Solar panels are devices for capturing the energy in sunlight. The term solar panel can be applied to either solar hot water panels (usually used for providing domestic hot water) or solar photovoltaic panels (providing electricity).

Current Development

Right now, countless corporations and institutions are developing ways to increase the practicality of solar power. While private companies conduct much of the research and development in this area, colleges and universities also work on solar-powered devices, especially solar-powered vehicles. Solar-powered cars have commonly appeared at many car and technology shows, and now solar boats are an interesting application of the technology. Colleges and Universities compete against each other for superiority in this field of technology. They meet in competitions such as the Solar Splashcompetition in North America, or the Frisian Nuon Solar Challenge in Europe. In 2005 the most important issue with Solar Panels is the cost has been coming down to about $3-4 a watt. Also grid tied systems are the largest growth area.

With incentives from States, power companies and in 2006 and 7 from the Federal government growth will continue to climb. Net-metering lets you get credit for any extra power you send back into the grid. Most is true net-metering with even prices for you to equal what you get charged, a few only give avoided cost at about 1/3 what they charge you. In Germany you get paid 8 times what the power company charges you. That large premium has made a huge demand in solar panels for that area. As manufacturers increase production the cost may drop in a year or more again. The price of silicon used for most panels is now being pressed and the price has increased. This has caused developers to start using other materials and thinner silicon to keep cost down. Renewable energy like solar PV gets less costly as we use and buy more.

We have Selected Links of Solar Panel Products, Information and Resources.