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Home solar system

A home solar system is an option being investigated by more homeowners every day as energy costs have skyrocketed out of control. Solar energy is free as the sun is always there but a home solar system is needed to convert that energy into a usable form. To do that, the power system involves installing solar cells or PV panels that capture the energy from the sun in the form of heat. This heat is converted into DC power by the PV panels containing the solar cells. That DC energy is then converted into usable AC electricity through a device called an inverter.

There are two kinds of home solar system available. The stand-alone system is ideal for remote locations where running conventional power lines is difficult. This system costs more initially but pays for itself faster. The other, more commonly used home solar system is known as a grid-tied system. This system has the solar cells to produce electricity but still remains connected to the local utility's power grid.

The stand-alone home solar system eliminates all reliance on external energy sources but does require batteries for power storage. This enables power to the home during the nights as well as during cloudy or stormy days. The grid-tied system doesn't require batteries as the grid takes care of the storage needs. The home can still draw on the grid's power when needed. In some areas, a process known as net metering will actually allow you to sell back excess electricity to the utility company.

A home solar system will need to get a lot of sunlight in order to function at its best. A clear view of the southern sky is best and PV panels should be installed on the southern side of the roof to capture the most solar energy. If the roof doesn't have a clear spot on the south side, panels can be mounted on a frame to be positioned correctly. There are even tracking mounts that will automatically turn the panels towards the sun throughout the day.

The cost of a home solar system is still fairly expensive compared to other energy using systems. It will depend on several factors but the costs for most houses will range from $20,000 to $40,000. Payback time on that amount will vary by how much power can be generated and what energy costs are in your area.

You can significantly reduce the costs associated with home solar systems if you reduce your dependency on electricity first. By doing so, you also reduce the size of the home solar system setup that you will require to generate your home's power needs. Ways to do this include upgrading appliances to high energy efficient models, switching to fluorescent lighting, insulating well and replacing old windows.

If you're interested in going solar and purchasing a home solar system, you may want to look around for any rebates and incentives available, as well. Utility companies often have rebates available to help offset the costs for installing energy efficient windows and insulation. Many state governments are offering residents tax credits and grants for installing home solar systems. Even local governments may have incentives available so be sure to check all of your possible resources. Homeowners can often reduce initial costs by half by exploring all their options.

Solar energy is a clean, renewable resource. This means decreased reliance on fossil fuels that not only harm the environment but are also a limited resource. It also means that once the home solar system is installed, the energy produced is essentially free once the costs have been recovered.

Home solar system listings

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