Solar Power in Houses

Types of Solar Power

• PV, or photo voltaic, solar power is what usually comes to mind when we think of solar power -- solar panels collecting the sun's energy and storing it in batteries for use as electricity. Other types of solar power include passive solar, solar heating, solar lighting and indirect solar energy, all different systems and equipment for using the sun's energy instead of electricity, natural gas or other fuels for home energy use. Passive solar energy systems collect the sun's light and heat without any mechanical devices, most commonly with design that is oriented to south-facing locations, sky lights to allow sunlight and natural light in, and materials that absorb the sun's heat and distribute it evenly. Solar heating systems use a collector to heat water for distribution to warm a building. Solar lighting systems use a collector to gather light and distribute it to provide light inside a building.

Planning Alternative Home Energy

• Solar power in houses can be designed in the original construction or added to older structures by retrofitting with solar power systems. To entirely replace a house's traditional energy with solar power, an energy audit is required to know how much electricity, natural gas and hot water is used per month. With the audit information, you can figure out the best types and sizes of solar power equipment necessary to provide your monthly power needs, or plan to only partially replace energy needs with solar sources. Additional sources of alternative energy such as wind power, gray water systems and rain water collection are often used with solar power.

Solar Power Equipment

• Various solar power systems require different types of solar power equipment. Parabolic mirrors capture and redirect sunlight for solar lighting. Photo voltaic panels collect energy from sunlight and store it in batteries or generators for use as electricity or to heat solar water tanks for hot water. Thin film solar sheets collect solar energy for use in various ways. The costs of buying and installing solar power equipment depend on what kind of equipment you need, how you will install it, what vendors you work with and what kinds of rebates and incentives are available.

Decide if Solar is Right for Your House

• Many factors apply to the design and cost of solar power systems. An energy audit and several estimates from various solar power contractors are necessary before you begin any solar power project. Research solar equipment vendors, state and federal incentives for alternative energy use, costs, and building and zoning regulations in your area. Talk to homeowners near you who use solar power to gain insight from their experience. Determine if it is more cost-effective for you to start small or contract for a whole-house retrofit project. Do the math and research before making any final decisions.