Solar Power for Houses: Your Residential Solar Power System

For decades, residential solar has been available but has been too expensive for most people with fossil fuel powered energy so easily available. Now that the world is facing climate change and fossil fuel depletion, the equation has changed. Solar photovoltaic systems have tumbled in price since the 1970s when they were so expensive, becoming a realistic option for many more people today.

The costs of a solar photovoltaic system are front-loaded. Once you have bought and installed the system, all you have to do is maintain it to have a free source of electricity. While the world around you grapples with energy prices that oscillate wildly, you’ll be laughing. Even better, that energy is renewable and far better for the environment than electricity from coal or natural gas. Natural gas may be cleaner than coal, but it’s still a fossil fuel and is therefore nonrenewable and gives off carbon dioxide when burned.

Residential photovoltaic systems are usually under warranty for 20 years and should last 25-30 years. Some last much longer. The first photovoltaic system in the USA is still operating – it was installed in 1954.

If you want a system that includes batteries, the batteries will not last as long as the photovoltaic panels or other parts of the system and must be replaced. Battery lifespan varies dramatically depending on how often the batteries are used, how deeply the batteries are discharged, and if they are ill-treated by overcharging or being subjected to unsuitable temperatures. Some types of batteries also require maintenance which consists mainly of adding distilled water at appropriate intervals.

The USA compared to other countries

Solar power is growing in popularity in the USA, as is true in many places around the globe including such disparate locations as Germany and China. With the increasing popularity has come a drastic fall in prices. Some retailers sell solar photovoltaic modules for well under $2.00 per watt. There have also been changes in the way that solar installations are funded. There are a few companies such as SolarCity in California that will install a system on your house for no money down and then charge you a lower rate for a combination of lease on the system and the electricity you use.

The fall in price and increased diversity in payment options mean that if you took a look at solar energy earlier and dismissed it because it was too expensive, it is time to take another look.

Many places in the USA are very sunny and need air conditioning in the summer, which makes solar energy an excellent option. An example would be Southern California. You get more electricity from a solar panel in a sunny place than you do from one that is in a cloudy area, or that is shaded some of the time. Given this, you have to wonder why solar electricity is more used in Germany when the USA is far better suited to it.

The answer lies in government policy. Germany got into the renewable energy game early, supporting solar power with feed-in tariffs. The USA has done far less to encourage people to buy solar systems, and what they have done they have only started recently. It is now time for the USA to play catch up, and it’s having some problems scaling up its industry ie. Solyndra.

The USA and China – solar industry interactions

There is a gap between the interests of solar installers and the interests of solar manufacturers. Solar installers like the fact that they can get cheap solar modules from China, as lower prices mean more people are installing solar systems. American solar manufacturers are having trouble dealing with the low prices of the competition. There is some currently some antidumping litigation going on between the U.S. and China. There is some basis to it, as one of the reasons the Chinese panels are so cheap is because they are not recycling things that would have to be recycled by law in the USA. The pollution has been bad enough there has actually been protests against some of the factories. To protest in China is not a minor decision.

What this means for the home owner looking for a solar system is that you should be aware that while Chinese solar photovoltaic modules are cheap, they are also less environmentally friendly than US or German manufactured panels.

Recent solar photovoltaic developments

Solar photovoltaics are still improving. Thin film solar collectors are a relatively recent development that increases the range of things solar photovoltaics can be used for as it bends without breaking. For example, it is possible to buy solar photovoltaic shingles. Thin film is also generally the cheapest solar photovoltaic material per watt, making it a very practical choice.

There are also experimental solar photovoltaic cells including multi-junction cells, and cells based on other materials than silicon. If you can get hold of these at all, they’re much more expensive than silicon-based solar cells. You could wait for these to come out and drop in price, but experimentation and commercialization take time, and the amount of time is highly unpredictable. It could be many years until they are actually available at a price you are willing to pay.

Given the current situation with lowered prices and improved technology, if you can afford to go solar, I’d say do it!

1.  Albert Einstein received a 1921 noble prize for experiments on the photoelectric effect.
2.  10,000 U.S. households are now using solar energy to power their homes.
3. On his African journey 200 years ago, John Herschel (a british astronomer) was able to cook food using solar power.
4. The first large scale solar power plant was opened in 1982 in California.
5.  Solar power comes in two major varieties: solar thermal and solar photovoltaic.
6. Solar thermal is less technologically complex than solar photovoltaic and is much easier to DIY.
7. In 2007, more Chinese homes use solar hot water than in all other countries combined.
8. The price of solar photovoltaic panels has dropped by at least 200% in the past 30 years.
9. The price of solar photovoltaic panels is currently continuing to drop.
10. The lowest solar photovoltaic prices per watt are usually for thin film.
11. The lowest solar photovoltaic module retail price is $1.25/watt (Oct. 2011) for thin film from a German retailer.
12. Current (Nov. 2011) low prices are partly due to a glut of polysilicon on the market from Chinese manufacturers, some of whom are going out of business.
13. There are pollution problems at some Chinese plants producing polysilicon.
14. Germany uses more solar photovoltaic power than the USA despite having a climate less adapted to it.
15. Photosynthesis has been in use on Earth for 3.5 billion years.

