Before you make a decision and use solar power for your home, here are the important considerations that you should look into:

1. Where do you live? What is the weather in your area? Is it always sunny in your area or is it always raining? Are there tall trees near your house? You must answer these questions first before you start with any DIY project to create solar power for your home. If the weather is frequently sunny, then it might be a good idea to use solar power. For those with lots of trees in their yard, you need to get rid of them but this is not a very easy thing to do since trees are also very important. Local authorities might not permit you to do cut down huge tall trees. Study the weather in your area as well as your location. To use solar power, you will need the rays of the sun. Rain, clouds, and trees can block the sun’s rays and so you might end up wasting money.
2. Where do you plan to install the solar panels? You must determine the place where there is lots of sunlight all throughout the day. You can’t install the solar panels in an area where there is very little sunlight. Study your home’s surroundings. Find the perfect place where the panels can get a lot of sunlight so that you can benefit from it greatly.
3. Do you have enough knowledge on how to connect solar power into the electricity grid of your home? You can also conduct a research about it. The solar power DIY projects usually provide a complete guide on how to install the solar power to your homes. Just follow the instructions carefully to avoid committing mistakes. If you’re not that sure, you can always get an electrician to help you with the task.

Solar power can reduce your monthly electric bills by more or less 80% depending on your solar power project. In no time at all, your home can become self sufficient and you will no longer depend largely on the conventional energy sources.

Aside from that, the carbon emissions are also reduced thereby saving the environment from further damage. With a solar powered home, you can enjoy an endless electric supply that is clean, green, and fresh.

Get a solar power DIY kit now and get the needed materials. You can also ask other family members to help you out. That is, if you think that solar power is best for your home. Go through the three considerations mentioned above so that you can make an informed decision. This is the time to save money and help the environment, act now.

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But are the systems reliable, portable enough, practical, and readily available?

RV camping can be a lot more fun if you have a solar power system with you. However, some campers simply find the whole system as unnecessary. The camping spaces are usually fully hooked up so you won’t need the system unless there is power failure. The trips are usually carefully planned and you will need to reserve for the hook-up. You can also go on an RV camping without the hookup. You can explore quiet and remote places for a couple of days. In this case, the solar power system is a must and it’s practical to have them around. Before you go camping, you must determine your electrical requirements. The camping schedule should also be appropriately chosen to make sure that there will be plenty of sunshine. The batteries can be charged using the system. Once you determine the load, you can now estimate the size of the system. Purchase the needed materials and start the installation of batteries, solar panels, and inverters. These are needed to produce the required energy.

Today, there are several solar power systems that are suitable to RVs. Shop around and you can find one that will suit your budget and needs. If you’re planning to bring electrical devices, you must calculate their energy needs so that you won’t use up all the solar energy. Try to limit the number of electrical devices you bring; besides, you’re going camping to explore nature so you can do away with the convenience of these devices.

Even if you’re camping without RVs, you can still make use of the solar power system. You can already find lightweight and portable units that generate solar power. There are flexible panels that can be carried to campsites and you will just spread them on the ground where there is direct sunlight. The generated power is enough to light a small bulb and a heater. Special backpacks collect sun’s energy and convert them into electricity which can be used to recharge your iPod, camera, and cellular phone.

Solar power is no longer limited to homes, offices, and other bog establishments. Now, it is already possible to carry solar power systems anywhere you go. Camping will be more fun if you bring a solar power system with you. Forget about conventional generators that consume fuel. You can get free electricity from the systems that are sold in the market. In the US, solar power is already recognized and many households are now using them.

Next time you plan to go camping, make sure that you bring a dependable solar power system. Plan your outing carefully and make sure that you pick the right date and day as well. If it’s sunny, you can produce more energy. Bring limited electric devices and bring only the essentials. Solar power is clean and renewable so you can stay out camping for as long as you like without worrying about energy consumption.

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The need for alternative sources of energy has become more and more pressing day by day. Cost and supply of conventional fuel have gone out of whack and the effect of their wastes and emission on the environment going from bad to worse. If ever there was a time for alternative solutions for power, now is it! Actually, clean and renewable energy sources have been around for a long time: hydro, wind and solar power.

Each of these sources has its strengths and setbacks. Between them, solar power is the most suited for the household. Once installed, solar power systems are practically maintenance free. The average lifespan of solar panels is more than thirty years and they come in all shapes and sizes, blending very well into all varieties of buildings both aesthetically and functionally. Of course, it’s emission free, silent and runs on sunlight for fuel and sunlight alone.

Solar power is increasingly making an impact on modern society on several fronts but residential solar power users are where it has gained the greatest penetration. These folks are by and large forced into the situation by the cost and emission concerns associated with non-renewable energy. Technology-based lifestyle also cannot afford to continue to be at the mercy of power outages and residential solar power provides just the answer.

