How To Install Solar Power
Are you thinking of installing solar power? Well, if so, you’ll be pleased to hear that I have gathered together some information so you can get a good idea of how much it will cost and exactly what the scale of the job is.
Make a decision about what percentage of your home are you going to be running on solar power. You could use solar power to provide a water-heating system. You could go further and take your home completely off-grid thus ensuring the whole house is running on solar power. It’s up to you, but you must discover the average amount of electricity your house uses per month.
To calculate the average energy usage of your home, simply dig out your monthly electricity bills for the last two years. Do some calculations. Be aware of the year’s peak times, like Christmas when you would normally go through a lot more power than normal. This way, we can establish your home’s solar power system so it can surely cope with whatever demands your home may plave upon it.
Now, for your security and peace of mind, multiply that amount by a minimum of 1.5. If any extra appliances are brought into your house you remain fully covered. So, by the end of this task you will know how much solar power you need. This will also enable you to tell how many solar panels you will have to buy and what size they must be.
These days, you would almost always be best advised to look online when buying solar panels. Go to Ebay with the words “solar panel pallet” exactly as is. Sit back and be prepared to be amazed by the incredible bargains you will find there. If you think they seem expensive, please don’t forget that these prices are a one time cost and solar panels tend to last 25 to 30 years.
In every case, always employ a skilled, experienced solar power technician to install your solar power. Look for them online or in your telephone directory. Don’t stop until you have three quotations for the job, but don’t necessarily choose based entirely on the price. Cost is important, but you may feel more confident to get a job well done from an established solar power technician when installing solar power for homes.
You will also have to shop around for a good quality inverter. Solar panels give out direct (DC) current when harnessing the sun’s energy. The inverter will convert this DC current into alternating (AC) current upon which we run all our domestic electrical equipment.
Roughly costing $2,000 plus maybe $500 for installation, inverters tend to last about 10 years. Don’t forgetIf you want to go off the grid completely, good quality batteries are essential to store the excess solar power harvest on sunny days. This reserve of energy can then be used to run your electrical equipment at night-time. The deep-cycle batteries will probably cost $50 to $100. You will probably need to buy about 10 of them. Their longevity is not so good as the inverter. Expect to have to get new ones every 3-5 years.
Be sure to enquire your local authorities if they will give you any assistance for the cost of installing solar power for homes. Most local government agencies offer some form of tax credits for this job. Ask your local electricity company as well. They might have some good incentives or special deals. Do this right and you could cut the total price by half or more.
Although you absolutely have to get a qualified electrician, it’s reassuring to know that installing solar power for homes doesn’t mean you have to have a lot of electrical work. Generally. However, this is rarely an extensive job. I repeat though, be sure to use an experienced, qualified electrician.
Always remember that solar power is a long-term investment. When calculating the value of installing solar power, the question is, “What is the payback time?” After you have paid everything off, you have can sit back and relax with a house that will run on free solar energy for many years to come!
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