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Solar Electricity
Have you thought about going solar in your home? Not just for your hot water, but for your everyday electricity needs? Solar electricity is one of the newest and hottest trends in energy efficiency, and it’s easier to install and use than you would think. Read on to find out more.
How Solar Electricity Works
Solar power is the cleanest and most viable form of renewable energy that can be used to power your house. It works by capturing energy from the sun through photovoltaic cells or solar panels that are typically mounted on the side of your roof that has the most sun exposure, usually the north or west. The main solar electricity systems in residential areas remain connected to the grid. If you generate more electricity than you use, the excess is fed back into the grid. If you need more than what you can produce, your system will automatically import power from the grid. This ensures that you always have enough energy to power your home. As an added bonus, your electricity provider will pay you for any electricity that you feed into the grid. There are no changes that need to be made to your home in regards to power points or how you use electricity.
Components of a Solar Electricity System
Solar electricity systems can be tailored to suit both your needs and budgets. There are three main components of a solar power system – the solar panels, the inverter, and the mounting system. The solar panels are the most important part of the system and there is a wide range available to ensure that you get the ones that are right for you. The solar inverter converts the power that your solar panels produce into mains voltage so that it can be used inside the home. The inverter directs energy to the appliances or it will send it to the main electricity grid if necessary. The mounting system secures the solar panels to the roof and they are an extremely important part of the system. The mounting system needs to be specifically designed to ensure that the panels are mounted properly. Different systems are available for pitched and flat roofs.
What is a Solar Panel?
A solar panel, or photovoltaic cell, is a series of individual solar cells that are connected together to make up one large solar panel. Each cell is generally made from silicon which turns UV light into electricity. To protect the cells, the panels usually have toughened glass covering them. Solar panels may be amorphous, mono-crystalline, or poly-crystalline. They are rated by their wattage.
Benefits of Solar Power
Benefits of solar power in the home include:
- reducing your electricity bill
- eligibility for the photovoltaic rebate program along with renewable energy certificates, making the system more affordable
- produces clean energy
- adds value to your home
- helps to meet the energy requirements for new homes
- once the system is purchased and installed, energy is obtained from a “free” source
- solar modules can be integrated into the building
- excellent warranties
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