{Is|Are} Solar Energy available at all times?
{Is|Are} Solar Energy available at all times?
The {most important|primary|main} {source of energy for humankind|energy source for humans|source of energy for mankind} is {undoubtedly solar energy|definitely solar energy|without doubt solar energy}.
Solar {has been the buzzword of|is the buzzword of|has been the buzzword for} {the year as people search|this year, as people look|this year as people search} for cleaner{ and more| and better|, more efficient and} {energy efficiency to|efficient energy sources than|efficient energy alternatives to} fossil fuels. With a 25{% increase|% growth| percent increase} in {its solar capacity|solar power capacity|the capacity of solar energy} {by 2021, solar energy|in 2021, solar energy|by 2021, solar power} is the {fastest growing|fastest-growing} source of {electricity|energy} in America.
Solar energy is {gaining popularity|growing in popularity|becoming more popular} and {now is the perfect|this is the ideal|this is the best} {time to find out more|moment to learn more about it|opportunity to know more}. You’re {in the right spot|in the right place|at the right place} to {learn more|find out more|get more information} {about solar energy|on solar power|regarding solar energy}.
This guide will {tell you|provide|explain} {everything you need about|everything you need to know about|all you need to know about} this {fascinating|intriguing|amazing} energy source. It {covers solar energy basics|will cover the basics of solar energy|will explain the basics of solar energy}{, where to| as well as where you can| how to} {research and study|investigate and learn about|look up and research} {solar energy, and|the solar power source, as well as|sun energy and} {which companies|which firms|what companies} {are the best to purchase|are the best for purchasing|can be the most reliable to buy} solar panels.
{What is solar energy|How do you define solar power|Is solar energy a renewable source of power}?
The sun’s {rays transmit|rays emit|radiations carry} {heat and light energy called|heat and light energy , which is known as|the energy of light and heat, referred to as} solar energy.
The sun’s {energy is what|energy|power is what} {makes it possible for|allows|is able to allow} {life to exist|life to live|existence} on Earth. The sun’s {warmth and light|light and warmth} {create a favorable climate|provide a conducive climate|make a favorable environment} for {life|living}. It is {essential|vital|crucial} for all living {creatures|things} to {survive|live}{, including plants, animals| which includes animals, plants| such as animals, plants}{, and| and even| as well as} {humans|humans}.
{Although we have relied|While we’ve relied|We have been relying} on {sunlight for|the sun for|sunlight to generate} energy since {ancient times,|the beginning of time,|the beginning of time} {modern solar technologies have allowed|the latest solar technology has allowed|modern technology in solar energy has enabled} us to harness {this energy|the power of sunlight} to {generate solar heat and|produce solar heat and|generate solar heat as well as} electricity. {It is quickly|It is rapidly|It’s rapidly} becoming {a cost-effective and practical|an affordable and practical|a practical and cost-effective} {source of renewable energy,|renewable source of energy,|source of renewable energy} {so it can|which means it could|therefore it is able to} {play a significant role in|be a major factor in|contribute significantly to} our {urgent quest to eliminate|quest to end|current effort to reduce} our dependence on {climate-degrading|carbon-degrading|the climate-altering} fossil fuels.
To fully {understand|comprehend} {this energy source|the energy source|this source of energy}{, there are some| There are some| There are a few} technical terms {that you should|you need to|you must} {know|be aware of}.
{Anything that is related to|Everything that has to do with|Anything related to} the sun. {The sun is the|Sun is the|It is the sun’s} {star|main star|primary star} in our solar {power|energy} systems, and {it provides|provides|it supplies} all the {warmth and light|light and warmth} {we need|that we require|we require} on Earth.
Solar energy{: This broad term describes| The broad term refers to| This broad term is used to describe} the energy {generated|produced|that is generated} by sunlight{ and emitted in| and released in|, and the energy emitted by} {electromagnetic solar radiation|the form of electromagnetic radiation|sunlight’s electromagnetic spectrum}. sunlight.
Solar power{: The sun’s|: Sun’s| is the sun’s} energy{ that humans have converted| that humans have transformed|, which humans have converted} into {electricity or heat|heat or electricity}. Sometimes{, the terms| the terms| the words} “solar energy”{, and| as well as| and} “solar power”{, are| can be| are} interchangeable.
