Home Solar Energy 

Usage of home solar energy systems has become increasingly popular in many parts of the world. Home solar energy systems provide both electricity and heating which help reduce bills and save the environment. The rising cost of energy has allowed solar energy to become a fast growing renewable source of energy that is in usage today. The main factor why consumers put off the idea of a home solar energy system is the cost. Prices of solar hot water panels and solar electricity panels that are available  today are a little expensive for average buyers. However renewable energy grants are made available in some countries as an incentive towards the installation of a home energy system. Such grants could at times prove to be helpful for getting plans of a home energy system installation moving ahead. One can consult the government or local council for the terms and information on the available grants that would be applicable.

Installing a home solar energy system at one’s house is a great idea. A typical 10 KW system over 25 years lifetime would eliminate over 400 pounds of the nitrogen oxide that produces smog, eliminating over 1000 pounds of the sulphur dioxide that creates acid rains and eliminate over 200 tons of carbon dioxide that contributes to the condition of global warming. Above all, the government is offering tax grant incentives for installation of a home solar energy system to consumers for reducing carbon footprints.

A home solar system can be installed for most homes except small homes where roofing size is less than 120 square feet. The largest of systems require at least 1000 square feet of roof. This system needs direct sunlight and can work almost anywhere with these conditions. In case the roof top doesn’t have sufficient space or there are problems then the system can be installed on ground or on another elevated space. In some cities, one needs to obtain permission for installation of a home solar energy system to the building. The dealer and installer will know how to get the necessary permits. One also needs to get permission from your utility company as the system works with the current utility.

Some people think that home solar energy is restricted to being useful only if it’s converted into electricity. At the same time, they are missing an enormous number of other methods for cutting down the cost of energy in homes. Amongst other things, one needs not require photovoltaic panel for using the passive solar heating system and other devices. There are several books available on solar systems and how to go about building them. If you are interested then you could study books and purchase the affordable materials. For instance, one might want to design a home cooling system. Irregardless of whether you would want to make any changes in the roof or even build the desiccation system, you would want to take advantage from various solar devices.

Working of a Home Solar Energy System

A home solar energy system is normally installed on a roof top where solar energy would be transformed into DC power (direct current). The DC power would then be converted into alternating current, i.e. AC power for residential purposes. The generated AC power would then be used around the house for running appliances like televisions, refrigerators, computers, electric lamps, and others. During the nights, solar energy will not work. Therefore, during the night, you will need to draw some power from your local utility. The utility will provide you with power as usual when electricity demands would exceed what is produced by your home solar energy system. In case the day is cloudy, the home solar energy system will generate lower amounts of power. Part of the power that is produced by the home solar energy system during the day is used for charging batteries that provide power during critical loads in the event of a power outage.

Home heating

There is one common misconception that the home solar energy system could heat the home, which isn’t true. The system could be used for conversion of solar energy into electrical energy and this electrical energy could then be used for running the home appliances; the lights and some other electrical devices. If you have electrical heating installed then the system could be used for heating, which is quite rare. There are some other technologies that convert the solar energy into heat, however the home solar energy system isn’t used for the purpose of heating homes. The home solar energy system doesn’t have any moving parts and the solar modules are tough. The components will last for several years without any trouble. Apart from direct savings through the utility costs, the homeowners would benefit from the property resale value. For each dollar that is saved annually in utility bills the home value would be increased anywhere from about 10 to 20 dollars. 

Some facts of home solar energy

Having a solar energy power generator system at home could prove to be advantageous. Apart from the obvious benefits of helping the environment and reducing global warming, it could also prove to be a cheap and convenient electricity source. In having a home solar energy system, one needs to know the working of each component.

The primary component of the solar energy system are the solar panels which are also known as photovoltaic modules (PV). These are the components that collect solar energy and then convert them into the electricity. Another part is the charge controller which is an electrical device responsible for the prevention of batteries overcharging and also for controlling electricity. The storage or batteries are components which store the electricity produced which is a reason why one can use the solar energy during night or low sun periods. The inverter is responsible for converting stored energy in the batteries in order to become readily-usable electricity for household appliances.

