| Home solar panels are major parts of the | | | | for itself in terms of electric bill savings. The |
| hardware you need to obtain electricity from | | | | present figure is 10 years. When efficiency of |
| sunlight for domestic applications. A solar panel is | | | | 25% will be achieved in the future, that can be |
| an active, direct way of harnessing the energy of | | | | reduced to 3-5 years. |
| the sun that impacted on the surface of the | | | | Retail prices of solar panels are around $1,000. |
| earth as sunlight. Thus, such panel derives its input | | | | Installing a complete home solar system costs |
| from a renewable energy source, and its use in | | | | $20,000 on the average if done by professionals, |
| homes greatly contributes to a greener planet. | | | | but there are DIY plans that claim just a fraction |
| Basically, a solar panel is an assembly of solar cells | | | | of that cost, and even much lower if you rebuild |
| which are interconnected and packaged as a | | | | broken panels yourself. A list of popular brands |
| module. A solar cell, by the way, is another name | | | | includes Evergreen, Kyocera, Sanyo, Uni-Solar, |
| for the photovoltaic cell. It is commonly made of | | | | Everstep, Mitsubishi and Sharp. Most manufactures |
| crystalline silicon which generates electricity when | | | | offer 20 to 25 years warranty for their products. |
| exposed to sunlight through the photovoltaic | | | | Some add value to their product by claiming low |
| effect. For commercial panels, conversion rates | | | | impact on environment from manufacturing. |
| vary from 5 to 18%, with an average of 12%. | | | | The improved efficiency and the lowering cost of |
| Researchers hope to increase the top figure to | | | | panels, together with incentives from local, state |
| 30%. Solar panels, in general, are products of | | | | and federal governments, have contributed to the |
| different methods of manufacture and materials | | | | trend of cheaper solar energy. For those who are |
| used. As a result, not all of them are created | | | | adventurous and attracted by the much lower |
| equal. | | | | cost of DIY home solar panels, you must |
| Home solar panels are available in types suited for | | | | remember that for a successful project, you |
| your geographical location. If your area has much | | | | need the proper tools and know-how that you |
| sunlight, go for concentrating solar collectors which | | | | can obtain from guides offered in the market. |
| have panels angled to absorb direct sunlight. | | | | The tools and the guide surely add up to extra |
| Otherwise, use non-concentrating solar collectors, | | | | cost, not to mention the time involved, but this |
| which can absorb not only direct but also | | | | results in a much cheaper installation overall. |
| reflected sunlight. | | | | Most often, people planning to install home solar |
| Solar panels available in the market could have | | | | panels do not go for powering the entire house |
| power output that ranges from 60 to around 200 | | | | by solar energy, because of the high investments |
| watts. They are designed to work best for | | | | involved. They may choose to heat only the |
| stand-alone systems or grid-tied systems, or | | | | water, for example, and reduce the electric bill by |
| both. Most brands have efficiency at the end of | | | | 30% as a result. The required investment then |
| the standard range: 18% level. The more efficient | | | | drops to something like $4,000. |
| a panel is, the less period of time that it will pay | | | | |