How to Make a Home Solar Powered

Have you been pondering about installing solar power for your home? Do you want to go totally solar or just partially solar? This article will define solar technology and inform you so that you can make your home solar powered as there are several options for the homeowner. This article will convey the information necessary to decide if solar is for you.

Things you’ll need

Desire to go solar

Money

Own your own home

Step 1

What does it mean to go solar? Solar thermal technologies use the sun’s heat to produce electricity. Modules are comprised of an assembly of solar cells and ancillary parts intended to generate power when exposed to sunlight. There are different types of solar generation systems. Fixed panel, Single Axis Tracking, and Dual Axis Tracking systems are as their name implies, the fixed remain stationary and the other track the sun in order to obtain the most sun possible in a day.

Houses that are solar powered by solar modules, store electricity generated during the day in batteries. The battery is a storage device that operates on the principal of changing electrical energy to chemical energy and then back to electrical energy. Sound complicated. Not really. The battery stores the energy needed for nighttime and cloudy days.

Step 2

As a homeowner, you have two choices for solar power: Off-grid installations and grid-tied installations. An off-grid simply means that the house has no connection to the electrical utility grid, i.e., all electricity used by the home is manufactured by the home electrical generation equipment. Such an installation is also called a stand alone system. The PV (photovoltaic) system could utilize a propane, diesel, or gasoline driven motor-generator to be used as a backup to the PV generating system. Cloudy days or a PV system failure could leave your family in the dark and the generator would then be a welcome insurance policy.

What about a grid-tied photovoltaic system? This type of system is tied into your electrical utility company. When the PV system produces more electricity than the house can use, the excess electricity can be fed back into the utility grid. When the house requires more power than can be supplied by the PV system, power is drawn from the utility grid. Some grid-tied residential systems have a battery back up system, some don't. If for some reason the electrical utility grid goes down, those systems without a back up battery system will also shut down. A back up battery system will allow a grid-tied system to continue supplying power to the house after first disconnecting the house from the utility grid.

Step 3

After deciding which type of system is appropriate for you, you should contact your local city and county office to check for zoning restrictions. Also, check with any home owner’s associations or division management offices for restrictions. Obtain any permits and permissions necessary. It seems we can’t go green without permission!

Step 4

Now you need to check for both federal and state incentives for renewable energy. This will help to offset the costs associated with making your home solar powered. The DSIRE website is the most complete website I have found for renewable energy incentives. Check your individual state listing. I have listed it below in the Resource Section.

If you find any rebates, read the instructions carefully as there are often restrictions as to types of PV systems and the contractors that can be used.

Step 5

Choose your solar system and your company. There are many companies that are well equipped to sell and install solar systems. Each has its own positives and negatives. My advice is to do your research and request information from companies in your area. Be sure to get three bids and check the company with the Better Business Bureau. I’ve listed a link below.

I hope this information helps you to make your happy home solar powered!

Tips

You can also go partially solar with a solar powered water heater.

Website links:

DSIRE Website for Renewable Energy Incentives

http://www.dsireusa.org/Index.cfm?EE=1&RE=1

Better Business Bureau

http://www.bbb.org/