Home Solar Panels - What Are They?
Installing solar panels on your home is a great way to save money,
reduce your carbon footprint and strive for energy independence.
Residential solar panel installations have been around since the
70's but in recent years these installations have become
increasingly prevalent. In fact residential solar installations
doubled from 2007 to 2008 and continue to grow at an increasing
rate.
One reason for the popularity of home solar panels is that their
cost continues to come down. Manufacturers around the world
including China and the USA are investing in R&D and efficient
processes to bring the cost of their panels down, almost weekly. Top
solar panel manufacturers include Sharp Solar, BP Solar and Kyocera
Solar. In fact the most efficient solar panel according to our
calculations is a 240 Watt Sharp Solar panel.
Other manufacturers of high quality solar panels include Trina Solar
and ET Solar. All of these companies have proven track records of
quality products. Some of the best-selling solar panels on the
market are the Sharp 235W Solar Panel, the Trina 235W Solar Panel,
the Uni Solar 144W Solar Panel, and the ET 275W Solar Panel.
There are two types of solar power systems you can install in your
home, grid tie and off grid. Grid tie solar systems tie into your
local utility company and offset your usage from your local power
provider. Grid tie is the most popular type of solar power system
for homeowners in the United States. Off grid solar power systems
are typically used in homes located remotely or for cottages and
cabins which are far from the utility grid. With an off grid solar
power system you're completely independent from the power grid, so
you need to ensure the system can produce enough energy to run your
residence.
How Do You Solar Power Your Home?
Solar panels are only one part of the solar power equation for a
residential home. To install a full solar power system in your home
you'll need solar panels, a solar mount system to secure the panels
to your roof or ground, a solar inverter and wiring. You'll also
need to work with an experienced solar installer, taking the
appropriate safety precautions with electricity and when climbing on
your roof! Another way to purchase a solar power system for your
home is to purchase a pre-packaged kit, these simplify the process
and often offer package discounts.