Photovoltaic cells—those black squares an array of which comprises a solar panel—are getting more efficient, and gradually less expensive, all the time, thanks to ever-better designs which all them to focus the gathered sunlight on a more and more concentrated point. The size of the cells is decreasing as their efficiency rises, meaning that each cell becomes cheaper to produce and at once more productive. As far as the aforementioned cost, the price of producing solar power per watt hour has come down to $4.00 at the time of this writing. Just 17 years ago, it was nearly double that cost.

Solar energy has been around for as long as the sun has been in existence. Since the first days, when glass was used to magnify it, people have tried to harness the free energy the sun provides daily. Solar energy is a popular option because it requires little human effort (once harnessed), is abundant and is free to utilize.

Thus, it also helps human reduce their dependence on other resources like oil and gasoline. Solar energy is used for many purposes including, to heat homes/businesses, to cool homes/businesses, lighting, water distillation/purification and cooking.

Today’s homeowners are more interested than ever before in “going green”. People all around are talking about how they can help conserve energy, save money and save the environment. Thus, solar power is becoming and more popular option for people everywhere. solar energy for homes is now an affordable and easy option for global conscious homeowners.

Most often, homeowners choose to have solar panels installed on their roof. Basically, this allows them to heat, cool and light their home with the power of the sun. All day, the sun’s rays charge the solar panels and energize the home. Then, the reserve energy is used throughout the evening hours as well. This allows homes to fully operate on the energy provided (at no charge) by the sun.

Solar power is making headlines again and with the skyrocketing fuel costs, the recent rate hikes of the utility companies, and of course also the much overdue market innovations, it is not surprising that so many consumers are looking to the sun to fulfill a lot of their energy needs.

What do you do with solar energy?

If you have some solar panels installed on the roof of your home, you most likely have found a savvy way of lighting and heating your home.

You can build a solar battery charger using photovoltaic cells as an experiment to understand the basic principles of photovoltaic power. It is an effective way of conserving energy, as well as saving money required for new batteries.

The example given below is a basic design for a solar battery charger:

You can experiment using more solar cells, or using other types of batteries like “AAA” or “D” or “C”.

Find out what happens if the cells are connected in parallel versus series.

Materials Required:

• Silicon Solar Cells (3)
• Two “AA” rechargeable batteries

Solar energy used to be considered the energy source of choice for the tree hugging, granola eating set. Since then the cost of fossil fuels has skyrocketed and virtually every major power supply conglomerate has raised the rates of supplying the public with electricity and other sources of energy.

Suddenly, solar energy is not looking so bad anymore and with the help of public pressure, solar energy investment trends now encompass the spending of not only the private investor by also the governmental backer.

Solar water heating is an important area for renewable energy development. Heating water is one of the basic needs in our everyday life. Solar hot water systems can be used to heat swimming pools and to provide hot water in homes and industry. You are strongly urged to design your own models by using the one given below as an example.

The procedure described above for building a solar cooker is also very similar for solar water heating. Instead of cooking food, you can heat water. The only additional material required is a large zip-lock bag filled with one gallon of water and laid flat in the bottom of the box.

Energy is an inseparable part of our lives. Energy provides for our basic survival and gives shape to our aspirations and dreams.

Our resources of energy, like fossil fuel reserves and natural gas, are decreasing day by day; while at the same time, the demand for energy in our country and across the globe is increasing. Therefore, it is extremely important to understand, develop and explore other forms of energy resources.

Renewable energy resources like the sun and wind play a major role in the development of a
sustainable future. The younger generation, especially, have to understand that the issue of energy has a major impact on their future lives.