| You've already heard that we may run out of fossil | | | | household, while others just use gravity. |
| fuels in the next thirty years. That's if the most | | | | While solar water heater can sometimes provide |
| rapidly growing nations in the world slow their | | | | electricity, providing electricity is not the purpose of a |
| ever-increasing use of our global resources at faster | | | | solar water heater. To harness the rays of the sun |
| and faster rates. Alternative solar energy could be | | | | and turn them into electricity, you need a different |
| the answer to our energy quandary. It is free and it | | | | alternative solar energy system. Photovoltaic panels, |
| is everywhere. | | | | often seen mounted on the roof of a building, take |
| While alternative solar energy could address the | | | | the light of the sun and turn it into direct current. The |
| world's energy crisis, can you use solar solutions at | | | | system then inverts the direct current to make it |
| home? Yes, you can. Maybe you have imagined solar | | | | alternating current, which the appliances in your |
| power to be expensive and difficult to work with. It | | | | household can then use. |
| may shock you how little work it takes to put in and | | | | What happens on cloudy days? Many systems do |
| maintain a solar energy system. You will see how | | | | more than just capture and convert the energy; they |
| your power bill shrinks, but best of all, you will be | | | | store it too. Solar electricity systems frequently |
| making a difference for the future. | | | | include batteries, which store the energy caught by |
| Here are some uses of alternative solar energy | | | | the system but not immediately used. |
| solutions at home. | | | | The future of photovoltaic products is looking good. |
| Alternative solar energy is behind the solar water | | | | Low profile, smart looking panels are coming onto the |
| heaters that came into popularity in Israel in the | | | | market. Soon we will even see photovoltaic materials |
| 1960's. The Israeli government now mandates that all | | | | incorporated into house paint, windows and, already |
| new homes be built with solar water heaters, making | | | | on the market, roof tiles. |
| Israel the global leader in the use of solar water | | | | Many people find the initial investment in alternative |
| heaters. This saves Israel 2 million barrels of oil each | | | | solar energy products to be prohibitive. As |
| year. | | | | technology continues to improve, the cost of |
| At its most basic, the solar water heater consists of | | | | purchasing and installing solar energy systems |
| a collector and tank. The collector absorbs the rays | | | | continues to decline. Is it possible that you could kiss |
| of the sun. Most take the heat of the sun and | | | | your electric bill goodbye? |
| transfer it to the water. Some collectors work to | | | | It only takes three to four years to see a return on |
| convert the light of the sun to heat, providing hot | | | | your investment in many alternative solar energy |
| water in freezing temperatures. | | | | systems. After the payback period, you no longer |
| The heated water transfers to the tank, where it is | | | | have an electric bill, your system works at no cost to |
| stored hot until it is used. Some systems require a | | | | you. In addition, you know you are doing your part |
| pumping mechanism to transfer the water to the | | | | to salvage global resources. |