With so many homeowners switching over to solar power there is a lot of excitement around the technology and the purchasing of solar power systems. In the midst of their excitement however what many homeowners often overlook is the fact that their solar panels will become dirty and their efficiency slowly but steadily reduces. When a new solar power system is first installed and activated even the most modest of systems typically converts about 20% of the sunlight it receives into usable energy. Over time however its conversion rate can drop dramatically depending on how much maintenance and care homeowners give their solar panels.
In environments where there's a lot of dust, dirt, or pollen solar panels can lose up to 30% of their efficiency in a relatively short amount of time. Add in even small amounts of wind in those types of climates and solar panels can see their efficiency drop to alarming numbers and relatively quickly as well. In addition to desert climates homeowners need to also be aware of the fact that environments with a high precipitation, be it snow or rain, can also negatively affect their solar panels. When precipitation falls and gathers on solar panels they become havens for dirt, mold, and many other types debris that might try and pass by the panels. On solar panels water acts like a low-grade epoxy resin and helps debris of all types stick to their surface.
Fortunately homeowners needn't worry much about the effectiveness of their solar panels as they can be cleaned. Though they can be cleaned homeowners do need to take great care in doing so. The process can also be time-consuming for those homeowners who choose to do it themselves. Homeowners need to take great care when they set out to clean their solar panels because the wrong chemicals/detergents can damage some solar panels and even render them inert. Ideally homeowners should clean or have their solar panels cleaned every few weeks to maintain peak efficiency though those homeowners with larger solar panel arrays may find that to be inconvenient.
Homeowners concerned with hiring a professional to clean their solar panels and those with little time to do it themselves can actually breathe a sigh of relief. There is a self-cleaning material for solar panels that can be applied by professionals during installation and periodically throughout the life of a solar power system that reduces the number of times panels must be cleaned. This robust coating is designed to maintain peak efficiency over long periods of time. The technology behind this coating is quite complex but homeowners can think of it as being similar to the no fog technology found on corrective lenses and other types of glass. Unlike some of the spray-on coatings available for solar panels this type of coating actually bonds to individual solar panels and forums a barrier between debris and the panel it protects. This usually allows debris and even precipitation to fall roll off solar panels.
For those homeowners who do want to clean their own solar panels themselves, it behooves them to at the very least have a consultation with a solar power professional. It may be the individual or company that installed their system or maybe somebody else but either way these people can help homeowners determine exactly what type of chemicals/detergents and tools to use. While the degradation of solar panel efficiency might be a nuisance to homeowners the cost of replacing damaged solar panels is much more than a simple nuisance.
SolarGEM specializes in Orange County solar power and solar panel services.
Showing posts with label solar panels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label solar panels. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Friday, June 22, 2012
Solar Power Facts
A few simple facts about solar power as new knowledge about the technology develop each day. One ignored fact is that in one hour of the shining sun, there is enough energy to satisfy global energy needs for a full year. So you might ask, why is there less than one percent produced today?
For one thing, solar power is expensive, however with tax incentives solar energy can pay for itself in less than five to ten years when you figure in the savings on your utilities. When you look at their past figures that said it took twenty to thirty years to pay for them, five to ten sound very reasonable.
The photovoltaic cells or solar panels are on many items that are very familiar to most people. The familiar types are on rooftops, but you’ll also find them on handheld calculators, and even spacecraft. The photovoltaic cells are made of semiconductor materials similar to computer chips. When the sun hits the cells, it knocks electrons from their atoms, and that generates electricity.
Solar thermal power plants have several techniques to turn the sun’s energy into heat sources. That heat boils water that drives a steam turbine and electricity is generated similar to coal and nuclear power plants. That source is capable of sending electric to thousands of people.
Another type focus the sunlight on a pipe of oil and the hot oil boils water for electricity. Moveable mirrors can focus the sun’s rays onto a collector tower with the receiver. Molten salt flows through the receiver and runs the generator.
There are passive solar technologies like large windows on the sunny side of a building that allows the sunlight to heat absorbent materials that are on the floor or walls. The heat then releases the heat during the night and the building remains warm. Plates on the roof will heat liquid in tubes and supplies houses with hot water.
One problem with solar power, it does not work at night, but with a storage battery where the energy is stored, that problem is solved.
Solar energy continues to grow by about 20 percent a year mainly because of the falling prices and the fact that they are now more efficient. The one fact that is hard to dismiss is that to create electricity for large cities you need large areas of land.
However for homeowners who want to be self sufficient and free from the rising cost of utilities, solar power appears the way to go.
SolarGEM specializes in Orange County solar , Riverside solar energy, and San Bernardino solar energy.
For one thing, solar power is expensive, however with tax incentives solar energy can pay for itself in less than five to ten years when you figure in the savings on your utilities. When you look at their past figures that said it took twenty to thirty years to pay for them, five to ten sound very reasonable.
