Residential Solar Power Systems – Make Your Own Electricity
With concerns over global warming, together with the inevitable depletion of fossil fuels at some point in the future, mankind is being forced to find alternative forms of energy, such as solar energy.
Interestingly enough, even though more than a third of the suns radiation is reflected back into space, the rest which makes it through our atmosphere is enough to supply the entire world with electricity, if only we were able to harness it all.
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Having said that, there are vast numbers of people already using solar power in order to reduce their carbon footprint, and also their electricity bills. While solar power does require an initial investment, the system soon pays for itself in terms of money saved on bills.
Different types of Solar Energy
Essentially, solar energy is classified either as being active or passive. An example of active solar energy would be the solar systems we see mounted on the roof tops of buildings. In other words, solar power systems which depend on technology such as photovoltaic cells fall into the active category.
Passive solar energy on the other hand, has been around and in use for hundreds of years already. An example of this can be seen in homes which have a large window facing south. This allows the sun’s warmth to penetrate the house throughout the day, thus helping to keep the house warm when the temperatures drop at night. Another example could be an outside water storage tank. If the outside of the tank is painted with non-reflective black paint, the sun will warm the water inside the tank.
Is the cost of a solar power system justifiable?
It’s a well known fact that solar power systems are far from being cheap. In fact, a top of the range system can easily cost in excess of ten thousand dollars. Additionally, depending on the size of your home, as well as your energy requirements, you may need extra panels installed as well.
In all likelihood, your home has never been previously fitted out to accept power from a solar energy system, so there will be some inevitable changes required. Even those who choose to remain on the grid will soon notice that most of their power comes from the system and only a small percentage from the grid. Furthermore, providing your system includes a deep cycle battery, you’ll also be able to power your home on days when the sun is behind clouds.
A lot of people ask whether or not a solar power system is worth the money, but really, only you as an individual can answer that because it all depends on just how serious you are. What can be said however, is that providing you take proper care of your system, it will continue supplying you with power for years and years, and after a while it will have paid for itself.
Advantages of Using a Solar Energy System at Home
Unlike in the years gone by, nowadays solar panels need not be an eyesore. To the contrary, solar panels are available which look no different to a regular satellite dish and if that still doesn’t appeal to you, you can also get solar panels which are designed to look like regular roof tiles or roof shingles.
Irrespective of what style of system you opt for, the results and benefits will be the same:
1. Reduced electricity bills or even no bills at all
2. You’ll tend to use electricity more conservatively
3. You’ll have the pleasure of knowing you’re using clean renewable energy
Of course one shouldn’t be too hasty to come off the grid entirely as being connected to the grid does have some benefits as well. For example, if your system develops a fault or if it needs to be shut down for maintenance, you’ll still be receiving power from the grid.
Solar Systems for Less
Providing you possess a few basic technical skills and you have some time to spare, it’s definitely possible to build your own solar power system for a fraction of what you’d pay for a new system. Earth4Energy.com for example, offers a DIY Solar Power kit which walks you through making your own system for under $200. Best of all is that all the parts you require can be purchased from local hardware merchants as well as on eBay.
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Residential solar energy systems are becoming increasingly popular, not only because they have the potential for saving you lots of money, but also because solar energy is free, clean and in abundance.