How to Make a Solar Power System
People have long been searching for and testing alternative sources of power. Oddly enough, solar power has been used for centuries by other forms of life, but we humans have hesitated making it a major source of energy. The perception is that building one's own solar energy system is fraught with difficulty. Actually, it is quite simple to do, if you have the right equipment. Here are a few things to consider as you make your own solar power system and begin harnessing this free source of energy. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Determine how much power you will need. See how many kilowatt hours your house uses per month by looking at your electric bills for the last year. Your usage will vary due to the weather and your habits. You might find that your home uses more electricity than you can economically replace from solar power, but you can at least get a start.
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Decide where your solar energy panels will be located to capture the most power. There are devices on the market for about $200 that can help you decide the right place for your panels.
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Begin amassing the materials for your solar system. At this point, you'll need to begin establishing a budget because, as you will see, the materials can cost thousands of dollars, depending on the amount of output you desire. Start by going to the DIY department of a reputable home and garden store. Since the system you are about to build is scalable, you can begin doing what you comfortably can afford, then gradually make additions to your system later. As an example, a 3,000 square foot home that primarily uses electricity can cost upwards of $100,000 before it is totally energy self-sufficient.
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Buy detailed drawings and instructions before you begin construction. Because the electronics are quite difficult to understand, this project is prone to much trial and error without your being guided by them. In fact, the project can take months to complete, where someone with the instructions may be able to complete it in a weekend or two.
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Get your permits, and know the local building code before you start. Since the requirements vary depending on your community, ask about those requirements and the procedures you need to follow first. There are cases where a homeowner has been required to re-do all or a part of the project because he failed to follow this step.
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