The photovoltaic cells or solar panels are on many items that are very familiar to most people. The familiar types are on rooftops, but you’ll also find them on handheld calculators, and even spacecraft. The photovoltaic cells are made of semiconductor materials similar to computer chips. When the sun hits the cells, it knocks electrons from their atoms, and that generates electricity.
Solar thermal power plants have several techniques to turn the sun’s energy into heat sources. That heat boils water that drives a steam turbine and electricity is generated similar to coal and nuclear power plants. That source is capable of sending electric to thousands of people.
Another type focus the sunlight on a pipe of oil and the hot oil boils water for electricity. Moveable mirrors can focus the sun’s rays onto a collector tower with the receiver. Molten salt flows through the receiver and runs the generator.
There are passive solar technologies like large windows on the sunny side of a building that allows the sunlight to heat absorbent materials that are on the floor or walls. The heat then releases the heat during the night and the building remains warm. Plates on the roof will heat liquid in tubes and supplies houses with hot water.
One problem with solar power, it does not work at night, but with a storage battery where the energy is stored, that problem is solved.
Solar energy continues to grow by about 20 percent a year mainly because of the falling prices and the fact that they are now more efficient. The one fact that is hard to dismiss is that to create electricity for large cities you need large areas of land.
However for homeowners who want to be self sufficient and free from the rising cost of utilities, solar power appears the way to go.
SolarGEM specializes in Orange County solar , Riverside solar energy, and San Bernardino solar energy.
The Different Types of Solar Power
Some say that the Monocrystalline silicon (mono-silicon or single silicon) is the most efficient solar panels on the market today. When the sun hits the panels more of it turns into electricity than other types of solar panels. They are more expensive because of the high silicon content but you don’t need as many of them.
Polycrystalline silicon (multicrystalline, multi-silicon, ribbon) panels with lower silicon levels are less expensive to produce. They’re not quite as efficient but have a better construction that makes up for it. They are good for roofs.
Thin film (amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, copper indium gallium (di) selenide.) Wow, now that’s a name in itself. They are very inexpensive to make, and you’ll never see them on a roof because they are inefficient as well. They use them on big solar farm projects where they have a lot of land.
BIPV (building integrated photovoltaics) they look like real roofing tiles, and because they look good they cost more. However they are less efficient and you need a large sunny roof to even make a dent in the electric bill. There are questions how long they will last as well.
Last, but not least is the solar hot water (thermal) panels. They are not electric so instead of saving on your electric bill, you’ll save on your gas bill that heats your hot water tank. There are some that provide heat and even air conditioning.
These are just a few of the different types of solar power. Many look into purchasing solar panels, and the best way to understand what would work best for you is to go to your local solar panel dealer. They know the ins and outs of every solar panel available and will be able to answer all of your questions.
Anytime you hire a company to do work at your home there are certain things you need to look for. A business that has references, and don’t be afraid to contact them. You don’t want someone who works out of their home. They need to have a place of business and a telephone. A printed contract that states everything they will do for you and it needs to have their name and address printed, not written on that contract. Approximate start dates are an important part of the contract as well as an approximate date to complete the project.
Never pay any company in full, but you need to give them a decent down payment and a final payment when they complete the work.
SolarGEM specializes in Orange County solar , Riverside solar energy, and San Bernardino solar energy.
Polycrystalline silicon (multicrystalline, multi-silicon, ribbon) panels with lower silicon levels are less expensive to produce. They’re not quite as efficient but have a better construction that makes up for it. They are good for roofs.
Thin film (amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, copper indium gallium (di) selenide.) Wow, now that’s a name in itself. They are very inexpensive to make, and you’ll never see them on a roof because they are inefficient as well. They use them on big solar farm projects where they have a lot of land.
BIPV (building integrated photovoltaics) they look like real roofing tiles, and because they look good they cost more. However they are less efficient and you need a large sunny roof to even make a dent in the electric bill. There are questions how long they will last as well.
Last, but not least is the solar hot water (thermal) panels. They are not electric so instead of saving on your electric bill, you’ll save on your gas bill that heats your hot water tank. There are some that provide heat and even air conditioning.
These are just a few of the different types of solar power. Many look into purchasing solar panels, and the best way to understand what would work best for you is to go to your local solar panel dealer. They know the ins and outs of every solar panel available and will be able to answer all of your questions.
Anytime you hire a company to do work at your home there are certain things you need to look for. A business that has references, and don’t be afraid to contact them. You don’t want someone who works out of their home. They need to have a place of business and a telephone. A printed contract that states everything they will do for you and it needs to have their name and address printed, not written on that contract. Approximate start dates are an important part of the contract as well as an approximate date to complete the project.
Never pay any company in full, but you need to give them a decent down payment and a final payment when they complete the work.
SolarGEM specializes in Orange County solar , Riverside solar energy, and San Bernardino solar energy.
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