| Without a doubt, solar energy is the way of the future. | | | | must be able to generate. |
| Solar energy production is an extremely simple | | | | There are a number of options available to consumers |
| process to understand. A solar, or photovoltaic, cell | | | | that are considering converting to solar energy. A |
| collects energy from the Sun. A solar cell is a | | | | basic system that can be used to power a computer |
| semiconductor device that is constructed using | | | | and a few other small items can be purchased for |
| photovoltaic materials. It contains no liquids or | | | | approximately $1000.00. Naturally, the price will increase |
| chemicals, and no moving parts. Solar cells convert | | | | with the production capacity of your system. In most |
| sunlight into electricity. | | | | regions, the price of an installed system will cost |
| A solar panel generally consists of a series of individual | | | | somewhere in the area of $10.00-$12.00 per watt. |
| cells, which are supported by a module that allows the | | | | Solar energy is one of a few truly renewable |
| cells to work in unison. The energy that is captured by | | | | resources that can be used in energy and power |
| the panel is stored in a battery. Solar panels generate | | | | generation. Every hour of every day, the Sun blankets |
| direct current (DC) energy. Many solar energy | | | | our planet with enough energy to sustain our global |
| systems have inverters in them which allow direct | | | | energy needs for a year. As the technology behind |
| current (DC) electricity to be converted to alternating | | | | photovoltaic energy advances, consumers will be |
| current (AC). Most consumer products such as | | | | unable to resist the urge to convert. |
| appliances and electronics operate on AC current. | | | | A lot of resources are being put into the development |
| Unless you have a vast expanse of land to house an | | | | of solar energy technology. Most of the major oil and |
| array of solar panels, it is unlikely that you will be able | | | | energy companies have entire divisions committed to |
| to power your entire home with solar energy. | | | | solar energy. Researchers and engineers are spending |
| However, it is possible to power a single room in your | | | | countless hours trying to develop the technology today |
| house with a small array of panels fixed to the roof of | | | | that will vastly improve conditions in the world |
| your house. Multiply the wattage of each individual | | | | tomorrow. It is no secret that we cannot continue |
| electrical device by the number of hours you expect | | | | down the path we are on. Fossil fuels are no longer a |
| to use them each day. That combined number will be | | | | feasible option for energy production. The future is |
| your benchmark, or the bare minimum your system | | | | solar. The future is now. |