Solar Power for Houses: Your Residential Solar Power System

There are a lot of ads for build-your-own solar panels on the internet, including on this site. I have no control over what ads do or do not appear, but felt a bit of research as to whether DIY solar panels were possible or cost effective was in order.

Solar Panel Price Comparisons

When sites say ‘build solar panels for under $100!’, they often seem to be comparing the materials cost of the homemade panel to the cost of an entire solar photovoltaic system which (for a house) usually includes multiple panels, an inverter, a charge controller and sometimes batteries. This is not comparing the same thing. A true cost comparison would be one of two things: the cost of the entire system, or the cost per watt of power produced by a single panel.

The full cost for a DIY solar photovoltaic system includes the number of panels that you wish to build as well as buying or building all the other parts of a system. Also include your time that you will be spending building the panels and mounting racks and then wiring and installing everything. A single solar panel by itself is not much use for home applications without an inverter and charge controller, and one solar panel will not power an ordinary house. Costs for solar panels are usually a little over 1/3 the price of an installed system, so while they are a major component they are not the only component.

Comparing Solar Panel Prices: Price Per Watt

The usual method of comparing the prices of solar panels is price per watt. For example, if a 60 watt panel is built for a materials cost of $104.85, as the maker of mdpub.com did, the price per watt is $1.75. The average price per watt for a commercially made module of over 125 W is $4.39 as of September 2009. Prices for smaller modules are generally higher per watt, so the home-made panel looks pretty good. So yes, it is possible to build a solar panel for less money than you would pay for commercial one. But there are several caveats:

• This is presuming no materials were ruined while you learned how to make the panel
• This is presuming that you manage to make the panel work properly
• This is counting your own labor cost as $0
• This is assuming the you do not have to buy soldering equipment or paint, plexiglass, wire, or screws in order to make the panel since the author of this site had them on hand
• The person who made the solar panel used as an example has also built a wind turbine and a jet engine

DIY Installation of Solar Photovoltaic Systems

Once you have made your panels, will you be installing and wiring everything yourself or will you get someone else to do it? The level of skill required is an important consideration because installing solar photovoltaic systems means working with electricity, which has a certain amount of inherent danger involved. On-grid residential solar power systems usually involve high-voltage electricity, which increases the danger if you do zap yourself.

So is Building Your Own Solar Panels For You?

I would not want to try this myself, nor do I have the equipment I would need. If you have to go and buy the equipment and then teach yourself how to use everything I would not advise attempting to do it yourself. If, on the other hand, you are an electrician with a large workshop looking for a project, building your own photovoltaic system might be worth another look.

Sources:

http://www.mdpub.com/SolarPanel/index.html

Cassandra Sweet. Sept 8, 2009 Let the Sun Shine. The Wall Street Journal

Solar module retail price environment Sept. 2009

People turn to solar power for several different reasons:

• High energy prices
• Climate change
• Fossil fuel depletion
• Solar energy costs are coming down

When these factors are taken into account, it’s no wonder that people are going solar. Here are some more data on each:

High Energy Prices

While we’ve been hearing most about high oil prices over the past few years, electricity prices have also been going up in many places. When combined with the price of solar photovoltaics coming down, solar looks a lot more practical than it used to. The recession may have lowered energy prices temporarily, but how long will that last? The volatility in energy prices also makes solar power attractive because you don’t get left vulnerable to energy price spikes when you produce more electricity than you use.

Climate Change

Operating a residential solar power system does not produce CO2. While some CO2 is produced during the making of solar panels and other elements of the system, there are vastly lower emissions than from the production of electricity from oil, gas, or most especially coal. Thus, every solar photovoltaic array very slightly reduces the likelihood of catastrophic climate change.

Fossil Fuel Depletion

The easiest, cheapest oil gets used first. Most oilfields and wells being brought into use now produce oil that is difficult to access or process in some way. This tends to keep oil prices high. It looks increasingly likely that we have hit Peak Oil, which means diminishing supplies of oil in the future no matter how much oil exploration and development we do.

While most electricity does not come from oil, prices for all forms of energy are linked and are likely to become increasingly so as more electric vehicles are made, and even more so if Coal-to-Liquids technology is used on any large scale. In the US, coal is the largest source of electricity. If Coal-to-Liquids plants are built to compensate for Peak Oil, this would increase the price of coal, and therefore that of electricity.

Coal supplies are not endless and it looks increasingly likely that there may be less recoverable coal than commonly thought. This is likely to raise electricity prices in the future. In such an environment renewable energy sources, including solar, look better and better.

Residential Solar Energy is Becoming More Affordable

The current recession has resulted in people buying less. During the high oil prices, producers of solar panels and other components vastly increased capacity. When the recession hit, they found themselves with excess solar photovoltaic systems, components, and raw materials. Prices dropped.

