Also, the Greek s use of solar energy were not limited to religious purposes, as they even used the solar energy system to incorporate passive solar design in the construction of their houses. The Romans simply improved the Greek s design and also incorporated windows into their structures, allowing them to be able to trap more solar heat. 51% of sunlight in reality enters the atmosphere of the earth. Unlike solar thermal energy which transforms soalr energy to heat for industrial or household reasons, PV cells can directly change sunlight into electricity. The Solar Array The solar array is made of hundreds of photovoltaic solar cells that transform sunlight into electricity. There are also other factors to consider such as maintenance and if the package includes free installation. Some companies will ask for fees to install the panels, while other buyers may opt to install these themselves to save more. Talk to other people who have already tried certain makes and brands and let them give you the pros and cons of each. You can get a lot of financial benefits by maintaining the material properly. Expect solar panels to last for up to 3 decades if well-maintained. Here are some tips on how to begin your project. Starting Out Begin with the sandpaper and use it to scour the different regions of the copper of one of the available sheets. Only handle a single wire at a time. Link the DC inlet straight to the battery in a similar fashion. Link the solar panel to the battery the same way. Shut the lid using a bungee cord to keep everything tight. Position the solar panel under the sun. It will take 5 to 8 hours to charge dead batteries. Liquid-based systems involve the use of large water tanks or thermal mass for the storage of heat. Distribution is managed through radiant slab systems, hot-water baseboards and central forced air systems. Air-based systems involve rock bins or thermal mass that hold the heated air for storing. The hot air is circulated within the home using blowers and ducts.