Great Green Idea: Green Technology: Go Green With Solar Panels in Your Home

Go Green With Solar Panels in Your Home

Even before green living became popular, people in rural areas were using the sun's energy to harness electrical power. Due to increase in technology over the past ten years, solar panels currently provide enough energy efficiency to pay for the cost of their production and installation in as little as six years. Most homeowners hire professional installers to add this feature to their homes, but there are some who take on the project themselves.

Solar panels can be installed on a variety of roof styles. The panel must be placed in an area that has the most direct sun exposure. This will ensure that the maximum amount of solar energy is collected year round. Resources are available online that will instruct how to track the sun's position in the sky during the course of the year. Branches that may block the solar unit by casting shadows on the roof should be removed before installation.

It is suggested that panel mounts be installed while a home is being re-roofed to prevent the leakage or other environmental concerns such as excess debris. Also, the mounts must be secured to the roof through bolts that go through the rafters. It is easier to find the rafters when the roof is not on the house. The rafters can be located with the use of a stud finder if necessary. The mounts should be aligned on top of the rafters and a whole should be predrilled to install the mounts with stainless steel lags. A chalk line or laser will ensure they are in a straight line. After the metal flashings are in place and the area around the mounts have been sealed it is time to begin installing the solar panels themselves.

The panels will provide more energy efficiency if there is adequate airflow under and around them. Therefore, the rack should be a minimum of three to six inches above the roof. The panels can be purchased preassembled and grouped together to make them easier to work with. Use the hardware provided by the manufacturer to secure the panels to the racking system. Check to be they are properly grounded in compliance with local electrical codes.

From this point you are almost on your way to complete green living by saving energy using solar panels. The last few steps include connecting the solar panels together by attaching wires found in the junction box of each panel. Anyone unfamiliar with electricity should hire a professional electrician to complete this step. Once this step is finished, the solar panel is ready for use.

While it is true that installation of solar panels is an excellent way to promote environmental sustainability, it is also possible to earn money as you collect the sun's solar energy to power your home. Reliance on power from the utility company decreases as your home produces more energy than it needs. The grid-tie inverter, which is a renewable energy power system, feeds excess power back into the city's power grid. This energy can be sold to the utility through a policy known as net metering. Check with the utility company in your area to find out how to utilize this system.