Compared to other forms of renewable energy, photovoltaic (pv) solar panels are not very efficient at making electricity. Looking at it one way, this does not seem very important because the energy source – solar power – is free. On the other hand solar home energy systems tend to take up a lot of roof space in order to provide a useful amount of electricity.  It is true that do it yourself solar power assemblies are simple to build, and the materials are quite cheap. Nevertheless, smaller systems would be very welcome, and many solar electric companies, such as Mitsubishi, are rapidly developing residential solar energy systems that will improve efficiency significantly, at the same time lowering costs of the pv solar panels.

It is expected that costs will be halved every eight years, while improving efficiency by 20% to 30% at the same time.

One development uses a type of magnifying glass to squeeze more solar power on to each pv cell.  It is called the fresnel effect, which uses optical lenses to beam sunlight on to the PV material.  It has already been possible to achieve the same amount of electricity with one fortieth the size of pv cell, and this will improve further.

By using new forms of polycrystalline cells it is now possible for pv solar panels to produce nearly 25% more electricity.  Solar power for homes is getting better and cheaper, and it is not confined to sunbelt states either. Happily, pv solar panels depend on daylight rather than sunlight.  They do work best in hot countries, where daylight levels are good, but they do also work very well in colder climates, for example Canada and the UK.

Expect developments like these shortly in a solar home near you.

On the subject of financial assistance, or the lack of it, by many countries and states, there is now a noticeable determination to be seen in many governments to put the funding of diy home energy systems on a sound footing. For example, the EU has introduced quite ambitious targets for improving renewable energy levels by 2020 in its member states, and this has had a very positive effect on solar energy developments. As part of these improvements energy from photovoltaic sources will increase from its present average of about 1% of total energy production to a creditable 12% and, to make this happen, many countries have introduced the so-called feed-in tariff to help fund commercial and domestic renewable energy systems. Versions of this exist already in many US states.

The feed-in tariff replaces the old idea of partial grants or loans with a mandated price for energy units fed in to the national grid system. This makes financial planning much easier for investors, and will have a great influence on getting a better home solar power system at lower cost.

Solar home energy has always been a favorite project for us, and we know that diy solar power is both easy to make and also very rewarding.  Yes, developments in the pipeline mean that more efficient pv cells will become available for diy solar panels in due course, but every second’s delay in building your own system NOW loses you more money as you continue to pour cash in to the utility company’s pockets.  

It really is a good idea to plan to make a home solar panel or two. It is also a good idea to get some professional guidance and to use good quality plans, so we suggest you take a look at an excellent kit, which we believe to be the best presently available. It does what it says on the box, gives you great value for money, and also gives you peace of mind that you will be making the system properly. Take our advice, and you will have no regrets.

 

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