| Many people are becoming interested in | | | | Just divide the total kilowatt hours (kWh) by the |
| converting to renewable energy with the intention | | | | number of days to arrive at your average daily |
| of saving both the environment and their pockets. | | | | consumption. |
| Converting to solar energy is certainly one of the | | | | Your next mission is to determine just how many |
| best routes to take, as the benefits are many. | | | | hours of sunlight your roof receives on a daily |
| Join in, and you will see why it is worth the | | | | basis. As a rule of thumb, most places receive |
| investment. | | | | about 5 hours of sunlight a day. Using that as a |
| Users of home solar panel systems have | | | | guide, let us look at an example. If you monthly |
| significantly reduced or eliminated electricity bills, | | | | kWh is 200 for a 30 day billing cycle, then your |
| which in itself satisfies most people after they | | | | average daily consumption would be 6.6 kWh. As |
| have installed it. But apart from that, people are | | | | a starting point, a 1 kW rooftop system can |
| happy to know that over produced energy from | | | | generate about 5 kWh per day, i.e. 1 kW * 5 |
| a solar power system can be sold to the utility | | | | hours of sunlight. Therefore, a 1 kW system |
| company, thereby negating their utility bills. From | | | | would not be enough to satisfy your 6.6 kWh |
| the environmental angle, solar panels contribute | | | | daily needs. A 2 kW system, however, can |
| significantly to reduced fossil fuel emission, | | | | generate about 10 kWh per day, making it an |
| thereby protecting the environment from further | | | | ideal size for your daily needs. |
| damage. As previously indicated, the benefits are | | | | So what are the costs? Well, a 2 kW system |
| many and worth your while. Now, let us take a | | | | would cost in the region of $18,000 to $20,000. |
| look at the costs behind such a worthwhile | | | | As the wattage increases, so does the price. A k |
| investment. | | | | kW system would cost between $35,000 and |
| The first point to note is that the cost of your | | | | $45,000, while an 8 kW system would cost |
| solar panel system will depend on what it will be | | | | upward of $50,000. However, the good news is |
| supporting. Most households are fully equipped | | | | that once installed, solar panel systems are |
| with televisions, washers, dryers, refrigerators, | | | | virtually cost and maintenance free. Even more |
| microwaves, computer, light bulbs and water | | | | good news is that the installed cost of solar |
| heaters. Sure you could run through the painful | | | | panels is expected to continue to drop as thin film |
| task of calculating the cumulative wattage for all | | | | panels from companies like First Solar, Nanosolar |
| of them over a 24 hour period. That exercise | | | | and AVA Solar become available to the residential |
| would certainly tell you which appliances consume | | | | market. |
| the most electricity. However, a much simpler | | | | Further savings can be derived if you purchase a |
| method would be to consult your utility bill. You bill | | | | do it yourself home solar panel system, but |
| should highlight how many kilowatts (kW) you | | | | whatever route you take, you are bound to reap |
| used for the number of days in the billing period. | | | | worthwhile rewards. Make the choice today. |