Residential Solar Power? How Does That Work?

By Sam Deane

Consider the sun as being a giant star in our solar system. It provides heat, light and ultimately life to our planet. Every day, as the sun's heat washes over Planet Earth providing a form of solar power. In order to make use of this free and infinte resource, we must first understand What is residential solar power and how does it work?

Residential Solar Power Basics

The energy imparted from the sun arrives as heat radiation to the earth and other planets. This is known as UVA or UVB radiation. The benevolent sun is showering the earth with its warmth and light.

Most of the sun's rays are bounced back into space as they enter the Earth's atmosphere, but enough of is absorbed by the earth, giving us enough energy to fuel every home across the planet. Sadly, we still have not yet achieved this level of solar power production.

All those solar panels you see on rooftops and in back yards. They are a lot more streamlined these days. There was a time when only the rich could afford solar power for homes.

Here come the scientific part, but dont worry, I'll be gentle!

The science of residential solar power does not take a rocket scientist to understand.

The Scientific Explanation of Residential Solar Power

Solar panels are made up of an array of solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells. These cells more often than not come as a form of silicon or some other semi-conductive-type material. They are arranged positive to negative, end to end, in a uniform way to create the solar panel itself.

For best effect, place the panel to the south of the building to capture the maximum amount of sunlight. When the sunlight strikes the solar panel, the radiation is absorbed into the solar cell as heat.

Scientifically, the light energy (aka 'photons') strikes the solar cells forcing electrons to be knocked loose.

Now freed up, these electrons rush to the other end of the solar cell and in this motion, electricity is made, the selfsame electricity you use to power your appliances in your home.

Right now though, the electricity is still in a DC format (aka Direct Current). Traditional houses require AC current (aka Alternating Current), so some more work needs to be done to render this a useful operation.

Now, the residential solar power system starts to do its thing. The electrical energy from the solar panel or photovoltaic array is sent to a DC disconnect device. This interrupts and changes the flow of electricity from the array.

Right about now, you can use one of two methods to send the electricity around your home. You could directly connect your residential solar power system to your homes electricity system. You will then have to pass the electricity through an inverter to transform your DC current into AC current.

You electricity supply is almost ready to use. It passes through the inverter direct to all the AC outlets in your home.

The other option is to invest in a few deep cycle batteries and direct all that extra solar energy you don't use in the day into them so they can store it for a later time when you might need it more.

To Conclude ...

Using residential solar power will reduce your home electricity bills. When you introduce your own residential solar power system you will be ahead of the curve, pre-empting the future that undoubtedly will be calling out for sustainable alternative renewable energy.

About the Author:

Sam Deane has been around the world as a magazine editor and publisher, life coach and trainer. These days, he writes about residential solar power, running an important and lively blog about residential solar power.