DIY Residential Solar Power

If you are in search of a way to get a DIY residential solar power system, then you have come to the right place. But before I proceed to tell you how you can set them up, let me start with the definition of residential solar power systems so you can know more about it. It consists of power appliances made to provide electricity for your house or office through the conversion of solar to electricity. As a result of the background of the economy which is slow and increasing prices of fuel, the need to try out other forms of energy sources like wind and solar are stepping up. It is among the major reasons for the whole range of popularity which the solar power for residential dwelling is gaining nowadays.

The sun is an unending source of energy. For a prolonged period of time, most of us have ignored this energy. Solar panels were initially thought to be a costly product which is utilized mostly by the big companies. Nevertheless, we now have affordable means to make residential solar power systems. It is linked with the reality that they do not require much upkeep. This makes such device to be a pretty alternative for energy to be used to power your house or office.

Are you aware that it is possible for solar panels to stay for as much as 20 years or even more without any problem? They appear more improved than the way they usually function some decade ago. Firms that produce solar systems have produced latest patterns and it is simple to fix them on the top of your roof. Rather than appearing unattractive and inappropriate, they can easily match with your house and make your home look unique and stand out among the rest.

Solar energy will not stop to be priceless. As a result, the only money you have to invest is the original price of making the device. When you begin to use the diy residential solar power, you are sure of getting constant source of electricity for your home or office for an extended period of time. Think of the amount of money you will be stockpiling on electricity expenses monthly. The second benefit is that you will be paid for generating excess electricity when you live off the grid. In addition to all of these benefits, when you make use of renewable energy, you will be keeping our surroundings save. You also have a chance of getting tax rebates if you live in some part of US where local agencies offer this benefit.

Apart from buying solar panels and its components that have been already made by the energy companies, you also have the chance to create your own DIY residential solar power. You can easily find DIY solar system guide which details the working directions to follow to make your own residential solar power right there in the comfort of your home. For a small fee, you would end up using solar power, reduce your power bills and live in a greener house. One of the DIY residential solar power systems which details the step by step method to set up your own solar panel is Earth 4 Energy

Are You Looking For Solar Power for the RV?

Everyone likes to get away for the weekend and when you get a chance to there is a lot of fun in taking a recreational vehicle, or RV, to go camping in. Your RV could be a pull behind camper or a camper that you can drive. What ever you use RV’s usually run off of electricity from another source or they have battery powered lights. When you use electric hook up in a camper you may want to consider turning your RV into a solar powered RV and never worry about electric hook ups again. Enjoy your vacation anywhere without restrictions.

Once you hook up to a power source you are able to have the comforts of home by turning on and off the lights and using the bathroom. If you cannot access a power outlet you may use a generator to supply power to the camper. These generators are nice in a pinch but you have the problems of running out of fuel to keep it going not to mention the noise that it makes. If you want to turn your RV into a solar power RV it is simple to do and with little expense. There are a number of different products that you can buy to make camping fun and modern with little or no effort.

You can mount a solar panel to the RV camper in order to charge your energy in your RV. This is done by purchasing a solar panel mounting bracket that your solar panel will set on. You can buy RV solar panel kits that include both the mount and the panel. Once it is installed you can power your camper and batteries using the suns warmth that was already there and it doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg to do so. Run your solar panel wire to the battery compartment and you are ready to go. Each solar powered kit offers different wattages and sizes so you can select the right one for your RV size and what you will be using.

When you are out on a camping trip you can feel good knowing that you can go anywhere you need to go. Your solar panel on top of your RV will also withstand any type of weather and because a camper is so small it won’t take much solar power to operate the RV. Another hot solar powered item to buy for your RV is called the Solar Power Ventilator. This provides the perfect ventilation system for small quarters, such as RV’s. When it is hot in the summer or anytime that the sun is shining it doesn’t take long for the RV to heat up and become very uncomfortable. The solar power ventilator will run all the hot air out and circulate the air with clean fresh air.

When you take the RV out you want to enjoy your time in the great outdoors without giving up the fact that you have to rely on a power source or go without power completely. If you have to go without power you may find that it is inconvenient and hard to do, especially when you purchase an RV because of the way that it is convenient.