The USA is about to start giving larger rebates for solar which will help increase affordability for a very large, affluent market. This is likely to increase demand for solar energy, which might prevent lowering of prices in the short term, but will likely reduce them in the long term by increasing the capacity of industry. China has also started manufacturing solar panels, which is likely to reduce solar panel price due to economies of scale and cheaper labor in that country.

In California there is at least one company that offers leases of solar photovoltaic systems with guaranteed electricity prices lower than that of some utilities in that area. This increases affordability of solar by eliminating the high start-up costs of home solar systems which act as the largest barrier to going solar for many people.

More Information:

Fossil Fuel Depletion, Peak Oil and Energy Prices:

The Oil Drum

Richard Heinberg’s Museletter

Heinberg, R. 2009 Blackout: coal, climate and the last energy crisis. New Society Publishers.

Trends in Renewables and Renewable Energy News:

Renewable Energy World

There are a lot of jobs in Green Energy that are not the ones we immediately think of. In addition to the people climbing on the roof installing solar panels, there are salespeople, administrators, managers, clerks, lab technicians, engineers, scientists, communications personnel, and entrepreneurs, among many others.

The requirements for these jobs are usually the same as for their equivalents in other industries, with the addition of interest in and enthusiasm for green energy. Experience in the green energy industry is a plus but is often not required, partly because the green energy industry is growing rapidly and there often aren’t enough trained and experienced people available.

There are diplomas and degrees available in green energy, green buildings and other related fields. Many are certificates or diplomas rather than full degrees. These programs are often relatively new, and as the green energy industry matures it is likely that more people working in the industry will have some sort of certification specifically in green energy.

Green Energy Job Sites:

Green energy jobs online

Alternative Energy.com

There are now many types of portable solar equipment available.  They range from the truly gimmicky to the sensible. From hats with a solar panel and fan for cooling your head to  solar powered calculators and portable solar charging systems.  Keeping track of what’s out there can be a challenge.

Portable Solar Devices:

Some of the solar powered items for sale on the Internet include halogen lanterns, hats with fans, Christmas lights, radios, portable refrigerator/freezers, battery chargers, bags, outdoor lighting of almost every description, rodent repellers, children’s toys and others.  Examples of such things for sale can be found at solarhut.com, as well as many other places on the internet.  Many solar objects are new designs or are being made by companies without a long reputation in the field.  This means that while there is a wonderful selection, the quality is rather variable.

Portable Solar Charging Systems

Portable solar charging systems are much more practical than they used to be.  Many of them make use of technologies like thin film photovoltaics so that they can be folded up and packed away when not in use.  For people like backpackers, this means that you can stick your solar panel in your backpack and have power wherever you go.  There are also battery chargers that are part of bags or backpacks.  A review of such an item can be found on treehugger.com. On a somewhat larger scale, solar panels are also used on boats and RVs to power appliances and charge batteries.

Pros

The most obvious advantage to solar energy is no operational carbon emissions.  Other advantages include reduced dependence or even complete independence from fluctuating energy markets and efficient power generation in areas that do not have access to a power grid.  In areas that do not have access to the power grid, it is frequently cheaper to buy a photovoltaic system than it is to pay to extend the grid, or to buy and run a diesel generator.

While energy prices have gone down recently with the global recession, it is unlikely that they will stay down.  When the economy improves oil prices will likely go back up, and energy prices in general will probably follow.  Once your solar panels are set up, the vast majority of your costs have already been paid, and rising electricity prices will be something that happens to other people.

In certain areas of the USA, there are programs that will let you lease solar Grid-tied Systems. This eliminates the high start-up cost problem if you are lucky enough to live in one of those areas.

Cons

There are also disadvantages to solar photovoltaic power.  Solar energy requires sunlight.  Photovoltaics do not produce power at night, and the amount of power they produce on cloudy days is much reduced from what they produce in sunlight.  They also produce more electricity during the summer than in the winter.  This is an advantage if your air-conditioning bills are higher than your heating bills, but in colder climates this is a disadvantage to solar power.  In climates with many cloudy days, power output is reduced from its full potential, which means that your initial investment takes longer to pay back than you might expect from tests in Spain or California. 

Purchasing and installing a solar system involves a substantial outlay of capital.  Prices for solar photovoltaic sytems are falling, but the cost is still prohibitive for many people.

Sources:

Home Power Magazine http://www.homepower.com/home/

Solar Photovoltaic Cost and Price Trends Retrieved May 16, 2009 http://www.solarbuzz.com/StatsCosts.htm

The exact pros and cons of photovoltaic solar power depend partly on whether you have a grid-tied system or an off-grid system.  So, what exactly are those pros and cons?

