Introduction

This book is meant for the average house owner who wishes to install a solar electrical system himself or have one installed by somebody else.

This book will give the data and understanding of how a solar electrical system works and the relationship the varied parts have to one another. You'll have a smart idea of what your installer is doing and if he is doing a competent job, and you'll have the data to at least ask the right queries. One of your first tasks on deciding to install a solar electric system should be to find out what the building and electric codes are in your neighborhood. With the augmenting recognition of alternative home energy systems have come mass production and the standardization of parts. The designs of most systems are similar, with lots differences having to do with the dimensions of the system.

Parts and systems on the market today can sometimes pass local electric inspections so long as the elements are UL or CSA licensed. An experience of the system, it's elements, and how they function re one another will save you plenty of time, money and frustration. In the appendix there are diverse worksheets to help with the sizing of your system, and a glossary and other helpful info.

Solar Energy Living

Living alongside solar electrical power involves making a personal choice. You'll have to become more conscious of the energy you use and the way to preserve it.

Few solar electrical systems supply the bliss of unlimited power. We must employ our electricity in considerate and suitable ways. This isn't to assert that we should live in the dark or go without power tools and regular household gadgets.

Regardless of what sort of alternative energy system you install, it is always less expensive not to use energy at all. There are tons of paths to preserve energy and economize with small effort. One thing to begin with is to switch off appliances when they aren't being used. This applies to radios, TVs, PCs, and so on. Turn the lights out when they are not being used. Use what you want, but use as little excess power as possible. Today's world is chock-full of technological decisions. The challenge to you, as the owner of a solar electrical system is to select the acceptable technology.

Lighting is a major user of power in the home. DC fluorescent lights, rather than incandescent lights can save you up to two / a few of the price of lighting your place. If you like to use AC lighting, there are energy saving incandescent bulbs available. Dearer, they seem to be a lot better and will preserve power. AC fluorescent lighting is also a power saver. Your chiller will be one of the biggest users of energy in your home, on a continuing basis. Many of these appliances are available in propane or natural gas versions. A solar thermal hot water heating system can be awfully efficient and cost effective.

You may wish to run some loads like washing machines and massive power tools off your back-up generator, whilst charging your batteries at the same time. You need to doubtless do your energy budget a number of times to see what appliances you can eliminate or convert to different types of energy. In order for you, the potential owner of a solar electrical system, to get the maximum potency and benefits from your system, you have to 1st know how an independent electrical system works. When using alternative energy, batteries are generally wanted to store that energy so that it is available when you would like it, night or day - rain or shine. An exception to this is some micro hydro systems, where with the right situation, batteries won't be.

Another good thing about a battery bank is that it can be enlarged as your wishes change and grow. The power from the batteries can be delivered as 12- volt DC ( Direct Current ) or though the use of an inverter as 110-volt AC ( swapping Current ).

There's also the added benefit of no more power bills. You will feel empowered, instead of limited, knowing that you are responsible for your own power system and. You may be sure that you're going to not run out of power so long as you are mindful of your consumption. It's not not easy to be aware of your power wishes and use. If you plan in advance and size your system correctly, it becomes an easy matter of daily agenda to look at the meters on the wall to grasp the standing of your system at any given point. You have to learn how to be conscious of your electrical consumption and to get rid of waste, in order not to surpass the boundaries of your system. Green energy isn't a new concept, but it is an idea that is becoming more valuable and more likely for more folks all the time.

With the apparently consistent energy crises across the continent and around the planet, and the negative result on the environment that conventional sources of energy are having, there's certainly a thing to be declared for being at least partly energy self-sufficient.

Using Photovoltaic (PV) Cells To Generate Electricity

If you want reliable power in an area where you are not hooked up to the electric grid, a solar electric system can supply power for lights. Solar electrical kit are used around the globe in remote locations to power houses and full hamlets, reinforce cell telephone signals from remote mountain tops, pump millions of gallons of water a day, monitor air quality and plenty of other things.

Solar electrical systems also supply a wonderful alternative for people who are tied to the application grid, but are on the lookout for a back-up power system.

If you live more than quarter of a mile from the use grid, a solar electric system may be a particularly cost satisfactory way for you to have a constant supply of power, particularly when you account for the pricetag of power line extensions and monthly electrical bills.

Other alternatives are wind generators, a micro-hydro system, or a gas or diesel generator. In reality, if you are off the grid, you can most likely have a generator as a back up regardless of what kind of system you install.

If your place is off the grid - meaning that you are not hooked up to utility power - you have these choices:

     1.    Connect to the local electric company if possible.

     2.    Live without electricity.

     3.    Provide your own electricity.

With a little research and some considerate planning you shouldn't have any difficulty becoming energy self-sufficient in most circumstances. Remember that you do not need to commence with a huge system. You can start little, plan in advance and add on as required. A major advantage of photovoltaic ( PV ) systems is their relative ease of installation and maintenance.

After first consultations with the makers and / or your local provider, most smaller systems can be installed and maintained by non-experts. Most providers of PV systems are extremely well informed and useful, but having a basic awareness of your own will make you much more happy with the method in the long game. Most providers can also help you with the design segment of the system.

With any electric system, safety is a supreme consideration.

Battery Maintenance

A major advantage of photovoltaic systems is their relative ease of installation and upkeep. After first consultations with the manufacturers and / or your local provider, most smaller systems can be installed and maintained by non-experts.

Most providers of PV systems have a tendency to be intensely informed and beneficial, but having a basic awareness of your own will make you much more happy with the method in the long game. Most providers can also help you with the design segment of the system.

With any electric system, safety is a supreme consideration. Ensure that you get any required building and electric allows needed and that your system is installed according to the topical countrywide and local electric codes.

Getting Started

If you are starting to think about installing your own solar electric system or are into the initial planning stage, there are several things to do and consider before you actually purchase components and start to install your system.

Remember that the more planning you do and the more knowledge you obtain in the beginning, the more likely your experience will be an enjoyable one. It will be less frustrating and ultimately less expensive. Here are several preliminary steps to take.

• Read this book completely.
• Figure out how much power you will need. List all of the appliances you plan on using, both AC and DC, and how much power they consume on a daily and a weekly basis. Once you know your average daily/weekly power usage, use these figures to calculate your PV array size, battery bank size, and the size of your controller and inverter. There are charts and worksheets in the appendix to help you with this.
• Get information on local building/electrical codes regarding solar electric systems.
• Do a site analysis to determine where and how your array will be mounted. Figure where your battery bank and other components of your system will be located.
• Calculate the size, type and amount of wiring you will need.  If you plan to start with a small system and then add to it as your needs change or your budget allows, you may want to consider buying a larger controller and inverter so you can add more PV panels and batteries later. You may wish to make your battery bank enclosure large enough to accommodate more batteries in the future.

Planning ahead can save you money, time and labor in the future. If you go into your project with as much knowledge as possible, your frustration level is guaranteed to be minimized.

When pricing and buying your components, shop around. You will find different prices and levels of service from one supplier to the next.