The Solar Power House Blog

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Solar Power House

This blog provides comprehensive, objective solar power house information and resources for solar hot water panels, solar power electricity and solar home heating.

The distinctions between passive and active solar systems are explored in more depth on the solar hot water and solar home heating pages that follow.  Suffice it to say here that active systems are more complex and costly than passive systems, but passive solar has limitations on applications for which it is suitable.

The present status and future outlook of the solar power house is very bright.  Solar power is now economically viable for everyday use in the home for four reasons: improved technologies; economies of scale; do it yourself products; and various government incentives. 

Most homes in the industrialized part of the globe can currently utilize some forms of this sustainable and clean primary energy resource with adequate cost-benefits to justify installation.  So, solar power house installations provide a dual benefit to the user and community: lower power bills and a cleaner environment.

Also, solar heating technologies can be used in most any climate.  To take advantage of solar energy, all that is usually needed is to have an un-shaded area that faces either south, southeast or southwest.  The appropriate type of system to choose, including the type of collector and whether it is active or passive, depends on several factors.  These factors include your site, the climate you live in, installation considerations, cost, and how you would like your solar heating system to be used.

All solar water heater and solar space heater systems are comprised of some sort of solar collectors (panels), and all systems have some kind of storage device.  Active systems also have circulating pumps and controls; passive systems work without this added equipment.  Three types of solar collectors (panels) are used for home applications: flat-plate, integral collector-storage (ICS), and evacuated-Tube collectors.

By being properly informed and planning carefully you will be surer to choose the proper system for you and your family.  Learn and plan, and only then start installing systems as fast as your time, energy and funds permit.

One cost effective approach to learning while doing and stretching your money is a do-it-yourself (DIY) project.  And, the easiest and fastest pay-back DIY project is solar power hot water.  This is because conventional hot water heating is about 25% of your power bill, and an effective solar hot water installation can save up to about two thirds of this 25%.

Over the years I have reviewed many DIY alternative energy packages.  I have never experienced one more comprehensive and as simple to execute as the GreenDIYenergy package presented on the right of this page.  It is very modestly priced and it is truly designed and explained for the novice.  So, if you’re ready to get started doing while learning I encourage you to check this package out.

My name is Carter Reames; I am an engineer and first became involved in solar and other alternative energy activities  during the oil  embargo of 1973.  My solar interests were frustrated during the era of unreasonably cheap fossil energy.  But, with fossil fuel’s ever increasing costs and solar energy’s steadily decreasing costs, my passion for solar power has intensified.

Solar Power House Applications and System Alternatives

The three major solar power house applications are solar hot water, solar home heating and solar power electricity.  Development of a solar power implementation strategy will of necessity require an examination and evaluation of numerous critical solar energy facts. 

Of first importance is an assessment of macro geographic and site specific factors, and current power usage quantities and local utility rates.  House orientation to the sun, shading of the site, area seasonal temperature ranges, and conventional utility cost are all examples of the critical factors that influence the feasibility of different solar power alternatives.  Also, if the house to be evaluated for solar already exists, this will most often limit the solar alternatives that are feasible. 

These considerations form the foundation of current costs, the potentialities of alternative solar applications, and the basis for calculating the cost-benefit for the alternative solar possibilities.  And of course, solar project financial and time availabilities and limitations must also be taken into consideration when developing a solar plan of action.

If all three of the major solar power house applications are feasible and one wanted to implement a staged plan in order of increasing cost and complexity, and in decreasing order of cost benefit; it will usually be solar hot water first.  The orders of the other two will more than likely be technology driven rather than cost or cost-benefit driven. 

If the type of heat is to be electric, the next solar application will of necessity be electricity.  If the type of solar heat is to be liquid or air based, then the decision can be made on a cost and cost-benefit basis.  However, it is important to determine what heating alternative is most likely to be used before installing a domestic hot water system.  If the solar home heating is to be liquid based, cost savings are possible by sizing some of the basic hot water infrastructure in order to accommodate the home heating application when it is added.

For a solar hot water system the fundamental decision is whether a passive or active system is to be built.  Subsequent decisions are refinements of this fundamental decision which are detailed in solar hot water panels. 

With solar home heating, there are three fundamental decisions: whether a water, air or electric heating system is to be used.  If the system is to be water or air, there are two subsequent fundamental decisions to be answered for this choice: whether to build a passive or active air or water system.  Additional details on these alternatives are in solar home heating.

There is also a fundamental decision to be made on a solar power electricity system that has significant cost ramifications. One possibility is to generate solar electricity and dump all excess electricity onto the electric grid and use the grid when the solar generation is insufficient for the house load (i.e., no storage). The other approach is to have a battery system to store excess solar generation for later use when house load exceeds the solar generation.   This subject is covered in greater detail at solar power electricity.        

Solar Powered House – Solar Power Net Metering

This video illustrates the solar power electricity process of Net Metering, where photovoltaic (PV) panels provide energy with any excess kilowatts generated going back into the utility grid for credit on one’s electricity bill. In addition, rebates and/or tax incentives from your state may be available. The illustrated system is in Vermont. In this case, the solar power house is implemented via panels installed on a separate structure–a garage, but can also be installed on the roof of the house itself or as a freestanding array.