Solar electricity{: This is electricity| is|: It is the electricity} {produced|generated|created} by sunlight. {You can create it|It can be created|It is produced} {using either|by using|with either} {solar thermal technology|the solar thermal technique|technological advancements in solar energy} or{ solar|} photovoltaic.
Solar thermal: {Heat energy|Get energy|Energy} {from the sun|by the sun|generated by sunlight}. {You can use solar thermal|Solar thermal energy can be used to generate|You can utilize solar thermal} energy {for solar energy storage|to store solar energy|for storage of solar energy}{, heating, and| as well as heating and| for heating, as well as} {electricity generation|the generation of electricity}.
Photovoltaics {is the process of|is the method of|involves} {creating electricity from sunlight through|producing electricity using sunlight via|making electricity by utilizing sunlight on} solar panels. {These panels are made from|The panels are constructed from|These panels are made of} solar cells {that contain special|which contain|that are made up of special} {semiconductor materials|semiconductors}.
Why is solar {so great|such a great option|energy so beneficial} {for renewable energy|to use renewable energy|for energy from renewable sources}?
{Because|Since} {there is no way|it is impossible|the sun is unable} to {use|utilize|make use of} all{ of|} the {solar|sun’s} energy, {it is considered|it is regarded as|it’s considered} {a renewable source of energy|an energy source that is renewable|to be a renewable source of energy}. The sun’s {continuous|constant|perpetual} {solar radiation will continue to|solar radiation will|sunlight will} replenish the {supply of sunlight|sun’s energy|amount of sunlight}{, no matter how much| regardless of how much| regardless of the amount} we {capture|can capture|harvest}.
{We won’t|We’re not likely to|We’re not going to} {run out of sunlight soon|be able to get enough sunlight anytime soon|ever run out of sun}{, either| also| neither}. NASA {predicts|estimates|forecasts} that {the sun will|sun’s rays will|our sun’s going to} {shine|be shining|continue to shine} {for at least 5|through at minimum 5|until at the very least five} billion{ more|} years.
{These are some of the|These are just a few of the|Here are a few} {major benefits|main benefits|advantages} {of using solar energy|of solar energy being used|from using solar energy} to {power our|meet our energy|provide power to our} {needs|requirements|demands}.
Solar energy is clean: Solar is very environmentally-friendly. Solar energy is {free|completely free|totally free} of {emissions and waste products|waste and emissions|pollutants and waste products}.
It’s {abundant: There is|plentiful: There is|abundant: There’s} an {immense|enormous|incredible} {amount of solar energy|quantity of sunlight|volume of sun’s energy} {hitting|that hits|that is hitting} the Earth at any {given time|time|moment} {- it is more|It is greater|It’s more} than any {other source of energy|other energy source|other source of energy}.
It’s {affordable: Thanks|cost-effective: Due|cheap: Thanks} to {technological advances|advances in technology|advancements in technology}{,|} solar power {has been declared|has been deemed|is now considered} the most cost-effective {type|form|source} of electricity{ in history| ever|} {by|according to|through} the International Energy Agency.
{It is also very versatile|It’s also extremely versatile|It’s also extremely flexible}. {Because|Since} solar energy is {based on|derived from|generated by} sunlight{, it can be generated| and the sun’s rays, it can be produced| which is the source of it, it can be produced} {almost|virtually|practically} {anywhere|everywhere}. {It is therefore|Therefore, it is|This makes it} {possible to use|possible to utilize|feasible to use} it in a {wide variety|variety|myriad} of {applications including|devices, including|different applications, such as} {handheld devices and|mobile devices,|smartphones, handheld devices,} {rooftop energy systems, utility-scale plants|solar rooftop systems for energy, utilities-scale plant|roof-top energy plants, power-plants for utility scale}{,|} interplanetary spacecraft{,|} and even {interplanetary power stations|power stations that are interplanetary}!
This unique combination {makes solar energy|allows solar energy to be|provides solar energy as} {a viable renewable energy option|an attractive renewable energy source|an option for renewable energy} for those {who want|looking|who wish} to {transition away from|move away from|get rid of} fossil fuels.
What are the {various|different|many} {methods for generating|ways to generate|ways of generating} solar energy?
