Solar systems have become an excellent and an increasingly attractive source of renewable energy for private homes. This could be attributed to three basic reasons; namely, the ever rising costs of energy from conventional sources, the falling prices of improved solar panels for homes and incentive programs offered by governments that make green energy a good choice.

In America, more than 10 thousand homes are powered entirely by solar energy systems. In addition to that, 200,000 homes use solar systems for their energy requirements. That leads to significant savings on energy bills. Respectively, the use of conventional resources (fossil fuels, etc.) is decreased, which results in less environmental pollution.

The cost of installation for a mid-sized building can be $18-20 K if carried out by a professional installation company. Such high cost prevents people from using solar systems. However one can save money on installation costs via tax credits and state rebates. Moreover,you can do it yourself, and then the cost would only be approximately one-third before tax credits and rebates.

You do have 2 choices: a stand-alone system that requires battery to operate properly or a grid-intertied system.

A good improvement to your home would be to convert to grid-intertied solar system. Planning ahead is the main prerequisite of successful conversion.

First, estimate the amount of energy you need based on historical consumption. You should select the right size of your solar system. An oversize energy system will generate more power which you could send to the grid, but you can only get credit for it and not cash.

Then, determine whether your home is suitable for a solar energy system. These factors are to be considered:accounted for: available space, house orientation and climatic conditions. A rule of thumb for estimating needed roof space is 80 to 100 sq. ft. per kilowatt. Your house has to face south for the system to be efficient, and there should be no objects that may get in the way of sun rays.

Although you can mount the solar units on poles, solar panel systems are usually mounted on roofs. With the help of stainless steel bolts, the frames are attached to roof rafters. The panels are then installed on the supports.

Solar panels are available in the market. There are vendors that sell their wares on the web, but it is not recommended to purchase the kits from them unless you are an experienced DIY solar panel kit builder.

Typical set of hardware you need for a stand-alone system without a battery that is tied to the grid consists of: solar panels, utility-interactive inverter, kW/hour meter, roof mounts, a couple of heavy duty safety switches, wires and cable trays. A DIY kit for a 1-kW system would cost you a little above the $3,000 mark.

If you are not experienced in this area, you are to select a reputable supplier who is known for quality service. It is just sensible to look for DIY kits with an installation manual with at least enough illustrations. The supplier should preferably have telephone contact, and better yet, could provide an engineer in case you need consultation. Alternatively if you are a lucky guy and have a friend who is experienced in installing home solar systems, then ask him to lend a hand in the procurement of the hardware and in the installation.

Many people have proven that renewable energy can save you money and the environment. With availability of improved, inexpensive solar panels for homes and businesses, solar energy is the best option for the majority of people, so start that home improvement project: install a solar system for your home.