Abhishek Agarwal asked:


Today kids are learning about all sorts of things especially with modern technology. We are moving ahead and it is good to teach them about solar power, which is a resource that will be part of their future, depending on how much care is spent on it now. Wherever you see the sun shines, or you can feel any warmth or see it, you can have solar power. This kind of power to used for heating and lighting in business, homes and schools; for heating water, and it also a way to produce energy. By teaching kids how solar power actually works and how we should use it wisely will help to protect the future for us all.

Children need to learn why we need and alternative to the energy we use today and the effects and damage it has had on the world’s environment. It is important for them to understand why we need to produce a safer energy source. Electricity is currently a non-rewable resource, as we gain nothing from using it. Once this power runs out we will need to find an alternative source of power supply. Scientists are always busy looking at new resources for energy production, so that when we eventually do run out of one source, there is another in reserve to replace it, so that we don’t miss out.

Until then, another resource needs to be found, to ensure that is ready for when the switch over is necessary. We need to preserve what is left at the moment, so that in the near future we can immediately switch to a new energy resource with no problems. Much of energy production that we have is currently damaging and so harms the environment. By polluting the air, the sun is under threat and we run the risk of losing it as a natural resource. This alternative resource is vitally important, so by teaching our kids they can join our efforts to save solar power for the future.

Solar power generates energy by using the natural resources around us, and there are man made sources so that the solar power can be attracted to these sources and saved. We need to find a way for this be to cost effective by using solar sources that are cheap enough to provide us with the solar power that is needed. The average home would benefit greatly by switching over to solar power, and it is easy to set up, saving on the need for power lines. If your home is being built from scratch, by installing solar power you can begin to generate electricity in your home straightaway, to heat your water supply, and you could even sell your surplus energy for use elsewhere. You would be putting money back in your pocket. There are huge benefits to be gained by saving on producing a resource by the slow use of a natural resource. Children will learn how to save energy and how to plan for their safe future.

Conserving solar power by everyone of all ages and the sooner it starts, the more the future will benefit. Teaching kids is the way forward in order to save our energy, as we need a solution on how we can save on solar power in the future. Currently power is linked to each individual house for heating, our water supply and some other necessities; by being able to save in larger quantities we hope one day to cut out the need for so power lines that we see everywhere running through fields, our streets and backyards which will be replaced by solar panels and boxes instead.



Cory

Gordon Brown asked:


The amount of solar energy produced varies greatly depending on which region of the world you may live. Locations that receive plenty of sunlight are the most beneficial when it comes to installing residential solar energy systems. Anybody residing in an area like Florida or Phoenix would really be missing out on some serious savings. You can save thousands of dollars a year with a residential solar energy system if you live in one of these areas. It really is a no-brainer and if you thought you couldn’t afford it, but have some handy-man skills, think again!

Prices and quality will vary when converting your home to residential solar energy. There are many factors that effect the productivity of any solar powered home. The big one is the location in which you live, but another factor can be the type of system that you wish to install.

Some residential solar energy owners disconnect from the utility grid completely and make use of back-up batteries. By including a battery backup system, the price of your solar energy system will increase. However, if you truly want to be free from the utility company, this is your route. The energy is stored within the batteries when more electricity is produced than what is being used. This energy is saved for times in which the panels do not receive any sunlight, such as at night.

Most families decide to stay connected to the utility grid instead of using a battery storage system. By staying connected to the grid you’ll be able to draw additional electricity (when needed) from the power company. This is also necessary for anybody looking to install a partial solar energy system, for those who cannot afford a full system to cover their entire home.

For those who stay connected to the grid and produce more energy than they use at any one time, their meter box will actually rotate backwards. When this happens, it means you’re actually feeding electrical power into the utility grid and getting credit for it on your bill! This is known as “net-metering.”