For households using an average amount of electricity, a one kilowatt home solar energy system should be sufficient. It would provide homes with 1,600 kilowatts in one year for somewhere with a sunny climate while it has the capacity to provide 750 kilowatts in a year for somewhere with a cloudy climate. A one kilowatt home solar energy system will require ten to twelve solar panels that could fit in an area of 100 square feet which is perfect for backyards and rooftops. In summary, by using the home solar energy systems one can help save the environment from wastes & pollutants which are produced from the burning of coal to produce traditional energy.

Affordable home solar energy – 3-phase plan

All of us know that home solar energy is a great idea and practically speaking it should make economic sense for the average American embracing it. Organizing one’s home energy that is used around the 3 phase plan could make solar energy an affordable option. With the rising prices of energy, environmental concerns and dwindling fossil fuel supplies, all are attuned to solar energy. However, the road to the solar euphoria isn’t a well worn path. You may at times feel as if you are the pioneer of a new frontier.

Solar energy makes great logical sense. Solar energy is available in abundancy, is clean and is a local energy source. As it doesn’t have any moving mechanical parts it means there are minimal requirements for maintenance which makes it very attractive. Who wouldn’t want their home running on a limitless local supply of energy that doesn’t put pollution into the air? Moreover, the current prices of solar help bring down the price for energy conservation. How could one afford purchasing a home solar energy system? It is more expensive when compared to traditional fossil fuels.

How would you make it affordable? There are three steps that could be followed to make home solar energy affordable.

Conservation:

Installing various technologies and design solutions in order to take advantage of free energy from the sun would make sense when combined with serious energy efficiency efforts. The more energy you can conserve the better – for instance, turning off the appliances and lights while not in use while also keeping the refrigerator and freezer doors open for as little time as possible. However, there are some improvements that could possibly take you even further in the quest to build a smart solar energy house.

Some common ideas on how to reduce energy requirements at home:

• Replacing your light bulbs with the compact “energy saver” fluorescent light bulbs will reduce your lighting energy costs immensely..

• Purchase energy efficient electronics and appliances.

• Improve the attic insulation and wall insulation. For insulating, use the blown cellulose.

• Seal the cracks around the windows, door frames and also make sure that the doors have insulation strips and sweeps.

• Get an energy audit. This would help you to find out how to best address the above items plus much more.

• Using high-performance windows, insulating exterior doors and insulating window shades are all recommended.

• Use light colored metal roofing in order to repel the summer sun’s heat.

• Install a programmable thermostat in order to help avoiding over heating or over cooling at home.

• Turn electronic devices such as TV's, stereos, etc off at the wall rather than leaving on standby as standby features can chew through a large amount of power.

In case you are building new home then convince your builder for building exterior walls of 2x6s on the 24” centres as opposed to the 2x4s on 16” centres. Walls will be strong but cost some extra for labour and wood, however the extra thickness of the walls will accommodate for more insulation while also increasing the R value of the walls. You might also want to replace the ageing HVAC unit and also get a heat pump system with the highest advisable SEER rating for your area. You might also consider ground connected heat pumps if living in an area that experiences hot summers and/or cold winters.

The less energy your home can use, the smaller your environmental impact and energy needs will be. This process begins with a positive mental attitude. Develop, maintain, and then teach the conservation habit in all areas of your life. Recycling is also a great idea.

While practising conservation habits, also discuss them with your children. Suggest ways your co-workers and neighbours can begin to practice conservation. Chances are that they too might share in some great ideas on conservation with you. In order to learn exactly how to conserve energy while at home, one can obtain a professional home energy audit. Phone your local energy provider and ask them if they will do a home energy audit or know someone who can.

Efficiency

A home energy auditor can tell you how to conserve electricity in a general way. More importantly, the auditor will assess your home for ways you can conserve energy in a practical way tailored to your circumstances and home. Some of the items they will check could include windows, insulation, air conditioning, heating systems, lighting, appliances and your hot water system.

