As solar power is continues to gain popularity, manufacturers are now offering solar powered attic fans to consumers to help ventilate attics and keep attics cooler. The solar powered fans that are used for attics generally have a smaller solar panel to help power a DC motor when the sun is shining. By using solar powered attic fans, you will enjoy a plethora of benefits, including the four I will discuss in this article.

1. Save money

There is no arguing the fact that electric rates are always on the rise, which makes solar powered fans so popular. By storing more solar energy because the roof is always in direct contact with the sun, you will make use of much more energy without paying a penny. Also, by continuously keeping your attic cool because of the low cost of solar powered fans, you no longer have to worry about dealing with mildew and mold.

2. Maximize exposure of sun to the solar panel

Because of the way that many solar powered attic fans are designed, there is a mounting bracket that houses the solar panel. This helps optimize the angle of the panel to put it to use much more than an electric fan. The mounting bracket will also allow for remote mounting of the solar panel, which allows for optimal panel placement.

3. Minimize the ambient temperature of the solar panel

With a powder coating that rests over the entire assembly in neutral gray color, this helps minimize the power output losses as temperatures increase. In doing so, it will help cool the attic and ensure that the solar powered fan does not act like a heat sink. Also, the mounting bracket allows for an envelope of cooler air to continuously circulate around the entire solar panel. By doing this, it provides the maximum electricity output from the panel to help run the fan motor.

4. Adaptable for all environments

Although solar power is just becoming popular, technology has grown to allow solar powered attic fans to be adaptable for all locations, roof types and environments. Obviously, if you live in an environment that sees more sun you will be able to create more solar energy. However, the powder coat over solar powered fans allows these fans to withstand any environment.

Solar powered attic fans are perfect for every attic to help eliminate the heat while decreasing the electric bill at the same time. Because of the high efficiency, environment friendly capability, and lower electric bills, solar powered fans are suitable for everyone in any environment around the world.

Generate Free Energy
Make your own Solar Panels!
Eliminate your Power Bill!
Run your car on water!!
Join the Green Eco Club!

Like most people you probably know that now more than ever we need to find alternative energy sources. Solar, nuclear and wind power are all viable options, but solar power is the most popular alternate energy source for residential homes.

Beyond knowing that it turns the sun's rays into electricity, do you really know how it all works? If you're interested in learning more about solar energy and are considering having it installed in your home, call a company that sets up solar panels start asking them questions.

You can also use the internet to research what solar energy is, find out how much it costs, the pros and cons of having it and you can even learn how it all works. If after learning what solar power is all about, and you decide that it's for you, start pricing around and set up your home for solar capabilities so that you never have to pay another dime to the electric companies.

What Is Solar Power? Solar Cells

Solar cells are one of the first things you'll learn about in your quest for finding out more about solar power. Solar cells are plates that look like they're made of tinted glass.

These cells are set up on your roof or on special platforms and they are the plates that actually catch the sun's rays. In order to power an entire home, it may be necessary to cover your entire roof with these cells.

It all depends on how much energy you need. Installing these solar cells can cost quite a bit of money but it's a one time cost that will save you money in the long run.

Just make sure that you are going to be living in your home for the next several years. Also, you may need to repair or replace cells as time goes on so you should also save for these unexpected costs.

What Is Solar Power? Converter Boxes

Also, in your quest to find out what solar energy is, you'll learn about the converter boxes that transform the energy from the sun's rays into actual electricity. This is how you power your home, or whatever else you intend to power with solar panels.

These are the heart of the solar power system and can also set you back quite a bit financially. These converters can also hold a charge, which means they will store the energy you don't use so that you can use electricity even if no sun is shining, such as at night.

As you find out more and more what solar power is, you should get a good idea of whether or not solar energy is for you. Ask as many sources as you can and make sure you're not being sold by anyone because they may not give you such an honest answer if they are just trying to get you to buy something from them.

