Concerned about Solar Energy
efficiency?
Solar Energy Efficiency : There
has been a rapid increase of interest in solar energy
today which is due mainly to the desire of many people to
minimize their costs of everyday living.
This solar energy, which is one of the many
alternative energy sources that are being used today, is also
gaining popularity because of the fact that it provides energy
that is clean, renewable and friendlier to the environment.
This helps in augmenting the world’s energy needs while
minimizing some environmental concerns at the same time.
The most common way of harnessing this very
promising alternative energy source is through the use of solar
panels. This are made of an array of solar cells that are use
to absorb the sun’s rays so that it can be convertible to
electricity.
An average solar panel today has 15 % solar
energy efficiency. This means that a single solar panel has the
tendency to capture an estimated 19 to 56 watts of solar energy
per square meter. If converted to the kWh, it could amount to
0.45 to 1.35 kWh for an average day.
This amount of energy can enable a person to
use a 100 Watts (W) computer system, a 200 W plasma TV, Four 15
W compact fluorescent lights and a 50 W pedestal fan all at the
same time.
This solar energy efficiency can
then be greatly increased through the addition of more panels.
The amount of potential energy that can be produced is so high
that it is said to more than what is currently produced by
conventional power sources.
This can render a homeowner dependent from a
conventional power grid as it can supply all his power needs
for the years to come. He can now use a 50 W DVD player, a 1000
W microwave and a 20 W stereo system in addition to the other
appliances already mentioned above.
However, the solar energy efficiency of a
solar panel is affected by many factors. One of these is its
angle of placement in relation to the sun. This is based on the
fact that the sun’s rays don’t hit our planet in a direct way.
By knowing the proper angle in which to place the solar panel,
it can be able to get the maximum amount of sunlight and
therefore produce higher solar energy efficiency.
Another thing that must be considered in
order to have higher solar energy efficiency is its location.
It must be placed in an area that has the least or no amount of
shade. This is due mainly to the same reason as above as even a
partially hidden part can drastically reduce the amount of
solar energy that it can absorb and convert into electricity.
This is also one of the main disadvantages of solar energy as
this makes it inapplicable in areas that have lots of shade or
is not exposed to enough sunlight.
The last thing that can help in avoid a
decrease in solar energy efficiency is the condition
or status of the equipment that are used. These include the
inverter, the wirings and the batteries that are needed in
converting the solar energy to electricity or storing them.
It’s good to maintain them in a good working condition so as to
lessen the amount of solar energy that will be wasted or
lost.
Are you concerned about your energy needs and
cost of producing it?
If
Yes, then I recommend you should check out Earth4Energy.
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out.
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