There are a number of ways to make use of solar power and residential solar power generators are the most popular means. The concept is straightforward and powerful. Sunlight energy is simply harnessed through solar panels and converted to electrical power by the circuitry in the power generators. They are then wired onto the mains of the house for consumption and also possibly interconnected to the grid where excess electricity produced can be sold.

It’s safe to say that most homes can benefit from having a residential solar power generator but a feasibility study is recommended to determine for sure. If you want to make solar power at home, the foremost factors are sunlight and neighbors followed by orientation, structure and shading of the house. Be sure that the solar panels are able to access sufficient sunlight without running foul of local ordinances or neighborhood covenants. On the plus side, net metering by the grid supplier and tax incentives by the state are commonplace nowadays.

Although solar power can generally supplant the grid-supply, most households employ it as a complement or backup. Its primacy in powering the home is an individual matter of comfort and preference which can best be determined by actually trying it out. Small-scale residential solar power generators are very affordable nowadays or they can even be built from scratch by DIY (do-it-yourself). Guides and handbooks are abundantly retailed on the internet and those who are handy can save more money than they spend.

You can live comfortably off-grid on renewable energy and even get paid for it. Visit us at Residential Solar Power for information on how to Make Solar Power and stop being part of the energy and pollution problem.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darrel_Case

http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Make-Residential-Solar-Power&id=1547607

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Any motivated do-it-yourselfer can learn how to make solar panels for their home, workshop or business. When compared to the cost of purchasing and installing a pre-made solar energy system, learning how to make solar panels for your energy needs and the materials you need to execute the project are far less. By learning how to make solar panels for yourself, you have greater control over the size and design of your system as well.

To start your do-it-yourself solar power project it is very recommended to have the manual from a reliable person or company that has been in the business and got all the experiences needed. Once you have a quality manual and you have learned how to make solar panels, the supplies needed for your project are fairly easy to find. You can find most of them at your local hardware store like, plywood, sheets of glass, and a roll of copper wire. Inexpensive solar or photovoltaic cells to be used in your project is also easy to locate. Many are available over the Internet or you may have a retailer available locally. You can even find used solar panels in good condition and at a very good price. Once you’ve learned how to make solar panels and you have your supplies, it usually takes about a day to assemble a 100-watt panel. This is the perfect amount of electricity to operate small appliances or a small workshop.

The most important step is to find a good quality manual with detailed instructions for learning how to make solar panels. In many cases you get what you pay for, so don’t be afraid to spend a few extra dollars on a well-reviewed instruction manual. Overall, the cost of the making your own panels is so low, the price of the how to guide is minimal-you will still be paying way less learning how to make solar panels on your own than purchasing a professionally installed system.

With a little bit effort, you can be on your way to learning how to make solar panels to meet your energy needs. Then sit back and bask in the pride the next time the power goes out on your block. Your lights will still be on because you learned how to make solar panels and your energy supply is still in your battery bank.

If you want to make your do-it-yourself solar power and need a good quality manual you can either get it from Earth4Energy or HomeMadeEnergy. Both manuals were well written by experienced people and covered by money-back guarantee.

- the SolarCost admin

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First off, many people think that solar panels electricity can work well for any home electric devices. While this is true you will find that it is not cost effective to use the electricity to power large electric devices that use heating element such as electric stove or clothes dryer due to the amount of wattage they consume. However clothes dryer that uses the electricity for ignition only is considered cost effective because there is no electric heating element involved in the heat generation. In the United States alone around 40% of the utility bill is spent on cooling and heating system. You may want to check your monthly utility payment to figure out the real number.

Any devices such as water heater or other home heating systems should use solar heating panels that convert the sun energy directly into heat. Solar heating panels have higher efficiency than electric solar panels so you’d better use the solar electricity for other purposes.

Up to now home solar system cannot fully replace the fossil fueled electricity due to its cost but you can plan to substitute the grid electricity by 15% or any value you can spend and you can still save some money by doing this. To help you save cost better an energy efficient window glass can really help preventing summer heat from penetrating your house through the windows, especially on the west side, but also allow winter sun energy to keep your house’s structure warmer.

For aesthetic reason some people prefer multi colored photovoltaic panels. These panels convert less electricity and cost more than standard panels.

How big the panels will be for 100 watts energy generated? It will depend on the photovoltaic cell’s dimension but typically they will occupy around 2 ft by 4 ft of your yard or roof area. For thin film solar panels you have to double the area occupation because they have lower efficiency.

To have a 1 KW home solar panels you will need an array of 10 to 12 photovoltaic panels, all will cost you around $10,000 to $15,000 before rebates. As previously stated in other post in this blog the price varies greatly depends on what system you are looking for, i.e. off or on grid option, with or without solar batteries, type of inverters, etc.

Your solar panels alone are warranted for at least 20 years but this does not represent the whole system warranty. Batteries and solar inverters for example have shorter lifespan so the warranty will definitely be shorter as well.

