How to Convert a House to Solar Electricity
Converting your home to solar energy can save you money over the years and give you peace of mind. You will be decreasing your environmental impact and increasing your self-sufficiency.
There is no quick-and-dirty way to make such a large change. Solar equipment is expensive and must be installed correctly. Most solar energy systems pay for themselves within 10 years, and in a few decades can add up to huge savings. It is a big investment up front, but, when done correctly, it will be more than worth the money.
If you do not have at least basic construction and electrical experience, do not attempt to install a solar system without consulting a licensed solar contractor. This article will not cover basic wiring, construction, and safety procedures.
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Things You'll Need
- Relevant building and electrical permits
- Energy bills from the past few years
- Roof or yard space with full sunlight (preferable southern exposure)
- Solar panels and mounts
- Charge controller
- Batteries
- Power inverter
- Wire
- Battery cables
- Mounting hardware
- Fuses between components
- Safety gear
Instructions
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Go through your energy bills for the past few years to see how much energy you are using. Look for ways you can reduce your energy usage. Your solar system will be more effective if you use it in conjunction with a more efficient lifestyle.
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Plan your system for maximum efficiency. Photovoltaic panels need direct sunlight to be effective and should ideally face solar south; the optimum angle depends on your latitude and longitude.
Decide whether you will use roof photovoltaic panels or a ground array? Or can you set up a pole array, which rotates to maximize exposure?
You should also decide how you will extra energy--will it be in battery banks or will you sell it back to the power company? Contact your energy provider to discuss options for "net metering," or selling power back to the grid.
As of 2009, photovoltaic panel systems (standard solar panels) required 80-to-100 square feet of roof space and cost $500 to $850, for each kilowatt of power generated; however, prices continue to fall dramatically. Research current costs for best accuracy. The size of your system must stay within your budget.
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Obtain components for the system you have designed. The main components of a solar power system are photovoltaic panels (with corresponding mounts); charge controller to regulate power; battery; and inverter to switch power from DC to AC.
Many solar supply companies sell solar "kits," including all the components you need for a basic install. You can also buy components separately, and get advice on the exact specifications to meet your needs.
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Solar panel installation, particularly at high voltages, should not be attempted without electrical experience, proper safety gear and precautions. If DC voltage exceeds 100V, installation should be performed by a licensed professional.
Install solar panels according to manufacturer instructions. The most common type of installation is a roof array. For this type of installation, all mounts must be secured with stainless steel lag bolts bolted through the roof and into rafters. For other types of arrays, it may be necessary to build a platform, sink an anchor or level an area of ground.
Solar panels can be wired in series (connect the positive terminal of one panel to the negative terminal of another) or in parallel (positive to positive, negative to negative) to increase voltage or amperage respectively. To increase both volts and amps, wire in series and in parallel.
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Run electrical conduit from solar panels to your electrical box. Here, install your charge converter, battery or batteries and inverter.
The charge converter monitors the battery, protecting against overcharging and sending power from the panels when needed.
The inverter can be wired from the battery or directly from the charge converter. It converts the DC power from the solar panels into AC (the standard for home power). Now you have safe, free power that can be used in place of the electricity coming from the power company.
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Tips & Warnings
In many cases, you may be eligible for a tax credit or other government reward for converting to sustainable energy. Research your state and federal benefits; they can help offset the cost of conversion. Photovoltaic panels degrade somewhat in their first five years of life but have not been shown to deteriorate past that. Your solar system, once installed, should last a lifetime.
Obey all manufacturer instructions, and be sure the components you install are compatible with each other. If working with a professional, watch out for contractors who do not have a solar license. Your best bet is to hire someone who has completed solar training.
References
Resources
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