Solar Power Demystified: The Beginners Guide To Solar Power, Energy Independence And Lower Bills
By Lacho Pop, MSE and Dimi Avram, MSE
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About this ebook
The book 'Solar Power Demystified: The Beginners Guide To Solar Power, Energy Independence And Lower Bills' introduces you to the world of solar electric panels and systems.
It reveals you the reasons why photovoltaic solar panels are continuing to gain worldwide popularity and are becoming more important as a source of renewable energy.
You can see the question "To go or not to go solar?" discussed in its practical aspects.
Furthermore, you are advised what kind of solar electric system you need and how to evaluate whether your home is 'solar-ready' or not.
You are also introduced to the basics of photovoltaics and to the main types of solar electric systems and their components.
The book is intended to provide basic information to everyone who makes first steps in the world of photovoltaics and needs the matter explained in an easy-to-understand and straightforward way.
The book is targeted to those who want to build solar power system for their home, cabin, RV, camper, boat or business.
The book exposes:
-Photovoltaics in the world of renewable energy
-Advantages of photovoltaics in a summary
-Why are photovoltaics continuing to gain worldwide popularity?
-Why is the cost of photovoltaics decreasing?
-Drawbacks of photovoltaics
- What are the main applications of solar electric systems?
-To go or not to go solar – that is the question!
-Some issues to consider before going solar
-Why would you need a solar electric system?
- Don't go solar before reading this!
- What kind of solar electric system do you need?
-How big solar electric system do you need?
-How to finance the cost of your solar electric system?
- Financial incentives
-Is your building solar-ready?
-How to assess your location for solar resource?
-Why the condition of your roof does matter
-Free solar panels
-Solar power for business owners
- Energy efficiency above all
-How to improve the energy efficiency of your building
-The basics of solar power
-Solar electric systems
- Grid-connected solar electric systems
-Stand-alone (off-grid) solar electric systems
-Advantages and drawbacks of stand-alone systems
-Why are off-grid systems attractive?
-Main applications of stand-alone solar electric systems
- Selecting your solar vendor
-What to be careful about
Grab the book and get started saving money on electricity and becoming energy independent now!
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Solar Power Demystified - Lacho Pop, MSE
Photovoltaics in the world of renewable energy
Solar photovoltaic energy is the energy of the future. It can resolve a lot of the ecological and energy problems of the world.
The energy sources of our planet are running out. Petrol, gas, and coal are available in limited amounts. Utilization of such resources, however, harms the environment – gas emissions of greenhouse effect being the main reason for global warming.
Moreover, the energy consumption is increasing. Till 2030, a 50% increase in energy needs is expected. A possible limitation of electricity consumption would mean deteriorating of lifestyle. Therefore, existing without electrical energy is practically unthinkable.
Besides the problems related to limited amounts of energy resources and ecology issues, many people are experiencing the attitude of brutal negligence and shady pricing policy of local utilities and energy companies. Frequent power outages, continually changing and often incomprehensible tariffs, and pricing of electricity, oil, and natural gas are gradually becoming common. Also, it is proved that utilities have no short-term economic benefit to prevent infrequent large-scale power cuts and cascading failures in power grids. Naturally, they do little to none to improve customer satisfaction in that direction.
What is more, the uncertain geopolitical and ecological situation on the planet forces many people to embrace the idea of self-reliance and seek ways to become more energy independent even at any cost.
In this situation, renewable power sources are the only solution. Solar generators, wind generators, and biofuel products are by all means the Technology of the Future. Utilization of inexhaustible natural resources for energy production is a necessity standing in front of the whole of humanity.
The sun is an inexhaustible source of energy and can meet the enormous energy demand.
A photovoltaic system located on your roof or near your home is not only going to decrease your dependency on any current and future energy providers but is also going to secure your energy needs.
Photovoltaics can power up reliably RVs, campers, boats thus improving the comfort of their owners.
The long lifecycle of photovoltaic components and the minimum maintenance required for solar systems makes photovoltaics the ideal investment offering users a minimal risk and steady income. Programs for supporting the renewable energy sources, e.g., high purchase prices of electricity and minimal guaranteed terms for buying up the electricity produced, are an additional source of generating profit.
Solar panels are successfully applied upon building façade design by adding modern hi-tech appearance. Photovoltaic panels help contribute to the thermal isolation of buildings and save you expenses for façade tiling. With a solar panel façade, you don’t need to repaint a building for at least 25 years!
A solar power system can reasonably increase the cost of your real estate. Such an increase is not only because your home becomes energy-secured, but also because the comfort of living is improved, especially in attics where a solar power installation can act as a conditioner in summer and as a heater in winter.
The need for renewable energy sources coincides with two phenomena – the increasing energy demands and the deposits of coal, oil, and gas, that are gradually running out.
Advantages of photovoltaics
For the user:
A well-developed, proven, and reliable technology.
No moving parts and little maintenance.
No fuel needed for operation.
An easy and quick mounting, especially grid-tied systems.
Off-grid PV systems are capable of producing electricity anywhere in the world.
Photovoltaic systems generate more energy than they consume – the energy invested in solar panels can be returned in 2 to 7 years, depending on the location and solar system type.
Photovoltaics add value to the building where they are installed.
Energy independence.
Satisfaction from achieving more energy security and bringing family comfort during a power outage.
For the environment:
PV systems help for reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, thus minimizing the greenhouse effect.
PV systems reduce environmental pollution and do not cause any environmental risks – oil spills, nuclear disasters, global warming.
PV save the scarce resources available in the bowels of the Earth.
PV can be recycled – there are various technologies for recycling panels after they are worn out or damaged; solar cells, glass, aluminum frames can be either recycled or reused.
Why are photovoltaics gaining worldwide popularity?
They stimulate sensible and economical energy use.
They are a popular technology and advertise renewable energy successfully.
They represent a fast-growing market everywhere in the world.
The shining of the sun is more reliable and more predictable than the wind. Also, annual values of radiation are relatively constant per given area.
The energy of the sun is uniformly distributed on the surface of the Earth.
The solar power technology performs well both in countries located far from the equator and in tropical areas.
Installation of photovoltaics fosters research and development of a technology of the future.
Investing in solar power helps achieve energy efficiency and decrease the energy dependence from other countries.
Why the cost of photovoltaics is decreasing
The cost of solar power systems is decreasing, and their performance is increasing as a result