PV Gap

Denise Said:

Is solar really green energy? ***a must read***?

We Answered:

Interesting link. Also, it should be noted that photovoltaic solar energy is indeed big business. As you commented, the environmental risks are quite real.

From Wikipedia:

"Photovoltaics (PV) is the field of technology and research related to the application of solar cells for energy by converting sun energy (sunlight, including sun ultra violet radiation) directly into electricity. Due to the growing demand for clean sources of energy, the manufacture of solar cells and photovoltaic arrays has expanded dramatically in recent years.[1][2][3]

Photovoltaic production has been doubling every 2 years, increasing by an average of 48 percent each year since 2002, making it the world’s fastest-growing energy technology.[4] At the end of 2008, the cumulative global PV installations reached 15,200 megawatts.[5][6] Roughly 90% of this generating capacity consists of grid-tied electrical systems. Such installations may be ground-mounted (and sometimes integrated with farming and grazing) [7] or built into the roof or walls of a building, known as Building Integrated Photovoltaics or BIPV for short.[8]

Net metering and financial incentives, such as preferential feed-in tariffs for solar-generated electricity, have supported solar PV installations in many countries including Australia, Germany, Israel,[9] Japan, and the United States.[1]"

Russell Said:

How many kWh does this solar panel use from this link?

We Answered:

To answer your specific questions, You buy power from the electric company in kW-hours, which is a unit of energy.

A 100 watt solar panel generates power at the rate of 100 watts. That means in 10 hours it will deliver energy equal to 100x10 = 1000 watt hours or 1 kW-hours.

"use an average of $.12 kWh" –– this makes no sense. kW-hour are not dollars. Perhaps you mean you PAY $0.12 PER kW-hour ? this makes sense.

40% means it converts 40% of the sun's energy into power, it has nothing to do with the cost of electricity from your power company.

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Roberta Said:

French inventor invents air car and will sell it in India, China this year and in France in 2009? Why not USA?

We Answered:

There was just no demand here for anything other than big SUVs and smaller cars that could still handle American freeways well. We have always had small fuel efficient cars gathering dust in auto showrooms but people walked past them and got the SUVs they hoped would impress their friends.

The compressed air powered car has limited range, power and speed but compressed air cars may have a future as second cars in families where a commuter car would be used for some errands and a bigger vehicle could do other jobs like longer trips or when more passengers or groceries need to be carried. They would probably not sell well while gas is still 3 dollars per gallon but as the price goes to 4,,,5,,,and 6 dollars people will re think electric cars and compressed air at least for second cars

Patrick Said:

Have you heard rumors about the latest Prius 2009 Model?

We Answered:

It won't get 80 mpg (probably slightly over 50 mph), but it will have solar panels which will partially power the A/C system. See link below.

Erik Said:

what angle does the sun strike a vertical solar panel at noon on December 21,2009 at the latitude of 52degree?

We Answered:

On that date the Sun is 23.5 degrees south of the equator.
A vertical panel 52 degrees north of the equator gives a combined angle of 75.5.
On the same longitude at the tropic of capricorn the angle would be zero.

Dorothy Said:

solar power, why carnt i power my house with it yet?

We Answered:

In Oregon they have stimulus packages for using solar. They actually fund it most / almost all of it. If you get a lot of sun where you live, then it is actually a very viable option, and really not that expensive... It will actually pay for itself in a few months.

You can get a small solar panel, the ac/dc converter, a deep cycle marine battery, and whatnot else you need for about $300. This is a $100 solar panel, which would be enough to power a mini fridge, a fan, a laptop computer and a light. From there, all you need to do is buy more solar panels.

This is something that you can start doing for only $300, really, and build up over time. You would need a certified professional electrician to rewire your house for you, to the battery that is charged by the solar panels, though, or to cut you off from the power lines. You do not need a license to do normal everyday backyard projects, and minor home projects, though. If you get in trouble, tell them it is a minor home project and it's none of their damn business. Unless you manually re-wired your house, or something else drastic, then you will be legally fine.

You can sell extra power produced back to the electric company but for that, you would need an extra piece of equipment; I'm not sure what it's called.

You can have a solar hot water heater by pumping water into a tank, and painting the tank black.

You can also generate a lot of power and cheaply by wind.