Solar Power For Home

Question by Greg H: What features should I look for when purchasing a home solar power system?
Just wondering if some experts out there could give some advice on what to features to look for and to “look out” for when purchasing and having installed a home solar power system. Of course I know sizing it properly is a big issue. However, are there certain brands of the various components that should or should not be used, etc.

Best answer:

Answer by Amy
The biggest things to look out for is making sure the installer is qualified, and the equipment is UL Listed. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people out there now claiming to be installers, but have never done it before, or have no training and are doing it wrong. It’s not the same as regular house electrical work, not just any electrician can do it.

NABCEP is an organization that certifies solar installers. They have to have years of experience and lots of training to even be able to sit for the exam. Just because an installer isn’t certified, doesn’t mean they aren’t good, but having the certification is a great way to be sure they know what they are doing. If you don’t have a certified installer in your area, try to find an installer who has done a number of installs and talk to their references.

As far as equipment, any reputable installer will use quality equipment. It has to be UL Listed to pass inspection, so unless this is their first, they’ll know the good stuff.

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Question by Janus: What makes a region suitable for solar power?
I live in the Persian Gulf region and I often hear that this region is suitable for solar power generation. What measures are critical to knowing whether a region is suitable for solar power? Is the UV index a good gauge? What about cloud cover and dust cover?

Best answer:

Answer by assethole
You need to have lots of direct sunlight and weather must be cool for maximum efficiency and long life of Solar PV.

Solar parabolic you need lots of sunshine and the hotter the better, as the sun boils water to make steam, which is done in a microboiler. Then the pressure runs a steam engine.

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Question by Sam J: How much does it cost to make a solar power/energy station?
I am doing an assignment and I need to know how much does it cost to make a solar power/energy station because the internet doesn’t give me a lot of answers its all about homes not plants and stations.

So yeah if you can help me with my question thanks.

Best answer:

Answer by a tao
Biggest problem with your question is “how big?”

You might take a look at http://www.tesserasolar.com/ though, and if I were you, I’d write them an email, they look like a company that would help you./

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Question by Asa M: How widely used is solar power in the united states?
What percentage of people in the United States use a form of Solar Power?

Best answer:

Answer by Caribbean Mongoose
4.3%.

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Question by KIAN: please help me find stores that sell solar plates in the phils. what is the downside in using solar power?
how do you get the appliances connected to the solar power apparatus? does it have some kind of special switch or plug or anything….? i really don’t have any idea. or do you have to buy an appliance specially made for solar power? if so can anybody recommend a brand or store that sells these?

Best answer:

Answer by w61earl
Catalog shopping is your best bet. Try American Scientific & Surplus, or perhaps Harbor Freight Tools, (at least that’s what I use, this is not an endorsement). You will need a power inverter of the appropriate wattage to handle whatever it is you want to power. A deep cycle battery or two will also help. As for the downside, cloudy days don’t help much, solar panels are kinda fragile, they don’t charge at night (obviously), and so far they aren’t quite cost effective. That said, this is how I power my travel trailer. You get used to it.

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Question by 2010, 2 years to go: Why do libtards screech for solar power then scream about building the solar fields?
We want solar power

No don’t build in a good spot, sopme stupid desert mouse no one has ever seen might get hurt.

Don’t believe me, check the attempts of California to build solar generation plants.

Best answer:

Answer by Nikki
Hypocrites. SO much could be done but the NIMBY group stands in the way.

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Question by MooG: What is the name of a product that can solar power charge your rechargeable batteries?
I use rechargeable batteries a lot, but they run out fast. I want to use solar power to recharge my batteries.

Is there a certain product I can hook up to any rechargeable battery? What is it called?

Thank you in advance.
has some what? Where’s the name of the product?

Best answer:

Answer by stevefwb
harbor frieght has some

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Question by Carol: How do you convert a gasoline vehicle to a solar power ?
I would like to save money on gas. How would you use solar power to supplement a gas engine?

Best answer:

Answer by Locrien
You can’t convert an engine to solar power. The best you could do is have a complete electric vehicle and have a solar setup at home. There is no reasonable way to save money doing this though.

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Question by fourtwenty: I want to power my new home I am building on solar power alone what will the cost be roughly?
I also want to stay off the electric grid . It would cost an additional ten thousand dollars to be hooked into it and I want to be independant from utilities. Would solar panels and batteries power lights and T.V , computer , washer dryer ect.

Best answer:

Answer by more slack
TV, lights and small appliances, yes. Washer, maybe. Dryer, not likely unless it’s gas – consider a clothesline. Electric range or oven, no. Hot tub, no unless it’s converted to a gas heater.

The raw panels are about -8 per watt. So for 6Kw figure about k for the panels. The charger/inverter and batteries, figure -3k more. Figure about k including the installation.

You might also consider a generator. The off-grid houses I’ve seen tend to have them, even if they have batteries too. Add k for that.

Do you have a creek? Consider small-scale hydro too.

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Question by BAYOUKIDD: when it come to home solar power why do some choose 24v and others 12 v systems?
i want a solar power system, but dont know if i choose 12v or 24v and why.

Best answer:

Answer by Vernal H
24 is better but 12 is cheaper.

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