Three {main methods are used|primary methods are employed|major methods are employed} to harness {solar|the power of solar} energy {and make it usable|and use it for utility|to make it usable}:
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Solar panels {using|that harness|made of} solar energy {technologies|technology}.
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{Concentrated|CSP, also known as concentrated} solar power (CSP){, also known| is also referred to| often referred to} {as solar thermal, is|by the name solar thermal is|as solar thermal} {a form|a type|one of the forms} {of solar energy|of solar energy}.
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Another {form|type} of solar thermal {energy is solar water heating|energy is solar water heating}.
1. Solar panels (solar photovoltaics)
Photovoltaic {cells|cell} (PV){, or| also known as| or} solar panels{,|} are the most {common way|popular method|commonly used method} to harness {solar energy for electricity|the power of solar energy for electricity|solar energy to power} generation. {The|In the United States,|It is estimated that the} United States has more than {3,000,000 solar installations|3 million solar installations|3 million solar panels}. The {number of solar panel installations|amount of solar panels installed} {in|across|within} the U.S. is increasing rapidly.
{A series of semiconducting|Semiconducting|A set of semiconducting} solar panels {are made up|is made up|consist} of semiconducting {cells that|cells which|cell that} {convert sunlight photons|convert sunlight light|transform sunlight’s photons} {into|to|in} direct current (DC). The DC {power is typically|power is usually|energy is generally} {fed into|transferred to|delivered to} {a solar converter, where|the solar converter where|an solar converter, and} {it’s converted to alternating current|it is converted into alternating current|it’s converted to alternating-current} (AC){, which| which| that} is the {type of electricity|kind of power|form of electricity} {used in homes and|that is used in homes as well as|utilized in homes and} {on the grid|in grids}.
{Solar panels can|The solar panels are able to|They can also} be {installed|erected|placed} {in as many locations as|anywhere|in any location} you {require to meet|need to meet|want to satisfy} your power {needs|requirements}.
2. {Concentrated solar power|Solar power that is concentrated|Power from concentrated solar sources} (solar {Thermal|thermal})
Concentrated solar power (CSP){, a technology| is a method| is a technique} {that makes use of special|which makes use of specially designed|which uses special} reflectors to {produce electricity on|generate electricity on|produce electricity at} {a large|an enormous|the large} {scale, is called|scale, is referred to as|size, is known as} concentrated solar power.
CSP plants {make use of|use} {thousands upon thousands of|hundreds of thousands|many thousands and thousands}{ special| specially-designed|} mirrors{, called horoscopes,|, also known as horoscopes| called horoscopes} {to reflect sunlight onto the|to reflect sunlight on|which reflect sunlight onto} solar thermal collectors. The sun’s {heat|energy|warmth} {is stored in|can be stored as|will be kept in the form of} molten salt{,|} or {used to create|utilized to generate|is used to generate} electricity {using|by using|with} {a steam turbine|steam turbines}.
CSP {power plants,|powers plants|is a power plant,} {unlike|in contrast to|as opposed to} PV plants{ which create| that generate|, which generate} {power from light, capture|electricity from light, CSP plants capture|power by capturing} {heat from sunlight|the heat of sunlight|sunlight’s heat}. {CSP plants are also|They are|These plants can also be} {known|referred to} as solar thermal{ or CSP|} plants. {Because of their tall towers|Due to their towering heights|Due to their high towers}{, they are often called| CSP plants are commonly referred to as| they are frequently referred to as} “power towers”{, and| as well as| or} “salt-tank {plants|plant|CSP plants}”.
{It is not practical|It’s not feasible|It’s not practical} to {use|utilize|make use of} CSP technology {at the|on a} {commercial or residential level|residential or commercial scale|residential or commercial level}. {It is|CSP is|It’s} {a promising technology on|an exciting technology for|an interesting technology at} the utility scale{, as| since| as} it {can be used|could be utilized|is able} to {store energy|conserve energy}.
3. {Solar water heating|Heating water with solar energy|The solar water heater} (also {known as|called|referred to as} solar thermal)
Another {way to harness|method of harnessing|method to harness} {solar thermal energy is|the power of solar energy comes|sunlight’s thermal power is} {through|to use|by using} {solar|the use of solar-powered|Solar} water heaters. {Rooftop solar thermal systems,|Solar thermal rooftop systems|The rooftop solar thermal units,} {not|which are not|that are not} to be confused {by|with} {PV solar panels,|solar PV panels|PV solar panels} {are used|are utilized|can be used} to heat water {in|within|inside} an {insulated|sealed|enclosed} container.
