• How to Choose a Solar Pool Heating System

    The summer season has arrived, and now is a great time to think about switching over to a solar pool heater. When you use solar energy to heat your pool, you will be able to keep your pool water at a comfortable temperature, while also relying on clean energy for your pool heating needs. There are several factors to consider when you are shopping for solar systems in The Villages, FL . First, you will want to evaluate what size of solar pool heater will be necessary for your pool. For example, if you have a very large pool, you will want to shop for a larger solar pool heating system. Additionally, you will also want to make sure that your solar pool heater is up to the codes and regulations that are in place through your city or county authorities. If you have questions about solar pool heating, a solar company in your area can provide you with additional information.

    Solar Pool Heating System

  • Sun Bandit Solar Hot Water System Basics

    When you are shopping for a new water heater for your home, you may want to check out the innovative products from Sun Bandit . The Sun Bandit line of solar water heaters will provide you with hot water on demand, while also harnessing the power of the sun. These state of the art solar water heater systems are equipped with hybrid solar energy systems that are extremely efficient and effective. A company that specializes in solar hot water installations near Clermont will be able to answer your questions about the benefits of this type of water heating system. Read on for more information about the basics of a Sun Bandit solar water heater.

     Solar Hot Water System Basics

    Hybrid Solar Technology

    At the core of the Sun Bandit solar hot water heater is a hybrid solar technology system. Unlike a conventional solar hot water heater, which relies on traditional solar panels to heat water, a Sun Bandit unit is equipped with state of the art photovoltaic panels. These panels transfer the energy of the sun into your hot water heater, resulting in clean and efficient water heating technology.

    Easy Installation

    A top advantage of a Sun Bandit solar water heater is that this type of water heater is very easy to install. In fact, the installation process for a Sun Bandit water heater is similar to that of a conventional unit. When you choose a Sun Bandit water heater for your home, you can rest assured that your technician will be able to install your unit with a few simple and easy steps.

    Simple Maintenance

    Finally, the Sun Bandit system is very easy to maintain. Sun Bandit has designed their solar water heaters to have no moving parts and very few external components. As a result, there are very few failure points throughout the system. If you are seeking a solar water heater that will provide you with total peace of mind, you may want to check out the models that Sun Bandit has to offer you.

  • How to Choose a Solar Company

    If you are considering adding solar panels or a water heater to your home, you may be wondering what to look for in a solar company near Leesburg or North Central Florida. Finding the right company for your needs is the best way to ensure exceptional service and a quality solar system installation.

    Solar Company in North Central Florida

    When choosing a solar power company, you should look for establishments that have a long history of providing homes and businesses in the area with excellent service and consistent quality. The ideal solar energy company will use only the most technologically advanced and energy-efficient products for collecting and converting solar power.

    Before selecting a solar company, ask about any quality guarantees and system performance assurances that they offer. Find out what financing options are available, and if any supplied quotes are firm or merely an estimation. Finally, ask how much energy a system is likely to produce for your home, and how much it could potentially save you on energy costs.

  • Shining a Light on Sun Bandit [Infographic]

    Using a hot water heater requires a significant amount of energy, which is costly for the environment and for you. Solar energy offers an alternative way to heat water without the environmental impact and energy costs, and now there is a new way to harness solar energy for hot water heating: Sun Bandit. The Sun Bandit system harnesses the sun’s energy for solar water heating that is completely off the grid. You can use it in conjunction with your existing hot water heater to preheat your water and reduce the amount of work your heater has to do, or you can convert to Sun Bandit completely and use it for all of your solar hot water needs. Learn more about Sun Bandit in this infographic from Solar Lights & More. We offer a variety of solutions for solar power in The Villages and Ocala, FL. Please share this information to help others understand the energy-saving potential of Sun Bandit solar water heating.