Do your own research, read all you can and learn about what solar power is from the experts. That is the best way to find out about this technology and it's the best way to make a decision of whether or not solar energy is for you and your home.

Generate Free Energy
Make your own Solar Panels!
Eliminate your Power Bill!
Run your car on water!!
Join the Green Eco Club!

Basically, solar power is energy that is actually harnessed from the sun. Although the sun is millions of miles away from earth, if we had the ability to harness all the energy coming from the sun, there is more than enough power there to provide all the energy we need for the entire earth. In fact, there is enough energy to provide plenty of energy for 10,000 earths. While you can use solar power for a variety of appliances and other items, you have to realize that this is different than using this power to produce heat.

There are two different principles that are used with solar power. If you want to produce hot air or hot fluids, then solar thermal principles are used. However, if you want to product electricity, photovoltaic principles are used instead. If you want to produce solar power, there are four components that are needed, including a battery, a charge controller, a solar panel, and an inverter.

It is the solar panels that actually get the radiation from the sun and use it to charge up the battery. Then, the charge regulator actually makes sure that the battery charges as it should. Of course, probably the most important pieces of equipment are going to be the solar panels and usually they output energy in watts. These panels can be wired in a variety of ways, although usually parallel or series wiring is done to either increase the amperage or the voltage.

So, are there benefits to using solar power? Yes! There are a variety of amazing benefits to using solar power. In fact, many people all over the world are already using this type of energy to supply their electricity. Some of the benefits are as follows:

- Creation of new hi-tech jobs
- Protection of the environment
- Solar power is abundant, free and renewable
- Fuel supply is diverse
- Rapid and cheap deployment

As long as the sun is hanging there in the sky, we will be able to have the energy that solar power produces. In fact, there is so much energy there, more than 10,000 times the amount of energy we need is available. You should learn as much as possible about solar power so that you will know about the great benefits offered and how your life will change for the better if you decide to go with solar power instead of using other energy sources.

CONCLUSION

Whether you have a business or a home, you'll find that solar power can offer many advantages for both. Solar power is one of several alternative fuel energy sources that is cheap and renewable. From a business perspective this can add to the bottom line tremendously. From the home perspective using this can cut down on expenses. Since solar power is friendly to the environment, you will not have to worry about toxins or pollutants from this type of energy and you won't have to worry about the issue of global warming either.

Generate Free Energy
Make your own Solar Panels!
Eliminate your Power Bill!
Run your car on water!!
Join the Green Eco Club!

WOW! We are almost all in agreement about at least one form of renewable energy; ninety per cent of Americans think that builders should be offering the option of solar power in new homes.

For those unsure of the term: solar power is the term used to describe the resulting energy from the conversion of sunlight into electricity. In order to do this, the sunlight must first be 'captured'.

Because there is always (so far!) sunlight, this is called a renewable source of energy. This means once we have perfected the technique to turn the sunshine into electric power, we can always use that technique as there is always sunlight and it is always free.

Solar energy in a primitive form has been used for centuries by various civilizations. Nowadays with technology at such a sophisticated level, solar power can be used to provide heating, lighting and electricity.

Water heating is easy to install in new homes as the panels for it are usually placed right in the roof. Believe it or not, America first had solar water heaters as early as 1890! In many climates the sun can provide up to 75% of domestic water usage, so it makes sense to build these units into new homes.

The more people that request the option of solar power in their homes, the more mainstream it will become. A builder can often just install the pre-wire kit during construction, so that it is easy for the owner to add on the panels later, if desired.

Solar power also saves the home owner from paying large electricity bills, as the domestic electric power will only kick in when the solar power has been used up. Increasing energy costs make solar power look attractive - apart from the fact that it contributes to a healthier planet.

Due to the steadily gaining popularity of solar power, the price of panels is predicted to be halving within the next five years. Many states offer generous subsidies and rebates to assist the American home owner in making the right choices about energy and there are also federal incentives to look into.

