| Getting home solar electricity is much more | | | | a solar electricity system for your home or |
| affordable today than 10 years ago. Right now, | | | | business, it is best to understand exactly what |
| many state governments and the federal | | | | you are purchasing and how solar electricity is |
| government as well are currently offering tax | | | | generated. |
| rebates to homeowners that choose to convert | | | | The building block of any solar electricity system |
| to home solar electricity. | | | | is the photovoltaic cells, which are wired together |
| If installing a photovoltaic system to supply your | | | | to produce solar electricity modules. The electricity |
| home solar electricity is too far out of your | | | | produced from the modules or panels is then |
| financial abilities, there are also programs available | | | | passed through an inverter that changes the |
| to purchase your utilities from an accredited | | | | current from AC to DC, making it usable to |
| green energy supplier. | | | | power household appliances and the utility grid. It |
| Green energy suppliers offer only utilities fueled | | | | is often a popular choice to include batteries in a |
| by renewable resources, such as solar , hydro | | | | solar electricity system to store backup power to |
| and wind generated electricity. However, if you | | | | be used in times of low sun light and power |
| made the decision to switch to solar for your | | | | outages. |
| home it is important to determine your electricity | | | | A final decision needs to be made as to what kind |
| needs before you start shopping. | | | | of system you would like to use to supply your |
| The first thing to determine is how much power | | | | home solar electricity. There are generally three |
| you will need from your home solar system. | | | | types of solar panel systems used to supply |
| Different arrays and solar panel set-ups offer | | | | home solar electricity. |
| different wattage outputs. | | | | The first type is a grid-tied system in which your |
| Take the time to determine your average daily | | | | solar panels are tied into your current power |
| electricity usage. You want to achieve a number | | | | meter. You are using both electricity supplied by |
| that includes the entire year and affords for the | | | | your panels and your supply is then backed by |
| different amount of energy used during winter | | | | electricity from your electric company. |
| and summer months (more lights, heaters, air | | | | The second available solar panel system for |
| conditioners and so on). | | | | supplying home solar electricity is a grid-tie with |
| When shopping for the right photovoltaic system | | | | battery backup. With this system you are |
| to supply your home solar electricity definitely | | | | collecting electricity from your panels, filling your |
| research the quality of the product. A product | | | | batteries for emergencies and then the excess is |
| offering 13% efficiency and a lifetime warranty | | | | sent back to the electric company through your |
| will be far more valuable than the panel offering | | | | meter. |
| 15% efficiency and a one-year warranty. Ask | | | | The final system is a stand-alone system. Very |
| neighbors, friends and even strangers currently | | | | similar to the grid-tied system with battery |
| using home solar electricity, to learn more about | | | | backup except that you are completely |
| the differences in systems. | | | | disconnected or maybe never connected to a |
| Sufficient time should also be spent interviewing | | | | major utility provider for your area. I think a |
| installers and researching manufacturers as well. | | | | grid-tied system with battery backup would be |
| Though if budget is an issue then there are also | | | | best since in America at least the power |
| some do it yourself methods that you should look | | | | company will send you a check if you produce |
| into. | | | | more power than you use. |
| Solar electricity systems provide reliable, pollution | | | | Once you educate yourself on providing your |
| free energy from a renewable resource better | | | | home solar electricity, you are probably ready to |
| known as the sun. Solar electricity systems are | | | | start shopping. Remember that converting to |
| becoming more affordable as advancements are | | | | home solar electricity is an investment and you |
| made in photovoltaic designs and construction. | | | | will reap the rewards over time. And don't forget |
| It is important to realize that solar electricity | | | | the pride you will have with reducing your carbon |
| systems work intermittently or only when the | | | | footprint by converting to home solar electricity. |
| sun hits them. This is not a problem if you utilize | | | | You definitely don't need to know the physics of |
| battery backup systems or are connected to the | | | | solar electricity systems to understand its appeal. |
| grid. Installing a solar electricity system can also | | | | A solar electricity system will never run out of |
| come with an initially high investment cost and it | | | | fuel nor will it increase our dependency on foreign |
| can take years before the system pays for itself. | | | | oil. Stop just thinking about a solar electricity |
| However, with net metering and government | | | | system for your home or business and start |
| funded rebates, many are able to pay off | | | | investing in your freedom by starting your |
| systems much more quickly. Before you invest in | | | | research of solar electricity systems today. |