| During peak hours, the maximum power density that | | | | The increase in the use of solar energy will bring |
| the sun can give is about 1kW per square meter. In | | | | down the demand for oil. |
| other words, one square meter of solar panel can | | | | Today, there are more than 10,000 households with |
| produce as much as 100 GWh (gigawatt hours) of | | | | solar energy systems and the number is constantly |
| electricity in one year. That is enough to power | | | | increasing. If the demand for solar energy as well as |
| 50,000 houses. | | | | other forms of alternative energy, the demand for oil |
| If a solar power plant is build on 1% of the total land | | | | will drop and the cost fuel will likely to follow. |
| area of the Sahara desert, it will satisfy the world's | | | | Residential solar energy system can turn your electric |
| energy requirement. | | | | meter backwards. Given that you are connected on |
| The efficiency of solar panels depends on several | | | | a power-grid, the excess energy that your solar |
| factors such as pollution, clouds, temperature and | | | | energy system produces will go to the electric lines |
| atmospheric humidity. | | | | to be used by other homes. As a result, any excess |
| Solar power plants are very similar to other | | | | energy you give will be reflected on your bills. Your |
| conventional power plants – with one significant | | | | electric supplier will even pay for the electricity you |
| difference: The majority of power plants draw their | | | | supplied. |
| power from fossil fuels like oil, coal and gas. | | | | Residential solar energy system can save you money. |
| When power plants burn fossil fuels, they produce | | | | While the initial cash out for installing solar energy |
| greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. | | | | system at home is big, the device will pay for itself in |
| Solar power plants or solar thermal power plants (or | | | | the long run. Not only you will save money on solar |
| Concentrating Solar Power plants) utilize the power | | | | energy system, you also help the environment by |
| of the sun's rays to generate electricity. | | | | not contributing to carbon emissions. |
| The process could not be any simpler. The solar | | | | Solar energy systems are reliable and can last for a |
| panels receive heat from the sun, which will be | | | | very long time. |
| reflected to the receiver. The receiver converts into | | | | PV cells are last from 25 to 40 years. Many |
| steam the concentrated solar energy. The steam is | | | | manufacturers of solar panels give 25 years product |
| stored on tanks which will be used to turn the | | | | warranty. This is the assurance that solar panels are |
| turbines and generate electricity. | | | | very dependable. |
| The whole process does not involve any burning of | | | | In addition, solar panels require little or no |
| any fossil fuels. Thus, solar power plants do not | | | | maintenance and the can be installed on most places |
| contribute to global warming. | | | | where there is sunlight throughout the year. |