The need for solar power

The Earth is facing a multi-headed environmental crisis. These problems may seem enormous, but we are not powerless.  There is a great deal we can do to take control over our impact on the Earth and its biosphere.  The tools to do so are not yet to be invented.  We already have them, and they’ve been available for years.  We just have to do the work to change the way we do things. One of the main dangers is climate change, which is currently being driven by fossil fuel extraction. This means we need to reduce fossil fuel use drastically.

But we will still need a power source. This is where solar power comes in, along with wind, small hydro, biomass, geothermal and other renewable energy sources. Some include nuclear, but I’m not going to get into that debate right now.

Solar power, in both its thermal and solar photovoltaic forms was discovered many years ago.  It has been used in various ways since – you’ve probably used a solar powered calculator, tried to burn something with a magnifying glass when you were a kid, and seen photographs of spacecraft with their solar panel wings. We can do far more with it than we have so far.

In its thermal form, people have been making use of solar for far longer – think solariums, greenhouses and orangeries. Then of course there’s plants and photosynthesis. Starting with cyanobacteria and other algae, they’ve been using it for at least 3.5 billion years!

Solar power’s two flavors: solar thermal and solar photovoltaic

Solar photovoltaic transforms light from the sun into electricity.  If you want to light your home with solar, you need to use solar photovoltaic.  This form of solar energy is more versatile than solar thermal since you can use electricity for almost anything, but is also more technically complicated and expensive to install for the amount of energy produced.

Solar thermal uses the sun’s energy in the form of heat. It is frequently used in the form of solar hot water systems, as well as pool heating, greenhouses for growing plants, solar cookers, solar dehydrators, and passive and active heating for the house. Solar thermal is a lot easier and more practical as a DIY project than solar photovoltaic.  The materials are often cheaper and less technically complicated.  It’s also safer if you have less skill with electrical circuits, since you aren’t working with high voltage electricity.

Why solar power is practical, and how to make it work for you

Solar photovoltaic power has undergone major improvements in recent years and has become a lot more affordable.  There are now many solar photovoltaic modules with a price of under $2.00 per watt.  This is vastly better than even a year ago.  There have also been changes in the way solar is marketed – a few power companies are offering to install solar photovoltaic systems on your house for free, and then charging a set price for electricity produced that is lower than their standard electricity rates.  This makes residential solar a possibility for many people who would not have been able to afford solar on their own.

With the exception of a very few power companies, most of the costs of solar photovoltaics are up front, one time costs.  If you go this route, you pay a large sum at the beginning but then have free electricity thereafter.  Under modern circumstances of fluctuating energy prices and a changing climate, this is an excellent investment if you have the money. If you’re off the grid using a generator, you can save a lot of money over time if you go solar.

If you have rather less money but have skill with building things or electronics and some basic equipment, there are also kits for making solar panels and solar installations.  Remember that solar thermal is usually easier and safer as a do it yourself project than solar photovoltaic.

Of course, you might be more interested in other renewable energy options. There will be more articles on these subjects on this site soon.

The less power you use, the less expensive the home solar system you will need to power your home.   Increasing energy efficiency is a great way to do this.   Recent appliances are more energy-efficient than older ones but the extent of the energy savings varies greatly between different types of appliances.  The two most energy-intensive appliances in most homes are refrigerators and dryers.

Why You Need an Energy Efficient Refrigerator

Refrigerators use a lot of energy.  New refrigerators use a lot less energy than older refrigerators.  There is also a great difference in energy use between different refrigerators.  The standard advice is to buy a new energy efficient refrigerator if your current fridge is more than 10 years old, as the energy savings will pay for the new refrigerator.

New Energy Star refrigerators use 50% less electricity than the average ten year old refrigerator.   If you live in BC, BC Hydro runs a fridge buy-back program in an effort to reduce electricity use. EnergyStar is a program that certifies energy efficient appliances.   If you live in BC Canada, BC hydro has rebates for buying EnergyStar appliances.   Many other areas probably have similar programs.

Well-maintained appliances are more efficient than poorly maintained ones, as well as doing their jobs better.   If you cannot afford to replace an aging appliance, performing regular maintenance will help minimize its its electricity use.  This will not reduce electricity use to the level of a new appliance, but it will reduce it greatly over a poorly maintained one.

Energy Efficient Dryer or Clothesline?

Dryers use a lot of energy, sometimes as much as the refrigerator despite the fact that they aren’t on all the time. Ideally, one would hang clothes to dry outside, thus using no electricity at all, but in many places this is inconvenient in the winter. Clothes will dry in the cold, but not if it is raining on them.

Drying outside is against bylaws and home owner association regulations in some places. Do be aware that many of these regulations are being challenged and declared illegal, so if you want to dry outside you may be able to do so even if you weren’t a year ago. The movement to make anti-drying regulations illegal is often referred to as the ‘right to dry’ movement, and it is widespread.

