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Practically all energy on the planet originally came from the sun. Even fossil fuels contain energy that plants harvested from the sun millions of years ago. Of course, scientists now know that those fossil fuels also contain pollutants that harm the environment. Instead of relying on them, people can choose to take advantage of that […]
Practically all energy on the planet originally came from the sun. Even fossil fuels contain energy that plants harvested from the sun millions of years ago. Of course, scientists now know that those fossil fuels also contain pollutants that harm the environment. Instead of relying on them, people can choose to take advantage of that great fusion reactor in the sky by using solar panels.
With today’s solar panel technology, people can power their homes without burning fossil fuels. Over time, they can even save money by choosing the sun’s renewable energy.
Discovering Photovoltaic Technology
Solar technology has been around for a lot longer than most people realize. As far back as 1839, a French physicist named Edmond Becquerel discovered that he could create electric sparks by exposing certain materials to sunlight. This photovoltaic effect was caused by the materials absorbing photons from sunlight.
This early technology was more interesting than useful. Scientists discovered and developed selenium later in the century, but most of sunlight’s protons bounce off or pass through that material, so it didn’t have many practical applications. Then Bell Labs developed solar cells made from silicon. The silicon cells could convert about four percent of the sun’s energy into electricity. That’s a painfully small amount by today’s standards, but in the 1950s and 60s, it was enough to power spaceships and satellites.
How Today’s Solar Panels Convert Sunlight into Electricity
Today’s solar panels are much more sophisticated than earlier designs. Most of today’s solar panels rely on polycrystalline cells, which are made from molten silicon that has been cut into squares. There are more efficient technologies, but polycrystalline cells are the most affordable, making them popular among homeowners and solar energy companies. Since solar panels made in this way are at least 15 percent efficient, and often higher, they are a good choice for people interested in producing their own electricity while saving money.
Solar panels can create energy, but they require inverters to turn that energy into electricity that can power homes. Solar inverters are usually installed at the same time as solar panels.
Advances in battery technology have also made residential solar panels more useful. Homeowners can connect several batteries to increase storage capacity. Owners can choose to install the number of batteries they need to keep their homes powered without relying on the grid, even during power outages.
All of these components affect the usefulness of solar energy. Now that homeowners can create and store their own electricity, they’re not as dependent on power produced by utility companies that burn fossil fuels. Of course, families that want to help protect the environment still worry about how much solar panels, inverters, and batteries cost.
Solar Panel Costs Versus Savings
Some homeowners worry that they cannot afford solar panels. The truth is that solar panels cost much less than they did just a few years ago. As companies develop newer, more efficient technology, the prices keep falling.
While the upfront cost of buying and installing solar panels is still a little too high for many homeowners, there are several ways to make solar energy more affordable. Many companies offer payment plans and loans that spread the cost over two or three decades. During that time, households pay significantly lower utility bills because they get most of their energy directly from the sun.
Utility companies may even exchange a house’s excess solar energy for credits. Depending on location and efficiency, installing solar panels could mean a household never pays another cent to the utility company. This helps offset the cost of buying solar panels. In many cases, it takes less than 10 years for households to see positive returns on their investments.
Tax credits from federal and state governments can make solar energy even more affordable. Currently, the federal government lets homeowners deduct 30 percent of renewable energy expenses from their tax bills.
From space exploration to lower utility bills, solar power has already made an important mark on the lives of modern people. Installing solar panels is an investment that can protect your financial future and the environment, so consider the possibilities to see if it’s right for you.
