The most popular of green energy sources is the sun.  Energy captured from the sun is called solar energy.  Of the green energy sources, solar energy is the most popular because it offers multiple options for use.  It is possible to harness electrical energy from the sun using solar panels consisting of photovoltaic cells that convert energy from the sun into electricity you can use in your home or business.  There are also solar hot water collectors that use the heat of the sun to produce hot water.  These solar green energy sources are readily available and increasing in popularity as most homes and businesses can have them mounted on their roof and they can take advantage of lowered utility costs.

The most efficient of green energy sources is wind.  Wind has been used to power water pumps for centuries, but has grown in popularity as a way to supplement home and business electricity needs.  Wind is the safest and cleanest of the green energy sources as it produces no pollutants and does not contribute to global warming.  Wind energy is harnessed by erecting a turbine that spins in the breeze generating electricity.  Unlike the sun, which can be found almost anywhere, in order to utilize wind as a green energy source, you must live in an area where wind is readily available.

Water is also a viable participant of green energy sources.  Water is less widely used as a green energy source for homes, as not all homes have an available stream to produce the needed electricity.  The Amish have used water to power entire shops using conveyer belt systems, so it is an old practice, but it is still being used successfully today.  As with solar and wind energy, energy harnessed from moving water is almost completely pollutant free and is generated from a renewable resource.

Green energy sources are available for use to combat global warming, our dependence on fossil fuels and to lower our monthly budget.  Investing in green energy sources for your home and business needs can add dollars to your wallet and years to the life of our Earth.

If you are a beginner to the solar electric world, then you may be wondering what exactly solar energy panels are? It is really simple and yet fascinatingly complicated.  Solar energy panels are also known as photovoltaic panels; photovoltaic meaning electricity from the sun.  Solar energy panels work by collecting protons from the sun, which displace neutrons, and create a flow of electrons or electricity.  An inverter converts the power generated by the solar energy panels from an AC current to a DC current making it usable in homes as a direct electricity supply.

You can use solar energy panels to heat your pool, workshop tools, greenhouse lights and fans or depending on you personal electric usage, your entire home or business.  Most solar energy panels are designed to last 30-40 years and require little to no maintenance.  Over the life-span of solar energy panels, the energy savings realized by the owner is enough to justify the initial cost of the system and prices are dropping more and more as a larger number of consumers express interest and make the change to solar energy panels or other renewable resources.

Solar energy panels for small applications can be purchased at your local hardware stores.  These small versions are ideal for outdoor lighting, small water pumps and other outdoor tools.  If you are purchasing a home size or business size system of solar energy panels it would be best to seek out a local retailer of solar energy panels or a green energy retailer in your area.  There is also plenty of information available online about different solar energy panel providers.

Understanding the value of solar energy panels is the first step to becoming fossil fuel independent.  As our traditional energy resources are falling into exhaustion, now is the best time to look in to solar energy panels for your home or business.