Use of Solar Energy Systems For Home And Business Purposes
September 15, 2010 by admin
Filed under Energy Efficiency
Solar panel systems have become a good and increasingly attractive source of renewable energy for homes and offices. This is because of the three basic causes; specifically, the increasing costs of conventional energy, the falling costs of improved solar panels for homes as well as incentives offered by governments that make solar energy an attractive choice.
In America, more than 10,000 homes and businesses are powered solely by solar systems. In addition to that, several hundred thousand homes and businesses use solar panel systems for their energy requirements. That in turn translates to significant savings on energy bills. Respectively, the use of non-renewable resources (fossil fuels, etc.) is reduced, resulting in less environmental impact.
The cost of installation for a typical home can run from $18,000 to $20,000 if done by a professional installation company. These high costs prevent people from using solar panel systems. But one can save on installation by getting tax credits and state rebates. Moreover, if you do it yourself, the cost would only be about 30 % before tax credits and rebates.
You do have a couple of choices: a stand-alone unit which needs a battery or a grid-intertied unit.
A good improvement to your house would be to convert to grid-intertied solar energy system. Planning ahead is the key to successful conversion.
First, calculate the amount of energy you need based on historical consumption. You ought to choose the right size of your solar energy system. An oversize unit will generate more energy which you could send to the grid, but you can only get credit for it and not cash.
Then, understand if your house is suitable for a solar energy unit. The factors to be accounted for are: available space on the roof, house location and climate. A good estimate of roof space is 80 to 100 sq. ft. per kilowatt. Your house ought to be oriented towards south for the system to be efficient, and should be free of objects that may get in the way of sun rays.
Though you can install the solar units on poles, solar panel systems are usually mounted on roofs. Using stainless steel bolts, the mounts are attached to roof rafters. The panels are then attached to the supports.
Solar panel kits are readily available in the market. There are suppliers that sell their wares on the Internet, but it is not recommended to purchase the kits from them unless you have prior experience with installing them.
Standard set of hardware you need for a stand-alone system without a battery that is tied to the grid includes: solar panel units, utility-interactive inverter, kilowatt-hr meter, supports to be installed on the roof, a couple of heavy duty safety switches, wirings and cable conduits. A DIY installation for a 1-kW system would cost you a little over $3,000.
If you don’t have previous experience in this area, you ought to select a respectable supplier who is known for outstanding service. It is sensible to purchase DIY kits with an installation manual that at least has a good number of illustrations. The supplier should preferably have contact telephone number, and better yet, could send a representative in case you run into a problem with installation. Alternatively if you are lucky enough to have a friend who is experienced in installing home solar panel systems, then ask him to lend a hand in the buying of the hardware as well as in the installation.
Many people have proven that solar energy can save you money and the environment. With availability of improved, affordable solar panels for homes and businesses, solar energy is the best option for most of us, so start that home improvement project: install a solar panel system for the home.
What Home Solar Systems Can Be Used For
September 5, 2010 by admin
Filed under Energy Efficiency
There are many various uses for home solar panels. Solar systems for household applications can come in two different types, those that absorb the sun’s rays with photovoltaic cells, for the purpose of generating electricity and those that are designed to simply heat water. Both solar systems can save you decent amounts of money in the short run, as well as in the long term. Solar power systems have many merits. They can relieve some pressure off of using your power grid, saving you much money when the sun shines. With sufficient battery backup, you could even have power during the night, or when the grid is down. Some individuals use solar electricity to completely meet electricity supply requirements for their entire estate, completely relying on green energy.
Solar panels for home use can be used to heat up your water supply, saving you your hard-earned cash. In colder areas, where the water table temperature is less than 60 degrees, the application of solar power can heat up water to a reasonably high temperature. This could relieve some pressure on water boilers, because it shouldn’t require much time to make water hot. For ambient temperatures above 60 degrees, and where you have sufficient sunlight, you may be able to forget about your boiler entirely. Even if you just heat up the surrounding water, this can reduce your heating bills by 40-60%. Instead of solar systems having a photovoltaic cell array, one can apply those systems that have several pipes running inside their frames. When the water goes through, the energy from the sun heats up the water (more or less depending on the kind of piping utilized). If this water is pumped through evenly before it is fed into the hot water inlet, it will be a little warmer.
