| Solar energy homes are not the same as a | | | | solar power system generate? With typical |
| conventional house connected to the national | | | | crystalline solar cell efficiencies around 14 to 16 |
| power grid. House owners welcome the idea of | | | | percent, that means we can expect to generate |
| reducing their electricity bill with renewable energy | | | | about 140 to 160W per square meter of solar |
| system but there are a few things you must | | | | cells placed in full sun. |
| know to make solar power work for your home. | | | | Another term you must know if you are planning |
| One important factor for solar energy homes is | | | | to use solar power for your home is "Insolation". |
| the sun exposure in a year. Because the solar | | | | Insolation is a measure of solar radiation energy |
| cells require sun light to generate electric current, | | | | received on a given surface area in a given time. |
| the amount of sun light the solar array receive will | | | | Insolation is expressed in "full sun hours". For |
| determine the efficiency and power it will produce. | | | | example, 3 full sun hours is equal to 3 hours of |
| This article will provide some information on the | | | | sunlight at an irradiance level of 1000 watts per |
| terms you have to know if you are planning to | | | | square meter. Obviously different parts of the |
| use a solar power system. | | | | world receive more sunlight than others, so they |
| Solar power is universal and will work virtually | | | | will have more "full sun hours" per day. |
| anywhere, however some locations are better | | | | The information above may sound a bit technical |
| than others. The term used to show the sun | | | | for some people. Unfortunately, if you are planning |
| coverage for a house is "Irradiance". Irradiance is | | | | to build your own solar array to reduce your |
| a measure of the sun's power available at the | | | | electricity bill, this knowledge is vital to make your |
| surface of the earth and it peaks at about 1000 | | | | project a success. |
| watts per square meter. How much power can | | | | |