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Where Do I Start If I Want To Add Solar Power For Homes?

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I think a lot of people, including me, are confused when contemplating adding solar power for homes. Where should I start for residential solar power for homes? Should I start small, should I start big when installing solar panels for homes? Should I use gridtie systems, should I use off grid inverters? Solar and wind? I would imagine that most people start with asking questions similar to these. Iknow I have. So where do we start?

Of course I can’t give an answer that will be suitable for all people but perhaps there are some general guidelines to follow. The first step would be to ask yourself how much are you willing to spend, at least that was my first question. Then we kind of get into a loop because how do we know how much we are willing to spend if we don’t know what our return will be?

Not all geographic locations will be equal efficiency wise when it comes to using residential solar power energy for homes to create electricity. Northern latitudes have shorter days and therefore will not be able to convert as much sunlight to electricity as a more southern location will be able to do. You will also have to consider the amount of shade in the area that you are thinking about placing your solar collection materials so that you can maximize the power from the solar panels for your home. So we will use a location in Virginia, mid-way up the eastern seaboard as our reference location, which I believe is a pretty good place for solar powered homes.

Something else that we will have to take into consideration is our power consumption. How much do we use per day? Can we reduce the amount of energy that we are currently using? Would you be willing to change some habits so that you consume less electricity? Answering some of the questions, or more importantly implementing some changes will be in your best interests before sizing your home for a system.

What I mean about changing habits is that you may be able to find places to reduce consumption of energy prior to figuring out what size system you will require prior to creating a solar powered home. If you could hang clothes outside to dry that would decrease costs of a solar system. If you grill out more often you can reduce the costs of a solar system. You might be able to cut your consumption so as to reduce the costs of a full system by a few thousand dollars. Of course this will be preference and some people will want a system that covers the amount of energy to do what they currently do and that is fine but I just wanted to point out a way to try and reduce your up-front costs.

There are many options available when thinking about adding solar panels for homes. You can buy a solar home kit or you can have someone install it for you. If you purchase a do-it-yourself solar energy kit then you will have to do some research to understand how to install solar home kits. You will have to know the basic terms of a solar home kit such as volt, watt, amp and how the solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. You will also want to know how to compare the efficiency of different solar panels or solar panel kits so you can make choices of which solar power kit to purchase. You will also have to know when to have inspections performed and will probably have to hire an electrician for certain portions of the installation, especially if you decide on grid tie systems. If you plan on storing the unused power that your solar home kit creates during the day then understanding how batteries and a charge controller works will be something that you might want to investigate. Keeping up with the latest solar technology available can aid in your purchase of a solar home kit.

So, over the next few months I will be posting new solar energy information. I will attempt cover creating a modular system design and which solar kit is better to use, which solar panels are the most efficient. I will also try to answer the many questions that seem to pop up when a discussion of solar power starts such as: Do solar panels last for ever? Is home solar power really worth it? Will a homes solar power system add value to my home? What kinds of alternative energy can I add to my existing home power, solar, wind, geothermal? Is solar home power going to exist in 20 or 50 years? Does a solar power home need to provide all of its own power? Can a co-op decrease the costs in a group of solar power homes? I want to investigate the possibility of adding pieces of a solar power system a couple of items at a time so as to spread the costs of a system across several months or years, which might make it possible for more people to make the switch to solar power for homes.

Some of the posts that you might find useful if you are just starting your search might be:

“How does a solar panel work?” and this post is also searched for as how does solar power work, how does a solar cell work, how do solar panels work and how solar panels work.

Filed under Where Do I Start?

Nov 27, 2010

Solar Energy Pros and Cons

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There are obvious advantages and disadvantages to the use of solar energy as a primary power source, whether residentially or commercially. The obvious advantages are that the products of solar energy are CO2 neutral after being manufactured. They allow you to live off the grid by supplying your own electricity. The reduced future energy costs for your home. Solar energy is a renewable energy source. Some of the obvious disadvantages are that at the present time it is more costly per watt than fossil fuel energy prices. There is usually a large up-front cost in the $10,000 -$20,000 range for most residential systems.

Some Not So Obvious Advantages Of Solar Energy

Some of the not so obvious advantages are that eventually residential solar power systems will add value to your home. I believe that once people see the value, both environmentally and economically, of a solar energy system incorporated into a house that will reflect in the value offered for your home. I think at some point we will start seeing a more gradual movement towards community solar system projects, which increase the community’s value as a whole.

