How to Power Your Home with Solar Panels

The 4.08-kW solar panel array on this Caribbean-style home helps the residence use less than 25 percent of the electricity of an equivalent-size Florida house.

Rooftop energy isn’t cheap, but the rewards can be well worth it.

Looking at your most recent utility bills, it’s hard to believe that you could get free electricity. Well, you’d be right. Nothing is totally free. However, after footing the bill for solar panels, you can be self-sufficient enough to thumb your nose at the utility companies—as well as charge them a little for your services. Nice change, huh? Don’t expect to Google “solar panels” and find one model that’s right for your home, though. There are a variety of manufacturers and types of solar panels. Photovoltaic (PV) systems, or solar electric systems, are pretty easy to understand. Put the PV panels on your roof, and they capture and convert sunlight into energy. Sandra Williams, author of The Queen of Green Tells All, says that these types of systems are usually guaranteed to last for 25 years.

After that, you can still expect them to operate at about 80 percent capacity. The amount of energy you get really depends on the size of your system—as well as the amount of sunlight your area receives.

PV systems come in crystalline silicon and thin film versions. “Crystalline silicon is most common because it has a much higher efficiency,” says Mark Stiving, founder and CEO of The Solar Agency. “Homeowners are typically limited by the amount of usable roof space, so efficiency matters.” PV systems have PV modules and an inverter, which converts the DC current from the solar panels to AC that your house uses. You can also add batteries, which store power in case of an outage.

A solar thermal solution is another way to harness the sun’s energy. However, unlike PV systems, this method is used strictly to produce heat. The heat generated by the panel can be used by pools, water heaters and solar space heating systems.

What to Look For
“The two key features of solar panels are efficiency and appearance,” says Stiving. “However, most homeowners will use an installer, and that decision is more difficult.” Stiving says to look for an installer who has experience and a good reputation. Also ask if the installer offers any rebates or warranties on roof penetrations.

Unfortunately, at this point, you can’t just find an installer in the Yellow Pages. Start by searching the web. Also check local message boards, friends, or the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency for more information.

Do some research and next year you can crank your air high and your A/V system higher, all while your neighbors are sweating out another summer.