| Home solar power systems take some initial | | | | cases, and a pole-mounted option would be better |
| installation and investment, but the energy savings | | | | to optimize the amount of time the panels are hit |
| over time can be substantial. Find the right | | | | with direct sunlight. |
| system for your household and you'll be able to | | | | The amount of electricity used by the home |
| create a great system that provides free sun | | | | should be measured in order to determine the |
| energy to power your home. | | | | number of PV panels needed, the size and type |
| There are two types of home systems. The first | | | | of battery bank, and the capacity of the entire |
| and more common is the grid-attached home | | | | system. To determine the load your solar power |
| system. This type of system allows the energy | | | | system must carry, divide the total daily |
| generated by your solar panels to be | | | | electricity usage of the household by the number |
| supplemented by energy from the electric grid. | | | | of hours of sunlight in your location. The system |
| Under this system your home will draw the | | | | should be able to generate that amount of |
| energy generated by the solar energy system, | | | | energy, especially if you're using an off-grid |
| and if that's not enough, it will then switch over to | | | | system. |
| the standard utility grid. If, on the other hand, | | | | Solar power systems come with specification fact |
| your solar energy system generates more | | | | sheets to provide data on their capacities and |
| energy than your home can use, the excess will | | | | efficiency ratings. It may take a little research to |
| be fed into the grid, providing electricity to your | | | | understand all the factors listed on a specification |
| utility. | | | | sheet, but that research will help you determine |
| The second type of home solar system is an | | | | the best system for your needs. Most solar |
| off-grid system. In this type of set-up all the | | | | power systems end up costing thousands of |
| power for a home is derived from the solar | | | | dollars, an investment that demands a carefully |
| power system. A variation on this system is the | | | | chosen product. |
| Hybrid system, in which a combination of solar | | | | It may be that a full home solar energy system |
| and other power are used for electricity | | | | is too large an investment for your household. |
| generation. Common secondary power sources in | | | | That doesn't mean you have to forego solar |
| the Hybrid system are wind turbines and | | | | power all together. Instead of installing a full |
| fossil-fuel generators. | | | | system, choose an expandable grid-attached |
| Both grid and off-grid systems consist of a | | | | system in which you can add panels and battery |
| system of photovoltaic (PV) panels fixed on the | | | | power to increase capacity over time. Also, many |
| roof of the home, batteries to store the | | | | utilities, local governments, and the federal |
| electricity generated, inverters to turn the energy | | | | government offer rebates and incentive programs |
| generated by the panels into usable electricity for | | | | for residential renewable energy installation. You |
| the home, and a variety of wires to connect | | | | may be eligible for rebates to cover part of the |
| everything together. | | | | cost of installing a solar power system. |
| Your location is a big consideration in solar panel | | | | Be a pioneer in a budding industry by installing a |
| system installation. The panels should be installed | | | | solar power system on your roof. With a little |
| on the roof with unblocked southern exposure. | | | | research into the technology and the financial |
| Regions with a high number of cloudy days, and | | | | incentives available, you're sure to find the right |
| those at latitudes higher than 40 degrees are at a | | | | system for your home without spending too |
| slight disadvantage for solar power. Roof | | | | much. |
| installation may not be the best option in those | | | | |