Home Solar Power Systems
Home Solar Power Systems
Our ancestors once worshiped the sun, believing that it was the source of energy, food and even life. True, worshiping the Sun God may be a Pagan act; but our current technology — especially with the birth of home solar systems — has given us some things to think about and even consider that maybe sun-worshiping is grounded on truth. Sun can provide renewable energy to those who know how to harness energy from it.
Solar energy systems have grown since. It is now being used to harness solar power for the electrical needs of homes and for commercial and industrial uses.
It is especially convenient for homes in remote locations. Whether in the desert or mountain, solar energy can provide most of the electrical load requirements of homes. If your house is located far away from the power grid station, it may be wise to invest in home solar power systems, which are easy to prepare and quick to setup.
Typical Load Requirements
In a typical household, the water pump requires the most power at about 75 watts. Lighting loads usually peak at 30 watts while a small TV may require as much as 50 watts of power while other kitchen appliances may require less power. A good setup can power the total load of the kitchen appliances, lighting, a water pump and TV all at once. You can even add in the 6 watts of power required to recharge a cellphone.
The setup of home solar systems includes a power inverter to convert solar power into AC or DC current depending on the requirement of the appliance or device. Usually, personal devices like a cellphone or laptop require DC power input while home and kitchen appliances require an AC input of power.
The Design of Home Solar Systems
You should make an evaluation of the total power requirement of your house before planning and designing a home solar system. The total computed load for the house will serve as a reference for you to know how many solar panels you might need. It is always good to start at about 150% of your total required power for future expansion of the solar power system.
For the layout of home solar systems, a typical electrical layout design will suffice. You can hire an electrical contractor or a master electrician to design the layout of the electrical wiring in the house. It is important that you advise to a professional the areas of the house where your devices and appliances will be placed. Include a number of reserved outlets for an expansion in the future.
In designing home solar systems, it is also important to assess the total power that can be harnessed and stored in battery banks during the day. Having enough battery power will provide you with enough power to last throughout the night. A back-up generator is always handy especially during rainy season. Most solar power systems today have a back-up generator that can store power in the battery while solar power is unavailable.
Home solar systems are designed to fit the side of the roof of a house. The side of the house that receives most of the sunlight is always the preferred side for home solar panels installation. Be sure not to follow the slanted position of the roof, but instead, install the panel in such a way that its surface is perpendicular to sun’s rays.
