Home Solar Systems: The Choices For The Consumer

Click Here For Step-By-Step Methods That Can Be Used By Anyone Who Wants To Generate His Own Electricity

My daughter came home from school recently and told me that she and her classmates were studying technology and future advancements of our society, and that she was assigned a report on home solar systems. At first I misunderstood, thinking she meant the universe and our solar system, but quickly I learned that the teacher meant the solar panels and systems we are using more and more in our communities.

My daughter asked me what home solar systems there were available to us, and I frankly did not know. So, I went to my trusty laptop and brought up Google and the encyclopedia of the web, Wikipedia. What was brought up surprised both of us - there were several types of systems available, from the regular solar panels that provide electricity to the home, to outdoor solar kits that do a variety of things. There were even do-it-yourself solar kits as well!

Residential Solar Panels

The main focus was on the huge solar panels that help create heat and electricity for the home owner. These are the most well-known solar systems, as well as the most saught after. One thing that did fascinate me was a video we found from the popular reality show, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." In it we saw a family who had fallen on bad times, and their genius of a son created their own solar panel by using old soda cans! This was amazing, and we recommend the video to those who are curious about him and solar panels, because the host does spend some time talking about them and their benefits.

Outdoor Solar Kits

This is a huge niche, to say the least. Many of these kits are for home lighting, such as garden lighting (where you light up your flower garden, bushes, etc.), pathway lighting (a smart way to keep you and your house safe, as well as add a charming accent) and even flag pole lights. Through our research we also found security lighting and motion-detected garage and porch lighting.

On the flipside were fascinating uses for solar energy. One was a solar-powered fountain, which keeps the water running freshly all the time. There's even a bird bath that does a similar thing. However, the most fascinating items were the do-it-yourself kits.

Do-It-Yourself Solar Panel Science Kits

Want to save money lighting your house for Christmas? Use solar panels to light them for you. Want to recharge your batteries for your digital camera, cell phone or the kid's toys? Use a solar panel. Heck, there was even a solar-powered lighting kit for growing your own vegetables and flowers. The amazing array and usages of solar systems fascinated us both, as it probably now does for you as well.

Needless to say, my girl has a lot of information on home solar systems to use for her report and presentation. In fact, I bought her one of the small solar panel science kits to show off to the class. I am sure she will get an A for all her (and a little bit of my own) hard work.