    Shining a Light on Sun Bandit [Infographic]

  • Home Solar Panels 101

    Solar panel systems capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity. If you’re thinking about installing solar panels for your home near The Villages or North Central Florida, there are a few helpful facts that can help you determine if solar power is right for you. Contrary to popular belief, solar energy can be harnessed to power your household nearly anywhere in the United States, and solar panels can be installed on your roof or the ground near your home.

    Solar Panels

    Home solar panels create an eco-friendly and inexhaustible source of energy due to their ability to convert sunlight into power. During the day, solar cells inside of the panels absorb the sun’s energy as they are exposed to the light. Inside of the cells are circuits which convert the collected energy into direct current electricity. Finally, because most homes run on an alternating current, the direct current is sent through an inverter which transforms the power to an alternating current. At this point, your house can be powered by the electricity created from the collected solar energy.

  • Looking Back at the History of Solar Power

    If you’ve heard about the benefits of solar power near The Villages and North Central Florida, you may be interested in learning that the use of solar energy is not a new concept. In fact, people have been harnessing the sun’s power for centuries.

    Solar Ovens

    Solar-powered ovens rely on the sun’s heat to warm foods and drinks. The first known use of solar ovens occurred in 1767. The invention of a Swiss physicist by the name of Horace de Saussure, these solar ovens consisted of an insulated box fitted with three layers of glass that were used to collect and trap heat. Today, solar ovens are popular in locations where electricity is difficult to access, and are powered by sunlight alone.

    Solar Power

    Solar Electricity

    In the year 1873, Willoughby Smith, an English engineer, discovered that selenium, a chemical element, demonstrated photoconductivity (increased electrical conductivity in the presence of light) while in its solid form. Three years later, Professor William Grylls Adams and his student Richard Evans Day were the first to see an electrical current move through a material that was exposed to light after they attached electrodes to a plate of selenium.

    Solar Radiation

    Although it is one of his lesser-known achievements, Albert Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize for his formulation of the photon theory of light. Developed in 1905, the theory describes how the photons contained in solar radiation can transfer their energy on a metal surface.

    Solar Cells

    Also referred to as photovoltaic cells, solar cells are devices which convert solar radiation into electricity. The first designs for solar cells were created by the American inventor Charles Fritts in 1883. However, it was three researchers from Bell Labs by the names of Calvin Fuller, Gerald Pearson, and David Chaplin who are credited with the creation of the world’s first solar cells in 1954. Over the following years, they managed to improve their device’s conversion efficiency from 4% to 11%. Their first successful trial using the cells in solar panels occurred in 1955, and Bell Labs later supplied solar power for one of NASA’s Vanguard satellites in 1958.

  • Understanding How a Solar Water Heater Works

    Are you interested in harnessing solar energy to power your home? A solar hot water system near Clermont and North Central Florida can prove to be a cost-effective and energy-efficient method of providing your household with hot water. This type of system is fueled by solar power alone and can be used in any climate.

    Solar Water Heater in Ocala, FL

    Active Solar Water Heaters

    A solar water heating system consists of solar collectors and storage tanks. These heating systems fall into two categories: active and passive. Active systems utilize circulating pumps and controls, and can be either direct or indirect. Direct circulation systems function best in climates that rarely reach freezing temperatures, and their pumps circulate water into the home through the collectors. Indirect circulation systems are a popular choice in colder regions that tend to reach freezing temperatures. These systems heat the water flowing into the home using a non-freezing heat-transfer fluid.

    Passive Solar Water Heaters

    Often less costly but also less efficient than active systems, passive solar water heaters do not use circulating pumps and rely upon one of two other systems instead. Integral collector-storage passive systems are best suited for areas that do not freeze. The second option, thermosiphon systems, are typically more expensive and reliable. These heaters depend on the rising of hot water to the top of the storage tank so it can be pumped into the home.

