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Solar Power Kits Can Cut Costs
from: Small solar power kits are popping up all over the place. These self-contained systems can provide anyone with the ability to harness the power of the sun for their own personal electrical use. The capacity of this type of system and its efficiency will depend a lot on geographical location for use and the individual system’s unique design. Overall, solar power kits can save people money on their electrical costs even if it is only a small amount.Solar power kits do differ in size, capacity and associated purchase costs. A standard kit meant to power a very small appliance might include such things as:
• A small solar panel or module – This is the power behind a kit system. Just like a large solar panel system that would be installed on a roof, a kit module will be designed to absorb the sun’s energy and convert it into direct current electricity.
• An inverter – Inverters are required by solar power systems to take the DC energy produced by panels or modules and turn it into usable alternating current, or AC, power. The efficiency of the inverter can play a big role in how much energy solar power kits can produce.
• A battery or batteries – Solar power kits are meant to charge batteries that can then be used to power a specific appliance. A small system, for example, might power a fairly small 12 volt battery.
• Charge controller – This little device comes along with many solar power kits to regulate the amount of charge the battery or batteries will receive from the module and inverter. This helps ensure that batteries are fully charge, but not over taxed.
• Mounting devices or hardware – These come with standard, self-contained solar power kits to ensure proper mounting of solar modules. In most cases, the hardware is designed as a pole that elevates the solar module. It is up to the individual users, however, to ensure that a module is placed in an area that receives plenty of direct sunlight.
Solar power kits that are considered affordable might not drive big electrical systems within a home, but they can help offset costs. This type of system could be used, for example, to run a toaster, hair dryer, drill or other small appliance. The benefits of using solar power kits are generally not as financially rewarding as employing a larger system, but they can reduce electric bills slightly. More importantly, however, a small kit can show the effectiveness of solar power and illustrate how a larger system would function.
Solar power kits are rather widely available. These systems might not replace electricity, but they can do their part to offset its use and the costs associated with it.
Solar Power For Home Use Specific links
Solar Power For Home Use News
Green Greatness: First McKinney Home Installs Solar Panels - TownSquareBuzz.com
Green Greatness: First McKinney Home Installs Solar Panels TownSquareBuzz.com By Nikki Darling, TSB Staff McKinney resident Mary Browder and her husband Rick Browder are the first of hopefully many in town to begin the "go green" initiative by installing solar panels in their house. The Browders decided to make the change for a ... |
Lake James Cellars adds solar power to old mill - Morganton News Herald
Lake James Cellars adds solar power to old mill Morganton News Herald “North Carolina was just managing a portion of it to use it for solar energy,” Michael said. Michael and his wife, Betty, submitted a grant to the North Carolina Green Business Fund. The fund helps small businesses gain improvements in the biofuels and ... |
Plug-in solar panels: Worth the cost? - Christian Science Monitor
 Christian Science Monitor | Plug-in solar panels: Worth the cost? Christian Science Monitor At this stage, plug-in solar panels are so early in their development that their quality and effectiveness are questionable. But the idea has potential. By Russ Finley, Guest blogger / May 26, 2012 People gather in front of a bank of solar panels on ... |
Utility regulators more than double California's solar power goal - Los Angeles Times
 Los Angeles Times | Utility regulators more than double California's solar power goal Los Angeles Times Proponents say the Public Utilities Commission decision to expand its "net metering" program would help California remain the nation's leader in solar power. Above, solar panels shade the rooftop deck of a Hollywood Hills home. PUC to rule on solar credits Colorado regulators tighten rooftop solar-energy incentives California expands solar net metering program |
Conn. subsidies seen spurring home solar power - BusinessWeek
 Press Herald | Conn. subsidies seen spurring home solar power BusinessWeek By STEPHEN SINGER Dmitri Donskoy figures he'll save only $20 a month on his electricity bill after solar panels are installed on the roof of his home under a state-subsidized program. But he shrugs it off because the green energy appeals to his ... Connecticut subsidies seen spurring home solar power |