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How to Choose a PV System That is Right for You
By Solar energy | December 1, 2008
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How to Choose a PV System That is Right for You
If you’re interested in a PV solar system, you’ll want to consider the following.
• Grid-tie or off grid? If you’re in a remote area, you may need an off-grid system. If power is locally available; however, a grid-tied system will be less expensive.
• Where should I put the panels? Take a look at your building and property. Good locations are typically an un-shaded, south-facing roof, or another open area of the property where some south-facing panels can be installed. A solar site analysis is a good investment to help you choose the best place and will be an excellent opportunity to discuss the advantages of different types and sizes of systems.
• How will the panels be mounted? Choices include roof-mounted systems, pole mounted systems, and ground-mounted systems. Roof-mounted systems can be slightly less expensive than a pole mounted system; however, they can be less efficient if your roof does not point directly south at the proper angle. Complex rooflines can also cause undesirable shading.
• Do the panels need to be tilted at an angle? Ideally, yes. However, if you prefer the look of flush-mounted panels on your roof, this can be done with a small decrease in efficiency. A solar site analysis can tell you how much efficiency you will lose by not mounting them at the best angle. If efficiency is of primary importance, we suggest tilting the panels at latitude and installing a pole-mounted array where you can seasonally adjust the angle of the panels to the sun.
• What happens at night or when it’s cloudy? With a grid-tied system, you’ll just use power from the grid at night. For off-grid systems, you’ll need a battery backup or generator.
• What size system do I need? This depends upon how much power you are using, and your budget. Customers with grid-tied systems can choose to generate anywhere from a tiny percentage of their overall energy use to ALL of their energy use. Just choose a system based upon your budget. If you want to cover ALL your power needs, then we recommend making your home as efficient as possible – that way you need a less expensive solar system.
Your energy use habits have a huge effect on your power bill. Consider the following two examples:
The “Green” family of four uses 300-kilowatt hours of electricity per month. They have energy efficient appliances, excellent insulation, solar hot water, and use a wood stove for heat in the winter. To maintain their home using only renewable energy, they spend about $25,000 for a PV system.
The “Brown” family lives in the same size home with many air leaks, no insulation, lots of inefficient appliances, and an outdated heat pump. They may spend ten times the amount that the “Green” family spent to create a net zero energy home.
Information provided by Sustainable Future, LLC.
For most current information, refer to http://SustainableFuture.biz.
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Topics: Solar Panels, Solar Power, home solar energy | No Comments »