Home solar systems do a lot more than just heat water and produce electrical energy. Solar systems help us preserve the environment. First of all, they work on energy that is never-ending, renewable, and absolutely free. Generating electrical energy from the sun doesn’t entail the use of our natural resources, plus these panels don’t produce any harmful emissions. Whether you are still hooked up to the external power network, or fully support your energy needs yourself, using solar panels can help minimize overall energy usage. This will alleviate the burden on cogeneration plants, many of which to this day burn fossil fuels such as coal and heating oil to generate electricity.
With the appropriate solar panel power system in place, not only will it pay for itself in a short space of time, but it will actually make you additional money. How will it make you money? If your solar panels are hooked up to your main power network still, and you produce more electrical energy than you can use and/or store, it goes directly back into to the main power network. You essentially become a small-size power plant, and by law, utility companies are to buy this unused power from you. You should make all arrangements beforehand, but even ten or fifteen dollars a week is better than nothing.
As a rule, the majority of people who use home solar panels will remain hooked up to the main power network just to receive extra income. In conclusion, not only can solar systems be utilized to save you hard-earned dollars on your bills, but can also be turned into an additional source of income.
Solar Panels For Home And Business Applications
July 14, 2010 by admin
Filed under Energy Efficiency
Solar panels are becoming an excellent and an increasingly attractive source of renewable energy for homes and businesses. This is due to three main causes; specifically, the growing costs of conventional energy, the decreasing prices of improved solar panels for homes as well as incentives offered by governments that make green energy an attractive option.
In the U.S., more than 10 thousand homes are powered entirely by solar panel systems. Besides, 200,000 homes use solar panels for their energy requirements. That in turn results in substantial savings on electricity bills. Subsequently, the use of conventional resources (fossil fuels, etc.) is reduced, resulting to less environmental pollution.
The installation costs for a home of a typical family can be $18-20 K if done by a professional contractor. These high costs prevent families from using solar panels. However one can save on installation via tax credits and state rebates. Moreover, if you do it yourself, the cost would be only about one-third before tax credits and rebates.
You can have two choices: a stand-alone unit which needs storage battery to function properly or a grid-intertied unit.
A worthwhile upgrade to your home would be to convert to grid-intertied solar energy system. As always, planning is the key to successful conversion.
First, calculate the energy you will need based on past consumption. You have to choose the right size of your solar energy system. An oversize energy unit will generate more power which you could sell to the power company, but you can only receive credit for it and not cash.
Next, understand if your home is suitable for a solar energy system. These factors are to be considered:accounted for: available space on the roof, building orientation and climate. A rule of thumb for estimating needed roof space is 80 to 100 sq. ft. per kW. A building should face south for the solar panel system to be efficient, and there should be no objects that may get in the way of sun rays.
Though you can install the solar panel units on poles, solar panel systems are as a rule mounted on rooftops. With the help of steel bolts, the supports are attached to roof rafters. The solar panels are then installed on the mounts.
Solar panel kits are readily available in the market. There are vendors who sell their solar panels on the Internet, but it is not advisable to buy from them unless you are an experienced DIY solar panel system builder.
Standard set of hardware you will need for a stand-alone system without a battery that is tied to the grid includes: solar panels, power inverter, power meter, mounts to be installed on the roof, a couple of heavy duty safety switches, wires and conduits. A DIY kit for a 1-kW system would cost a little over $3,000.
If you don’t have prior experience in this area, you are to pick a respectable vendor who is known for high quality service. It is prudent to buy DIY kits with accompanying installation manual with at least enough illustrations. The vendor should preferably have contact telephone number, and better yet, could provide an engineer in case you need advice. Alternatively if you are lucky enough to have a friend who had prior experience with installing home solar panels, then ask him to assist you in the buying of the hardware as well as in the installation.