Indoor drying racks also work, but do take space while the clothes are drying.  The most inventive indoor drying rack I’ve seen was hung from the ceiling of a kitchen and hauled up and down with a rope and pulley system.  This made extremely efficient use of space and allowed a washer’s worth of clothes to be dried indoors in Britain in the winter.  It worked well enough that the house did not have a dryer.  If you have a small household that does not produce huge amount of laundry this system could well work for you.  It is it is hard to get more electricity efficient than this!

If you do want a dryer, an energy-efficient dryer will save on electricity, although not as much as letting half of each load air-dry.

Energy Efficient Clothes Washers

Front loading washers are more efficient than top loading washers.  If you don’t have large amounts of laundry, a compact washer will save you electricity.  If you do have large amounts of laundry, a full size front loader may be your best bet, as doing one larger wash takes less energy than doing multiple smaller washes.  Some dryers are more efficient than others, so pick an efficient one.

Energy-Efficient Dishwasher or Handwashing?

An energy-efficient dishwasher that is fully loaded uses less hot water than hand washing.  However, this requires that you load it fully.  If you only ever wash small loads at once, hand washing may be more efficient.

There are also energy efficiency improvements to be found with cooking appliances, but they really deserve an article of their own.

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.

If you are looking to enter the field of solar panel installation, you would greatly benefit from being aware of the various training and certification requirements for the job. Obviously, extensive training is crucial if you are to have a certain degree of competency, however, certification is not necessarily an absolute requirement for solar panel installers in most states.

Obtaining certification from recognized solar energy regulatory organizations will likely have the effect of increasing your career opportunities and making your credentials more viable for a green job in the solar energy sector.

It is worth keeping in mind that different states may have different requirements with regard to licensing for solar panel installation professionals. These requirements typically fall under general contractor licenses or their equivalent, with some being more specifically categorized as electrical contractor licenses for PV, plumbing license for solar thermal systems, or solar contractor licenses.

You should also be aware that the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners or NABCEP specifically states that the certification which they offer is in no way intended to take the place of any licenses, credentials or certificates that may be required by local laws in the state wherein you plan to practice your trade. These solar certification and solar training courses are purely voluntary at present, although there is an increasing trend to support these and other similar solar certification programs by way of rebates and other incentives. Furthermore, the number of projects that require solar certification from the NABCEP certification is on the rise, and this will likely increase even further in the near future.

The solar certification program of the NABCEP specifies that solar PV installers should possess the skills and knowledge necessary to recommend solar electrical systems, configure and install these systems, inspect and maintain them in way that meets the customers� satisfaction, and conform to current industry standards for the performance, safety and reliability of solar electrical systems.

To this end, the NABCEP has developed a system geared towards PV Task Analysis, which is comprised of several areas of discipline, including how to work safely with PV systems, conducting site assessment, the selection of proper solar design, how to adapt the mechanical and electrical design, installation of solar electrical subsystems and components on-site, system check and inspection, and solar electrical system troubleshooting and maintenance.

All of these are of course essential areas of knowledge for those who are seeking qualifications as solar energy industry practitioners. In a report published by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative in 2003 detailing training and certification requirements for the photovoltaic industry, it stated that the training required for solar industry professionals goes well beyond that which is typical for other areas in the building and construction industries. The report goes on to list some of the training requirements specific to the field of photovoltaic installations, some of which are outlined below:

�On-site evaluation with regard to system performance. This would include determining the effects of obstructions, angles, and so on.
�Characteristics of photovoltaic cells and modules, particularly how they relate to the design and performance of solar electrical systems
�System characteristics calculation�which includes aspects such as wire size�as a means of minimizing power loss and optimizing energy production
�Current wiring methods
�Mounting technology
�Solar electrical system maintenance, as well as diagnostics and troubleshooting methods
�Customer education

Aside from these training requirements, aspiring solar panel installation professionals should also receive instruction in basic electrical skills, possess knowledge of the electrical grid, and be well versed in various roof and ceiling applications.

The installation of solar hot water or pool heating systems has its own requirements with regards to training and certification, for which the NABCEP has also developed a separate task analysis. This analysis is intended specifically for solar thermal applications, and details knowledge and skill sets that are required of professionals in this area of specialization. Among the areas covered by the Solar Thermal Task Analysis of the NABCEP are:

�Safe installation of solar powered hot water and pool heatig systems
�Systems and component identification
�System design adaptation
�Effective site assessment methods
�Solar collector installation
�Water heater and storage tank installation
�Piping, insulation and connector installation
�Mechanical and plumbing system and component installation
�Electrical control system installation
�Operation and identification tag installation
�System checkout
�Solar thermal system maintenance and troubleshooting

This set of tasks assumes that the solar thermal system installer utilizes an industry approved solar system design, along with the required components, installation instructions, schematics, and instructions for system assembly and troubleshooting. While the system itself is not necessarily designed by the solar electrical system provider, he or she must possess thorough knowledge about all aspects of the system, and in some cases may be called upon to modify the design depending on the application or customer requirement.

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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