solar energy use. Finally, advocates for solar energy also point to a 1998 study by ICF Consulting that suggested that for every one dollar less spent on annual energy costs a home's value increased by approximately $20.

GreenDimes can get you started and will plant a tree in honor of your efforts to make an impact!

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