Generate cheap, green electricity from sunlight.

This would probably one of my favorite article I posted, because their is nothing better than sharing happiness and peace.How? By helping, taking off burden and sharing an idea that helps people, societies around the world ultimately a peaceful and prosperity among the humanity.

Well you probably thinking how, but here is how I tell you. Its easy all you could have given a spare time to yourself to think about it.
Today we live in a society which is burdened by lots of tensions and depressions that sticks to ones life. I cannot help in resolving someone personal matter but atleast I can help out in solving an issue by saving your pockets, and whats better than saving money to invest in some better way for the furure of children and your present. To live in a green environment is the ultimate goal.

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Solar panel electricity systems, also known as solar photovoltaics (PV), capture the sun's energy using photovoltaic cells. These cells don't need direct sunlight to work - they can still generate some electricity on a cloudy day. The cells convert the sunlight into electricity, which can be used to run household appliances and lighting.

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Benefits of Solar Electricity

Cut your electricity bills: sunlight is free, so once you've paid for the initial installation your electricity costs will be reduced.
Cut your carbon footprint: solar electricity is green, renewable energy and doesn't release any harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) or other pollutants. A typical home solar PV system could save over a tonne of CO2 per year - that's more than 30 tonnes over its lifetime.
Get paid for the electricity you generate: the government’s Feed-In Tariffs pay you for the electricity you generate, even if you use it.

How do solar panels (PV) cells work?  < click link

PV cells are made from layers of semi-conducting material, usually silicon. When light shines on the cell it creates an electric field across the layers. The stronger the sunshine, the more electricity is produced. Groups of cells are mounted together in panels or modules that can be mounted on your roof.

The power of a PV cell is measured in kilowatts peak (kWp). That's the rate at which it generates energy at peak performance in full direct sunlight during the summer. PV cells come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Most PV systems are made up of panels that fit on top of an existing roof, but you can also fit solar tiles.

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Solar tiles and slates

Solar tiles are designed to be used in place of ordinary roof tiles. A system made up of solar tiles will typically cost around twice as much as an equivalent panel system, although you will save the money you would have spent on roof tiles or slates. Solar tile systems are not normally as cost-effective as panel systems, and are usually only considered where panels are not considered appropriate for aesthetic or planning reasons.

Costs, savings and maintenance

Costs vary between installers, so it is important to get several quotes. Other factors are:

1. the more electricity the system can generate, the more it costs but the more it could save
2. larger systems are usually more cost-effective than smaller systems (up to 4 kWp)
3. PV panels are all around the same price per kWp, but PV tiles cost much more than a typical system made up of panels
4. panels built into a roof are more expensive than those that sit on top.

Savings

A 3 kWp system can generate over 2,500 kilowatt hours of electricity a year - that's around three quarters of a typical household's electricity needs - and will save over a tonne of carbon dioxide every year

Maintenance

Solar PV needs little maintenance - you'll just need to keep the panels relatively clean and make sure trees don't begin to overshadow them. The panels that are tilted at 15° or more have the additional benefit of being cleaned by rainfall to ensure optimal performance.Debris is more likely to accumulate if you have ground mounted panels. If dust, debris, snow or bird droppings are a problem they should be removed with warm water (and perhaps some dish washing liquid or the like – your installer can advise) and a brush or a high pressure hose (or telescopic cleaning pole) if the panels are difficult to reach. Always be careful if you are working above the ground or near the top of a ladder. Alternatively, there are a number of specialist window cleaning companies who will clean solar PV panels for you at a cost depending on the size of your array and location. Many of these companies use a water fed pole system which does away with the need for a ladder.
Once fitted, your installer should leave written details of any maintenance checks that you should carry out from time to time to ensure everything is working properly. This should include details of the main inverter fault signals and key trouble-shooting guidance. Ideally your installer should demonstrate this to you at the point of handover. Keeping a close eye on your system and the amount of electricity it’s generating (alongside the weather conditions) will familiarise you with what to expect and alert you to when something might be wrong.
The panels should last 25 years or more, but the inverter is likely to need replacing some time during this period, at a current cost of around £1,000. Consult with your installer for exact maintenance requirements before you commit to installing a solar PV system.

1. Off Grid Solar Power Calculator Opens in a New Window
2. A Performance Calculator for Grid-Connected PV Systems

Is my home or business a good place for a PV system?

First consider how much sunlight your site receives. Your property should have clear, unobstructed access to the sun for most of the day, and throughout the year.

Do I have enough area?
The amount of roof space needed to roof-mount a solar system is based on the size or "generating capacity” or “rating” of the system you purchase. Most residential systems require as little as 50 square feet of mounting area for a small “starter” system, or as much as 500-1,000 square feet for a PV array capable of meeting all of a homeowner’s needs. Commercial systems are typically much larger than residential systems.

Discuss the size of your system with your retailer. A rule of thumb is that a square foot of single- or poly-crystalline PV module area produces 10 watts of power in bright sunlight. Therefore, a 1000-watt system requires about 100 to 200 square feet of roof area, depending on the type of PV module.

The amount of roof area needed also depends on the PV module’s efficiency in converting sunlight to electricity.

How much electricity will a PV system produce?
PV systems produce the most electricity from spring through fall when the sun is shining. Energy production will vary, of course, depending on geography and climate. The following map provides very approximate statewide production estimates for a 2-kW rooftop PV system facing due south at a 20-degree tilt.

Investing in a PV System

How much does a PV system cost?
The cost of your PV system will depend on many factors: the system’s configuration, equipment options, and labor costs.

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Prices vary depending on other factors as well, such as whether or not your home is new, and if the PV is integrated into the roof or mounted on top of the existing roof. The cost also scales somewhat with the system size or rating, and the amount of electricity it produces.

Prescription for a Least-Cost PV System

1. Obtain at least three bids.
2. Select a standardized PV system (offered by some retailers).
3. Have an easy-to-install system mounted on a composition roof or the ground.
4. Buy as a group to get volume discounts.Above all, shop around.

How do I choose among PV retailers?

Once you have compiled a list of providers, the next step is to call and ask them questions. When contacting any company, consider its location relative to yours. Try to locate a PV provider who is relatively close to where the system will be installed and who meets the other criteria outlined below.

When contacting companies, you might ask some of the following questions:

1. Has the company installed any grid-connected PV systems?
2. How many years of experience does the company have installing PV systems?
3. Is the company properly licensed?
4. Is the lowest price the “best deal”?
5. How do I obtain and choose among competing bids?

SESI promotes and propagates the use of renewable energy and provides a common ground for all those who are concerned with the nature and utilization of the renewable non polluting resource.

Read more : Solar Energy Blooms in India
How India is creating next big Solar Market

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