Solar Energy "Solar Panel, Solar Batteries, Solar Modules, Solar Controllers, Solar inverters."

They want to contribute to a cleaner environment
They want independence from the Utility Electricity Grid
Its the cheapest source of energy
You want power when the electricity grid goes down
Depending on what your reason is, this section helps you through your decision making.

Question 2:
If you want to contribute to a cleaner environment, what are your energy choices?

Answer:

Question 3:
What can purchasing solar energy accomplish that the Grid does not?

Answer:
You know you have made a direct contribution to cleaner air. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. You actually see what energy you are generating, you are in control and you have created options for self sufficiency.

Question 4:
When does solar energy make economic sense?

Answer:
Are you connected to the electricity grid?
If, no, solar energy can already be the best economic solution.

If, yes, solar energy is likely to be the best economic solution. Against average electricity retail tariffs. There are a lot of other factors and opportunities that solar provides.

Question 5:
What circumstances can enhance the economic equation?

Answer:
Check your electricity rates: Depending upon where you live, they vary dramatically from one region to another. Are you exposed to peak rate tariff structures? The higher your rates, the better the economics of solar energy.
Can you access a local solar energy promotion campaign: Ask your local utility or government energy agency. There are now many Utility and regional programs that subsidize the cost of solar by anything from 10% to 60% of the total cost.

Will your utility take your surplus power?: Many State, Federal and Utility solar energy programs set up a mechanism where you can export "surplus power" (the power in excess of your needs) back into the electricity grid during the day. This means that your electricity meter literally goes backwards. When your power needs exceed the solar generated (at night), you draw from the electricity grid in the normal way.

Other sources of value: Solar panels offer value in their insolation qualities, potential to integrate with other building materials and can offer shading. In the case of commercial entities, companies are using solar to enhance their corporate brand.

Question 6:
How much power will my Solar Energy System generate?

Answer:
Solar Energy Systems are usually marketed in prices per Watt Peak.

A 1 Kilowatt (1000 Watts) Peak System will generate nearly 1000 kilowatt hours (KwHrs) per year of energy in cloudy climates (e.g. Northern Europe, Canada, Northern Japan) and up to 2,000 kilowatt hours in sunny climates (e.g. the sunbelt States of USA, Brazil, Mediterranean Countries, Africa, India, Australia).

The advantage of Solar Energy Systems is that they can be configured to virtually any power load. The actually size of your Solar System is totally up to you!

A typical home (1,500-2000 square feet) uses around 10,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year.

It is normal for Solar Modules to have useful lives of 20 years or more. Other parts of the Solar Energy System, like the Inverters, may require replacement on more regular intervals (say every 5 years). Ask your Solar Retailer for details.
Question 7: How much will my Solar Energy System cost?

The Solar Module itself represents about 50% of the total cost and usually warranted for 20 years or longer. Other parts of the System will often be warranted for shorter periods. Where Government program is in place, expect a warranty on the total Solar System of about 5 years.

Working on a 20 year life for the Solar System, and including the cost of finance, Solar Energy translates to around 30-40c/kwhr* in sunny climates and 60-80c/kwhr in cloudy climates. This is before taking into account any rebates that might be available, which can cut these rates by 50% or more.

If you exclude financing costs with a program that reduces the cost by 50% reducing the above electricity rates to 15-20c/kwhr in sunny climates and 30-40c/kwhr in cloudy climates.

Question 7:
Test your Solar Energy Knowledge

Answer
What is a Solar Energy System?
A Solar Energy System includes all the parts required to put a fully functioning energy system together.

What are the main parts of a Solar System?
If you are not connected to the electricity grid, the main parts are the solar module, the battery, the battery regulator (also known as a Charge Controller), attachment structure and associated connections and wiring.

If you are connected to the electricity grid, the main parts are the solar module, an Inverter (which translates the Direct Current power to Alternating Current), associated wiring and support structures

What does Balance of Systems (or BOS) mean?
This is jargon often used in the Solar Industry! It just means all the parts of the Solar System excluding the Solar module itself.

What happens at night?
If you are not connected to the grid, the modules are used to charge batteries, which act as your energy storage. Modules and batteries in combination provide round the clock energy.

If you are connected to the electricity grid. You can draw on the solar energy during the day, while switching to the grid during the night. You also have the option to set up the Solar Energy System with batteries to free yourself totally from the grid.

Can I put my Solar Energy System anywhere?
We always recommend a location that is free of shade. For best energy performance in the Northern Hemisphere, the solar modules should be orientated to the south. In the Southern Hemisphere, they should be orientated to the north.

The System can be retrofitted over a roof structure or integrated as part of the main roof structure in a manner that is visually appealing.

Question 8:
Where can I find out about programs that reduce the cost of Solar Energy?

Answer:
It is important to check with your local Utility, Government Energy Office and Solar Retailer to find out whether there are rebates available to you.

Many people question why Governments and Utilities are offering rebates after the failed experiments of the 1970s. It's not just about the environment, it's about sound economics.

Question 9:
Are all Solar Systems the same?

Answer:
Most Solar Manufacturers specialize in making the individual parts of a Solar System. Some of the major module Manufacturers are now starting to market standardized Solar Systems. Nonetheless, the majority of Solar Systems are customized by the Sales Companies (also known as "Integrators" or "Dealers" or "Installers").

Products are usually constructed to National or International Standards. You should ask whether the Solar Module has UL (Underwriters Laboratories, a United States qualification body) or IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) or IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) certification. It should have at least one of these qualifications.

You might hear people mention Polycrystalline solar cells, verses Monocrystalline solar cells verses Thin films. Polycrystalline cells and monocrystalline cells (which account for around 90% of sales) have very similar energy output.

The attraction of thin film cells is that they may offer a lowest cost per Peak Watt. However, their cell efficiencies are lower and therefore for an equivalent energy output require more space. Thin films may be an attractive solution if you have no space limitations.

A typical Monocrystalline Solar Module will require about 150 square feet of space for a 1 Kilowatt System. If you are using a Thin Film Solar module, you should approximately double the space requirement.

Question 10:
What do I need to have before contacting a sales company?

Answer:
Try to have the following information prepared for the Solar Sales Company:

1. Either work out what you think your peak energy requirement is in Watts or alternatively be ready to explain what electricity using products you have.
2. Are you connected to the electricity grid and do you want to remain connected? Do you want back up power if the electricity grid goes down or do you not have access to the electricity grid at all?
3. Have an idea where you want to site the solar modules. Is the location free of shade and can the solar modules face (roughly) south (in the Northern Hemisphere) or north (in the Southern Hemisphere)?
4. Quantify the approximate area you have available for the solar modules in square feet/meters.
5. If you plan on installing the solar modules on your roof, be ready to describe the roof material and construction type.

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