By
Alison Wood on Thursday, December 31st, 2009 |
No CommentsSolar power can save you money. What was once a fad has taken off in a big way as government scientists look for ways to break our dependence on the dwindling supply of fossil fuels. Now that you have the opportunity, can you afford to use solar power?
Solar energy will pay for itself once you have set up the system but the problem is the initial cost to the consumer to get the system going. For a business, these costs can be handled because there is more capital available. For a homeowner, it is not as simple.
First of all, how much solar energy you will need to power your home depends on your energy consumption. With solar power, many families learn how to live on less to gain the most cost savings. If you live in the city, you are still tied to the grid system. This is the electrical grid that powers homes within the city limit and outlying areas.
Some want to eliminate their energy bill altogether. That requires more solar panels than someone who wants to subsidize their energy bill with a residential solar power system. Solar kits can run you anywhere from $8,000 to over $20,000. This includes the equipment, the cost of having the site inspected and hiring someone to prepare the land for the panels if mounted in the yard or having someone mount them on your home’s roof. You will also need the services of an electrician to wire the components into your home electrical system – even if you are on a grid intertied system (uses a battery to store solar electricity until needed).
The federal government and state governments applaud those who are committed to saving energy and reducing their dependence on fossil fuels. You can look into government tax incentives and grants to defray a portion of the overall cost.
For those who are ambitious and like DIY projects, you can create your own residential solar power system. Choose a DIY kit that gives you all the information and blueprints for the system. They may even suggest where you can find the component parts for a lower cost such as eBay or your local hardware store.
The key to success with a DIY system is planning, planning and more planning. If you are not committed to the task it can get pretty grueling pretty quickly. But, it does keep you from paying such a high price upfront for the benefits of residential solar power.
Only you can decide if you can afford the cost of a residential solar power system. Think about reducing your energy consumption and other fuel costs to save money towards your new system.
By
Alison Wood on Wednesday, December 30th, 2009 |
No CommentsSolar power is energy from the sun. You feel it every day when the sun shines. That giant star in our solar system provides heat for the earth and light. But, what is going on when people decide to use solar power for their homes?
Solar Energy Basics
It all starts with the sun’s rays. The sun bombards the earth with solar radiation. We know it as UVA and UVB radiation. Much of those rays are reflected back into space but there is enough of that energy that is absorbed by the earth to fuel homes all across the planet. Unfortunately technology hasn’t caught up with our grand ideas to save the planet but you can do your part with residential solar power.
You’ve seen solar panels on rooftops and in yards. They have gotten a bit more streamlined since they first came out. Before, only someone with a lot of money could afford residential solar power but the systems are widely used now.
Each solar panel is composed of photovoltaic cells. These cells are usually made of silicon or other semi-conductive material. The cells are arranged uniformly with a positive and a negative end to create the solar panel device. When the light hits the panels (usually placed on the south side of the roof or the lawn), it is absorbed into the solar cells.
The light energy (photons) hits the solar cells and electrons are knocked loose. These loose electrons move through the array and create the electricity you need to power your home. At this point, the electricity that is produced is DC, or direct current. Your home uses AC or alternating current so the energy has to be converted.
This is where the rest of the system takes over. The electricity that is produced by the solar PV (photovoltaic) array, is then passed to a DC disconnect device. This device interrupts the flow of electricity from the array.
From there, you can use one of two methods for funneling the electricity into your home. If you use a residential solar power system that is directly connected to your electrical system, the electricity will then pass through an inverter to change the DC to AC. If you are using a system that uses a battery to store solar electricity for later use, solar electricity is sent to a battery bank where it is stored until needed. When you are ready to sue the electricity, it then passes through an inverter for use by AC outlets in your home.
Residential solar power lowers your home electricity bills. When used you are tapping into the future of the earth which is alternative renewable energy.
