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For a very long time, money used for good will was called charity, while money used to earn more money was called investing. That’s not the case anymore.

Nowadays, the two ideas are combining into a financial area called socially responsible investing. And both investors and mutual fund managers are figuring out that this new idea can be very rewarding, as well as do some good for the environment and society.

“Socially responsible investing means you don’t have to compromise your own personal beliefs to make money on Wall Street… whatever those beliefs are,” states Bob Guthrie, who is an investment broker with A.G. Edwards in Burlington, Vt.

The idea of selectively choosing stocks for social reasons dates back to the early 1900s, Guthrie said, when church members banded together and refused to invest in tobacco or alcohol companies. The trend continued with investors dodging corporations involved in the Vietnam War, he added, and most recently revolved around companies investing in South Africa.

But growth in this form of selective investing has skyrocketed during the past couple of years as more and more individuals and corporations have moved social and environmental consciousness into the mainstream of their investments. And this impact is being felt worldwide.

With help from stockholders, says Rob Kruger, vice president of portfolio management at Progressive Asset Management, business practices concerning the environment are beginning to change, While the issues may differ, he said companies are realizing they will suffer the consequences if they aren’t viewed as being socially responsible.

Kruger said, “As this investing community continues to grow, a lot of proposals are being addressed by investors at annual shareholder meetings. A whole spectrum of issues and activities is now being put forward.”

As part of its operation, Progressive Asset Management conducts research for socially responsible mutual funds. The firm screens companies for environmental problems or nuclear involvement — whatever issues their clients want investigated.

“As the clock ticks, companies are becoming more and more cooperative with us,” Kruger said. “A lot of them are now very anxious to talk about these social and environmental issues.”

Guthrie agrees that business practices are changing and says American corporations are aware of stockholders who are concerned with the environment.

He advises, “Make sure your hard-earned money is not invested in companies with little concern for the environment. Keep these things in mind when you invest and the corporations will do the same too.

Earth News Media is proud to promote global reforestation as well as help green communities with their recycling programs, waste management, water conservation and other environmental issues. Also published at Socially Responsible Investing In The Environment.

Solar energy is one of the most abundant forms of renewable energy available to the world. Photovoltaic cells are used to convert the energy from the sun into electric power. This is done by a process called the photovoltaic effect. Continue reading and learn about photovoltaics and their role in the future of renewable energy.

Solar technology can be characterized by the way that it is captured. The solar radiation is either captured passively or actively. A passive solar capture would be when sunlight is converted without using any form of mechanical device, such as a solarium. While an active solar capture would be a conversion using either mechanical or electrical equipment. In both passive and active capture of solar energy, photovoltaic cells can be used.

The photovoltaic effect is best described as a material being subjected to electromagnetic radiation. Voltage is created with the charged material. Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel was the first to notice this effect in 1839.

The amount of solar energy that comes to the surface of the earth is so great that in one year it will exceeds double the amount of all the non-renewable resources of oil, coal, mined uranium, and natural gas combined on the earth. Different levels of solar energy can be captured in different areas around the world. The closer a location is to the equator, the more solar energy available.

Orbiting satellites and spacecraft were the first uses of the photovoltaic. They are now used for many things, but most often for power. A module of photovoltaic cells or solar cell produces direct current which must be converted to alternating current.

Solar panels that are made up of photovoltaic cells at one time were entirely too expensive to use at home or for general commercial use. Government incentive programs have made it possible for consumers to install systems at this time. Individuals are being encouraged worldwide to switch to renewable energy sources. Fortunately, over the past several years, the cost of solar panels have also decreased on their own.

When photovoltaic cells were first introduced to the public, they had menial uses, such as calculators and gadgets, but now, we are testing roadway lighting systems. The presence of them can be seen in street lamps, parking meters, and phones. There are power stations in different areas of the world in operation with photovoltaic panels. There is no doubt that the need for them will grow with the need for renewable energy.

Photovoltaic cells are used to take the energy from the sun and converting them into electric power. If you want it done right, , then you should get a PV installer to do the job for you.

Well, one major reason is because of the financial aspects. After the original investment has been recovered, the energy from the sun if practically without charge. The recovery or payback period for this investment can be very short depending on how much electricity your household uses.

There are also many financial incentives that are widely available from the federal and local government that will lessen your overall cost. Depending on your area, if your system produces more energy than you use, your utility company can buy it from you, building up a credit on your account! This nifty little idea is called “net-metering”. Fundamentally, it will save you money on your electricity bill if you even have one at all.

One large fact about solar energy is that it doesn’t require any fuel. It’s not affected by the supply and demand of fuel and is therefore not subjected to the ever-increasing price of gasoline. The savings are instantaneous and for many years to come.

For the environmentally mindful, solar energy is clean, renewable (unlike gas, oil and coal) and sustainable, helping to protect our environment. It doesn’t pollute our air by releasing carbon-dioxide, nitrogen-oxide, sulphur-dioxide or mercury into the atmosphere like many conventional forms of electrical generation does. Solar energy doesn’t play a part in the global warming, acid rain or smog and as a matter of fact, it actively contributes to the decrease of harmful green house gas emissions.

Solar energy can be employed to offset utility-supplied energy consumption. For those apprehensive about outages it will also continue to supply your home or business with electricity in the occurrence of a power outage.

Your solar energy system can function entirely independently, not requiring a connection to a power or gas grid at all. Systems can even be installed in remote locations (like cabins and remote vacation homes), making it more sensible and cost-effective than the supply of utility electricity to a new site. Almost all solar energy systems are virtually maintenance free and will last for decades. Once installed, there are no recurring costs and they operate silently, have no moving parts, do not release offensive smells and do not require you to add any fuel. More solar panels can easily be added in the future when your family’s needs develop.

Learn more about Solar Panel Installations. Stop by Alan Andal’s site where you can find out all about Chicago Solar Panel Installation Company and what it can do for you.