With the current pandemic and economic uncertainty, many people are looking for ways to cut back on their energy expenditures. One popular solution is to invest in solar power. With the right setup, residential solar power is a very affordable way to generate your own energy. The key is to find a reliable supplier that offers quality equipment and excellent service.
Why Solar Power?
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts that between now and 2050, the demand for electricity will grow by 34%.
When deciding to invest in solar power, the prices of the equipment and the energy purchased upfront can be quite high. However, during the subsequent 20 years, the cost of electricity generated by solar will be considerably less than what you would pay for electricity from the traditional grid.
Additionally, when purchasing solar power, you must consider the capacity of your home or business to accommodate the additional electrical load. Smaller homes and apartments with less than 15 kW of installed capacity may not be able to utilize solar energy to the same extent as larger dwellings. That being said, everyone can benefit from the reduced electricity bills that accompany solar energy use.
Which Type of Solar Panels To Use?
A number of factors should be considered when selecting the right solar panels for your home. Among them are:
- the capacity of your home or business
- the location of the sun
- your financial resources
- the cost of the equipment (including installation)
- the efficiency of the equipment (the higher the efficiency, the less equipment you need to produce the same amount of electricity)
- the aesthetics
- the environment (solar energy production causes environmental effects such as air pollution)
- the warranty
It is important to bear in mind that not all solar panels produce the same amount of electricity. This is due to varying efficiencies and capacities. It is always best to select panels that are manufactured by reputable companies that have a good standing with national and international regulatory bodies (e.g. Chinese companies).
How Much Does It Cost To Install Solar Panels?
The cost of installing solar panels will depend on a number of factors:
- the size of the system (the more electricity you want to generate, the larger the system you need)
- the style of the roof (flat roofs are more affordable than sloped ones)
- the material of the roof (metal roofs are more affordable than concrete or wooden ones)
- the location of the sun (obvious solar energy hot spots are more affordable than those hidden by clouds or shade)
- whether you need extra wiring (wiring costs a lot)
- how many solar panels you need (the more the merrier)
- the type of connectors you need (e.g. NEMA 5-15P etc.)
- the type of voltage you need (e.g. 110 VAC or 230 V AC)
- the amperage you need (the higher the amperage, the more expensive the installation)
- whether you need battery backup (battery backup can be quite expensive)
- the size of your existing electrical system (if you have a lot of existing wiring, the installation will be more expensive)
The cost of solar installation can range from a few thousand dollars to several tens of thousands of dollars. It all depends on how professional your local electrician is, how motivated you are to go green, and how prepared you are to pay a bit more for quality.
How Many Kw Are Needed To Power Your Home?
To determine how many kilowatts (kW) of solar power you need for your home, you must consider a few key factors:
- the size of your home or business
- the style of the roof
- whether you need extra wiring
- the location of the sun (obvious solar energy hot spots are more affordable than those hidden by clouds or shade)
- your existing electric system (if you have a lot of existing wiring, the installation will be more expensive)
To generate the electricity necessary to power your home, you will need between 1 and 6 kW of solar panels. Smaller homes and apartments with less than 15 kW of installed capacity may not be able to utilize solar energy to the same extent as larger dwellings. That being said, everyone can benefit from the reduced electricity bills that accompany solar energy use.
When Will You Start Seeing Savings On Your Energy Bills?
While it is always a good idea to invest in energy-saving appliances and technologies, you must bear in mind that the amount of electricity you save will depend on a number of factors:
- the size of your home or business
- the style of the roof
- the time of day (e.g. during the day, it is best to utilize daylight to the fullest; at night, the heat from the sun no longer helps and the cooling effect of the breeze becomes more important)
- the weather (humidity levels and temperatures play a key role in the energy consumption of air-conditioning units)
- whether you need extra wiring (wiring costs a lot)
- how motivated you are to go green (the more you are motivated to go green, the more savings you will see)
- the existing electrical system (if you have a lot of existing wiring, the installation will be more expensive)
- the age of the system (the older the system, the more energy it will cost to operate it)
- the type of connectors you need (e.g. NEMA 5-15P etc.)
- the type of voltage you need (e.g. 110 VAC or 230 V AC)
- the amperage you need (the higher the amperage, the more expensive the installation)
- whether you need battery backup (battery backup can be quite expensive)
- the size of your existing electrical system (if you have a lot of existing wiring, the installation will be more expensive)
It is important to note here that regardless of whether you choose a system with or without battery backup, the amount of electricity you generate will depend on a variety of factors. These could include the size of your home or business, the material of the roof, and the style of the roof. What’s more, you will need to purchase a lot of equipment (e.g. solar panels and inverters) to achieve savings that you see upfront. All this being said, solar energy is a good solution for those that want to become more environmentally conscious.
How Does Solar Energy Work?
When sunlight is shined on solar panels, the panels will absorb the energy and convert it into electrical energy. The amount of energy that can be converted by solar panels is known as their efficiency. The more sunlight that is absorbed by a solar panel, the more electricity it will generate. This is why most residential solar installations use modules that track the sun (also known as being “solar-dependent”). The benefit of this is that whenever the sun shines on the panels, they will generate energy.
There are several different ways to generate electricity using solar power. As discussed above, one of the most affordable and effective solutions is to purchase standalone solar panels. These are simple and straightforward; all you need to do is connect an electrical socket to the panel and you are good to go. The advantage of this solution is that you do not need to purchase any additional equipment (inverters are expensive and cumbersome to transport and install). The disadvantage, however, is that if you live in an area where frequent blackouts are common (e.g. because of snowstorms or heavy rains that damage the electricity grid), then you may want to consider other options.
Is Solar Power Safe?
Yes, solar power is quite safe in comparison to other energy sources. After all, the only thing that happens when solar energy is converted into electricity is that a small amount of light is produced. This is not hazardous in any way. It is also important to note that solar panels are quite safe to install on a roof; however, if you are installing them on an outdoor surface (such as a ground-based mounting) then they must be weather-proof. Check out this informative guide to learn more about the safety of solar power.