| Residential solar electric systems are a great way to | | | | building such systems while avoiding costly mistakes. |
| supplement your home's power needs. It can reduce | | | | Tip #3: Buy Solar Power Equipment Online |
| your electric bills significantly. Solar energy is also very | | | | By shopping online you get to maximize your ability to |
| clean and virtually inexhaustible. The technology has | | | | find high-quality power equipment at very competitive |
| progressed enough to the point where small solar | | | | prices. You can compare more suppliers faster and |
| power systems have become very efficient, | | | | much more conveniently. |
| cost-effective and easily implementable. | | | | Tip #4: Do-it-Yourself Solar Kits are Cheaper |
| If you are interested in setting-up your own home | | | | Instead of paying professional solar power installers, |
| system, here are eight (8) important tips to keep in | | | | why not do it on your own? Even a complete novice |
| mind: | | | | can setup a good solar system with the help of a |
| Tip #1: Know How Much Daily Power Your Household | | | | good Do-it-Yourself solar power kit. |
| Uses | | | | Tip #5: Check Your City/County Building Codes |
| Knowing your total daily household power consumption | | | | Always check with your city hall's electrical engineering |
| is important. This helps you determine your system's | | | | department. Every city and most counties require city |
| needed generation capacity in order to meet your | | | | inspections and permits when making major electrical |
| home self-sufficiency target (e.g. 50% to 100% | | | | changes to your home. |
| electrically self-sufficient). | | | | Tip# 7: Get a Qualified Electrician |
| Do this by noting all your electrical appliances' wattage | | | | Better leave the wiring jobs to a qualified electrical |
| and the number of hours each appliance is used. | | | | contractor if you have no background in electrical |
| Multiply the wattage by the hour (watt-per-hour) then | | | | wiring. You run the risk of burning your house down if |
| get the sum of all your appliances watt-per-hour usage | | | | you wire your system inappropriately. |
| for the day, week, month or even year. | | | | Tip #8: Make Room for Future Expansion |
| Tip #2: Start Small | | | | Once you plan and setup your home system, have |
| You don't have to go "off-the-grid" completely. Many | | | | foresight for future projects and expansions. Most |
| people start with small solar power systems that can | | | | people start with small solar power systems. You can |
| already cut power bills significantly. Starting with a small | | | | eventually expand into a large enough system that can |
| project first will help you learn the ins and outs of | | | | completely supply your household's electric needs. |