Make Solar Panel At Home: Easy Methods To Produce Solar Energy Fast

Make Solar Panel At Home: How Solar Panel Electricity Saves You Money

Are you seeking learn how to Make Solar Panel At Home? Solar panel electricity has become more well-liked than ever. The rising costs of energy and the effect of global warming has caused millions of individuals to be conscious of the benefits of solar power. A couple decades ago, this technology was regarded expensive and difficult to construct. Nevertheless currently, because of recent advancements in technology, it is currently feasible to make these energy-producing machines for fewer than a few hundred bucks. A great deal of persons are investing greatly on solar power; a few are even taking long-term approaches therefore that they will be able to save money.

Make Solar Panel At Home: How Much Can I Save?

The benefits of solar power are limitless. The most obvious advantage is the reduction of electrical bills. Solar panel electricity are able to answer up to 80% of your energy utilization at home. The ability created by these panels depends on the amount of time they are exposed to the sun. If your area is blessed with sun for the whole year, then your electric wants are solved.

Make Solar Panel At Home: Can I Actually Make Money?

There are also some situations when the power made by these solar panels is more than you truly desire. This could be the perfect situation whereby you can sell your excess power to electric companies. This is just not hard to accomplish. All you actually have to do is calculate the quantity of electricity you need for a given time period. Then you are able to make adjustments on your solar power system by increasing the number of panels and the batteries. The quantity of panels also dictates the quantity of electricity you’ll be creating. This could be an ideal investment for many persons searching for paths to make easy bucks.

Make Solar Panel At Home: How Much Will It Cost ?

The concept of solar panel electricity is just not a troublesome task to achieve. The whole system is straightforward and cheap to construct. Though the panels itself are expensive if you are buying them from specialty stores, you can erect your own panels to save money. Because numerous people do not have the immediate means to purchase the panels directly, the best choice would be to build one. The panels itself are easy to create and the materials are able to be bought at any local hardware store. Plus, they are often purchased for just a number dollars. It will just require a large amount of research and hard work. Come to think of it, either you choose to make your own panel or purchase them directly at a store. Both are still considered excellent investments and will absolutely give you excellent monetary returns in the future.

Make Solar Panel At Home: Conclusion

Times are definitely changing. Environmental and economic conditions are forcing us to adjust in order to survive. Many people are in agreement that solar panel electricity is one of the keys to our survival. Follow the direction in this article and you should be on your way to finding out how to find the knowledge to Make Solar Panel At Home.

Roof Solar Panels Explained

When shopping for roof solar panels, not only are there a number of brands, but also various types of roof solar panels to choose from. And each type has its pros and cons.

So what kind of roof solar panels are there? And how do they differ from one another?

To date there are 3 kinds, which we will explore in this article.

Monocrystalline Solar Panels:

The first and most widely used type are monocrystalline solar panels. Since they were the first to be produced, they have dominated the solar market for quite some time. They are your typical blue iridescent panels with rounded cells packed in uniform rows and visible from all directions.

Monocrystalline solar panels tend to be very costly to produce since they require a single silicon crystal grown in a very complicated process. This results in higher prices for consumers. In fact, at the time of writing this (Dec 2008), monocrystalline solar panels are about 41% more expensive per watt compared to thin film solar.

The advantage of these photovoltaic panels is that they take up the least space, making them a good choice for people with not much space. And although the cells are very fragile, they are secured in a rigid frame and can last for over 25 years.

Multicrystalline Solar Panels:

The second type to be produced are multicrystalline solar panels. Also known as polycrystalline solar modules, they are manufactured from a large block of numerous silicon crystals. This gives them a mosaic-like or shattered glass look. And since they are not made from just one silicon ingot, they are slightly less efficient but also cheaper than monocrystalline solar panels.

Multicrystalline photovoltaic panels are made by cutting the silicon block into thin wafers to form individual cells, which are then joined to make the panels. What make them attractive to consumers is they cost slightly less than monocrystalline panels, but have a similar life span.

Amorphous Solar Panels:

Better known as thin film solar panels, the third and latest type is really thin and flexible, making it light weight and easy to handle.

At first amorphous solar panels were made by fixing thin silicon material to glass or stainless steel, which made them rigid. But to make them flexible and durable, the silicon is now applied between flexible laminate material. This has the added advantage of being able to fix the panels to almost any surface. In fact, thin film solar is so versatile and aesthetically appealing that it can completely replace traditional shingles or steel roofing.

Another advantage is they are the cheapest panels for manufacturers and consumers because they require the least silicon and the simplest production process. This also results in the lowest cost per watt of power.

However, since they are very thin, amorphous solar panels are over 40% less effective than mono- and multicrystalline panels at turning the sun’s rays into electric power. So to get the same power, they need almost twice the surface area, which not everyone has.

