It's a question I hear over and over again. Are DIY Solar Panels Possible? The answer to that questions is a resounding "yes" they are possible.
I don't want to give you the wrong idea. Unless you are extremely knowledgeable about Solar PV and electrical systems in general, I don't want you to think you can read a few pages of information and go out next weekend and install DIY Solar Panels.
That being said, it is absolutely possible, with the proper information, tools, and location, to install a DIY Solar PV system that will significantly reduce if not eliminate your electric bill.
When discussing the possibility of DIY Solar Panels, it is important to also discuss a few common misconceptions:
• A typical Solar PV system does not act as a power backup during power failure
• A typical Solar PV system does not take you "off the grid"
Both of these things are possible with a Solar PV system, but they both require a battery based system which will SIGNIFICANTLY increase the cost and complexity of the system. For this article, we will assume a grid tied system with no batteries.
A Solar PV system, regardless of whether it's DIY Solar Panels, generates DC (direct current) electricity which must be converted to AC electricity to be used in your home. The conversion from DC power to AC power is accomplished through the use of an Inverter. Some systems use a single inverter called a central inverter, while others use a micro-inverter connected to each individual panel. When shade is an issue micro-inverters must be utilized and they will increase the cost of the system by 5-10%.
Location of the DIY Solar Panels is critical to the production of the system. Optimum production is obtained by optimum panel location. In the Northern hemisphere, panels should face true South while in the Southern hemisphere they should face true north. Of course this can be altered, but it will result in a loss of production.
The amount of energy that will be produced by your DIY Solar Panels will vary based on numerous factors such as Panel Location, Tilt angle of the panels, and your home's geographic location. Using my location (Ft. Worth, TX.) as an example, projected production of a DIY Solar Panel system would look like this:
Assuming optimum location (180 degrees south and 32 degrees tilt) of the panels the system should generate 1kW of energy per hour for 5.4 peak hours average per day times 365 days per year = 1971 kW of DC power per year per kW of system size. As discussed earlier, this is the DC production. There is an efficiency loss in converting this DC power to AC power which can be used to power your home. According to NREC (Natural Resources Education Center) this loss of efficiency is approximately 23%. A more accepted number based on current technology is 15%. Using the 15% number the net AC energy produced per 1kW of system size would be 1675kW. An 8kW Solar PV system in Fort Worth, TX under optimal conditions would produce 13,400kW of electricity per year. The size of most solar PV installations are limited by the amount of available (and acceptable) roof space available. Of course if you have ample acreage, ground or pole mount installations are also possible.
The purpose of this article is simply to give you a general overview of some important considerations prior to undertaking a DIY Solar Panels project. Careful planning, and consideration of all available options and technology will insure your DIY Solar Panels project will be a resounding success which will return your investment many times over. for more information on DIY Solar Panels please read [http://cleanenergytx.com/blog/?p=6]
I don't want to give you the wrong idea. Unless you are extremely knowledgeable about Solar PV and electrical systems in general, I don't want you to think you can read a few pages of information and go out next weekend and install DIY Solar Panels.
That being said, it is absolutely possible, with the proper information, tools, and location, to install a DIY Solar PV system that will significantly reduce if not eliminate your electric bill.
When discussing the possibility of DIY Solar Panels, it is important to also discuss a few common misconceptions:
• A typical Solar PV system does not act as a power backup during power failure
• A typical Solar PV system does not take you "off the grid"
Both of these things are possible with a Solar PV system, but they both require a battery based system which will SIGNIFICANTLY increase the cost and complexity of the system. For this article, we will assume a grid tied system with no batteries.
A Solar PV system, regardless of whether it's DIY Solar Panels, generates DC (direct current) electricity which must be converted to AC electricity to be used in your home. The conversion from DC power to AC power is accomplished through the use of an Inverter. Some systems use a single inverter called a central inverter, while others use a micro-inverter connected to each individual panel. When shade is an issue micro-inverters must be utilized and they will increase the cost of the system by 5-10%.
Location of the DIY Solar Panels is critical to the production of the system. Optimum production is obtained by optimum panel location. In the Northern hemisphere, panels should face true South while in the Southern hemisphere they should face true north. Of course this can be altered, but it will result in a loss of production.
The amount of energy that will be produced by your DIY Solar Panels will vary based on numerous factors such as Panel Location, Tilt angle of the panels, and your home's geographic location. Using my location (Ft. Worth, TX.) as an example, projected production of a DIY Solar Panel system would look like this:
Assuming optimum location (180 degrees south and 32 degrees tilt) of the panels the system should generate 1kW of energy per hour for 5.4 peak hours average per day times 365 days per year = 1971 kW of DC power per year per kW of system size. As discussed earlier, this is the DC production. There is an efficiency loss in converting this DC power to AC power which can be used to power your home. According to NREC (Natural Resources Education Center) this loss of efficiency is approximately 23%. A more accepted number based on current technology is 15%. Using the 15% number the net AC energy produced per 1kW of system size would be 1675kW. An 8kW Solar PV system in Fort Worth, TX under optimal conditions would produce 13,400kW of electricity per year. The size of most solar PV installations are limited by the amount of available (and acceptable) roof space available. Of course if you have ample acreage, ground or pole mount installations are also possible.
The purpose of this article is simply to give you a general overview of some important considerations prior to undertaking a DIY Solar Panels project. Careful planning, and consideration of all available options and technology will insure your DIY Solar Panels project will be a resounding success which will return your investment many times over. for more information on DIY Solar Panels please read [http://cleanenergytx.com/blog/?p=6]