2 Sep
An Overview of Home Solar Panel Systems
Are you being put off by your soaring electric bills? Or is the urge for a greener planet growing stronger in you? Well then, the search for an alternative source of energy appears to be the immediate option. With our natural resources diminishing, we have no better choice other than utilizing the solar power. Nothing can combat the rising costs of energy more effectively than solar electricity.
Installing photovoltaic or solar electric panels for your home is the first wise step towards self reliance in terms of energy usage. But before you decide what home solar panels would be best, you need to analyze your current power usage. An accurate idea of your electricity consumption will enable you to assess on how many panels you need to fulfill your total or partial power demands.
A good photovoltaic system, apart from the solar panels, comprises of an inverter, a battery backup and a grid tie-in. Since the solar panels produce DC current, the inverter converts it to AC or alternate current that is normally for domestic usage. The battery backup supplies its stored energy at night when power consumption is at its peak.
For optimum alignment of solar panels, in order to trap maximum solar energy, use flexible panels, as these are capable of tracking the direction of the sun and are thus better than fixed ones. The panels should face true south for an optimum alignment for those residing in the Northern Hemisphere. The panels should be facing north if you reside in the Southern Hemisphere.
When you consider whether purchasing a PV system can really economize your electricity costs, you could possibly meet a few surprises. An average home owner pays over $100,000 as electric bills over 25 years. But with a PV system, your electricity rates are fixed or can even be banished altogether. Your savings are thus enhanced. The solar electric panels have immense longevity and hence need not be frequently replaced. These come in varied shapes and sizes and hence can fit almost anywhere irrespective of the design of your home. In addition to all these, you also get a massive tax incentive from the government that would cover 40% to 90% of the total cost for installing the solar panel unit. This of course, depends on the state that you reside in.
Purchasing solar panels for homes online is a good option. The internet provides a host of websites that advertise panel manufacturers. For instance, at Solarhome.org there are top panel manufacturing companies like GE, Sharp, Schott etc. Some of the other websites you can look into are BuilditSolar, affordable-solar.com, Solar direct-Your Supply for Solar Equipment and Installation etc.
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