What is solar power and how` can it help me in meeting my energy needs?

The sun's heat and light provide an abundant source of energy that can be harnessed in many ways. There are a variety of technologies that have been developed to take advantage of solar energy. These include concentrating solar power systems, passive solar heating and daylighting, photovoltaic systems, solar hot water, and solar process heat and space heating and cooling.

Solar power can be used in both large-scale applications and in smaller systems for the home. Businesses and industry can diversify their energy sources, improve efficiency, and save money by choosing solar technologies for heating and cooling, industrial processes, electricity, and water heating. Homeowners can also use solar technologies for heating and cooling and water heating, and may even be able to produce enough electricity to operate "off-grid" or to sell the extra electricity to the utilities, depending on local programs. The use of passive solar heating and daylighting design strategies can help both homes and commercial buildings operate more efficiently and make them more pleasant and comfortable places in which to live and work.

Solar power technologies, from individual home systems to large-scale concentrating solar power systems, have the potential to help meet growing energy needs and provide diversity and reliability in energy supplies.

Will a solar system work with my home or business?

You must own a property that has enough roof space free from obstructions and shading during the sunniest hours of the day. A southern orientation is ideal but east and west facing roofs can still capture over 80% of the energy of a true south-facing roof. You need roughly 10sqm of roof space for each kWp of installed power capacity. Both flat roofs and tilted roofs are fine. Ground mounted systems are also available.

What size system should I get? Will it handle all my electricity needs?

The size you choose is a trade-off between the amount of money you want to invest and the amount of electricity you want to produce. For example, a typical home uses approximately 13,000kWh per year or 5kWp, roughly the amount of energy produced by a 5kW solar system. You can ask your utility provider or you can look at your electricity bills to calculate how much electricity your home typically uses. But remember, you can save yourself money even if you do not cover all your electricity needs with a solar system. Many solar systems provide a portion of the electricity demand a home or business requires.

How much electricity will my solar system produce?

The amount of electricity generated by a solar system depends on several factors, primarily system size and your local geographic and environmental conditions. Our highly trained associate will factor in your local conditions and provide you with an estimate of the amount of electricity that a system is likely to produce for you.