| Harnessing the sun's energy for practical purposes | | | | solar energy systems. |
| here on Earth is a new frontier. While the first | | | | Building a solar panel device entails two primary |
| silicon-based solar cell was invented in 1941 by Russell | | | | sub-systems: the collection of the energy and the |
| Ohl, harnessing this type of energy on a mass scale | | | | storage of the electricity created by the panel's |
| social has been a very slow progression. One reason | | | | photovoltaic cells. Storing the electricity is critical for |
| for the slow adoption rates of solar energy use is | | | | practical, daily applications since the solar panels will |
| due to the ready availability of fossil fuels like oil, coal | | | | not produce electricity at night or on cloudy days. |
| and natural gas. Another reason is that solar energy | | | | Storage for solar power requires more than just a |
| production technology has only relatively recently | | | | set of lead batteries such as what you might find at |
| gotten cheap and efficient enough to use at the | | | | the automotive store. Rather, you need high-density, |
| personal level. | | | | high-powered energy storage. Such batteries are the |
| In recent decades, it has come to the public's | | | | weakest link in the solar energy business. And, |
| attention that fossil fuels contribute to acid rain and | | | | batteries require attention in terms of upkeep. |
| to global warming, making them a less attractive | | | | If you choose to build a solar panel energy storage |
| resource for continued global use, and solar | | | | battery, you will need to decide between sealed and |
| technology has improved significantly. In short: | | | | unsealed batteries. Sealed batteries are safer, but |
| alternative energy resources like solar energy are | | | | they are less efficient than are unsealed batteries. |
| now in higher demand. And now, individual | | | | Batteries have a life span of about 4 years, provided |
| homeowners and hobbyists can build their own home | | | | you conduct proper maintenance. |