Residential Solar Power? How Does That Work?

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by: Sam Deane
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Date: Fri, 28 Aug 2009 Time: 5:44 AM
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Every day when you feel the heat of the sun on your back you are benefiting from a form of solar power.That giant star in our solar system provides heat for the earth and light. However, we must ask ourselves, What is residential solar power and how does it work?

Basically Residential Solar Power Is ...

Starting with the suns rays, the energy imparted from the sun flies off as radiation to the earth and other planets. Its like the sun is bombarding the earth with its warmth and light! This is known as UVA or UVB radiation.

A lot of the sun's rays bounce back into space, but enough of is absorbed by the earth for us to fuel every home across the planet. Unfortunately, our created reality is not a match for our imagination. So we have a well understood concept, but it is a concept that we are a long way from manifesting.

Have you noticed how many more solar panels you can see on rooftops and in people's gardens and back yards? They all look a lot better these days. No longer do we live in a time when only the rich could afford solar power for homes.

I'm about to get technical with you now. Don't worry. I'll go slowly!

At this point I am about to start talking in scientific terms, but bare with me. It wont be for long I assure you!

The Scientific Explanation of Residential Solar Power

Solar panels are made up of an array of solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells. These cells more often than not come as a form of silicon or some other semi-conductive-type material. They are arranged positive to negative, end to end, in a uniform way to create the solar panel itself.

You get the best effect by placing this panel at the south of the building to capture the largest amount of sunlight. When the sun hits the solar panel, the sun's radiation is absorbed into the solar cell as energy.

Scientifically, the light energy (aka 'photons') strikes the solar cells forcing electrons to be knocked loose.

Now freed up, these electrons rush to the other end of the solar cell and in this motion, electricity is made, the selfsame electricity you use to power your appliances in your home.

We're not finished yet though. The electricity is still in a Direct Current (DC) format. Traditional homes require Alternating Current (AC), so some more work needs to be done to make this a useful exercise.

Now, the residential solar power system starts to do its thing. The electrical energy from the solar panel or photovoltaic array is sent to a DC disconnect device. This interrupts and changes the flow of electricity from the array.

Right about now, you can use one of two methods to send the electricity around your home. You could directly connect your residential solar power system to your homes electricity system. You will then have to pass the electricity through an inverter to transform your DC current into AC current.

You are almost ready to use the electricity. It passes through the inverter to be used by your AC outlets in your home.

The other option is to invest in a few deep cycle batteries and direct all that extra solar energy you don't use in the day into them so they can store it for a later time when you might need it more.

In Conclusion

Using residential solar power will reduce your domestic utility bills. When you do introduce your solar power system you will know that you are ahead of the curve, foreseeing the future that, without doubt, will be crying out for alternative energy sources that are renewable and sustainable.

About the Author

Sam Deane has been around the world as a publisher and magazine editor, life coach and trainer. These days, he spends a lot of time working with residential solar power, managing the market leading blog about residential solar power.

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