Residential solar power systems are clean, durable and silent power generators based on solar panels. They are becoming more popular with the increasing awareness to clean air and global warming and with the decreased cost of solar electric panels.
Home solar power systems are in essence small photovoltaic power plants at affordable prices. They are producing electricity in a clean and silent way. I’ll give you the background on solar power generation using photovoltaic solar panels and what to consider before you decide to install a solar power system in your home.
As the younger brother, the technology is still evolving to the direction of better efficiency and lower cost
As a rough estimate, the gross cost of buying and installing a residential photovoltaic (in other words using Sun Light radiation) power system is $8-$9 per watt production capacity. The lion share of the system cost is in buying and installing the solar panels. A typical home will need 2,000-4,000 watts production capacity. 30% of the investment can be claimed back in federal tax credits and with states tax credits and incentives it can reach close to 50%. View my page on energy tax credits.
Solar Power Cost Reduction Trends
Bellow are the technological trends and market pressures that are bringing the cost of residential solar power down
In certain situations, a solar tracker can enhance the annual electrical production of from a given solar panels array
Off grid Residential Solar Power Systems
Off-grid solar power systems can supply electricity to homes and ranches that are far from the edge of the grid. In most cases it is highly recommended to add an off grid wind turbine to the off grid solar power plant. The wind generator complements the solar power system and resources can be shared between the two systems
Off grid solar power systems are also used in street lighting, traffic lights, remote public telephone boots and similar applications.
Turn Key Solar Power System
Your easiest approach is to ask one leading company to evaluate your site and propose to you the Solar Power System that fits your need, has a good price value, takes full advantage of tax benefits and provides you with a turn key job.
DIY Residential Solar Power
Whether you plan a grid tied solar system or an off grid solar power system, you have two more options
- Bring in an experienced solar contractor
- Do it yourself; you need to find a reliable store to buy the solar kit from. A good solar equipment store will configure the system, will provide installation guidance and will provide the after sale support
Even if you plan to DIY, ask a solar contractor to come to your site and give you a proposal for a turn key job
The Photovoltaic Effect
Photovoltaic solar power generation is based on the photovoltaic effect
Photovoltaic is a coined word; Photo is light (photons are the elementary light particles), Volta was an Italian scientist in the early days of electricity. The word means: "converting light photons (light particles) directly into electrical current". The solar panel output is the electrical power it produces
The History of Solar Power
The history of photovoltaic effect is interesting. It started as an accidetnal discovery 170 years ago and evolved into a fast growing industry. It spreads more into both utility scale power plants as well as the residential solar power segment.
The Photovoltaic Cell
The photovoltaic cell is the smallest useful element that converts light to electrical power
Like is older brother, the chemical electric cell (known as a battery), it delivers direct current (DC) to its load.
The Photovoltaic Panel
A solar electric panel combines many photovoltaic cells in series and in parallel, scaling the voltage and current to fit the load
Brilliant use for small size solar electric panels are in the following areas:
click to view frequently asked questions on residential solar power systems
click to view more FAQ on residential solar electricity
More Reading
View this page for the advantages of solar over other energy sources.
Solar Power System Cost is obviously a consideration.
