In the mid-1880s, Charles Fritts built the first solar cell formed by selenium coated with a thin layer of gold and with an energy efficiency of 1%. However, it was not until 1954 that Bell Labs discovered accidentally that would be the first commercial solar cell, with silicon as the base. (more…)

Today, photovoltaic cells only contribute a small proportion (approximately 0.04 percent) of total electricity in the United States. At the same time the production of solar panels has growth rapidly per year by around 20% growth in the 1990s and photovoltaic panels prices decreases every year. Annual worldwide solar panel production (including solar panels with homemade solar power homes) is about 400 MW per year. Based on the total cumulative capacity figure, it is already reaching 2 GW. (more…)

So-called thin-film photovoltaic devices are usually based on mixtures of elements other than silicon — most notably copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) — applied in a thin layer to plastic, even organic, components. Using nanotechnology and advanced materials science, thin film is able to produce power with a fraction of the materials. Similar techniques are being tried using ultra thin layers of silicon on a glass substrate, reducing what is now a 250 - micrometer (um) - thick wafer to less than 20 um. (more…)

In today’s tough economic times and with the increasing prices of gas and oil, finding alternative sources of energy should be our top priority. These alternative energy solutions are not only cheaper to install and maintain but also can help save our dying environment.

There are numerous sources of affordable and environmentally-friendly fuels available. You can opt for biofuels, hydroelectric power system, wind energy, or solar power system installed right at your very own home. Among these sources of energy, building solar power system is easier and the most viable one to achieve. (more…)

A home solar energy system can save you a lot of money on your household electric, gas and other bills. The sunshine is not only good for giving you a glowing tan in the summer, you can also enjoy the benefits of solar power in your home.

The resources we have been using for so many years are now running low by resources I am talking about fossil fuels. (more…)

Photovoltaic solar energy once part of industrial phase are absolutely necessary to cut down its production costs for meaningful photovoltaic implementation in the multi energy sources. According to Reuter’s reports the prices of crystalline solar panels have declined from the 4.2 USD / Wp to the current 2USD/Wp. (more…)

Nowadays, solar power have become more affordable. That makes it a viable alternative energy option for homeowners who would like to save their electric bills each month and for the environmentally conscious who would like to take the financial benefit. Actually, the advantages of energy from the sun focus on global warming and independence from fossil fuels. (more…)

Residential Solar power systems are probably the safest, cleanest alternative for home energy consumption. Solar energy is renewable and never gets depleted as it taps on the UV wavelengths of sunlight. The process of capturing and converting the UV wavelengths into energy does not emit by products into the ozone and hence is an extremely eco friendly approach to generating energy. (more…)

Solar energy is one the most popular renewable energy sources these days. Solar panel systems don’t even require much maintenance and still cut on electric bills month after month. A lot of people choose to make their own solar panels and others are buying ready-made ones that are quite costly. A single solar panel may cost as much as a few thousand dollars. (more…)

The Home Solar Power System made its debut about two decades ago and has since flourished with the many advertisements touting the environmental and long term benefits. Over time, prices have since been dropping and systems have become a more reliable source of renewable energy. Yet, the installation cost still eludes the average common home owners. (more…)