PV Gap

Melinda Said:

Is a solar panel really worth it?

We Answered:

solar hot water panels are SO "worth it" that the State of Hawaii has just made it Mandatory that ALL new construction must have them!!

unlike photo voltaics the science behind them is easier to deal with - i have seen plans for building them at home from something as simple as an old refrigerator door. of course you can amp up the technology too. (look at back issues of Mother Earth News) to get you started on the research)

so yes its worth it - yes its doable and the shed may be the best site because of shade/sun issues and i personally doubt you'd want to take it with you at a later date

Lucille Said:

TV Commercial Project in school encouraging people to use solar energy! Need Fun Facts..?

We Answered:

Every hour the sun shines, a small handful of quarters falls on your roof. That's the equivalent heat and/or electricity you could harvest. It's raining quarters!

We have an average size solar array. Symbolically speaking, every hour when the sun is strong, one or two quarters drop off the roof, and rolls into a can. Not much. But the stream never stops. Every once in a while, I go and check the can, and see how much is in it. $600 a year.

"Ow! What was that?"
"Oh, just another quarter falling off my roof."

Theodore Said:

Solar Power Facts - What are some useful Solar Power Facts that help Lower your Electric Bill

We Answered:

1. Passive solar design can generate up to 75% of your home energy needs (specially for heating), making it a more efficient option.

2. Federal law gives you a tax rebate up to 30% the cost of a solar energy system. States like MA, GA, CA, IL, AZ have been at the forefront of solar power tax incentives.

3. Besides saving money by generating your own power, many states even allow you to sell any excess energy back to your local utility company. Known as net metering, when you create more power than you use, it can actually turn your meter backwards!

Don Said:

What are the 'cons' to solar power energy?

We Answered:

If every building had them you'd have a very redundant system compared to a centralized plant.

I'm not an expert, but I'd also look at the specific materials used in the manufacturing process. I'm betting they're not all green.

People rely on them as a perfect solution rather than as a better option. (think Snackwells effect)

No viable disposal, recycling, or re-use options.

Tie these 4 things together and you get lots of resources being used and used indiscriminately.

Leslie Said:

Solar Power Facts?

We Answered:

look at the national renewable energy labs website www.nrel.gov and click on solar. lots there and a lot more accurate than wiki.

Samantha Said:

what percentage of the worlds calculators are powered by solar?

We Answered:

I'm not sure, but I do believe a good guess would be 87% aleast. Most of the calculators that I've come across have been solar powered, but some have been battery powered too. Unless this is a trick question, because of there being calculators in other devices such as a computer, cellphone etc... Then I'd have to say, about 43% are solar powered.

Charles Said:

Does anyone know what percentage of the world can use solar power?

We Answered:

100% of the world is capable of using solar power to some extent, as there is no place on earth that is totally devoid of solar radiation.

But to make it economically attractive, you need to consider seasonal variations in sunlight, weather patterns, distance to load centers, and local alternative energy sources.

For example, nobody is going to build a solar power generating facility in Ketchikan, Alaska where there is cloud cover for over half the year, there are short daylight hours due to its northern latitude, and there is ample opportunity for green run of river hydro. On the other hand, Yuma, Arizona is a good candidate for solar energy because its sunny there more than 300 days per year, there is not much seasonal variation in daylight hours, and the sun is high enough on the horizon year round.

Keep in mind that solar energy will never replace established emission-free firm energy sources like hydro and nuclear because you can't store the energy efficiently for use at night time - when you need the electricity the most!