GAINESVILLE, FL - APRIL 16: Damon Corkern (L)...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Another advantage would be the availability of solar power during natural disasters. I used to live in a hurricane prone area and the biggest headache was lack of power for days at a time, especially since the hurricanes usually arrive during warmer weather so there was no air conditioning in those sweltering summer days. Of course we would hope that the wind loading factors on the solar panels would sustain some of the weaker storm’s winds.

Of course another great advantage of solar energy is the ability to do what is called net metering, which is where you supply power back to the grid and the power company either pays you or credits your account up to the point of negating any power you use above and beyond what your solar energy system supplies you.

The major component of solar panels is silicon, which is the 2^nd most abundant element in the earth’s crust. Silicon actually comprises 27.7% of the weight of the earth’s crust. In comparison, aluminum is only 8.1% of the weight of the earth’s crust. So, as you can see there is an abundance of silicon and is not likely to run out any time soon or even in the near future. If you think of all the aluminum that has been mined out of the earth’s crust over the past 100 or so years you can calculate that we have nearly 4 times as much silicon as there is aluminum and that it would take at a minimum at least 400 years before we even had to think about other sources of silicon.

One of the other solar energy advantages is that it is a budding industry. As more and more countries, communities and individuals demand more solar energy this creates jobs and increases economic activity where solar panels, solar batteries, solar inverters and solar racking are produced. It also creates economic activity where solar energy systems are installed and where those same systems will require periodic maintenance. As solar energy expands so to will the number of companies manufacturing solar panels.

As you can see I think there are some major overlooks of the pros of solar energy.

Other than the upfront costs and lack of power at night, without the use of a solar battery system, there are very few disadvantages of solar energy.

Filed under Solar Information

Mar 9, 2011

Solar Attic Fan

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Solar attic fans can make a more comfortable, safer environment without adding extra expense to the monthly electric bill. Although there is an initial outlay to purchase and in some cases to install the fan, the money can be regained by lowered cooling and heating bills. While many people currently have electric attic fans, there are many reasons for a homeowner to switch to the economic, environmentally friendly solar power attic fan.

Image by 138 Photo via Flickr

Attics heat up quickly in the summer, and that heat is transferred through conduction to the living areas of the home. The warmer temperatures caused by the conducted heat require cooling systems, like air conditioners or fans, to run longer and work harder, which increases cooling expenses. A solar attic fan can decrease the temperature in an attic by as much as 50 degrees, causing less heat to be transferred to other areas of the home. In addition, because it uses a natural, sustainable energy source, it decreases temperatures without drawing energy that would drive the electric bill back up.

During colder months, solar powered attic fans help to increase ventilation, which decreases the moisture content in the air. Not only does this protect valuables stored in the attic, but reducing the level of dampness also keeps insulation drier. The resistant material is more effective when dry and well ventilated, and less warm air escapes through insulation that is not damaged or damp.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a solar attic vent. The first thing to establish is whether your home is situated to maximize solar exposure. Be mindful that the panel mounting area needs to be free of tree limbs or leaves that cause light-blocking shade. If the sun does not hit the solar panel, the fan will not work. Locate the proper spot that is most exposed to sunlight, and then trim back any foliage that is obstructing the sun’s rays. Visit this page for more information on how a solar panel works.

Once the right mounting spot has been found or created, look at the design of the roof. A solar power attic fan is made for both flat and pitched roofs, but it is important to know how much flat space is available or how steep the peak is before purchasing the actual product. Be sure to check intake vents, or soffit vents, to ensure that air exchange is equal and the new fan will not be creating an unhealthy vacuum.

Solar fans for attics can be found at many building supply stores, as well as online. A handy person with limited experience can generally follow the instructions and install the system without too much difficulty. Otherwise, hiring a repair person, roofer or general contractor can insure a safe and proper installation of the fan. Installation should take only a few hours from start to completion, making it a great starter project for those interested in making their home more self-sustainable and environmentally conscious.

Generally solar attic vents will cost anywhere from $300–$600 before installation. The installation costs will vary greatly, depending on the experience of the person performing the work. For example, a roofer should cost more than a repair person, which in turn will cost more than a neighbor offering to help. Most attic solar fans come with a warranty, which can also vary greatly depending on the manufacturer. Make sure the company and the person installing the fan have a good reputation by looking them up on the Better Business Bureau and checking with their references.

