Solar power

Research!
What is solar power?
“Solar power is the conversion of sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaics (PV), or indirectly using concentrated solar power (CSP). Concentrated solar power systems use lenses or mirrors and tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam. Photovoltaics converts light into electric current using the photoelectriceffect.”
How solar cells work?
“You've probably seen calculators with solar cells -- devices that never need batteries and in some cases, don't even have an off button. As long as there's enough light, they seem to work forever. You may also have seen larger solar panels, perhaps on emergency road signs, call boxes, buoys and even in parking lots to power the lights.”
“Simply put photovoltaic tiles andother forms of solar energy work by converting some of the energy in sunlight into a clean form of electricity that can be used in our houses. The PV cells consist of a positive and a negative slice of silicon placed under a thin slice of glass. As the protons of the sunlight beat down onto the PV cell they knock the neutrons off the silicon. The negatively charged free neutrons are attracted tothe silicon but are trapped by the magnetic field that is formed from the opposing fields. Small wires on the silicon catch these neutrons and when connected in a circuit an electric current is formed.
This reaction gives Direct Current electricity though, and it must be passed through an inverter to be converted into an Alternating Current used in our homes to power any electrical items. Some ofthe power is lost in this part of the process as the inverter is only around 95% efficient but this is a much greater efficiency than was once available.
The nature of the PV cell means there is little or no maintenance required and there are no moving parts; this means that a typical PV cell can last up to 40 years with no work besides an annual clean.”

Source taken from:http://www.theenergyresources.com/images/SolarDiagram_Lg.gif
How much it cost?
Trusted solar prices
“The actual cost of a solar system is dependent on many variables such as the choice of solar panels, the quality of the inverter, what type of roof you would like the system installed on etc but as a general rule a small system will cost you in the region of £8000 and that rises up to around £15000 for thelargest 4Kw domestic solar system”
How many people use solar power?
“Solar energy is one of the fastest growing forms of eco-friendly energy in the world today. Along with wind power and hydropower, solar power is a "green" form of renewable energy that is helping to make the Earth less dependent on fossil fuels and other forms of polluting energy. Solar energy is cheaper than many other types ofenergy, as well as being better for the environment, but sadly, only a small numbers of people using solar panels are in the United States at this time.”

Advantages and disadvantages
Source taken from: http://www.renewable-energy-sources.com/2008/06/11/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-solar-power/
Advantages
1. Fuel source without limit
2. Free main source is the sun
3. Environment friendly,clean, do not contribute to global warming, acid rains or smog, helps the decrease of harmful green houses gas emissions
4. You can use it for different purposes: vehicles running on solar power
5. Renewable
6. Give us a way to harness power in remote locations
7. The development of new technologies allows us to store the collected solar power through solar power battery chargers.
8. Cheaperthan electricity heating
9. Desalination – it can be used in locations where there is a lack of drinkable water. Solar energy evaporates brine and leaves the salt crystals in the bottom of the basin. The water in turn condenses back in another basin, from which you can drink now.
10. It is produced where it is consumed
11. Does not use fuel therefore does not contribute to the cost of the...