Solar panels are a great way to generate clean and renewable electrical energy to power homes and businesses.

There are many types of solar panel, however, the two main forms of solar energy cell are known as “solar electricity panels” and “solar hot water panels“. Solar hot water panels are designed to heat water for use in homes, and businesses, and solar electricity panels are capable of generating electricity.

Whilst solar panels are improving constantly in their efficiency and cost, up until recently they have not been widely viewed as a truly viable solution to provide affordable solar energy. This has been largely down to the high cost of production, and the inefficiency of the panels that were available.

It is a widely held belief within the solar energy industry that one day, in the not so distant future, solar panels will become a viable alternative to traditional fossil fuels for both the commercial and domestic market. There are some incredible technological developments taking place today, that include concentrated solar panels with an overall energy efficiency of 75%. These advancements will will help to satisfy our insatiable global energy demands, with a solar energy supply that is both environmentally friendly and cost effective.

It stands to reason that as the technology of the photovoltaic cells used in solar panels becomes more refined, and the design of the panels becomes more efficient, the viability of solar energy will increase significantly.

Solar Energy And Our Environment

Generating electricity, without burning fossil fuels, is the most important contribution that solar panels will make in the future. Global warming is now more of a threat than ever, and there is a wide consensus of opinion in the scientific community that our greenhouse gas emissions are contributing to it in a significant way.

Solar energy may well be the answer to all of our global energy requirements. Technological advancements in the production of solar panels are leading to improvements in efficiency, as well as lower production costs. Solar energy could be an accessible, affordable and every-day reality for all of us.

Concentrated Solar Panels

Concentrated solar panels could revolutionize the way we think about the generation of power in the future, as well as supplying all the electricity and hot water we could need.

Solar energy is an environmentally friendly way of generating power, and concentrated solar panels can achieve this at a price that is competitive with fossil fuels.

The concept is simple.  To produce a solar power generating system using less expensive raw materials, whilst at the same time producing more efficient power.

Concentrated Photovoltaic Systems use low cost optics to concentrate sunlight onto a small area of solar cell material.  A number of simple, flat mirrors, mounted to a molded plastic surface, direct solar radiation onto an array of very high-efficiency solar cells.

Since concentrated solar panels use less photovoltaic material in their construction, the costs of production are greatly reduced.

In some Concentrated Solar Energy systems the excessive heat that is generated in the solar cell must be removed in order to avoid cell damage, and to maintain high levels of efficiency.

However in the most advanced systems, heat that is generated in the solar receiver is used to provide hot water, which improves the overall solar energy conversion efficiency to around 75%.

Concentrated Photovoltaic Systems that are currently in development are now so technologically advanced, and efficient, that they will revolutionize the way we think about power.

They work even when the sun is obscured by clouds, and they can generate enough power to supply all of the energy requirements of the average home.

The production costs are lower, so the finished product offers a viable economic alternative to traditional fossil fuels, without the need for local, or government, grants.

Traditional Solar Panels

The main components of traditional solar panels are photovoltaic cells, the main ingredient being silicon.  Photovoltaic cells use photons (light energy from the sun) in order to generate electricity through photovoltaic effect.

They are a great way to provide electricity to remote areas and areas prone to significant weather changes, as they are not reliant on a national grid. Sometimes, in these areas, laying high voltage cable is not viable or durable enough.  A fantastic example of solar panels providing electricity in remote locations is earth orbiting satellites.  For decades, satellites have used solar panels to catch solar energy and generate power for the equipment and computers on board.

Photovoltaic cells can be aligned in arrays, with multiple panels fitted on a mounting platform. By combining many more cells, a much larger surface area is created, generating more power. This makes solar electricity a viable option to power homes and businesses. Solar energy technology is increasing massively in it’s efficiency, which means that we are able to buy and install panels, knowing we are likely to receive an efficient way of harnessing energy from the suns rays to turn into electricity for use in our homes.

Whilst current solar panels are substantially more efficient than their predecessors, the innovations in design and technology that are in the pipeline today will revolutionize the way we think about energy in the future.

Imagine a time when you can generate all of the power that you need, and for everything in your home, without the need to burn a single fossil fuel.  And at a price that you can afford.

Solar Hot Water Panels

Using solar panels to heat water is becoming increasingly popular around the world, due to the money which can be saved through doing so. Many good solar hot water panel systems can provide the average house with about a third of its hot water supply. This may not sound like much, however, it can reduce household energy costs by a considerable amount.

By combining both a solar panel hot water heating system and a solar electricity system, a family or employer can save a large chunk of cash.

As we become more educated about renewable energy sources, and what they can provide for the future, more people are experimenting with the possible options.  For example, by combining solar panels with mini wind turbines, and geothermal energy systems, to provide a cheap source of clean, renewable energy for homes and businesses.