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Solar Power Advantages And Disadvantages

which of the following devices uses a renewable source of energy?

which of the following devices uses a renewable source of energy, AND what's an advantage and disadvantage of each?
a. a fossil-fuel power plant
b .a windmill
c. a solar panel
d. a hydroelectric dam

E. All of the above

A. The one everyone hates but is the cheapest and easiest to open and operate. The renewable part takes a long time though.

B. Everybodies dream. But not very efficient and there are those who don't want them cluttering the landscape (like the Kennedy family). Not practical in crowded areas or where wind is at a minimum. High-maintenance, as well.

C. Cool ... as long as the sun shines. Not very handy for "peak" times when everyone comes home from work and start loading up the grid with washing machines and microwaves. Also take a lot of space and there is more usage in major cities than any panels could provide. Very high start-up costs and high-maintenance.

D. Very high start-up costs but the final products just pummps the electrons all day and night. Controversial as they require land be taken from owners and converted to lake. The lakes themselves become good profit-makers but since "imminent domain" was used to seize the area round the new lake the benefits tend to concentrate in the hands of the old money and insiders.

You forgot nuclear energy which the "green" Europeans love to use. Of course, they tend to take their nuclear waste and just dump it in the ocean ... oops, did I say that? Of course, those Greenpeace folks in the Old Country would NEVER allow their people to do such horrible things. Only the filthy Americans would behave that way.

You also forgot the tidal generators that don't work to well or for very long and are only useful near the oceans.

... and geothermal ... which works great in areas with geothermal activity close to the surface.

The Advantages And Disadvantages Of DIY Solar Power

Solar power is one of the fastest growing means of providing electrical power. It's an effective, environmentally friendly form of energy that requires minimal maintenance. Today, there are entire portions of many cities that are building homes that are almost completely reliant on solar energy. In fact, when these solar panels generate more electricity than the home uses, the homeowner actually gets paid for it!

For those handymen that prefer to tackle a task themselves, DIY solar power is very feasible. With minimal supplies, a solar panel can be easily built over the course of a weekend. Here is some information on the advantages and disadvantages of DIY solar power so you can decide if this is something that's right for your next home improvement project.

The Advantages of DIY Solar Power

There are many advantages of a DIY solar power. The first would be the savings over commercially manufactured and installed solar panels. Typically, the cost for solar panels can run between $20,000 and $35,000. With the tax incentives and rebates available today from the federal government, as well as local and state agencies, that price could be reduced as much as fifty percent. However, the guidelines are very strict as to which panels will qualify and how much of a rebate is allowed.

DIY solar power is considerably less expensive. You can build a solar panel that will operate a small shop or small appliance for about $200-$300. You don't have to order special parts, either. Almost all the pieces needed to build your own solar panel are available at your local home improvement store. These include copper wiring, plywood, alligator clips, and solar cells.

You'll need to be familiar enough with basic carpentry skills, such as cutting the plywood and soldering electrical wiring. There are a number of websites that offer free eBooks that demonstrate the entire building process.

Another advantage is that you can placed used solar cells in your DIY solar power panel. Not only will this save you money, you are also recycling, which is good for the environment. There are several places online that sell used solar cells and for only a fraction of what they cost new.

These DIY solar power panels can all be connected together to create a greater output of energy. Depending on your initiative, you may want to build several panels that can that really make a difference in your electrical bills.

Disadvantages of DIY Solar Power

The main disadvantage to DIY solar power is that it's not easy to build a panel that can produce as much power as a commercially manufactured solar panel. Solar cells can be expensive and with the discounts available today, it makes more sense to buy new if you are wanting to power your entire home off of solar power.

However, you can make an pretty hefty indention in your electric bills with a DIY Solar Power panel, especially if you loop several together. In today's economy, even a few dollars saved here and there can really make a difference.

A Final Thought

It's time that more people turn to renewable sources of energy in an effort to preserve the earth's natural resources. You can do a small part with a DIY solar power.

About the Author

Learn more about building a DIY solar power panel. In today's tough economic situation, every dime can save with a DIY Solar Power panel can really add up to big savings!