Solar power is utterly simple, and is definitely the wave of the future. A component called a photovoltaic cell collects energy from the sun and is converted into electricity. There are no moving parts, liquids or chemicals involved in the process. The cells are connected together on a solar panel, and they are hooked up in series and allowing the cells to work in unison. The energy that is generated is direct current which is then stored in a battery. A device called an inverter converts the DC to AC for household use. Since only a small amount of current is generated by each cell, there are as a rule a lot of panels required to run your entire house on solar energy.

Large-scale solar conversion projects cost about $10-$12 per watt to install. This remarkable technology can definitely be used in and around the home for landscape lighting and all your outdoor lighting fixtures. As an example, if you wanted to operate your lighting fixtures and a few small appliances around the home the solar installation would cost approximately $1000.

With escalating energy costs, this type of energy is totally renewable and is pollution-free, so there is a remarkable future ahead! It is an amazing source of power and is available all over the planet, free of charge. As technology advances, the cost of photovoltaic cells will come down, and this source of energy will become more and more economical to install and use. There are a small number of major oil companies that have committed large amounts of research capital into solar research. It is quite obvious that these companies see an end in sight when it pertains to relying on oil. The future of energy worldwide will depend upon these forward-thinking people and the innovative technology they use to improve and develop this renewable and free energy source.

If you are designing a new home or considering an addition or renovations to your existing home, you may want to design the home considering a solar application, such as landscape lighting or indoor track lighting fixtures. With energy costs escalating, this type of energy-saving device is growing in popularity every day. When it comes to designing your home around solar panels, it starts with the placement of your home on the lot. One of the biggest mistakes made by many people is the failure to take into account all aspects of their home heating and cooling systems. Studies done of people who have designed homes using solar heat or cooling show that the wrong placement of your home on the lot can lead to a situation where you are producing far too much solar heat and the house becomes too hot, or not enough heat and it is too cold.

Here are a few tips to consider. One important consideration, even before you purchase the lot is to make sure that the southern side of the home is going to receive at least six hours of direct sunlight in the middle of the day. It is believed that there are certain parts of the United States that receive more sun exposure than others but this is false. There is sufficient sun exposure everywhere, although there are some areas that have fog and cloud cover more than others. Regardless of where your home is located, you must have the required amount of sunlight on a daily basis. Designing the yard for outdoor lighting fixtures and landscape lighting is all important.

Your home must be situated in such a way that your longest wall will receive the most sun exposure. The more surface you have facing the sun, the more heat and light you are going to be able to generate in your home. However, if you orient the short side of your home to the sun, it is going to produce less heat and be harder to circulate it throughout your home. To adequately produce heat, a large number of windows on the south side of your home is essential. Unless you have solar panels built into a wall, it simply makes sense to orient your home correctly to take advantage of the sun’s rays. You also should minimize the use of windows on the north side of the home to keep your valuable heat from escaping. Keep this balance in mind when you’re considering the placement of the structure on its lot. Without careful thought and planning to combat excessive heat or cooling, your home will be uncomfortable and it could prove to be one of the most costly mistakes you ever make!