By: Fabiola Grosshan
Submitted: 2010-10-22 07:35:36 | Word Count: 385
With homeowners looking to reduce energy use, lower their monthly power bill and increase equity value on their homes, solar energy is not only the most affordable energy choice, it is also the most responsible one for the environment, as it provides clean, sustainable energy.
It also puts the most money back in the homeowners pocket; because once a system is installed it has the potential to produce and store enough electricity to run the power meter backwards. Most states allow households that produce more electricity than they use to put that power back into the grid, crediting the money saved and energy produced.
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There are numerous different varieties of solar energy and countless solar incentives provided by the government. From solar panels and solar water heaters to solar air conditioning, the federal government makes several levels of tax credits available to home owners, some up to $ 3,000. Accredited alternative energy solutions companies, such as San Diego solar, will be able to provide the consumer with detailed information on what solar systems are best for them and how much money they can expect back from the government.
Contrary to common belief, using solar power to produce electricity does not work the same as using a solar system to produce heat. Photovoltaic solar principles are used to produce electricity; thermal solar principles are applied to produce hot water or air, such as for solar water heaters. The intensity of the sun changes with the hours of the day, the time of the year and the weather conditions.
To calculate the total amount of solar radiation a house will receive during a normal day the solar radiation energy is expressed in full hours of sunlight per square meter, or Peak Sun hours. Sounds complicated? It really is. That is why it takes an expert to understand how solar works and what system is best suited to a particular area and for a particular type of house. It is highly advisable to contact a reputable energy company that can take you every step of the way: from investigating to investing in the future - solar energy.
