Cheap Solar Panels - Choosing the Right Solar Installer

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Cheap Solar Panels

A solar power system is one of the biggest investments a homeowner will make, so it's important to make sure that everything is installed properly and built to last.  Components vary quite a bit in terms of electrical output, form factor and weight, but most panels will come with a 20-25 year warranty, making solar a long term investment, dependent on a strong foundation of a quality install.

The first tendency when looking for an installer will either be to go for the cheapest option or to assume that the highest priced option is the best and go for that.  The better choice will most likely be somewhere in the middle.  A good solar installer will manage the entire supply line, meaning they'll source all of the components for you and take care of everything from start to finish.  This typically means that they'll get wholesale prices on the materials and pass some savings on to you.  The danger in going with the cheapest installer is that they may be providing a cheaper service by using lower quality components.  Remember that although a solar panel can last from 25-50 years, critical components like power inverters are not as resilient, so making sure they're top quality is the best way to ensure your entire system functions for decades.

Finding the right installer will be much like finding a home builder or a general contractor for an addition to your home.  There are so many elements involved in purchasing, planning and installing a solar power system, which a good installer will need to know a bit about everything.  The installer will be handling the purchase of the equipment, any rebates and programs that you qualify for as well as the actual installation, so this will go beyond the scope of a typical handyman.  The better business bureau or community review websites like yelp.com are great resources for weeding out the average from the excellent.

Finally, make sure that whomever you chose to install your system is someone you trust and are comfortable with.  There is a tendency in many service industries to push higher priced products or additional services that may not be necessary in order to generate more revenue.  Keep in mind that you're the customer and you need to be confident and comfortable with every aspect of the job before signing the contract.  If at any point you feel uncomfortable or pressured, consider working with another installer.  The installer will come and go once the job is complete, but you'll live with the solar power system for decades, so making sure you get exactly what you need is the most important part of the whole process.

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Cheap Solar Panels - Solar Cars

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Cheap Solar Panels

Most of us are aware of solar power these days. A huge number of gadgets feature solar panels these days while solar photovoltaic panels adorn many a rooftop across the world. But what about solar-powered cars? Are they a reality or the stuff of science fiction? According to specialist website called Solarpoweredcars.net, solar powered cars have been around since the 1970s while the first completely powered solar car was developed in 1984 by Greg Johanson and Joel Davidson.

The model was called Sunrunner and was totally powered by solar energy. It featured a 1.2kW solar array, a 1hp wheel motor and a MPPT controller. It had no batteries. The Sunrunner entered the Guinness Book of World Records when it reached a top speed of 41 mph. Greg did the piloting during the feat. These days Greg runs a solar energy company called Solar Electrical Systems, which installs PV systems on residential and commercial buildings.

But how can solar energy power cars? Through photovoltaic (PV) cells, which convert sunlight into electricity. Together they form panels that get exposure to the sun, which in a car could be the whole surface of the car, but mainly the rooftop. Solar power makes the car move and is stored in a battery to that it can work at night and on cloudy days. 

At this stage solar powered cars are an expensive proposition as cells cost anywhere between $10 and $400, depending on their level of efficiency. Besides, most models proposed so far only carry one person. But as a concept, it is an absolute wonder. Can you imagine driving a vehicle that relies solely on the energy of the sun? You can’t cleaner than that. One may say that electric cars fed with solar electricity are, in a way, solar powered cars. In this case, it is already happening. But cars equipped with solar panels to transform sunlight into fuel for now remains a dream, albeit a beautiful one.

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