Designs are becoming more and more attractive as the market expands. Whereas once solar power gave a home the look of having something stuck on your roof, nowadays designs can actually enhance the look of a home.

Israel leads the world for total percentage of domestic use, with 90% of its homes using solar power. China, with its large population deploys 80 % of the market share of solar hot water systems. In USA solar power is most popularly used for heating swimming pools.

Internationally, the use of solar power in swimming pools and low temperature applications such as domestic hot water and space heaters, is the most common usage, this is because the power is most naturally converted into heating.

In fact, solar power has been used to power a car that ran for over 3,000 kilometers (in Australia) and a boat that crossed the Atlantic (in UK). Solar energy has also been used to cool houses and to cook with. However, by far the most acceptable method of using it at the moment is solar water heating.

There are many American companies listed on the Internet if you wish to find out how your home would convert to solar power.

Generate Free Energy
Make your own Solar Panels!
Eliminate your Power Bill!
Run your car on water!!
Join the Green Eco Club!

Copyright (c) 2008 Steven Magill

Years ago, no one ever thought that solar powered vehicles are even possible. There are solar-powered calculators or solar batteries that can run small devices but as for solar-powered car engines, many have remained skeptical until they finally saw actual vehicles that run on the energy of the sun created for exhibits in various science and technology fairs. These days, many are already considering on the possibility that, in the next couple of years, mass-market solar powered vehicles will be available to consumers in replacement for the ones that run on oil fuel.

These days, one can see solar powered vehicles in engineering demonstrations and solar car race events.

Cost-efficient

Solar-powered vehicles are, without a doubt, more cost-efficient than the typical cars that run on oil fuel. After all, these cars harness energy from something that is abundant ' the energy from the sun. So long as the sun shines, these cars should be able to run just as efficiently as any other type of vehicle. Because they run on solar power, these vehicles will also enjoy higher mileage and longer life spans according to most experts. Solar powered vehicles offer a lot of benefits to the potential consumers who would be willing to invest on such cars.

While solar powered vehicles are not yet practical day-to-day transportation devices, it's only a matter of time before they actually get introduced into the market.

How they work

Solar powered vehicles literally run on the energy coming from the sun. They follow the same idea as that of other solar-powered devices such as calculators or batteries. The surface of the car has solar panels that collect solar energy. Photovoltaic cells installed in the vehicle work to convert this energy into electrical energy that the engine will need to run the car. In theory, solar powered vehicles will only run when the sun is present. However, numerous studies are now being conducted with regards to the creation of energy trapping components that will enable the car to store enough energy for it to run even at night.

Design

The design of solar powered vehicles is largely limited by solar batteries that are installed in it. Most cars that run on the sun's energy are designed to be lightweight. Every component shouldn't weigh as much as the ones that you would typically find in conventional cars. They do have practically the same basic parts that traditional vehicles have. You will find brakes and accelerators in them. Some even come with cruise control.

Challenges

With solar powered vehicles, the current challenge is to create a process or a mechanism that is capable of harnessing solar energy efficiently even on places with a relatively smaller surface area such as cars roofs. Solar cells are usually effective on buildings because they are always exposed to the sun's heat. Cars will warrant more attention on this area to create efficient solar powered vehicles that can be used just like cars that run on oil fuel.

Generate Free Energy
Make your own Solar Panels!
Eliminate your Power Bill!
Run your car on water!!
Join the Green Eco Club!

Germany and Japan are often cloudy or foggy but is where most solar panels now sold in the United States are produced. Because of the way solar modules produce power from direct, diffused and reflected light it works great in these conditions. A very high performing solar array can be found on a foggy beach in California.

Measuring Light and How Solar Panels Use It

The following terms related to different aspects of light and their characteristics as they come in contact with different physical formations on Earth. The definitions below will help explain how some residential solar energy systems seemingly in areas with poor sun quality can actually achieve respectable power output.

