| Using solar energy to produce electricity for your | | | | are collectors. These collectors are fixed on the |
| home is a great idea. Solar energy is a free, | | | | roof using a mount. The location of the solar |
| emission free and inexhaustible power source that | | | | panels is very important and it has to be in such a |
| we can use to make electricity for out homes. | | | | place where maximum sunlight would fall on it. It |
| Before you consider going for a solar electric | | | | would be ideal to place the solar panels in a |
| power system for your home, you will have to | | | | north-south direction as it would ensure that while |
| look into a few requirements and analyze some | | | | the sun travels from east to west, the panels get |
| aspects. Solar power systems have both | | | | sunlight for a longer duration. |
| mechanical and electrical components which can | | | | The inverter is the component that will convert |
| convert and store electric power which can be | | | | the 12 volt DC power to AC power. Based on the |
| used by you to run your home. In some countries | | | | location it can convert DC power to 110 volt or |
| you have an option of selling your excess | | | | 220 volt AC power. There are many different |
| electricity to power companies. This can help you | | | | types of inverters available and based on your |
| slowly recover the costs involved in setting up a | | | | budget you can choose an inverter to suit your |
| solar power system. | | | | needs. One of the most important components is |
| The preliminary calculation that you would have to | | | | the circuit breaker or fuse box. This component |
| do is an energy audit. You need to evaluate the | | | | would have switches and fuses that is essential |
| amount of power you would need per day | | | | for you to regulate the transferring of power |
| preferably in kilowatts/hour. Then you need to | | | | from the solar panels to either the batteries or |
| take into account the location of your home. | | | | directly to the outlets. Circuit breakers would |
| Factors like climate, number of days of peak | | | | control the amount of power that will flow to |
| sunlight per day, average rainfall and number of | | | | your outlets and would act as a safety device for |
| days of peak sunlight per year will determine the | | | | your appliances. |
| sort of solar power system that you would need. | | | | If you would like to have more storage then you |
| If you don't consider these factors, then you | | | | will have to purchase one or more batteries |
| might end up with a solar electric power system | | | | depending on what your requirement is. If your |
| that would not be able to supply your home with | | | | solar system has batteries then you would have |
| the required power. These calculations can be | | | | to get a charge controller. This component |
| made by companies that manufacture solar | | | | ensures that you don't overcharge or |
| electric power systems and they would guide you | | | | undercharge the batteries which would seriously |
| in selecting the right solar electric power system | | | | reduce the lifespan of the batteries. A solar |
| for your home. | | | | electric power system can be installed easily, but |
| A solar electric power system is made up of a | | | | if you are planning to install it yourself, then it is |
| few components. Some of the components that | | | | advised not to do so. No solar power system is a |
| you would find in a basic solar power system are | | | | Do it yourself kit and it has to be installed only by |
| a collector, an inverter, a circuit breaker, batteries, | | | | a professional. The solar companies have |
| a charge controller, mount for the collector and | | | | professionals who are trained to install solar |
| your display panel. Each component in the solar | | | | electric power systems. They would also have |
| electric power system is essential in its own way | | | | knowledge about the various requirements each |
| and one has to ensure that the components are | | | | state has while a new power system is installed in |
| of good quality. A collector is the component that | | | | your home. |
| collects solar energy. In normal cases, solar panels | | | | |