How complicated is it to convert my house to run on solar power?

Answer 1

Solar power dependence is far more complex than meets the eye as few of these systems can produce sufficient electricity to meet daily needs unless the house is very small and the area is conducive to considerable sunlight.

The popularity of these systems has ebbed and flowed over the past 30 or more years and has never really caught on despite many efforts of the government to provide incentives.

There was a period between the 70's and 80's when solar power was used mostly for water heating both for domestic use and pools. Even this technology was expensive when comparing the initial costs over savings and, at best, it did little to make a significant difference in electrical savings.

The kind of solar power needed to run lights, small motors and lower wattage electrical power is still mostly insufficient for all needs and is thus still integrated into the general power provided by utility companies. These installations can cost from 15 to 50 thousand dollars for upfront costs, that's more than you'd ever pay for electricity. The batteries for these systems are large, expensive and must be replaced between the 5 and 10 year period after first use.

Only a few States like California, Texas, Arizona have had any genuine success, the rest of the USA has lagged far behind.

Roof panels will require as much as 1000 or more square feet of space, preferably angled to the South in order to be effective ...........and you'll still not have enough for normal needs. Hookups which are set up to "sell back" electricity to the utility companies have proven to be nightmarish, there's no end of horror stories in this otherwise lofty sounding principal.

As with so many things, it looks good on paper.

Answer 2

The solar power used in residential application nowadays is what I would call complimentary.

Basically the solar arrays are installed on the roof and tied to a control module/inverter (I'm simplifying big time). The control module converts the electricity to usable AC power which feeds your home. When there is no sunlight the module is smart enough to utilize utility power.
On the other hand, if no power (or little power) is being consumed and the arrays are producing an excess the overflow is fed back into the grid. This is measured through a special meter on the home. You've probably have heard that your meter runs backwards...well, that true.

The power company will buy back your excess...but at wholesale prices.

There are other setups but this is a common approach here in the Northeast.

How complicated to install in your home? Well, many of the electricians who get certified to install systems like above struggle through the course. There's alot of math to contend with as array placement is very involved. Also, understanding how to wire the system into an existing home is quite involved...even for a pro.

Answer 3

Take a look at the National Renewable Energy Labratory information in Golden, Colorado. http://www.nrel.gov/

It looks like their test homes are using combinations of solar, wind, bio-mas and geo-thermal.

Your largest demands for power are your home heating, domestic hot water, laundry and cooking. If you can find alternatives for these, it is possible to power small appliances, and lights, but your larger appliances draw too much current to be supplied by solar alone.

Answer 4

Very simple..

Total all your electric bill cost for the last year and divide it by 12 months. Put this number in this link along with your local sales tax rate.

http://store.oynot.com/media/Oy-Not-Costing-Planer.xls

It will pick a kit system for you that woud be just what you need or something pretty close. You find a contractor to install it and you are done.

Answer 5

Solar Power Design Manual : http://SolarPower.siopu.com/?gVJ

Answer 6

So hard your brain will explode and the smoke that will come out of it will burn the atmosphere and we will all die