Furthermore, thin film solar technology is still in its infancy, so there is a large debate over its lifespan. And some people believe the panels can lose their efficiency after only a couple of years. It is only once more research and development has been put into thin film solar that we will be able to see it as a reliable and intelligent solar energy investment for households and businesses alike.

To conclude, there are three main types of roof solar panels to choose from, each with their own pros and cons. By understanding their differences we hope you will make a better informed decision when you finally invest in roof solar panels at home.

Building Solar Panels From Kits Or Scratch

There are kits that can be purchased for building solar panels, or each part can be bought separately and panels can be made from scratch. Depending on the purpose of the solar panels, one method may be preferred over the other.

Kits are great for individuals who are just starting out with solar conversion. These kits enable them to have all the parts they need for getting solar energy hooked up to a home, car, RV, or any other type of machine. The amount of kilowatts necessary will determine the size of panels purchased. Each kit comes with a specific kW rating and most sites offer a way to determine who many panels are needed for the project they are being purchased for.

Buying individual components is often preferred by people who enjoy building things from scratch. There are many alterations that can be made this way, as long as the person completing the assembly knows what he/she is doing.

Directions for building solar panels come with kits sold on the Internet and in building supply stores. If the parts are being purchases separately, then directions on how to assembly individual parts will need to be found online or some people are able to get assistance from a friend who has assembled their own set of panels.

While the kits are mostly complete, it’s a good idea to make sure that all the necessary tools and accessories are at hand before initiating the building of the solar panels. There are so many little parts involved that it’s easy to forget something, until it comes time to add this miniature component into the building scheme.

It’s important to also have the proper battery supply for the type of panels created. Building solar panels can be quite the adventure and well worth the effort and time they take to make.

A Few Benefits Of Solar Energy

With the rising cost of fossil fuels, switching to solar energy is something that many people are trying out. Besides being able to save money on the electric bill, there are other benefits of solar energy as well.

Better for the Environment:

Solar panels allow for appliances to be run without burning fossil fuels. Having an electrical source that doesn’t rely on the use of fossil fuels means that there won’t be any pollutants given off, this is better for the earth.

Less Noise:

There’s nothing noisy about a solar panel. Cells used inside solar panels don’t have any moving parts, so there’s absolutely no sound to be heard coming from a solar panel.

Can be Used Anywhere:

One of the big benefits of solar energy is that it can be used on a house, car, to run outdoor equipment, and even mechanical toys. Most people think that solar energy can only be used in areas where there is constant sun, such as the desert. This isn’t true. As long as there is sunshine for at least part of the day, these panels are able to charge up their reserve pack. They can then run on the sun when it is available and rely on the reserve charge when the sun isn’t around, such as at night or on a cloudy day.

Reliable:

Solar cells very rarely just stop working. Using solar energy for a source of electricity means that even when everyone else is experiencing a power outage during a storm, solar panels are able to keep running.

Able to Earn Money:

There are people that earn money by selling excess energy back to the electric company. This is a great way to supplement income. Also, tax credits are usually provided to people who are interested in purchasing the equipment to switch over to solar energy.

Many other benefits of energy exist besides the ones mentioned above. Technology is constantly advancing to make there panels more affordable for everyone.

Residential Solar Power Systems

Residential Solar Power Systems can be a wonderful addition to a rewarding home life experience. They can significantly reduce the cost of living by lowering the cost of power for heating, cooling, lighting, refrigeration, cooking and so on.

A properly designed house with a well planned and integrated solar power system can out perform standard house in cost of usage, maintenance, ecological impact and the plain old ‘cool’ factor.

Pretty much a dream life of the 60s, when properly integrated into a complimentary power efficient structure, it is now quite possible and less complicated to setup than a standard power grid system.

Residential solar power systems work most effectively when considered during the design stage of residential building construction. This is a far more effective way to implement the solar design into the home than trying to adapt it after the fact to an already completed structure.

A well thought out system is going to take into consideration the location of the building, the directions it is oriented within, and the materials it is constructed of. There are also the shapes of the internal rooms, angle of light entering the building through the windows, the amount of space to arrange solar panels, and the necessary plumbing requirements for solar water heaters to consider. Wiring for both 12 volt DC and 110 AC power requirements, inverter requirements, battery draw requirements and storage area, local building codes, local weather patterns, and owners association guidelines also need to be added to the long list of considerations.

