| According to a recent study, 80% of over a thousand | | | | controllero Safety disonnecto Fuseso Fuse box and/or |
| American respondents think all new home construction | | | | circuit breakero and in some cases, a storage battery |
| from now on should include some sort of solar energy | | | | Solar/Stellar Battery: Russian scientists have |
| systems. Once informed of the higher resale value | | | | developed a battery that captures solar energy itself |
| that homes with solar systems can have, 2/3 of those | | | | without the need for an external panel or collector. A |
| surveyed said they'd expect to pay more money for | | | | true 21st century innovation, it also collects energy |
| such a home, a would do so willingly; what's more, 1/2 | | | | from stars, regardless of meteorological conditions. |
| of those surveyed said they'd even be willing to pay a | | | | New Materials: We touched on it in the above section |
| 10% premium on for homes with solar energy systems | | | | on solar shingles, but thin-film solar cells deserve a |
| built-in. | | | | repeat mention in any article on current trends in solar |
| Solar Water Heaters: People living in warm climates | | | | polar. This new, silicon-based thin-film technology |
| and freezing climates alike can now enjoy the benefits | | | | adheres heat pumps and solar cells onto other |
| of solar water heating. Though the technologies are | | | | surfaces, whether wood, drywall, glass windows, |
| slightly different depending on whether there's ever a | | | | plastic - imagine the possible applications! This |
| freeze lasting longer than a night or two, solar hot | | | | technology will vastly increase solar energy's versatility |
| water is a viable option wherever a person may | | | | and range of practical applications while vastly |
| reside. | | | | decreasing the associated costs. Other promising |
| Solar Shingles: By all appearances, these look like | | | | R&D efforts into newer and better materials for |
| ordinary shingles, but look closer and you'll see that | | | | solar energy equipment includes solar cells made from |
| they're actually thin-film solar cells. The amorphous | | | | titania nanotubes, natural dyes, lead and cadmium |
| silicon material used in these shingles is reported to be | | | | selenide nanocrysals, and everyday plastic. |
| even more effective at collecting sunlight than regular | | | | 21% of Venture Capital firms surveyed spent a |
| solar panels while still being strong enough to be used | | | | combined total of $500 million on renewable energy |
| as a roofing material. They're installed in an overlapping | | | | start-ups, including many solar power companies. |
| pattern, just like regular shingles, thus providing the | | | | Nanosolar is a start-up company that uses materials |
| same level of weather protection. The wires run | | | | based on nanotechnology to make solar systems |
| underneath a plywood roof deck that protects the | | | | more efficient. Energy Innovations is a company that |
| house from the intense heat these solar shingles | | | | uses mirrors that follow the sun installed on panels to |
| absorb, and the shingles are held in place by a glue-like | | | | collect solar power. |
| EVA compound that is activated by heat. | | | | According to Clean Edge, a company that conducts |
| Recreational Solar Kits: The average Joe and Jane | | | | independent research on clean technologies, reports |
| consumer can purchase complete solar kits that come | | | | that the market for solar energy has increased 55% |
| with everything one needs to get solar power up and | | | | from 2004 to 2005, and will further increase from an |
| running in their RV's, weekend/seasonal cabins, and | | | | $11.2 billion industry to a $51.1 billion one come 2015. By |
| boats. Your typical solar kit will include:o 1 or more | | | | 2015, the costs for grid electric power and solar power |
| photovoltaic modules (solar panels)o Mount (such as a | | | | should be neck and neck. |
| flush mount rack or a pole top fix rack)o Charge | | | | |