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Residential solar power systems - how to generate electricity at home with solar energy

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By LondonGirl


Introduction

It is possible to install residential solar power systems which produce electricity for use at home.

These can be used surprisingly far north or south of the equator, as solar cells and solar panels have become much more efficient.

They even produce some electricity on days when it’s cloudy, although obviously less than when the sunshine is direct.

Recent improvements in the design of solar  technology has made it a much more interesting and affordable option for those who want to reduce their electricity bills and carbon footprint.

Economies of scale have helped this, as far more cells are being produced, and the technology has improved as well.

Since 2002, the production of solar cells for solar powered electricity has been increasing by an average of 50% every year. In addition, installation has become not only far more efficient, but much cheaper.


Residential solar panels installed on a roof in Greece
Residential solar panels installed on a roof in Greece
SOLAR ROBOT SOLAR ROBOT
A fantastic solar-powered robot kit, for children to build and play with.
Price:
20 Watt Solar Panel 20 Watt Solar Panel
A well-made and competitively priced solar panal, with a 4 year warranty for labour and parts, and a 20 year guarantee of 80% performance.
Price: $119.00
List Price: $170.00
Solar Powered Ni-MH/Ni-Cd Battery Charger Solar Powered Ni-MH/Ni-Cd Battery Charger
Charges 11 different types of batteries, including AAA, AA, C and D.
Price: $19.69

How residential solar powered electricity-generating systems work

In order to generate electricity at home, you need solar cells which are made of semi-conducting materials.

Sunlight shines on the solar cells, and by what is called the “photoelectric effect” free electrons are generated by the sunshine.Put together these form an electric current and generate electricity.

Solar cells are put together in order to form a solar panel, which is made of lots of solar cells, often between 50 and 60.

The panels can either then be mounted on a south-facing roof in the northern hemisphere (or a north-facing roof in the southern hemisphere) or can be mounted on a rack which swivels in order to catch the best of the sun as it moves around the horizon.

Solar panels are often now installed in new buildings, but can be fitted onto older buildings easily provided that local planning laws permit it.

In many countries, there are subsidies for fitting solar powered electricity generating facilities.

Different solar panels generate different amounts of electricity per square inch, square foot or square metre, and it’s important to look at the maximum generating capacity of a cell which is measured either in watts or kilowatts.


Waldpolenzsolar, a massive commercial solar powered electricity plant in Germany
Waldpolenzsolar, a massive commercial solar powered electricity plant in Germany
Solar Energy Projects for the Evil Genius Solar Energy Projects for the Evil Genius
A fantastic guide to setting up all kinds of solar-powered devices in your home and garden, with step-by-step instructions and handy diagrams.
Price: $13.85
List Price: $24.95
Solio H1000 Universal Hybrid Charger (Dark Grey) Solio H1000 Universal Hybrid Charger (Dark Grey)
Hard-wearing solar charger, with USB back-up, that can charge mobile phones (cell phones), MP3 players, including ipods, digital cameras and game systems.
Price: $47.99
List Price: $49.95
American Red Cross FR150 Microlink Solar-Powered, Self-Powered AM/FM/Weatherband Portable Radio with Flashlight and Cell Phone Charger (Red) American Red Cross FR150 Microlink Solar-Powered, Self-Powered AM/FM/Weatherband Portable Radio with Flashlight and Cell Phone Charger (Red)
A very handy, free-to-run radio, torch (flashlight) and phoen charger, all in one, and at a very reasonable price.
Price: $32.99
List Price: $40.00
Solar Power Your Home For Dummies (For Dummies (Home & Garden)) Solar Power Your Home For Dummies (For Dummies (Home & Garden))
A fantastic guide to using solar power in your home, economically and easily.
Price: $7.44
List Price: $19.99

Working out whether it's cost-effective to generate solar electricity in your home

In order to work out whether it’s worth installing solar panels to generate electricity at home, the first step is to look at existing energy bills and see how much your electricity costs are over the year.

You should also consider how your energy habits vary in your home over the year.

Solar powered electricity systems are often expensive to install, but the running costs are very low as sunshine is free.

Most countries also have subsidies or tax rebates for installing such systems, which reduce the payback time.

You should check with both local and national government, as both often offer subsidies, perhaps one off the price and another off your tax bill, and this makes a real difference to working out the cost savings.

