Using the Sun's energy to power your home can be split into two categories. There are passive and direct solar power systems. Passive systems generally take advantage of the Sun's thermal properties to generate heat. Thus solar water systems use the Sun's heat to make hot water to be used in the home. Creating rooms in the home or Sun traps that absorb thermal rays can also act as a form of heating for the home. However this article is more concerned with the direct use of solar power to create electricity in the home.
Electricity is created by utilizing sun light energy. The technology that does this is known as the photovoltaic (PV) cell. A cell is made from a silicon compound that throws an electron loose of the atom whenever sunlight of a certain frequency strikes the cell. When many cells are linked together in series, this forms an electric current.
Many PV cells connected together in series is referred to as a solar module. When many solar cells are connected together than are known as a solar panel.
No doubt you have seen a solar panel on one or more roofs of homes in your area. This is where they are normally installed but they can go anywhere provided they get access to direct sunlight.
Solar panels create direct current (DC) electricity. A power inverter is used to convert this DC to alternating current (AC). AC electricity is needed to power most of the appliances in the home.
AC is distributed to the numerous power points in the home via an electrical service panel or breaker box. If you are connected to the grid a utility meter will record your electricity usage.
An example of how this works is during midday. In theory this is the best time for your solar panels to create electricity. As you may be out or at work this will also be the time when you use little or no electricity. So the utility meter might go backwards indicating that you are generating electricity for the utility company.
Your home solar power system can be connected to the grid as described above or it can be off grid. On the grid or grid tied (also known as a net metering system) is a way to make money with your solar panels. Many utility companies have their own set of rules governing this arrangement so you need to check with the company you are using beforehand. Many states have laws that dictate how the net metering system should work and what guidelines the companies should follow.
Off grid systems are exactly that. The home is not connected to an electricity supply and all the power must be generated by the solar power system. More thought needs to go into the system and a back up system is needed if the solar panels cannot meet your energy demands or there is bad weather.
Typical back up systems are a fuel driven power generator or some type of renewable system, like a wind or water power system. An off grid solar system also has to store DC in batteries so that it can be used at night when there is no Sun. This is an extra responsibility.
Most people go for an on grid system with net metering as this is less responsibility and can stack up economically. With more experience they may go more off grid. Of course this is more responsibility and work but the potential to save money is greater.
