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A definitive guide to solar energy and its advantages and drawbacks

The modern world is characterized by an overwhelming population explosion and a consequent tussle for natural resources. The fast-depleting natural resources supply poses a serious threat to future generations, causing a dire need for sustainable alternatives. Solar energy is among the most commonly utilized alternative fuel sources today and is being utilized in homes and offices at small-scale and large-scale levels. This article discusses how solar energy works, its advantages and drawbacks, and its functions:

How does solar energy work?
Extraction of solar cells : Solar energy is powered by panels made of solar or photovoltaic cells, generated by blending melted crystalline silicon with gallium or boron. Each silicon ingot or “wafer” thus formed comprises a positively charged and a negatively charged silicon layer.

Manufacturing of solar panels : These solar cells are used to manufacture large, black solar panels. The silicon semiconductors in these panels absorb sunlight to generate electricity.

Electricity generation : The positively and negatively charged silicon layers in the ingots in solar cells form an electric field in the panel. When the panels absorb sunlight, the electrons in the ingots separate from the atoms. The electrical field around each wafer sets these electrons in motion, generating direct current (DC), which is converted to alternating current (AC) and utilized in homes and offices.

Electricity utilization : The AC electricity passes the electric panel and powers your home. The regular electricity supply can compensate for any shortage of solar energy.

Advantages of solar energy
Natural resource conservation : Solar energy is a renewable source facilitating natural resource conservation, contributing to a sustainable future.

Environment-friendly alternative : Solar power plants do not cause air pollution or emit greenhouse gasses, which is a significant step towards a healthier environment.

“Native” energy source : Solar energy is referred to as a “native” energy source, as it is available across the planet and generates local employment.

Reduction in energy bills : Replacing traditional electric power with solar energy can reduce your energy bills. Moreover, you can avail of credit for unutilized surplus energy.

Unaffected by power outages : Solar energy can continue functioning even during power outages.

Disadvantages of solar energy
Space utilization : Solar panels occupy space on rooftops and open areas. Thus, thorough planning and space allocation is required before solar panel installation.

Suitable only for permanent residences : Another major disadvantage is that solar panel systems are not portable. Thus, individuals frequently changing homes cannot reap the benefits of solar energy.

Expensive project : Installing solar panels can be time-consuming and expensive, particularly at a large-scale level. Considerable financial planning is required before undertaking the project.

Better suited to sunny weather : Although solar energy can be harnessed in areas receiving perennially less sunlight, the supply of solar energy may be very less, requiring support from traditional electricity sources.

While installing solar panels can be cumbersome and time-consuming, it can be highly rewarding, personally and environmentally. Proper planning and coordination with reputed solar panel installers can help you eliminate the cons of installation and enjoy its benefits.

5 unique ways to make use of your tablets

Tablets are some of the most popular electronic gadgets in this day and age. What makes them so unique is that they combine the power of a laptop or desktop with the portability and size of a smartphone. However, many individuals are unaware of all the different ways a tablet can be used. Read on to learn about the multiple purposes of tablets and how they can suit your personal and professional requirements. Second monitor One of the many perks of owning a tablet is that it can be used as a screen or monitor. If you prefer to work with multiple monitors, you can use your tablet as a second or third one. Most tablets have the built-in ability to connect to laptops, desktops, and even other tablets. It allows you to extend the screen from one device to the other, making your work much smoother and more manageable. Therefore, if you already have a tablet, you can consider skipping out on expenses on another monitor. To hook up your tablet to your personal computer or laptop, you simply need to use the extend your display function available with your operating system. You can also mirror or duplicate your laptop/desktop display to your tablet. Reading Another great and smart way to use your tablet is to use it as a reader. No more shopping for books and waiting for them to get delivered to your house. You can buy the books online and read them on various ebook applications. If you already have a tablet, you do not need to splurge again on e-readers such as the Kindle. Most tablets can allow you to read any format, including ebooks and comic books. You can also check out news and information applications where you can check out magazines or even read the latest happenings across the globe. Tablets also come with features that make your reading experience more enjoyable. On many new models, you have brightness, low blue-light exposure, or night mode. Drawing tool Your tablet can be connected to your desktop/personal computer and be used as an art book. Yes, you read that right. Many applications and drawing tools on your tablet allow you to use it as a drawing pad. These interactive applications will enable you to redo, undo, save easily, and even erase your work. Digital art is all the rage right now, and the portability of tablets has made them a popular tool for doing art. You may need to invest in a good stylus for your artwork. Controlling electronic appliances Tablets can also control other devices, such as TV or air conditioners. Most new tablets come with inbuilt infrared that can be used to manage your other devices. You must set up the device and connect it to your household appliances. Some tablets also come with remote applications that make it easy to connect your tablet as a remote to other devices. You can also use your tablet to control your refrigerator and washing machine. This is because many of the newer household appliances come with Wi-Fi connectivity and can be managed via an application. Navigation Car dashboards provide the most basic of amenities and features. But you can do much more if you connect your tablet and use it as your car dashboard. Your tablet will allow you to access navigation, music, and even voice commands with ease. If youâre looking to purchase a tablet, you can wait until Black Friday rolls around. Popular brands such as Lenovo, Apple, and Samsung may offer great deals and discounts. You can purchase a tablet of your choice while saving a huge amount.

