| WHAT IS SOLAR ENERGY? | | | | Tracking the sun - |
| With the broadcast of Al Gore's "An Inconvenient | | | | Being solar driven, solar energy panels need to |
| Truth", the issue of global warming had escalated to | | | | constantly be directed towards the sun. As such, panel |
| unprecedented heights. These days, nearly all | | | | adjustments would need to be made each season. |
| consumers are at least aware of global warming, and | | | | Most solar panel owners usually mount them in a fixed |
| with the media's push to "go-green", many are now | | | | position at the latitude of the area they're in. |
| turning that awareness into constructive lifestyle | | | | Cleaning - |
| changes. | | | | In addition to tracking, solar panels need to be oriented |
| One of the more prominent sub-categories associated | | | | and cleaned. This is particularly the case in areas |
| with global warming is the issue of energy. | | | | where it snows. If you plan on getting a solar powered |
| We all know that a considerable percentage of the | | | | A/C, then you may want to consider placing your |
| world's limited energy supply is being depleted daily. | | | | panels on the ground, mounded to racks or poles. |
| Billions around the world consume natural resources in | | | | Traditional solar energy systems are normally placed |
| some way, either directly or through using products | | | | up high on a roof, but with snow and sleet, it becomes |
| derived from these resources. However, even though | | | | tricky and dangerous to clean if set up in a high, |
| most people are now educated on how they can | | | | remote area of your home. |
| make resourceful changes in their life, they still tend to | | | | Energy conversion - |
| overlook one area where a significant percentage of | | | | Solar panels put out DC power, which needs to be |
| consumption occurs - energy. | | | | converted to AC before it can be used. There is also |
| Our planet is host to a wealth of natural energy | | | | the added consideration of storing power to later |
| resources, with fossil fuels being the one source we're | | | | consume during low light conditions. Most systems now |
| most familiar with. Due to a steady increase in energy | | | | have the ability to convert DC power to AC, and then |
| consumption, we now have dangerously fewer | | | | place the excess power onto the Public AC utility grid. |
| resources and energy reserves. | | | | This resolves the energy storage issue, but it's |
| Many conscious consumers and businesses are now | | | | advisable that you make certain your unit has this |
| looking to source alternative energy to supply them | | | | ability prior to setting it up. In addition, it's probably also |
| with a eco-friendly energy source. Companies are | | | | best that you speak with a state representative and |
| now researching new and improved ways to harness | | | | express your interest in solar energy. |
| natural energy through wind and water. Unlike | | | | Limited power supply - |
| traditional systems, these energy sources are | | | | Panels don't put out a lot of power. For example, a |
| renewable and plentiful. But there is still one element | | | | panel the size of an average desk can provide about |
| outside of our planet that offers one of the greatest | | | | 200 watts, which is about as strong as two |
| energy supplies to world over - the sun. | | | | high-powered light bulbs. To see if solar powered air |
| We are now able to able to harness the energy of | | | | conditioners suit your needs, you will need to consider |
| the sun and use it for several purposes, one of them | | | | the interior square footage of your home and keep in |
| being using heat to provide cooling. This is done | | | | mind solar panels' limited power output. |
| through collecting energy through large dark grid-like | | | | Expensive batteries - |
| panels that are positioned to face the sun. The usage | | | | Aside from the issue of power storage, prospective |
| of solar powered air conditioners is not a new concept | | | | solar energy consumers need to consider the costly |
| since they were used by the U.S. in the early 20th | | | | battery reserve. Batteries are expensive, require |
| century. However, with the rise of electricity rates and | | | | maintenance, and don't last very long. |
| the need for greater consumption, there has been a | | | | Easily broken - |
| steady increase in the commercial use of solar ACs. | | | | Solar panels are also vulnerable to damage from hail |
| SOLAR AC BENEFITS | | | | and falling tree limbs. They are also expensive to |
| Incentive programs - | | | | replace. |
| The cost of setting up solar air conditioners can be | | | | High set-up cost - |
| very high. Still, a family or business opting to go with | | | | Aside from battery costs and replacement panel |
| solar powered ACs can go a long way in reducing | | | | costs, the initial set up cost for solar energy systems |
| long term electricity costs. Additionally, both the federal | | | | can be considerably high. In the long run the system is |
| government and many state governments offer | | | | worth it, particularly in areas where there is constant |
