Custom Solar Energy System Design: Making A Solar System Fit Like a Glove

Many people have homes that can accommodate a pre-engineered solar system that can be easily adapted to a variety of residential and commercial properties. However, some homes and businesses need custom solar systems that will meet their individual needs. Custom solar energy system design may cost more in up-front expenses, but it can pay off in the long run.

A pre-engineered system is designed for standard conditions. It is cost effective because a team of engineers provides the technical engineering and support for the project which can be mass produced and sold on a large scale. When a custom job is necessary or desired, an engineer or team of engineers must gather information on the specific property, analyze the information, and create a design to fulfill the project specifications. This means paying for the design process for the individual project rather than sharing the cost with a multitude of other consumers. It also means that the customer will get a design especially for their property.

Custom designs incorporate passive solar heating and cooling including active solar thermal systems. When appropriate and desired by the customer, they can interact with the utility grid. That way the grid is available for back up in the case of unusual- weather conditions or power usage. Excess electricity supplied by the solar system can be exported to the utility grid and credited to the customer's account by spinning the utility meter backwards.

Specific custom solar systems have been designed to account for many individual needs. For example, one home owner may require that no fossil fuel be burned to provide their home with heat. This may be accomplished with a roof array of solar collectors that works with a design to keep the house warm or cool as needed with insulation and proper collection and storage of energy. Some people who are looking for total self sufficiency may combine several technologies to provide heating of the home and water, cooling, and all areas of energy consumption. A custom solar energy system design can usually accommodate a larger range or requirements from the customer than a pre-engineered system.