Residential Solar Power - How to Make Your Own Energy
The simple fact is that we cannot depend on oil and fossil fuels for our energy forever. Many people are already starting to realize this and are beginning to switch to residential solar power.
Using residential solar power may seem complicated but it’s simpler than you might think. I personally know people that aren’t as smart (or as good looking) as you and they have built their own solar power system.
First, let’s talk about what solar power is and how it works.
Solar power is an amazing thing. The sun blasts more than enough energy to provide us enough power to sustain ourselves. They key is being able to harness this energy and use it to our benefit. Our goal is to take this energy and convert it into electricity. Once we convert to electricity, this will give us all the residential solar power we will ever need.
Electricity is created by solar panels and converted using photovoltaic cells. The word photovoltaic literally means ‘light electricity’. Don’t let these big words confuse you, creating solar power for homes is quite simple and anyone can do it.
A solar generator can cost as little as $200 and can pay for itself within the first few weeks that you put it into use. Not to mention the benefits to the environment.
Let me give you an example of a recent solar generator I built. This is what’s called a ‘portable solar power system’ and can be made with only four pieces of material. (solar panel, charge controller, battery and inverter) These supplies can be purchased from any major hardware store and should cost around $200 total. This is one of the most popular systems to build due to the fact that it is ‘portable’. Take it wherever you like and you will never have to worry about the lack of electricity again. With a system like this, you should be able to get your investment back in as little as two weeks.
I have cut my electric bill be nearly 85% due to the solar panels I have built. Not to mention that the whole setup cost just under $200. Now how’s that for ‘going green’.
Anyone can do this, sometimes on a much larger scale. I’ve have know people who SELL the excess energy that they don’t use back to the electric company. So much for being at the mercy of the power company. Now you can actually MAKE money from them.
The idea of making homemade solar power was unheard of 20 years ago, but today is one of the fastest growing trends in the world. With the ever increasing costs of utility bills it just makes sense for someone to use homemade solar power as an alternative energy resource.
Gen Wright
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11 comments
What is the best energy source for residential use Solar or Wind Power?
A combination of both is best. especially if you are off grid, however both are nice if you are connected to the grid with an inverter, because pay back is quicker.
Theideas has some very good points, I took for granted you have already figured out how much solar input you have, and basically you need more than 10mph average wind speed for turbines.
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Having built a passive solar home I have been down this path of inquiry. Before you can really get at the right answer some other questions need to be answered. How much sun, and what kind of sun does the area in which you want to build get? How much wind? Depending on your location active solar, passive solar or wind can be appropriate , or not at all.
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At this point wind mills are much more efficient than solar panels. Solar power just isn’t cost effective.
However, that doesn’t mean it always has to be that way. If more people start using solar panels, research can go into developing more efficient technology. Combining technological improvements with economies of scale can make solar power affordable and worthwhile.
EDIT: The absence of wind in an area does not matter because there is always wind somewhere. Those who use wind power usually set up networks to route electricity as needed.
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There isn’t a single answer for everybody. "Best" is determined by what generates the most power given the area you’re in.
There are places in the U.S., coastal and prairie mostly, where wind is a great idea. I live in Alabama - we get very little breeze here except when it storms.
Solar is fantastic in the southwest U.S - lots of high-angle sun and many days without clouds. Solar is more problematic in someplace like Alaska.
The right answer is to do your research. Start with the alternative energy supplier websites. In any case (solar electric/thermal, wind, geothermal, hydro), you’re getting into the generation business and will have some figuring to work up the most effective solution for your area.
FYI - there are a number of good reasons to install your own power generation. You have to decide how important it is to you. None of the systems are inexpensive and most have a 15 - 25 year payback.
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Buying it from your local utility costs less, plus its always available after sunset when solar shots off, especially cold winter and summer nights when there is absolutely no wind.
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It depends where you live. Near a large body of water, wind would probably be more abundant. In the plains, solar would be much better.
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Wind Power, Solar power can cost more, and unless it’s ALWAYS sunny, you can’t rely on it. A local ski/snoboard hill that I live near uses Wind Power for the ski lifts. It is a very good use of energy.
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Wind power kills the little birdies. Don’t do that you big meanies. Solar doesn’t seem to work very well when it’s raining out.
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yes a combination is best.
the most affordable - if you are building would be passive solar - that means having your house facing the south or south west to make best use of the sun - assuming your largest windows would also be on the front of the house.
however with global warming people may want to reverse that trend of having the largest windows facing south or south west.
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What do you preffer?motten or chichken?I thing both wind & solar energy will help earth from energy crisis,if all oil & coal reserves exhausted.Although.due to some logic we can preffer Solar energy.1)Low investment costs,2)No uncertainity(as wind flow may have),3)more consistense4)Easily available sourse.But must remember,if conditions satisfied,a wind-mill will generate more electricity…
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