Using Solar Power Systems

With the world facing a severe energy crisis, many people are investing in a solar power system for their home. It not only helps the government combat the energy crisis, but it also gives you some protection against rising heating and electricity prices should the crisis last longer than the government expects.  In fact as the world’s population increase, in all likelihood, energy prices will continue to rise as demand for more and more limited resources increases.  Installing an alternate energy solution in your home is not only a great humanitarian effort, but an insurance policy against increasing energy costs.

Among the many alternative power solutions available today, the solar power system and the wind power system are the most popular and are the least cumbersome.  Though wind power is generally a great idea, not everyone can meet the pre-requisites required. To properly install a wind power system, you would need a large area (near an acre) and an average wind speed of at least 11 miles per hour. In addition, most wind power systems generate some noise, which make them an impractical solution for densely populated areas.  However, a solar power system is much easier to implement. All you need is abundant sun light and access to Southern exposure (similar to a satellite TV system).

A complete solar power system has several components. Most people implement only the components which meet their specific needs.  Let’s look at the various solar power components.

Solar cooker: A solar cooker is a very popular solar energy system which has many advantages, including:

• Healthy Cooking – Cooking food in a solar cooker is considered very healthy because the food in not exposed to any oils or chemicals and maintains its natural flavor.  You can cook a large meal with many dishes in a small cooking box.
• Large Variety of Cooking – You can boil, bake and roast bake using the same system and even do it all at the same time!
• There is No Fuel Involved – The solar cooker does not use any other fuel.  All you need is a clear view of the sun.
• There are No Emissions – The solar cooker emits no gases and doesn’t leave any residue. It’s the most environment-friendly cooking system in the world.
• Works Year-Round – A solar cookers works off the sun’s radiation, not from its heat.  That means you can use a solar cooker anytime in almost any temperature to direct the sun’s rays and cook your food.

Solar generator: A solar generator is a device which runs all your electrical appliances using the solar energy. It converts solar energy into electrical energy using photovoltaic cells enclosed inside a solar panel. The solar generator is sometimes referred to as the solar lighting system. It once the solar energy is converted to electricity, it’s stored in batteries for later use. Installing a solar generator in your home is a great cost-saving and power-saving idea. Imagine running all your appliances without worrying about having to pay any electric bills!

Solar Thermal System: A solar thermal system or solar heating system at home takes care of your home’s heating requirements. You can maintain a steady temperature in your house without worrying about the high costs of heating oil. A solar heating system will not only suit your budget but also please your eyes, as their designs have come a long way since the eye sores of the past.