How to Harness Solar Power Made at Home

All that sun streaming into your windows can power your home.

The sun produces thousands of kilowatts of power every day. At one time, harnessing that power for your home involved thousands of dollars in products and installation. Rooftop solar panels, breakers and large battery banks all contributed to the complexity of solar power. But things change: today, solar shutters are available that simply plug into any existing outlet. These wooden plantation shutters have solar power modules on one side of the wooden slat. When the sun is shining, the slats absorb the sunshine. The power flows through an inverter that feeds the current into the home's power supply.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Plug in solar shutters
• Drill with screwdriver bit

Instructions

1. Measure the window's height and width using tape measure. Choose south-facing windows that receive sun most of the day.

2. Purchase solar shutters that fit your window.

3. Install the shutters on the window. Secure the included wood screws into the window frame using drill.

4. Close the slats so that the solar power modules face the sunshine.

5. Plug the solar inverter into the closest wall socket.

Tips & Warnings

• The more conventional shutters you replace with solar shutters, the more power you will produce. If you produce more power than your home needs at that particular moment, the excess power will be placed on your local power grid. Many power companies will credit you for any power your solar device places on the grid.

• The solar shutters can be hard-wired into the houses electrical system, but this should be done by a professional electrician.

References

• Consumer Reports: Builders' Show: Solar shutters harness the power of the sun
• EC&M Electrical Resources: Photovoltaic Systems: Harnessing the Power of the Sun
• Earth 911: Pros & Cons of Solar Power/Panels
• Plug and Save Energy Products: Frequently Asked Questions