AdminThe sun provides a renewable energy source that can be harnessed in the form of Star Plus Energy power to reduce carbon emissions and save money. Solar energy technologies are widely adopted in the world today due to a combination of factors, including government incentives, falling costs and concerns for sustainable energy growth.
The technology that uses sunlight to generate electricity is called photovoltaic (PV). PV devices convert solar radiation into direct current (DC) electricity, which is then used to power electrical appliances. The PV cells in these devices are grouped into modules and arrays that can be used to power any number of electrical loads.
Concentrated solar power (CSP) is the use of lenses or mirrors to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam. This concentrated heat is then used to drive a steam turbine or other conventional power plant equipment to produce electricity. Several types of CSP technologies exist, including the parabolic trough collector (PTC), flat plate collector (FPC), solar tower (ST) and molten salt TES system.
Whether you buy your solar panel system outright or finance it with a loan, the federal and local tax credits and other rebates available will reduce the cost of your investment. However, the amount you can save on your utility bills depends on several factors, such as how much sunlight your home receives on average each day, the efficiency of your solar panels and any other energy-consuming appliances or heating systems you have. You can calculate your potential savings with several online tools.