Quite often, the buildings most suited for advanced solar applications are so new that they have yet to be considered or approved by local planning commissions or included in zoning laws. The best way to get the most from this sort of lifestyle is to get away from the highly regulated urban areas and into a more rural atmosphere. The key is research and more of it. Then it’s time to test, learn, grow, and implement residential solar power systems.

Solar Panels For Homes Are No Longer Cumbersome

Buying solar panels for homes is easy, but very expensive. Most people who are just starting out in the real world aren’t able to afford the luxury of having solar panels added to their home. Purchasing pre-made solar panels or the kits to build your own might be an option for some home owners. Whether they are bought completed or build from the ground up, solar panels are fascinating pieces of technology.

Due to the ever-changing world of technology,  solar panels for homes are constantly evolving. These used to be huge panels that had to be carefully lifted onto a house with a crane. Over the years they have gotten significantly smaller.

There are panels the size of shingles that are integrated into the roofing on new homes. These can also be added onto homes that already exist. Other types of panels are so small that they can be held between the ends of a pair of tweezers.

Homeowners tend to desire the addition of panels to either save money or to get off the grid. People are tired of paying the rising cost of electricity, which panels can eliminate altogether. Using solar energy for even partial electrical power will drastically reduce the amount of money paid each month for electricity. As the years go by, panels are becoming more and more efficient.

Installing solar panels for homes requires some knowledge on their placement. These need to be positioned on the side of the house that gets the most sunlight. Typically, the south-facing side of homes in northern climates and the north-facing side in southern climates get the most sun. Correct installation of the panels is important, so that damage doesn’t occur to any of the cells housed within the individual panels. Detailed instructions are available from many online sources for correct placement of panels.

Passive Solar Energy Is Cost Effective

Passive solar energy is one of the most cost effective ways to heat a structure once it has been built.

Although adding passive systems to existing structures can get quite costly, many people still feel the benefits outweigh the financial drawbacks. These benefits can be seen when building a passive system that includes remodeling features which are also aesthetically pleasing.

The most effective passive systems involve large windows which allow the sun in during the cooler months and are shaded in the warmer months. Usually the windows are slanted at an angle which allows maximum solar energy to land on a concrete floor and then collect and radiate the energy inside the structure.

Often these passive solar energy systems are designed into structures before they are constructed but sometimes, if the location permits, existing structures can be successfully modified into incorporating a successful passively heated solar energy system.

Some of the more notable passive systems include rammed earth homes with long structure length banks of windows. The orientation of the entire structure is such that the sun will be shining through these windows in winter, but not during summer. This is also true with a number of different styles of dome structures.

Monolithic domes, earth bag domes, cob and reciprocal framed roof domes are all quite easily adaptable to passive solar systems when it’s considered during the design stage and implemented during construction.

All of these structures are well insulated and have thermal masses which are kept at relatively constant temperatures, this then requires far less energy to heat and cool. These designs take much more advantage of passive solar than an existing frame and drywall house is going to. Even with good windows and a concrete floor.

Sometimes, when deciding to switch over to a life with passive solar energy is worth reevaluating the entire lifestyle and the types of homes and locations involved. It is often much more effective to come to the decision to completely change a traditional house into a more sustainable house which lends itself to using passive solar more effectively.

Home Solar Power Kits Are Available For More Than Houses

Home solar power kits can be purchased online from a variety of sources. It is usually cheaper to purchase a kit for building solar panels than it is to go out and by each individual piece. Some people will buy a small kit at first, then work up to larger or additional kits later on. Many people find that creating solar panels can be an ongoing process, sometimes for multiple years. Everything necessary to switch to solar power comes in these home kits.

Panels need to be chosen according to the amount of energy that is needed. Along with the panels, there is also an inverter, the system needed for mounting the panels and the cables needed for connecting the panels to the inverter. Usually the batteries are sold separately, but they can be purchased by the same company offering the kits. There are kits available for tying in solar panels into a grid system or for using when there isn’t a grid to be connected to.

For people who are just starting out with solar panel experimentation, going to a store that sells these home solar power kits might be something to think about. There are staff members who can answer questions about which kit to purchase, how they should be assembled, and anything else that comes to mind. This information can be very useful for people who are concerned with making the wrong choice in solar power kits.

It isn’t only houses that benefit from home solar power kits. These can be purchased for altering cars, RVs, and many other items that require electricity to function. Some generators have been converted to solar power.

This conversion helps with the lack of fossil fuel access during natural disasters. No longer do people have to wait in line to purchase fuel for their generator, they can simply switch over to solar powered generators and never worry about being left in the dark again.

« Previous Page — Next Page »