    Solar Water Heater Collectors

    The collector’s role is to absorb the sun’s energy that is to be transferred to the water. The three types of collectors used residentially include flat-plate, integral, and evacuated-tube. Flat-plate collectors are weatherproofed and insulated boxes that use a dark absorber plate. Integral collector systems feature black tubes or tanks within an insulated box. Cold water passes through the collector, is heated, and is then pumped into the backup water heater. Evacuated-tube solar collectors consist of clear, glass tubes which contain a metal absorber tube. Attached to the metal is a fin whose coating absorbs the solar energy to transfer heat to the water.

  • Understanding the Popularity of Solar Electric Power

    It is becoming increasingly popular to install solar power systems in The Villages to provide solar light, electricity, and hot water to homes. Solar panels for your home utilize alternative energy that can power solar lights, solar hot water systems, solar pool heaters, and solar fans. A solar power system can make your home more energy-efficient and can significantly decrease your heating and cooling costs. Solar Electric Power

    Solar panels require little maintenance once they are installed in your home. Your solar panels are designed to be durable and weather-resistant. Solar power also offers energy security and energy reliability. You can always guarantee that you will have solar energy, regardless of whether your electrical grid is operating. You will also never have to worry that a company will turn solar energy into a monopoly.

    Solar Electric Power
    Solar power systems create clean energy that does not contribute to global warming. Solar panel installation combats greenhouse gas emissions, and decreases the world’s dependence upon fossil fuels like coal and natural gas. Unlike fossil fuels, solar energy is a renewable resource that cannot be depleted.

  • Debunking Myths About Solar Power

    As you start learning more about solar panel installation near The Villages or North Central Florida , you might come across a number of myths about solar power. There is a lot of misinformation on the internet about alternative energy systems and solar panels for homes. Here is a look at some common myths about solar power that have been debunked.

    Myth: Solar Panels Don’t Work in Cloudy or Foggy Regions Solar Power
    Many people believe that if they live in a region that is often cloudy or foggy, there isn’t any benefit to a solar panel installation. In fact, solar panels still work very efficiently in overcast areas, and can produce a significant amount of solar energy. Solar panels for homes in foggy or cloudy regions only produce 1% less solar energy than solar power systems in hot, sunny regions. Solar power systems are also much more efficient in cooler temperatures.

    Myth: Solar Power Systems Require a Lot of Maintenance
    One of the biggest myths about solar panel installation is that solar panels require a lot of maintenance. Solar panels have no moving parts, and thus do not require regular care or maintenance. Once you undergo solar panel installation, you won’t need to repair or replace solar panels for a very long time. At most, you will simply need to hose off the solar panels every year to remove dust or dirt. Many modern solar power systems are equipped with sensors and monitoring software that notify you of any drops in solar energy or efficiency. Solar energy drops are typically due to a large piece of debris blocking the solar panels.

    Myth: Solar Panel Installation Will Damage Your Roof
    Solar panel installation will not cause any damage to your home’s roof. In fact, solar panels can even protect the portions of your roof that they cover. In general, solar panels are not attached to the actual roof, but are instead mounted to a railing on top of the roof. The solar panels can be removed if your roof needs to be repaired.

  • Highlighting the Key Features of Solar Tubular Lights

    If you’re interested in increasing the amount of natural light in your home, you should consider installing solar tubes in Clermont, Hernando, or North Central Florida . Solar tube skylights create a natural, ambient light without requiring you to cut a skylight in your ceiling. They’re a perfect compromise for anyone who is unable or unwilling to make permanent architectural modifications to their home.

    Unlike traditional skylights, solar tube skylights do not contribute to heat gain or loss. By installing solar tubular skylights on your home, you can take advantage of free solar energy to provide beautiful, all natural light in dark rooms. Using alternative energy from the sun offers you incredible energy savings, and your electric bills can decrease significantly by using a solar power system. Solar tube skylights require virtually no maintenance, and are built to withstand even the harshest weather conditions.

    Solar tube skylights block out the harmful UV rays of the sun, and provide superior light output. This means that they can brighten even the lower levels of your home. You can also install solar lights for nighttime use, and dimmer switches that allow you to control light output.

    Solar Tubular Lights