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Home Solar Power: meet all your energy needs.Home solar power is more affordable now than ever before and thanks to Government rebates it is within reach of most people. Before considering what type or size of solar system would best meet your household needs, it is important to think about what you want the system to achieve. If installing your own home solar system is out of your reach, you may want to consider switching to an accredited green energy provider for residential solar energy or another Green Energy source. Green energy can come from solar, wind or hydroelectricity and the companies that offer these programs are bound to ensure that the energy they sell you under this banner is actually from the renewable sources stated.
Four major considerations.1. How much solar electricity do I need to supply my home? You can find advertisements anywhere for different arrays stating "1500 watts" and the like, but what does that mean? Find out what different solar array outputs will do for you in regards to powering your home. 2. What is the current status of Government rebates for home solar power installation in my area? This is vital information, and having the facts will help you to make an informed decision when discussing your investment with potential installers. See the facts on rebates for the area you live in. 3. Quality of the product. Not all home solar power panels are created equal. While one solar panel manufacturer may be claiming 16% efficiency vs 15% for a competitor, that 16% is worth very little after the limited warranty has expired and your solar panel ceases to function. Read more about << 4. I believe that who we buy our products from is as important as what we buy. xxxInstallers must be reputable, reliable and experienced. They must be able to demonstrate to your satisfaction that they are going to do the best job possible for your home and should be able to help with advice regarding local conditions and requirement. Here are some suggestions regarding
what to look for in an installer.
Types of home solar electricity installations.There are two variations on the photovoltaic panel system of generating electricity and the installation costs of each are significantly different. Which you prefer is also dependent to your confidence in the main energy grid. It is important to know the difference between the connection types and be able to ask prospective installers the right questions. Many suppliers only offer grid tie home solar power packages, and all the cheaper systems on offer will be of this variety. Type 1: Grid Tie: Direct connection to the Grid.These home solar power systems are connected directly to the mains power grid. Electricity generated by your photovoltaic solar cell array passes through an inverter to convert it from DC to AC electricity. Your home still uses grid supplied electricity as well as power from the solar panels, but the amount of excess energy you generate is put back into the grid and may offset your power bill. This system is cheaper to install than the battery backup systems described next. The down side is that one of these systems will not help you in a night-time blackout; you will also be out of power. Learn about the different components required for the grid tie home solar system. The Inverter One important part of the home solar power grid tie system is the inverter. Buying a system with a good quality inverter is a solid investment, but there are many poor quality inverters on the market. Find out about inverters here. The Mounting Frame Solar panels need to be secured to a frame. Generally this frame will be mounted on the roof but it can also be placed in the back yard or indeed anywhere else. The most important aspect of the frame is that it is made of durable materials that are corrosion resistant. Aluminium, stainless steel and even titanium are generally used. The frame you purchase should be covered by a lengthy warranty to avoid future difficulties. It is possible to purchase mounting frames that track the movement of the sun to maximize solar cell efficiency. These systems are more expensive than the fixed frame variety and have more components. Whether this additional expense is worthwhile in terms of the extra energy provided is something you need to discuss with your potential installer. They should have detailed information on obtaining the best efficiency compared to cost for home solar power systems in your area.
Type 2: Grid Tie with battery backup.Energy produced by the panels is fed into large batteries similar to those in your car that are usually stored in the roof of the house. Once the batteries are fully charged, the remaining electricity is fed into the grid to offset your energy bill or build you a credit with the energy company. The batteries are sufficient to power the house through the night. The system is set up such that the home receives a consistent supply of energy. Battery backup systems cost more due to the batteries and the charge controller required. However, the guarantee of uninterrupted electricity regardless of surrounding conditions is very alluring and is my personal preference. When considering this option, it is worth looking at the additional cost of the batteries IN RELATION to the overall cost of the system. This is a good choice if you live in areas prone to natural disasters as a reliable power supply will greatly enhance your survival in such cases. Stand Alone System This is identical to Type 2 systems but is not connected to the main power grid. This is ideal for people who live away from the mains grid though some people living in suburban areas also prefer this approach. The information for this type of setup is identical to the battery backup option, except that the connection to the main grid is obviously not necessary. Installation costs will usually be higher than for suburban areas. |
