Information on Using Solar Power for Homes

We are being told that our environment is highly polluted by our use of fossil fuel and something has to be done. Finding an alternative sourse of energy for our homes is becoming a necessity. Solar power for homes is the answer for non-polluting and renewable energy. Using solar power to run small appliances, water pumps and some toys makes sense. By using solar power for our homes we don’t have to worry about power outages anymore. During the winter using solar power for heating our homes is also economical.

Solar energy was used in ancient times for heating houses. It was after the discovery of the photoelectric effect and the invention of steam engine powered by solar energy that people started thinking about using solar power for running simple domestic machines, besides using it for heating purposes. The need for using solar power for homes was seriously considered in the 20th century when it was realized that fossil fuels (coal, gas, and oil) were not inexhaustible and that electricity will be harder to generate inexpensively in future. Using solar power for homes also offers little serious impact on the environment.

Uses of Solar Power for Homes

Solar energy can be used at homes for serving various purposes. They are primarily used for running small, low-power appliances like radios, lightings, gadgets, small water pumps, and even children’s toys. Solar power can also be stored in batteries and used for lighting the house during an episode of power failure. And of course, solar power is increasingly being used for heating homes during winter.

How Home Solar Power Systems Work?

To use solar power for homes, photovoltaic (PV) panels are attached to the roof of a house such that their expanded surfaces face south for houses located in the northern hemisphere. For those in the southern hemisphere, the panels should face north to gather maximum solar energy. The average power production of a solar cell is about 11 to 22 watt per square foot. The solar energy, when received by the panels, generates electric current in them. This current is stored in a large battery bank that is connected to the PV array through a charger controller. The DC current stored in the battery is converted to AC current (used in homes) by a DC-AC inverter for running home various appliances.

Odds against Using Solar Power for Homes

The major disadvantage that hampers the use of solar power for homes is their high cost of purchase and installation. Depending on the size of the home and the particular solar power system, it costs an average of $20,000 to $40,000 for installing a solar power system at home. The high costs of setting up solar panels at home are due to the requirement of using pure silicon in their manufacture. Recently, however, solar-grade silicon has been derived from metallurgical silicon. This innovation is expected to reduce the costs of installing solar power systems at home to about one-third of the current costs. Besides high costs, solar panels are not very useful in areas of little sunshine and also on cloudy days as well as after sunset.

If people can clean up the environment with something as simple as using solar power then that is a step in the right direction. Solar power is a renewable energy source and our utility bill will show a remarkable reduction in costs if we use it. Using solar power to operate various appliances in our home and even lighting around our pathways or decks can save us money. The initial cost associated with solar power for your home can be very expensive. Just remember that there is very little upkeep to the system after installation and you will recoup the cost in the long run. So keep your budget in mind if you are considering solar power for your home.