California's Solar Output Up by 26 Percent

With a 26 percent increase in solar utilities in 2012, California reached the halfway mark of its 3,000-MW goal. According to the Public Utilities Commission, the state has enough solar panels to produce more than 1,600 MW of solar energy, good for powering around 150,000 homes. Much of this increase is attributed to rooftop solar utilities, which contributed an additional 400 MW to the total solar energy production of California. Only time will tell whether or not the state can meet its goal by 2017.

The California Solar Initiative (CSI) is the biggest solar energy program in the United States in terms of budget: almost $2.4 billion, mostly for rebates. At least 30 percent of the cost of installing solar utilities is returned to homes and business. The CSI encourages homes and businesses all over the state to harness the power of the Sun, contributing to a broader plan of sustainability.

For the CSI to be able to meet its goal by 2017, the already-high demand for solar panels and utilities must remain at its current state. With the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station shutting down altogether by 2014, state officials have to make up for lost power, which amounts to more than 1,600 MW for all three reactors. Fortunately, homeowners and business owners will have the benefit of producing their own power with solar utilities.

Read More

Understanding the Basics of Solar Power

Solar technology is quickly gaining ground as an alternative to fuel and electricity. Cars, gadgets, satellites and even home electrical systems are now powered by energy-efficient and environment-friendly solar batteries. How exactly does this technology work?

Solar batteries are also called photovoltaic (PV) cells, a scientific name that can help you better define its mechanics. Photo means light and voltaic, named after the physicist Alessandro Volta, refers to electricity. It follows then that photovoltaic cells transform light energy from the sun into useable electricity.

These cells are made of semiconductors, silicon being the most commonly used. It is this material that absorbs most of the light energy for conversion to power. The absorption knocks certain electrons loose. The electrical fields within the cell capture these electrons and force them to flow in a streamlined manner at a certain direction. This flow of electrons is now the electrical current which can be drawn out for external use by affixing metal components at the top and bottom of the PV cell.

The total power of the electrical output will depend on the strength of this current along with the cell's voltage  which is based on the electrical fields present in the structure. This is why there are PV cells capable of powering only a simple calculator while others are strong enough to power a house.

Read More