Home Solar Power Kits

Daniel Stouffer asked:

Article, we will document the three most common types of solar cells and how this technology has proven itself for decades. We’ll also give a brief history of silicon sourcing and explain why we were set for rapid growth back int the 90s and now we are again. Finally, we’ll make note of new solar technologies that will change the solar industry as we know it (i.e. thin film and nano-solar). All of these factors are great news for homeowners wishing to upgrade to solar generated electricity.

The following topics will be explained in varying levels of detail; how a solar cell converts sunlight energy via the use of different types of silicon, the use of silicon and where it comes from, and a little about the history of silicon sourcing over the past 18 years.

The Future Solar Panel and Home Solar Manufacturing

As the residential solar power industry has matured and showed a steady growth of about 40 percent a year, the silicon industry is now responding with new production and caches of raw materials. Many silicon refineries and new silicon sourcing companies are getting the funding and moving towards rapid production in the next dozen or so months. There are plans and announcements by several companies such as GE, BP, and others about launching new facilities that produce silicon at a fraction of the cost we may be experiencing today. This is all exciting news for home solar power enthusiasts and for those wishing to upgrade to residential solar generated electricity.

The silicon industry is or has been slow to increase overall manufacturing capabilities because of the large growth during the early 1990s that eventually when stale. The extreme growth expectations were hyped and many industry experts expected much expansion in the early 1990s. This just did not happen 18 years ago. Fortunately, we are now experience much more accepting market, social expectations of our movement to renewable technologies, and governmental support to make the switch to home solar power.

In the past, the solar silicon refining industry made solar panel manufacturers sign long-term contracts at extremely high prices to secure any silicon at all. For example, a solar manufacturing plant had to slow production to a trickle because of a lack of silicon. The economics have now changed since 2006 making massive silicon contracts viable at better prices.

Nano-Solar and Thin Film Solar Cells: It’s the Future

We are now at the dawn of a home solar energy revolution. The solar power manufacturers invented and are beginning to manufacture new solar modules that do not use silicon at all. There are alternative materials using nano-technology that are and will continue to radically change the consumption and production of solar generated electricity.

Often the newest technologies, like thin film or nano-solar cells, are somewhat experimental with limited or no actual field testing. This is not true for many of the silicon based solar panels on the market today. Homeowners, right now, have the opportunity to rent residential solar energy systems and side step the expensive system purchase by renting. Because there are now large sources of silicon, homeowners now have the choice to upgrade to solar on a large scale across many markets in the United States that were once thought too expensive to install residential solar systems.

Sourcing of Silicon for Home Solar Energy Systems

The material used to make most solar cells today is the abundant element called silicon. One might think of this in a common sense as sand which when melted down and added to various other elements makes up anything from computer chips to beer bottles. Availability of solar grade silicon has been one of the limiting factors in the solar module manufacturing industry for the past several years.

The story goes something like this. Solar grade silicon is produced in large scale, expensive to build processing facilities. “Well, isn’t it just sand?” One might ask. Of course, sand is basically silicon, but with a lot of impurities. Solar grade silicon is highly refined silicon that is purified through gasification and then “doped” with precise impurities to create free electrons, which is explained in following articles.

There are basically 3 types of silicon going into current solar energy systems being installed today;

1. Silicon Crystals: A silicon atom has a positively charged nucleus that is surrounded by negatively charged electrons. The critical thing about silicon is its structure. It has 4 electrons around its nucleus that allow for easy bonding to other elements and for its organization into crystal. Crystals conduct electricity much better than randomly organized elements. The 4 orbiting electrons can bond to the other electrons rotating around different elements. Each silicon atom connects with 4 more silicon atoms to construct a perfect pattern, a repeating crystalline structure.

2. Monocrystalline Silicon: The silicon is grown as large cylinders, which are sliced into wafers that become individual solar cells.

3. Polycrystalline Silicon: Liquid silicon is poured into thin containers and cooled.

Emerging Availability of Home Solar Energy System

Want to know how to rent a home solar electric system for your house? Well, it’s pretty simple. You basically pay a flat monthly rental fee just like you do today for a satellite dish or some other equipment you rent. The solar system rental rate is calculated based upon a number of factors; the average monthly energy consumption, the available utility sources and net-metering options, and the kWh rates in your market. A solar engineer will come to your home, look at your roof size, angle and shading to size the system for your location.

Going solar and using renewable, solar energy is getting simpler every day. The following article explained in some detail why the sourcing of silicon has slowed in the overall residential solar power market in the past. This is just not the case any longer and more options are emerging daily for the average homeowner to rethink solar power and renewable solar energies.

