Residential Solar Power - Your Own Renewable Energy Source

Residential Solar Power - Your Own Renewable Energy Source

Residential solar power is the most common alternative energy that people make use of today to free themselves from the expensive energy sources being provided by private energy companies. With these ever increasing energy prices and the effect of carbon emissions on the environment, having your own renewable energy source is looking more and more attractive.

Although the initial outlay of a residential solar power system may be high, in the long term they can save you a great deal of money. Many home owners enjoy the independence they gain and the knowledge that their actions are helping the environment. A renewable energy home solar power system can be used to supply some or all of your home's electricity needs. Some home owners, especially in remote or isolated areas, use home solar power systems in place of electricity supplied to them from power companies.

As most appliances in our homes are reliant on electricity, it can be very useful to find out how to make your own residential solar power system, from which you can get most of your energy needs.

There are ways to help you make it a do-it-yourself project, where you can find cheap solar cells and make your own power source. Most the materials are available in your local shops, but nowadays they are even easier to find - and are even cheaper - online. This can keep down the installation costs too.

Most parts can be sourced on the Internet, including the solar panels, charge controller, power inverter, and batteries. You may also find solar panel kits if you are trying to keep the cost down. If you feel confident to have a go yourself, a good manual is essential - also available from many online sources.

Residential solar powered systems are fairly easy to maintain. Since most are positioned on the roof, about the only occasional maintenance that may be required would be to remove dirt and leaves once in a while, so that your system can continue to work at maximum efficiency.

Residential solar power systems are generally expected to last for a minimum of about 30 years. They are also silent to run and, of course, emission free, since they function by means of sunlight.

The two main types of residential solar power systems are either stand-alone systems, which are not wired to an electric grid, or a grid-tie system, which is connected to the electric grid as well. This latter system allows you to use electricity from the grid when your system falls short of power and also allows you to sell off any excess power you produce back to your utility company by means of credits. These two options make it easier to consider where to put your system.

The main component used in a home residential solar power system is the photovoltaic cells. These are electrically connected in a series arrangement to make sufficient electricity to be used to power your home appliances, heat your water, or to be stored in batteries. The photovoltaic cells will need to be bought for your system. The solar panels, on the other hand, can be built using widely available materials.

There are many significant advantages to a home residential solar power system, such as saving money and helping the environment. Solar power in recent years has made great strides forward, which means it is becoming more affordable for everyone. Gas and oil prices continue to rise, so turning to residential solar power is now a viable alternative.

Building your own residential solar power system can be challenging, so thorough research is needed to help you accomplish your project. However, the end result is well worth it, knowing you have your own green, renewable energy source independent of energy companies and doing your bit for the planet Earth at the same time.

Solar Panel Installation

Solar Panel Installation 

When deciding to install a solar power system, one of the main considerations is cost. Not only do you have to think about the actual cost of the materials, but the cost of the installation as well, which can add a huge amount to your bill.

Fortunately, there is good news for those who feel confident to have a go themselves. There is now much information on the net, good manuals and DIY kits. Increased availability of solar heating system materials and lowering costs have made solar panel installation a project that can be done yourself.

Many companies are now competing in the solar panel parts market. It looks like the DIY market is getting cheaper and growing faster as the technology becomes much more accessible.

Constructing your own solar panel costs much less because you will not have to pay for professional solar panel installation. You will, however, have to get instructional materials that will teach you how to get your solar panel system assembled and running. These are readily available on the net, book store or through DVDs. Many people have successfully built their own solar panels using such resources and greatly reduced their electricity consumption and bills. There are some highly recommended guides that provide easy-to-follow instructions.

Once having built your solar panel, you will probably want to install it yourself too. This is because installing the photovoltaic cells is quite a manageable task and the materials are readily available.

The majority of work when installing your own solar panel on your home is preparation. You will need to obtain building permits in many cases. You will also need to research where to place your solar panels for maximum efficiency. A solar survey expert could do this for you. You also need to decide if you wish to be grid-tied. If so you need to contact your energy company.

Being grid-tied can be highly beneficial, as it means you can use the grid as a back up supply if your solar system does not produce enough electricity. This can happen on cloudy days or in higher than average use. It also means you can sell back any excess energy to your supplier in the form of credits.

If you don't feel confident enough to install your own solar panel, there are now many commercial solar panel installers that can fit solar panels to your roof. The advantages to having a professional install your solar panels is that you get the complete package. They will quote you a price before they begin work so you know exactly what you are getting in to.

Your installer will take care of everything from design to maintenance. Your involvement is minimal, but this comes at a price. Despite the competition in the market between companies, few solar panel installers are willing to lower their prices due to overheads.

Unlike the DIY market, prices remain high and unlikely to come down for some time. You should be able to find an installer in your area, but recommendation is always preferable. Look out for solar panels on neighborhood roofs and ask the owners about their experiences.

The main reason for DIY solar panel installation is cost and although it can be very successfully done, it leaves very little room for errors. You can damage your home, especially the roof if your panels are not properly installed. There is also the risk of fire and explosions from wiring and battery banks.

So unless you feel completely confident about installing your solar panels it may be best to seek expert advice. In any event, the final connections to your meter should always be carried out by a professionally qualified electrician.