Could You Soon Make Photocopies With Solar Panels?

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For years Xerox was a company synonymous with making photocopies of documents using paper. However, the times, they are a changin’, like Bob Dylan once sang, and today Xerox-affiliated researchers are looking to help expand their business with something else… copied solar panels.

Could there be a machine that copies solar panels? It is possible. Xerox’s idea is to develop a new digital printing process to make it cheaper to mass produce “solar photovoltaic systems,” aka solar panels. Just like a lot of things, these items could be smaller, cheaper, and more efficient than what’s currently on the market today. Think about how phones used to be bigger and bulkier, as well as computers. Now imagine the solar panels you see on rooftops– they’re generally pretty large, aren’t they? What if a company like Xerox could design and make smaller ones that do a great job for people?

How can Xerox-affiliated researchers make this technology a reality? They’re developing a new kind of printer which can deposit tiny semiconductor chips on a flat panel. So, instead of depositing ink, like most printers and copiers do, this new version would be able to assemble together electrical and optical components, thus making improved solar panels on a mass scale.

Strides have been made by engineers to shrink components needed that concentrate and focus sunlight down to the millimeter scale. In a few years, it’s possible that precision-made solar panels will be able to be made like the way we photocopy documents today.

Since this technology isn’t quite ready just yet, you have the option of utilizing today’s solar panels on top of your roof to harness the sun for power. Solar Solutions Inc. is one of the most experienced solar power companies in Texas and New Mexico. If you’d like solar electric and solar pool heating systems designed and installed for your place, call 915-581-0461.

Common Solar Energy Myths

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Although using solar energy to generate power has been around for quite some time, there are still many myths associated with it. These myths often dissuade people and businesses from investigating whether solar power is a viable and worthwhile investment.

Today, we’re going to dispel three common solar energy myths. Hopefully, this will help educate people about the true advantages of installing solar power panels in their homes and business.
Let’s get to it.

Myth #1: Solar energy is super expensive

Dating back to the nineties, many people believe that the price to install solar panels is astronomical. In reality, the price of solar modules has dropped about 95% since 1977, according to an article in the Huffington Post. For a system installed in 1995, one person paid $40,000. If the same system was installed today, the cost would be about $9,000. And that’s just one example!

Myth #2: Solar energy doesn’t work in the cold

While many of our customers in Texas and New Mexico don’t have to worry too much about the weather being extremely cold, the myth that solar energy doesn’t work in the cold is widespread.

The truth here is that solar systems might actually work better in the cold! According to the article, solar PV systems loose some efficiency when the temperature hits above 70 because of how hot the modules get.

Myth #3: Solar energy isn’t very efficient

Many people believe that solar modules are only capable of converting 15 to 20 percent of the sun’s energy into electricity. While this is true, the supply of solar energy (the sun) is a nearly unlimited resource. This means we don’t have to worry about of resource wasted, like we do with natural gas or coal.

While we would like to see solar modules become more efficient, they have increased efficiency over the years. Thirty years ago the efficiency of a solar system was about 10 percent; today it’s closer to 20 percent.

So there you have it, three common solar energy myths discredited. For more myths debunked, check out the Huffington Post article here. If you’d like to learn more about solar power installations, please contact us today at solarsolutions.texas@gmail.com, or give us a call at 915-581-0461.

How is Solar Energy Good For the Environment?

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Have you ever come to the realization that you believe something without actually understanding why? Every day, we hear so much noise about why this or that type of energy makes the most sense, with the environment playing a large part in the debate. It can be tempting to form an opinion without really becoming educated.

We’ve all heard that solar energy is better for the environment. The best way to understand how is to compare it to the alternatives for powering our homes. In most cases, these are fossil fuels like natural gas or coal.

First, think about the process of obtaining these fuels and how it affects the planet. The extraction of fossil fuels requires digging into the Earth’s terrain and removing something that’s been trapped in the ground for millions of years. Finding, collecting, and transporting fossil fuel is an incredibly costly endeavor that has the potential to throw the planet out of geological balance. We’re often left with destroyed mountaintops, polluted waters, and many other negative consequences. Solar power, on the other hand, is there for the taking, and will continue to fall right into our laps from the sky for billions and billions of years.

After excavating and transporting fossil fuels, they are burned to extract energy. Plugging an electrical appliance or device into the wall might seem clean enough, but there’s a good chance that the electricity came from a very, very dirty plant. There is scientific evidence that the release of greenhouse gases like carbon and methane into the atmosphere is causing climate change that will eventually result in catastrophic circumstances for everyone and everything on the planet. In addition to dirty emissions, we’re also left with massive amounts of other waste. Solar panels are truly clean, generating power without releasing any harmful emissions or waste.

