On my drive to work each morning, I’ve started to notice a definite sign that spring is fast approaching – the sun is finally out again to greet me on my morning commute. So maybe it’s my new traveling buddy that has me thinking a lot about the sun lately.
There are many ways to tap into using solar energy for your home. Some are cost effective and worth consideration and some are financially just not yet within most homeowners’ grasp. We will discuss two solar powered systems most commonly used in residential homes today.
First up are solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. Much larger versions of the panels found on handheld calculators, PV panels are used most often to retrofit existing buildings with solar energy on their rooftops. In order to consider PV panels for your roof, you need to have the correct orientation. For those of us in the northern hemisphere, this means mainly due south. In addition, the steepness of your roof is also a factor. The inclination of the panels should match the area’s latitude in order to maximize energy absorption. And finally, even a tiny amount of shade exposure to the PV panels can reduce their efficiency dramatically.
After you have met the above requirements, you will need to determine the appropriate size of your system. Determining the size of your system depends on several factors. Do you want to be on or off the utility grid? Do you want to use a backup generator or battery system? What percent of your power usage will be handled by the solar system? To determine this, you should work with a solar power professional and have the system installed by a licensed electrician with PV systems experience. In addition, be sure to look into federal, state, and local rebates and incentives to take full advantage of the cost savings available to you.
A typical 2 kW solar electric system will cost approximately $20,000. Some of this cost can be offset by rebates and tax credits. And if you factor in cost savings on utility bills over the lifespan of the system (usually about 20-25 years), as well as the amount of value added to the price of your home, the cost may be well worth it for some. Still for most homeowners, this initial cost is still out of their price range.
So if you still want to consider solar energy sources for your home, but PV panels are not practical for your budget you could consider using a solar hot water system, or more broadly named “solar thermal” systems. These systems use the sun to heat domestic hot water and generally range in cost from $3000 to $4500. The solar-generated hot water can be used for household hot water, radiant heat systems (floor or wall), or for heating swimming pools and hot tubs.
There are direct and indirect solar hot water systems. Direct systems are typically not used in the Chicago area as they are prone to freezing. Indirect systems use a non-freezing fluid in a closed-loop pipe system. As temperatures in the pipes rise, a pump circulates the fluid through to a heat exchanger in the hot water tank to heat the water. In colder months this system can work to pre-heat water for the hot water tank thereby offsetting your energy usage load.
Solar heating swimming pools and hot tubs are fairly inexpensive. Use a “black-mat” system to help prevent overheating pool water to dangerous temperatures. While pool and hot tub heating systems are generally not eligible for rebates or incentives, their cost can often be recouped in less than 5 years.
Solar power is one of the fastest growing sectors of green homebuilding. It seems only natural for us to gaze up at the wonderful yellow orb in the sky and wonder how to harness its vast source of energy. And as the technology in the field continues to expand, more and more homeowners will be looking to capture their own slice of the pie.
If you have any questions about using solar power in your own home, please contact us for more information.