You will see a massive saving on your energy bills.

In order to work out how much electricity can be generated in your specific area taking into account where the panels could be located on your house, you will probably need to get a quote of the estimated energy which could be generated from a particular system on your house per year.

Obviously these estimates can’t be exact, as it depends on the sunshine.

Solar energy providers in the UK tend to give a range of plus or minus 20%.

This will give you an idea of whether it’s economically worthwhile to do it.


Selling power to your National Grid

In many countries it’s also possible to connect your solar electric powered system to the National Grid.

In this case, power you don’t use at any one time is fed into the National Grid and the electricity company buys it from you.

When you aren’t producing enough electricity for your own needs, you withdraw electricity from the National Grid.

This might well be a good system if, for example, you’re out at work during the day. If it’s sunny in the middle of the day and you aren’t at home using electricity, the electricity can be fed back into the National Grid and this reduces your bills significantly when you do want to use electricity at night, and a lot less is being generated by your solar system.


Comments

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Dolores Monet profile image

Dolores Monet  says:
8 months ago

I have a neighbor who put a whole lot of solar panels on his house for electricity and claims that it provides all his electricity!

BrianS profile image

BrianS  says:
8 months ago

Another good hub on solar energy with excellent suggestions. I definitely need to go and do some sums. I really like the idea of getting paid for supplying electricity as well, what one might call a refreshing change.

C. C. Riter  says:
8 months ago

I have seriously been considering doing this. It's very expensive too. Great hub dear. good luck now with the challenge

LondonGirl profile image

LondonGirl  says:
8 months ago

Glad you all found it interesting! The sums need to be done on an individual basis, but most will be positive, I think. My parents' calculations were very positive, but they can't get planning permission to put panels anywhere near a 14th century house.

justmesuzanne profile image

justmesuzanne  says:
8 months ago

Great information! Thank you!

bgpappa profile image

bgpappa  says:
8 months ago

This is really an excellent series of articles

LondonGirl profile image

LondonGirl  says:
8 months ago

Thanks to you both - it's an expanding series of articles, I'm afraid, as well!

abby  says:
8 months ago

Great infromation, thank you for share, here I have a good place that is Tradestead there are different kinds of useful consumer electronics with very cheap price, just have a look , may be it can give you some help!

aniketgore profile image

aniketgore  says:
8 months ago

nice hub.

Lgali profile image

Lgali  says:
8 months ago

good hub on solar energy with excellent suggestions

inquizativeloozer  says:
7 months ago

if a solar oven or cooker could boil water, could the steam b used 2 produce elctricity?

inquizativeloozer  says:
7 months ago

if u got a answer email me gnarlycody@hotmail.com

Pete Maida profile image

Pete Maida  says:
7 months ago

Very good information. I am thinking along these lines and I am going to show this to my wife and see if we are ready to do some planning. Thanks this will be a big help.

LondonGirl profile image

LondonGirl  says:
7 months ago

Hope you can make it work for you - let me know what and when you decide?

Jumai from Nigeria  says:
7 months ago

How do I get this solar cells to make up a solar panel. I am really interested in generating solar power in my house

LondonGirl profile image

LondonGirl  says:
7 months ago

You need to look for a local supplier.

Info Provider profile image

Info Provider  says:
6 months ago

Build Your Solar Panels Learn Step By Step http://hubpages.com/hub/Save-23-OFF-The-Cost-Of-SO

Solar Power  says:
6 months ago

Thanks for this post

upal19 profile image

upal19  says:
6 months ago

A nice page. in my country energy defficiency is a big problem. I don't know why we are ignoring solar power. I think the whole world should use solar energy. thanks for this nice write up.

Solar Power Electricity  says:
3 months ago

Yeah its becoming really interesting now - for those that live in areas with lots of sun. Solar Power is becoming a viable alternative and could soon be the way of the future!

jimcain207 profile image

jimcain207  says:
6 weeks ago

Great hub on solar panels. I have a similar hub. I am still expanding on my system, but I am seeing a good savings on my light bill. This is the exciting part. Thanks for sharing.

jimcain207 profile image

jimcain207  says:
6 weeks ago

Great hub. Lots of good info. Having my own system up & going, it is eciting to see a real reduction in the light bill. Although I am still expanding, one day I plan to be off the grid completely. Thanks for sharing.

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