Perhaps the most important benefit of solar power is that unlike fossil fuels, we’re not going to run out of it. This is not only crucial because we’ll eventually find ourselves out of luck. As fossil fuels become more difficult to find and extract, their price is bound to skyrocket. Solar power will continue to arrive on Earth in a reliable and predictable fashion. While solar power might carry an initial investment, it is a much better investment in any span of time other than the very short term, both individually and as a society.

For anyone who truly understands the environmental benefits of solar power, the choice is clear. We only have one planet, so we only have one real option. Now is the time to make the change, and make your home part of the solution in saving the future of the planet.

An ITC Extension Would Stimulate Major Growth in the U.S. Solar Market

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If you’ve seen more and more solar panels atop people’s roofs, you’ve noticed that solar power has become trendy. And now the U.S. government is helping the solar energy industry continue to grow having just passed a $1.8 trillion spending bill that includes provisions to extend federal tax credits for both wind and solar power generation. In other words, the government is promoting solar panels to make electricity by making them more affordable to all.

The government is essentially investing in solar power to the tune of $40 billion between 2016 and 2020. Look for residential installations to see a 35% boost during this timeframe, while commercial solar should increase by 51%. Hey, if the government is willing to shoulder some of the cost, why not take advantage of the generous offer and have solar panels installed on your roof?

By extending the federal 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC), the U.S. government is offering quite the incentive for people and businesses to convert to some or all solar energy to power their homes and offices. Solar will be beating new natural gas generation on price, meaning you’ll most likely be seeing even more buildings with solar panels on them in the next couple years.

Having the government invest in the renewable energy business by extending tax credits is crucial to securing financing for big solar installations. Industrial clients are ready to take on new projects now that they know Congress has given them their vote of confidence. Old coal plants are out; new solar parks are in. The United States is becoming a more environmentally-friendly, “green” place to live, work and play as solar energy gets a much needed boost.

In Texas and New Mexico, where the sun shines often, Solar Solutions Inc. can meet all of your residential or commercial solar needs. Email solarsolutions.texas@gmail.com for more information.

Even Oil Workers Know: Solar Power is the Future

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For as long as it has been around, fossil fuels have been the world’s most constant source of energy. That is however, until the recent emergence of solar power. This form of energy has slowly gained steam and is threatening to topple fossil fuels as top dog. It has created such a convincing case that even oil workers have started to take notice, and for good reason too!

The Proof is in the (Solar) Power

In a recent article on Forbes.com, a oil worker stated he believed that solar power is becoming so predominant for three different reasons. One of them being that the technology for it is getting better and cheaper as time goes on. This is important because any technology that is too expensive struggles to be relevant because it won’t be very accessible to the masses. Another reason he sees it on the rise is because support for it has been very steady and showed no signs of wavering. Also, many sun rich countries around world are starting to invest more in to it to make it a substantial form of power them and their people. In addition numerous agencies have claimed this energy source is only going to continue to grow, showing no signs of slowing down.

GR Solar Solutions is a solar company offering the designing and installation of many solar systems for homes and businesses. No matter what you are looking for, we will work with you to meet all of your solar needs. For more information on our products, feel free to contact us today!

Solar Power Is Gaining Traction Around the Globe

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Solar energy has been a growing market within the U.S. for some time now. In fact, according to SEIA’s U.S. Solar Market Insight for Q1 2015 (released in June), residential installations grew 76% compared to Q1 2014. Additionally, non-residential and utility solar PV installations continue to grow.  Recognizing the need for alternative energies, the United States is well on its way to becoming more energy efficient and the trend is a growing global trend.

China, for example, is now considered to not only be the manufacturing hub for solar photo voltaic panels, but also the fastest growing market for energy over the next five years, according to a Nasdaq article.

As the world’s largest consumer of coal, China is also the world’s largest emitter of carbon. This concentrated effort to become more energy efficient and to consciously reduce of the amount of greenhouse gas emitted as a country is huge. And the amount of investment into renewable energies is also huge. China’s renewable energy market is valued at $89.5 billion, making it the largest in the world.

In their effort to reduce their carbon emissions, China will soon begin construction on — yep you guessed it — the world’s largest solar power plant. Spread across 10 square miles in the Gobi desert, the solar plant will have the capacity to power nearly one million households.

