How long do you have to hear about, or try, solar energy before you can proclaim it a proven method?

A couple in Australia seems to have at least one answer to that question. They have been powering their property with solar energy for twenty years. It isn’t that they don’t have access to power lines. They aren’t living off-the-grid in some remote area. Power lines cross the main road on their property. But this couple made a decision to use sustainable solar energy instead.

Module System Benefits

The couple launched their solar energy system with only three solar panels. They chose a module system, so have been able to add to the number of panels, building up the system through the years. They saved money in initial start-up costs that way, and have gradually added modules as they were financially able. They now can store up to 200 hours of energy in their batteries. It’s plenty for a cloudy, stormy period.

Full Solar Energy Home Feasibility

The Australian couple heats their water with gas, and uses a gas range, so they aren’t entirely reliant on solar energy. But is a fully solar energy home feasible?

Each year, the U.S. Department of Energy holds a Solar Decathlon. This consists of a village of 20 off-grid solar homes. The homes are built by college students, assembled on site, and opened to the public on the National Mall from October 12 to 20. The purpose of this Solar Decathlon? To show the feasibility of houses completely powered by solar energy. Walls, roof, floor, windows, and doors all provide opportunity to make use of solar energy. There are, of course, solar panels, but to maximize efficiency, passive solar energy is also gathered and stored by the homes’ materials.

Solar Energy Feasible Even in Remote Villages

Another indication of the feasibility of using solar energy is found in an announcement made by the government of Jigawa State in Nigeria. Jigawa state government has announced that it will provide electricity and water to its rural communities through solar energy so as to enhance the wellbeing of its citizens. It cited other remote villages in Africa that are already enjoying electricity and water provided by solar energy.

Conclusion

Solar energy is a proven, sustainable source of electric power. For those in the know, solar energy is a proven commodity, and is well worth the inital investment.

Solar panels and the free electricity they produce are highly desirable to many people. However, the initial cost of installing the panels has been an insurmountable barrier for most people. Despite technical advances in the solar energy field, manufacturers of solar panels still do not market a product that the average person finds affordable.

Some companies, both installers and panel producers, have grown tired of waiting for solar panel prices to drop. They have begun to try different ways of making the purchase of photovoltaic panels affordable.

Installation 30 to 50 percent of Total Cost

Although newspapers and television often talk about the incremental energy improvements for those who install solar panels, that initial installation will account for 30 to 50 percent of the total cost to the homeowner. In dollars, it may be anywhere from $20,000 to $35,000 in the U.S.

Cutting Installation Costs

New products and services are being used to lower the solar panel cost. Since half of the cost of solar energy is in the installation of the panels, this move should produce an appreciable reduction in overall costs.

* Andalay: This new solar panel is more attractive than previous ones, and can be installed more quickly. It uses seventy percent fewer parts than other solar panels use. It should greatly reduce costs.

* Sharp Solar: This manufacturer has come out with a solar panel and mounting system designed to streamline your panel installation. This, too, would produce cost reduction.

* Pre-installation: Some solar panel manufacturers are working with building contractors to have rooftop panels pre-installed on new homes. Having the work done while builders are installing the roof cuts labor costs. It also adds the solar panel cost to a mortgage – a big plus for the home owner.

* Leased Panels: Another new option is for companies to own the solar panels installed on private house roofs. The homeowner avoids the initial installation costs, and pays, instead, a fixed rate for electricity produced by the solar panels.

* Group Purchases: When a number of homeowners group together to purchase solar panels, their buying power is greater. Discounts are often available to the group that would not be given to individual buyers. In addition, installers can “mass-install” solar panels, cutting labor time and costs.

Solutions Yet Needed

Those who watch the solar panel industry continue to tell us that solar panels are not likely to be used widely until manufacturers improve the technology and provide more financial options for installation.

Cell phones are convenient. They are easily carried, and can be life savers if you are stranded somewhere. The trouble is, cell phones run on batteries. Those batteries drain. It is all too easy to find that your cell phone battery is dead just when you most want or need it.

Solar power for a cell phone battery can change that. The addition to your gear of a small solar unit – portable – can ensure that your cell phone battery will always be at full power.

Get Solar Power from “Juice Bags”

Solar power for a cell phone battery can be provided by a “Juice Bag” with little extra weight. The “Juice Bag” offers a flexible solar power panel – plus a bag in which to carry it, your cell phone, and other items. We review “Juice Bags” on this website. To read that review, click here or on the dark blue “Juice Bags” tab at the top of this page. To visit the “Juice Bags” website directly, click here. You will be redirected immediately.

Get Solar Power from “Power Pockets”

“Power Pockets” will also give you solar power for a cell phone battery. “Power Pockets” are offered, by the same website that offers “Juice Bags”, as a smaller solar power option. A 7 or 12 ounce “Power Pocket” provides plenty of solar power to recharge a cell phone battery. “Power Pockets” use a thin film of solar power technology. They are small. They are foldable. They are easily stowed away for travel. When you need them, the pockets will quickly and efficiently turn solar power into usable electrical power. Not only can you recharge a cell phone battery, but you can also charge games, PDA’s, and any other electronic device you could plug into your car’s cigarette lighter!

Get Solar Power from Solar Power Batteries

Perhaps the lightest solar power solution for traveling with your cell phone is a solar power battery. At 4 ounces, a hand-held battery can operate your cell phone even when there is no sunlight available. You can charge the battery at home before you leave. Or charge it with your vehicle’s cigarette lighter.

Get Solar Power for More than Cell Phones

Portable solar power that even a child can carry is already available to power your cell phone battery, cameras, games, and other small toys and equipment. Researchers and manufacturers keep working to increase the portability of solar power, and expect that buyers will soon be able to power not only cell phones, but things like laptop computers that require much greater power.

Being Prepared with Portable Solar Power

There are those who believe solar power is a luxury or “show-off” item. They have charged their equipment at home for years, and believe that is all they need. “Fully charge everything before you leave home,” they say, “and you will be prepared.”

In normal situations, that may be true. If you encounter an emergency, however, you may be out longer than anticipated. The fully charged cell phone battery may run down. You may be unable to make contact with those you need.

Solar power for a cell phone battery is a lightweight way to be sure that you are ready for that emergency. A small, foldable thin unit can be the difference you need.