| Solar power systems have improved dramatically in | | | | typically required all of the parts in the system to be |
| recent years and today offer a great solution for any | | | | made by the same company. Also, the lack of |
| homeowner looking to generate their own power for | | | | standards in these older systems meant that the |
| their home. These newer solar homes systems are | | | | connections, voltages and mounting equipment would |
| more flexible, easier to install and less expensive than | | | | vary between manufacturers making it even harder to |
| ever before and can accommodate the needs of | | | | mix and match different equipment. Because all of |
| almost any size of home. Whether you are looking to | | | | these manufacturers now build their solar power |
| generate a little power from the sun to lower your | | | | equipment to an agreed upon standard set by the |
| monthly electricity bill or eliminate it completely, there | | | | National Electrical Code (NEC), the mixing of various |
| are home solar power systems than can help you. | | | | systems components is much easier and safer. |
| Improvements in Energy Conversion Efficiency | | | | Newer Systems Accommodate Future Expansion |
| One of the biggest advantages to these newer home | | | | These newer systems are also more expandable |
| solar power systems is their efficiency. A typical | | | | than ever before. Older systems were very rigid in |
| system today has an average efficiency of over 15% | | | | their design and did not allow for changes once they |
| and can generate far more power than older systems | | | | were installed on a home. This meant that a |
| from the same amount of sunlight. This means that | | | | homeowner had to install the largest system they |
| most solar power homes will need a smaller system | | | | would ever need from the start since they could not |
| to provide all the power their home requires. Because | | | | expand it later. In many cases this initial investment |
| of this, most modern systems are less expensive and | | | | kept many homes from being able to take advantage |
| easier to install with fewer components. The lower | | | | of a solar power for homes solution because of limited |
| system cost has allowed many homeowners that | | | | budgets. In contrast, these newer systems are |
| could not take advantage of solar energy for homes in | | | | designed to be very easy to expand, which allows you |
| the past to afford a system today. | | | | to grow your system slowly over time. You can start |
| Interchangeable Components Enable Design Flexibility | | | | with a smaller and affordable starter system and add |
| These modern home solar energy systems are also | | | | more solar panels to it over time to increase the |
| more flexible in their designs than systems in the past. | | | | amount of power you are generating. This way you |
| This helps consumers by allowing them to more easily | | | | can enjoy the savings your initial system provides and |
| mix components from different manufacturers into the | | | | increase those savings as you expand your system. |
| same system. By doing this they can pick the exact | | | | This allows you the homeowner to spread the cost of |
| components they need to create the perfect home | | | | your solar power for the home out over a number of |
| solar power systems. Older solar homes systems | | | | years and not have to worry about a large initial |
| were stricter about this mixing of components and | | | | installation investment. |