With rising oil prices and ever-increasing energy costs, more and more families are interested in saving money by producing their own energy. One way to achieve this is with a solar energy system. If you’re interested in how to get the most from your solar energy system, there are a few things you should know.
The Value Of Solar Power
Although fossil fuels will always have a place in the energy market, due to increasing fuel costs and environmental damage, solar power is becoming a more attractive option. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, solar power grew by 29% in 2014 and it is expected to hit 20% of the whole energy industry by 2018.
Even large companies are seeing the benefits of solar energy, with SunPower Inc. (NASDAQ: SUNP) reporting that its installed base grew by 29% in 2014 and there are a host of other solar companies that saw similar growth.
The cost of solar power has been falling over the years, with the price of solar energy systems decreasing by 22% between 2010 and 2014. This is great for consumers, as it makes solar power more accessible.
The Value Of Solar Panels
When it comes to generating power from the sun, the first thing you will need to decide is how much electricity you need and how much you can afford to pay for it. The second thing you will need to decide is how large a solar panel you need to install. Depending on how much electricity you need and how much you can afford to spend on your solar panel installation, you will need to decide between purchasing a small solar panel or a large one.
The trade-off with investing in larger solar panels is that they are more efficient at turning sunlight into electricity; however, that efficiency comes at a price. Large solar panels are more expensive to purchase and install, and depending on how much electricity you need, it may be cheaper to install several small solar panels than one large one. The final thing you will need to decide is where you will put your solar panel. You will need to consider factors such as local regulations and how much room you have for the installation of whatever product you choose. A good place to start is the Solarguide website, which provides lots of helpful information about solar power and solar panel installation, or you can contact your local utility company to see if they offer any help or have any suggestions for where and how to install your solar panel system.
The Value Of Solar Modules And Inverters
A solar module is just the part of a solar panel that creates electricity, while the inverter takes that electricity and turns it into usable energy. When choosing a solar module to install, you will need to consider the amount of electricity you need and how much you can afford to spend. The other thing you will need to decide is whether you want a few kW or a whole lot. A few kW of solar power is great for small businesses or individuals who need a bit of a boost but can’t spend a lot of money, while a whole lot is great for large companies or farms who need mega-watt hours.
The cost of a solar module will largely depend on how powerful it is. The higher the wattage, the more expensive it will be. The amount of power a solar module produces will determine how large and how efficient it will be. For a more in-depth explanation on how solar modules work, check out this informative article from the Solarguide website.
The Maintenance And Maintainer
Just like anything else in this world, your solar energy system will require some maintenance and upkeep. These are things such as cleaning the filter on your air purifier, inspecting your roof for leaks or damage, and changing the oil in your car’s engine, etc. Just like with any other household appliance or vehicle, it’s a good idea to have a professional come and check it out once a year to make sure everything is running smoothly.
The Living Space Needed
One of the major things to consider when getting a solar energy system is the amount of space needed for it. Not only will you need room for the panels and all the other parts of the system, but you will also need room for the people who live with you to use the space effectively. For instance, if you are running a household of five, you will need an area that’s five square meters (5m2) or more. Any less than that and you may not be able to enjoy the benefits of a solar energy system. This brings us to the next point.
Energy Usage
Depending on how much energy you need and how efficiently your solar panel system produces it, you will have to decide how much energy you need and how you will use it. If you are still in the concept stage of choosing a solar energy system and have not yet chosen a panel manufacturer, the amount of energy you need will depend on how much sunlight you can expect to receive. The more sunlight you can expect, the more energy you will be able to produce.
You will also need to decide whether you want to use artificial lights during the day or only go with solar-powered light bulbs. The former is often cheaper but has the disadvantage of not being able to give off that cozy glow when used in conjunction with solar power. Not only that, but having artificial lights around when you use solar power for electricity generation can actually reduce the output slightly due to the energy consumed by the lights themselves.
On the other hand, light bulbs that run on solar power are more expensive but they can give off that cozy glow and will not significantly affect the generation of electricity. This is often the best choice if you can afford it and if you have limited room for an installation. You can also use this option if you have an attic or a garage that you can use to install the solar panel system. In this case, it’s often best to choose the higher end panels so you can maximize the generation of electricity during the day.
Solar Radiation
Radiation is another word for exposure to and absorption of energy or particles. The amount of solar radiation that comes into your area will largely depend on the time of day and the weather. The amount of radiation that is received by your area at night will be significantly less compared to that during the day, when the sun is out. This is why you will need to consider the location of your home and whether you live in an area that gets a lot of sun or shade. For instance, if you live in a part of the country that gets a lot of sun, you will not need a large air conditioner to keep cool; however, if you live in an area where it gets cold even during the day, then you will need an AC unit to ensure that your rooms stay cool. This factor alone can make or break your decision to go solar.
The Backup Battery
The electricity generated by your solar energy system will be produced in the morning and can be used throughout the day. However, if the power goes out during a storm or a typhoon, or if you lose power during a heatwave, you will need a way to restore it. For this reason, almost all solar energy systems use some sort of battery storage system to smooth out these fluctuations in the grid. Batteries come in all different sizes and strengths and the amount you need will depend on how much power you need and how much storage you want to have. For a more in-depth explanation on how solar batteries work, check out these informative articles from the Solarguide website.
The trade-off with having a battery storage system is that since it needs to be charged, it takes up space and adds an extra bit of weight to your vehicle. In some cases, the weight of the battery itself can be more than the weight of the car itself. Just keep in mind the need for a place to store all this extra energy and how much space it takes up. For this reason, if you have a limited space for an installation, it is often best to choose the option with no battery storage. This avoids having to make any room for it and still provides you with all the perks of a solar energy system (minus the weight and space issues).
Choosing a solar energy system can be a great way to produce your own energy and save money, especially if you live in a country where it gets cold in the winter and hot in the summer. As long as you consider all the necessary factors, you can be confident that you made the right decision for you and your family’s needs. The decision may not be easy, but with a bit of research and planning, it can be a worthwhile investment. Just remember to always protect your roof from the elements and never put it in direct sunlight; this can greatly reduce the lifespan of your solar panels.