Many have shown that solar energy can save one money and the Mother Earth. With the variety of improved, inexpensive solar panels for homes and businesses, solar electricity is the best option for most of us, so go back to that home improvement project: install a home solar panel system.
What Home Solar Panels Can Be Used For
July 4, 2010 by admin
Filed under Energy Efficiency
There are many various uses for home solar systems. Solar panels for household uses can be in two different kinds, ones that absorb the sun’s rays with photovoltaic cells, for the purpose of generating electricity and others that are designed to heat water. Both solar systemsallow you to save fair amounts of money fairly quickly as well as in the months to come. Solar power generation systems have lots of advantages. They are able to alleviate a great deal of pressure off of using your power grid, saving you some money during the day. With sufficient battery back-up, you could even have power after the sunset, or when the regular power supply is down. The majority of individuals utilize solar electricity to fully meet electricity supply requirements for their entire estate, fully relying on solar energy.
Solar panels for home use can also heat up your water supply system, thus saving you money. In colder locations, where the water table temperature is less than 60 degrees, using solar can heat up water to a relatively high temperature. This can alleviate a great deal of pressure on boilers, because it shouldn’t take as much to heat up water. For ambient temperatures above sixty degrees, and where there is much sunlight, you may even be able to forget about your heater alltogether. Even if you heat up the surrounding water, this can cut your heating bills by 40-60%. Instead of solar panels having a photovoltaic cell array, you will be able to use those systems that have several pipes running inside the body. When the water goes through, the sun’s rays heat up the water (to a greater or lesser degree depending on the type of piping). If this water goes through continuously before it runs into the hot water intake, it will be a little warmer.
Solar panels for your home are capable of doing significantly more than just be used for heating up your water supply and generating electric power. Solar panels help to save our planet. For one thing, they use energy that is plentiful, renewable, and completely free for any person to benefit from. Producing electric power from the sun doesn’t entail the use of our natural resources, plus solar systems don’t give off any harmful emanations. Regardless of whether you are still hooked up to the external power network, or fully meet your own power consumption requirements, using solar panels can help minimize overall energy usage. This can ease the burden on cogeneration plants, many of which to this day run on fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum products to create electrical power.
With the appropriate solar panel power system in place, not only can it pay back the investment in a short space of time, but it can indeed make you additional money. How can it generate additional income for you? If your solar panels are hooked up to the grid still, and you produce more electric power than you can use and/or store, it is fed directly back into to the grid. In essence, you turn your solar system into a small power generation facility, and according to the law, utility companies must buy this surplus power from you. You should make arrangements first, but even twenty dollars per week is better than nothing at all.
As a rule, the majority of users who utilize home solar systems will stay hooked up to the grid, just to make additional money. In closing, not only can home solar panels be utilized to save you money when paying your bills, but can also be turned into an extra income stream.
Use of Solar Panels For Home Purposes
May 9, 2010 by admin
Filed under Energy Efficiency
Solar systems are becoming a practical and an increasingly attractive great energy source for the home. This could be attributed to three basic reasons; namely, the increasing costs of energy from conventional sources, the falling costs of improved solar panels for homes as well as incentives offered by governments that make green energy an attractive option.
In America, more than 10 thousand homes are powered entirely by solar energy systems. In addition to that, several hundred thousand homes use solar systems to partially meet their energy requirements. That translates to significant savings on energy bills. Subsequently, the use of conventional resources (fossil fuels, etc.) is reduced, which results in less environmental impact.
The cost of installation for a typical home can be $18-20 K if done by a professional installation company. Such high costs prevent people from using solar systems. But you can save money on installation costs via tax credits and state rebates. Also,you can do it yourself, and then the cost would be only approximately 30 % before tax credits and rebates.
You do have two choices: a stand-alone unit that needs battery or a unit that is tied to the grid.
A good upgrade to your house would be to convert to grid-intertied solar system. Planning ahead is the main prerequisite of successful conversion.
First, calculate the amount of energy you will need based on historical consumption. You should select the right size of your solar system. An oversized energy unit will generate more energy which you could send to the power company, but you can only receive credit and not cash for it.
