Once the decision is made to install solar panels, one must determine how to mount them effectively. The mounting system should be simple, reliable, and provide for all your performance needs.

Solar panels are often mounted on roof tops, because the roof structure is strong and already exists. If your roof is sloped in the right direction, then how convenient this is. And convenience is a legitimate player in any decision making process.

We would like to point out a couple issues with mounting solar panels on the roof, however. They are things to keep in mind for folks who live in northern climates, or who desire more optimal performance.

The first issue is the snow. When snow builds up on your solar panels, this will drastically reduce your electricity. And if your solar panels are on the roof, then cleaning them can be a little tricky.

As machine designers, we decided to tackle this problem common for us in the mountain regions. We don’t mind the snow, but the last thing on our minds is climbing the roof in Winter. So we developed the Rotek system, a simple mechanism for mounting solar panels that will improve performance and take on the snow.

In a Rotek installation, the solar panels are mounted on a ground based structure instead of the roof. This provides the clearances for adjustability, so that we can rotate the solar panels in any way. With this in place we can make seasonal adjustments to match the Sun.

In the Winter is when this adjustability can be a big help. The solar panels can be pitched more steeply or rotated toward the ground (negative tilt) to keep the snow off the surface. It is also good for giving the glass an occasional cleaning.

Whether for one snow storm or for a period of weeks, as long as there is snow on the ground you can leave your solar panels at negative tilt. As we have all witnessed, snow pack is highly reflective. Your system will continue to receive lots of beam radiation despite this abnormal tracking angle.

The second big issue to consider is heat. As our roofs accumulate heat, they will increase the operating temperature of a roof mounted solar panel. Performance tests have shown that higher operating temperatures will reduce the solar panel’s discharge current. This lost current output can be as high as 2 or 3 amps depending on the unit, which correlates to better than 20% energy lost against baseline operation.

Remotely installed solar panels will run cooler, and the electrical output will be better for this. There is fresh air to circulate on the back end (instead of a hot roof), and they can be located closer to the ground. The Rotek system, if used, would provide this additional advantage to your solar panel system.

So now that the decision is made to install your solar panel system, you must choose a mounting configuration. The roof mounted options are simple and in many cases a good choice. For those who want a little more performance and design flexibility, the Rotek system is a reliable and inexpensive alternative worthy of consideration.

Walter Hull is a mechanical engineer with expertise in solar energy power systems. For a limited time you can get his free report to solar energy from your own backyard.

The Sun can be thought of as a giant nuclear furnace stationed in the sky. It is a tremendous source of solar energy, cranking out massive amounts of radiation each and every day.

This solar energy arrives to Earth as electromagnetic radiation, where it is absorbed and utilized in the biosphere in numerous ways. The Sun and solar energy it emits is arguably the most essential element to our existence.

This electromagnetic radiation, also referred to as light waves, includes an entire spectrum of different wavelengths. X-rays are some of the shortest light waves, where as radio waves are some of the longest. Solar energy falls in between, composed mostly of infrared waves, waves (colors) visible to the human eye, and ultraviolet waves. Life on Earth has heavily adapted toward these wavelengths that we receive.

Solar energy plays a primary role in all biological and thermal interactions on the Earth. With the presence of carbon dioxide, water, and solar energy, plants are able to produce energy through a process called Photosynthesis.

The Earths natural landscapes, they absorb solar energy and produce heat. It is the heat absorbed by mountains and plains that create local wind patterns. It is the heat absorbed by the oceans that creates the famous currents. Solar energy is responsible for thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes. It melts the mountain snows which form many of our rivers.

Solar energy is the catalyst for almost everything that occurs on Earth. It is as though the Earth has its own power plant, a giant Nuclear Fusion Reactor in outer space. It is a good thing too, because without it we would all be screwed.

Each and every day we should all be giving thanks to the Sun. It may be the most important element to our existence which we take for granted. Imagine if one day we woke up and there was no Sun? It would be like losing power at your home, but a million times worse. Probably most people would fall into an immediate panic.

So if theres one thing for sure, as long as solar energy is here humans will be here. Solar energy is responsible for almost everything that surrounds us, in every form.

With the recent advances in materials and industry, we now find ourselves with some new inventions for working with solar energy. It is now possible to make electricity directly from sunlight in a photovoltaic device. We can harness solar energy in absorption and concentrating collectors and store the heat.

We are entering a new age of energy generation for fulfilling our daily needs. We believe modern civilization has only just begun with these new age energies. Reaping the benefits of solar power and solar heat is in its infancy.

How practical is current technology for providing power to our homes? How much money will it cost, and how much will we save in the long run? What kind of new solar energy technologies are in development? We started out asking these same questions ourselves, and we are here as professionals from the Energy industry to present a few honest answers straight from the energy specialists.

To learn how to use solar energy as a budget source of electricity for your home get Walter Hull’s checklist on easy solar power from your yard.