Solar Power Might Be A Solution For Rising Electricity Costs.
Why should you be considering using solar power? Solar power can now heat our water and power our homes wherever we live on planet earth, even where there are no power lines. Solar power can now be a practical power source when using today's advanced photovoltaic equipment. Solar powered homes have been a reality for decades, but at a tremendous upfront cost. Solar power has also been widely used by owners of recreational vehicles (RV) and luxury boats for years. Solar powered lights are quite common for garden and pool lighting and some people are using it even for indoor lighting. Solar has a somewhat large one-time installation expense, then running cost is about zero because the power companies haven't found a way to put a meter on sunlight, yet.
The Best Reasons To Go With Solar Power
You take control of your utility bills. Solar power can be wired to your existing home's electric meter and the power companies in most cases are required to "buy" your extra production. Spin your meter backwards and save. Net metering programs give these system owners a credit for the electricity they deliver to the grid. Home solar power systems are extremely durable, often lasting for 30 years or more. You can create all or some of your electricity with solar power. Existing homes can be retrofitted with a solar attic fan, solar water heating systems or a complete solar power system including photovoltaic panels for electricity. Result - NO POWER BILLS!
Panels
The four primary components or a solar system that can provide common 120 volt AC power for daily use are: Solar panels, charge controller, batteries and an inverter. Solar panels produce the electrons - the current, and the charge regulator insures proper charging of the batteries. Solar panels can be wired in series or in parallel to increase voltage or amperage respectively, and they can be wired both in series and in parallel to increase both volts and amps. The result is that voltage stays the same, but amperage becomes the sum of the number of panels. In addition, the panels can then be wired in parallel to each other and gradually increased to make a larger array. Like solar panels, batteries are wired in series to increase voltage to the desired level and increase amp hours. The inverter takes care of converting the DC power produced by the panels to AC current we can use in the home.
Storage
Battery backup systems provide the power even during outages and at night. The size of the battery bank required will depend on the storage you need, the maximum discharge rate, the maximum charge rate, and even the temperature at which the batteries will be used is a factor. There are shortcomings to using batteries, such as high initial cost, limited useful lifespan and environmentally safe disposal problems. These problems can be overcome. (See Resources) To avoid these problems completely the power grid itself can be used as a kind of huge storage system -- excess power generated during daylight can be sent down the grid to other users and power generated from other sources - the power company - can be drawn back at night. But remember, if you decide to install a photovoltaic system with battery storage, you establish independence from power interruptions, such as ice storms, HURRICANES and any sort of future shortage in the power supply from "who knows what." Yes, you can buy piece of mind.
Do I Have To Work On It All The Time?
Solar power systems and panels require little or no maintenance, have no moving parts and have no emissions. Manufacturers usually guarantee the photovoltaic (PV) panels for 20 years or more. The major drawback of solar power is it takes a lot of panels to power an average sized home and a large bank of batteries for storage.
Cost
The high cost of solar cells limited use throughout the 1960s except for the space program. However, the continual decline of manufacturing costs (dropping at 3 to 5% a year in recent years) is making solar photovoltaic panels for electricity in the home a real alternative. As fuel costs rise, this sticker shock factor will disappear. In fact the do it yourselfer can now install his/her own system quite cost effectively. Just let your system grow and as you save money on electricity, install more panels. Let the system help pay for itself! (See Resources)
Free Energy - No Fuel Costs
olar energy is free, clean, and limitless and it is all yours when you go with a solar energy system. With 20%2B year warranties and an estimated life of 70 years, a durable photovoltaic system can give you decades of free energy and peace of mind.
Some Drawbacks
Solar energy is not available at night, and the performance of solar power systems is affected by unpredictable weather patterns; therefore, storage media (batteries) or back-up power systems are a good idea. The problems are relatively few and with so many Tax credits available at the state and federal level you may find that this is the best time to go with solar power.