Even {when it is cold|in the coldest weather|in cold weather} outside{,|} {solar hot water systems|the solar hot water system|solar water heaters}{ can|} {provide hot water for most|supply hot water to most|supply hot water to the majority of} {homes|houses|homes}.
There are three {types|kinds} of {common solar projects|solar projects that are common|solar power projects that are commonly used.}
Solar energy {can be divided|is divided|can be classified} into three {types|categories|kinds} {for classification purposes|to be classified}{: commercial, residential,| three types: residential, commercial| including residential, commercial} and utility-scale.
{Residential solar: This|Solar for residential use: It|The term “residential solar” refers to the} {is solar|is the solar|refers to solar} {energy that is generated|energy generated|power that is produced} {at home, often with|in the home, usually using|by a home’s} rooftop panels. {Residential solar panels are typically|Solar panels for residential use are usually|The panels used for residential solar are typically} between 4 {and 16 kW in power|and 16 kW |to 16 kW of power}.
Commercial solar{: Also| is also|. Also} {called|known as|referred to as} Commercial & Industrial (C&I), Solar, it refers to the {use of solar energy for|utilization of solar energy by|use of solar energy in} {businesses, government agencies|companies, government agencies|organizations, government agencies,} {and nonprofits|and non-profit organizations|as well as non-profits}. {Most commercial solar systems are|The majority of commercial solar systems are|Most commercial solar systems range} between 10 {kW to|and|kW and} 100 kW{ in size| in capacity|}. However, {companies such as|some companies like|certain companies like} Apple {and|as well as|or} Amazon have {much larger systems|larger systems|systems that are much bigger} {after investing in large|after having invested in huge|following the investment in large} {amounts|quantities} of solar {capacity|power capacity}.
Utility-scale solar: {Large|These large} solar power plants {produce large|generate large|produce huge} {amounts of electricity for|quantities of electricity to|amounts of power for} {the electric grid|electricity grids|an electric grid}. {Utilities-scale power plants are defined|Utility-scale power plants are defined|Power plants that are utility-scale are classified} {by the|as such by|in the} U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). They {have a total|are power plants with a total|are those that have a total power} {generation capacity of 1|production capacity of 1|capacity of one} megawatt (MW) or more.
It is easily {scalable|scaleable|adaptable} and can be {used|utilized} to power projects {of any|that are of any|regardless of} size. It {can power devices|is able to power devices|is able to power devices,} {such as calculators and watches|like calculators and watches|like watches and calculators} {at the smallest scale|even at the smallest size|on the smallest scale}. It {can also be used|is also used|can also be utilized} in {huge solar parks,|massive solar parks|large solar parks} {which use|that use|which require} thousands{, if not millions| or even millions| in, if not billions} of solar {panels|cells|panel}.
{What are solar batteries|Are solar cells a good idea|How do you use solar battery}? {How can they be used|What are their uses|How do they work}?
{Special products are made|Specialized products are designed|Special products are developed} {for solar electricity storage|to store solar energy|to store solar power}. {These solar|Solar} {batteries store solar energy|battery stores solar power|batteries are able to store the solar energy} {efficiently|effectively} {at the time it is|when it is|during the time it’s} {produced and then quickly|generated and|produced , and} release it when{ it is|} {needed|required}.
Here’s how they {work for most|function for the majority of|can work in most} homes:
Solar panels {produce energy|generate energy,|generate energy} and any {electricity|power|energy} that {the home doesn’t use|isn’t used|your home doesn’t need} immediately is {sent to the battery|transferred to the battery|delivered to the battery to be used} {for storage|to be stored}. The battery {can then discharge|is then able to discharge|will then release} {stored energy to power|the stored power to run|its stored energy and power}{ your|} {home appliances later|appliances at a later time|appliances in the future}{, even if| regardless of when| even after} the panels {stop producing power|cease producing power|stop producing electricity}. {In the event of|If there are|When there is a chance of} {blackouts,|power outages,|blackouts} {a solar battery can|solar batteries can|the solar battery could} be used to {provide|supply} {backup power|power backup|back-up power}.
