Electricity Saver 101: All About Residential Solar Energy
Not only gas prices are soaring nowadays; electricity bills are, too. In some countries, a lot of people have started utilizing electricity sources that bring about more savings. The most common are the so called solar panels, which are able to make use of solar power to produce electricity. Electricity that comes out of solar panels is more popularly known as residential solar energy that can help you save on electricity bills. How the said type of energy is produced is something that needs to be answered.
Panels that bring about solar power actually work in a simple manner: their job is to ensure that the sun’s light is transformed into usable energy that will give their users the electricity they need. This is done through silicon atoms that bond with each other in order to facilitate electron-sharing and therefore help in giving off electricity.
Part of the process of producing electricity through panels that produce solar power is combining silicon atoms with the photons that are produced by the sunlight. Once silicon atoms, their electrons, and the photons are mixed together, electricity is generated. Take note however that for a big amount of electricity to be produced, a lot of solar energy is also needed, which equates to the fact that more solar cells are also needed.
Some people may think that solar power producing panels may be hard to obtain, let alone placed in their homes. The truth, however, is that there are now various manufacturers that offer solar panel kits that come with easy installation and are definitely easy to use. The said kits also come with tools, better known as inverters that enable the production of power for home use.
If you have the desire to purchase solar panel kits, keep in mind that to get maximum benefits and to ensure that the output works properly, have those kits installed by the experts. Though it may be true that those kits are extremely easy to install, there are still some factors that may affect the performance of your finished product such as the roof angle of your residence, the directions the solar panel’s trackers face, and many more.
Finding out everything about how solar energy may be produced and how solar panels may be utilized are usually some ways of motivating people to consider the use of solar power in their homes, offices, shops, etc. Electricity produced from panels that emit usable energy may also be used in street lights, lighthouses, and even in traffic signs. Through the use of solar power, the process of energy conservation is practiced. Take note too that the electricity a user gets from solar panels may be described as reliable and very simple to maintain.
In our world that is bombarded with the rising prices of utilities, specifically high electricity bills, the only way to save a significant amount of money is to look for other sources of energy. Residential solar energy has a lot of benefits that we can enjoy for as long as we learn the right ways to obtain it.
How to Rethink Residential Solar Energy. How Solar Systems Work. (part 2)
You are contributing to a cleaner environment by upgrading to solar generated electricity. You are also taking a step toward energy independence when you begin using solar power in your home.
To better understand solar electric systems and how they work, you first need to understand the technical components making up a residential solar energy system.
New solar rental services are emerging that offer solar power in new and simple ways. There are a number of solar panel rental offers now on the market. They offer energy efficiency in your home, better control and tracking of home power, and make a home’s electricity services more reliable, and renewable.
This article explains, defined, and illustrates the parts and pieces going into a residential solar energy unit.
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels
The primary components of a home solar system are the Solar (PV) panels. These panels utilize solar cells to convert sunlight directly into home electricity. A group of solar cells hooked together make a solar panel. A single solar panel can produce 250 watts (w) of electricity when the sun is shining at maximum capacity. The panels then route power through an inverter where a controller determines how to distribute the power throughout your home.
Solar Energy Controller and Inverter
The controller is the device that monitors and manages the distribution of electricity produced by a residential solar energy system. Its capability extends even further by monitoring and managing the flow of energy between the house, the solar (PV) panels & system, and the local utility company. Often these controllers also have the ability to manage secondary storage through the use of batteries for more flexibility and control.
Coupled with the controller is the brains of the operation; the inverter. An inverter is in essence an electronic circuit that converts direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). An inverter allows the 12 or 24 volt DC power produced from solar panels to supply AC power to operate all of the electrical needs around your house.
Solar Array Mounting and Connection Components
Connection components are made up of electrical wiring and the rail mounting structure. Several solar panels are arranged into a grid, secured by a rail mounting device, and connected together to make a solar (PV) array. Electrical wiring is needed to connect the solar panels to the controller, then to your meter box, and then to your utility company via the existing electricity grid. Little additional solar energy equipment is needed, other than the panels, controller and inverters, wiring, and the roof mounting system.
The mounting rail is another simple structure that secures your solar (PV) array to your roof with the little need to drill holes through your singles. It is constructed with sturdy materials and engineering, allowing for quick assembly of the solar panels.
Rental Options for Residential Solar Energy Systems
Homeowners now have the ability to generate electricity right at home in safe, simple, and environmentally conscious way. Residential solar energy systems convert sunlight (i.e. photons) directly into usable home electricity. Residential solar energy systems, now offered to homeowners on a rental basis, provide a new source of reliable electricity and they enhance electric services without expensive investments in solar purchases.
In a future article, we will continue this series related to residential solar energy systems. We will explain in common terms how to measure the power of the sun. One objection often voiced by homeowners researching home solar power relates to the quality of the sunlight.
Is too cloudy? Is it too foggy? How does snow effect solar cell output? We will show how to calculate your sunlight hours and to determine if your part of the country gets adequate sunlight hours to have a solar system make sense.
At Solargies, our goal is to spread the use of renewable solar energy as simply and as rapidly as possible. Daniel Stouffer is a freelance writer and solar energy consultant. Find out how to rent a solar energy system at: => http://www.reThinkingSolar.com
Solar Heating and Cooling of Residential Buildings: Design of Systems
Product Description
This manual was prepared primarily for use in conducting a practical training course on the design of solar heating and cooling systems for residential and small office buildings, but may also be useful as a general reference text. Only active solar systems are described in this manual. Other books are available for passive designs. Liquid and air-heating solar systems for combined space and service water heating or service water heating only are included in th… More >>
Solar Heating and Cooling of Residential Buildings: Design of Systems
160 Watt Residential Grid-Tie Solar Kit
- Easy to set up and install – modular design
- Connect up to 16 panels together
- Wires to 2 pole 15 AMP breaker
- Install one, the rest plug in
- Plug-n-play – Feeds 240V AC into the grid
Product Description
For the first time, a reasonably priced, modular, easy-to-install grid-tie solar energy kit that lets almost anyone install solar panels that generate energy from the sun, feeding that electricity into your home, selling any excess back into the grid to offset your power bills.
The 160 Watt solar kit is modular. You can connect up to 16 panels in one string, for a total of 2.5kW of solar energy. Once the first panel is installed and connected to a 240V disconnect b… More >>