Will Yap asked:


How much would it cost to install a solar power system on an existing house? There is no fixed cost in any home improvement project. The cost depends largely on your needs. But if you want to know a ball park figure so you’ll be able to make a quick decision, consider the following 7 points:

1) Solar panels – The solar panels are the most expensive components of the whole system. It will take up from 50 to 60 percent of the project budget. The solar modules are made from small Photovoltaic (PV) cells soldered together.

PV cells are made from a special semi-conductive material and are capable of generating electricity when exposed to sun light. The size of your budget will depend on the number of solar panels required.

2) Battery storage – If the residential solar system is not tied to the power grid, you will need to build a battery bank. Depending on your household power requirement, you will need 5 to 12 units of battery.

The kind of battery used it the deep cycle type.

3) Charge controller – Since the amount of power generated from the solar module is small and inconsistent, you need a charge controller to charge up the batteries.

The charge controller will maintain a steady current flow and the right voltage to maximize the performance and efficiency of the batteries.

4) Power inverter – A battery will only give out Direct Current (DC). Since most of a household electrical appliances use Alternate Current (AC), you will need a power inverter to change the DC to AC.

5) Gasoline generator – Why do you need a generator on a solar power system? A generator acts as a power backup if you are using an off-grid system. If you are using an intertie residential solar energy system, a generator is unnecessary.

6) Transfer switch box – If you are opting for an intertie system, the transfer switch will be used to transfer power source either from the power grid of the solar system.

7) Load control box – This is the safety system for the whole solar setup. It consists of cutoff switches and fuses. If there is any problem or power surge, the fuses will burn therefore disconnecting the circuit.

Bret Parker asked:


Solar Electricity Using Renewable Energy

Solar energy solutions: Solar electricity, Renewable energy, going green is becoming very popular with do it yourself enthusiast to use an alternative energy than using fossil fuel power. –  [http://make-a-solar-panel.com]

The sun’s energy is the most abundant and the cheapest source of energy available on earth. Solar energy potential in these times of depleting resources and increasing prices proves to be the most beneficial and the most economical power solution to operate all your home electrical appliances.

Changing your home from grid power to renewable solar electricity is easier than most home owners believe once the basics secrets for making solar panels or building a home wind power generator, when following the guides that are available on the internet.

DIY Home solar power panel system is a cost effective way to power your home than the expensive installations from the commercial sector. The aim of home owners is to construct a solar power system that will handle the total power load of the home at peak times.

The other important part of the home solar power system is working out the homes total power usage during peak load. 

First you can install solar panels that will reduce some of the electricity and later as money and time allows make more diy solar panels and finally end with a solar power system that will produce enough electricity to go off the grid and then you will be in line for power rebates from the power company.

Peak load time for the home is between 4 pm to 7 pm at night.

Create Solar Electricity – Reduce Power – Save Money.



You build your DIY home solar power system to equal the power demand for the home at peak times and then after peak load the power system starts to create more solar electricity than you are using and this excess solar electricity is feed back into the power grid.

Two methods used in designing a diy home solar power panel system is the use of batteries to store the excess solar electricity and use this free electricity at night or on cloudy condition days and you call this being completely off the grid. The second method uses the power from the grid at night. This system does not use batteries.

Remember electricity cannot be store in its raw state. There’s no limit to what you can generate in the way of renewable solar energy electricity.

The position of your solar power system is critical and requires full sunshine for as long as possible during the day to operate at peak performance generating un-interrupted power.

5  Reasons to create your Own Solar electricity for Home. create solar electricity

1  Save hundreds of dollars every month on your power bill.

2  Low cost evolved to make your DIY home solar power system.

3  Generate free solar electricity.

4  Great value for our environment – no waste – no noise – pollution free.

5  Increase the value of your house – good investment for the future.

DIY home solar power systems use different terms or names. All these names refer to are the same.

visit [http://make-a-solar-panel.com]

1 solar generator 2 solar panels 3 solar array 4 solar power panels.

All the units convert solar energy into free home solar electricity using photovoltaic cells.

Imagine running the home electrical appliances without worrying about paying for any electricity!

The secret is with all this information and technical data you are not required to know a lot just follow the steps in the guide of your choice. Beware some guides promise the world but deliver rubbish

Alexis Jameson asked:


These days there is a great need for all people to use solar power for homes. We all know that the planet is struggling and things are changing drastically in the world. This is all due to the fact that the human race has, over many years, forgotten about taking care of the planet. This is why it is important for us to change our electricity use to renewable energy, like solar power. There are many different uses, some of which are outlined below.

Pool Heating: Pools take up a huge load of electricity. It will be very beneficial to you and the planet if you changed the electricity source of your pool’s pump. This change will be from the government supplied power to renewable home solar power. The great thing about using renewable energy for your pool is that there is always enough to heat it up during the winter.

