How Home Solar Power Systems Work
Using the Sun's energy to power your home can be split into two categories. There are passive and direct solar power systems. Passive systems generally take advantage of the Sun's thermal properties to generate heat. Thus solar water systems use the Sun's heat to make hot water to be used in the home. Creating rooms in the home or Sun traps that absorb thermal rays can also act as a form of heating for the home. However this article is more concerned with the direct use of solar power to create electricity in the home.
Electricity is created by utilizing sun light energy. The technology that does this is known as the photovoltaic (PV) cell. A cell is made from a silicon compound that throws an electron loose of the atom whenever sunlight of a certain frequency strikes the cell. When many cells are linked together in series, this forms an electric current.
A number of PV cells in a serial configuration is known as a solar module. When numerous solar modules are linked together in either a parallel or serial configuration they are known as a solar panel.
Solar panels are the devices that you may have seen on the roofs of houses in your neighborhood. They can be placed elsewhere, but the roof is often the most sensible place as it is likely to get exposed to direct sunlight and the panels can't be damaged or vandalized as easily or take up room in the yard.
The solar panels create direct current (DC) electricity. This is often pushed through a power inverter. The inverter converts DC to alternating current (AC). AC is used in the home to power most appliances.
An electrical service panel or breaker box then distributes the AC to various electrical points in the house or to the lighting system. A utility meter manages your electricity usage if you are connected to the grid.
An example of how this works is during midday. In theory this is the best time for your solar panels to create electricity. As you may be out or at work this will also be the time when you use little or no electricity. So the utility meter might go backwards indicating that you are generating electricity for the utility company.
There are two types of home solar power system - on or off the grid. On the grid is sometimes referred to as a net metering system. This refers to laws enacted in some states that require utility companies to pay a certain amount for the electricity that a home owner generates with their solar power system. Before these laws, the utility company would buy at a discounted rate making the installation of a solar panel less economically viable for the homeowner.
A true off grid system means you are not connected to a reliable power supply so you have the responsibility of creating your own energy. The primary source can be solar panels but there should always be a back up system in case you use more energy than you expected or the Sun doesn't shine as much.
Many people will have a fuel powered generator for this purpose. People more interested in renewable power sources might go for a wind power generator or some other renewable system. Another aspect of an off the grid system is that DC needs to be stored in a battery bank for use at night or when the Sun is not shining. This is another responsibility and space has to be found on the property to securely house the batteries.
Most people start with a grid tied system as it is easier to use and there is less responsibility. As you gain more experience you may think about going off the grid. This form of home solar power system will save you money on monthly utility bills but more work to run and maintain.
Electricity is created by utilizing sun light energy. The technology that does this is known as the photovoltaic (PV) cell. A cell is made from a silicon compound that throws an electron loose of the atom whenever sunlight of a certain frequency strikes the cell. When many cells are linked together in series, this forms an electric current.
A number of PV cells in a serial configuration is known as a solar module. When numerous solar modules are linked together in either a parallel or serial configuration they are known as a solar panel.
Solar panels are the devices that you may have seen on the roofs of houses in your neighborhood. They can be placed elsewhere, but the roof is often the most sensible place as it is likely to get exposed to direct sunlight and the panels can't be damaged or vandalized as easily or take up room in the yard.
The solar panels create direct current (DC) electricity. This is often pushed through a power inverter. The inverter converts DC to alternating current (AC). AC is used in the home to power most appliances.
An electrical service panel or breaker box then distributes the AC to various electrical points in the house or to the lighting system. A utility meter manages your electricity usage if you are connected to the grid.
An example of how this works is during midday. In theory this is the best time for your solar panels to create electricity. As you may be out or at work this will also be the time when you use little or no electricity. So the utility meter might go backwards indicating that you are generating electricity for the utility company.
There are two types of home solar power system - on or off the grid. On the grid is sometimes referred to as a net metering system. This refers to laws enacted in some states that require utility companies to pay a certain amount for the electricity that a home owner generates with their solar power system. Before these laws, the utility company would buy at a discounted rate making the installation of a solar panel less economically viable for the homeowner.
A true off grid system means you are not connected to a reliable power supply so you have the responsibility of creating your own energy. The primary source can be solar panels but there should always be a back up system in case you use more energy than you expected or the Sun doesn't shine as much.
Many people will have a fuel powered generator for this purpose. People more interested in renewable power sources might go for a wind power generator or some other renewable system. Another aspect of an off the grid system is that DC needs to be stored in a battery bank for use at night or when the Sun is not shining. This is another responsibility and space has to be found on the property to securely house the batteries.
Most people start with a grid tied system as it is easier to use and there is less responsibility. As you gain more experience you may think about going off the grid. This form of home solar power system will save you money on monthly utility bills but more work to run and maintain.
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Get more details on how do solar panels work and how a solar power inverter fits into a solar power system in the home.
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