Off-grid Solar

Off-grid solar systems require substantial maintenance because of the battery banks necessary for storing electricity.  These batteries require occasional replacement and can be a fairly expensive investment on top of the solar panels.  However, if you live far from the power grid it can be far cheaper to have a solar system than to pay for connection to the grid.  Also, if the grid goes down your power source will not be affected.

Grid-tied Solar

Grid-tied systems without battery backup are the cheapest to set up for most people.  They do not offer any protection if the power grid they are tied into goes down, but they do offer the possibility of selling excess power to the local power company provided that the power company is set up to accept that.  This should be checked before you set up a Grid-tied solar Power System.

Grid-tied Solar with Battery Backup

It is also possible to set up a system that is Grid-tied but has a backup battery bank.  This is considerably more expensive than the standard batteryless Grid-tied System, but it means that if the grid goes down you will not have a power outage due to that failure.

In the end, which system is best depends on your needs and how you plan to use your photovoltaic array.  Photovoltaic power is not a one size fits all technology, and while the array of options in systems can be confusing, at least it gives you a good chance of obtaining a system that suits your needs.  More information on solar power and photovoltaic systems can be found at http://www.homepower.com/basics/solar/, as well as many other places on the web.

In the face of growing worldwide concern with regards to finding new and better renewable energy sources, solar energy is fast becoming a viable option. It is a field which will only increase in prominence in the coming years, and this has created immense opportunities for qualified individuals suitable for positions in this vertical.

Solar certification courses provide students with tremendous opportunity to gain a foothold in this growing industry and with the knowledge offered by these courses, they will be well positioned to be part of a knowledgeable workforce that will definitely be sought after in the solar installation industry.

Anyone who is looking to enhance his or her career opportunities in the field of renewable energy would do well to look into the career advancement possibilities offered by solar certification. With the increasing need to develop renewable energy sources in the current environmental scene all over the world, more and more electrical contractors are looking to enter the potentially lucrative solar electric energy industry.

There is an obvious need for electrical contractors to continuously add to their skill sets and receive endorsements from authorized certification bodies and one of the best ways to do that is by getting solar education. This sentiment is echoed by many in the industry who feel that the process of gaining solar certification is not really that much different from that which electrical contractors have already gone through in the past in order to become licensed contractors. It only makes sense to acquire solar certification as a means of further enhancing these skill sets. This will also allow them to develop their businesses in a way that will become increasingly more important and relevant to the environmental field.

To address this growing demographic, numerous renewable energy oriented organizations are stepping up to meet the demand by offering various solar education courses. Amongst the popular certifications in demand in the solar education space is the Solar PV Installation Certification program. Electrical contractors who have received such solar certifications are discovering that they are quite sought after by employers who are looking for capable and knowledgeable team leaders who can help crews break-in the new technologies inherent in green jobs.

Certificate programs for solar education and solar courses generally seek to instruct applicants in basic knowledge of the various solar applications and entry-level capability in common solar equipment installation procedures. This will equip them with credential certifications that are intended for renewable energy professionals and solar electric installers. The solar courses have been developed specifically for students that have little or no experience in the solar field, who are looking to gain knowledge on the basics of solar electric system operations and maintenance.

Keep in mind that these entry level solar certification programs do not render individuals qualified to actually install PV systems. Instead, they are intended to illustrate that students have gained a basic knowledge in the application and concepts of solar electric systems. Through further solar training, in Advance Installer Certification programs, candidates can equip themselves with expertise of a higher grid and scale.

Solar education and solar training courses are offered through a wide variety of venues. Some of the learning institutions where you can gain solar certification are colleges and universities, community colleges, vocational schools, technical learning institutions, and apprenticeship programs endorsed by appropriate government agencies.

Another solar certification that you can look into for purposes of enhancing your career opportunities with regards to green jobs are the ones offering certification and rating programs for manufacturers of solar panels. These programs are primarily designed to provide ways by which the maintenance of solar panels can be determined under recommended rating conditions. These solar certification programs encompass a broad range of solar-based applications including swimming pool heating, recreational heating, space heating, water heating and even cooling. These solar certification courses are generally voluntary and are offered to all manufacturers of solar-related products. One of the requirements of this program is the passing of a series of tests that have been developed by authorized solar certification bodies. This series of tests are conducted in line with industry standard methods that have been specified by independent laboratories.

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Solar Training, Solar Energy, Renewable Energy
Education-Boots on the Roof.

For additional information on solar training courses, please visit Solar Training Boot Camps at
Boots on the Roof.

Article Source: Populate.net

Solar power and “green” building has become a focus in the construction market for several reasons. With the steady climb of energy prices, along with a decline in the price of solar installations, solar living has become a topic of interest for more than those that live in rural areas, or those looking to save the environment. Solar energy has become a viable alternative energy source, and the rates of both commercial and home installations are rising dramatically.

