So Which Is The Best?

Well, that's difficult to say!

Solar water heaters are very efficient solar panels - around 85-90% efficient - and are mostly used for applications such as domestic hot water and heating swimming pools. These are very common in places such as Israel. Hawaii have even made them law!

Installation costs can be quite high but if you know some basic DIY you can install these solar energy panels yourself without too many problems.

Solar water heaters are far more efficient than PV solar panels. A typical solar power system can generate all the hot water needed in the summer and 20% in the winter, so 50%-60% all year round.

Solar power information for this is available at Find out about DIY solar heating kits.

PV Solar Panels, which produce electricity, are a touch more expensive due to the lack of silicon supplies worldwide that are used to make them. However, with new technologies evolving constantly, the price is dropping rapidly for this type of solar panels.

There are also large rebates available in most countries for solar energy making it affordable to the ordinary family. Because of this, the growth has been rapid in many countries, especially in places like Germany where they have a feed in tariff.

You could even fit a solar energy panel yourself making it cheaper still. You wouldn't be eligible for a grant but the savings you would make would mean that it wouldn't matter. For more details click here.

If having a large solar energy array is too much money why not try solar powered garden lights which look great.

Some governments or states also offer financial advantages that can help slash down the costs.

Then we have another benefit of solar energy which is the net metering--that is, in the instance that your solar power system produces a lot more energy than you actually use and consume, the service provider could buy it from you, or if you choose to sell it to them.

Now, that is another good benefit of solar power--you not only get to help the environment, but you also got to save money and earn extra credit for that in return. But granting that you do not manufacture more than enough power to make the most or take advantage of net metering, but you would still save a lot of money on your electricity bills.

And not to mention the fact that since solar power does not need any fuel for it to run, then it is a good news that you would never have to be concerned regarding the ever-rising costs

But whatever you do, please shop around for the best price. Costs for solar energy can vary dramatically and some dealers are complete rip off merchants so do your own research and bargain with them. There is abundant solar power information available on the web for you to make an informed decision.