Solar powered attic vents are a great way to save heating and cooling expenses while making a home more efficient. Installing solar attic ventilation fans can be a quick, easy project that can lead to installing more complex, eco-friendly repairs in the future. Using solar generated power to run the fan not only helps save money, but also helps the house run more efficiently.

Filed under Solar Products

Feb 17, 2011

Solar Photovoltaics Installation Cost

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I have seen some estimates that put the cost of solar energy with installation costs in the neighborhood of $5-$11 a watt depending on your area, photovoltaics cost, solar inverters, photovoltaic installation costs, etc.

These figures might seem expensive but there is some relief from both the federal and state governments and if you have a grid tie inverter you can receive income from your power company if they are mandated by the state to pay you back on solar power received making your photovoltaic solar system an energy creation, money making system.

Image by mjmonty via Flickr

The federal governments currently policy is: Credit Details: 30% of the cost, up to $500 per .5 kW of power capacity. Those are the summary benefits of the 2011 Federal Tax Credits for Consumer Energy Efficiency.

You would have to check with your individual state for the incentives available where you live and for what types of incentives there are to sell back your solar power to your local power company after you have had install solar power.

So, when someone asks how much do solar panels cost or what is the cost of solar panels it sounds very expensive with the $5-$11 per watt but when you calculate in all the incentives that will actually reduce the price down significantly but it still isn’t cheap, around an average of $7 installed after the incentives.

You can install your own equipment and save costs on labor but you will be required to have electrical inspections done at intervals throughout the installation process. One of the reasons for the higher costs of having someone else install the system is that it cost solar installers revenue for some of the specialized tools and software that they use for calculating shading, roof angle and ways to maximize your specific installation. You will, of course, want to shop around to find some different photovoltaic installers and check their references and history and you don’t want to choose a solar installer just based on the lowest price.

With the costs associated with solar there is one clear point to remember, you want to do your homework prior to solar installations. A solar installation can cost thousands and it is worth checking around for the best price versus value. Another great tip is keeping up with local and state news for incentives. Also keeping up with photovoltaic cost as it has been declining fairly sharply over the past 10 years as photovoltaic plants and photovoltaic technology both become more efficient. There are a lot of variables associated with photovoltaic costs and these can be hard to juggle so just be sure to inform yourself well prior to deciding firmly on which way to go.

If the decline of costs continue as they have over the past 10 years we might see grid parity for solar costs compared to fossil fuel costs in the very near future. Once solar cost the same as fossil fuel produced electricity then we will really see a dependence on fossil fuels start to fade away.

Prior to even beginning a solar power systems installation you should consider increasing the energy efficiency of your home.

Filed under Solar Information

Feb 15, 2011

Energy Efficiency

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Anyone contemplating a solar power system for their home must start with improving their home’s energy efficiency. When I speak of energy efficiency I include insulation, windows and doors, small appliances and whole home appliances such as a heat pump, water heater or a dryer.

While replacing some of these items can be a large expense it will save money and help with saving energy in the long run and reduce the upfront costs of a solar power system by creating an energy efficient home. As current prices of solar power system average somewhere in the $4 per watt area saving watts through energy efficiency can greatly reduce the upfront costs when you are deciding on a system that delivers thousands of watts. I am not suggesting that you go out and replace every home appliance only those that are aged. If your water heater is 10 years old then purchasing a high efficiency energy star rated hot water heater is a wise choice prior to installing a solar power system. Just about all energy saving tips can qualify for federal and/or state rebates or tax credits.

Home Energy Audit

The first place I would start is by performing an energy audit of your home either yourself or hire a reputable home energy audit company to perform the audit for you. Having someone perform the audit for you will run in the neighborhood of $300 – $800 depending on the size of your house and where you live. Again, upfront energy savings can save you thousands in the costs of a full solar power system for your home and all for some home energy saving in the meantime.