Irradiance - The rate of solar radiation falling on a given area at a moment in time. Irradiance is measured in units of kW/m2 (read kilowatts per square meter).

Irradiation - The amount of solar energy over time. Irradiation is measured in units of kWh/m2/day and read kilowatt-hours per square meter per day. Different locations through the United States (and the World) have different levels of irradiation. As in previous articles, you can find many maps on the Internet that will show the average annual solar irradiation throughout the United States.

Light Characteristics and Solar Fundamentals

Deflection - The amount of light lost when the solar panels aren't facing the sun squarely as the sun moves across the sky. This loss of light is called deflection. Even though solar cells are etched on the surface into little pyramids to collect light from all angles, coated with a light diffusing coating, and protected with light diffusing glass, more light is deflected when the sun is not directly in front of the panels.

Spectral distribution - The bulk of the solar light spectrum which reaches the Earth's surface is ideally suited for conversion by solar (PV) cells into electrical energy.

The Sun's Position as It Relates to Solar Energy Systems

Two coordinates describe the position of the sun at any given time. The orientation provide the information to home solar installers to figure out and orientate the solar energy system to collect and convert as much sun energy as possible into residential electricity.

Azimuth - Describes the direction from east to west in degrees (°). North is 0 degrees. East is 90 degrees. South is 180 degrees. West is 270 degrees. The layout of this grid is not unlike the face of a compass. The markings are in degrees indicated on the face.

Altitude - Is the measurement in degrees, like on a compass, that the sun is from the horizon. Altitude is measured in degrees as well. Altitude is the point in the sky where it is located right over head often referred to it's highest point in the sky. Just like a plane has an altitude that it travels at across the sky as it is measured above the horizon. So does the sun.

Irradiation Example for a Solar Energy System

In the coast area of California, residential solar energy systems are sized using an average of 5.5 sun hours per day. More often than not, most people think or comment that their house gets more like 8 to 15 hours of sunlight per day. This is true but sunlight is different than solar sun hours per day.

The sun hour numbers take into account things like fog, rain, night and, most importantly, deflection. The sun hour ratings listed for different places throughout the United States is the amount of solar irradiation available to be converted into electricity by a fixed mounted solar array facing true south at the optimal tilt angle. A solar module produces its full rated power only when in direct sunlight, so when the sun is to the East or the West of the module it is not at full production.

reThinking the Economics of Residential Solar Energy

Doing your part to choose green, solar power can be a bit confusing and complex at times. There are many terms, aspects of the installation, and details about your sun light hours per day that all influence decisions to upgrade your home to solar energy. A very interesting and attractive option currently development in the solar market is the option to rent a residential solar energy system versus having to pay out up to $40,000 for your own solar panels and related equipment.

The economics of residential solar power have changed. Every American homeowner can decide to upgrade to solar energy and avoid large purchase of a solar energy system. New rental programs are now available that give homeowners the chance to adopt residential solar energy without having to make a huge investment.

Generate Free Energy
Make your own Solar Panels!
Eliminate your Power Bill!
Run your car on water!!
Join the Green Eco Club!

As fuel costs continue to rise, alternative sources of energy become more attractive to individuals and businesses. For those who are concerned about pollution or about the depletion of natural resources, renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power have presented themselves as possible alternatives to oil and coal.

Yet as increasing demand for clean, renewable energy drives a growing market for solar energy products, many people are left wondering what such systems cost and where those costs come from. Sunlight itself is free to everyone, yet the types of technology used to harness the power of sunlight can be costly. If you are interested in purchasing solar power products for your home or business, knowing what you will be paying for can help you make the best investment.

Two of the main types of products that take advantage of solar energy are passive and active solar products. These two types of systems differ in how they are constructed and can also differ greatly in cost. Passive solar technology can be used to heat air or water using the sun's energy. Unlike an active solar application, passive solar set-ups accomplish their task without the use of additional electrical components, such as fans that need an external electricity supply.

