| Solar power is a green energy source available in | | | | to AC electricity. Electrical wiring connects the |
| almost every corner of the globe and of course | | | | solar panels to the controller, then to the meter |
| has been literally available since the dawn of time. | | | | box and ultimately to the electricity company via |
| Solar energy is produced by using photovoltaic | | | | the existing electricity grid. Little additional |
| (PV) cells that capture the energy of the sun and | | | | equipment is needed other than the panels, |
| then convert it into electricity. The basic unit of | | | | controller and inverters, wiring, and the roof |
| the system is the solar cell and these cells are | | | | mounting system. Electricity produced by the solar |
| connected together into modules. Solar power is | | | | cells that is not used immediately in the home can |
| an increasingly attractive energy technology | | | | be returned to the power grid. When this happens |
| because photovoltaic modules produce no | | | | the electricity meter literally spins backwards as |
| pollution, have an expected life of twenty years | | | | energy is being passed back to the grid. |
| and require little in the way of maintenance. As | | | | In the case of standalone residential power |
| such, solar power is increasingly being looked to | | | | systems (i.e. where there is no integration with |
| as a long term solution for the world's current | | | | the existing electricity grid) it is important to also |
| global warming problems. | | | | have a battery (or batteries) and an associated |
| One of the more popular solar power applications | | | | battery charger. A battery charger enables you |
| is the use of solar energy to power the home. | | | | to charge a battery (or batteries) in order to |
| Home solar power systems are a great way of | | | | store electricity. Prior to the advent of solar |
| using an alternative yet abundant energy source. | | | | battery chargers, solar power was only useful |
| They provide clean, renewable energy and require | | | | during daylight hours. You need the ability to not |
| little maintenance after the initial installation. Home | | | | only utilize solar energy, but also store any |
| solar power systems convert sunlight into | | | | excess electricity for use during the night. A solar |
| electricity through the use of solar panels. For an | | | | power battery charger can be bought from a |
| average home about ten watts per square foot | | | | wide range of retail outlets and online stores, |
| of electrical energy will be gathered per day, but | | | | whom specialize in solar energy supplies. |
| this can vary depending on the size of the solar | | | | These types of self sustaining solar power |
| panels that are being used. On days with a more | | | | systems for the home are increasing in popularity |
| intense sun, more electricity will be produced. | | | | worldwide as energy prices start to soar and |
| Electricity generated by your solar panel array | | | | environmental concerns take on a sharper priority. |
| passes through an inverter to convert it from DC | | | | |