As long as the sun shines, electricity can be derived from the solar radiation given off by the sun. Despite the steep initial purchase costs associated with solar energy harvesting systems like solar panels and flat plate collectors, solar energy production can be a very cost-effective process in the long run. Consumers that employ solar harvesting devices like home solar panels can gain energy independence from their local energy supplier.
Solar Power Technology
Consumers can use photovoltaic cells (PV cells, or solar panels) to process solar radiation into usable electricity. There are three types of solar panels including amorphous panels, mono- and poly-crystalline panels. Flat plate collection systems are another type of technology that uses the power of solar energy. Flat plate collectors utilize solar radiation to heat water supplies for homes and businesses.
Purchasing Solar Panels
The overall cost of purchasing residential solar panels or commercial solar panels has been greatly reduced over the years. Currently, poly-crystalline panels can cost up to $9.50 per watt. Mono-crystalline panels cost up to $11 per watt. Amorphous panels cost around $10 per watt. Many devices like solar powered lights may employ small, portable solar panels that are relatively cheap and designed to provide only enough power for one single light. As technological advancements are made on solar panel systems and as solar panel production competition increases, the overall cost to buy solar panels will continue to decrease. Used solar panels and other used home solar power systems are available at reduced costs.
Cost of Flat Plate Collectors
Employing flat plate collectors is an effective way of maintaining a constant heated water supply. Having a flat plate collector system installed can cost the consumer anywhere between $2,000 and $4,000 (a system in this price range is capable of producing between 40 and 80 gallons of heated water per day). Commercial systems capable of producing between 40 and 1,700 gallons of heated water per day can cost between $2,000 and $50,000.
Cost Effectiveness of Solar Panels
Energy savings resulting from employing solar devices can cover the cost of having solar power systems like solar roof panels installed within 5 to 10 years. Solar energy systems are usually guaranteed to last for around 25 years but it is not uncommon for solar devices to remain effective for much longer than that. Many solar power systems are linked up with solar power generators that store excess electricity.
Solar Power Incentives
Many state governments give their citizens incentives to install energy-saving solar devices like solar energy panels and flat-plate collectors. For example, people in Wyoming qualify for solar panel grants that offer up to $3,000 in assistance on solar panel installation projects according to the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy.
Sources:
- Planetary Power: Solar Panels
- Science Clarified: Solar Power
- Alpha Solar.com: Solar Panels
- Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy: Wyoming Incentives and Policies
- FlaSolar: Flat Plate Solar Collectors
- Residential Solar Panels: The Cost of Solar Energy
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