Residential Solar Power | Solar Power Facts

Solar Power - Energy Salvation or Hot Air?

October 9th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed

Is Solar Power Enough?

Solar power isn’t quite the perfect solution to the world’s energy needs – or not yet anyway! Sunlight can provide one thousand watts of energy per hour per square meter. Or to put it another way, harness the sunshine in 100 miles of desert and wasteland, and you’d meet the total energy usage of the whole USA!

Unfortunately, actually doing that is the stuff of Science Fiction. Today’s solar power challenge is to find a feasible economic way to convert the sun’s energy into reliable, available electric power that heavy industry can utilise.

But in many countries using solar power to meet the power needs of the home owner – or the forward thinking home renter - is very far from Science Fiction.

Is Solar Power the Right Choice for Me?

As with all power systems, there are pros and cons. Robert Heinlein once said “Fire and fusion … dangerous servant and bad master” but we’re not about to give up fire or fusion, are we? Sunshine is a lot safer and cleaner than either.

A photovoltaic power system is the most readily available method of harnessing solar power for home use.

Is it cheaper? That’s an accountant’s question, and I’ll give you an accountant’s answer. It all depends on how you’re doing the math.

Long term, solar power is way cheaper. Short term? Well, if you only expect to be using power for, say, the next year or two, stick with the power company!

OK, OK, I know – and you know – that you’re gonna be using power forever, most likely. But not necessarily always in the same place.

There are portable solar power systems. We’ll take a look at them later…

The Advantages of Solar Power

The good news about solar power.

1. Photovoltaic power systems run silently.

2. Solar panels last a long time. Some suppliers give 20 year warranties.

3. Your Solar power system is very low maintenance.

4. Solar power is environmentally friendly. And more comfortable – the panels are usually roof mounted, and their shade helps to keep your attic cool…