As consumers are educated about the need to conserve energy, many people are opting to install a solar power system into their home.
The solar-powered home uses less electricity and is very environmentally friendly, but many folks are concerned about the costs involved.
However, did you know that installing solar panels in your home can actually be an investment that will save you thousands of dollars in the future.
How Does a Home Solar Power System Work
Photovoltaic means electricity from light. This solar power system uses daylight to power ordinary electrical equipment like household appliances, computers and lighting.
Having your own solar photovoltaic (PV) system means that you can generate your own electricity from the free and inexhaustible sun power.
A photovoltaic system never needs refuelling, emits no pollution and can be expected to operate for twenty to twenty-five years with minimal maintenance.
A typical PV system on a house roof could prevent over 34 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions during its lifetime.
The electrical output of a PV cell is dependent upon the intensity of the light to which it is exposed. Therefore, PV cells usually generate more electricity on bright days than when skies are overcast. This does not mean that your solar system will not work when skies are gray.
Over the last few years, PV technology has also started to be introduced into urban areas, incorporated into the roofs and facades of homes, offices and factories.
How Big of a Solar Power System do I Need
There are a few ways to determine what size a solar power system for your home or business should be.
You can install as many solar energy modules as will fit on your roof. This will increase the solar power generating capacity to completely eliminate your electric bill.
Initially, installing more solar energy panels increases the overall value of the system. However, installing more modules beyond a certain point ceases to be cost-effective.
It is necessary to do a careful solar site survey using a Solar Pathfinder to determine the net energy output of partially shaded modules and then determine if it is economically beneficial to install modules in those locations.
The economic and environmental benefits of installing a solar power system into your home or business are significant. Besides reducing or even eliminating your utility bills, solar panels will greatly increase the resale value of your home.
In terms of the environment, solar power is priceless. The fuel source is clean, renewable and free. As the technology advances and becomes more cost-efficient, more people are likely to embrace it.
It is just one of many ways that you can help preserve the planet and its resources for our future generations.