Duration : 0:1:13

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Installing A Home Solar Power System

Using solar energy in homes used to be rare.  However, today there are many families using solar energy to be environmentally responsible and save money.  Installing a residential solar energy system may seem overwhelming but with help appropriate to your needs you can get the job done.

solar power house systems are not overly difficult to install.  They are self contained and modular which makes them easy to service as well.  The nature of your homesite and the orientation on your home’s roof to the sun will determine how the solar panels will need to be installed.  It may be necessary to install them near your home with a ground stand rather than mount them on your roof to more effectively collect the sun’s energy.

When installing a home solar energy system you may want to also have a battery storage system to provide power when there is a solar deficit and avoid interruption should a power outage occur.  With one, when all your neighbors have no power your solar power house is running like normal.  Without a battery storage system surplus power is can usually be used to reverse your electricity meter for a reduction on your bill.

Your decision on what type of system will in part be determined by whether you are going to have it installed by a contractor or build it yourself.  Both approaches have different options, and depending on what you want and what works best for your home you will have the choices of what you want to do as far as type.  Depending on the particular circumstances, it is sometimes a good idea to have an independent solar consultant give you recommendations if you do not feel qualified to do your own research.

Regardless of your approach, you will want to take a good look at the appearance and of type of system that seems best for your home.  Consideration should be given to such factors as the elevation of your home for accessibility and they style of your home. 

Installing a residential solar energy system can be done by the homeowner.  However, there are some complexity and safety issues related electricity hook-up and plumbing to consider that may require a  licensed contractor.  However, the labor expense portion of the installation of a qualified solar system will also apply against most government tax incentive programs for solar.

Solar Power House

About 50% of our house energy is provided by solar power electricity which is currently running with 4 solar panels and 1 Air-X 400 watts turbine…

Duration : 0:4:3

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Solar Power Advantages

What are the solar energy advantages? The answers are simple; sustainability, a cleaner environment and rates of energy on the rise, etc. Solar power is an affordable alternative. There are so many ways to use solar power, you want to decide which works best for you. This includes finding out information pertaining not only to advantages of a specific method but its installation as well.

The most obvious advantage of solar power is the money that you save in the long run. Installation may be expensive and seem like a big step, until you consider how much you save for the long term. Consider how much you pay to heat up your house from month to month. Wouldn’t you like to save the hundreds of dollars for something else, every month?

Solar power is derived from the sun, which has and will always be free, not unlike the air that we breathe. This consideration alone, is liberating.

This kind of power is traditionally installed on the roof or in the swimming pool. When it comes to solar panels, there are two types and these are; solar thermal collectors and photovoltaic modules. The latter generates electricity while the former generate heat (either in air or water). These panels may be installed side by side and look almost identical in appearance.

One of the great solar energy advantages is that usage of this particular power decreases the usage of foreign oil. This affects our environmental and political concerns.

If the cost of installation is worrying for you, consider a do-it-yourself installation. You can easily recoup your investment in about ten years of usage. Of course, since solar power is environmentally friendly, it is encouraged. Therefore, you qualify for tax credits as well as rebates. An amount here and there helps to off-set the initial cost.

However, if you would rather put it on trial, try out solar power via smaller systems such as passive solar heating and solar water heaters. Feel the solar power difference on a smaller scale and get the systems installed easily. By the time you are ready for a major installation, you can do so confidently.

If you are still unsure, try further research on solar energy advantages. There is plenty of information on this subject on the web. The more you know, the better you can decide and in the process, you up your confidence level. But of course, other than the installation cost, solar power is practically all advantageous for long term usage.

Solar Power House Insurance Benefits

The December 7, 2009 issue of WSJ.com Business reports that homeowners are discovering that for a modest additional premium, they could repair damage to their homes in a green fashion, which typically is more expensive, says Mr. Logan of Ceres. And “if you currently have a solar power house you ought to be able to get a discount under a green insurance policy because of the risk-reduction benefits associated with green buildings,” he says. Such benefits are said to include better health for building residents, due to improved air quality, for example, stronger windows and insulation, and reduced interruptions of business because of on-site renewable energy sources like solar and wind.

Construction: Insurers offer discounted policies to encourage new structures that use eco-friendly materials, designs and technology—the results of which are often healthier for inhabitants and more resilient in disasters. One such company, Zurich Financial Services AG, offers a policy in 29 states for homes that obtain green certifications such as those offered by the U.S. government’s Energy Star program, the Environmental Protection Agency, or the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program, an industry effort managed by the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council, based in Washington, D.C.

