SolarPower: is the Sun in the right place for me?

via How Stuff Works

Evaluating Your Site's Solar Resource for Solarpower Electricity

The solar resource across the U.S. is ample for solar electric systems—also known as "photovoltaic cell" (PV) systems—because they can use both direct and scattered sunlight. However, the amount of solarpower electricity generated at a particular site depends on how much of the sun's energy reaches it. Thus, PV "photovoltaic cell" systems function most efficiently in the southwestern United States, which receives the greatest amount of solarenergy.

Before you buy a PV "photovoltaic cell" system, you'll want to be sure your site has enough solarenergy to meet your electricity needs efficiently and economically. 

When evaluating your site, you'll also need to consider both the geographic orientation and the tilt of your solar panels—PV "photovoltaic cell" modules—as both can affect your system's performance.


Once you've started confirmed that your location is a workable site for a solarpower system, it's time to locate the knowledge on how to build the system. WindEnergy SolarEnergy provides you with two links below which can help you gain the information you need to build your own "home solar energy" system. Take a few minutes to review the sites and decide which is right for you.

CHECK OUT THE LINKS BELOW