| With the tanking economy and the ever-rising cost of | | | | Another concern you may have about residential solar |
| energy, you now might be looking into residential solar | | | | systems is what would happen during a power outage. |
| systems. You've heard that they can save you big | | | | We've all been in the situation where we've lost power |
| money on your energy bills, but you just don't feel like | | | | during a snow or rainstorm. And in the case of a |
| you know enough about them to make an informed | | | | severe snowstorm, this can be a particularly |
| decision. We all know that the purchase and installation | | | | dangerous situation, especially if the repair crews |
| of any energy system is a huge commitment, so you | | | | cannot get to you for several days. The good news is |
| want to make sure you do it right. Maybe a closer look | | | | that there are now solar systems available with a |
| will answer some of the questions you may have. | | | | battery backup, so you never have to worry about a |
| First of all, residential solar systems work by converting | | | | power outage. The beauty of it is that part of the |
| energy from the sun into AC power, which is used for | | | | power produced during the day is used to keep the |
| electricity in your home. But you don't have to worry if | | | | battery charged. |
| the sun isn't shining on a particular day, because you'll | | | | So how do you know if residential solar systems will |
| still be hooked in to your local power grid, so you'll | | | | work in your home? Most systems will work just |
| never have to worry about losing power. The same | | | | about anywhere there is the availability of the sun. All |
| principle also applies in the evening after the sun goes | | | | you need is a sunny patch of roof about 120 square |
| down for the day. But what if you live in a sunny | | | | feet in size for the smallest of systems. It also helps if |
| climate and your system actually manufactures too | | | | this portion of roof is facing to the south in order to |
| much power? Not a problem, because many utility | | | | pick up the warmest sun rays during the day. |
| companies will buy back the excess power and | | | | If this sounds like your house, then installing a solar |
| provide you with an energy credit, in effect, reducing | | | | power system may be a wise choice. You can learn |
| your utility bill. | | | | more about solar roofing by visiting solar roofing. |