How to Get Your House Solar Powered

With the ever-rising cost of energy, some homeowners are choosing to get "off the grid" and go solar. This is an expensive undertaking, but as time passes, the solar power system can pay for itself. What's more, when the system achieves its peak performance level, it may produce more electricity than what is needed by the household. In many areas, the "extra" energy can be sent back to the utility company, which will pay the homeowner for generating the leftover power.

Instructions

- 1
  Determine your average kilowatt power needs by reviewing your utility bills from the previous 12 months. Add up the total amount of kilowatt hours used and divide by 12 to get the monthly average. Add about 5 percent for power loss to cover the conversion from the direct current energy of the solar panels to the alternating current used inside the home.
- 2
  Contact your energy utility provider. Inquire about what is known as "net metering," or selling surplus power back to the utility company if your system captures more power than is needed to power your home. Some utility companies will pay full price for these extra kilowatts, while others will only pay half the market value.
- 3
  Determine which local, state or federal rebate/reimbursement programs apply to your situation (see Resources). Find any tax credits or rebate programs offered by government agencies for converting to renewable energy. These can range in amounts and availability, depending on your location and what type of system you install in your home.
- 4
  Shop for solar panels. Solar panels come in many shapes, sizes and grades. Depending on how much available space you have to install panels, you will need to choose panels that give you the best return on investment. For instance, a lesser grade solar panel may cost less in the initial purchase but may not be sufficient to assist in powering your home.
- 5
  Choose the proper inverter. Solar panels capture energy as direct current but homes are powered by alternating current. The inverter converts the DC power to AC power and is one of the most important components of a solar power system. Select an inverter that is able to convert more power than you need on a regular basis, in case your system captures a surplus of energy.
- 6
  Investigate several solar power contractors. Contact several solar energy planner/installer services and ask for references and a pricing packet explaining the process of conversion and the specific costs to install each component of a solar power system. Compare installation costs and references to find the most qualified and least expensive.

Unconventional Energy Sources

How to Insulate the Belly of a Mobile Home

Energy Efficient Homes