Image via Wikipedia

Increase Energy Efficiency With Proper Home Insulation

Checking the quality and R rating of your insulation is a good second step. I have seen attics with large sections where the ceiling insulation has either been moved or has been greatly compressed, which decreases the efficiency of the insulation. Applying insulation in missing sections can be a quick fix and there are federal tax credits available for insulation replacements/upgrades. Of course trying to replace insulation in the walls is a different matter altogether. I have a house that had aluminum siding and I cut a window out of the kitchen and placed a sliding glass door into that area. While I had some of the aluminum siding off the side of the house I found that the old sheathing that “wrapped” the house was in great disrepair and needed replacing. Since aluminum has a high recyclable value I removed the aluminum siding, existing sheathing and old insulation and replaced all of them and re-wrapped the house prior to installing vinyl siding on the home.

Another area to check insulation in a house is in the crawl space. I know, I know, I hate crawling under my house also but I have spent plenty of time under there with other projects so, if you are feeling any drafts around the floor area then checking, replacing or adding insulation in the crawl area is a must do!

Energy Efficient Appliances

Replacing those large, old, energy sapping appliances would be the third stop on my quest to make my home more energy efficient. A great relief with replacing older, non-efficient appliances are federal tax credits for energy efficiency appliances. These are tax credits so the amount is taken off your final tax bill rather than just reducing your adjusted federal income. Those are for very large appliances such as heat pumps. There are sales tax exemptions or credits, or rebates available for smaller energy efficient appliances such as computers, audio/video equipment, office equipment, ceiling fans and even light bulbs, which helps us save money and energy.

Energy Efficient Doors and Windows

Another way to increase residential energy efficiency is the installation of energy efficient doors and windows. New doors and new windows are many times more efficient than windows that were manufactured just a few years ago. Check with the Energy Star website available through any of the links above for builders and contractors in your area that install Energy Star qualified windows. If you are a do it yourself type then check with your local home improvement store and discuss the rebate and tax incentives available for your application. Creating energy efficient homes for ourselves will reduce our long term costs and reduce our energy use.

Please, if you have any questions or would like to see this site discuss something further then please do not hesitate to leave comments, I promise you your email will not be sold and I will not pester you with any type of email.

Filed under Energy Efficiency

Feb 10, 2011

Renewable Energy Sources 100 Percent By 2050?

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The Renewable Energy Report, 100% Renewable Energy By 2050, from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in conjunction with Ecofys and OMA, recently published, lays out a plan for completely switching our planets energy needs to exclusively renewable sources energy. This report specifically discusses the needs to reduce our energy inefficiencies while at the same time aggressively increasing renewable energy sources which, by the year 2050, will phase out the use of all but the tiniest fraction of the current use of fossil fuels otherwise known as non-renewable energy sources.

Energy Efficiency

The report discusses the need to increase our energy efficiency first so that a renewable energy source infrastructure isn’t as costly. The predict that our planet, even with increased industrial demand and a population of nearly 9 Billion by 2050, that energy demands will be 15% less in 2050 than it was in 2005. They make this prediction on the basis of implementing “ambitious energy-saving measures”. Creating more energy efficient buildings, industrial plants and the production of products with recycling as a priority from design to end use are some of the steps that are suggested to reduce our energy demands.

Viable Renewable Energy Sources

Other current energy sources such as hydropower and nuclear power are thought to be poor choices of energy sources due to the required changes to the environment and long term waste that is produced. To create hydropower we must alter the landscape which displaces citizens and alters habitats and they argue that this should be minimized, while we continue with current hydro production plans but strive to eliminate adding any more. The report also dismisses nuclear energy as a future energy source due to its highly toxic and long lasting byproducts. They also argue that due to the expense and high technicality of employees required to operate nuclear power plants that this isn’t a viable alternative for emerging or developing countries.

According to the report’s forecasts, photovoltaic solar would make up the largest share of renewable energy sources by the year 2050 followed by on shore wind power as a renewable source, concentrated solar power and continued current hydropower production. As you can see in the graph, fossil fuels and nuclear are completely phased out by the year of 2050.

Upfront Expense versus Savings

There is a great deal of upfront expense required for such a massive and aggressive effort to switch over completely over to renewable energy sources by the year 2050. The report cites figures in the trillions of dollars in savings by 2050 if we do switch from non-renewable energy sources to renewable energy sources.

One thing is for sure, if we continue to rely solely on energy sources such as coal, gas and oil we will eventually run out, while at the same time continuing to pump millions of tons of pollution into our atmosphere. One could imagine the socio and political ramifications as demand for those sources start to outpace supply. I seriously doubt that while non-renewable resources are relatively cheap compared to renewable sources of energy we will ever really see any changes in our current political or social climates for a serious push towards creating a long term sustainable energy infrastructure. One thing is for sure, we need source of reliable energy, renewable energy and cleaner energy. On a daily basis we find new renewables energy sources.

