by Alfred E. Newman

Created on: July 09, 2009   Last Updated: July 10, 2009

Want to watch your electric meter spin backwards? Want to receive your monthly electric bill and read how much the electric company owes you? Want to free yourself from rate hikes and power outages? A solar power system can do just that. Today there are many companies that offer solar electricity generation solutions for business and home owners. There are two basic ways in which to use solar generated electricity, off tie/off grid and net metering.

Off tie or off grid, generators that are not connected to the electric company, are stand alone systems which generate electricity for a home or business. Off grid would be much more feasible for cities such as Phoenix or Oklahoma City, whereas cities like Boston or Chicago grid tie would be the better choice. Net meter or grid tie systems are connected to the electric company receiving back up power from the utility for overcast or stormy weather when solar cells do not produce enough electricity. With net metering during the day, the surplus energy from a solar power system is sent back to the electric company giving credit on your utility bill and the more your solar power system produces, the bigger the credit on your bill.

Off-Grid Stand-Alone systems are used in rural areas where the cost of extending power lines to the electric company are prohibitive or where the power demand is low. A major component of these stand-alone, off-grid solar electric systems is batteries, used as a simple storage system for the Direct Current (DC) which the solar panels produce. Another critical component that both systems require are inverters. These devices change direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC), which is what most home appliances require, and are manufactured with several levels of surge power, efficiency and wattage.

In today's economy more and more people are reconsidering alternative sources of energy. Solar electric systems are cost effective and easier to implement than any other source, including wind, for the consumer. The cost of a solar system will start near $10, 000 and most companies will have highly trained experts to install the solar system. Solar systems, however, are also the only systems that could, with the right knowledge, be installed by the consumer. If you choose to try installing a solar electric system yourself be aware that hooking into your local utility is different in every state. Be sure to check local laws, but you will need to at least complete and submit an interconnection agreement with the electric company, which most companies will do for you as part of the installation agreement.

http://www.suncityenergy.com/products/solar-power/

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