Category archive: Solar Basic Overview
Solar FAQ
PhotoVoltaics (Solar Electricity) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) What is a photovoltaic or solar electric system? Solar electric or photovoltaic (PV) systems use the sun’s energy to make electricity. PV technology produces direct current electricity by collecting electrons freed by the interaction between sunlight and the semiconductor materials in a PV…
Net Metering
Net Metering (aka … spinning your meter backwards) Did you know that Net Metering could save you money on your electric bill? Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about how net metering works and what it could mean for you. What is Net Metering? Net Metering measures the difference between…
Residential Solar
Residential Pieces & Parts About Solar Energy (Photovoltaics or PV) Photovoltaic (PV) is a combination of two words: Photon (light), and Voltage (energy). Not too long ago installing a solar energy system may have seemed a difficult task to accomplish. These days, thanks to major advances in solar technology, it’s…
Commercial Solar
Commercial Solar Energy (Photovoltaics or PV) Photovoltaic (PV) is a combination of two words: Photon (light), and Voltage (energy). Not too long ago installing a solar energy system may have seemed a difficult task to accomplish. These days, thanks to major advances in solar technology, it’s quite common to see…
PhotoThermal
Solar Hot Water (PhotoThermal) Solar hot water systems comprise several innovations and many mature renewable energy technologies that have been well established for many years. Hot water heated by the sun is used in many ways. While perhaps best known in a setting to provide domestic hot water, solar hot water also…
Photovoltaic
Solar Energy (Photovoltaics or PV) Understanding 3 Popular Solar Technologies Solar power’s popularity continues to grow every year, and along with that popularity, the number of solar technologies has grown. Three of the most popular solar technologies are: Photovoltaic solar panels Thin film solar panels Solar thermal panels Figuring out…
Getting Started
Resources | Getting Started Solar energy popularity has continued to expand as we watch the price of our electric bills go up almost daily. Many of us have realized just how finite our supply of oil and coal really are. As the technology for photovoltaic (solar electric) panels improve, so…
Solar thermal systems
Concentrating solar power (CSP) Solar thermal systems need sunlight rather than the more diffuse light which can be harnessed by solar PV. A solar thermal power plant has a system of mirrors to concentrate the sunlight on to an absorber, the energy then being used to drive turbines – concentrating solar thermal…