News about Solar, Wind and alternative green power technologies

One of the primary obstacles holding back the popularity of solar power was its efficiency rating. Consistently in the past, it was able to convert about five to fifteen percent of radiated energy into electricity depending on certain aspects of the overall install.  That was then; today the advancements made in solar power technologies have been impressive and continue to evolve. The efficiency ratio has risen to upwards of forty percent. The problem is this progressive technology is not available at this time on a residential commercial scale.

When one plans for the number of solar panel required for their home, they should avoid the trap of concerning themselves with efficiency ratings per panels since there really is no specific efficiency target for photovoltaic [or PV] cells and their capacity to produce electricity. For example, under ideal conditions, a one hundred watt solar panel will produce one hundred watts of solar power. This means that if your desire is for one kilowatt per hour of energy, you could reach this level by adapting ten – one hundred watt panels.

Solar photovoltaic panels are available in a range of energy output. Usually, solar panels will vary from thirty to two hundred five watts. If you are a do it yourself junkie, you can focus your effort and attention for calculating your energy requirements. If you need professional assistance to create a plan for solar, they will structure a workable project for you taking the calculating work off your hands. That does not mean you should not educate yourself on the process.

There are three kinds of photovoltaic solar cells in popular use – thin film, polycrystalline and monocrystalline. During the solar power conversion into electricity, individual solar PV cells have their own efficiency ratio; they also have distinct characteristics. These distinctive features among solar cells are basically cost and dimensions. Monocrystalline solar panels display a higher solar power efficiency ratio versus the thin filmed and polycrystalline varieties.

Monocrystalline, as well, will take up lesser amounts of space while utilizing its energy output and it is priced relatively inexpensively. So consequently, when thinking about which solar panels to purchase, take the time to calculate your power needs, set out your cost restrictions and start comparison shopping for your photovoltaics.

Solar efficiency – photovoltaic solar panels also involve other thing you should understand. More general things consist of whether your panels are going to be infrared, how they are maintained – cleaning etc, the quantity of radiation they collect and the volume of heat they will hold. Many potential solar panel owners do not understand that as the temperature approaches 250° celcius, the efficiency ratio of many panels actually decreases.

For the most part this summary has focused on photovoltaic electrical solar production. Conversely, solar thermal panels are the more superior and efficient method for heating your home’s water needs. Therefore, if your desire is to convert your hot water to an alternative energy approach, you are wise to choose solar thermal panels. Instead of concerning yourself with the efficiency of the panel, focus on the dimensions, level, and output from the panel.

The rapid growth of technology in this industry has gone a long way to improving the efficiency ratios of solar energy, with more research and development happening all the time. New generations of solar technology will emerge and improve upon current systems. In the meanwhile, solar energy is an excellent choice for alternative renewable power far and away a better choice than traditional energy generation we are all used to. There should be nothing standing in your way from making solar power available for your home or business right now so why wait any longer.