5 Tips to Consider When Planning to Install Home Solar Energy Systems

By:  Gilbert M. Forbes
DepEd Quezon, CALABARZON

A series of calamities that has rocked the country resulted to the increased interest in solar power.  I myself was not excused to this because just immediately after the typhoon Glenda is over, I bought my first solar power kit consisting of a 10-watts moncrystaline panel, solar charge controller, 12-volt 7.2Ah/20hr deep cycle Panasonic battery, two 1.5 watts led d.c. light bulbs and cellphone and tablet charger.

But what are the things that should be considered when you want to venture on the use of solar power as an alternative energy source as well as an investment to help save on increasing costs of electricity?  Based on first hand experiences and readings as a result of interest on this subject, the following concerns and tips should be considered.

1.  Average daily power consumption.  If you consume 4-6kwhr electricity daily, how many of these do you intend to be replaced by the solar power output you intend to harvest.  This will be the basis of the hardware (types, cost and number of deep cycle batteries, number and wattage of solar panels, type of solar charge controller and output power of inverter) that you will need and the cost that it entails.
2. The amount of investment needed and its return.  If your using an average of 4-6kw/hr daily, you would need at least Php75k to Php100k if you intend to totally cut your reliance on grid power.  This however will not be a one- time investment because you would need to replace your batteries every two years which could be translated to range from Php25k to Php50k unless new and long lasting cheaper storage batteries are introduced to the market as such, location of residence is one thing to consider so that you can select and decide what type of system your gonna install.
3. Location of residence, off grid and within grid.  If your living off grid, meaning, far away from power lines, i.e., far flung rural areas still unreached by local utility power cooperatives or companies, islands or islets, valleys, mountains, etc., then consider the off grid type of connection mentioned in no. 2.  It is still a lot more cheaper than continue on using gen. sets ran by gasoline.  In this system, you will need deep cycle storage batteries even when let’s say you intend to use it only during the day.  The cost as stated will depend on the expected total power usage that you choose.  The good news however is that there already available 12volt d.c. appliances now a days like light bulbs, electric fans and TV sets which means requiring lesser power and dependence on the converted AC power by

   

          This is the Php3.5k solar power system consisting of 

   12v 7.2Ah/20hr deep cycle deep cycle battery, 10watts 
   solar panel, solar charge controller, two 1.5 led light bulbs

   replacing our two 25w AC ligh bulbs for an average of 3hrs 

   every night plus cp charger.

   your inverters reducing stress on your storage batteries even when you use it during the day strengthening its life-span in return.  If you’re living in grid areas, meaning within the supply zones of utility companies or cooperatives, then it is not advised to cut connection from your local utility electricity provider.  What you need is the so called ‘grid tie solar power system’ which will no longer require storage batteries reducing your cost in return.  If you’re not at home during daytime, then you may apply for the so called net metering program so that the unused electricity generated by your system will be stored or given and used by your utility provider during the day and then return or withdrawn by you at night when you already need it.  With the absence of storage batteries, you should not expect for power during brown-outs but it will surely be a good investment returns of which is expected lets say 7 to 8 years at the most and then the remaining years, consider it your profit for using electricity for free!
4. Learn the basics.  Read and learn the basics on solar energy.  You should not rely on your agent unless you know him personally so as to avoid trouble and problems.  Without the basic knowledge, you will not understand the concept of load and actual power usage which may endanger the life span of your system particularly the life span and efficiency of your storage batteries.  You will not also understand how many batteries, its needed power and ampheres and the corresponding solar panels needed.  Consider also the strength of your panels in terms of temperature and wind speed that it can withstand and its life-span.  Solar panels now a days is expected to last for 25 years  
5. Installers and suppliers track record.  Don’t be fooled by sweet, lofty even interesting marketing strategies and sales talk.  Even on perceived brand superiority and cost versus the other. Consider the track record of the suppliers, the brand they carry, their innovativeness and the integrity of the installers.

Along this line, solar power system’s use is a promising technology because of its sustainability as well as its being environment friendly for it produces no pollution.  For the past years, its cost has decreased tremendously and will continue to do so in the years ahead.