Total output of the Sun was gathered for one second it would provide the U.S. with enough energy, at its current usage rate, for the next 9,000,000 years."
Getting Started With Solar 
No Changes In How You Use Electricity
Solar
electricity works exactly the same as the electricity you buy from the
utility company. You turn on lights, plug in lamps and power appliances
the same way you do right now. In fact, if you didn't see solar modules
on the roof, you'd never notice any difference—except a lower electric
bill.
Relax, It's Easier Than You Think
While
the science of converting sunshine into electricity is complex, the
idea is pretty simple. Solar electricity is generated by a group of
solar modules called an array that's installed on your roof or in your
yard. When sunlight falls on the solar modules, a DC electrical current
is created instantly. The DC electricity is fed into an inverter that
changes it to standard AC electricity - the same kind your home already
uses.
General Explanation of Solar Water Heating
Solar water heating systems use collector (absorber) panels to harvest the sun’s energy. These collector panels are in many cases installed on the roof of your home or garage. As the sun shines on the absorber panels, water is heated in tubes within the collector panels, and then moves to a water heater or heaters, depending on the design, for storage and later use in the home. .Solar water heating systems allow homeowners to use the solar source as their main system and their conventional water heater as back-up storage.
Optimally placed absorber panels, with conventional methods as a backup, will yield you many years of use and dramatically lower energy costs all while lowering your carbon footprint and contributing to a greener world.
DID YOU KNOW...???
The California Energy Commission estimates that the average household spends up to 30% or more of its energy bill for hot water heating, and it accounts for more than one-quarter of the total energy used in a typical single-family home. An electric water heater is the single largest user of electricity of all household appliances.
Whether you have an electric or gas water heater, the operating cost will continue to rise over time.
According to the California Public Utilities Commission, electricity rates have been increasing an average of 6% per year, over the past 35 years, and the wholesale price for natural gas has more than tripled in the past eight years. Natural gas shortages are likely to push rates even higher in the near future. With solar you will no longer have to be at the mercy of the utilities and their ever-rising rates.
The California Public Utilities Commission estimates that a typical homeowner can save 60-70% on the cost of water heating by installing a solar water heating system.
