Essential Facts About Domestic Solar Panels
Understanding how domestic solar panels work is the best way to know whether or not your home would truly benefit from using solar energy.
DIY versus Professionally Installed Units
Residential solar panels come in two installation types: DIY and those that require professional implementation. Each has its pros and cons.
DIY Professional Installation
- More affordable
- Better quality
- No Installation cost
- No need to purchase extra materials
- Easier to relocate
- Available after-sales support
Ideally, your solar kit should possess these features:
- designed to allow for instant integrated connection with existing utility system or service
- plug and play system
- code-compliant
- quick assembly and mounting system
How Domestic Solar Panels Work
Various types of solar cells are used in domestic solar panels. These cells would convert solar power into DC power. This power would then be converted into another form of energy, AC power, by the inverter in your home’s solar kit.
There may be times in which your home’s solar panels would produce more solar energy than your home is using. Excess energy produced by your solar panels would then be returned to the electrical grid in your area.
If your utility company is made aware of the excess energy produced, they may allow your home to use net metering. In this case, you would have the excess energy credited to your account, which consequently lowers your monthly bills.
Another way in which domestic solar panels could work is by re-configuring your electrical system. It could be set to only supply your home with energy when your solar panels are unable to provide sufficient power for your home. That way, you can be sure that you’re only consuming paid energy when you really need to.
Some solar kits may also come with batteries. In this case, part of the energy that’s being converted and stored by your panels would be used for battery charging.
If you suddenly suffer from a power outage, your batteries would be fully charged to provide the needed energy when there is no sunlight and your utility company is down.
Weather Concerns and Domestic Solar Panels
Many homeowners are reluctant to use domestic solar panels because of weather concerns. Certainly, during cloudy and overcast days, your solar panels would be unable to absorb as much energy as in normal, sunny periods.
There are, however, domestic solar panels that are designed with additional features. These can increase their efficiency rate in absorbing and converting solar energy, even during bad weather, and in spite physical obstacles.
The Types of Grids
Solar kits also vary with the types of grids used. If a solar system is described as something that operates on-grid or is grid-tied or grid-connected, then that simply means they can be connected to your utility company.
If the system is off-grid, it is most likely custom designed and isn’t connected to the utility company. In most cases, off-grid domestic solar panels are used in remote locations, which aren’t served by utility companies.
