PV Gap

Carla Said:

What will be the investment for Solar Energy plant for Water Heater and Home domestic appliances?

We Answered:

I would suggest that you consider installing two different solar devises; one for heating and one for electricity. Water can be heated by collecting solar energy in a panel that allows sunlight to pass through a treated glass or plastic pane and shine on a black convoluted surface that avoids reflection. The heat produced can not escapes as easily as sunlight enters. This is the greenhouse effect that heats your car on a rather cool day. Inside the solar panel there are tubes or pipes that circulate cooling water to carry off the heat to an insulated storage tank. In cold regions the cooling water must contain antifreeze. The panel shoud be placed on a roof nearly perpendicular to a line from the sun at noon durning the cold season. In the upper USA that would be a southern exposure. The solar panel can be used to pre-heat water that is further heated by an electric or gas waterheater. The number of panels you will need will depend on the number of people using hot water and whether you use it as the sole source of warm water or as preheat. Expect panels to cost hundreds of dollars, depending on whether you install them yourself.

For electrical loads, you should consider installing photovoltaic solar panels which produce direct current (DC). This can be used for heating water or running electrical equipment and lights but heating may use up the entire capacity of the panel(s). You may need a battery to store energy and a converter to provide the correct voltage (and AC?) as desired. Expect voltaic solar panels to cost less as new technologies come to market. DayStar is building a factory now to produce cheaper continuous film cells (that could cover a roof?).

The wattage for various items you wish to power is usually included on the manufacturer's identification plate and depends on the size and model you have or wish to buy. Good luck.

Terri Said:

Are there any programs to fund solar energy for home use ?

We Answered:

There are state rebates and fed tax credits. In some areas there are small companies that help low income families get solar. A few companies have developed a lease program for the panels so the homeowner doesn't need to put out the large initial payment, usually the payments equal the amount of energy you will save.

Isaac Said:

Compare and contrast natural gas, burning wood, and solar energy as home-heating methods?

We Answered:

Do your own homework girl!!

Paul Said:

Can I get solar energy on a manufacturing home?

We Answered:

solar panel means electricity from the sun, when you said solar it means Sun.

Leonard Said:

Is there a grant to install solar energy for my home?

We Answered:

Unfortunately, there are no grants to install solar energy for your home. There are grants to help research about how to develop and harness solar energy - but no grants to install it to individual homes.

You can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support your purposes.

Even if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently.

Note though that these grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments. Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program. Individuals especially for personal purposes are not eligible for federal grants.

Grants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs