Solar Energy Rebates In Australia

There are a number of solar energy rebates in Australia and you can literally save thousands of dollars when you know the way to integrate these into your life. There are rebates for many different renewable energy options such as on grid connected and off grid solar panels, solar hot water or solar pumping systems. If you qualify for one of the Australian Government's renewable energy rebates, subsidies or grants then you could save a lot of money on your energy expenditure.
Home solar power rebates
The Solar Credits rebate can save you thousands on a system if you meet the requirements. You can also make money from a rooftop solar array. The major rebate currently available is the national Solar Credits Program. The Solar Credits multiplier offers thousands of dollars in savings depending on the size and location of installation, and applies to new installations of small-scale renewable energy generators eligible under the scheme. Solar credits will apply to the first 1.5 kilowatts (kW) of capacity installed. Renewable Energy Certificates accompany solar power equipment purchases and can be traded for cash. However please note that the multiplier credits will only apply to the first small-scale generation system installed at an address.
Off grid solar power rebates
This is for Australians living in a remote location. If you switch to renewable energy you can get the Solar Credits multiplier for the first 20kW of a solar panels system and potentially save thousands on your energy bill. On Thursday, June 24 2010, legislation was passed for Australia's enhanced Renewable Energy Target. As part of this legislation, there were greatly increased financial incentives available for people installing off grid solar power systems. The legislation states that "households and businesses installing systems on buildings more than a kilometer from the main grid or who have evidence that it would cost in excess of $30,000 to connect to mains power will be eligible to receive the Solar Credits multiplier for the first 20kW of their system installed".
Solar incentives for business
This scheme is designed for environmentally conscious Australian business owners. Current business incentives include huge tax breaks, RECs, feed in tariffs and major rebates under the solar credits program. The solar credits program provides substantial savings for businesses on grid connect solar power systems. Businesses can claim a tax deduction on a commercial solar power system installed on their business premises. Businesses can also save money by installing a solar hot water system or heat pump. This will help to not only slash the electricity bills but also the business greenhouse gas emissions.
Solar schools grants
The Solar schools grant called The National Solar School Program (NSSP) offers most single campus schools in Australia $50,000 grants and up to $100,000 for dual campuses. The Australian Government is also providing generous grants of up to $50,000 (excluding GST) for each school in Australia to install grid connected solar power, which is a great way to reduce the carbon footprint and save money. In the case of dual campuses, the grant may go up to $100,000 (excluding GST) and this grant is available until June 2015, under the National Solar School Program (NSSP). There is also additional funding available in some states under state programs, so it makes sense to look around for rebates.
Government solar hot water rebate
The Federal Government announced major solar hot water rebate changes on February 19, 2010 and there are now rebates of up to $1000 available to install solar hot water systems. There are also rebates of up to $600 for heat pumps installed to replace electric storage hot water systems in existing privately owned homes.

In Australia the government offers rebates for home owners that install solar energy for their homes. This includes the products I had installed from this solar panels Melbourne service.

Do it Yourself Solar Panels

Solar energy has appealed to more and more people nowadays. The need to save money is higher now than before. More likely, the demand for solar power technology is greater than ever. With the continuous search to conserve money, advanced technologies and reasonable price solutions, the popularity of solar energy also grows.
Following solar power technology guidelines will help mainly in saving a lot from expenses especially in electric bills. That's a lot of solar energy savings to sum up. Efficient energy savings give a lot of advantages in terms of financial budget and ecological preservation.
Here are some guidelines on how to conserve energy.
• Choose the right color for your house or room. Bright colored paints for your walls reflect lights. This will make the room look lively and brighter. Dark colors absorb brightness from lights and even sunlight reflection. This will save a lot of energy because of lesser need to buy light bulbs.
• A consumer must be bright in choosing and buying light bulbs. The best types to buy are either LED light bulbs or fluorescent bulbs. Incandescent bulbs consume a lot of energy.
• Turn off lights when you're not around. Leaving light bulbs on will surely consume electricity, especially when left for a long time. After using electrical gadgets, make sure to unplug these appliances. Leaving them in their sockets still generates energy thus, increasing electric bills.
• Turn on dishwashers only when it's full. The amount of energy consumed is the same as turning it on when half full.
Following these guidelines is of great use to consumers with tight financial budgets. As such, using solar panels also helps in keeping those utility bills low. Solar powered energy may be used in cooking, lighting, communicating, cooling, heating and others.
Energy efficiency aids together with solar energy savings to people on all walks of life - be it a busy businessman, a utility worker or a plain housewife. Having solar panels will give you the alternative for energy sources aside from local power companies. If you know how to maximize the use of those solar cells up there in your roofs, life will be easier. A lot may be taken from solar energy savings. Utilizing sun's energy will even earn you a little something. All you've got to do is find out what they are and make use of them.
There are two basic ways to harness solar energy. It is either converting it to thermal energy or by converting it into electricity. These can be used for a variety of applications. With solar power technology you'll not only save on electricity, you'll even save hundreds of money!

Steven Kunt has proven that harnessing solar power is an efficient way to save electricity. To learn more about energy saving ideas and energy saving tips, click on this link http://www.solarenergysavings.net.

How to Build Solar Panels: Types of Solar Panels

Solar panels are used to produce renewable energy from the sun, and are a clean and environmentally sound means of collecting energy. Solar energy is becoming a more popular source of energy as people start to worry about energy costs and the environment. Homeowners can reduce their investment by learning how to make solar panels themselves.
Solar panels produce energy by emitting photons. Solar cells are placed in solar panels in a grid pattern to produce energy. Negative and positive charges are produced by millions of atoms. Silicon and different atoms are used to produce the charged stimuli. There are three types of silicon: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and amorphous silicon which are all used in panels. Silicon does not produce energy until it comes in contact with the photon particles produced by the sun. When this happens it produces energy. The voltage and current in the solar cell determines the capacity or amount of power the cell produces.
The flat plate collector and the concentrating collector are the two types of solar panels. The flat plate collectors are flat, and are primarily used in residential environments. These collectors are typically seen on top of residential rooftops. They have a transparent glass cover that protects the solar cells from damage and aids in reflection of sunlight onto the cells. The primary use of flat plate collectors are to heat water, space heating, and lighting in residential homes. Flat plate collectors are what can be made for a fraction of the cost at home, and we will teach you how to make solar panels. Concentrating collectors are capable of producing larger quantities of electricity as compared to flat plate collectors. The energy produced by these panels are used in both commercial and industrial applications such as air conditioning, central power generation, and heating. Concentrating collector panels have curved mirrors with a front or back covering of silver or aluminum or some type of reflective material. Concentrating collectors can generate power more efficiently and economically than flat plate collectors. The downside is that they are more expensive, and usually require more maintenance.
The biggest problem with solar panels is how little electricity they produce compared to the size of the actual panel. A single solar cell provides enough energy to power a calculator, but if you want to power a house you'll need several hundred or thousand cells, depending on your needs. New technology being developed is helping to improve the efficiency of solar energy systems.
The future of solar panels and solar energy are very bright. Great improvements are needed before it become the leader of supplying energy. Solar panels are used to provide only a small portion of energy worldwide. As technology grows the use of solar power is destined to compete and grow to hopefully outweigh tradition power sources to where we will have a cleaner environment and protect our planet. Once people discover that you don't have to buy retail panels, it'll motivate them to make solar panels at home.

Michael Nelson is a alternative energy enthusiast who wants to help people learn about solar energy and the benefits that it provides. Learn how to make solar panels at home to cut down costs and begin saving money on your home or business energy bills today.
http://www.ehowtomakesolarpanels.com/
http://ehowtomakesolarpanels.com/types-of-solar-panels/

Solar Panels Provide a Green Energy Solution Using High Tech Computer Manufacturing Processes

Solar cell technology has been in existence for over 60 years. Solar modules, commonly referred to as photovoltaic panels, have been used to generate electricity from light ever since the silicon based semiconductor was invented. No longer a laboratory curiosity, solar cells are an industry unto themselves and are as common in energy generation as conventional power generation methods such as steam turbine driven generators and nuclear power plants. There are many solar energy collection methods in use and available today. We will investigate the more common electricity producing solar energy devices: photovoltaic cells and PV modules.
How does a PV module generate electricity from light?
Solar Cell
Solar cells are made of materials that are electrically activated when light strikes their surfaces. This unit, a solar cell, operates without moving parts and never wears out! Add many cells together and you have a solar array or a photovoltaic module. The more cells, the higher the power that is possible to generate from the modules.
Cell Layers
The top layer of the solar cell or wafer contains a silicon layer which has free electrons which are negatively charged particles. A boron enhanced bottom layer contains spaces or holes, that let electrons move into the open spaces. The manufacturing process creates this electron imbalance between the two layers within this semiconductor material. This imbalances is responsible for the operation of the solar cell which creates the electrical current and voltage.
The Sun Strikes the Solar Cell
Photons from the sun hit the outside of the photovoltaic cell. This activity excites the free electrons in both silicon layers. Some electrons in the bottom layer travel to the silicon layer at the top of the cell. Electron flow moves through metal contacts located on the solar cell's front and back which creates electricity. Electrons flow in a closed loop or electrical circuit. Combining multiple solar cells has an additive effect on voltage and current depending on how they are "strung" together. Think of each cell as a battery. Stringing the cells in series (negative to positive) will add voltage and keep amperage the same as for one cell. Stringing the cells in parallel will keep voltage the same as for one cell but add the amperage of the cells.
Powering With Solar
Solar panels generate electrical current which is transmitted to an inverter. The inverter changes direct current into alternating current which matches the electricity that your power company provides. Appliances and power equipment operate with AC current. In the United States, power is generated at 60 hertz whereas in Europe, 50 hertz is the norm.
The solar electrical power feeds into the wiring of a house, business or power plant and into the electrical utility's power grid. An independently operated power system also can act as its own utility. This "off-grid" system requires batteries to store power when the solar panels produce more power than the load needs and is discharged when the solar modules cannot capture enough energy from the sun to offset the electrical loads from the home or business.
Converting Silicon Wafers Into Photovoltaic Cells
The computer chip industry has made the low cost production of the solar cell possible. The strides in yield, processing and quality have made the photovoltaic cell manufacturing process current state-of-the-art and scalable. While the process is matures for silicon wafer production, the techniques are time consuming and important in achieving the desired performance outcomes. The silicon wafer starts out as an ingot of silicone material and then is sawn into the characteristically round wafers that you see on a solar module.
EtchingA Wafer
The part of the solar cell process requiring a clean room incorporates chemical and heat treatments that convert the greyish silicon wafers into live, blue colored cells. A chemical etch removes a tiny layer of silicon. Underneath this layer, a crystal structure reveals a pyramid shaped surface that absorbs more light.
Diffusing
Silicon wafers are placed into ovens where phosphorus is diffused into the wafer surface. This step deposits a molecular sized deposit as the wafer surface is exposed to phosphorus gas at a high heat. This step gives the surface a negative potential electrical charge. This layer and the boron-doped layer beneath the surface create a positive-negative, or P/N, junction which is the basis of a PV cell. This is also how a semiconductor chip is made.
Coloring And Printing
The cells are placed into vacuum chambers where silicon nitride is deposited onto the side of the wafer that will be exposed to the sunlight. The coating with silicon nitride is designed to reduce light reflection. This process gives the cell its dark blue color. The cell is ready to produce electricity but still need a means to collect and forward the power to the load. Metal stripes are printed on both sides of the cell so that electrical charge collection and landing areas for wires can be added to the wafer. When this step is complete, the cell is ready to produce power.
Attaching Cells Into Solar Panels
Cells are arranged to create the voltage and amperage profile of the completed solar panel. If you look at the various brands of solar panels on the market, you will notice that the cell arrangement dictates both of these attributes of home solar panels and commercial type solar panels. Consequently, the physical frame size of the PV module is set by the solar cell arrangement.
Soldering
Cells are soldered together into series strings which involves electrical bonding of the wafers together to form one module. Several strings are connected to form a rectangular matrix of cells. Each cell matrix is laminated onto glass using a robust adhesive system that ensures the completed panel will survive normal environmental loads.
Framing
The outer frame of the solar module provides protection against weather and impact loads and also includes the electrical connection which could be a junction box or a standard electrical cable connector. These are commonly used in other electrical devices.
Location, Location, Location
Siting the solar module array requires the chance to collect as much sunlight as possible during the seasonal variation in sun intensity.
Rooftop systems provide a ready platform since the surface is often tilted toward the sun and the surface is unusable for most any other device.
Ground-mounted systems are good options where roofs are unavailable or too small in area. Modules are mounted on racks which are ground anchored and accessible for service or adding additional solar modules.
Canopy systems work well in shed roof applications such as parking areas.
Utility-scale systems are normally large scale power creating units that are sized for utility grade use and not usually limited in land area.
Tracking systems optimize output power by moving the solar modules according to the sun's path.
Summary
Solar modules are a union of solar cells and the technology that makes computer chips lower cost than just a decade ago. The inherent reliability of the solar modules used for home solar panels is due to the lack of moving parts and the high reliability parts and processes that make the solar module reality. There are virtually no limits to the types of solar electric systems that can be designed and very few limitations on location as long as there is abundant sunlight.

Robert Thibodeau is an author who has seen and specified alternative energy products for over 25 years and operates a collection of web based stores that offer energy savings products as diverse as solar energy electricity generating systems, home solar panels, solar power forums and many useful energy measuring devices. Through the GreenCluster family of e-commerce and learning sites, one can pick and choose products that fit their interests and needs while becoming more knowledgeable about energy use and the science and mechanics behind its creation. If you are interested in learning more about home solar panels or seeing a wide array of solar panels, inverters and associated hardware that will suit the beginner or seasoned professional installer please visit our site.

Will Solar Energy Initiative Affect the Real Estate Market?

In February 2006, President Bush announced what's has come to be called the Solar America Initiative (SAI), designed to promote the widespread use of various solar energy technologies in homes throughout the United States by 2015. It's yet to be determined what effect SAI will have on America's sagging real estate market, and that may actually be beside the point in the initial stages of the program. The overall goal of the program is to expand America's electricity options while reducing the country's dependence on foreign oil, which will ultimately improve the country's overall economy and environment.
U.S. Department of EnergyThe push to incorporate more solar technology into American homes will be coming from many different directions, including the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), which has been given a mandate to encourage more use of solar heat and electricity in homes and businesses, beginning immediately.The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) recently released a document titled "A Guide to Federal Tax Credits for Solar Energy," offering details about a number of federal solar tax incentives that were enacted as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Included in those incentives is a 30 percent tax credit (up to $2,000) for the installation of qualifying photovoltaic or solar water heating systems in the home. The same legislation increased the solar tax credit to businesses from 10 to 30 percent, with no cap on the amount of credit that can be claimed, if the systems are installed in 2006 or 2007. The goal of the tax incentives is to encourage market growth and improvement in solar technology by increasing the demand and acceptance of the concept. As solar technology becomes more ubiquitous, public acceptance should become more mainstream, as well, and providing attractive tax incentives for both homeowners and businesses is a good place to start.
Energy CrisisIn the face of what looks to be a long-term energy crisis, solar technology is beginning to make more and more sense to the average person. The solar industry is working with member of congress to try to extend the generous tax credit beyond the 2007 date, in hopes of making an even bigger impact on America's energy shortage. Extending the incentives can go a long way toward establishing the U.S. solar industry as a strong alternative to foreign oil. As American solar technology improves, more and more businesses and homes will begin to use the sun's energy to provide all or part of their heat, hot water, electricity, and cooling needs. In time, home buyers will undoubtedly begin to insist upon having solar technology built into their real estate packages, but for now, the Solar America Initiative should be considered just the first step in moving the United States toward energy independence and greater economic stability. In years to come, when solar technology has become so commonplace that's it's hardly given a second thought, it's very probable that solar advocates will look back at SAI as the cornerstone that made it all possible. Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher

Jeanette Fisher, author of real estate investing and interior design books, also writes about Environmental Psychology. For more environment articles, see http://environmentpsychology.com/environment_ecology.htm

Solar Panel Energy Output - Factors That Effect Solar Panels Efficiency

Solar energy is a renewable form of energy that is produced by solar arrays. Solar arrays are built from a group of solar panels, and the panels are basically boxes that hold arrays of solar cells. If you are thinking to use solar energy to power your home, you need to do some research about solar panel energy output in order to predict how many solar cells and panels you need to build to produce enough power for your home.
However, generally, each panel vary significantly They have different specifications and made of different materials. Here are the factors you need to consider:
1- The materials you use:
If you use cheap and weak materials the solar panels energy output will not be as efficient as the expensive and strong ones. There are three types of solar panels for home, they are the monocrystalline, the polycrystaline and the thin solar panels. The monocrystalline type is the most expensive and has the highest efficiency to collect sunlight and the least efficient is the thin type.
2- Your location: For instance if you live in Arizona, you get more solar radiation than someone who lives in the mid west.
3- Solar energy output is also affected by weather and seasonal variations. The angle of the sun to the solar panel changes with the time of day and seasonal variations. Cloudy and rainy days contribute to less effectiveness of the sunlight collection.
4- The size of the panels: The bigger the size, the more efficient it will be.
If you want to make the panels on your own, you need to do some research to approximate the quantity of the panels that you need. It is said that usually each of these cells can produce up to 0.5 volts, but as have been discussed above it depends on the quality of the material you use. If you need higher output, you can get solar cells that have higher amplitude. Use this formula to approximate the size of the panels you are going to need:
Amp x Volts= the amount of power in watts.
Using bigger cells may boost the solar panels energy output. Although you can produce more power with larger cells, the whole structure would be very large and heavy, so it might not be practical in most of the situations.
However, usually every panel has the specification that tells you the maximum output you can get out of the panel at given conditions, usually it is based on 1000 watt per square meter, but 90 % of the time you do not get that. It only gives an idea of what you will get but no real numbers.

Do you know that it can cost up to $30,000 to hire professional to build solar panels for you? Save THOUSANDS by building your own home made solar panels by following simple step-step-by-step instructions at http://www.solarpanelsmadeeasy.com!

Vegas Sparkles With Solar Energy

In a plan that is less surprising than audacious, Las Vegas city fathers plan to place solar panels on top of carports at a number of city-owned and operated facilities.
The $11-million plan, will reportedly cut the city's electricity costs by about $300,000 a year when completed, and generate enough electricity to supply 170 homes.
The solar panels in question have a life expectancy of between 25 and 40 years (the first figure being closer to the expert's usual estimates), and the city's investment of $600,000 from a "green" building fund will reportedly be recaptured in about 15 years.
The rest of the funding - $4,150,000 of Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant funds (EECBG), $1,276,738 from Community Development Block Grant Recovery (CDBG-R, or ARRA) funds, and $5.1 million from New Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, as well as utility rebates for renewable energy - makes up the balance.
The project will initially start with three sets of panels mounted across 34 carport stalls and paid for by ARRA funding, and will be located at the new Stupak Community Center at 300 W. Boston Ave. (across the street from the Chester Stupak Park). The center, built in 2008 at a cost of $7.5 million, is nearly complete and contains 34,183 square feet of ESL and general classrooms, an indoor gym/aerobic fitness and weight control center, a kitchen, a library and a game room. Opening is scheduled for this winter.
Two other solar projects, also slated for carport roofs on public buildings, will finish the 950-kilowatt project, which is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the city's carbon footprint by 949 tons of carbon monoxide (which would have been produced by burning fossil fuels). Stupak Center solar project construction is expected to start in 2010.
The new Stupak Community Center is slated for completion this fall, with an opening proposed for this winter. The solar carport at the center is expected to break ground sometime in 2010.
The panels, funded from the Community Development Block Grant Recovery portion of ARRA, is the first project approved in the region, which includes Nevada, California, Arizona and Hawaii, and will provide between 10 and 30 percent of the center's power needs, depending on usage.
The panels also provide covered parking, and they, along with solar installations at the wastewater treatment plant, will move the city to 10 percent of renewable power by 2011, which is close to Nevada's Renewable Energy Standard (RES) of 25 percent of energy from renewables by 2025.

Cooler Planet is a leading solar resource for connecting consumers and commercial entities with local solar Installers. Cooler Planet's solar energy resource page contains articles and tools about solar panels to help with your solar project.