Home Solar Power Systems

Using solar power as a source of heating and energy for homes and businesses is an idea almost as old as human history itself and homeowners are becoming increasingly aware of the cost saving and environmental benefits of installing Solar panels to provide free energy. There are two main forms of home solar power systems in common use today. The older design of solar heating usually heats water that is pumped through roof mounted solar heating panels and this format of solar power is often used for heating swimming pools in sunny climates. The more modern and flexible method is by generating electricity using PhotoVoltaic solar cell technology often abreviated to PV. Solar cells or both types are usually mounted on roof tops though sometimes at ground level.

Solar power system using PhotoVoltaic arrays are not cheap to install at this point in time however costs can be reduced in some locations by state or federal tax credits or other subsidies and incentives to install solar and renewable energy supplies to homes. With President Elect, Barack Obama known to be keen on environmental issues we really need to watch this space to see if new incentives for installing solar power are introduced soon.

PhotoVoltaic systems usually comprise of an array of several PhotoVoltaic cells sized to meet the requirements of the system. Extra power can be generated by adding extra PV cells to the array. PV cells generate DC electricty (Direct Current). Direct current is converted to alternating current by using an power inverter (again sized to the needs of the system) before the resulting AC power can be linked into the domestic electricity system by a qualified professional. Utility companies sometimes need to maintain their wiring network and it is important that power is isolated from the mains system during a power supply cut otherwise this could endanger power workers.

Typical components of a PV based solar power system with mains power backup are:
1. DC Isolator switch. Basically a switch disconnect the PV solar array from the inverter
2. DC to AC Inverter. The inverter converts DC electricity produced by the PV solar array into AC electricity needed for domestic power
3. AC Isolator switch: A switch to disconnect the AC power from the rest of the house.
4. Solar PV Meter: This meter measures only the energy produced by the solar energy system
5. House Meter: This meter measures the amount of power purchased from the utility company
6. Mains Power Panel: Also known as the breaker box or consumer unit which distributes power from both the solar power system and mains power into the domestic circuits.

Solar energy systems have been popular in the sunshine states such of California, Florida, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and Georgia for quite a while but the new photovoltaic systems are becoming popular even in cooler northern states such as Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Winsconsin in the U.S.


Home Solar Power Systems Using solar power as a source of heating and energy for homes and businesses is an idea almost as old as human history itself and homeowners are becoming increasingly aware of the cost saving and environmental benefits of installing Solar panels to provide free energy. There are two main forms of home solar power systems in common use today. The older design of solar heating usually heats water that is pumped through roof mounted solar heating panels and this format of solar power is often used for heating swimming pools in sunny climates. The more modern and flexible method is by generating electricity using PhotoVoltaic solar cell technology often abreviated to PV. Solar cells or both types are usually mounted on roof tops though sometimes at ground level. Solar power system using PhotoVoltaic arrays are not cheap to install at this point in time however costs can be reduced in some locations by state or federal tax credits or other subsidies and incentives to install solar and renewable energy supplies to homes. With President Elect, Barack Obama known to be keen on environmental issues we really need to watch this space to see if new incentives for installing solar power are introduced soon. PhotoVoltaic systems usually comprise of an array of several PhotoVoltaic cells sized to meet the requirements of the system. Extra power can be generated by adding extra PV cells to the array. PV cells generate DC electricty (Direct Current). Direct current is converted to alternating current by using an power inverter (again sized to the needs of the system) before the resulting AC power can be linked into the domestic electricity system by a qualified professional. Utility companies sometimes need to maintain their wiring network and it is important that power is isolated from the mains system during a power supply cut otherwise this could endanger power workers. Typical components of a PV based solar power system with mains power backup are: 1. DC Isolator switch. Basically a switch disconnect the PV solar array from the inverter 2. DC to AC Inverter. The inverter converts DC electricity produced by the PV solar array into AC electricity needed for domestic power 3. AC Isolator switch: A switch to disconnect the AC power from the rest of the house. 4. Solar PV Meter: This meter measures only the energy produced by the solar energy system 5. House Meter: This meter measures the amount of power purchased from the utility company 6. Mains Power Panel: Also known as the breaker box or consumer unit which distributes power from both the solar power system and mains power into the domestic circuits. Solar energy systems have been popular in the sunshine states such of California, Florida, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and Georgia for quite a while but the new photovoltaic systems are becoming popular even in cooler northern states such as Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Winsconsin in the U.S.
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