You have probably seen news coverage and articles about home solar power systems. With a great number of new technological advances, solar p...
The are now many variation of home solar power systems available to homeowners and consumer today. Well known developers like GE for instance, have developed a number of different solar energy systems which are very efficient. When it comes to selecting a system that will work for your house of office, there are a number of considerations and questions you should ask yourself so you become more knowledgeable about what's available to you and which system will provide the energy you need.
Since arming yourself with the basics of home solar power systems can be a daunting and confusing task, you may want get your hands on one of the best guides that will walk you through everything you should know including how to build your own home solar power system from the ground up.
Below you will find some helpful information and tips:
Understanding Home Solar Power Systems
First and foremost it is critical that you understand the different types of systems available. There are 2 different kinds of systems. First is the photovoltaic (PV) panels and second is the solar thermal system.
The Photovoltaic Panels System
Basically photovoltaic systems are comprised of solar energy panels which transform energy generated by the sun and converts it to electricity which is then used to power the most common appliances and lighting fixtures in a home or office. Photovoltaic systems should not be used for more items than home appliances and lighting. One of the drawbacks to this kind of system is the cost to purchase and installation. In fact they are probably the most expensive systems.
The Solar Thermal System
These type of home solar power systems are mainly used to produce heat. They are best used for any type of boiler apparatus, furnace or water heater. A solar thermal system produces heat using direct sun light much more efficiently and cost effective than that of traditional energy or electricity from a utility company. One of the drawbacks you should consider is the amount of room that one of these units will need to occupy if you plan on running some of the more popular items like major appliances. A major benefit however, is the fact that with a solar thermal system it is not uncommon to save upwards of 80% on your home or office energy per year! So if your main idea is to save or reduce your energy consumption as well as your budget, you might want to consider this type of system. In addition it is not hard to build and install your own system using a detailed and professional A-Z guide containing full video documentation.
Tips For Calculating Your Energy Cost
Now that you have a better idea of what systems are available to you, and how you intend to use them, the next step is to do a thorough calculation of your home or office energy consumption. Doing this exercise will also narrow down which of the two systems will be most advantageous for you. You can start by creating a list of the items which will powered using your system. Make sure to document all appliances, lighting fixtures, heaters, and any air conditioning.
