Solar Energy

Energy from the Sun has many advantages. It is a renewable source of energy that doesn't deplete any of the planet's resources. It is a non-polluting source of energy. Using energy from the Sun does not add green house gases like CO2 to our atmosphere and therefore does not contribute to global warming. The Sun's energy can be utilized in several ways. It can be used to produce electricity, it can heat water, and it can heat air in buildings.

Electricity can be produced using photovoltaic panels. These panels convert the light energy to electrical energy. The electricity can be used in your buildings for all the purposes that electricity from your utility is used for. The electricity can also be used on recreational vehicles, to power equipment like water pumps, and even on your backpack to keep your cell phone and your GPS charged up. Photovoltaic electricity is often used in locations that are too far from the utility grid to be economically feasible to bring in a power line, or in locations that are "tied" to the grid and produce electricity that has the net effect of reducing your utility bill.

Water can be heated using solar hot water panels for a number of purposes. Heating water in swimming pools is the most common use, but water is also heated for domestic hot water use, and to provide heat in radiant flooring systems in homes and business.

Solar Air Heaters are an effective way to provide space heat to buildings, and heated make up air to commercial and industrial buildings. Some air heaters claim to provide 100% of the heat required for a 1000 sq. ft. space during the sunlight hours.

Solar - Air

Solar - Electricity

Solar - Water

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"The answer rises every morning"

- Midwest Renewable Energy Association