After that, understand if your house is suitable for a solar energy system. These factors are to be considered:accounted for: available space, building orientation and climatic conditions. A rule of thumb for estimating needed roof space is 80 to 100 square feet per kW. A building should face south for the system to be efficient, and should be free of objects that may get in the way of sunlight.
Though it is possible to install the solar panel units on poles, panels are usually mounted on rooftops. Using stainless steel bolts, the mounts are attached to roof rafters. The solar panels are then installed on the frames.
Solar panels are available on the market. There are suppliers that sell their products on the Internet, but I would not recommend to buy from them unless you have prior experience with installing them.
Typical set of hardware you will need for a stand-alone grid-intertied system consists of: solar panels, power inverter, kilowatt-hr meter, roof mounts, a couple of heavy duty safety switches, wires and conduits. A DIY kit for a 1-kW system would cost a little above the $3,000 mark.
If you don’t have experience in this area, you ought to select a reputable vendor who is known for high quality service. It is reasonable to consider DIY kits with an installation manual with at least enough illustrations. The vendor should preferably have telephone contact, and much better, could send a representative in case you need consultation. Alternatively if you are lucky enough to have a friend who is experienced in installing home solar systems, then ask him to help you in the buying of the hardware as well as in the installation.
Many people have proven that renewable energy can save one money and the environment. With availability of improved, affordable solar panels for homes and businesses, solar energy is the best option for the majority of individuals, so go back to that home improvement project: install a home solar power unit.
What Home Solar Systems Can Be Used For
May 3, 2010 by admin
Filed under Energy Efficiency
There are lots of different uses for solar panels for homes and businesses. Solar panels for household applications can come in two different types, ones that use the sun’s rays for electrical purposes, and others that are used to merely heat water. Both systemscan save you some money in the short run, as well as in the long run. Solar energy generation systems have quite a few advantages. They are able to relieve a great deal of pressure off of using your regular power supply, saving you a great deal of money during the day. With sufficient battery back up, you can even enjoy power at night, or when the regular power supply is down. Many people use solar electricity to completely meet power requirements for their entire residence, completely relying on solar power.
Solar panels for home use can be used to heat up water, saving you money. In colder regions, where the water table temperature is below sixty degrees, using solar energy can heat up water to a higher ambient temperature. This could relieve a great deal of pressure on water heaters, because it shouldn’t require much time to make water warm. For ambient temperatures above sixty degrees, and where you have much sunlight, you should even be able to get rid of your water boiler entirely. Even if you attempt to heat up the surrounding water, this can lower your heating bills by about 40-60%. Instead of solar panels having a photovoltaic cell array, you should be able to apply the ones that have pipes running inside their body. When the water goes through, the energy from the sun heats up the water (more or less depending on the kind of piping). If this water is going through continuously before it runs into the hot water inlet, it will be somewhat warmer.
Home solar panels can do way more than just heat up your water supply and generate electricity. Solar panels help to save our planet. For one thing, they use energy that is plentiful, renewable, and completely free. Producing electricity from the sun doesn’t entail the use of our natural resources, besides, solar panels don’t give off any bad emissions. It does not matter whether you are still hooked up to the external power network, or fully support your power needs yourself, using solar power can help reduce overall power consumption. This can ease the load on cogeneration plants, many of which still burn fossil fuels such as black coal and heating oil to generate electrical energy.
With the appropriate solar panel power system in place, not only can it pay back the investment in a short period of time, but it can indeed make you additional money. How will it generate additional income for you? If your solar panels are connected to the grid still, and you produce more electricity than you can store and use, it goes directly back into to the grid. You essentially become a small power generation plant, and by law, utility companies must purchase this additional energy from you. You need to make arrangements initially, but even twenty dollars a week is better than nothing at all.
As a rule, the majority of people who use solar panels for homes and businesses will stay hooked up to the grid, just to make some extra money. In conclusion, not only can home solar panels be used to save you hard-earned dollars when paying your bills, but can also be turned into an extra income stream.




