Residential Solar Power: You Can Choose Between Two Main Types
Residential solar power, as the name suggests, refers to solar power that is used in homes and it is different to commercial solar power that powers up businesses, or even when it is electricity generated through use of solar power and which is then sold to customers. When you think about residential solar power, there are two possible types that are solar power that is ‘off grid' and that which is known as ‘grid tied,' or which is also known as net metering.
Off Grid
The first type of residential solar power or off grid is something that is not in any way connected to the grid, and is actually separate from the electric utility system. In this type of residential solar power, you won't find any power lines that run to the home and the needs are also different, such as needing to have a battery system which will provide back-up power and which can even provide electricity during the times when the sun has gone down. In the daytime however, the photovoltaic array can store the excess energy in the batteries which is then turned into electricity and given off into the system through the batteries.
In the off grid type of residential solar power systems, there is also need to have a generator which is useful when there is no sunshine as it helps in charging up the batteries rather than use the power from the sun.
The other type of residential solar power is grid tied or net metering system in which there is need to have power lines that are connected to the electricity utility system which takes the place of the batteries and acts as a huge battery array. When the sun is out, the electric meter actually spins in a backward direction, while when the sun has gone down, or when there is a pressing need for solar power, the meter spins in the forward direction. This form of residential solar power is administered in a manner quite different from one electric utility company to another with each using its own set of rules and regulations.
There is a lot to recommend using residential solar power in either form since it is a means to get energy that is not only long term, but which is also renewable, and with it, you don't have to depend any longer on your utility company, and you are also not dependent on foreign governments, and best of all, you don't need to pay for it. There no doubts that residential solar power is the way to go.
