PV systems are increasingly popular and effective as a means to produce electricity and reduce energy costs. Homeowners are turning to solar energy alternatives in greater numbers to help offset the electricity needs of a home. As solar power technology more advanced consumers can choose from photovoltaic panels and photovoltaic panels. Each system has its own advantages and disadvantages, and it may be difficult to determine the right system for your home. The following paragraphs summarize the two systems, and look at set up, installation and energy production to help decide which system is right for you.

Solar panels are made up of photovoltaic cells to generate electricity from the sun. Placement is important for solar panels, and for homes in the northern hemisphere, the panels should have a southern exposure. To maximize power generation, the sun should strike the panel in a perpendicular manner. Therefore the angle of the solar panel should match the latitude of its location. For example, a solar panel system on a home in Denver should be at an angle of approximately 38 degrees. Photovoltaic panels can be set up to be adjustable, allowing you to adjust the angle of the panels as the seasons change to produce as much electricity as possible throughout the year.

According to documents released by the U.S. Department of Energy, 100 square feet of solar panels can produce about 1 kilowatt of electricity. Many homeowners find that they can produce one-fourth to one-half of their home electricity needs with solar panels.

The latest option for pv systems is solar panel shingles. Solar roofing shingles mount directly to the roof and provide as much protection as traditional asphalt shingles. The photovoltaic roof shingles are made of amorphous silicon but look like regular shingles once they are installed. A photovoltaic shingle can produce up to 17 watts of electricity a day under full sun. The more area you have covered with the PV shingles, the more electricity you can produce.

While both photovoltaic panels and shingles produce electricity and provide a renewable source of energy for homeowners, they each have their own features that suit the different needs of homeowners. Solar roof shingles can be much more handsome because they look like normal shingles and don't need a separate mounting system. Furthermore, one product serves two jobs, both sheltering the house from the elements and producing electricity. Any size area of roof can be covered with photovoltaic shingles, giving buyers the flexibility to choose how many they want to buy and how much energy they want to produce. It's critical to have a professional roofer install photovoltaic shingles to ensure quality protection and energy production.

Solar panels produce electricity through the same means as shingles, but they can be more efficient. This is because they can be set to the most advantageous angle, regardless of the slope of the roof. Also, by being able to adjust the angle of the panels to be perpendicular with the sun's rays, the panels can be made to work at optimum energy production throughout the year. Consumers are also attracted to solar panels because they can be built and installed without contracting a professional. By following a do-it-yourself guide, consumers can inexpensively build their own solar panels and eliminate many purchase and installation expenses. No matter which system fits your needs the best, using the renewable power of solar energy is a great way to reduce household energy costs.

AuthorName is a teacher helping homeowners learn more about alternative energy sources for their homes. He invites you to learn more about residential solar panels at http://cheapsolarpanelsnow.com. He also has an informative blog at http://homepowersystemsblog.com.

Article Source: http://www.energyefficienthomearticles.com

Avery Jenkins is a teacher helping homeowners learn more about alternative energy sources for their homes. He invites you to learn more about residential solar panels at cheapsolarpanelsnow.com. He also has an informative blog at homepowersystemsblog.com.

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