15 September, 2007

Home Solar Power System An Effective Source of Alternative Energy



Home solar power systems offer a great way to use an alternative energy source. They provide clean, renewable energy with very little maintenance needed after the initial installation. With a home solar power system, you can significantly lower your utility bill or even receive a credit. Depending on the area you live in, you may even be eligible for a rebate from 20 to even 75% of the cost of a home solar power system.

A home solar power system typically consists of a few photovoltaic panels mounted on your home's rooftop. These panels need to be mounted on an area of the rooftop that receives a lot of direct sunlight throughout the day. The southern facing area is usually preferred spot for the panels and your solar power system dealer should include installation in the package you buy. The photovoltaic panels take in sunlight and convert it into DC power. The power then goes through an inverter to convert it to AC power for use in your home. Extra power is stored in batteries for later use such as night time and cloudy days.

There are many different reasons to use a home solar power system. If you build a house in a remote area, solar power might be your only option until a utility grid reaches it. You might want to have an emergency power supply if you live in an area that is prone to power outages or brownouts. Many people like the fact that they are contributing to a healthier environment with their pollution free solar power.

There are many subsidies and rebates available to you if you decide to use a home solar power system. California will give you a 40% rebate on your total installation purchase and many other states offer a similar incentive program. You also receive credit to your utility account if you generate more power than you use throughout the day. This is called net metering and most utility providers offer this program for home solar power system users. If they don't, they will send you a rebate check once a month for your extra generated power.

When choosing your home solar power system, you will want to check around with various dealers to see what types of panels are available to you. Some panels generate more power than others so you want to make sure you are getting the best deal available. Many solar dealers will offer you great package deals with panels, inverters, and batteries with a very comprehensive maintenance plan. You will usually be able to trade in your old batteries for a discount on new ones when the need arises.

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