Pros and Cons of Buying Used Solar Panels
Cost can be an issue when installing solar panels. Resourceful homeowners may look for ways to get in the door by buying discounted or used solar panels. If you can find solar panels that work well but cost less, why not? Whether used or new, all solar panels work using the same basic principals. Purchasing used and discounted solar panels may be a good option for homeowners looking to go solar on a budget. However, there are risks and precautions involved. We’ll take a look at some of the Pros and Cons of buying used panels. But first, where do you get them?
Discounted panels often come from industrial, commercial, and manufacturing firms that regularly update their product lines. In the process, older models are sold to used solar panel dealers. Rumor has it that some older models are even discarded or given away. If you can find a freebie, all the better, as long as it’s in good working condition!
Used panels become available when businesses or homeowners upgrade their systems. Several companies sell discounted, pre-owned modules and module racks on their websites, such as The Solar Biz, NexTag, and Sun Electronics, which sells blemished and/or refurbished panels and inverters. Many manufacturers will have a surplus inventory, selling older models at a discount to make room for newer models. Finally, you can look for a resource such as Wholesale Solar that sells solar panels wholesale.
BBB warns of Solar Energy Scams
SOUTHFIELD, MICH – The high cost of energy has everyone looking to cut corners these days.
But if you are planning home improvement to shave energy costs and you’re considering a solar energy project, then the Better Business Bureau says beware.
Saying that fraudulent contractors will take advantage of you, the BBB advises consumers know something about the product they are purchasing.
Utilizing Clean Energy
Annual Award Winners for Sustainable Development for Cities utilizing Clean Energy
The U.S. Department of Energy recently honored the winners of the 2010 Lou Wozar Annual Awards at the Sister Cities International annual conference in Albuquerque, N.M. These awards recognize some of the most effective international city-to-city partnerships that advance the use of clean energy and drive innovations in sustainability. On July 31, 2010, DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and Brookhaven National Laboratory announced the cities of Riverside, Calif., and Sarasota, Fla., as the winners of the 2010 Lou Wozar Annual Awards for Sustainable Development – Energy.
During the awards ceremony, EERE’s Senior International Advisor Mark Ginsberg moderated a session on the Greening Your Sister Cities Program, where representatives from the energy award winners Riverside-Sendai and Sarasota-Perpignan showcased their partnerships.
Solar Energy History
Solar Energy History
Solar energy history extends a long way back.
Mans use of solar energy is not a trend that started only in the last 50 years. Nor is it something that a few hippy scientists thought of to fight oil price hikes or curb global warming.
Solar Vs Wind Energy Comparison
The first thing you need to ask yourself is if you want your home to be “on the grid” or “off the grid.” This means whether you be tied to the main energy grid that runs within your area or not. In most cases, you want to be on the grid so that if you do run into too many cloudy days you won’t be without electricity. The cost to totally setup an “off the grid” system can be much higher, so for the purpose of this comparison I will be comparing solar panels that are tied to the national energy grid.
Solar power is the preferred way of producing your own energy; however, it is usually combined with wind turbines where possible. Solar is primarily best used in the summers where there are a lot of bright sunny days. The major problem with solar is if it’s cloudy, although you can still produce energy, the amount of energy generated will be nowhere close to the amount you would produce on a bright sunny day.
We’ll assume that on an average day solar panels generate their maximum power for a 5 hour time span. A typical home’s energy use per day is approximately 600 watts, including powering things like your refrigerator, lights, computer, TV, stereo, and other average household items. Over 24 hours, you would need 600 watts * 24 hours within a day= 14,400 watt hours per day.
US solar farm developer EPG Solar secures $200m in project finance
US solar farm developer EPG Solar secures $200m in project finance
11 March 2011
Solar farm developer EPG Solar has secured up to $200m in financing from boutique investment bank Unique Capital to fund the development and construction of its project pipeline.
NREL: TroughNet
Parabolic Trough Technology Solar Resource Data and Tools
Here you’ll find resources on solar radiation data and tools for siting parabolic trough power plants. This includes solar radiation data for power plants in the United States and worldwide.
You’ll also find resources for direct solar radiation instrumentation.
Solar energy words
Solar Energy Facts For Kids In New Zealand
Solar energy facts for kids in New Zealand are considered unnecessary by some. When winter hovers over New Zealand, it may seem that day after day is cloudy and gray – especially in some parts of New Zealand. On such days, it is difficult to imagine that solar energy could supply enough electricity for a New Zealand home. Most areas of New Zealand, however, have plenty of solar energy that can be harnessed.
Solar energy can be calculated with a map such as the one on the Sun Wize website. This is called a world solar insolation map. “Insolation” means it is exposed to the sun’s rays. The map shows how many hours of each day a country is exposed to the sun’s rays – in the worst month of the year. In other words, the map shows how much solar energy the country gets each day.
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DSIRE: Incentives/Policies by State: Washington : Incentives/Policies for Renewables & Efficiency
Related Programs & Initiatives
Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center The U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center (AFDC) provides a wide range of information and resources to enable the use of alternative fuels and other petroleum-reduction options, such as advanced vehicles, fuel blends, idle reduction and fuel economy. The AFDC site offers a database of state and federal laws and incentives related to alternative fuels and vehicles, air quality, fuel efficiency, and other transportation-related topics.
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