Household Water Heating: We all know that the water heater in your home takes up a lot of electricity to heat your bath or shower water. This is why you are now able to find water heaters that use renewable energy like solar power. You will find that this type of water heater sits on the top of your house, where it is easier for the solar panels to absorb the sun’s rays. In the long run, this type of water heating will save you money, and you will be using a renewable energy source, which is just much better for the planet.

Electricity for Your Home: If you run a home with a small need for electricity, does it not make more sense to get your electricity for free? Well, if you were to install two or three solar panels at your home you will basically have free electricity. You will find that, in the long run, the solar panels will pay themselves off, because you are not buying electricity from the government.

Special Uses: If you find that you use a lot of electricity on a monthly basis, you will still find a great need for renewable energy like solar power. Running a home that uses vast amounts of electricity strictly via solar power can be a bit pricey initially, but you can do one room at a time. You can make use of solar power for a special room, like a media room where you watch a lot of movies or listen to music.

There are many reasons why you would use solar energy. For many it is saving money, for others it is saving the planet. Whatever the reason, you now know how it can be beneficial to you.

Want to cheaply create your own solar power? Save thousands per year with this solar power for homes kit and manual. Visit http://TheEarth4Energy.com now for more details.

John Tahan asked:


The more you read and learn about solar power, the more you will understand just how much does solar power cost. Solar power is a free natural source of energy from up above, it’s a gift of God, we call it the sun and it is for everyone to use. When solar energy hits the earth it brings us heat, warmth and a sense of well being, it spreads over the earth’s surface evenly. Just like we capture the sun’s rays into our car in the summer when the windows are closed, and we open the windows to let the heat out, solar panels are doing a similar job capturing the rays of the sun and converting it into electrical charges useable to heat our homes, power our appliances, heat your water, run your air conditioner, TV, DVD and a lot more. Unlike gas or oil heaters that you continue to pay monthly in order to have power or gas heat in your home. Solar power does provide heating, cooling and ventilation, free of charges. How much does solar power cost in a long run, nothing and you may not know this but the electrical companies will pay you money for having your meter run on the opposite direction.

Greenhouses operate with the same principle having glass or clear plastic all around it attracting and capturing the sun and not allow it to escape causing the greenhouse to stay very warm for the plants to grow effectively.

A home solar power system can cost you around $3,500.00 and more depending on many things, like the size of your home, the amount of appliances used, the size of your family, the amount of electronic components used and much more. There are some very good step by step guides with videos out there to help you build your own solar power system even if you know nothing about solar power. I have come across one package on the internet that claims that you can build your own home solar power system for about $200.00, now that is amazing and hard to believe. Think of all the money you will be saving and all the nice things you will be able to afford for your home with those savings and much more. You shouldn’t ask yourself how much does solar power cost but rather ask yourself how much money will I save ?

In time, solar energy helps to heat your home naturally without worrying about the high electrical bill at the end of the month. and without depending on a company to supply it for you. Solar energy is found wherever the sun is shinning.

 

Betty Miller asked:


Everyone all over the place nowadays seem to be talking about solar energy and how it can benefit people’s lives. However many people are hesitant in taking action on the trend because they think that the return on their investment will be seen in a couple years. Let me share you you some key things to keep in mind when starting on this project.

It Doesn’t Have To Cost A lot

Forget the notion that you need to spend thousands and thousands of dollars by purchasing pre-made solar panels and also forget the idea that the materials you need to purchase to make your own homemade solar panels need to cost a lot. Believe it or not, you can get all the materials and supplies you need for under $450.



Get Everything Done In Less Than 3 Days

You don’t have to spend weeks or months building your own solar panels because it’s jsut not that much of a time consuming project. Typical people can complete the project and have a fully functional home solar power system is an little as 3 days. This is something everybody can so, just 3 days of work for a lifetime of benefit when you build a solar panel.

Get A Good Foundational Knowledge

You don’t have to have a degree on solar power before you start building your own panels, but you do need to have some base knowledge before you get started. I strongly recommend video tutorials and visual diagrams because they are the easiest to understand and makes the learning process very brain friendly.

To recap, you don’t need to spend days building your own solar panels and it doesn’t need to cost you an arm and a leg either. You can easily purchase the materials with pocket change and have a functional system in place in just 4 days. Homemade solar power will benefit you for years and years to come and you will thank yourself for having the willingness to start the project.

Bret Parker asked:


The price of electricity has been increasing drastically and you can simply compare your present electrical bill with your last bill.

All you need to do is to learn how to build make diy solar panels to produce your own solar electrical power with solar panels.

Residential solar power systems have been listed as the next mass green evolution in renewable energy. This however, was not the case some 10 years ago when the cost of building a solar system for home use was expensive.

Toxic emissions that have damaged our environment has resulted in a demand for more alternative energy sources

Residential diy solar panels convert the energy from the sun and turn it into usable electrical power that we can use every day in our homes.

