One of the greenest home improvement projects that you can undertake is to install solar panels. As more research is conducted, it is becoming more and more clear that our reliance on fossil fuels is one of the main contributors to not only our planets overall health, but the health of everyone who lives here. As a homeowner, working with solar panel installers to reduce your dependence on less renewable sources of energy can not only give you more energy freedom, but also help the environment at the same time. Plus, you could save a significant amount of money in the process.

Cost of Solar Panels

As a result of technological advancements, increased demand and the variety of payment options for solar panels, the cost is more affordable than ever. Although purchasing panels and the systems that go with them up front can be very expensive and cost prohibitive, many solar installers are offering alternative to this process. One of the most popular options is the solar lease. Rather than buying panels up front or financing their purchase, you can actually lease solar panels from a solar leasing company. This gives you both the solar power that you desire and the financial flexibility that you need.

Solar Leasing

Solar leasing is by far one of the largest growing trends in the solar power industry. The way it works is simple. You work together with a solar installer who will install the panels on your home for you. You then pay them a monthly leasing fee for the use of the panel. All of the electricity that you generate belongs to you and any excess can be sold back to the power company. As a result, you will typically start saving money in your first month.

At Solar Panel Info, we have compiled extensive information on the benefits of solar panel and solar leasing.

Click here to read more.

There is a very dangerous myth floating around, one which could actually result in severe injury and even death – “Electricity always follows the path of least resistance”. This is one of those myths that results from a general fact being blown way out of proportion.

Forget colleges and engineering schools, most high school students learn that electricity does behave this way, as a part of the basics of electricity and resistances. Worryingly, this myth isn’t just stated as a fact, it’s a commonly followed practice in many electrical circuit designs, especially when it comes to grounding.

Walk into any industrial plant that uses motors or pumps and you’ll find they’re all connected to ground rods. Ask anyone why that’s done and you’ll likely get the same response everywhere (even from the people in charge of the electrical maintenance) – It’s to eliminate the potential differences.

Electricity exists everywhere, from high voltage power lines to phones and computers. Understanding the basics of how it works remains essential to using it safely and efficiently.

When electricity travels from a positive lead to a negative lead in a circuit powered by a battery, it is considered direct current. This type of current powers electronics, LED lights, and cars. Alternating current is generated from rotation, usually by a generator. The direction of the current and the voltage flips as the generator completes a rotation. The faster the generator spins, the faster the flipping of current direction occurs. In North America, the typical frequency of AC power is 60hz or 60 alternations per second. The advantage of AC power is that the voltage can be stepped up easily by use of a transformer, which allows high voltage transmission. AC power is also useful for electric motors.

Specifically, power is a measure of energy usage over time. The standard unit of power is the watt and calculated as P (watts) = V (volts) x I (amps). Utility companies sell electricity in units of kW*h (kilowatt hours), which is simply one kilowatt of power delivered continuously over one hour.

Sometimes it can seem that the light switch is connected to your wallet. But you don’t need to live with the lights out to keep your money to yourself. Here are some tips to help you make your lighting more efficient this year.

BC Hydro offers a simple comparison chart of the lighting technology currently available. Because of the wide range of brands and types of bulbs, be sure to do your homework before purchasing new bulbs for your home to make sure they will fit your needs. Energy Star also provides a helpful purchasing guide for when it comes to choose your bulb.