by teddlesruss dat who

Created on: November 12, 2008   Last Updated: November 21, 2008

Home solar energy, residential solar panels. They are phrases that one hears a lot in the news, on television, in discussions about the environment and greenhouse gas reduction, and even around the office water cooler. Why would one choose to install residential solar panels, what will one benefit from a home solar energy installation?
Home solar energy installations benefit the homeowner in a number of ways. The most obvious, of course, is that one save money on one's energy bills. Even a modest installation will pay off handsomely in reduced energy costs, and larger installations may even earn one money if the local supply authority has arrangements in place for paying for excess energy fed back into the grid.

By choosing efficient appliances and selecting the times of operation carefully, one stands to make quite large gains. Furthermore, solar electricity is only one form of solar energy. A good solar hot water system with a small gas or electric booster and a reasonably large capacity will provide even more energy savings. Such diversification will also ensure that maximum use is made of the available sunlight.
But economy of course is not the only benefit of a home solar installation. While dollars is a good reason to install residential solar panels and solar hot water systems, the real payoff is in the reduction in environmental impact. Each solar panel installed will save the need for about 100,000 to 220,000 watt-hours a year of electric power, which is a saving of up to half a ton of pollutants discharged into the air each year. The combined benefit of many householders equipping their homes with a home solar energy installation adds up to serious environmental gains.
Compared to home wind power turbines, a home solar energy installation is far more quiet and a great deal more predictable than wind power. There is also far less maintenance - residential solar panels have no moving parts to wear out, and the most maintenance they need is a good wash down every few weeks to remove any dust that may be reducing the efficiency of the panels.
Most modern residential solar panels are also rated for impacts of up to 1" diameter hailstones, they are remarkably tough and resilient. Coupled with reverse polarity and bypass components which help prevent damage in case of electrical faults, makes an array of residential solar panels a smart and long-lasting investment for the future.
So - if you value your world but don't want to pay the earth in order to save it, you can make a significant difference with a good home solar energy installation.

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