| Step number one in getting started with any solar | | | | If you find the right solar professional, they will instruct |
| power setup in your home is to perform an energy | | | | you in those parts of the installation that you are |
| audit. This is where you evaluate the amount of power | | | | capable of and allow you to do some of the work |
| (in kilowatts/hour or kilowatt hours) that you'll need in | | | | yourself, saving you on some of your labor costs. |
| any given day. | | | | Even if you don't decide to have a professional install |
| You will also need to take into account the site where | | | | your solar system, it would be well worth your while to |
| your home is located. Geographical considerations | | | | consult one with your design to make sure it's a viable |
| such as climate, number of peak hours of sunlight per | | | | design, one that's taken all the necessary |
| day, number of days of peak sunlight per year, and | | | | considerations into account. For example, there is a |
| average rainfall will play a big role in how efficient a | | | | wide selection of panels, controllers, inverters, and |
| solar system you can design. | | | | batteries, each one manufactured with different |
| Any solar electric system will need, at the very least, | | | | requirements, each one not necessarily |
| the following components:a collector (usually solar | | | | interchangeable with the other. |
| panels);a mount (to put it on);an inverter (to convert 12 | | | | To further minimize the chances of incompatibilities |
| volt DC power to 110 volt AC power);a circuit breaker | | | | between components in your solar system, consider |
| or fuse box and fuses & switches (to regulate | | | | purchasing all the elements of your set up from the |
| the power transferring from the panels to your outlets | | | | same company and consulting with someone on their |
| and/or storage batteries); | | | | sales team that is knowledgeable in solar electric |
| (optional) one or more storage batteries; | | | | power. |
| (if you get a battery) a charge controller (to keep from | | | | In fact, many companies sell solar kits that contain all |
| over- or undercharging the battery and severely | | | | the components you would need to set your house up |
| reducing its lifespan); | | | | with solar power, with the certainty that all the |
| Once you've purchased all the elements of the solar | | | | components are compatible. |
| system you've just designed, installation is fairly easy, | | | | Whatever you decide, you don't have to break the |
| though the simplicity of installing a solar power system | | | | bank to try and supplant your entire power grid |
| does not mean you should necessarily do it yourself. | | | | reliance with solar power right away and all at once. If |
| There are numerous advantages to hiring a | | | | you're interested in availing yourself and your |
| professional installer with training in both electrical | | | | household of the multifold benefits of solar power, start |
| systems and solar electrical systems, including knowing | | | | small. Get yourself a single solar panel and see how |
| how to set everything up to code, should the building | | | | well that works for you. When you're ready, add on |
| inspector ever have the need to look it over (ie. for | | | | more panels, batteries, etc., one at a time as you can |
| insurance purposes). | | | | afford it and as your needs evolve. |