Who can use PV (Photovoltaic) training or solar courses?
People from all walks of life could benefit from solar training. Anyone interested in renewable, sustainable energy sources are good examples. Due to the expected rise of needed manpower in the solar industry, however, reasons other than the environment should compel others.

Already, the solar industry has discovered a skills gap in solar training. Those that know how to install photovoltaic arrays, develop other ways of harnessing solar energy, maintain the necessary equipment and several other areas are retiring � without the younger generation replacing them in knowledge and training.

Another area where the skills gap is showing is in “greener” building. Environmentalists, and others who just happened to notice solar energy is ultimately cheaper, are demanding energy efficient appliances, solar panels, rain catchers and any number of newer, more environmentally safe changes to their homes. As a builder without solar training, one may find themselves losing business due to lack of knowledge. With a little bit of time and effort, a general builder can turn into a “green” builder, with all the training and certifications necessary.

So how do you get involved?
As a “green” builder or solar installation provider, the first place to gather information would be your local homebuilder’s association. They’ll have information on solar product supplies, rules and regulations, and what’s need for PV certification. This is especially important, as each locality has its own regulations. They may not vary much from one to the other, but they do vary.

Training and certification is necessary. As a homebuilder using solar design, you’ll want to make sure that the finished home is certified as an energy efficient, solar domicile. For that to happen, you’ll need solar training and certification.

Likewise for solar installers. Each individual PV installation will be different, having its own requirements and sets of issues to overcome. This means that adding a PV system is not “plug and play”. Requirements and needs will have to be assessed, problems will have to be circumvented, and a custom solar installation will have to be designed. This is why PV training and certification is a must.

PV training and certification programs are readily available at our Boot Camps. Our programs are all NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) Approved. There are three types of certification; an Entry Level certificate, a Solar Thermal Installer Certification (solar heat), and the PV Installer Certification. To hold these certifications, you would be trained to design and install all types of custom solar solutions.

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Solar Training, Solar Energy, Renewable Energy
Education-Boots on the Roof.

For additional information on solar training courses, please visit Solar Training Boot Camps at
Boots on the Roof.

Article Source: Populate.net

The renewable energy industry has grown dramatically in the past few years; everywhere you turn, you hear about solar power and solar panels, wind farms and biofuels. The solar industry, in particular, has become such a hot topic and so high in demand that there are some just waiting for the solar bubble to burst. Every dog has its day, everybody has their fifteen minutes of fame, and the solar industry’s fifteen minutes was up a long time ago.

Not true. Solar power took the stage and stayed on it, and the demand is only rising higher. What financial people, marketing and trend studies are finding out is that, while the demand for solar products is high, there’s a huge shortage of qualified people with solar training to install PV (photovoltaics) systems, as well as many other areas.

States such as Oregon, Colorado, Arizona and New Jersey have policies that make them good places to start up or grow solar businesses, among many other states. Solar integrators are looking at many new technologies, searching for better ways to harness solar energy.

PV technology, for instance, uses silicon to create energy when encountering light. PV systems use the light photons that cause heat, and most modules are made with silicone wafers, soldered together in rows. While many research and development programs are funded somewhat, most of it is driven by the private market. This opens up “green jobs” in research and development, as well as manufacturing and installation in local communities.

Over the past twenty-five years or so, solar electric power systems have garnered a huge popularity in the business and private sectors. Therefore, the local levels are also suffering a shortage of employees with solar training. With the demand for PV products rising, those in the construction business such as general contractors, electricians, roofers and the like will need to be able to meet that demand.

Businesses, especially, are taking energy audits and looking at ways to reduce energy costs. This is where those in the construction business can really benefit from solar training and certification, as well as learning “green” building.

Companies are becoming more interested in ways to save, from insulation, to lighting, to solar installation. If a general contractor takes an interest in solar training, knows how to measure energy usage and knows how to reduce it, that’s a general contractor who will be in higher demand than others.

Roofers and electricians can also benefit from solar training. Homeowners are starting to replace their old roofing tiles with solar PV arrays; a roofer who is also a qualified installer will be able to find more work. However, sometimes the solar arrays won’t work on a roof and must be installed on the ground. In this case, an electrician with solar training can find the perfect niche to work in.

As long as the upward trend continues in the solar industry; as long as people worry about the environment and global warming; as long as nations work together to make the world better, solar training will be a necessity in several walks of life.

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Solar Training, Solar Energy, Renewable Energy
Education-Boots on the Roof.

For additional information on solar training courses, please visit Solar Training Boot Camps at
Boots on the Roof.

Article Source: Populate.net