How much would it cost to install a solar power system on an existing house? There is no fixed cost in any home improvement project. The cost depends largely on your needs. But if you want to know a ball park figure so you’ll be able to make a quick decision, consider the following 7 points:
1) Solar panels – The solar panels are the most expensive components of the whole system. It will take up from 50 to 60 percent of the project budget. The solar modules are made from small Photovoltaic (PV) cells soldered together.
PV cells are made from a special semi-conductive material and are capable of generating electricity when exposed to sun light. The size of your budget will depend on the number of solar panels required.
2) Battery storage – If the residential solar system is not tied to the power grid, you will need to build a battery bank. Depending on your household power requirement, you will need 5 to 12 units of battery.
The kind of battery used it the deep cycle type.
3) Charge controller – Since the amount of power generated from the solar module is small and inconsistent, you need a charge controller to charge up the batteries.
The charge controller will maintain a steady current flow and the right voltage to maximize the performance and efficiency of the batteries.
4) Power inverter – A battery will only give out Direct Current (DC). Since most of a household electrical appliances use Alternate Current (AC), you will need a power inverter to change the DC to AC.
5) Gasoline generator – Why do you need a generator on a solar power system? A generator acts as a power backup if you are using an off-grid system. If you are using an intertie residential solar energy system, a generator is unnecessary.
6) Transfer switch box – If you are opting for an intertie system, the transfer switch will be used to transfer power source either from the power grid of the solar system.
7) Load control box – This is the safety system for the whole solar setup. It consists of cutoff switches and fuses. If there is any problem or power surge, the fuses will burn therefore disconnecting the circuit.
Will Yap is a green energy enthusiasts and he writes about home solar power system. Do you want to use solar power to reduce your home monthly electricity bill? If you do, check out the Earth 4 Energy e-book. The manual will show you step-by-step how to make a solar system with minimal cost. For more information, read the Earth 4 Energy review at the web site.
