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A residential solar power system is an effective alternative source of
electrical energy. Technological advances, increased
fuel cost, incentive programs have motivated consumers to seek alternative energy
sources.
Residential solar power systems are found in two styles. First, the traditional design is the use of a thermal exchange
process to heat water with sunlight. This thermal
configuration dates back to the 1890’s. The popularity
peaked for thermal exchange systems in the 1920’s and began to lose popularity as conventional
fuels like coal, gas, or diesel became a more convenient and reliable energy source year
round.
Surges in oil price, restrictions on coal emissions, and demands for clean
energy have prompted incentive programs for alternative energy sources. Efforts to increase the use of thermal technology as a
residential solar power system have resulted in annual increases of approximately 15 to 20
percent. This increase has caused the global thermal
energy capacity to grow to around 104 Giga Watts as of 2006.
Residential solar power systems consist of flat plate collector designed to
capture the suns energy and focus it upon evacuated tubes to heat the water. Locations that receive regular sunlight can provide between 50
and 75 percent of domestic hot water use. These
units have even demonstrated to be greater than 60 percent efficient under normal
conditions.
The second style of residential solar power systems is through the use of
photovoltaic cells. Using the photoelectric effect, these cells convert sunlight directly into
electrical energy. First constructed in 1883,
photovoltaic cells were later used successfully as an alternative electrical energy source on the
Vanguard 1 satellite in 1958.
Photovoltaic cells provide a
significant advantage over a thermal residential solar power system. Photovoltaic cells are easier to install and do not require
substantial plumbing for operation.
A significant advantage photovoltaic cells have over thermal systems is the
ease at which photovoltaic cells can be focused through rotational controls. This allows a control unit to constantly position photovoltaic
cells to receive the maximum sunlight for the longest period of time.
In considering residential solar power systems thermal units have a
significant advantage over photovoltaic cells due to a lower cost of ownership. As technology increases advantages of thermal units over
photovoltaic cells will certainly decrease.
To maximize the advantage of both residential solar power systems, a hybrid,
or combination unit can be used. Photovoltaic cells
can provide more efficient energy during low light situations; while, thermal units can provide
efficient water heating without consuming electrical energy.
When the decision to build a residential solar power system is made, the
total energy consumption rate and the annual available sunlight should be
considered. A residential solar power system
being designed must be large enough to match the consumption rate with the available
light.
Complete grid replacement by a residential solar power system may not be
practical. Personal budget constraints, equipment
availability, or even unattractive cost per Kilowatt should be taken into
consideration.
Areas where space is limited, residential solar power system size can be
restrained preventing enough kilowatts from being generated to replace a grid
connection. Urban areas where an electric grid is
accessible, the price per kilowatt of a residential solar power system may not be
practical.
For those looking for alternatives, a viable source of electricity can be
found in a residential solar power system.
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