There are some factors to take into account when looking into the price of a residential solar energy installation. A lot of people can be awe-struck by the initial cost of a system. However, tax rebates are available to families running their homes on green energy. This can help offset the costs drastically and can be in the form of a credit, direct payment, or cuts to your property taxes.

As more residential solar energy options become available and more solar breakthroughs occur, solar energy is becoming more practical than ever. At the same time the cost of all forms of energy continue to rise. Do you actually think they will get lower any time soon? Are you ready to get more for your money and go green?

In today’s day and age we have more opportunities to reduce our footprint and save money than ever before. The cost of installing a residential solar energy system has become affordable for the average family. Depending on the installation, converting your home to utilize solar power can range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to upwards of ninety thousand dollars (professionally installed systems are extremely expensive).

If you’ve been worried about our environment or looking to save money, I strongly suggest giving residential solar energy a try. If you can afford a professional installation, go for it! However, if you’re looking to go green and can’t afford such a system, try a do it yourself solar energy project. DIY solar projects sound complicated but are actually very simple and more affordable. The level of quality depends on your care and craftsmanship, but DIY solar panels produce just as much power as any other solar panels!



Ricardo

Anna Hart asked:


Solar energy facts for kids in New Zealand are considered unnecessary by some. When winter hovers over New Zealand, it may seem that day after day is cloudy and grey – especially in some parts of New Zealand. On such days, it is difficult to imagine that solar energy could supply enough electricity for a New Zealand home. Most areas of New Zealand, however, have plenty of solar energy that can be harnessed.

Solar energy can be calculated with a map such as the one on the Sun Wize website. This is called a world solar insolation map. “Insolation” means it is exposed to the sun’s rays. The map shows how many hours of each day a country is exposed to the sun’s rays – in the worst month of the year. In other words, the map shows how much solar energy the country gets each day.

When you find New Zealand on a world solar insolation map, you will see that most of the country gets between 3 and 5 hours of solar energy each day. Remember that 3 to 5 hours is the amount of solar energy in the worst month! On average, counting good and bad days, New Zealand gets approximately 2000 hours of bright sunshine each year.

Solar Energy Facts for Kids

Solar energy facts for kids might include many things, depending on the age of the children involved. A small child of 6 years might understand only simple concepts such as the heat generated by solar energy. Older children of 14 to 17 can grasp the technology of solar panels and generators, and how they convert solar energy to electrical power.

We will not attempt to sort the following facts by age or importance, but simply present them as a collection of ideas to be explored.

* In New Zealand, a solar energy water heating system can save as much as 75 per cent of your family’s water heating costs.

* The word “photovoltaic” comes 2 words. “Photo” refers to light and “voltaic” refers to electricity. A photovoltaic array system changes solar energy collected from sunlight into electricity.

* Cover the roofs of every New Zealand home in photovoltaic (PV) panels, and together they would convert enough solar energy into power each year to supply more than 25 per cent of New Zealand’s needed electricity.

* Solar energy can provide the total electricity needed by a normal three bedroom New Zealand home that is energy efficient.

* Solar energy is quiet, easy to install, and needs little upkeep from the New Zealand home owner.

* Any New Zealand child can, with a little help, build a solar energy stove to cook a small banger.

* Solar energy has been used for many years by New Zealand mums to dry clothing outdoors.

* Germany, a country that is much cloudier than New Zealand, converts solar energy into electricity more than any other country does.

* Solar energy is greater than you might think on cloudy days, since the sunlight that gets through reflects off the bottoms of the clouds.

* Solar energy can turn ocean water into healthy drinking water.

* Solar energy can be used on boats and ships around New Zealand.

* Solar energy is absolutely free to New Zealanders. No other country can charge money for it.

Suggestion for New Zealand teachers: Have a contest to see which group of students can discover the most solar energy facts for kids. Younger children will have fun simply listing solar energy facts for kids. Older students might be required to expand each discovery statement.

Disclaimer: The author receives no compensation from any company mentioned in this article. The information is presented solely for educational purposes.



Florence