So you want to solar power your home for the cheapest way possible. So the first thing you need to do is to learn about solar panels.
The first thing you are probably wondering is if it is possible to buy just one solar panel to power your entire home. This is one of the most common questions asked by people looking into installing their own solar power system. You might even have a list of things in your home that you would like to put on this single solar panel such as an air conditioner, dishwasher, TV, and so on.
I'm sorry to tell you that the answer is no. It is impossible for a single solar panel to power an entire house. I've lived off the power grid for 15 years and solar panels have come a long way. Even with the latest technology and most expensive solar panels on the market, you would need about 15 solar panels and a dozen or so deep cycle batteries. If you live in the desert or any environment where you really need to run your air conditioning a lot, then you will need even more. Your air conditioner is the most power hungry "appliance" in your home.
Most people don't realize that you don't actually run anything off a solar panel. You run things off your battery bank. It is the solar panels that charge the battery bank only. The reason for this configuration is that the voltage spikes or voltage volatility would be to great if you tried to run something directly off a solar panel. One cloud moving between your solar panel and the sun could literary fry your appliances with a voltage spike. You need a steady and even flow of electricity to power things in your home. This is what the battery bank does.
You may want to use solar panels to power your whole house excluding the air conditioner. For your air conditioner, switch it over to gas.
If you are not home during the day, turn off your air conditioner. Let your solar panels and battery bank generate electricity and sell back to the power company during the day. Then, at night, when you get home, turn on your AC.
You will be able to lower your energy bill by 70% or more as long as you don't live in too hot a climate where you run your AC all through the night.
Related posts:
- Solar Power Efficiency Solar magic power optimizers maximize the energy potential of each...
- Power 4 Home – Solar Panels For Home Electricity Using solar power is one way of saving energy at...
- Do I Actually Need Solar Power For Homes What do you see when you look at the sky?...
- What Are Solar Power Systems: Learn the FACTS here! Learn interesting and useful facts about solar power systems and...
- Make Your Own Solar Panel And Save Money The whole planet is facing a massive energy crisis. But...
Tags: alternative energy, energy, Family, home, solar energy, solar panels, solar panels do it yourself, solar power