Thursday, July 21, 2011

Orange County Solar Power: Solar Power Converting Sunlight To Electricity

If you ask any layperson how solar power works the most common answer you will receive is, "solar power is the conversion of sunlight into electricity". In the most simplest of terms that is indeed true however the process itself is much more complicated and involved.

The conversion of sunlight into electricity happens in one of two ways when you're dealing with solar power. The first method involves photovoltaics and the second involves concentrated solar power. In concentrated power systems lenses and mirrors focus the large area of sunlight into a small beam and convert it into electricity whereas in photovoltaics light is converted into electricity using the photoelectric effect which is a process by which electrons are emitted from matter and then converted into usable energy.

In addition to the act of converting sunlight into electricity for homes or businesses there is also the issue of storing that electricity for use during nights and for times in which traditional power is unavailable such as a black or brown out. Storage methods vary from solar power system to system and the amount of allowed stored energy is usually dependent on the price of the unit a homeowner or business owner is interested in. In all systems however converted electricity is stored using molten salts, rechargeable batteries, or some type of hydrostorage unit. All of these technologies are capable of storing electricity for fair amount of time. This enables homeowners to make the most of their solar power systems at night and during those times where homeowners with traditional electrical needs don't have access to them.

While the process of converting sunlight to usable electricity and storing unused electricity may seem overly complicated to any individual who is uneducated in such things, any consumers wanting to know more can utilize the Internet which will yield plenty of information or they can elect to contact a solar power professional should they have questions that nessesitate answers.

SolarGem specializes in Riverside solar, San Bernardino solar, Orange County solar and Los Angeles solar.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Riverside Solar Energy Systems And Retirement

Retirement is a period in an individual's life where they begin to enjoy the fruits of their long years of laboring but it's also a time of careful planning and being frugal with a limited income that an individual has during those years. Many retirees prior to actually retiring begin planning for their post-workforce life by looking at ways to cut costs and keep bills and spending at a reasonable and livable minimum.

One of the most expensive bills in anyone's life is their electric bill. Retirees often look at this bill first when they begin to plan for retirement and look for ways to cut costs. One way they do this is by investing in a solar energy system. Solar energy systems can help individuals on the verge of retiring freeze their energy costs and even negate them completely should they elect to purchase one of the more comprehensive solar systems out there. In fact retirees can avoid the 6.7% average electric inflation rate by investing in some type of solar energy system.

The majority of individuals on the cusp of retirement generally have put some of their finances aside for investments and a solar energy system is one of the best investments such an individual can make. While the initial setup costs involve large sums of money, solar power systems pay for themselves in a relatively short period of time. On average retirees who invest in a solar energy system will save $185 per month on their electricity costs. This allows individuals to put that saved money to work somewhere else.

Regardless of the type of solar power system a retiree may purchase, all of them will help significantly reduce electricity costs which in turn helps persons on a fixed budget do much more with their money. Although many homeowners might become excited at the prospect of both shopping for and purchasing a solar energy system, is to their benefit to spend considerable time researching that only individual systems but the pros and cons of each as well as the initial costs and overall savings as well. It's also vital for homeowners to speak with not one but several professionals in the solar power industry. This can include manufacturers, vendors, and even installation and repair experts. Getting information from multiple sources as well as advice on how to proceed in which systems are best will allow homeowners to make the very best decision possible for both themselves and their home. Many individuals planning to retire or has just retired there is a lot of room for financial missteps.

SolarGem specializes in Riverside solar, San Bernardino solar, Orange County solar and Los Angeles solar.