How to Size a Grid-Connected Solar Electric System for Your Home

The easiest way to size your solar electric system is to have a vendor come to your home and perform a site analysis and load assessment. Solar electric vendors have the experience and tools necessary to gather the data needed for the calculations. Most vendors will supply predesigned package systems that range from one kilowatt […]


The Battery Bank & Sizes and Costs

Part 2 of Battery Power for Your Residential Solar Electric System. The basic building block of a lead-acid battery is a 2-volt cell. A battery bank is a collection of connected 2-, 6-, or 12-volt batteries that supply power to the household in case of outages or low production from renewable energy sources. The batteries […]


Battery Power for Your Residential Solar Electric System

Part 1 of Battery Power for Your Residential Solar Electric System. A Winning Combination—Design, Efficiency, and Solar Technology A battery bank stores electricity produced by a solar electric system. If your house is not connected to the utility grid, or if you anticipate long power outages from the grid, you will need a battery bank. […]


Getting Help with a Solar Electric System

Part 17 of Get Your Power from the Sun. For more information on solar electric systems, please contact: National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) 1414 Prince Street Suite 200 Alexandria, Virginia 22314 Phone: 703-299-8800 • Fax: 703-299-6208 Check the Web site to find the contact for your state energy office, which typically promotes the […]


Is your home or business a good place for a photovoltaic system?

Part 5 of Get Your Power from the Sun. Can you locate your system so it works well? A well-designed photovoltaic system needs clear and unobstructed access to the sun’s rays for most or all of the day, throughout the year. You can make an initial assessment yourself. If the location looks promising, your photovoltaic provider […]


Get Your Power from the Sun

Part 1 of Get Your Power from the Sun. Are you thinking about buying a solar electric system for your home or business? If so, this story provides some basic information that can help you. Solar electric systems, which are also called photovoltaic or PV systems, are reliable and pollution-free. They make use of a […]