What is the {cost of|price of|cost for} {a solar energy system|solar energy systems|an energy system that is solar}?
Here’s {how much|what|the estimated price} it will cost {to purchase|to buy|you to purchase} {a solar energy system|an energy system that is solar|solar panels} {by|in} 2022.
{Home solar panels|Solar panels for homes|Solar panels for home use} {cost between $16,500 and|range from $16,500 to|are priced between $16,500 and} $20,100{ assuming a 6-kW system| for a system with a|, assuming a 6-kW system} {size of 6 watts,|with a power output of 6 watts|capacity of 6 watts} with an average {unit cost|cost|price} {of|between|that ranges from} $2.75 {to|up to|or} $3.35 per {watt|Watt}.
{An average|A typical} commercial solar panel{ system|} {will cost $82,000, with|costs $82,000. This includes|costs $82,000. It is} {a 50 kW system at|50 kW systems costing|the 50 kW system costing} $1.64 {per|for each|Per} Watt.
{An utility-scale system can|A utility-scale system could|A utility-scale plant can} cost {$850,000 to|between $850,000 and|anywhere from $850,000 to} $1.01million{, assuming a 1| in the event of a one| for a 1} Megawatt (MW) plant{ with|, with an| that has} {average costs|the average cost|typical costs} of $0.85-1.01 per {watt|Watt}.
{These prices reflect the purchase|The prices are based on the purchase|These prices reflect the initial purchase} {cost before any|cost before|price before} incentives are {applied|added|used}. They {can be significantly|could be|are likely to be significantly} {reduced|decreased|diminished} {by the federal solar|through the federal solar|due to the federal solar tax} credit {in 2022 – which|that will be available in 2022. This|for 2022 which} {is effectively|amounts to} {a 26% discount|an additional 26% discount|the equivalent of a discount of 26}. There are {also other|other|additional} incentives and rebates{ available| that are available|} at the {local, state|state, local|state, local,} {and utility levels|and utility levels}.
What is the {cost of|cost for|price of} {buying usable solar energy|purchasing usable solar energy|buying solar energy that is usable}?
{Cost to buy|The cost of purchasing|The price of buying} usable solar {energy will depend|energy will be contingent|power will depend} on {how much you’re buying|the amount you’re purchasing|how much you’re spending} and {where you’re buying it|the location from which you’re purchasing it|from where you’re buying it}.
The {cheapest way to use|most affordable method of utilizing|cheapest method to utilize} {solar energy|the sun’s energy source|sunlight} is to {buy|purchase} {a solar panel system|solar panels|solar panel systems} {that you can make|which you can build|that you could build} {yourself|by yourself}. {Calculating your|The process of calculating your|In calculating the} Levelized {Cost of Energy is|cost of energy is|Cost of Energy} {a good|an effective|a great} {way to determine|method to find out|method of determining} {if this is the case|whether this is the case|whether this is true}.
{You can purchase solar energy|You can buy solar power|It is possible to purchase solar energy} {through a utility green power|by utilizing a green power utility|through a green power} program{ or, where|, or, if it is|, or, when it’s} {possible, a community solar|feasible, a community solar|possible, a solar community} program {if you are unable|in the event that you are not able|in case you aren’t able} to {install|set up} solar panels. {The former will be|The former is|This will be} {slightly|somewhat} more expensive than {regular utility electricity,|the regular utility electricity|electricity from a regular utility,} {but the latter should be|however, the latter will cost|but the latter is} {a little less|slightly less|smaller}.
Below are {all three options|the three options available|three possible options}:
{Levelized cost energy|Energy at a levelized price|Low cost energy} (LCOE for {home solar panels|solar panels at home|solar panels that are installed at your home}){: This| It| This} is the {cost|price} per {kilowatt hour|Kilowatt Hour|Kilowatt hour} (kWh) {that allows|which allows|that permits} you to {compare solar power generation costs|evaluate the cost of solar power generation|examine the solar power generation costs} {with the price|against the cost} of electricity {purchased|you purchase|that you get} from your {utility|electric utility|energy provider}.
