Things You Need To Know About Residential Solar Power Regulations

Interest in residential solar power systems has risen in the past few months, owing to the increased awareness of homeowners about the depletion of fossil fuel sources and the global chaos sparked by increasing oil and gas prices.

Many people now realize that they have to seek alternative energy sources in order to wean from their dependence on oil, gas, and other traditional sources of energy. Thus, they turn to solar power. Even governments have acknowledged that now is the time to turn to other means of energy.

What is residential solar power regulation? How will it benefit homeowners who have turned to solar power as a means of supplying electricity to their homes?

In the United States, there are regulations that protect the right of homeowners to acquire sunlight to operate their residential solar power systems. Furthermore, the regulations are in place in order to ensure the safe installation of systems that harness the power of the sun. Some of the major issues surrounding solar-power regulation are the identification of the entities officially qualified to install solar power systems in homes and buildings; recognizing who approves the installation of solar power systems in specific areas; pinpointing the appropriate procedures of storing solar energy in a power grid; and the appropriate connection of a solar power system from a residence to a utility company's power grid.

In about 2 dozen American states, net metering is practiced. Solar power generated by a household is transmitted to a utility company's power grid for a specified compensation. Regulations surrounding this metering arrangement ensure fair treatment for all entities hooked up to the grid tied system.

The competence of solar contractors is another issue under the scope of solar power regulations. Currently there are 10 American States that require contractors involved in the installation, maintenance, and repair of photovoltaic systems to possess professional licenses. This ensures that clients will receive competent service from this category of tradespersons.