When asked about alternative energy or renewable energy, most people think of

solar electricity.  Generating electricity from the sun is a technology that

everyone knows well.  Whether it is your pocket calculator, home, or workshop,

regardless of your power needs, solar electricity can get the job done.  

Solar electricity has a number of unique advantages over conventional or grid-

based electricity.  Solar electric systems can be designed for a variety of

applications and are extremely beneficial in remote areas where other

electric opportunities do not exist.  In addition, photovoltaic systems that

generate solar electricity have no moving parts therefore requiring minimal

maintenance, are easily expandable, and with many smaller units,

transportable.

Environmental compatibility is a huge selling point for converting to solar

electricity.  The fuel for generating solar electricity is a free renewable

resource, the sun.  Solar electricity offers no noise pollution and actually

almost no pollution from their operation.  Another appealing factor for many

who choose solar electricity over conventional electricity is simply the

independence.  It is an attractive offer to many rural dwellers to know that

when the lights go out due to storms or blackouts, theirs are still working.  

No longer a slave to waiting on hold to report an outage to find it will be

10 hours before their service will be restored.

The hardest part of converting to solar electricity is the cost of the system.

Investing in a solar energy system can be a substantial upfront cost.  The

value of solar electricity is realized over several years.  A professionally

installed solar array for an average dwelling (avg. 0/month in electric

bills) could pay for itself in 5 years.  You could reduce that number by

building your own solar panel system or by purchasing a used system.  With

many solar energy systems in less rural areas and only in some states, you

can sell your unused solar electricity back to the electric company.  In

these situations the return on your investment is realized much more quickly.

Using the power of sun with solar electricity is a benefit to the environment

and to your home.  Solar electricity is already being used to supplement

power for a number of large cities in North America.  Take time to learn more

about solar electricity and how you can have trade in your electric bill for

a carefree life with solar electricity.

Solar energy generators are devices that converts solar energy into

electrical energy. Sun’s light energy is converted into electrical energy by

solar cells also known photovoltaic cells.

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