Friday, July 10, 2009

Save The Planet - Do It Yourself Solar Power

By Alexis Jameson

Most people think of highly intelligent scientists when solar power is mentioned as a method of energy for a home. This is the biggest misconception made by the population. There are many do it yourself solar power resources that can help you install solar power in your home. Solar power is a great deal cheaper in the long run that typical power coming from an electric company.

The basics that need introduced includes electricity flowing on a dc output. Simply stated, this type of energy is produced using a dc power output, or battery. The battery only operates as a generator when it is night time. This will ensure energy in the home at night. Another benefit is constant hot water. There are two types of energy being used with solar power. Alternating current also known as ac is the type of electric that passes through lines on a pole. Dc is the type of current that is produced by solar power and fed back onto the ac lines.

The batteries should be 12 volt. Marina batteries work the best. These are otherwise known as the batteries that operate boats. Once these are purchased, you must find an inverter that is sized to suit your energy needs. Then you will need a different type of meter installed in place of the original meter that only runs one direction. The purpose of the reversing meter is to push excessive energy back into the electric lines that were bringing power into your home.

The next step is wiring the energy harnessing panel to the power unit that distributes energy inside the home. Power units consist of 12 Volt batteries attached by romex cable to one inverter, and two panel boxes. One panel box is for ac power, and the other for dc power. Next, you will have to purchase a unique meter that reads incoming current and outgoing current. The current that is not needed to energize the home, will return to the ac power lines. This current will be read via the unique meter, and you will receive a check from your electric company for the power created from your solar energy source.

Just because you have chosen to make solar power your sole energy source, does not mean you are completely on your own power source. The electric company lines will be attached. All this means is you must be phoned in case of an emergency repair. The electric company will instruct you to turn your solar source off, to keep unwanted electric current from flowing into their energy source. If this link is not interrupted while service is being performed on the line. A lineman can be killed.

All in all solar power is the best known alternative with helping the global warming crisis. The heat is used up, unlike the heat that is given off from huge industrial power plants.

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