Here is where you can download the Energy Report.

Filed under Solar News

Feb 7, 2011

12V Battery Solar Charger

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Solar battery chargers are a great way to maintain the charge of your batteries. Your first consideration should be the type of battery that you are trying to charge. Lead acid batteries are a very poor choice when being used as a power source that is drained during the night and recharged during the day. Deep cycle batteries or rechargeable batteries are more suited for this.

Deep cycle batteries are better suited for charging and discharging repeatedly. In other words if you need a battery to power a device overnight where it will be discharged and then want it to recharge during the day then make sure you use a deep cycle battery. A normal car battery or a lead acid battery will not last very long as they are not suited for that type of application.

Solar Charger or Solar Battery Maintainer?

Another point to consider, do you need a solar battery maintainer or a true 12v solar battery charger? A solar battery maintainer would be used to keep a battery topped up but not to completely recharge a battery. To completely recharge a battery, one that is being drained throughout the night due to using it as a power source, you will need to use battery solar chargers. Solar chargers are generally more expensive due to the amount of power that they will output in volt and amps and therefore watts.

Portable Solar Charger or Stationary Solar Charger?

A portable 12v solar charger will usually be a little smaller or include a folding solar panel and will probably not create as much solar energy. These can easily be stored away when transferring from location to location. A stationary solar charger will be a little more cumbersome if you want to transport it from location to location. A stationary solar charger would be better suited for permanent installation at a boat dock or at a cabin as you can mount the solar panels for maximum direct sunlight. Checking your location for solar incidence will help with generating the maximum solar power from the solar cells.

How Many Watts Will You Need

You will have to figure out how many watts you will need a solar charger to supply you. Solar chargers come in a variety of different watts. How many watts you need will also depend on the size of the battery that you want to recharge and how much you expect to drain the battery between charges.

12 Volt Battery or 24 Volt Battery?

Make sure you have a 12 volt battery or a 24 volt battery. A 24 volt battery will require either a 24 volt charger or two 12 volt chargers tied in parallel to increase the voltage up to 24 volts. Obviously 12 volt battery chargers will not output enough voltage to charge a 24 volt battery.

Some common alternate terms for a 12 Volt Battery Solar Charger are: 12v battery charger solar, 12v solar battery chargers, battery charger solar, 12 volt solar battery charger, solar charger battery, solar 12v battery, solar 12v battery charger, solar 12v battery chargers, solar battery charger 12v, solar charger 12v, battery chargers solar and charger solar.

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Feb 3, 2011

Solar Batteries for Solar Lights

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Unfortunately the batteries that our solar garden lights, solar street lights, solar led lights, solar flag pole lights and solar spot lights use don’t last as long as the sun that recharges them. That is OK. The first thing you want to do is open up the solar light unit and check to see what size battery your lights use. The second thing you want to do is count how many batteries are in each solar light. The third thing you want to do is count how many of the same types of solar lights you have. Calculate, number of batteries per light X number of lights = total number of batteries to replace all + number of spare solar light batteries you want on hand.

Using a regular battery will not work in a solar light. A outdoor solar light usually consists of a solar cell, a solar light bulb, an array of rechargeable batteries and a photo cell. During the day the photo cell is used to detect the presence of sunlight and when detected it prevents the batteries from supplying electricity to the solar light. This allows the solar panel to recharge the outdoor solar light batteries and not expend their energy. Once the photo cell has stopped detecting sunlight the electrical circuit from the photo cell triggers the flow of power from the batteries to the light bulb. This allows the lights to shine during the most needed times, which is at night. So, you can see that the batteries will be constantly charging and recharging, which isn’t suitable for normal disposable batteries.

Buying the batteries in bulk will save you some money. Since the batteries are rechargeable you don’t have to worry about a shelf life, that is once placed in the device you intend to use them they will receive a full charge. The batteries last roughly 1,000 cycles, or in the purpose of solar spot lights, solar garden lights, solar outdoor light, flag pole lights or solar street lights they should last roughly 2-3 years. Once cycle would be charging during the day and discharging at night. You will probably want to replace the rechargeable NiCD AA batteries in the morning, which will allow them to be fully charged throughout the day and ready for use when the sun goes down.

