• Created on 5/6/11 by cleanenergyexp

Arizona has quickly becoming one the best states in the U.S. for solar power. Currently, Arizona ranks as the fourth highest in installed solar PV capacity among U.S. states. In fact, Arizona solar energy made substantial strides in 2010 by installing over 54 megawatts of solar power, doubling its 2009 output of 21 megawatts, again ranking it fourth in the U.S. According to a study by GTM Research, the total amount of photovoltaic panels installed on roofs in the U.S. was approximately 878 megawatt…this was double the 435 megawatts installed in 2009 around the U.S.... read more

• Created on 3/28/08 by teej

Photovoltaic Solar Panels Photovoltaics (PV) literally means "light-electricity," and is the process of converting sunlight into electricity. The term "photo" comes from the Greek word "phos" or light, and "volt" was derived from Volta (1745-1827), a pioneer in the study of electricity.   How does it work?   When some materials are exposed to sunlight, they release small amounts of electricity giving off what is known as the "photovoltaic effect." Sunlight is composed of photons, or particles of solar energy that contain various amounts of energy... read more

• Created on 2/20/08 by Deej

Investing in a solar system can be likened to pre-paying for tomorrow’s electricity at today’s rates. As rates continue to rise, your investment becomes more and more valuable. On average, homeowners can expect to recoup their entire investment in 5-10 years. Depending on the incentives and electric rates offered in your area, it might take even less time than that. Many solar panels carry a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty. Many last longer than that; some of the first solar power systems installed more than 40 years ago are still going strong! When you invest in solar,... read more

• Created on 1/22/08 by frank

Remember that the sun rises in the east, crosses over the horizon in a southerly direction, and sets in the west.  Try to get as much southerly exposure as you can – this will help ensure that your system gets the most sunlight possible. Your collector should be tilted at least 14 degrees up from the horizontal. If you live in an area with sunny winters, a higher angle can help you get more sun during the winter months. If you live in an area with significant winter overcast, your collector (sitting on a low pitched roof) can face somewhere between 45... read more