6 things to consider when buying an HD TV

Buyers can choose from various options when looking for brand-new HD TV sets. As HD TVs can be expensive, it is important to consider multiple aspects before buying one. Also, today's TV sets are equipped with advanced technology and offer many customization options. This makes it important to pick the most suitable television that meets all your requirements. So, here are the 6 things you need to consider when getting a new HD TV: Screen resolution This is definitely one of the top things you need to know when getting a new HD TV. Many manufacturers give buyers the option to choose from the latest configurations, like 4K TVs containing 3840x2160 pixels and 8K TVs with a resolution of 7680x4320 pixels. The ultra HD or 4K option offers great signal, sharp picture quality, and greater clarity for even the most miniature objects on the screen. Many films and other visual content are produced in 4K nowadays, making your viewing experience richer. While 8K TVs provide even better picture and video quality, there are very few 8K movies you can buy. So, while 8K TVs will be a good option in the future, you should consider going for HD, Ultra HD, or 4K sets. Aspect ratio and screen size HD TVs use a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio (screen width to height). Standard-definition TVs come with a square-like 4:3 aspect ratio. Widescreen HD TVs have a slightly lower diagonal measurement, so a 27-inch HD TV will not seem as tall as a more square-like 27-inch TV. So, standard-definition TV users looking to upgrade to an HD TV with a screen matching the height of their current device should go for larger HD TVs. So, users looking for an HD television with a screen height equivalent to their current 27-inch standard-definition TV can choose 32-inch HD TVs. Refresh rate Refresh rate describes how many times per second a picture is refreshed on the screen. Usually, refresh rates of 60 or 120 Hz are considered reasonable. The 120 Hz option is better as the higher rates provide more fluid picture quality. HDMI and connections HDTVs with at least 4 or more HDMI ports offer better connectivity with other devices. While buying, you need to ensure that the ports come in the newer HDMI 2.1 format. Presets Many HD TVs have preset picture modes to control key settingsâcontrast, brightness, tint, and more. TVs with several preset options to create custom presets are preferable. Energy consumption Energy consumption is another one of the key things you need to know while buying an HD TV. LCD HDTVs consume less power than plasma sets. However, LED-backlit LCDs are even more energy efficient. So, factor in the energy consumption to save on electricity costs.

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4 tips that can help you pick the right investment advisor

An investment advisor can be a game-changer. A capable advisor can help solve most of your financial issues and give you the best investment advice so that you can turn market situations to your favor. But, finding the right investment advisor is not easy. Here are a few things you need to keep in mind while looking for the best investment advisor. Know what type of service you need First, you need to decide what kind of financial assistance you need. Do you need help picking investments? Or are you seeking advice on real estate, retirement, or insurance needs? Asking yourself these questions will help determine the type of investment advisor you are looking for. Nowadays, many people use a robo-advisor, which is as competent as a human investment advisor. A robo-advisor is great for investment management and other basic investments. But if you want substantial transformation in your money-situation, a human advisor is the viable option. Choose a fee-only advisor If you’ve decided to pick a human advisor, the next step is to choose the type of advisor: commission-based, fee-based, or fee-only. If you’re planning something big financially, you must pick a fee-only advisor. Such advisors work for and get paid by other clients like you, so they always act in their clients’ best interest.

Handy tips for retirement-focused investments

With pension plans becoming more and more obsolete, retirement-focused investments have come to the fore in the past few years. Besides helping you fund your future, these valuable assets also provide incredible gains, and in some cases, constant income till the end of life. Since investing for retirement—and planning it—can prove to be challenging, we have put together a list of tips that may be helpful in the process. Assess your options Multiple investment vehicles are ideal for long-term gains and can return a sizable amount by the time you retire. Mutual funds, stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds, cash investments, annuities, and dividend reinvestment plans (DRIPs) are also good sources of high returns, although they depend on investor characteristics and risk aptitude. Saving money in certain tax-advantaged accounts such as 401(k), individual retirement accounts (IRA), and brokerage accounts is also an option. Start early and young No one is ever too young to invest. It’s a healthy habit that can earn serious money in the long term, with even the smallest of investments capable of making a difference a few years down the line. Starting early gives your money time to grow and lets you accumulate more compound interest over a period of time.

