Power of the Sun
Solar power is the cleanest type of renewable energy available to mankind because the system required to harness the suns energy requires little or no moving parts and zero impact on the environment. Solar electricity panels often referred to as solar or photovoltaic panels use the energy from the sun to create electricity in DC voltage. Solar electricity panels were not an affordable source of energy for most households until recently when the UK government introduced the Feed-In Tariff or FIT for renewable energy. The Feed-In Tariff, which pays any household or business for every kilowatt of electricity generated using solar electricity panels, has made renewable energy a viable source of power generation for many UK households.
Solar Panels
Solar electricity panels are constructed from materials that exhibit the photovoltaic effect. The photovoltaic effect occurs when a semiconductor such as crystalline silicon or cadmium telluride, absorbs radiation from the sun and reacts by emitting electrons. These electrons flow through a DC voltage and can be converted to AC power by an inverter for use to run domestic appliances. Solar electricity panels used to power most household appliances will need to be configured into a solar panel system to convert, store and distribute energy smoothly. This solar electricity panel system must comprise of a battery bank for energy storage and smooth dissipation of power and an inverter to convert DC to AC. A use of diodes will also be required to stop the backward flow of current that could damage the solar panels.
Solar Panel Prices
The cost of solar electricity panels will vary from supplier to supplier but very small solar panels for use to power handheld devices can be found for under £30 and can be very useful when travelling. Larger solar electricity panels for use on caravans, boats and camp sites can be bought for a few hundred pounds from various retailers. Solar electricity panels for domestic use to run home appliances can cost £10,000 and up depending on the required output required and the budget available.
UK Government Incentives
The UK government is encouraging the move to renewable energy sources by paying those households installing solar electricity panels to generate electricity. Yes, the UK government will pay households for every kilowatt of power generated by solar electricity panels whether this electricity is used or not. Any power not used by the household or business and sold back to the national grid will be paid for at a higher rate. This payment is made available under the Feed-In Tariff for renewable energy introduced by the Department of the Environment and Climate Change.
Solar electricity panels are enabling UK households to affordably switch to sustainable energy sources and increase energy efficiency.
