how much maintenance is needed to power a home using solar panels?
Question by Brady E: how much maintenance is needed to power a home using solar panels?
My siblings and I all live in different parts of the country. Both or our parents are dead. they have a home in the country. To pay utility bills for this home as well as our own is expensive. If enough electricity could be generated to keep the pipes from freezing in the winter at little or no cost to us it would be great. I was wondering about solar. Can anyone give me any pointers?
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3 Responses to how much maintenance is needed to power a home using solar panels?
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The initial installation of a solar electric system is expensive. If it is a quality unit the regulator/converter unit will hold up for a long time with little or no maintenance. You will also have a bank of batteries which may require some maintenance depending on the type. The system will have to be matched to the expected load, in your case heat tape on the pipes. The panels on the roof will have to be cleaned and keep clear of snow and ice. For more specifics you should contact a solar contractor. The contractor will determine the system that best meets your needs and estimate the cost.
Bud
October 12, 2012 at 11:13 am
I don’t think solar is going to be a money-saver in this kind of scenario, when you just need a small amount of energy.
If you’re spending a lot on electricity, is it because you’re keeping the house at living temperature in the winter, just to keep the pipes from freezing? Are there alternatives, such as insulating the pipes, draining them, or leaving a slow drip running, so that you won’t have to heat so much?
roderick_young
October 12, 2012 at 11:42 am
Many have asked the same question lately: How does solar energy work? Solar panels are created from one or more solar cells. Photons (light particles) are absorbed by each solar cell when sunlight falls on it. Each photon contains a little power and when absorbed this power starts a process of freeing an electron within the solar cell. As the light particle is absorbed, electric wiring on both sides of the solar cell allow a flow of current. The result of this is electricity, which can be used to run appliances and lighting.
Solar cells, when joined together, are called solar panels. Because the electricity produced by a single solar cell is not sufficient for most purposes, solar cells are joined to form solar panels. The most common solar panels (there are various type and sizes) consist of silicon solar cells and generate a maximum of 50 Watts of solar electricity. Panels are available in a variety of sizes. Solar panels can also be interconnected to generate more energy.
To Find Out More Go to
paintball
October 12, 2012 at 12:36 pm