Sunday, January 25, 2009

Can you run your home on solar panels?

By James Erwin

Site location, orientation of the house, obstructions to the sunlight, climate and weather are all going to figure into how you set up solar panels for homes. Even when these considerations aren't optimal, there are solutions enabling you to utilize solar energy to power your home. The effectiveness of your solar panel depends on the amount of sunlight it receives, needing about six hours of constant sunlight the year round. Solar panels work best if they are installed in an angle of orientation facing the sun.

There are two types of solar power, solar electric power which use photovoltaic cells to convert solar radiation into electricity, and solar thermal energy where the sun's energy is used to heat water.

A good solar hot water panel system is able to provide an average home with around a third of its annual hot water supply. While this may not sound much, it can reduce energy costs by a significant amount. With the integration of solar panels in addition to this hot water system, plus the addition of other renewable energy sources such as residential wind turbines, they can all work together in providing a renewable, cheap and clean source of energy for your home.

Another concern for homeowners would be the large solar panels would be an eyesore on their roofs. Photovoltaic panel designs, thanks to the latest technology, are now smaller and more compact. Today, these panels would look like ordinary roof tiles, only with the functionality of a solar panel; they can keep out the sun and rain, and with the ability to convert solar energy into electricity, helps out in cutting back electricity budget.

One advantage of using solar energy is that it can be stored in battery packs and chargers, so energy sources are still available even during fall and winter, when there are shorter periods of sunlight.

While it is possible for a home to run wholly off photovoltaic electricity using solar panels, this is unlikely in most cases. The expenses involving the installation for a whole house with electricity from solar energy would be quite high for the average homeowner. It is suggested to use solar panels together with traditional power supplies. It is much more cost-effective and energy-saving than relying on fossil fuels alone. Although this will not cut back your dependence on fossil fuel, the use of solar electricity in the average home can still provide ample amount of electricity, reducing future energy bills.

Installation fees can be pricey, but with the continually escalating utility rates, having a supporting energy source for your home is a good investment. Not only does it shield you from price hikes and power outages, but you will also be preserving nature by using a clean and unlimited source of energy. - 16492

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