| There are many ways to take advantage of | | | | - Hydro Generator - For homes near flowing |
| solar power for your home. You can get solar | | | | water such as a river or stream. The stronger |
| panel systems that can fit any size home, energy | | | | the water flow, the more power you'll be able to |
| demand, or space limitation. In this two part series | | | | generate. These hydro-electric systems have |
| we will discuss two of the most popular variations | | | | advanced dramatically in the last few years. They |
| of solar power systems; Off-The-Grid Solar Panel | | | | can be a bit more difficult to install, but they |
| Systems and Hybrid Solar/Generator Systems, | | | | basically consist of a turbine mounted in a river or |
| along with the advantages and disadvantages of | | | | stream. The water turns the turbine and |
| each configuration. | | | | generates electricity, which is fed into the |
| Hybrid Solar/Generator Systems | | | | electrical system. |
| It's very popular to supplement off-grid solar | | | | Advantages of Hybrid Solar/Generator Systems |
| installation with a backup electric generator. In | | | | These systems are ideal for off-the-grid locations, |
| addition to all previously discussed Off-The-Grid | | | | such as a remote cabin or cottage. They can be |
| Solar System, these systems include a few more | | | | created for a variety of weather conditions and |
| details: | | | | power consumption. Also, and most importantly, |
| - Electric Generator - Fueled with gas, oil, or | | | | you will have the added peace of mind knowing |
| propane. Generators are essentially a combustion | | | | that there is a backup generator in case the sun |
| engine that produces electricity. They produce DC | | | | doesn't shine. |
| power, the same as solar cells. You feed this DC | | | | Disadvantages of Hybrid Solar/Generator |
| power into your already existing system. Since | | | | Systems |
| this is only a backup power source, you won't | | | | These systems require a secondary fuel source, |
| have to refill the generators very often. | | | | such as fuel, wind, or water flow. Sometimes, |
| - Wind Generator - These systems are becoming | | | | these things can be hard to come by in remote |
| very popular because of their ease of use, low | | | | areas. |
| maintenance, and low startup cost. They can be | | | | The increased intricacy of these systems can |
| wired strait into the battery array. Some more | | | | make installation more difficult. |
| expensive models have built in inverters so they | | | | There is more maintenance for these systems, |
| can be connected directly into home which are still | | | | especially if you decide to use an electric |
| connected to the power grid. | | | | generator. |