4 popular credit cards for college students

A good credit score is essential as it can be a criterion for lucrative job prospects or renting an apartment. Moreover, a good credit score is an uncompromisable necessity while applying for a loan that has terms and conditions that favor you. To ensure that you have a good credit score, it is better to start building it young and early. One of the easiest ways to do so is by applying for a student credit card from prominent credit cards companies. Now, there are several credit cards companies that offer lucrative credit cards, making choosing the right one confusing. To help you narrow down your choices, here are some of the best credit cards companies that offer student credit cards. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students: One of the biggest credit card companies in the country Bank of America offers a slew of benefits with its student credit card. With each dollar spent using this card, students can earn 1.5 points. This applies to purchases without any caps. The points can be redeemed as discounts on hotels, flights, rental cars, and vacation packages. There are no restrictions or blackout dates applicable for availing these discounts. With no foreign transaction fee or annual fee, the card allows one to earn nearly 25,000 points on spending about $1000 in the first 90 days.

What you must know about guaranteed business loans

If you’re looking for funding your small business with a loan, you’ll most likely come across the term “guaranteed business loans.” People often misunderstand this term as business loans that are guaranteed to be approved. But, this is not what guaranteed business loans means. To clarify the confusion, let’s understand what the term actually means, and discuss the most popular types of guaranteed business loans. What are guaranteed business loans? In simple terms, guaranteed business loans in the world of small business loans refer to loans that are secured or backed by a guarantee. The guarantee can be in the form of collateral, deposit, or an agreement. This essentially means that the lender is guaranteed to receive their money back even if the borrower fails to pay. When we talk about guaranteed business loans, we refer to loans with a personal guarantee or, more commonly, loans guaranteed by the small business administration (SBA). Let’s take a look at both these types. Personally guaranteed business loans As you understand from the term “personal,” when you make a personal guarantee on a business loan, you essentially agree to sell your assets to pay off the loan, if your business is unable to do so.

5 mistakes to avoid when investing in a high dividend ETF

Exchange-traded funds (ETF) have been gaining popularity in the investment sector for some time now. Along with mutual funds, they have been one of the most preferred investment options among investors. With investors having pumped in billions of dollars in ETFs by now, these funds sure seem like a lucrative investment avenue. However, financial experts suggest treading this path carefully so as to avoid unforeseeable losses. Here are a few mistakes that you can avoid while investing in high dividend ETFs: Overlooking long-term investment Looking at long-term goals is the golden rule when it comes to any type of investment. However, seasoned investors invest in ETFs on a short-term basis through a type of trading called intraday trade. This type of trading allows the investors to buy and sell stocks and other investments on the same day. However, if not thought out carefully, investing in high dividend ETFs through intraday trading can result in lower returns and higher trading costs. Buying an ETF simply based on its name This is one of the most common mistakes people make when investing in high dividend ETFs. Investors may think that an ETF’s name provides an insight into its investment reach, i.e., whether the ETF has local or/and global investors.

How to qualify for a reverse mortgage

A reverse mortgage provides the elderly access to equity in their homes and supplements their income. With its flexible repayment option, it gives homeowners more control over their money. However, the government has laid out strict rules and guidelines concerning reverse mortgage eligibility criteria. So, if you’re considering a reverse mortgage, read on to know the reverse mortgage eligibility criteria and the types of reverse mortgages. Reverse mortgage eligibility criteria The first criterion for a reverse mortgage is that the primary homeowner must be at least 62 years of age. If your spouse is under the age of 62, you might still be eligible if you meet other reverse mortgage eligibility criteria. If you’re not 62 or older than 62, then you won’t qualify for a reverse mortgage even if you satisfy the criteria mentioned below. You must be the primary resident of the home you’re seeking a reverse mortgage for. Note that vacation homes or rental properties do not qualify. You must either entirely own the house or have at least 50% equity in it. If you have any mortgage balance remaining while applying for a reverse mortgage, you must be in a financial position to pay off that balance.

A definitive guide to solar energy and its advantages and drawbacks

5 unique ways to make use of your tablets

6 things to consider when buying an HD TV

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