Solar Energy Devices Increasing In Popularity As Prices Decline
For decades solar energy use was largely confined to a small fringe of diehard conservationists. Most used a typically “solar thermal” system that stored heat from the sun to warm pools or appliances. Now, solar power is going mainstream in many more homes, helped along by a proliferation of new solar technology like cheaper photovoltaic cells and new high-tech, solar-powered devices.
Photovoltaic cells, most of which are made from silicon, have exploded in use around the country over the past five years as once-prohibitive costs for home use of the technology have declined. Between 2002 and 2006, the number of new photovoltaic systems installed in U.S. homes nearly tripled to 7,446 from 2,805, according to the Interstate Renewable Energy Council in Latham, N.Y. Industry officials say that such installations are expected to top 11,000 this year.
search for : solar thermal, solar power, photovoltaic cells