When the solar power plant is commissioned, it will help decreases coal consumption by about 4.26 million tons per year. It will also reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide emissions by 896,000 tons and 8,080 tons, respectively.

If you’d like to read the full article, you can do so here.

The Cost of Solar Panels Continue to Fall

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With the presidential campaign heating up (although it’s still a ways away!), there’s been a lot of talk about the middle class, working people, and income. Many are saying that the country is split into two, between the haves and the have-nots. The statistics, unfortunately, backs this up to an extent; income for working people has stagnated since the 80s or, in the worst case scenario, declined rapidly altogether. It’s certainly a disheartening state of affairs, but not all is lost; solar energy is poised to even out the playing field a little bit. It seems like the sun will once again become the working person’s best friend.

According to the Billings Gazette, “Because the cost of solar panels has fallen dramatically in recent years, they are reaching parity with utility rates in Montana and are below it in many areas of the country. Costs are expected to continue to fall. This could help working people a lot – if the barriers to fair access to the grid for net metering and community solar projects were removed.

”This is especially the case when it comes to net metering, which means that although there are solar panels on your roof, you are still connected to the grid. This helps manage your meter and decreases the money you spend. When you purchase a solar system, you are revolutionizing your entire income for the better; there will be no frivolous utility costs. In the long run, a solar system will improve your life for the better and for the working class, this is a much-needed boost to fiscal happiness. It’s funny to think that the sun is the most democratic object in our lives; it’s for everyone, giving men and women equal opportunity. The sun is as American as it can get and now with solar power, ALL Americans can utilize its energy and at GR Solar Solutions Inc., we think that’s a beautiful thing.

A Breakthrough in Clean Energy

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Solar powered energy is the wave of the future, thanks in large part because it is healthy for the environment. Recently, there has been a breakthrough regarding solar energy in Switzerland.

On Wednesday, Swiss scientists announced a new clean energy breakthrough. They developed a cheaper solar technology that can split water molecules to create a clean burning hydrogen fuel.

The design of this solar panel will be a cheaper way to produce hydrogen. However, a simple version of this will not be available to the general public for another ten years.

However this type of energy would mean that cars would have clean power. The suns energy would be easily stored from the hydrogen that is produced. Once this became available, it would be much better for the environment.

Previously one of the biggest issues that solar hydrogen technologies was that they were too expensive to commercialize and make available to everyone. By using technologies that are less expensive to produce, more people will be able to access them and reduce the size of their carbon footprint.

This model would look like the previous solar panels mounted on rooftops. The main difference would be that there would be a thin layer on the outside with water inside. Tungsten diselenide, also inside the device, acts as a photo-catalyst and utilizes the suns energy in order to split water into oxygen and hydrogen.

Interesting stuff.

At Solar Solutions we can install them for your residential and commercial needs. Contact us today!

Source Used: http://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/discovery-brightens-solars-future-energy-costs-be-cut-n385841

Why You Should Heat Your Pool With Solar Power

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The arrival of spring marks the start to the warmer months, and many people are just starting to get their pools ready for the coming hot weather. Though it may be a bit cool to take a dip for now, adding a solar-powered heating system can not only add weeks of enjoyment to your swimming season, but also save you dollars.

Solar powered pool heating systems have been around for many years now, and have grown in popularity in recent years as an efficient and self-sustaining method for keeping pools from being too cool. These systems draw pool water in via the pump already used in the pool and force it through valves into the bottom of a closed system that is exposed to solar collectors. As the water heats from absorbing the radiant energy of sunlight, it rises to the top where it is returned to the pool in a continual process until the pool reaches the desired temperature.

Conventional systems, by contrast, heat water using a separate heating tank, similar to the water heater in your home. Just like that system, conventional pool heaters require an energy source, such as natural gas or electricity, and can quickly become an expensive endeavor. In areas like ours, with abundant sunlight, a solar system can provide the same heating capability using no energy at all, efficiently and greenly raising your water temperature without boiling over into your energy bills.

The U.S. Department of Energy notes that solar water heaters are the most cost-effective use of solar energy for most climates, and besides being cost competitive with conventional systems, can effectively pay for themselves in fuel savings in as little as a year and a half. Solar pool heating systems are generally very low maintenance as well, and, according to the Florida Solar Energy Center, can easily last for 10 to 15 years with regular care, providing many extra months of comfortable water for extra time in your pool.

Solar heating systems are generally noninvasive installations, and can be installed as a rooftop or freestanding unit. With so many advantages, from energy savings to extending your swimming season, there’s no better way to get the most out of your pool than adding a solar pool heating system.