Installing solar panels on your house isn’t just about generating your own power – it’s about transforming your home into a smart, modern living space that is powered by the sun.
With the right solar energy device for your home, you can harness the power of the sun to generate electricity and minimize your carbon footprint – not to mention the savings on your electric bill!
Whether you’re looking into self-sufficient living or you just want to cut down on your dependence on fossil fuels, a solar energy system can help unlock the potential of your home.
Here we’re going to run down the factors you should consider before spending your hard-earned money on a solar system and which ones you shouldn’t bother with. We’ll also suggest a few alternative energy devices that you may be interested in instead.
Cost Vs. Cost-Effectiveness
The first and most important thing to consider is how much does this thing cost? The cost of a solar system depends on a number of factors, not the least of which is how much electricity you are going to need to power it. The average household in North America uses about 14,000 kWh of electricity per year – not including laptops and other electric devices. A ballpark figure for a basic 2×4 system (including installation) would be about $15,000 to $20,000, plus you’ll need to spend about $3,000 on some batteries to store the excess electricity.
The cost-effectiveness of the system then becomes a factor of how much money you are saving compared to what you spent on buying fuel and electricity in the first place. If you live in an area where electricity is relatively expensive (as it is in most places these days) then a small solar system could end up costing you more in the long run.
Technology
The next thing to consider is how advanced is this technology? The more technologically advanced the product, the more efficient it is designed to be. When it comes to solar energy, the last thing you want to do is buy something that is outdated right from the start. This will make it harder for you to maintain and save money on electricity in the long run.
Size
The size of the device is also something to think about. Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to solar power – especially not when it comes to your attic. The bigger the device, the more electricity it has stored and the more expensive it is to purchase and install. If your attic isn’t very large, then you may want to consider a small solar energy system. Remember: bigger isn’t always better when it comes to solar energy.
Repairs
How much do you want to spend on having someone come out to fix things if they break? A lot of people do their own housework, so if fixing gadgets and appliances isn’t your forte, then this could be something you want to avoid. Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to this as well because oftentimes, the bigger the device the more difficult and expensive it is to fix. If you plan on having people visit you regularly then this is something you may want to consider.
Durability
The last thing you want to do is purchase something that isn’t durable. Durability is extremely important when it comes to solar devices because if they aren’t durable than what is the point of having them? This is especially important if you live in a place where extreme weather conditions can and do occur. If your attic isn’t very durable than you may want to consider a small solar system as opposed to one of the larger ones. The last thing you want to do is buy something that needs constant repairs or maintenance.
Energy Source
The type of energy source the device uses is also important to think about. There are a few different types of solar energy, namely:
- Photovoltaic: This is the most common type of solar energy and it literally means ‘transparent solar cell’. Photovoltaic cells use solar radiation to generate electricity which you can then use in your home.
- Thermal: This type of solar energy is the oldest and most basic form of solar power. All it needs is for you to install it and it starts generating electricity instantly.
- Hybrid: This type of solar energy is when photovoltaic cells are combined with thermal cells so you get the best of both worlds.
- Solar Thermal: This type of solar energy uses mirrors to focus the sun’s heat on a substance (like water) which then generates electricity. This particular type of solar energy doesn’t require any additional maintenance and it’s pretty much hassle-free.
- Wind: This type of solar energy relies on the power of the wind to generate electricity. It doesn’t require any additional maintenance and it’s quite the hassle-free solution as well. The only downside is that it needs a lot of space to work effectively.
Choosing a solar energy device for your home is quite the undertaking, but it’s a worthwhile investment. As we’ve established, bigger isn’t always better when it comes to solar power and this is especially important for your attic. The last thing you want to do is buy something that requires constant maintenance or repairs since this will drive up your electric bill. Smaller is also preferable in terms of cost-effectiveness and this is also important to consider since you may not want to invest a large amount of money in something you’ll only be using for a short time.
Warranty
Most solar energy devices come with a warranty which protects you from faulty workmanship for a certain period of time. The amount of time it will cover depends on the warranty but it usually ranges from one to three years. You’ll also need to make sure that the company you buy the product from is covered by a good warranty.
Power Generation
How much power does it generate? This is important to find out because the amount of electricity you generate depends on the size of the device you buy. The larger the device, the more electricity it generates. How much electricity it generates depends on a number of factors, not the least of which is how many sunny days you have per year. The average home uses around 14,000 kWh of electricity per year which is around the size of a small town in North America. A medium-sized system (between 4kW and 10kW) could theoretically generate enough electricity for a house with average usage.
Choosing a solar energy device for your home is quite an undertaking but it’s a worthwhile investment. The last thing you want to do is buy something that is not durable or will require constant maintenance – especially not if this is something you’ll only be using for a short time. Bigger isn’t always better in terms of solar power and this is especially important for your attic because if it isn’t very high, then you may not want to invest in a large solar system. Smaller is more cost-effective and this is also important to consider since you may not want to invest a large amount of money in something you’ll only be using for a short time. Finally, make sure to look for a good warranty since this will protect you from faulty workmanship. Most manufacturers offer one- to three-year warranties on their products which means you’re covered for up to three years in case there are any defects.