Home Solar Power
Installing a home solar power system is a great way to reduce your energy
costs. They are particularly suited to southern areas which receive a lot of
sunshine, but recent advances in solar cell technology makes them practical even
in more northerly locations.
A solar power system is usually installed on the roof of a house because that is
a spot which usually has unobstructed sunshine. There is no reason, however,
that solar panels can’t be installed on the ground or anywhere else that
receives adequate sunlight on poles for example. Some mounting racks for solar
panels include seasonal adjustability. In summer the sun is higher in the sky
then in winter, so ideally the angle at which your panels are mounted should be
adjusted. A feature like that will increase the energy output over the year with
a few percent.
Of another magnitude of efficiency are the tracking PV arrays. Usually these
systems are mounted on poles, and they follow the sun on its daily journey from
east to west through the sky. A Tracked PV array can be as much as 40% more
efficient then a regular roof mounted system.
Solar panels are made up of arrays of solar cells, the individual components
that create electricity. Solar cells (or photovoltaic cells) are made from
specially treated silicon that creates an electrical charge when exposed to
light. Each cell creates a small amount of electricity but they can be wired
together to create currents which are suitable for household use.
Solar panels have to be quite large in order to produce usable amounts of
electricity and that is one reason for their rooftop installation. The roofs of
most houses are not used for other purposes so covering them with solar panels
is not an inconvenience.
The main drawback of solar power is that it only works during the day. A backup
source of electricity is needed for evening hours. One solution is to store the
power in batteries. The problem with batteries is that they are expensive, have
a limited lifespan, and take up space in the house.
As an alternative to batteries, solar cells can be connected to the utility
company power grid. Excess electricity is fed back into the grid and causes the
power meter to run backwards so that the homeowner receives a credit on his
power bill. This is called net metering or net billing. At night time, power is
drawn from the power grid.
In fact we differentiate between "grid intertied", grid intertied with battery
backup and off-grid or stand alone solar electric systems.
Many states and municipalities are encouraging the installation of home solar
power systems by offering rebates and tax cuts. There are enormous differences
between the various states, so check with your utility for the specifics in your
area. The more houses that have solar panels the less the power company is
dependent on fossil fuels for producing electricity. This results in a cleaner
environment and lower energy costs for everyone.
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