Some solar space heating or water heating systems are active solar heating systems that have various components that require external power sources. Because of their simplicity compared with active systems, passive solar heating systems generally have the lower cost of the two.

In addition to these solar heating systems, there are also solar power systems available. Rather than using the sun's energy for heating applications, these systems convert solar energy into electricity. These products are often constructed from hundreds of a type of solar energy collection cell called a photovoltaic cell. The name of this type of cell makes reference to the fact that the cell generates electricity from light. As sunlight falls on a photovoltaic cell, the light's energy is converted into electricity that can then be used to power many kinds of electronic devices.

Because of the complicated technology involved, these kinds of solar power systems can be very expensive. However, the cost savings may eventually more than pay off your initial investment in the solar cells.

When considering what kind of solar heating or power system to install in your home or business, be sure that you are purchasing your equipment from a reputable manufacturer or distributor who will be able to help you with any necessary repairs, periodic upgrades or additional conversion from traditional systems to a solar-powered system.

The best service will often be the most expensive, but you may be able to find grant funding to help offset the costs of equipment or installation. Many states offer grants for conversion to solar power, and doing some research into the grant programs for solar power systems in your area will help you get a sense of the how much financial assistance is available.

Generate Free Energy
Make your own Solar Panels!
Eliminate your Power Bill!
Run your car on water!!
Join the Green Eco Club!

Solar power is a green energy source available in almost every corner of the globe and of course has been literally available since the dawn of time. Solar energy is produced by using photovoltaic (PV) cells that capture the energy of the sun and then convert it into electricity. The basic unit of the system is the solar cell and these cells are connected together into modules. Solar power is an increasingly attractive energy technology because photovoltaic modules produce no pollution, have an expected life of twenty years and require little in the way of maintenance. As such, solar power is increasingly being looked to as a long term solution for the world's current global warming problems.

One of the more popular solar power applications is the use of solar energy to power the home. Home solar power systems are a great way of using an alternative yet abundant energy source. They provide clean, renewable energy and require little maintenance after the initial installation. Home solar power systems convert sunlight into electricity through the use of solar panels. For an average home about ten watts per square foot of electrical energy will be gathered per day, but this can vary depending on the size of the solar panels that are being used. On days with a more intense sun, more electricity will be produced.

Electricity generated by your solar panel array passes through an inverter to convert it from DC to AC electricity. Electrical wiring connects the solar panels to the controller, then to the meter box and ultimately to the electricity company via the existing electricity grid. Little additional equipment is needed other than the panels, controller and inverters, wiring, and the roof mounting system. Electricity produced by the solar cells that is not used immediately in the home can be returned to the power grid. When this happens the electricity meter literally spins backwards as energy is being passed back to the grid.

In the case of standalone residential power systems (i.e. where there is no integration with the existing electricity grid) it is important to also have a battery (or batteries) and an associated battery charger. A battery charger enables you to charge a battery (or batteries) in order to store electricity. Prior to the advent of solar battery chargers, solar power was only useful during daylight hours. You need the ability to not only utilize solar energy, but also store any excess electricity for use during the night. A solar power battery charger can be bought from a wide range of retail outlets and online stores, whom specialize in solar energy supplies.

These types of self sustaining solar power systems for the home are increasing in popularity worldwide as energy prices start to soar and environmental concerns take on a sharper priority.

Generate Free Energy
Make your own Solar Panels!
Eliminate your Power Bill!
Run your car on water!!
Join the Green Eco Club!

When people use the term Solar Power they are usually describing one of a number of methods of harnessing energy from the sun. As traditional energy sources deplete and environmental concerns about global warming increase, renewable energies such as solar power are becoming more popular across the world.

