Residential Solar Energy and The Solar Power Home
Mike Walden
June 21, 2009
The traditional fossil fuel energy sources release potentially harmful greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These gases contribute greatly to global warming, and adversely affect the climatic balance of the world, with disastrous future consequences. Hence, most nations have decided to harness solar energy and use it as the sole source of generating electricity. Indeed, the US has started to provide solar energy systems to most homes, with great focus on the success of the project. The "Million Solar Roofs Program by 2017" (organized by California Solar Initiative) has the core objective of providing solar energy for domestic use for all houses, by the year 2017. However, most other countries have not showed any real zeal to this cause.
Generally, two alternative ways can be adapted to access residential solar energy. Traditional solar panels can be installed at strategically important points, such that the panels receive sunlight during all parts of the day. The solar panels used in this method make use of clusters of photovoltaic cells, which, in turn, can be of several types. On the other hand, houses can be built, keeping solar panels as part of their edifice. Let us now look into some of the photovoltaic cells that are used in the earlier method.
A Crystalline Silicon Solar Cell panel is one that makes use of an ethyl vinyl acetate encapsulent and a back layer of Tedlar, and comprises of a surface made of transparent glass. An aluminum outer frame is used for keeping these components organized. The sun rays, when they hit the crystalline silicon solar cell, get converted to DC electricity. This process is facilitated by the well-organized structure of the atoms. Then, this DC electric power is transformed automatically to 120 volt AC current that can be used. This is done by the inverter present in the system. The surplus amount of electricity can be stored in the battery banks, which are present in the setup. Storage is done with the help of a charge controller. In case the panel is grid-tied, the surplus electricity can be transferred to utility and can be sold off too.
On the other hand, a cheaper variety of solar panels is the Thin Film Solar panel. The amount of semiconductor materials is relatively low in these panels, and the latter are available in three alternative types: the amorphous Silicon (a-Si), the copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) and the cadmium telluride (CdTe). The modular effect of houses can be improved by these panels, due to their extremely efficient modules. They are generally installed on roofing shingles directly.
String-ribbon can also be used as a source of residential solar power, at certain instances. String-ribbon is basically a combination of the thin film technology and the traditional crystalline silicon method. It generally offers a two-fold power yield, unlike the conventional solar panels that were set up. This is facilitated by a high temperature and a molten process that is used.
There are certain specific requirements of the photovoltaic cells that are used to tap solar energy. Firstly, it needs a basic solar panel. For adequate receipt of sunlight, flexible mounting structures are required, that would tilt the panel in such a way that the entire area of the latter receives light. An inverter is also required to generate 120 volt current (AC) from the DC current initially produced by the panels. For using the unutilized amounts of electricity during night, a storage device is also needed. The functioning of the battery should be monitored by an easy-to-use controller.
Grid-tie solar systems are generally the more preferred types of photovoltaic systems. This is primarily due to two reasons: a) When solar power generation is at a low level (in case the sky is not clear) or is, indeed, zero (at night), these systems are useful in drawing up power. More importantly, the grid-tie systems allow users to effectively store unutilized electricity. This electric power can now be sold in exchange of money, by transferring the former to the grids or utility. Hence, the customers can earn a significant amount by selling off surplus electricity, and this often matches the amount they have to pay for electric power consumed. Thus, electric bills are reduced to a great extent.
In faraway regions, like log cabins in forests, homes in desolate places or tents in the woods, off-grid residential solar energy is used. These systems primarily function as standalone systems for power generation. During the night, or when the sky is cloudy during the day, battery backup is required to ensure the flow of power. Gasoline, diesel and propane are also used as last resorts in certain off-grid photovoltaic systems, in order to generate power.
Sunlight is a free, renewable source of energy. There are no working costs of the solar panels either. The usage of solar energy at home is encouraged by federal and the state governments too, in the form of incentives. Users also stand to gain by selling off the surplus electricity generated to the grid (or, utility). In view of these manifold benefits, it is not surprising that, residential solar energy is gaining in popularity.
However, you need to be aware of the correct way to install a residential solar system. For that, you should consult a manual, which would also discuss the best area to set up the system, the availability of the different components and the way to acquire batteries for free. The safety measures of the system and the manner of wiring should also be explained in detail. Once you have adequate data about these issues, you can conveniently set up a residential solar power system at your home.
This article is based on the book, "Earth 4 Electricity- Renewable Energy Made Easy " by Jim Martin. Jim Martin is a researcher, inventor and home energy consultant who written dozens of home energy related articles and has been featured in ezines and print magazines, as well as on hundreds of websites worldwide.
