Do It Yourself Solar Panel Guide
Many people interested in exploring alternate energy sources find themselves drawn to solar panel energy do it yourself guides for help in getting set up. Solar energy has been used by people for countless years dating back to the pre-technology era. Solar energy is essentially light energy which is harnessed from the sun and converted into electricity. There are different types of solar technologies and these include solar thermal electricity, solar architecture, solar heating, and solar photovoltaic systems. These varying types of solar technologies can be further classified as either passive or active depending on the way the solar energy is captured and converted. For the individual who is interested in harnessing solar energy to power their home, they will find that installing solar panels is a very effective way to accomplish this. Solar panels, when installed in your home, can provide you with alternative energy from an inexhaustible source, the sun.
How Do Solar Panels Work
The simple answer of how solar panels work is that they convert energy from the sun into usable electricity which you can use to power your home. Each solar panel is created when silicon is placed under non-reflective glass resulting in photovoltaic panels. The solar panels collect photons from the sun and convert them into DC electrical power. This power is than directed into an inverter which changes the power into AC electrical power which we can use in our homes.
Alternative Energy
The energy converted from your solar panel is alternative energy which you can use instead of electricity from a more traditional source such as power lines run by an electrical company. This is a new and exciting concept that is being utilized by many home owners who are wishing to go green and reduce their dependency on their electric companies.
There are three main types of solar energy systems that are typically used for residential solar power. These photovoltaic systems are called grid-tiered PV system, grid-tiered PV system with battery backup and a stand-alone PV system. When using a grid tiered PV system, you are using both electricity from you solar panels as well as that from your neighborhood electric power grid. During daylight hours when your solar system is producing electricity, that will serve as your main power source while at night, you will receive electricity from the grid. This is a good compromise for most people and is also less expensive than other photovoltaic systems. A grid-tiered PV system with battery back-up is used in areas with frequent power outages and unreliable power sources. The last option, a stand-alone PV system is designed to run efficiently with no connection to your power company’s main grid. This type of PV system would be your complete source of power and provide all the electricity you need for your home.
Solar Panel Energy – Cost Savings
The money saved by installing a solar panel energy system is just one of the many reasons people opt to use solar energy to power their homes. When considering installing a home solar system, it is important to view the cost as a long term investment that you will reap a return on over the years. There are varying factors involved which include maintenance, labor, equipment and material, taxes, fees and permits and available financing.
When you are considering what the costs of installing your solar panel system will be, it is first helpful to determine the power requirements for your home. You can do this by examining your monthly electric bill and noting what your energy outputs are for all 12 months especially the winter and summer months.
Solar Panel Energy Guide
This energy measurement will be in kilowatt hours on your monthly bill. Once you have a general idea of your yearly energy usage, you will then want to calculate the size of the solar system you will need to install. This can be done by calculating the minimum system size which is based on your average daily power usage as well as the amount of available solar energy for homes within your residential area. This is also known as your solar potential and can be measure using peak sun hours for your area.
Although installing a solar power system can require substantial financing, there are many financial incentives which can help to offset the initial costs. There are solar energy power rebates, solar energy tax credits as well as solar energy grants. Exploring these options beforehand can make a tremendous difference in the cost of installation and maintenance. Over time, you will be able to see a return on your investment in the form of dramatically reduced energy costs.
If you are looking for a way to free yourself from total dependency on your electric company or you simply would like to contribute to the wellbeing of the earth while minimizing your electric bill, then solar panel energy may be just the thing for you. Taking the time to research the costs and setup involved can make your solar panel installation a smooth and efficient process. In the long run, your savings will increase and you will take pride in knowing your home is being powered by the natural energy of the sun.
Related Posts
Here are some additional facts and related websites of great value we have found for your perusal
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/aug/09/solar-photovoltaic-panels-homes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power_in_the_United_States
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I purchased two of these kits (8 panels) and mounted them on the top of my RV. I have had them on the top of my RV now for approximately 8 months.
When I received the units, I tested each of them for the open voltage measurement noted in the instructions with a digital meter and found each to be producing 21 volts unloaded. Encouraged that the panels were…