There are two methods of harnessing solar energy, solar electric power which use photovoltaic cells to change the sun's radiation into electricity, and thermal solar energy where the sun’s energy is used to heat water. Photovoltaic cells consist of one or two layers of a semi conducting material, usually silicon. When the suns light shines on the cell it creates an electric field across the layers, causing electricity to flow. The greater the intensity of the light, the greater the flow of electricity. Solar thermal energy is a relatively simple process where water is pumped into solar panels and, as it runs through them, is heated and then kept in a tank ready for use. The water will stay hot for around a day .

If you want to harness solar power for your home , then solar panels are usually fitted to your house roof . These operate during daylight hours. If your home is a new build it may be possible to integrate them more seamlessly into the house. It is a misconception that you can only generate solar power for your home in direct sunlight for solar power collectors can heat water on a completely cloudy day ! While solar power will not usually support a complete central heating system or provide enough electricity for all a home’s requirements, solar power for your home can provide a substantial supply of power or domestic hot water.

Solar panels are an ideal way of providing solar power for your home, by utilising a renewable energy source and minimising your use of other, less green fuels.

Most buildings are suitable for solar electric power providing 10m² to 15 m² of the roof faces southeast to southwest and is not overshadowed by buildings or other obstructions. The solar panels are available in a variety of styles from those which match with existing roof tiles to clear cells which can be used on conservatories or glass to provide shading as well as generate solar power for your home.

The cost of solar electric power varies, but is getting cheaper all the time. The power harnessed should cover half of your annual electricity consumption. In addition any excess power can be sold to the utility company . Solar power for your home is also practically maintenance free. Simply ensuring that panels are kept clean should be enough .

Generate Free Energy
Make your own Solar Panels!
Eliminate your Power Bill!
Run your car on water!!
Join the Green Eco Club!

When it comes to energy usage these days a lot of people are looking for alternative energy sources and as such solar power is very much coming into vogue. At its current level of technological evolution, solar power is a useful means of powering small engines to run simple devices. Fans are one such simple device and you will many instances where using a solar powered fan makes more sense than a fan powered by conventional means.

Many manufacturers now offer solar powered attic fans to ventilate and help keep attics cooler. If there is inadequate ventilation in the attic and poor sealing between the attic and the other rooms in the house, attic fans powered by electric means can potentially draw air from the house into the attic. Not only does this compromise energy efficiency but it can also increase the risk of moisture problems in the attic.

Solar powered fans rely on a small solar panel (typically 10 or 20 watt) to power a DC motor when the sun is shining. The fans are installed with intake vents to provide high-capacity powered ventilation without electric operating costs. Most vents are mounted high on the roof near the ridge and are combined with soffit or gable vents for balanced intake and exhaust air streams. Ventilation is only provided when there is ample sunshine to power the fan motor. The highest fan speed will tend to coincide with the greatest heat from the sun and consequently the greatest need for attic ventilation. By reducing attic temperature, attic fans can help reduce summertime cooling loads while at the same time providing ventilation without the added utility load.

Using solar energy to power air vents in your attic means you eliminate the need for electrical wiring in this part of the house and as a solar ventilator uses no electricity you are also avoiding any ongoing operating costs. You will find that the equipment costs for a solar powered attic fan are higher than those of a conventionally powered fan (around $200 more) but this will usually be offset by the money you save in not having to extend electrical wiring into the attic. In addition to attics you will also find solar powered fans used in greenhouses, outhouses, garages, sheds, out-buildings, and paint rooms.

Retail prices for solar powered attic fans range from about $350 to $600 depending on ventilation capacity, the manufacturer, and optional features such as a thermostat.

In instances of new construction, roofers will usually install powered ventilating units. If these units are solar powered roof vents there will be no need for an electrician to rough and finish wire the units. For retrofit projects, a roofer or do-it-yourselfer will be able to install a solar-powered attic fan using conventional tools and techniques.

Whilst not applicable in every instance where cooling is required, solar powered attic fans are an example of smart thinking utilizing a natural energy source.

Generate Free Energy
Make your own Solar Panels!
Eliminate your Power Bill!
Run your car on water!!
Join the Green Eco Club!