Solar Power How To: On The Grid Or Off?

Solar Power at home adds green back to your wallet

More and more homeowners are becoming interested in solar power systems because it’s not only a way to save money but it is also helpful for the environment. That is a combination that is hard to beat. Like other things, solar how to power systems come with a glossary of terms all its own. That adds to the confusion of the homeowners contemplating this move.

A common question for homeowners with little solar power how to is whether or not they should be on the grid or off. It may be beneficial to begin with a basic definition; if the solar system is connected to the utility company it is on the grid. Similarly, if the solar power system is off the grid it is not connected to the utility company.

For the best efficiency it is suggested to have the solar power system connected to the utility grid. If it is off the grid the system must store energy through the use of batteries. Systems on the grid have the luxury of the utility company storing the energy. Just as with any other home the utility company will track the kilowatts used on an hourly basis.

On sunny days, solar how to systems will work very efficiently. During that time the systems produce more energy than is being used which means that the electric meter will actually run backwards thus building energy credits.

One of the wonderful things about solar power systems is that they do not have any moving parts so they work silently. As sunlight falls on the solar array DC electricity is generated. The inverter works to transform that electricity into AC electricity, which is what is used in homes.

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Automatically and silently the electricity is fed into the electric meter and circuit breaker panel. From there the electricity will be used to power household lights and appliances or it will go to the grid, and sometimes a portion of the power will go to each.

Because the system relies on sunlight for power it does not work efficiently on cloudy days or after nightfall. The electricity output will be drastically reduced or even stopped during those periods. Additionally, during the winter when the days are shorter less electricity will be generated. But if the solar how to power system is connected to the grid power will be available at all times.

All solar power systems will save money on the utility bill but how much money will vary according to variations in the weather and the usage of electricity. Although homeowners may generate virtually all the energy needed to power their home it is unlikely that the utility bill will ever be completely eliminated. That is primarily because most utility companies charge at least a minimum payment for connection to the grid; this charge can be as low as $15 per month.

Being off grid means that the solar power system is not connected to the utility power grid at all. In that situation the energy produced is stored in batteries. In this case the homeowner does not pay a monthly utility bill. But being off the grid can be more expensive than being on it. A major expense will be the batteries needed to store the power in.

The batteries will need to be replaced from time to time so this is an on-going cost. Even so, there are various reasons that make this option attractive. Being free of the grid and utility companies provides a unique feeling of independence. For homeowners living in a remote area being off the grid may be the logical solution to meet the required power needs.

The decision to go with solar power is often an easy one to make but when it comes to the details homeowners with little solar power how to are often confused. Before making any decisions it is suggested that careful research be completed. This will ensure that the homeowner has a clear understanding of the options available as well as what will be the most efficient system for any specific home.

The popularity of solar power is destined to continue. As technology advances the initial cost involved may decline. Even with the high cost of the set up solar polar systems provide many advantages.

By: Ned Tuner