Getting Started with Solar as a Homeowner
Solar Technology Categories
categories and descriptions from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
- Concentrating Solar Power
- These technologies harness heat from the sun to provide electricity for large power stations.
- Passive Solar Technology
- These technologies harness heat from the sun to warm our homes and businesses in winter.
- Solar Photovoltaic Technology
- These technologies convert sunlight directly into electricity to power homes and businesses.
- Solar Water Heating
- These technologies harness heat from the sun to provide hot water for homes and businesses.
- Solar Process Heat
- These technologies use solar energy to heat or cool commercial and industrial buildings.
Terminology
| Term | Definition |
|---|
| PV | (PhotoVoltaic) Semiconductor technology which converts light into electricity |
| Inverter | Convertes DC to AC |
| Bimodal | An inverter system with batteries and capabilities to operate some circuits without the grid |
| Transformer | Sometimes autotransformer, converters AC voltages. IE 240V to 120V, or 120V to 240V | |
| CC | (Charge Controller) takes power from PV modules and converts to appropriate level to charge batteries |
| MPPT | (Maximum Power Point Tracking) CC technology type |
| PWM | (Pulse Width Modulation) simple CC technology type |
Voltage = Current x Resistance
Power = Current x Voltage
Suggested Reading
Books suggested here.
- Photovoltaics for Professionals
- Photovoltaics Systems 2nd Edition
Average US Power Consumption
2012 Average Monthly Bill- Residential
source - US Energy Information Administration
(Data from forms EIA-861- schedules 4A-D, EIA-861S and EIA-861U)
| State | Number of Customers | Average Monthly Consumption (kWh) | Average Price(cents/kWh) |
|---|
| .. | - | .. | - | - |
Average US and European Solar Radiation
For other regions of the world, see http://solargis.info/
Average Home Sizes
While avg sq ft does not necessarily equate to typical roof size (a two story house for instance), this is a rough approximation.
From the US Census Bureau
Average Home Sizes per region 1973 - 2010
