Residential Solar Panels - What to Look For

Are you tired of the rising cost of electricity? Are you looking for clean energy alternatives to your local utility? If you are like most Americans, you have heard about the initiatives the government is taking to move the nation to cleaner energy sources. Dirty sources of electricity such as coal are unsustainable, it is causing harm to the environment and our kids are going to have to bear the brunt of the destruction. Residential solar panels are one solution to the problem.

Besides paying tens of thousands of dollars to install panels, many people are opting to create their own solar panels. The cost of materials is minimal compared to what you would pay for commercial residential solar panels. With some time and effort you can have your own solar panel system up in no time. In order to find the materials you can either purchase a solar kit or purchase solar cells directly from manufacturers.

There are a few important considerations for either building your own solar system or buying commercial panels:

1. Materials - Do you have the right materials? Most solar kits come with a combination of solar cells, tabbing wire, and a flux pen. This is enough to create your own panel, if you want to create a solar array you will need additional connector wires to connect panels in series. You will also need a transparent enclosure to keep the solar panels from being exposed to extreme conditions.
2. Storage device - You will need a battery to store the electricity you generate. If you have a portable system you can do this with a simple 12V car battery. For more elaborate systems, you will need additional heavy duty battery cells that store more electricity and do not drain as quickly.
3. Offgrid or Grid tied - If you decide to tie the electricity to your electrical grid, you need to be aware of the risks involved. Consult your utility or someone who has gone through the process before. Make sure you are not impeding on any zoning laws.

Renewable energy will be an integral part of our sustainable electricity grid. With smart metering and renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, states such as California plan to go to 30% renewable resources by 2020. This is very soon. There is no reason not to implement a solar system. The time is now.

Find Instructions On How To Build A Solar Panel System HERE.