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Solar Power For Homeowners Article
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Exploring The Use Of Solar Power For Homes
from: The concept of using solar power for homes has come a long way in a relatively short period of time. Although solar power has been used for ages, systems designed to replace or augment electrical use are only now just catching on in a very big way. In general there are three main system types for home use. Each can have a major and positive impact on how well a home functions.The systems that provide solar power for homes all operate off the same principles. These systems are designed to use solar panels or modules in an array design to absorb energy from the sun’s rays. This energy is transformed within the panels to create direct current electricity. The electricity created by the panels is then sent to an inverter for transformation into alternating current. This AC power is then stored in a battery for future use. The three basic systems that drive solar power for homes vary in design and function. They include:
• Full, off-grid systems – As energy costs climb, more homeowners are exploring this option. It is feasible for solar power for homes to take a property completely off the electrical grid. How efficient this type of system will actually be will depend on its location, the amount of sunlight received, the design and the efficiency of the individual components. To make solar power for homes more reliable, many builders are exploring energy saving measures that can coincide with their use. This can include strategic positioning of a home to provide the best insulation, landscaping for shade and other similar moves that would cut demand for power within an off-grid home.
• Augmentation systems – Most solar power for homes comes in this form. This type of system is meant to power a specific system within a home – not the entire home. Solar systems, for example, might be self-contained devices that operate outside lights, or water heaters. Some systems are designed to completely power heating and cooling systems. This type of system can take a lot of the pressure of powering a home off the electrical system and put money back in a homeowner’s wallet.
• Backup systems – Solar power for homes can also extend to backup systems, such as sun-powered generators. This type of system works much like an augmentation system in that it might not be designed to keep a home completely functional when backup is needed. Backup systems are ideal, for example, for running heating, cooling or refrigeration systems during a blackout.
Solar power for homes has improved greatly over the last few decades. More and more homeowners are realizing that the sun’s power can helps make their homes more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. In the process, these systems can also save homeowners money in electric costs.
Solar Power For Homeowners Specific links
Solar Power For Homeowners News
California Expands Rooftop Solar-Power Program - Wall Street Journal
 Los Angeles Times | California Expands Rooftop Solar-Power Program Wall Street Journal By Cassandra Sweet Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES SAN FRANCISCO (Dow Jones)--California regulators approved a plan Thursday to expand a subsidy for rooftop solar power generated by homeowners and businesses, handing a victory to the solar industry. California Expands Net Metering Program for Solar-Power Sales Colorado PUC voted Thursday to cut solar subsidies nearly in half Has blazing a trail in solar energy cost California too much? |
UK solar subsidy to be cut - The Guardian
 BBC News | UK solar subsidy to be cut The Guardian Payments for home owners using solar panels to generate electricity are to be cut further, the government said on Thursday, which is set to be the hottest day of the year with widespread sunshine in the UK. The feed-in tariff for solar photovoltaic ... Solar feed-in tariff cut delayed by government Solar PV Set to Shine Again. DECC reveals solar FiT cuts: industry's comments |
Solar Power More Competitive Than Decision-makers Or Consumers Realize - Forbes
 Forbes | Solar Power More Competitive Than Decision-makers Or Consumers Realize Forbes Are the decision-makers entrusted with determining the future of energy infrastructure operating under an outdated understanding of the cost-competitiveness of solar power? In many cases, the answer is yes, according to a paper released last week by ... |
Solar start-up Sunrun raises $60 million - Reuters
 PV-Tech | Solar start-up Sunrun raises $60 million Reuters The company uses a solar leasing business model that allows homeowners to install solar panels on their rooftops with no down payment. Instead, homeowners make monthly payments for the power they use. Madrone Capital -- affiliated with the Walton ... Sunrun Closes $60M Equity Investment |
Cleantech investment slows but many backers remain hopeful - San Jose Mercury News
Cleantech investment slows but many backers remain hopeful San Jose Mercury News Or is interest shifting "downstream" from companies building power plants, electric cars and solar panels to companies focused on getting energy data into the hands of consumers and solar panels on roofs? "People are shying away from cleantech, ... |