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What is Solar Power?

Solar power is the generation of electricity from sunlight. Sunlight can be converted directly into electricity using photovoltaics (PV), or indirectly with concentrating solar power (CSP), which focuses the sun's energy to boil water which is then used to provide power, and technologies such as a Stirling cycle engine to power a generator. Photovoltaics were initially used to power small and medium-sized applications, from the calculator powered by a single solar cell to off-grid homes powered by a photovoltaic array. In our new going green generation, solar panels for your home are becoming more and more popular as our search for alternative renewable energy sources expands. As the gas prices go up, many Americans are starting to realize just how dependent they are of oil and coal. No matter where you live, everyone can benefit from Residential solar power systems, especially now that it is more cost efficient. By Setting up your own DIY residential solar panels for your home, you can to help save the environment. Besides, when you set up residential home solar panels for your home, you are going to cut the cost of your energy bill as well.

How Do Solar Panels Work?

Solar Panels (PV modules or PV panels) is a packaged interconnected assembly of solar cells (also know as photovoltaic cells) made of a semi conductive material, often crystalline silicon. The solar panel is used as a component in a larger photovoltaic system work by converting sunlight into electric energy for commercial and residential applications. Because a single solar panel can only produce a limited amount of power, many installations contain layers of panels, this is known as a photovoltaic array. The top layer is treated to be electrically negative, and the bottom is electrically positive. This causes electrons in the silicon cells to travel from the bottom to the top layer. They pass through electrical contacts in the top layer and are routed through a circuit, producing electrical power. A photovoltaic installation typically includes an array of solar panels, an inverter, batteries, and interconnection wiring.

Solar Panels Efficiency to Convert Energy?

The efficiency rating of solar panels is fairly low, that is the amount of the suns energy converted into electricity. Solar Panels Efficiency can range from 15% to 40%, although there have been some recent breakthroughs in technology which has increased this to 80% with nanotechnology. When calculating how many solar panels you need for your home, you don't need to be too concerned about the solar panels efficiency rating of your DIY Solar Kit because photovoltaic panels are specified by their energy generating capacity. For example, 100 watt panels will output 100 watts of energy under ideal conditions. So if you are looking to produce 1kw per hr of energy you will need 10 x 100 watt panels. Solar panel systems can produce enough electricity under ideal conditions to power the lights and electrical appliances as well as keep your home hot or cool. More of less depending on how many hours of sunlight per day your location gets.

What Happens if My Home Doesn't Get a Lot of Sunlight?

Most modern solar-panel home systems are not completely useless. Many homes use both solar panels and traditional utility companies; while this doesn't cut your dependence on fossil fuels completely, it does make it possible to conserve energy while continuing to use all the appliances you're accustomed to.

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?

As technology advances for photovoltaic panels, the prices come down in cost. Solar panels cost are currently selling for between $4 and $6 per watt of rated power output. A typical panel that you might install on your roof would be rated for between 100 and 300 watts and therefore will cost between about $400 and around $1500 or so. A complete solar power system also needs some other components and will have some installation costs and so the total installed cost of a solar system is typically in the range of $8 - 10 per watt of rated power. Most home sized systems are rated in the 1000 to 10,000 watt range and therefore cost between about $8000 and $100,000 dollars to install. Many states offer Renewable Generations incentive programs and tax savings that can reduce this cost by as much as 50% designed to encourage more people to invest in their own solar power generation array and sell the excess back to the power company. These systems will typically generate between about $300 and $2500 worth or electricity per year. Solar panels are expected to last between 30 and 50 years and so these systems will likely generate between $9000 and $120,000 worth of electricity over their life time in current dollars. This will vary widely though based on local electricity costs and may well increase greatly in the future if electricity rates rise.