Solar power is the process of using the light from sun and turning

it into an energy source. It has become a reliable alternative to

regular power sources in remote areas. It has even been used in

outer space. Solar power is used in homes, lighting, architectural

projects, and cooking. It has become even more popular as the cost

of fossil fuel continues to rise. Solar panels are designed to

collect the power from the sun.

Once solar energy is collected by the solar panels it has to be

converted into energy. This can be done by a process called solar

thermal application. It involves using the energy from the  sun to

directly heat air or liquids. The process of photoelectric

application involves the use of photovoltaic cells to change the

energy into electricity.

Solar power poses no harm to the environment. However, other threats

to the environment may affect the ability to use solar power in the

future. Global dimming is the result of pollution. It allows less

sunlight to reach the surface of the Earth. A recent concern is

global dimming, an effect of pollution that is allowing less

sunlight to reach the Earth's surface. Global dimming is caused by

pollution particles and global warming.

The Solar Electric Power Association is an organization of electric

utility companies and the solar industry. They joined together to

find solutions to meet our  energy needs. SEPA is a network of more

than one hundred companies. Fifty are utility companies, twenty five

are solar companies, and the rest are various types of businesses.

They share experiences, knowledge, and information about solar

programs, They also discuss policies and technology relating to

their field.

Is solar energy right for you? There are advantages to using this as

a safe alternative to fossil fuel. Solar energy is free. It can be

used in areas where electricity can’t be set up easily. The sun is

not a resource that is going to be depleted. Disadvantages are that

it doesn’t work at night. The cost of creating solar power stations

to store such energy is very expensive. In some area of the world,

solar energy just isn’t an option because the climate does not

receive enough sun light.



In 1979, the developer of a condominium village in New Hampshire

decided  to bring an environmentally responsive alternative to the

market. He designed the building to used solar energy. The solar

panels are made of glass, offering a beautify view of the scenery.

Buyers responded very well, leading the developer to design several

more similar buildings.

Construction will begin in 2007 in Boulder Colorado on a project

called Solar Row. The project consists of thirteen homes using only

solar power. This will be the first solar home development project

in the Boulder area. The design of each home has been carefully set

up to allow the home to use and creates its own energy.

Some states are pushing for solar powered housing. California

officials are proposing half of all new homes build run on solar

energy in within ten years. They are pushing for solar homes to

prevent further issues with energy crisis. Three years ago utility

customers had difficulty paying their electric bills because of the

high cost.  Officials plan to give rebates to home builders who

agree to install solar panels on new homes. They may offer

incentives for installing panels on existing homes as well.

Environmental groups are backing  California’s proposal as they fill

it will encourage other states to follow. It is believed that if

many states decide to implement such programs, then the cost of

setting up solar power will greatly decrease.

However, many environmental groups aren’t willing to wait around to

see what California decides to do. They have taken solar power

issues to the legislation. A solar incentive bill has been approved

by the Senate. It is still pending with the Assembly Committee. If

approved, it would require fifteen percent of new homes being built

are complete with solar panels beginning in 2010. The goal would be

for the rate to increase each year by ten percent until it reaches

fifty five percent.

The building industry opposes the promotion of solar homes. They are

against the legislative bill. However, many in the building industry

agree that solar homes could lead to economic and atmospheric

improvements. The many concern of the building industry is the

additional cost to them to meet the solar powered home requirements.

If Congress is willing to give them monetary incentives to help

reduce these costs, the issue could likely be resolved. It is

estimated on average that addition solar power equipment to a home

will cost $17,000 to $20,000.



All of our energy comes from the sun. Solar powered lights offer a

low cost and do not pollute the environment. Such lights are very

popular for garden use and landscaping.  They are hassle free. There

are no cables to worry about or the possibility of being

electrocuted.

Are solar powered lights right for your home?  These lights produce

an intense glow and shadowing around the surrounding areas. Solar

powered lights are perfect for those applications where a regular

power source is unavailable. The solar panel collects sunlight and

converts electricity. The electricity  is stored in rechargeable

batteries. The lights will be strongest during the first few hours

of operation and then slowly diminish in output.

There are many styles and brands of solar powered lights to choose

from. They are inexpensive. They are designed to accent your home.

Many choose this option because it is much cheaper that installing

electricity to another area as well as the environmental impact.

