| Two solar power technologies exist, the passive | | | | The Solar-thermal system is not adequate for |
| and the active technology. The passive technology | | | | homes and mainly will be used for large Utility |
| are the photocell panels or the photovoltaic film | | | | companies. However, the active system based on |
| that receives sunlight and generates electricity | | | | a Stirling engine to power a generator which could |
| more apt for a space station or a home. The | | | | be applicable for homes, is not available for |
| active technology is a solar thermal that uses a | | | | massive distribution. Although all of its components |
| dish to concentrate sunlight that produces steam, | | | | have been developed, no one has yet integrated |
| which in turn powers a turbine that generates | | | | the solar power generating kit, or a home |
| electricity. Another active technology, which is not | | | | appliance. This home system or appliance should |
| being promoted, hidden form public view, is using | | | | be very low cost because it requires: a solar |
| the Stirling Engine to move a power generator. | | | | collector or dish which could cost around $200 |
| The passive technology is ready to go, and there | | | | USD, a stiriling engine with a cost of $350, the 3 |
| are a few homes that have already installed the | | | | KW per hour power generator with a cost of |
| system. This system is totally clean, backed by | | | | $350, and the battery bank which is the |
| the USDOE Solar American Initiative, it requires | | | | expensive ticket item and could run several |
| sufficient space on the roof to position the panels | | | | thousand dollars, to store electricity if the system |
| or film, and uses an inverter to turn direct current | | | | is a stand alone not tied to the power grid. If the |
| into alternate current homes can use. The Utility | | | | home is currently supplied by a utility company, |
| companies have also developed the Net Metering | | | | then the battery bank is not needed and the Net |
| system to buy electricity on their terms, from | | | | Metering system with the public utility company |
| homes that have generate a surplus of electricity. | | | | can be used. In addition to the sun collector dish |
| The new federal tax law "Emergency Economic | | | | the rest of the system can be packaged in two |
| Stabilization Act of 2008" effective January 2009 | | | | boxes. One which has the stiriling engine and |
| provides a 30% tax credit of the cost of a solar | | | | power generator, and the other with the battery |
| system. Some States are also providing large | | | | if you are a location not tied to the grid. It can |
| incentives to install solar systems, although with | | | | also have a gas heater installation as a backup to |
| the current economic crisis these paybacks can | | | | when there is a lack of sunlight making this a |
| be curtailed or delayed. The rest of the payback | | | | very reliable alternative. |
| has to come from real savings generated over | | | | Apparently, there are companies in America, New |
| time by the system from the Utility company. | | | | Zealand, India, Sweden, and other countries trying |
| This passive solar system is expensive as of | | | | to develop the stiriling engine . A few companies |
| today, and payback is obtained in 8 years of | | | | are receiving funding from investment funds to |
| savings. Photovoltaic film or photocell panels are | | | | develop the stiriling engine for this home appliance. |
| low efficiency and voltage, and compare badly | | | | Infinia Corporation, a US company has a head |
| with the option of buying electricity from the | | | | start, because they are currently producing a big |
| utility company. Currently you require from 13 to | | | | sterling engine to power up 10 homes at a time |
| 15 photocell panels to generate the 2.5 to 3.0 | | | | and installing many of them in a centralized solar |
| Kilowatt hours generating capacity. | | | | farm in California. Other companies should not be |
| Walmart has established a pilot plan to install | | | | discouraged because markets are so huge, there |
| photovoltaic panels in several of their stores. If | | | | will be enough room for all suppliers. Just in United |
| the system produces a return, they will massively | | | | States alone there is a potential of 124 million |
| implement it in all their stores, since they have | | | | homes that could use the solar power appliance, |
| sufficient roof space currently not utilized. | | | | plus commercial and industrial sites. |