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Home Solar Energy

If you are planning to install a Photovoltaic Solar Energy System, the first thing you need to do is figure out how much solar energy you can expect your panels to absorb, based on the average daily solar radiation for your area.

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Step 1°: Calculate the Potential Solar Radiation Power

For most parts of the United States, an average of 4-5 kWh/m²/day can be achieved, though in some regions it is possible to achieve up to 8.

To find the output for your area, please refer to this map put out by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Resource Assessment Program. In the delineation kWh/m²/day, the kWh stands for kilowatt hour, with “m” being the area of the absorber, or in this case, the photovoltaic cell, put into square meters. Solar panels, on average, work at about 7 to 17% efficiency.


Therefore, if you live in an area with an average solar radiation of 4.5 kWh/m²/day, and you have a total surface area of 1 m² (corresponding to 1.55 squared inches) of photovoltaic cells, you can expect to generate 0.315 kWh/day (315 Watt/day) estimating an average solar panel efficiency of 7%.

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Grid-tie solar panel systems produce energy, transmitting this power to your utility company’s electrical power grid. Essentially, this implies the utility company will be paying out you to generate electricity for them, because the power you have produced counts against the energy your property or company utilizes.

Your own solar power panels may generate DC (Direct Current) electrical energy. This kind of electrical energy will be run through an inverter to generate Alternating current (Alternating Current) energy. This electricity is then run into your Alternating current electrical power panel, which feeds energy to your utility companies power grid. In case your solar energy array generated sufficient electrical power, your utility meter would certainly begin to run backward!

The primary components of an Grid-Tie system are:

Residential solar panels You will need solar panels to get the solar energy and transform this to DC power. The quantity and type of solar panels will probably determine the amount of power you’ll be able to generate, as will your current geographic position.

Combiner Box This box collects each of the Solar Panel connections.

DC Breaker Box Your array’s breaker safely shuts your solar power system on the moment’s notice, permitting risk-free maintenance, repair, and inspection.

Inverter Inverters get Direct Current power and transform it to household (Alternating current) power.

Grid Disconnect A grid disconnect allows you to stop the flow of electricity between your solar power system and your electrical system. This provides for the safe maintenance of electrical and utility systems.

What’s the cost?

The price varies, however, you could estimate it with relative simplicity; all you want to know is exactly what equipment you’ll need and also the labour price.

We have reviewed the essential components you will need for your solar array: the solar panels, a GFCI, a solar array breaker, an inverter, a grid disconnect, and an recommended rail system. If you won’t want to fuss with buying all these elements separately, you may be considering purchasing a Solar Grid-Tie System.

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Solar energy is a natural source of energy that comes directly from the sun. When solar energy hits the earth it spreads over the earth’s surface and provides warmth evenly.

If you could capture the sun’s rays into a particular area for a long period of time it would provide enough warmth for nighttime or on cloudy days. Learning where to find solar energy can help you to get started today.

Solar energy does not cost anything because it comes from the sun. The source that you choose may cost some but in the long run it should be your only expense, unlike gas or oil heaters that you continue to pay for monthly in order to have power or gas heat in your home. Solar power can provide heating, cooling and ventilation.
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DIY PV Solar Panel Installation Guide How to Install Roof Solar Kits on Roof

June 15, 2010

How to Install Solar Panels Yourself With the rising cost of energy and the movement to utilize renewable energy sources, many homeowners are interested in using solar photovoltaic panels. These panels are comprised of solar cells that do the actual work of converting the sun’s rays to power that can be harnessed and used. The [...]

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Review of the Sanyo 3.36 kW Solar Array Electrical System

November 25, 2009

Review of the Sanyo 3.36 kW Solar Array Electrical System This solar power system includes:- sixteen Sanyo HIP-210NKHA5 (210W) Photo voltaic Modules- SMA SB3000US Grid-tie Inverter- Rail, Clamp & Splice Installation System (Portrait Format)- Alternating current Disconnect, MC Cables, Ground Lugs & Wiring Plan Solar Array Area: 221 Sq. Ft.Solar Module Dimensions: 62.2″ x 31.4″ [...]

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Residential Solar Lighting 101

October 19, 2009

Lighting is important to everyone. When the sun goes down we expect the lights to be just a click away. Sometime we may take advantage of our lighting and miss it when it is out. Lighting is used in many different ways. You can have different wattage bulbs of your lighting as well as different [...]

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How to Use Solar Energy to Power Your Appliances

October 19, 2009

Solar power is the latest in saving the planet and conserving our energy. Solar power is energy produced from the sun and has great results when you use both energy and conservation. With solar power becoming more popular there is also the need for solar power products. People are now building solar power houses to [...]

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