Let's take a closer look at the home solar power uses mentioned above:

Solar Pool Heating

Home solar power used for solar pool heating is big. In fact, solar energy is used more for heating swimming pools than for any other single use, with over 300,000 pools heated by solar in the U.S. This is a great option because solar pool heating equipment is so reliable that warranty coverage for the products far exceed that of automobiles and household appliances. The cost of solar pool heating is pennies compared to conventional heating for the lifetime of the pool. Solar pool heating payback can be as low as two years and it can extend the swimming season by several weeks without additional cost. Many homeowners have regretted the purchase of a conventional pool heating system after receiving their first utility bill.

Solar Hot Water Heating

Water heating accounts for approximately one-fourth of the total energy used in a typical single-family home, so if you use solar home power, that can make a huge dent in the amount of energy needed to be provided by oil each year. An electric water heater is the single biggest energy user of all appliances in the home. Of all of the major types of water heating systems, solar energy systems offer the biggest potential savings to homeowners. Owners save 85 percent on their utility bills over the costs of electric water heating. If you are building a home, then consider including the financing for solar hot water heating in your loan. When a solar hot water heating system is included in the financing for a new home, the typical cost of the system ranges from $13 to $20 month and because the system is included in the home's mortgage, the homeowner can take advantage of a federal income tax deduction. At least nine states now have lenders which offer "energy mortgages". Of the over 1.5 million Americans who have invested in solar hot water systems for their homes and businesses, over 94% consider the investment a wise decision.

Solar Electricity

There are more than 10,000 homes in the United States that are now entirely powered by solar energy. 200,000 homes in the U.S. use some type of photovoltaic solar technology. When you look for home solar power options realize that there are now several building-integrated PV products such as solar roof shingles for homes and opaque glass PV facades available on the market. These are great products for your home because they are both aesthetically pleasing and they also accomplish the goal of home solar power which is generating electricity. If your home relies on solar home power, you will likely spend a total of $100 for heating, cooling and electricity a year. While the cost of installing a typical off-grid PV system in a home ranges from $15,000 to $20,000 per kilowatt (lower when installed during initial house construction), if you are building somewhere that requires the extending of electric power lines from the electric grid you can save thousands because the cost to extend power lines averages from $20,000 to $80,000 per mile; this cost savings alone can pay for the PV system, with the homeowner never again having to pay another electric bill.