To Learn More about Jim Martinīs Unique Step By Step Solar and Wind Power System Visit: Earth 4 Electricity.
For further information visit: Residential Solar Energy Can Save You Money
Generally, two alternative ways can be adapted to access residential solar energy. Traditional solar panels can be installed at strategically important points, such that the panels receive sunlight during all parts of the day. The solar panels used in this method make use of clusters of photovoltaic cells, which, in turn, can be of several types. On the other hand, houses can be built, keeping solar panels as part of their edifice. Let us now look into some of the photovoltaic cells that are used in the earlier method.
A Crystalline Silicon Solar Cell panel is one that makes use of an ethyl vinyl acetate encapsulent and a back layer of Tedlar, and comprises of a surface made of transparent glass. An aluminum outer frame is used for keeping these components organized. The sun rays, when they hit the crystalline silicon solar cell, get converted to DC electricity. This process is facilitated by the well-organized structure of the atoms. Then, this DC electric power is transformed automatically to 120 volt AC current that can be used. This is done by the inverter present in the system. The surplus amount of electricity can be stored in the battery banks, which are present in the setup. Storage is done with the help of a charge controller. In case the panel is grid-tied, the surplus electricity can be transferred to utility and can be sold off too.
On the other hand, a cheaper variety of solar panels is the Thin Film Solar panel. The amount of semiconductor materials is relatively low in these panels, and the latter are available in three alternative types: the amorphous Silicon (a-Si), the copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) and the cadmium telluride (CdTe). The modular effect of houses can be improved by these panels, due to their extremely efficient modules. They are generally installed on roofing shingles directly.
String-ribbon can also be used as a source of residential solar power, at certain instances. String-ribbon is basically a combination of the thin film technology and the traditional crystalline silicon method. It generally offers a two-fold power yield, unlike the conventional solar panels that were set up. This is facilitated by a high temperature and a molten process that is used.
There are certain specific requirements of the photovoltaic cells that are used to tap solar energy. Firstly, it needs a basic solar panel. For adequate receipt of sunlight, flexible mounting structures are required, that would tilt the panel in such a way that the entire area of the latter receives light. An inverter is also required to generate 120 volt current (AC) from the DC current initially produced by the panels. For using the unutilized amounts of electricity during night, a storage device is also needed. The functioning of the battery should be monitored by an easy-to-use controller.
Grid-tie solar systems are generally the more preferred types of photovoltaic systems. This is primarily due to two reasons: a) When solar power generation is at a low level (in case the sky is not clear) or is, indeed, zero (at night), these systems are useful in drawing up power. More importantly, the grid-tie systems allow users to effectively store unutilized electricity. This electric power can now be sold in exchange of money, by transferring the former to the grids or utility. Hence, the customers can earn a significant amount by selling off surplus electricity, and this often matches the amount they have to pay for electric power consumed. Thus, electric bills are reduced to a great extent.
In faraway regions, like log cabins in forests, homes in desolate places or tents in the woods, off-grid residential solar energy is used. These systems primarily function as standalone systems for power generation. During the night, or when the sky is cloudy during the day, battery backup is required to ensure the flow of power. Gasoline, diesel and propane are also used as last resorts in certain off-grid photovoltaic systems, in order to generate power.
Sunlight is a free, renewable source of energy. There are no working costs of the solar panels either. The usage of solar energy at home is encouraged by federal and the state governments too, in the form of incentives. Users also stand to gain by selling off the surplus electricity generated to the grid (or, utility). In view of these manifold benefits, it is not surprising that, residential solar energy is gaining in popularity.
However, you need to be aware of the correct way to install a residential solar system. For that, you should consult a manual, which would also discuss the best area to set up the system, the availability of the different components and the way to acquire batteries for free. The safety measures of the system and the manner of wiring should also be explained in detail. Once you have adequate data about these issues, you can conveniently set up a residential solar power system at your home.
This article is based on the book, "Earth 4 Electricity- Renewable Energy Made Easy " by Jim Martin. Jim Martin is a researcher, inventor and home energy consultant who written dozens of home energy related articles and has been featured in ezines and print magazines, as well as on hundreds of websites worldwide.
To Learn More about Jim Martinīs Unique Step By Step Solar and Wind Power System Visit: Earth 4 Electricity.
For further information visit: Residential Solar Energy Can Save You Money