Serving The Environmental Industry Since 1992
(909) 980-1800
Mon-Sun: 8 am - 7 pm
SolarGem

Tag: solar gem

SolarGemBlog Posts and Articlessolar gem
01 Sep 2015
0 Comments By SolarGem Solar Power , , , , , , ,

Solar Power Advancements And Effectiveness

Solar Power Advancements And EffectivenessThe technologies utilized in solar power systems have changed tremendously since the 1950’s. In fact so efficient are modern solar power systems that they are nearly 4 to 5 times more powerful than their predecessors of yesteryear. What this essentially means is that home and business owners can have solar power implemented at either their residence or place of business and save more money than ever before on energy consumption. Moreover the solar power systems found in years and decades past didn’t always generate 100% of a businesses or residences power needs though these days even the most modest solar power systems are capable of achieving his feet.

The popularity of solar power is soaring thanks to the aforementioned advances in solar technology and in part because of the rapid technological enhancements have helped drive costs down. With so much focus placed on the ability to be energy independent and keeping consumption costs low, it’s very common for individuals to overlook several other facts about solar technologies. Unbeknownst to many home and business owners the state of California as well as the United States federal government offer financial incentives to those who elect to have solar power systems installed. In some cases up to 40% of the initial cost of the system and installation is covered by these incentives. Home and business owners also frequently overlook the significant increase in property value is solar power systems carry with them. Any home or place of business that utilizes solar power rises in value dramatically very quickly.

Again, with so much focus placed on solar power saving individuals money and allowing them to be environmentally conscious it’s easy to forget exactly what solar power does for homes and/or places of business. Even the most inexpensive solar power systems these days can address the high demand for power that are found in modern offices and homes. Whether it’s heating, air conditioning, lighting, computing, or refrigeration solar power systems can handle the heavy workloads of modern appliances and technological devices.

While remaining excited about saving money on energy consumption and remembering what solar power can do for home or place of business it’s time to talk installation. Installation of solar power systems, including panels, is generally handled by professionals as the job requires not only a knowledge of how solar power works but precise measurements and knowledge of special equipment. Fortunately home and business owners will often find that their preferred solar vendor also offers affordable installation services. Generally speaking once installation is scheduled the job is completed within a matter of hours, at least whereas homes are concerned. Installing solar power into commercial structures however may require more time should a building be particularly large or have unusually high energy requirements.

19 Aug 2015
Solar Power Technology
0 Comments By SolarGem Solar Power , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Solar Power Breakthrough

Solar power technologies are always advancing and evolving. Recently a major breakthrough in solar power has seen scientists utilize the sun to create not just usable energy but solar energy materials as well. If the work of these researchers turns out to work with direct sunlight it will mean that the suns energy can only be collected and converted into electricity but that consumers and even those provide solar services will be able to directly produce solar energy materials.

So what exactly does this mean for those who are interested in solar power? In the immediate future not much. In the not-too-distant future however big changes to solar power will leave their mark on the industry. For one, if this breakthrough turns out to be as applicable as scientists hope the costs associated with solar power will reduce dramatically. This means that it will be cheaper to install and to utilize. It’s not difficult to envision a scenario where the tax credits and rebates associated with solar power will become even greater.

Not only will the cost of solar power be reduced but solar power will become much more efficient than it is even today. The rate at which sunlight is collected and converted into usable energy will increase exponentially making today’s standard rates look paltry by comparison. In addition to reducing costs and making solar power is more efficient this discovery will allow more environmentally benign materials to be utilized in things like solar panels and other parts of systems.

This breakthrough in solar power technology is a recent one and there is plenty of testing left to be done to determine whether or not it can be applied to commercial solar power products. These findings were recently published in RSC Advances which is a journal of the Royal Society Of Chemistry. Professor Chih-Hung Chan of Oregon State University was quoted as saying “this approach should work and is very environmentally conscious”. The work itself is based on the use of continuous flow micro-reactors that produced nano particle inks which in turn generate solar cells by printing. In this process simulated sunlight was focused on micro reactors that were rapidly heated. Researchers had precise control of temperatures to aid the quality of the finished product. Although this breakthrough was a result of utilizing artificial light the same researchers believe that the same effect can be achieved using direct sunlight at just a fraction of the cost.

While solar technology is always changing and evolving there are moments where it does so by leaps and bounds. This is one such moment and should further research demonstrate this breakthrough to be applicable to consumer solar power we can all expect big changes and more affordable solar power down the line.

Source: Science Daily

22 Jul 2015
Keep Solar Panels Clean
0 Comments By SolarGem Solar Power , , , , , , , , ,

3 Reasons To Keep Solar Panels Clean

So excited are individuals who have solar power systems installed at their homes and places of business that they often forget to consider the cleaning of their solar panels. Not right away mind you but over time and rather quickly solar panels become dirty and when the cleanliness of solar panels is neglected there are a number of detrimental side effects that homeowners will see. Homeowners need to have their solar panels cleaned regularly by professionals in order to keep them functioning at optimum levels and to ensure their longevity.

The first and perhaps most important reason home and business owner should have their solar panels cleaned is to ensure that those panels and the systems they are attached to continue producing usable energy efficiently. Though the effects may not be noticeable right off the bat, the moment solar panels are installed they begin collecting dust and dirt. As dirt, dust, calcium, and debris all collect on top of solar panels their ability to collect and convert sunlight into usable electricity diminishes at a slow but steady rate. Homes and businesses that exist in environments/climates where debris is plentiful and sunshine is minimal are affected even more by dirty solar panels.

Modern solar panels aren’t as gaudy nor as bulky as their cousins of yesteryear but they still take up considerable real estate on and around homes and places of business. As such home and business owners often keep their solar panels clean in order to keep them looking good, professional, and tended to. Solar panels that are left neglected can easily become an eyesore and distract from more important parts of a home and/or place of business.

The third reason people have for cleaning their solar panels is the avoidance of damage and/or the need for repair and replacement solar panels. While it may not seem that precipitation, dust, and dirt can damage solar panels, over time these things can actually erode the protective coatings and film on top of solar panels and can be conducive to mold growth, bird nests, and even collections of insects and bugs. All of these things can have negative long-term effects on solar panels. The cost associated with cleaning solar panels are far more affordable than are replacement solar panels and repair services.

Whatever reason and individual may have for wanting to clean their solar panels it’s important to move forward with regularly scheduled cleanings. After paying an exorbitant amount of money for their solar power systems it would only make sense that such persons would want to keep the solar panels looking good and in good working order.