Today's solar technology uses photovoltaic (PV) panels was originally developed more than 30 years for the space program. For years, the high cost of PV panels is made impractical for most homes use solar energy. However, prices for solar panels have dropped dramatically over the past few years mainly due to the price of polycrystalline silicon has also been dropped. Polycrystalline silicon is the main raw materials used to manufacture PV panels. With the price of solar panels fall, creative financing plans, and government incentives, the transition to solar becomes much more attractive option for many homeowners.
Although a solar panel installations doubled in the United States last year, there are only enough solar panels are currently installed to power about 600,000 homes. This is roughly the same number of homes that are powered by a large coal plant. To make a real impact on the environment, more needs to be installed.
Although the percentage of homes currently using solar energy is small, the potential of solar energy is great. Our sun produces more solar energy in one hour than we could use in one year. We just have to do is exploit.
Sun is able to provide unlimited, abundant and clean energy. In addition to clean energy alternatives, there are many other benefits of switching to solar energy. Solar panels are easy to install and maintain. They have no moving parts. Due to the modular design, solar panels can be installed close to where people are going to use the power and help reduce or eliminate the costs of moving power across the network.
Today, solar panels are smaller, more efficient and better looking. They are designed to blend into the roof, so you do not even notice that solar panels are installed. The cost of installing residential solar systems has dropped about 40% in the past year. After the initial installation cost recouped, your energy savings will really start to add up. There's really no limit to how much energy you can generate from sunlight. Adding solar panels to your home, it also increases your home resale value.
Do you think you live in a country where you can not generate enough solar energy to make it worth your while? Consider this, Germany is the world leader in making solar energy with PV panels. California has the potential to generate 70% more solar power than Germany, and all states in the U.S. (except Alaska) have better exposure to the sun than Germany. So you can see, the U.S. has the potential to generate solar power more than they can use. More people just need to decide to switch to solar.
