Solar Power - An Intro

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Solar power is a key component to any off the grid survival plan. It is important to know the basics of building your own solar power facility before you get too deep into your project. While there are many advantages, there are also some drawbacks to solar power that you need to be aware of.

The Basics of Solar Power

Solar power obviously comes from the sun, and the homeowner needs a way to collect and harness that energy into electricity in order to power lights and appliances. Because solar is also an "intermittent" power source, meaning it doesn't work all the time (due to nighttime), you need a way to store the energy that is collected.

The basic parts of a solar power system are the photovoltaic (or PV) cells, an inverter, batteries, and electrical components.

PV cells are grouped into solar panels. Those are the big black things you see on roofs, poles, sometimes on the ground. The more you have of these, the more energy you will collect. Several panels can fit nicely on a roof, maximizing the amount of power you can generate.

The inverter takes the direct current energy that comes from the solar panels and converts into alternating current energy which is usable in your home. Batteries are important to store the energy you created during daylight hours and make it usable during the night and times when storms or other severe weather events disrupt your ability to generate power.

Electrical components include the wires and connectors to hook everything up, as well as devices for measuring the energy created and to monitor your battery storage status.

Pieces can be purchased separately, but once you have established a parts list and begin pricing it out, don't forget to also consider pre-made kits that you can buy with all the parts and connectors necessary. This is often an easier way to begin building your own system.

Benefits of Solar Power

Solar power is not, as is often thought, free. Sunlight is free, yes, but the equipment to store it and convert it to usable electricity is not free. However, solar power is abundantly available in most of the world and once you have paid the price for the equipment, usage charges are nil.

Using solar power frees you from the electrical grid, assuming you can generate enough for your needs. Some people may wish to remain connected to the grid so they can sell back excess capacity to the electrical company and generate some cash. The decreased reliance on someone else to provide you with power is the main benefit of building your own solar power system.

In the USA, the Federal Government gives tax credits to homeowners who choose to use solar power, which can help offset the cost of the initial build-out. Other countries may have similar incentives, especially in Europe, where solar power is really catching on in public as well as private sectors.

Disadvantages and Challenges of Solar Power

The initial cost is the big disadvantage when homeowners want to generate solar power. If you have done much searching on the internet, you will have seen promises of big savings against a minimal spend. That can happen, but you will generally spend more than you initially planned. Homeowners, especially beginners, often underestimate the cost of materials and time to get everything suited for their particular home situation.

Not having enough battery storage is another challenge. As you plan your system, be sure to consider what the worst case scenario might be as far as your access to sunlight goes. Even simple systems can generate power overnight when they have had a full day's exposure to the sun, but what if it rains for a week, two weeks? Will you have to go back onto the grid to power your home?

Using solar power is a great way to disconnect your home from the grid and live more independently. Be aware of the initial costs and do your research on exactly what you need before you begin. You should be able to power your home effectively and efficiently for years to come.

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