All of these solar power facts are not presented to discourage you from applying this green electricity but is more to address some issue that might be of your interest before purchasing the system.

the SolarCost Admin

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-    Understand your solar plan. What do you want the solar power generator to be? What is your preference: On-grid, Off-grid or Hybrid? On-grid or grid-tied means you have the solar kits integrated with the power grid of the utility company. In United States you can get credit from the utility company for the electricity pumped into the grid (net metering). Going off-grid is another choice if you live in a location with no power lines available. Hybrid means you combine the home solar system with another source of electricity such as gas generator or wind turbines.

-    Solar batteries are needed especially for off-grid system. There are three different types of them, choose one that meets your needs and budget. Some of them need routine maintenance so do understand the procedure correctly.

Solar batteries can be connected together in either series or parallel wiring. If you connect two batteries of the same spec in series you will double the output voltage but the current will remain the same. Connecting the batteries above in parallel will double the output current but the voltage shall remain the same.

-    What solar inverter is applicable to your grid option? There are some types available. Normally on-grid solar inverter doesn’t use batteries so they are cheaper than other types. If you experience blackouts frequently you may consider buying solar inverter that can serve both on-grid and off-grid application. In this case you can have the home solar system equipped with batteries.

-    Electric solar panels are the electricity generator. Whenever possible you have to mount them facing south for maximum sun exposure. Never place them horizontally; they should be slant-mounted to prevent water accumulation on the glass pane. Although the panels are sealed you have to make sure there is no water entry from broken seals or cracked glass pane. Water entry is known to be the most culprits for panel’s failures.

-    Solar charge controller or regulator is connected to the batteries. Some batteries need extra precautions during charging therefore find a regulator that can protect the batteries from overcharging. Overcharging will result in ruining the batteries or shortening their lifespan.

There are experienced companies that can help you deciding what set up will best suit your home solar system requirements. Contact them if you are in doubt.

To Your Solar Success

the SolarCost Admin

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While converting the sunbeam into electricity is easy, storing the electricity is totally a different story. Because the sun is only available during daylight we have to do something with the solar panels electricity otherwise there will be no electricity in the night.

There are two options available to store the electricity. The first option is having the solar electricity integrated with the grid of the utility company after being inverted to AC voltage. In most cases this is the best way to go solar. Why? Because you will store any extra electricity generated by your solar generator thru the grid. By doing this you are actually selling the electricity to the utility company. This is called net metering policy. Since the current is moving into the grid it will turn the counter backwards so you get some credits from the company. When there is no sufficient electricity produced your household will withdraw it from the grid. The main benefit of this system is you don’t have to buy solar batteries to bank the electricity. And because there is no battery at all you don’t need to do any maintenance. Solar batteries are expensive and may need maintenance depending on what type you purchase.

Although this option seems best suit your need and budget please note that there will be time when the grid power is down and at the same time your solar power generator does not produce any electricity, i.e. during dark or cloudy days. If the utility fails often in your area you may consider buying solar battery for emergency case like this.

Another option is to go off-grid totally, meaning you are disconnected from the power lines. Although it looks very ‘green’ and ideal this idea is not recommended if you are on tight budget, unless if you are living in e remote area which is not supported by the utility company. To go off-grid you have to provide batteries which are quite expensive. Off-grid solar panels electricity should ideally be accompanied by other electricity resources such as wind electricity or gas generator electricity. By doing this way you are securing yourself from being totally disconnected.

The SolarCost Admin

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There are some points to check before you decide to purchase used solar panels:

-    Measure the panels DC voltage output with a multimeter in full sun. This is a very straight forward test. The reading should be close to the panel spec and if you don’t get what you expected then don’t buy them. Note that used solar panels have a slightly lower output than the brand new ones but in general you don’t see they degrade much. Don’t judge by the color! Old panels may turn brown but they don’t degrade progressively. And they are very cheap as well ….. If you want to check the panels’ wattage, switch your multimeter to DC amperemeter and multiply the DC current reading by the rated voltage of your panels to get the power in watts.

-    Check for physical defects such as scratched or cracked glass, broken connection or water trapped / condensation under the glass cover.  Unless the price is very low and you think you can fix them, avoid them.

-    Old designed panels are bigger in size but lower in the output voltage. They need bigger space. If you have no problems with their size they can be your best deal because you can get them at very low price.

-    Broken connection between panels can be fixed by soldering. Use a 2% or higher silver electronics solder.

-    By pass diodes sometimes get burned out. This problem can be fixed easily. Replace them with silicon diodes that have same or higher amp rating.

After you manage to save some money on the used solar panels now you can start looking for other parts needed to build your solar-power generator. You can search and compare the prices online. Do study the benefits they offer and gather more information before making your decision.

the SolarCost Admin

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