| Most people are familiar with solar panels; these days | | | | solar home. |
| they can be found virtually anywhere. In addition to | | | | Types of Solar Panels |
| being an increasingly common feature in eco friendly | | | | Solar panels come in three different types of |
| homes, solar cells are turning up on traffic lights, railroad | | | | technologies and the one you use will depend on the |
| signs, backpacks-not to mention that little panel on your | | | | type of installation you need. |
| solar powered calculator. But what are these individual | | | | Amorphous Solar panels - A "thin film" of silicon is |
| panels made up of? | | | | applied to large plates, making these panels flexible, |
| The most basic component of a solar system is a | | | | lightweight and durable and the ideal technology for |
| solar-or photovoltaic-cell. These cells are usually made | | | | solar on the go. They also tend to be cheaper but less |
| from a piece of silicon covered by a layer of glass. | | | | efficient than the other technologies. These types of |
| When exposed to the sun, the silicon absorbs the | | | | panels are greatly suited for small mobile units such as |
| energy and releases electrons into a semi-conductor | | | | RV's and portable systems. |
| that allows them to flow freely. The solar cells all have | | | | Mono-Crystalline Solar Panels - These panels are |
| small wires running through them that allow the | | | | made from a single crystal silicon and are reliable and |
| electrons to move through an entire panel and form an | | | | most efficient, more so than their amorphous |
| electric current. | | | | counterpart. They are best suited for large scale |
| After the formation of the current, the energy can be | | | | projects and commercial fit outs. |
| collected in a battery form or distributed and | | | | Multi-Crystalline Solar Panels - Made from silicon |
| consumed through the grid. | | | | wafers arranged together on a plate, multi or poly |
| Most typical residential systems range between 1 to 3 | | | | crystallines are ideal for standard residential projects |
| kW, while your individual energy use (and budget) will | | | | and probably the most common technology used. |
| determine the size of the system you will install. A | | | | They are also boast a highly efficient output, but are |
| typical 1 kW system includes about six to eight solar | | | | probably a little less efficient than the single sheet |
| panels (depending on their power ouput. The cost of | | | | mono-crystalline, although the actual measurable |
| you system will vary by supplier especially after | | | | difference is minimal. |
| government rebates are considered. Find out more | | | | Find more ideas about going green in your home at the |
| about these rebates from environment.gob.au. | | | | Green Pages. |
| Visit the Green Pages for more great ideas for your | | | | |