Upgrades:One of the most popular benefits available from many companies is a homeowner’s policy that offers extra reimbursement for purchases of energy-efficient plumbing, nontoxic paints and carpets, and energy-friendly appliances. These policies usually cost 1% to 1.5% more than a typical homeowner’s policy, but when damaged property has to be repaired or replaced, they will pay for expensive items like Energy Star-certified appliances. For a 2% surcharge on its homeowner’s premium, Farmers Insurance, a unit of Zurich, offers Eco-Rebuild, a policy that provides an additional $25,000 to cover the extra cost of using green materials or processes when rebuilding or replacing. The policy also reimburses for recycling debris rather than disposing it, and for extra costs incurred when other power has to be used in the event of loss of alternative-power generating equipment.

Solar and Geothermal: Several companies offer consumers discounts on homeowner’s policies if they install rooftop solar panels or other energy-saving devices, like a geothermal heat pump. For example, one Pennsylvania Insurance company offers PA homeowners a 5% discount for using solar energy to generate electricity. It also provides a 5% discount for homes with geothermal heat pumps that meet the Energy Star program requirements at the time of purchase.

Good Energy – Solar Power House

In the Herefordshire countryside a couple use solar panels at their solar power house to heat water and generate solar power electricity and help them to lead the good life.

Duration : 0:5:57

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A Major Discovery At MIT Has Potential Create A Solar Revolution

 

MIT researchers have apparently broken-down what has long been a major obstacle to large-scale solar power: the efficient storage of energy for use when there is a solar deficit.  It may well be a revolutionary advancement that could change solar power electricity from a marginal power alternative to traditional electricity generation into a mainstream energy source.

Because storing solar generated electricity has traditionally been prohibitively expensive and very inefficient, solar power has been largely limited to a daytime-only energy source.  MIT researchers have apparently developed a simple, inexpensive, highly efficient process for storing solar energy that requires nothing but abundant, non-toxic natural materials.  If this announcement is accurate, it represents a major advancement for the complete solar power house.

Daniel Nocera, the Henry Dreyfus Professor of Energy at MIT and senior author of a paper describing the work in the July 31 issue of Science.  For additional details and a video on the announcement please click here: MIT News

Solar Power House in Virginia

Energy expert Alden Hathaway and his wife Carol live in a solar powered house in Londoun County near Hillsboro,Virginia. If one in every four houses in Virginia were solar powered, our power needs would be cut in half.

Duration : 0:2:48

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Small Home Solar Power Electricity System

A brief layout of my solar system that I installed about 2 weeks ago.

Duration : 0:5:22

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The Solar Power House Gets a Game-Changing New Battery Technology

Solar energy has been around for a while, but it has historically been prohibitively expensive. However, costs have recently been dropping sharply due to new photovoltaic (PV) thin-film chemistry and manufacturing techniques.  Some solar companies are reporting PV panels for under $2 a watt which is a four-fold cost reduction from the $8 it was only a few years ago.  These solar power facts make it clear that the convergence of these and other solar PV technology advances with a new deep-storage battery technology has profound implications for the solar power house and our dependence on fossil fuels for electricity generation.

After 10 years of research and testing, a new generation of cost-effective, deep-storage battery has arrived that’s small and safe enough to sit in your basement and power your home.  It may be the single most important breakthrough to date for the potential availability of plentiful solar power electricity.  The battery breakthrough comes from a company called Ceramatec.

The essence of their huge battery breakthrough is that high energy density (a lot of power storage) can now be achieved safely at operating temperatures below 90 degrees C temperatures which allow solid components instead of hot liquid.  It’s an amazing breakthrough because the most energy-dense batteries currently available are huge containers of super-hot molten sodium, swirling around at about 600 degrees.  At these temperatures the material is highly corrosive and toxic – conditions very unsuitable for use in the home.

Ceramatec says its new generation of battery, about the size of a refrigerator, will store about 20 to 40 kilowatt hours of energy for 3,650 daily discharge/recharge cycles over 10 years of battery life.  With the batteries expected to sell for approximately $2,000, this translates to less than 3 cents per kilowatt hour battery cost over its life. Conventional power from the grid typically costs in the neighborhood of 8 cents per kilowatt hour, and typical deep-cycling lead/acid batteries are only good for a few hundred cycles so they last for only a year or so. 

Ceramatec’s new battery technology also has profound ramifications for the U.S. electrical grid which is an inefficient, aging relic of a century-old approach to energy, and is a weak link in national security in an age of terrorism.  Taking a load off the grid through electricity production and storage at home could extend the life of the system and avoid the expenditure of hundreds of billions dollars to make it “smart.”  However, centralized management of the energy grid requires the use of computers, which creates security issues like hackers and terrorists.  Also, large-scale power generation from centralized power plants creates the opportunity for regional grid blackouts caused by a “point failure” on the grid.  The opportunity with this new battery technology is to ease pressure on the grid and move homeowners closer to greater energy independence.

With small-scale solar power electrical generation and battery storage taking place at millions of individual homes these problems could be either eliminated or significantly reduced.  Can you imagine anything more secure than generating energy with the sun at your own solar power house, and having a safe, cost-effective way to store it? It’s the ultimate in security, and the ultimate in control.”

Ceramatec indicates that they are close to moving from initial scale-up toward a commercial product, and this presents an unparalleled opportunity for home generation of solar power electricity.

 

Solar Power House