1. Basic understanding of how solar power can work in your home
2. Introduction to Photovoltaic panels.
3. How photovoltaic panels (PV) work.

Solar power is getting a lot of attention these days because of skyrocketing oil prices. What makes solar power unique is its ability to make energy from something so abundant which is the sun. But how does this work?

Solar power is possible thanks to something called photovoltaic panels. Photovoltaic panels or PV panels are also known as solar cells.

Photovoltaic panels are devices that converts energy from sunlight directly into electricity. This results in a voltage buildup across two electrodes as electrons are moved from one place to another. Photovoltaic panels or solar cells are used to power electric devices or even charge batteries.

The first practical application was to power orbiting satellites or spacecraft in space where the use of fossil fuels was impractical. Nowadays, because of the advancements in technology and the slowly decreasing price tags of photovoltaic panels, solar power is connected to the power grid to provide additional electricity.

Another common use of PVs are in off-grid systems where solar power is used to power structures that are in remote locations. Other applications are in powering boats, electric cars, public street lights and so on.

While there are tons of research on advancing photovoltaic panels, the most common material used as of today is silicon. The current average efficiency of converting sunlight into electricity using today’s PVs is around 12-18% and the cost of generating a watt or electricity is around USD4-8. This is inclusive of all components and installation from inverters to panels to mounts.

Looking toward the foreseeable future, we can expect photovoltaic panels to cost less and produce electricity more efficiently. Around the 40-50% range.

One thing we can all be sure of is the sun isn’t going away soon, so the more we rely on solar power and photovoltaic panels and the less we rely on fossil fuels and non-renewable energy, the better.

1. Solar Panels or Photovoltaics
2. Charge Controller
3. Deep Cycle Battery
4. DC input or Inverter

if you plan on running only DC appliances then a simple DC input would suffice. If AC however, you need an inverter.

Here is a diagram to make things more easy…

To have continuous power or atleast some backup, you would need some batteries installed.

The components that you will be using are:

1. Solar Panels or PV
2. Array Disconnect
3. *Charge Controller
4. *Deep Cycle Battery
5. *System Meter
6. *Main DC Disconnect
7. Inverter
8. AC Breaker Panel
9. Kilowatt per Hour Meter
10. Grid tie in

The one’s in red with an * before it are the optional components needed if you want to have battery back-up installed.

And as always, for easier comprehension check out the diagram below…

The components that you will be using are:

1. Solar Panels or PV
2. Array Disconnect
3. Charge Controller
4. Deep Cycle Battery
5. System Meter
6. Main DC Disconnect
7. Inverter
8. Generator
9. AC Breaker Panel

And as always, for easier comprehension check out the diagram below…

How much energy do you want to save every month?

This will help you check how many solar panels you would really need. Check your monthly electricity bill and compute the percentage of this you want to cut off. This will help you get the quantity of photovoltaic solar panels that you would need to get. It will also help you decide on the correct type of system that you should get, maybe you would want one that has a battery back-up that can provide power to your home’s critical loads during an outage, day or night, or you can settle with one that doesn’t.

Experienced Solar Panel Installation Technician

Make sure to look for a solar technician who has experience with solar panel installation. It is cheaper to do it yourself, but there might be some things that only expert solar installers would know.

Are your PV solar panels properly placed to maximize sun exposure?  Is your power inverter placed in a safe position? Solar panel technicians use “solar finder” to check on the best place for your PV solar panels, knowing this will give you additional peace of mind. Check on the level of experience of the technician before hiring one; getting references on his/her previous work always helps. It would be greater also if you can find one that is certified by the National Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) to be a Polyvoltaic System Installer.

State Incentives On Renewable Energy and Efficiencies

Check on your state’s incentives on renewable and efficiency. Yes, state agencies and municipal utilities offer rebates and incentives to home owners to promote the use of solar power. Power companies also buy a portion of the electricity that you produce or what is called “net-metering”, they may credit this from your account or even write you a check if you produce more than what you owe them.

Consider these three important tips, and it will help ease your mind with your decision to put those solar panels in your home. Not only will you save money, you might even earn from those solar panels! So start using solar electricity now!