| If you have decided to install some sort of solar | | | | more power than you need. In this case you can sell |
| energy in your home then you must already be aware | | | | the excess electricity to a power company. This type |
| of the advantages. Finding a source of clean, cheap | | | | of system should save your household around thirty |
| energy is important for everyone now and solar is a | | | | percent of electricity costs. |
| great option. | | | | Technological Advances |
| For a long time solar energy was seen as expensive | | | | Recent advances in solar power technology have |
| and many people were reluctant to invest. However | | | | made both systems more efficient so that they can |
| with improvements in technology, manufacture and a | | | | create more heat and power from the sunlight they |
| lower price, now is a great time to choose some solar | | | | harness. |
| panels for your home. | | | | For solar heating systems there are now evacuated |
| Choosing Your Home Solar System | | | | tubes which collect more heat. If you live in a cold |
| The first decision to make is which type of system to | | | | climate you can get them insulated to prevent loss of |
| have. There are two options; solar heating and | | | | heat as the day gets cooler. |
| photovoltaic panels. Each has advantages and | | | | Photovoltaic cells have undergone several changes |
| disadvantages and the decision will also depend on | | | | since they were first created. You will find 3 types of |
| where you live and the amount you can afford to pay. | | | | cell to choose from, all made in a different way. The |
| Solar heating panels or solar collectors will heat water | | | | most efficient are the Monocrystalline cells which have |
| so they take over from the boiler during the day. They | | | | an efficiency rating between fifteen to twenty percent. |
| convert solar radiation into heat and so do not need | | | | They are the most expensive, but may be worth the |
| direct sunlight. These systems are cheaper to install | | | | investment. |
| and can cut household energy bills by approximately | | | | Researching Your Solar Panel Requirements |
| fifteen percent. However they cannot be used to heat | | | | Once you have decided which type of cell to install |
| the house or generate electricity but they are smaller | | | | then you should work out how much power you want |
| than the other panels. | | | | the system to provide based on your usage. Then you |
| The other option is panels with photovoltaic cells which | | | | have to calculate how many panels using the output |
| can change sunlight into electricity. The space needed | | | | figure for each. This figure is called the peak power |
| is larger than for solar heating panels and they need | | | | rating and is derived from a standardized test so that |
| some direct sunlight. They are also more expensive | | | | you can work out what to expect from your system. |
| but some of the cost can be met by Government | | | | This is a good time to invest in solar energy for many |
| grants. | | | | reasons. There are lots of options available when |
| The panels are modular so it is possible to have some | | | | choosing solar panels for your home so you should be |
| installed and the inner parts of the system and then | | | | prepared to spend some time considering and looking |
| add panels later. If you live in a place with a lot of | | | | around before you decide. |
| sunlight there is a good chance that you will generate | | | | |