There are some things the energy auditor might suggest to you. The auditor might suggest you change to compact fluorescent light bulbs and install weather-strip to windows and doors of the house. He might also suggest installing a timer on the hot water heater. Having the heating systems and air conditioning serviced is also suggested. It is best to turn off the lights on leaving the room. Greater efficiency would mean less kilowatt hours being used. Fewer kilowatt hours being consumed will allow you to not have to install a larger, more costly home solar energy system.

Solar Energy Production

Making an informed choice for your home solar energy requires a knowledge of the number of kilowatt hours that your home uses. On knowing the number of energy kilowatts being used, solar professionals can calculate the number of solar panels that are necessary for the number of energy kilowatts your home uses.

For instance, if you are living in Texas then the solar system could cost you about $8 to $10 per watt. It means about $8000 to $10,000 per 1 kilowatt system. One would be required to spend about $48,000 in order to buy a 6000 watt array. However, recent passing of Federal Incentives for efficiency and renewable energy would cut down its price to about $33,000. Depending on the state’s policies, these numbers could be reduced even further. Texas also allows Renewable Energy Systems Property Tax exemption. The property tax code would reduce the property tax by the amount that your solar device increases the property tax. There would be any increase in the tax due to the increased property value attributed due to home solar energy equipment.

Usually, the tax rebates and incentives will differ from state to state. Local solar professionals will give you information on current tax incentives and rebates in your state. They will calculate final costs after the incentives and rebates for the solar electric system most suitable for your home. After the efficiency and conservation measures, you may still consider getting a small solar array which will supply your portion of energy needs. Put the money you saved on your monthly energy bill towards the next array of solar panels. Continue adding more solar panels until you have created enough energy to meet the requirements of your home. The home solar energy that is made on your rooftop will put a smile on your face. Solar energy is a renewable resource that integrates easily into the home energy equation. With the right efficiency and conservation measures and the current tax incentives, solar energy could be more affordable than you think.

Future of solar energy home

Fantasizing and dreaming are the fist steps towards innovation. People all over the world are dreaming of a green world where entire countries are powered completely by renewable energy. The experts feel that within the next five years, solar power will become cheap enough to compete with the conventional electricity in the US, UK, Australia, India, and Africa. If the cost of the home solar energy system is brought down then a larger number of people will start using solar energy in their homes. In one decade, the cost will fall so much that even the solar cells will undercut gas, oil and coal. The technology is found to be leaping towards being eco friendly and pollution free. Therefore, one can dream of a green future with the advent of solar energy homes.

The companies that produce solar energy products feel this day isn’t far off when all cities in Europe and America generate lighting, heating and the air conditioning needs from solar energy for buildings or homes with sufficient left over in order to feed surplus back in grid. A piece of the dark polymer foils, like that of a thin paper sheet could case such a wonder. It’s 200 times lighter than normal glass based materials which require expensive roof support and substrates. It is so much lighter that it can probably strike the building sides. This could be mass produced in cheap rolls like that of packaging and could be made in any color to suit the design and structure of the solar energy home.

Scientists from across the globe say the future lies with solar energy. By using solar energy at home for cooking, driving your car, heating, and other purposes like street lights, heating pools, charging cell phones, and powering computers it will become a way of life.

China too is embracing the solar technology for future growth. Japan and India have already moved towards the direction of saving excess power. The future of solar energy homes is found to be increasing in the east. Several programs have been formulated in order to introduce solar energy to millions of homes within the next few years.

Bang for your buck

Many people have started off with grand visions of going 100% solar. it can be done but a more realistic case is optimizing the house to suit the amount your budget allows you to spend. Here is the take on how much bang for your buck you might get with every type of technology, where 10 = best.

The solar photovoltaic (PV) is great but it is an expensive way to use free energy from the sun. This does not mean that one shouldn’t do it. The solar photovoltaic is usually an important part of the smart strategy which helps create a house that is resistant and efficient to the disruptions of grid electricity.

Overall, every kilowatt hour that is generated or is saved with solar technologies is one kilowatt hour that you need not purchase from the grid and a kilowatt hour’s worth of the power plant pollution that you need not add to the planet.

As some solar equipment may be eligible for state or federal tax deductions / credits you should consult your local government authorities or solar suppliers for more information. Tax breaks for conservation upgrades like insulation and windows may also be made available.