As well as providing our vital heat and
light, advances in solar energy have now enabled the sun to provide us with
energy.
Home solar panels can be installed on the
roof to capture sunlight to be converted into the energy needed to run
appliances, heating and lighting in our homes. By utilizing a process known as the
photovoltaic effect, it is possible to use the sun’s energy as a replacement
power source.
This article helps you understand a little
more about solar energy, and solar panel cost.
What does a home solar energy system
consist of?
Home solar energy systems are becoming very
slick and efficient. The main parts are the panels, inverter, racking,
batteries and charge controller.
Do a solar company near me search to assess your property for its
suitability for solar energy, and create a configuration based on your roof
layout. They will also take other factors into account such as shade, the
direction your roof faces, and the hours of sunlight per day.
These elements combine to create a
completely self sufficient solar energy system at your property.
How does the system work
The first step of a solar energy system is
to capture the sunlight. This is achieved by the panels that work best when on
an unobstructed roof. In simple terms, the larger the panels your roof can
support, the more wattage you can generate from your solar installation.
This can mean you can generate sufficient
energy from just a few panels if your roof can support the bulkier, heavier
commercial panels. On the flip side, the industrial panels can be more complex
to install and maintain.
The inverter conveys power from the
captured sunlight and turns it into energy. This component is pretty small,
with the largest (string) inverters measuring in at a similar size to a regular
briefcase.
Architecting your system
The racking of the system is the basis to
keep the whole system safe and solid. Your solar power installation firm will
recommend the best aluminium system for your requirements and budget.
Different manufacturers produce racks to
suit certain layouts and premises. Depending on the quality, you may see
different levels of customization in the design, and varying lifespans.
It is also vital to consider how you will
store the energy your system creates. To this end, batteries are a vital
component. If you purchase a higher range battery, you may even have the
possibility to store more energy than you need to power your premises. If so,
you can reap the rewards of your system by selling the surplus energy to the
grid in return for a profit.
The pros and
cons of solar
The pros far outweigh the cons with solar
energy. However, you will need to factor in an upfront investment of at least a
few thousand dollars. You also rely heavily on sunlight for your power, and the
entire system can be a little bulky, especially in smaller properties.
Batteries can also be expensive as well as bulky.
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