Many people equate solar energy use to solar panel installations. But while solar panels present one way of solar energy use, there are many other methods. Think of the time you sit in the sun, air your washing on the dry line or read a book by the window. In all instances, you are using solar energy. But, why are solar panels the best known means of using solar energy?

Following are some facts that you need to know about solar panels.

1. Understanding solar panels

Solar panels, also called solar modules, are made of solar cells. Solar cells are the dark bluish compartments you see within the top surface of the solar panels. Each of these solar cells produces a small electrical charge (about 0.5V direct current) when exposed to sunlight. Many solar cells are connected together to form a solar panel which can produce a usable amount of electricity. Solar panels convert sunlight to electrical energy which is available for use, free of charge other than the initial cost of installation and minimal maintenance. This means that when you have solar panels converting sunlight into electricity for you, you save on an equivalent amount of electricity from the utility company.

2. Modern solar panels are low maintenance

Solar panels have no moving parts and need no fuel. The only maintenance required is to keep them clean and ensure that they are installed in such a way that they are exposed to the sun for a maximum amount of time everyday. This means that once you have purchased and installed solar panels, you have a free source of electricity fueled only by the sun.

3. Solar panels have a long lifespan

After installation, solar panels can provide you with free electricity for as long as 20 – 25 years. The conservative manufacturer rating of 15-20 years generally refers to the period when the solar panels provide about 100% of their rated electricity output. There after, efficiency begins to go down. Money is saved because the cost of solar panels installation is recouped within a few years of use.

4. Efficiency of solar panels

Solar panels have a 15-20% efficiency rating in converting sunlight into electricity. The meaning of this is that even when a solar panel is rated 100 watts, it effectively produces 15-20 watts whenever it receives sunlight that would theoretically result with a 100 watt production. Solar panel efficiency is, however, different for different types of panels and it is advisable to look out for the most efficient types. Efficiency is one of the reasons why solar panels are usually only used in supplemental or back-up electricity systems.

5. Power rating of solar panels

Being electrical generators, solar panels are rated in watts, volts and amperes. These are the units used to measure the amount of electricity produced by a solar panel. As a rule, the higher the rating, the more electricity you can get from a solar panel.

6. Solar panels increase property value

Similar to other green energy systems, installation of solar panels helps raise the value of properties. Real estate agents say that solar energy systems cause an appreciation by about five times the cost of installation. This is further good news, additional to the benefit of getting free electricity.

Overall, installing solar panels contributes towards a better environment. Because it also helps you save money, it is a green living method that you should seriously consider embracing.

Albert Gichimu is a writer, researcher and editor for Key Insurance Quotes. He writes on a variety of subjects including green living and is based in Nairobi.

Solar power is ever-growing in popularity, and with the rise in utility bills and cost of living, home-owners are seeing the huge benefits of installing domestic solar panel systems.

There’s always someone quick to point out reasons why you shouldn’t bother with solar energy, much in the same way as there’s always someone to point out why global warming is a myth. For those of you who like to be well-informed when you make a decision, we’ve put together a few common myths floating around about solar panels and the UK Government FiT scheme:

Myth #1: It’s just so businesses can make more money from us

The worst myth out there for discouraging those interested in solar power, is that domestic solar panels were simply put on the market for big corporations to make more money.

Although it’s true to say that large businesses have exploited the FIT scheme in the UK over the last 12 months or so in order to gain big pay-outs from large non-domestic solar installations, it is certainly not the case that the scheme has been built to benefit big business. New updates to the scheme have been proposed that will massively reduce the chance for FiT to be exploited and move the focus back onto domestic panels and the benefits to individual households.

Myth #2: Taxpayers are paying for the feed-in-tariff schemes

It seems no one really believes this one anymore, but it can have a mention: Energy companies pay for the Feed-in Tariff, not the public. Although it could be said that the energy companies will pass this on to consumers in their prices, but this would surely just provide greater incentives to go solar and help build a sustainable economy around domestic solar power.

Myth #3: There isn’t enough sun in the UK for solar panels

This “fact” is always stated as a reason not to use solar energy – that we don’t have enough sunlight in the UK to make solar efficient. The truth is modern solar panels utilise daylight, not direct sunlight, for power generation and generate at least 40% of their potential yield on a completely overcast day. This means that solar panels would work anywhere, from the north of Scotland to the south of England.

Myth #4: Solar power is not sustainable long-term

It’s often heard that governments are significantly reducing the level of their FiT. This is wrong – the whole point of FiT schemes is to stimulate the market and the rate of emerging technologies, develop the two and let the solar power economy take off to the point where it doesn’t need the government to babysit anymore. As it stands, with fossil fuel prices rising and the potential for huge economies in both the manufacture and installation of solar panels, things can only improve.

The benefits not only to yourself, but to the environment and the future of renewable energy are huge and by investing in different methods of producing electricity our dependency on harmful fossil fuels can be thrown away in favour of a brighter (!) future with solar power.

More and more people are considering their options when it comes to meeting their homes’ energy needs. As oil prices rise and we become more aware of the environmental costs of tradition energy sources, people are creating the technology to respond to the growing need for clean energy.

Are you considering using home solar power systems? Perhaps you are interested in solar products or solar energy systems but aren’t sure if the benefits will outweigh the costs of installation. Here is some information to help you in your decision-making process.

Free Energy: One major advantage of solar power is that you don’t have to pay anyone to use the sun’s energy. Once you have set up your system, it will start making energy for you without you having to pay anyone. In fact, the utility company may end up paying you!

Drawbacks: The initial start-up cost for installing a solar system can be high, between $15,000 and $20,000. Solar panels can add up to $75,000. You can find incentives and tax rebates that will help to lower these initial expenses, however.

Payback on your Investment: The initial purchase of solar panels is obviously a substantial expense. They do, however, generate energy immediately, resulting in immediate savings on electrical costs. Even better, after a few years, the initial investment will be paid off, leaving nothing but the pure profit of continued solar power. For the average house, it will take between ten and fifteen years to reach the break-even point.

Note: You will need to make sure that you live in an area that gets enough sunlight each year to cover your home’s energy requirements.

Environmentally Friendly: Probably the number one reason to use solar power is that it is an entirely clean and sustainable energy source. Solar energy protects our environment by not releasing pollutants into the air, and solar power does not damage the ozone.

Low Maintenance Costs: When properly installed, solar energy systems will last a long time with minimum maintenance. More solar panels can also be added to any system as needed.

Cloudy Day? That’s OK!: One of the newest developments in solar power technology are grid-connected power systems. Having a grid installed is like having your own power system. Excess electricity created on super-sunny days converts back to the grid and leaves surplus energy for cloudy days or nights. A battery back-up will even allow the system to generate electricity during a blackout.

Hopefully the next time you enjoy a sunny day you’ll also be making electricity for your home!