Generally, the majority of home owners that know about solar panels think that they won’t benefit from its use because they only work in sunny areas. That isn’t the case; the new generation of solar panels can produce a lot of electrical energy in cloudy weather.

Learning how to build diy solar panel, convert the sunlight energy into solar electricity.

Before you commerce the construction of your DIY solar panel, you’ll need to find a suitable location to position your panels. It should be unblocked and facing the sun at the correct angel.

Most home owners mount them on the roof which has the widest expense of unblocked space allowing full access to sunlight.

Residential solar power systems can cost you close to $4,000 per panel if done commercially. (Approx value at $7.50 per watt).

Comparatively, if you build your own DIY Residential solar panel, you can save a good deal of money since your total expenditure for a system could cost less than $200 with all materials easily available at the local neighborhood hardware store.

In general, you do not need to have great knowledge of solar power or process technical skills to build your own DIY solar panel. All you need are good manuals that contain clear and direct instructions along with well designed circuit diagrams for wiring the solar cells in series or parallel.

The manuals should come with step by step video instructions that specifically directs you, how to assemble and install, to how to save the excess power. Information of installing a battery bank.

Videos enhanced your learning greatly with the visual effects when you can stop, rewind and forward at will.



Simple ways to reducing your electrical bills.



Turn off lights in vacant rooms

turn down the thermostat in the refrigerator in winter

Have the seals replaced or check for leaks

turn down the thermostat on the hot water in summer

Minimum use of air conditioners

Replace light with energy efficient lamps

All energy saving ideals to reducing power.

Brennan Howe asked:


Many Americans have decided to become more energy independent, and want to play a part in avoiding a very foreseeable energy crisis. They’ve decided to go solar. Creating a solar powered home is an endeavor that requires an initial investment, but the costs are being lowered everyday. Solar power provides long term benefits. Not just for the home owner, but the environment too.

Now that solar power is more efficient, you can reduce or even eliminate your electric bill, increase your home’s value and contribute to a cleaner environment, all at the same time. It’s a great time to join the move to renewable energy resources, and the perfect time to take advantage of the generous government and local utility financial incentives that can cut thousands of dollars off the price. And now that solar power is becoming even more main stream, it is growing in accessibility. Manufacturers of solar powered products have realized the potential for a solar age, and are creating new options for those who are considering a solar powered lifestyle. If you are ready to step into the solar age, you are probably wondering how and where to begin. Below is a list of ways to make your home a solar one.

Solar Attic Fans- Solar attic fans are a great example of a simple way to make your home more energy efficient without spending a lot of money. The need for air conditioning is reduced by venting hot air out of your attic. Installing a solar attic fan may also increase the life of your roof materials by keeping them at a lower temperature which also reduces moisture buildup in your attic. This prevents mold and rot in your home, and can also reduce allergens and pollution.

Solar Heating- Solar heating systems are composed of solar thermal collectors, a fluid system to move the heat to its point of usage, and a reservoir for heat storage. The systems may be used to heat domestic hot water, swimming pool water, or for space heating. If you live in the southern half of the United States or in an equally sunny area you could potentially save between 50% and 80% on your water heating by implementing a solar hot water heater. The initial cost is hefty, but depending on how you use it, the system may pay for itself in as little as five years. The return is greater when you factor in rebates and incentives offered by states and local governments.

Solar Pumps- Depending on where you live, especially in remote areas, the cost of traditional water piping may be exorbitant. Unless you install a solar water pump. A solar power panel collects solar energy and powers a battery which can keep a consistent and plentiful water supply.

Solar Paneling-The most obvious way to break in to the solar age is to install solar panel cells on your roof. Solar cells, also known as PV cells, or Photovoltaics, come in many sizes, colors, and performance characteristics, made to fit a variety of homes and lifestyles. Another important factor to consider is that when PV panels are used in conjunction with energy efficient appliances, not as many panels may be needed to power your home! Large scale home improvement stores, as well as smaller, independent energy groups, offer installation. But if you are a savvy do-it-yourselfer, you may decide to undertake the project on your own!

But don’t bust out the screwdriver just yet. Whether you do it yourself, or hire someone to do it for you, there are a couple of technicalities to be seen to before solarizing your home. Such as building permits. In order to legally install renewable energy sources in your home, you must contact your city or county building permit agency to obtain permission. You will be able to learn about requirements specific to your neighborhood. Don’t forget about property and sales taxes. Depending on what state you live in, you may or may not be exempt from these when it comes to the purchase of your renewable energy system.

Although it is not difficult to keep up your solar systems, frequency of replacement should be considered. Solar thermal systems need valves replaced every 3-5 years and storage tanks replaced every 10 years. Luckily, solar PV systems typically do not require maintenance, other than a yearly cleaning of the solar panels. PV panel life is typically 25 years.