The use of solar panels in residences has proved to be the best and most cost-efficient alternative for utility power. However, the use of solar power has yet to reach its full potential in the residential market.

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The use of solar panels in residences has proved to be the best and most cost-efficient alternative for utility power. However, the use of solar power has yet to reach its full potential in the residential market. Recent advances in technology can possibly change this, as the industry has seen opportunities to create solar panels with new designs, in terms of both aesthetics and functionality.

Aesthetically-pleasing designs

Solar power has only recently been given a great deal of attention. As a result, residential homes built 10, 20, or 30 years ago were not constructed in such a way that solar panels could be later added if the resident family decides to install some.

Previously, solar panels were very thick and had to be mounted with out-of-place brackets on top of existing roofs. Fortunately, the solar panel manufacturer industry has recently realized that poor aesthetics is one of the main reasons why solar power has not completely made its way into the residential market.

New panels are hardly noticeable. The tiles are seamlessly integrated into the existing roofs of residential homes, which achieve a very elegant look. The rise in number of solar installations in the U.S. rose by an amazing 45% in 2007 is widely attributed to the creation of more aesthetically-pleasing panel designs.

There are a number of companies that have already come up with more aesthetically-pleasing solar panel designs. The Sun Power Corporation, for example, the leading U.S. solar panel manufacturer, has created some panels that are compatible with Mediterranean-styled clay tiles and flat roof tiles. Lumeta, another manufacturer, has design panels that are awaiting industry certification.

The panels made by both Sun Power and Lumeta are made from silicon. The market will soon see thinner panels made of copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS). As of now, however, such panels are less efficient than the currently existing silicon ones. Sometime in the near future, these thin-film panels are expected to dominate residential use by becoming a standard part of the building process.

Highly functional designs

One example of a new, more functional solar panel design is that recently designed by the Georgia Tech Research Institute. This innovative design allows the panels to absorb more sunlight, enabling them to produce up to 60 times more current. This new design makes use of nano-towers that add significant surface area to the solar panels, giving the particles of light from the sun more chances to strike the part of the cell that produces electricity.

However, these new panels still have a couple of kinks yet to be worked out. These new panel designs have too much resistance in their cells, resulting in an inability to generate the kind of electricity needed.

Jud Ready, senior research engineer at the Georgia Tech Research Institute and creator of this new solar panel design, is determined to work on the design and modify its features to resolve the difficulties within it. The US Air Force is currently partially sponsoring the research in high hopes that these smaller and more efficient solar panels will replace old, bulky ones and can eventually be used to power satellites and spacecrafts in the future.

About the Author:

John Mahoney is a freelance author who writes about various technology related subjects including solar panel . For more information about John visit his website:www.techstore.ie

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - A Brighter Future With New Solar Panel Designs

The go green movement is another area were the US is going to fall behind. Our laws restrain the necessary development as well as our need for sustainability. Unlike other countries around the world we in the US have not deemed sustainability and conservation as a high priority in our future existence. This being said we are far behind other nations in building long term infrastructures. Don’t get me wrong, I have faith in the US and feel we’ll eventionally make the changes to benefit our race on a global scale we’ll just have to buy it from someone else.    

If you live in California than this search page will help you connect with Contractors
and Retailers in California.
http://www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/retailers/search-new.php

Outside of California you might want to check out this site that provides a broader nationwide database of certified solar panel installers and retailers. They also offer a great breakdown of cost and tax credits that help you fit your budget.
http://www.getsolar.com/

If you would like to read up on how solar panels work than here are some great sites to check out.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell
http://www.howstuffworks.com/solar-cell.htm

Now keep in mind that the solar panel industry has been making huge breakthroughs in the past few years and depending on your homes needs you might not need to put the big bulky pans of yesterday on your roof. New Nanosolar technology is here and we can now add solar panels to just about anything.
http://www.nanosolar.com/

If you’ve found other great resources for solar panels installation and technology please post a comment with the link.

Check your local communities form composting programs.

Composting occurs when organic waste is mixed with air and moisture, allowing decomposition into a multipurpose, nutrient rich, gardening instrument. Both air and water are needed to allow the microorganisms to break down the material.

What can I compost-
· Grass clippings.
· Manure.
· Alfalfa meal.
· Cottonseed meal.
· Coffee grounds.
· Tea bags.
· Spoiled juice.
· Wilted fresh flower bouquets.
· Feathers.
· Leaves.
· Shredded newspaper.
· Pizza or other food contaminated cardboard boxes not suitable for recycling.
· Dried flowers.
· Bread.
· Cereal.
· Beans.
· Spices.
Compost bins can create an Oder, that’s why we recommend building a sealed bin or buying a commercially available compost bin that can be also sealed.

What not to compost-
· Fish.
· Meat scraps.
· Bones.
· Dairy products.
· Fatty foods.
· Oils.
· Pet manure.
· Metals.
· Plastics.
· Glass.
· Large amounts of sawdust.
· Weeds with seeds.

Simple Water Saving Steps

Indoors

• Wash only full loads of laundry.
• Switch to low flow tolets, fosets and shower heads.
• Wash only full loads of dishes.
• Talk to your family and friends about saving water. Turn off the water when you brush your teeth.
• Sorten yor showers by one or two minutes.
• Fix leaky faucets.

Out Doors

• Water your yard before 8 a.m. to reduce evaperation and interferance from wind.
• Install a smart filter control.
• Use a broom instad of a hose to clean driveways and side walks.
• Check your sprinkler system for leaks, overspray and broken heads.
• Rederect rain water runoff into colection tanks for erigation.