PV Gap

Bruce Said:

How can we combine geothermal and solar to provide a total energy solution for a home?

We Answered:

You'd set it up in much the same way that you'd set up a grid connected home, just that you'd have an inverter powering the set-up.

If you want to run on solar power you'll need some kind of backup for night, batteries work OK for small scales although you'll need to replace them every so often (especially if you act like you're still on a grid) although having a grid connection might not be such a bad idea to just run off the grid at night (probably cheaper too).

Regina Said:

majors for solar/wind/green energy solutions?

We Answered:

Get a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology (or Electronics Engineering Technology).

If your math is good enough, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering is also a possibility.

Lori Said:

Is the solar energy sector going to grow?

We Answered:

1) Yes
2) Yes
3) Yes

Darren Said:

home solar energy solutions?

We Answered:

Things as simple as removing screens from the south facing windows of your home to enhance solar space heating effects, or planting a deciduous tree on the south side of your home to shield your home from the summer sun, are very effective solar energy strategies.

From there you could extend all the way up to commercially available solar space heaters, solar water heaters, and solar voltaic systems, etc.

Donna Said:

What would it take to convert a housing community from fossil fuels to solar energy in the home?

We Answered:

First of all, look for existing incentives from the federal and state government. Federally, there is a 30% tax credit and some states offer as much as $5.00 per Watt rebates. You can get more information here: http://www.desireusa.org

Secondly, there are some up and coming technologies that will offer better economics than PV panels in the near future. Check out http://www.infiniacorp.com/
http://www.sandia.gov and http://www.nrel.gov

Third, for the kind of project you describe, it really comes down to financing. This will be easiest if you are planning to build a new community. Find a lender (bank or government) that will allow home-buyers to roll the solar energy system into their mortgage. This practice, along with a healthy rebate, helped to make Japan the PV capital of the world a few years back.

On a larger scale, many states are enacting renewable portfolio standards which legally require utilities to generate a certain fraction of power from solar, wind or biomass. RPS programs are also described on the DSIRE website listed above.

Gwendolyn Said:

Solar Energy?

We Answered:

Solar power is very good for the environment...no fossil fuel, no pollution, no big utility companies, no monthly bills (once it is paid off that is). What more could you ask for....you have refrigerators, hot water tanks, freezers and cooking stoves that run on solar or wind generators...every day life, enjoying natural living.

Gordon Said:

Is solar energy the most promising solution for our growing fossil fuel problem?

We Answered:

Solar energy is defineatly the future, the sun puts out more energy in 1 hour to the earth than the whole world uses in a month but we just havent figured out how to harness it the best. Nevertheless advances are made all the time but are just overshadowed by cars getting better mileage on gas and advances in hydrogen power. Its a long ways out still but it is the future.