How Does Solar Power Work? A Homeowner’s Guide to Going Solar

Solar University

Welcome to One Block Off the Grid’s Solar University.

The following pages are a broad overview of how solar panels work. We’ll also discuss what goes into designing a solar power system for your home.

Our goal is to provide the information you need to decide if solar is right for your home.  We try to keep it simple so you’re not overwhelmed with too many technical details.

  1. How Solar Panels Work
  2. The Different Types of Solar Panels
  3. Solar Panel Efficiency and the Factors that Affect it
  4. Solar Equipment: Inverters, Solar Panels, and Sunlight. What else do you need?
  5. The Nitty-Gritty on Solar Roofing
  6. The Truth about Solar Batteries and Battery Back-up Systems
  7. Solar Maintenance & Monitoring: A Five-Minute Guide
  8. 12 Ways to Increase Home Energy Efficiency Before Installing Solar Panels
  9. Solar Economics: Financial Benefits of Solar Power

More Resources:

Please keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all solar system. Your neighbor might have an identical home, but your roof may have more or less shade. You’ll also have different power needs from your neighbor. For example, you may have three big screen televisions and a laptop, while your neighbor has just one television, two desktop computers, a Wii, a beloved Jacuzzi, and an electric treadmill that he actually uses.

Despite the differences among homes, there are many common concepts and concerns, and that’s what we’ll be discussing here.

Creative Commons Licensephoto credit: J-A-X

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