Most individuals can install solar powered lights easily by

themselves. This again saves money over having a professional come

to set up for electricity. The internet offers many reviews on

brands of solar powered lights. It is a great resource for comparing

cost and effectiveness of the products available.

Several towns have taken to installing solar powered lights as

street lights. They are able to store up energy from the sun during

the day and operate on that energy until early morning. The Solar

Outdoor Lighting company donated and installed such lighting at the

Ocala National Forest. Miami International Airport installed solar

powered lights to offer additional security for their employees.

They chose them for their low cost, environmental friendliness, the

fact that they took a fifth of the time to install as regular

lighting fixtures, and that they are going to be undergoing

construction soon. The solar powered lights can be moved easily.

The biggest disadvantage of the solar powered lights is that they do

require an adequate amount to sunlight to create the energy. If you

have several days of cloudy weather, the lights may not operate

effectively. This has affected the decision of some businesses. They

feel if it is important enough to install lighting, then it needs to

be reliable and available on a regular basis.



In the 1990’s, emissions laws were being enforced throughout the

United States. Many colleges and universities began looking at the

possibility of solar powered cars. The finding were that the solar

collectors for the cars to run were too large to be put into the

vehicles. Development continues on the solar collections to make it

possible. For those skeptical, don’t be surprised if it doesn’t all

come together in the near future. There are many organizations

throughout the world working on doing just that.

Students are aware that using fossil fuels for cars has a negative

impact on the environment. Students investigate the amount of

pollution a car creates. Students have the opportunity to work

together with their research and other students to investigate how

to use solar energy for cars. They research the challenges involved

and work to find solutions.

For the past 20 years, Panasonic has offered the Panasonic World

Solar Challenge. More than three hundred teams from around the world

have brought their car to the event. Many find developing solar

powered cars to be the challenge of a lifetime. They continue to

find ways to get one step closer to being successful. The next

Panasonic event takes place in October of 2007.

The Winston Solar Car Team began an education program in 1993. They

provide learning materials, on-site visits, and workshops for high

schools across the country. The program is designed to motivate

students in the areas of science, engineering, and technology. The

program consists of a two year education program. At the end of the

program students have the opportunity to display their work.

The first Winston Solar Car Challenge took place in 1995. Ninety

schools participated in the program with nine schools building cars

to race. The 1997 challenge involved three hundred and fifty schools

in five countries. Eight cars qualified to run in a six hundred mile

race from Dallas, Texas to San Antonio, Texas. As the participants

continue to grow, so does the challenge. The 1999 race was a sixteen

hundred mile race. In 2002 Dell Computers became a sponsor of the

event.

Solar powered cars still have many bugs to work out including how to

keep them operating on a daily basis, day or night. New designs

continue to emerge, and the challenge of solving this mystery

continues to grow around the world. Regardless of who successfully

completes the concept of solar powered cars, it will offer a safe

alternative to using fossil fuels, and that will be a benefit to

each of us.



Solar energy is a clean and efficient for of energy. The demand for

it is greater than the supply. The cost of supplying electricity to

remote locations is expensive and time consuming. Solar power is an

excellent alternative. Portable solar power has been referred to as

packaging sunlight. The concept is using an adapter to allow you to

use solar power that has been accumulated during times when you do

not have enough solar energy. They are mainly used at night.

Battery chargers with solar power are very popular. They simply plug

into your cigarette lighter and charge your car in minutes. On a

larger scale you can purchase portable generators that will allow

you to use energy produced by sunlight when sunlight is not

available. These power sources are used by corporations, small

businesses, and individuals. They are used to supply power to entire

networks or simply to operate your DVD player. The type and size of

generator you want to purchase will depend on your individual needs.

Within the next three years, it is believed solar panels will be

made that can supply power to cell phones as well. However, the cost

of such phones is anticipated to be high because it is expensive to

design that type of solar panel.

The internet offers information to compare portable solar power

products and their uses. This information will be very useful in

deciding what products will give you the best deal for your money.

If you still have questions, a great resource is the Advanced Energy

Group. It is a respected supplier of solar power and portable power

systems throughout the United States. They offer quality products

and consulting information about solar power options. They also have

an excellent rating for their technical support to customers.

While some remain skeptical about the use of solar power, it really

does make sense. The portable solar power devices available at

reasonable costs make it even more efficient, safe, and worth while

to do for the environment. As the solar power industry continues to

grow, expect to see new and better portable devices available on the

market.