One other item to take note of when purchasing solar batteries for solar lights is the term mAh. This stands for milli-amp hours. The higher the number then the longer the batteries will last after being recharged. For instance, if two batteries have a rating of 1000 mAh called battery A and 800 mAh called battery B and your solar light uses 100 milliamps then battery A, with a full charge, will power the solar light for 10 hours where battery B, with a full charge, will only power the solar light for 8 hours. So pay attention to the rated mAh when purchasing the batteries. Some of the cheaper solar light batteries will only be rated for 700 mAh, where the slightly more expensive solar light batteries will be rated at 1000 mAh, which is a 30% increase in longevity.

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Jan 31, 2011

How does a solar panel work?

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: Image via Wikipedia

Electricity is all about negative, positive and neutral states. Silicon is the main ingredient in a solar cell, at least the active part excluding the frame and other materials during solar panel construction, to hold it together and make it useable. The reason that silicon is used, without getting into the nitty-gritty of physics and chemistry, is because the electron bond with a silicon atom is relatively weak.

Because of these weak bonds there is a relatively easy transfer of electrical energy through the electrons in silicon. Silicon is also easily bonded with many other chemicals. So we can take other chemicals and create something similar to what is referred to as a p-n junction. The p refers to positive and the n refers to negative, which we need for an electron flow and thus electrical current. Just as a transistor or diode has a p-n junction, which allows for current flow with a small bias voltage, we can also create a p-n junction with two wafers of silicon with one doped as p and the other doped as n to create current flow in a solar panel.

These two wafers of p and n doped silicon are placed just enough apart so that there can be current flow. The next phase is to add sunlight. The sunlight will actually excite the electrons within the silicon wafers and due to this excitation there will be current flow from the n-doped silicon wafer to the p-doped silicon wafer.

Another interesting element of a solar panel is the anti-reflective coating that is on the protective glass shield over the silicon wafers. Even though glass has a very low reflective quality to it will still reflect some of the light sunlight away from the silicon wafers. Thin-film engineers are still working on a cost effective solution to lower this reflectivity. If you wear eyeglasses you have probably been confronted with the option for an anti-reflective coating for them. The anti-reflective coating that goes on eye glasses is applied in relatively small machines only coating on average about 20-40 pairs at a time and are much too small to coat solar panels on a production level.

This was somewhat of a middle level explanation of how a solar panel works. I also wanted to let you know that sometimes solar panels are referred to by different terms such as PV, which stands for photovoltaic, which actually refers to what is happening in a solar panel but you may also see them called solar cells, individual cells of a larger solar panel and now there are solar shingles out on the market and what is known as thin film, solar film or some other variation. For more facts about solar power visit more of our articles.

Other questions that can be answered with this information: How do solar panels work, how solar panels work, how does solar power work, how does a solar panel work, how do solar cells work, how does solar panels work, solar works, how does a solar cell work, how solar works, how solar panel, how does solar work, how solar panels work, solar panels work, how solar, how solar panels, solar solar panels, how does solar panel work, how solar panel works, solar panel how and solar panels how.

Please don’t hesitate to leave any comments, questions or feedback.

Filed under Solar Energy Facts

Jan 23, 2011

Solar Power For Homes – Inverters

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One of the components that you will need for a solar power system that you want to power 120 volt devices with will be an inverter. An inverter converts the direct current output from the solar cells or panels to alternating current that most household appliances require. Although you can purchase some direct current appliances, most of the items in your house will require 120 volts alternating current.

Below is a simplified solar inverter schematic:

There are many solar inverter manufacturers with products within the solar inverter market. I hope to eventually create a page on this site for solar inverter reviews that will compare the differences between different manufacturer’s products so that good comparisons can be made. Until the time I can create an inverter review page I will post some general items or specifications to look for in a solar inverter.

The first thing you will want to decide prior to looking at inverters is whether you plan to install a system that will be grid-tie or stand alone, as the solar inverters are different and more costly for a grid-tie version. Of course, the larger solar system that you design and implement in your home then the more expensive a solar inverter will be, as the output will need to be able to handle a larger capacity.

The second thing that you will probably need to decide on is how big of a solar power system you plan on implementing into your home. The size of the system will dictate the size or rather the capacity of the solar inverter. As far as non-grid tied inverters go you can find small inverters that are as cheap as $100 but they will power very little and you can go up to a solar inverter that has an output capacity of many thousands of watts that will run in the thousands of dollars. The required output capacity of the solar inverter will be the main pricing point for an inverter.

