Supplementing your home's electricity usage with alternative energy sources is becoming easier and easier as the technology becomes more refined. While it has always been possible to "live off the grid" (power your home completely independent of the electric company), it's now more affordable than ever with a plethora of options. The simplest, of course, is harnessing the power of the sun. Once a far off futuristic dream, many people are not aware how easy it is to incorporate solar power into their homes today.

There many reasons people choose to go solar. Some just want to lower their electric bill, others have a need for reliable power in areas where service disruptions occur frequently. Some set up solar power systems in case of emergencies, others set them up for everyday use in areas where connection to the grid is not possible. Adding solar power to your home does not necessarily have to be complicated nor a big investment.  Big or small, there are options for everyone and here are the most common ways that people are incorporating solar power in their homes.

Solar powered lights:
Adding some solar energy to your home can be as simple as installing solar powered lights to your lawn to remove the need for keeping your porch light on. These types of lights are self contained and generate power from the sun in the day to be used at night. Solar lights can start as low as $5 a light and are available at most home and hardware stores. Stick them in the ground straight out of the package and you're set.

Solar powered pool heaters:
If you have a pool, switching to a solar powered pool heater is one of the best decisions you can make. These systems circulate water through solar collectors that heat it up and filter it back into the pool. Besides being environmentally friendly, solar pool heaters last longer than conventional pool heaters and reduce your pool heating bill by anywhere from 50-100%. They start at $3000 - $5000 including installation but cost nothing to run and will usually pay for themselves after a few years and last decades to come. Solar pool covers also help retain heat in the pool when it is not in use and are very economical, starting at around $60.

Solar powered water heaters:
Solar powered water heaters are a great cost effective way to lower gas/electric bills when used to supplement your traditional water heater. Solar water heaters come in two categories - active and passive. Active heaters require electric pumps and equipment to either heat the water directly or heat fluids that then pass through tubes to transfer warmth to the water in the tank. Passive water heaters simply heat the water in solar collectors and while they are not as efficient as active heaters, they are much more low maintenance. Both systems send the heated water from the solar tank into the traditional water heater. This reduces or eliminates the amount of electricity or gas consumed by the traditional water heater and greatly extends its life. Solar water heating system prices depend on the hot water usage needed for your household as well as your climate but will generally run between $4000 - $8000. However, they may be eligible for tax credits up to 30% in your area (see below).

Solar Panels:
With progression of technology, solar photovoltaic panels (also called PV panels) have become not only cheaper, but also more efficient. Solar panels last quite a long time with an effective lifespan of roughly twenty years. After this, they will start to lose efficiency, but will still generate power for years to come. There are a lot of options for people who want to directly power their home, either partially or completely, with solar energy.

Do It Yourself Home Kits:
DIY home kits are widely available today and are simple to set up. They start at around $400 for a 10-watt generator. Depending on your need, you can have a few of these kits set up to help with the overall energy costs of the house or set them up to power specific gadgets. While the power generated by these kits are limited and not nearly enough to run a home, every little bit counts and the savings on your electric bill adds up.

Solar panel systems can either be passive or active. Passive systems sit and soak up the sun's rays. To effectively make use of these systems, you will need to place them slanted facing the south to capture maximum sunlight.  Active systems employ a motorized base that rotates the panels to follow the sun. While they are more effective, they also cost more to set up and in most cases, you can use the difference between the prices to purchase extra panels to generate equal or more in a passive system without the added worry of mechanical failure. However, for those short on space, an active system will be the better choice.

With bigger solar systems intended to supplement your home's power usage directly from the wall, you may need to invest in an inverter to convert the panels' direct current (DC) into your home's alternating current (AC) if the kit you are purchasing does not include one. If you are installing solar panels for emergencies, you will also need to purchase batteries to store the power generated.

Professionally Installed Systems:
For people who want to make a bigger dent in their electric bill or eliminate it altogether, you can get a solar power system professionally installed by a contractor. As powering a home with solar energy is becoming increasingly popular, more and more companies are popping up. When choosing a contractor to install a solar power system, it is important to check their references, history, warranties, after-installation services, and past work to make sure they are a reputable company that is familiar with the set up you want. You should also have the whole system inspected once a year to ensure everything is functioning correctly.

For most people, the simplest system is installing solar panels on the roof. Keep in mind that you will need a south-facing roof clear of any shade to make the best use out of roof panels. It is also recommended that if you are planning to re-shingle your roof in the next 7 years to do so before installing the panels else it could be costly to remove and reinstall the solar panel setup.

The costs vary depending on the number of panels needed. Generally, though, it will be about $6 - $10 per watt installed and in some areas, there may be subsidization available from utility companies. An average home will need a 5kW setup to be completely independent of the electric company, costing approximate $25,000-$35000 installed. A break-even point would be between 12 - 20 years so it is definitely a long-term investment. However, this is an extreme scenario and it is very possible to simply install a few panels at first and add to them later if you so choose.

If you have a solar power setup that covers your power usage, it is very likely that in the summer you will generate more power than you use. In this situation, your power flows back into the grid, reversing your meter, and you become a provider of electricity to your electric company. This is known as net-metering - you are selling electricity back to the power company. In most cases, this will balance out in the winter when there isn't enough sun and you need to buy power from the electric company again.

Going off the Grid:
Completely going off the grid entails that you have no ties at all to the city's power system and cannot buy nor sell power with them. In most cases, this will be due to your location making it not possible to hook up the home to a power line. Most cabins and rural vacation homes are off the grid and solar power systems can be a viable alternative to gas generators. In addition to installing the panels and wiring, you will also need to invest in batteries to store power for when the sun goes down. While many people use marine batteries, you should invest in a set of  deep-cycle flooded cell batteries rated for solar systems. If taken proper care of, they can easily last 10 - 15 years and perform better than car and marine batteries under constant charging and discharging.


For those that want to learn more, here are some useful links:

Energy Savers Tax Credits: http://www.energysavers.gov/financial/70010.html
- A list of solar power system setups that are eligible for tax credits in the US.

Solarhome.org: http://www.solarhome.org/
- Additional resources for installing your own home solar power system including a database of contractors.

The Solar Guide: http://www.thesolarguide.com/
- In depth explanations of how the different components work.

AltE Store: http://www.altestore.com/store/
- An online store that sells and ships solar power components. A good reference on prices.