| incentive plans to solar energy users. However, since | | | | sun and a constant need for cooling. However if you |
| rates vary state by state, it's best to check your state | | | | don't want to wait for the long run, and don't want to |
| to see what their specific incentive programs are. | | | | invest a small fortune in the set up process, you may |
| Increase home resale value - | | | | want to consider energy-efficient portable air |
| Furthermore, in addition to stabilizing soaring energy | | | | conditioners. |
| costs, solar energy panels are considered an | | | | SMART AC ALTERNATIVES |
| investment. Many homeowners find solar features add | | | | A lot of smart green consumers know that you don't |
| considerable value to their home, and make their | | | | have to empty out your wallet in order to get green |
| homes far more marketable in a competitive real | | | | energy. These days, you can have your cake and eat |
| estate market. Home buyers are known to be more | | | | it too. In a hot climate, costly linked with solar energy |
| attracted if two homes are comparable in every way, | | | | systems is frankly not a convenient option. Yet, for |
| except that one offers solar air conditioning while the | | | | environmentally conscious consumers, the thought of |
| other does not. | | | | switching on the age-old polluter known as the central |
| There are also considerable savings for solar air | | | | air conditioning unit, is not a viable alternative. The smart |
| conditioner users. IFC, a consulting firm, held a study on | | | | AC alternative is the portable room air conditioner, |
| solar air conditioners where they show that solar | | | | which boasts considerable immediate and long-term |
| energy can add $20 of home value for every $1 of | | | | benefits. |
| year energy savings. To get a bigger-picture | | | | Benefit 1 - |
| understanding of this, it's estimated that an annual | | | | Mobility. A portable AC is a mobile cooling unit that can |
| savings of $1500 in electricity bills (due to solar energy | | | | be moved from room to room depending on where |
| additions) will add about $30,000 to the resale value of | | | | you need it. |
| the home. In short, adding solar energy for air | | | | Benefit 2 - |
| conditioning use will save consumers money in the | | | | Portable room air conditioners provide immediate relief |
| long-run. They may even make a profit through | | | | without the cost and time required with solar energy air |
| reselling unused energy back to the state. | | | | conditioners. Having far fewer parts, mobile aircon units |
| If solar air conditioning sounds appealing, know that it | | | | don't need to be maintained or repaired as frequently |
| does not come without its drawbacks. And as with | | | | as solar energy units. |
| anything else, it's best to know both the pros and cons | | | | Benefit 3 -portable ACs don't need as much electricity |
| before making a considerable investment in it. | | | | to power them. In this way they are competitive with |
| Solar AC Drawbacks | | | | solar energy air conditioners. However with portable air |
| Weather-dependant - | | | | conditioners, you don't have the high set up cost nor |
| Solar energy panels for cooling have one obvious | | | | the problem of converting energy, storing energy, or |
| requirement - the sun. If solar ACs are the route you | | | | being weather dependent. Plus, since mobile A/Cs |
| choose to go, know that you're going to have a | | | | offer sport cooling, you'll be saving money by not |
| significant problem on days where the sun may not be | | | | cooling empty or unused rooms. Your PAC unit goes |
| clear enough for the panels to soak up the energy. | | | | right where you need it, and only where you need it. |
| While this is normally not a problem during the summer, | | | | Benefit 4 - |
| in some areas it poses as a considerable barrier since | | | | The majority of air conditioning units available today |
| hot humid weather can exist in cloudy, sun-less | | | | come with special ducting which ensures that any |
| atmospheres. | | | | warm air is taken out of the room where the system |
| In these cases, you may not have enough energy | | | | is situated. This again helps to keep down the cost of |
| stored in the batteries to get you through the day. This | | | | cooling the room. This benefit is not available with solar |
| problem is obviously magnified if you have a bad | | | | air conditioners. |
| weather week, a bad weather season or a bad | | | | When it comes to you buying a portable air |
| weather region. Since panels can only contribute | | | | conditioning unit, keep in mind a few important factors |
| energy when there actually is sunlight, you'll need to | | | | to consider, such as the make, size and model of the |
| have some sort of storage device set up. But as you | | | | unit as well as what special features you need yours |
| can see, solar powered air conditioning is simply not | | | | to have. But the best option for those wanting to keep |
| effective in areas that do not have many hours of | | | | costs down is to go for smaller more basic models. |
| strong sunlight. | | | | |