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5 Tips for Converting to Home Solar Power

Posted Posted in Solar Energy Articles     Comments Comments Off
Nov
5

Besides the fact that home solar power generation can reduce the electricity bill significantly, it is the need of the day to find environmentally friendly methods of producing energy. Prior to jumping into a project of converting a house or business premises to solar power, the following tips should be considered. First of all, pull out the electricity bills for the last year and calculate the average electricity consumption in kW hours. Divide this number by 150 hours of sun available per month for people living near a coast, 155 in mountainous region, and 160 if the residence is in a sunny location. This means that if someone is living near a coast and using 450 kilowatt hours a month, then they would require a 3kW PV system to fulfill all their needs.
It is possible to get all the things needed for home solar power, like modules or inverters, online.

It is necessary to do some homework, however, before buying. When searching for the less expensive modules, it is a good idea to buy from companies that are known in the industry. Most of the modules are made on the same machines, so quality will not be significantly different. Before buying, keep in mind that a 20 to 25 year warranty is the standard, so buy from a company that has been around that long and find out how well they serve out their warranties. A grid-tied inverter that changes the DC current of the solar module to Alternating Current that the household can use will also be required. Inverters come with a standard ten year warranty.

Since there are going to be conversion losses with generation home solar power, just keep in mind that the actual electricity reaching the main service panel will be less than what the manufacturer of modules claims. By using varying quantities of modules, calculate how many will be required to get approximately 90 to 100 percent of existing consumption.

Make sure an electrician is consulted before home solar power is generated, as there are local codes that will be enforced. It is possible that some modules will need fire borders or extra-double-triple grounding. It will be necessary to be in touch with the local permitting agency, local utility, and rebate administrator, to make sure all legal requirements are met, and minimum time is wasted.

Before starting the home solar power project, get a solar design book or download information online. There are many considerations to be taken into account, so make a list with all specifications. One must be familiar with racking, string sizing, building permit requirements, interconnect requirements, fire department regulations, etc.

The last step in converting to home solar power, is to keep track of all the rebate documentation, as it is a detailed process. Normally it will be necessary to first reserve a rebate, next complete the installation, then finally make the claim for the rebate. Make sure all the installations are carried out within a reasonable amount of time. If the process lingers on for too long, the rebate may expire! Keep following up to make certain the rebate paperwork reaches its destination.

Careful planning before implementing the conversion to home solar power can yield highly successful and long lasting results. Also it is a good idea to investigate what kinds of tax breaks and rebates are possible in the locality where the home conversion is going to take place, as there are different federal tax breaks and state rebates possible.