solarpower

Solar Powered Lights

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.

Solar Powered Homes

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.