The third thing that should be considered is the efficiency of the solar inverter. The conversion from direct current to alternating current will have some loss and keeping this loss to a minimum can go a long way in maximizing the output of your solar cells/panels. Generally speaking a good solar inverter will have an efficiency of 90% or greater, some closer to 90% and some closer to 100% but none will ever be 100%, there will always be some loss due to heat etc.

Alternate names for solar power inverter: power inverter, power inverters, inverters for home, solar power inverter, solar power inverters, inverter solar, home power inverter, inverters for solar power, inverters solar, home inverter, home inverters, inverter for home.

Filed under Solar Information

Dec 13, 2010

A Few Solar Energy Facts

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Average solar panel prices are down to $1.34 per watt from $4 per watt in 2008

In the United States, from 2009 – 2010, solar power installations increased by 102 percent

In 2010 there was reported 18.2 gigawatts (GW) of solar energy installations across the globe

2010 saw an increase in solar energy installations globally of 139% compared to 2009

Japan, Italy, Czech Republic, Germany, and the United States are the top five countries with demand for solar power, which represents about 80% of the solar energy demand market

2010 saw over a 100% increase in solar cell manufacturing compared to 2009, from 9.86 GW up to 20.5 GW

Germany, which now gets approximately 17% of its energy needs from solar energy, installed 7400 megawatts(MW) in 2010, which set a new world record

The United States exceeded 50 Giga-Watts of renewable energy electricity supply in 2010

There was a 67% increase in the solar industry from 2009 to 2010 in the United States

Grid connected photovoltaic energy is the fastest growing energy source in the world. In 2007 there was 15 Gigawatts of solar generated electricity available from solar power.

Sunlight is made up of different types of energy across the energy spectrum, which the majority is Infrared, Visible and Ultraviolet.

Solar energy can be used for more than just creating electricity, such as for heating, cooling and lighting.

Image by AIDG via Flickr

Solar energy is a renewable energy source in that as long as the sun is shining it is available and isn’t expendable.

Image by Lights In The Dark via Flickr

Solar energy has the capability to replace all of our energy needs.

Worldwide Renewable energy, existing capacitie...

Image via Wikipedia

Solar panels output Direct Current and in most applications needs to be converted to Alternating Current to power the most common household appliances.

About 200,000 homes in the United States use solar energy power for some of their energy needs.

Current solar panel technology, for residential applications are only about 15% efficient.

An inverter is used to convert solar panel output of direct current to alternating current.

Solar panel efficiency is increasing while solar panel cost is decreasing as this continues solar power energy will increase.

Multi-layer solar panels will increase solar panel efficiency by capturing more wavelengths of the sun’s solar output

Out of the many emerging newest emerging sources of energy, solar is one of the fastest growing.

Another of the few facts, solar energy is the most recognized renewable energy source with the exception of perhaps wind power.

As I find more solar power facts and solar facts I will add them to this list

This site will continue growing with more solar energy information

Alternate terms: solar power energy, solar power facts, energy solar, solar energy power, energy solar power, energy power solar, solar powered energy, solar facts, solar energy energy, facts solar energy, solar energy world, solar power energy facts, world solar, solar energy facts and information.

Filed under Solar Energy Facts

Dec 7, 2010

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Where Do I Start If I Want To Add Solar Power For Homes?

Solar Energy Pros and Cons

Some Not So Obvious Advantages Of Solar Energy

Solar Attic Fan

Solar Photovoltaics Installation Cost

Energy Efficiency

Home Energy Audit

Image via Wikipedia

Increase Energy Efficiency With Proper Home Insulation

Energy Efficient Appliances

Energy Efficient Doors and Windows

Renewable Energy Sources 100 Percent By 2050?

Energy Efficiency

Viable Renewable Energy Sources

Upfront Expense versus Savings

12V Battery Solar Charger

Solar Charger or Solar Battery Maintainer?

Portable Solar Charger or Stationary Solar Charger?

How Many Watts Will You Need

12 Volt Battery or 24 Volt Battery?

Solar Batteries for Solar Lights

How does a solar panel work?

Solar Power For Homes – Inverters

A Few Solar Energy Facts

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