The LCOE is {calculated by dividing your system|calculated by dividing the system’s|determined by dividing your system’s} installation {costs by the expected|cost by the anticipated|costs by the anticipated} {energy production over the system’s|energy output over the system’s|production of energy over the} {life span|lifespan|time of operation}{, which is usually| typically| generally} 25 years. The LCOE {for a home|of a home|for a residential} solar {system usually falls between|system typically ranges from|panel typically falls between} $0.08 {to|up to|and} $0.11 per kWh{ after applying|, after applying| when you add} incentives.
Sometimes, it {can even|could|may} be {lower|less}. {This is significantly lower|This is considerably lower|It is significantly less} than {the price|the cost|what} {customers pay for their|customers pay for|consumers pay for their} {utility energy|electric utility|energy utility}.
{Your utility will sell|Your utility company will offer|The utility you use will sell} {you green power:|green power.} {A green power plan promises|Green power plans promise|A green power plan guarantees} that a {portion|certain percentage|percentage} of your {electricity|power|energy} supply, {typically|usually} {half or more|50% or more|at least half}{, is generated from| is generated by} renewable sources{ such as| like|, like} solar.
{This will usually result in|It is usually|It’s usually} {a 10% increase in|an increase of 10% in|an increase of 10% on} {your utility’s standard electricity rates|the electricity rate your utility charges|your electricity bill from your utility}. {If you pay|In the event that you are paying|When you’re paying} $0.20/kWh {for electricity|to power your home|in electricity costs}, {purchasing|buying} green {power from your utility might|energy from your utility could|electricity from your utility may} {cost you|be|result in} $0.22/kWh.
{A green power plan|Green power plans|The green plan} {could|may|can} {mean a $150 monthly increase|result in a monthly increase of $150|be a $150 increase per month} in your electric {bill to|bill , which could be as high as|bills to} $165. Green power {rates may vary|rates can differ|prices can vary} {from one utility to another|between different utilities|between utilities}{, so make sure you| So, make sure to| therefore, you should} {contact your provider for details|check with your provider to find out more information|inquire with your provider about the details}.
{Buy from a community|Purchase from a community-based|Participate in a community} program to {get|obtain|receive} solar {power:|energy:|energy.} These programs {give you|offer you|provide you with} the {opportunity to take part|chance to participate|chance to be part} in {large-scale solar projects and receive|large-scale solar projects , and also receive|massive solar projects and get} {a small percentage|only a tiny portion|an encapsulated portion} of the {benefits|profits}.
{You typically pay a|It is typical to pay a|The typical} monthly {subscription fee|fee for a subscription|fee to subscribe}{, and the operator| and the owner| and the administrator} of a {community-owned solar farm|solar farm owned by a community|solar farm that is owned by the community} will {assign you a percentage|give you a share|award you a portion} {of the solar energy|from the energy|of solar power} {generated|produced}. {In a process called|Through a process known as|In a method known as}{ virtual net metering,|”virtual net metering,”|”virtual net Metering”,} {your utility|the utility|your electric company} will {pay you back|reimburse you|repay you} by {lowering the average|reducing the|reducing your} {monthly electric bill|annual electric bills|per month electric cost}.
A {$50 monthly subscription fee|monthly fee of $50|monthly subscription of $50} to a {community solar|solar company that is a community} {provider could result in|service could lead to|company could mean that} your {utility|electricity|monthly utility} bill {falling by $60|dropping by 60 percent|being reduced by 60}. This {would translate into|could translate to|is equivalent to} {a $10 monthly savings|an annual savings of $10|the savings of 10 dollars per month}.
Are you {thinking of|considering|thinking about} installing solar panels {on|in|for} your {home|property|house}?
{A solar estimate is|An estimate of solar power is|Solar estimates are} the {best|most effective|ideal} {way to get started|method to start|way to begin} {if you are thinking of|when you’re thinking about|in the event that you’re considering} going solar. {You will get|You’ll get|It will provide} all the {information you need|details you require|data you need} to {decide if going|determine if going|decide if} solar is {a good idea|the right choice|a good option}. {This includes the size of|It includes information about the dimensions of|The information includes how big} {your system|your solar system|the system}{, the cost,| as well as the price| along with the cost} {and the savings|as well as the financial savings that|along with the benefits} you {can|could|may} {expect|anticipate|be expecting}.