With prices steadily falling and technology advancing, going solar is now more affordable than ever before.
The cost of electricity is a significant portion of a home’s total energy bill. In Florida, the price of electricity can vary from 7 cents to 15 cents per kWh, which makes it one of the most expensive states in the country to run your home appliances. This is because much of Florida is in a climate that is favorable to solar energy generation.
The good news is that there are many alternatives to this harmful and pricey energy source. Going solar doesn’t have to be expensive and disruptive to your daily life anymore. With the right plan in place, you can enjoy the comfort and convenience of solar energy without the hefty monthly bills.
This article will advise you of the different ways in which you can generate your own power completely free of charge and without any damage to the environment. We’ll cover everything from choosing the right system to how to install it correctly so that you can enjoy the benefits for years to come.
Consider The Gigawatt Factor
Before selecting power generation equipment, it’s important to keep in mind that your home needs a certain capacity in order to operate efficiently. Your electric supplier can advise you of the maximum wattage that your house can consume before experiencing any problems (such as stuttering or malfunctioning appliances). This number is referred to as your ‘capacity factor’. Knowing your capacity factor makes it much easier to determine the correct size and type of system for your needs. In most cases, this will be somewhere between 10 to 20 kilowatts (kW).
The higher your capacity factor, the less energy you will consume and the more environmentally friendly your energy generation will be. In fact, some systems can achieve a capacity factor of up to 90 percent, which would make it equivalent to a gigawatt of energy production! A gigawatt is a unit of power, measuring 1 billion watts. Therefore, a 90% capacity factor would suggest that you are creating enough power to run a small town for a day.
Comparing Distributed Generation To Central Generation
Another important factor to consider when choosing a solar power system is how decentralized the energy generation is. More and more people are opting to go solar because they want to keep control of their energy supply and to avoid dependence on large utility companies. This is referred to as ‘distributed generation’, and it can be a great option if you want to have control over your energy supply without going completely off-grid.
On the other hand, ‘central generation’ utilizes large energy generating stations that feed into a power grid, which is usually managed by a utility company. The downside of central generation is that it is less flexible and more expensive than distributed generation. However, it does provide the advantage of being able to rely on a steady source of electricity when you need it. In addition, the energy that is generated by central stations is usually cheaper per kWh than generated by smaller, more local energy sources.
The choice between the two depends on your needs and what is more important to you — flexibility or cost-savings. Fortunately, there is a solution that provides the best of both worlds. With batteries capable of storing energy generated by the sun, you can effectively ‘dispatch’ electricity as and when you need it. This means that you get the flexibility of a distributed system with the added benefits of a steady and clean power supply that is independent of the electric company.
An Overview Of Going Solar In Florida
With the right solar energy system in place, you can be enjoying the benefits of clean energy without worrying about the high cost and frequent outages that are associated with conventional electricity sources. There are essentially four steps to going solar in Florida:
Step one: Determine your needs
The first step is to determine your needs. This means assessing how much electricity you use and how much money you are willing to spend. You should consult with your electric supplier and review the various options available to you. For example, do you need a system that is directly connected to the power grid or one that is completely independent? Do you need a system that is portable so that you can take it with you when you move or travel? Does the location of the system matter, or is it sufficient to have one which produces energy wherever you choose?
Once you have determined your needs, you can start taking a look at the different types of systems available to you. This includes everything from how flexible you need the system to be, to what capacity it should have and the cost associated with it. Before making a decision, it’s important to consider all the pros and the cons so that you can make an educated decision.
Step two: Choose the right equipment
The next step is to choose the right equipment. This entails selecting a solar power system that is suitable for your needs. As mentioned above, there are two types of systems, distributed generation and central generation. Let’s discuss what each one entails and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
With a distributed generation system, you will have solar panels installed at your home or business. These will be charged by the sun during the day and will be storing the energy they have accumulated. You will have complete control and can determine how much electricity you need as and when you need it. These types of systems are completely flexible and can provide power to your home or business when you need it.
On the other hand, central generation entails having a power plant (usually nuclear or fossil fuel-based) that is connected to a power grid. The electricity that is generated by the plant is then distributed throughout the grid. This type of system is more stable and has the advantage of being able to generate power whenever you need it. The disadvantage, however, is that it is less flexible than a distributed system and it requires more initial investment.
Choosing the right equipment and deciding which one is superior largely depends on your own personal situation and what is more important to you. Do you need a system that can provide power to your entire home or just a few appliances? Are you looking for a system that is portable so that you can take it with you when you travel or move? How much money are you willing to spend? Once you have determined your needs, the next step is to choose the right equipment that meets them.
Step three: Install it correctly
The third step is to install it correctly. This step entails connecting all the wires and cabling of the solar power system to your home’s electrical grid. It’s important to note here that not all wiring is created equal and many people make the mistake of using outdated or improper wiring which can cause serious damage and even endanger their lives if something were to happen.
In most cases, you will need an electrician to assist you with this step. In addition, you will need to ensure that the wiring is properly grounded and is not overloaded. Once you have installed the system correctly, you can test it to ensure that it is working properly. To do this, simply connect a voltmeter to the wires of the system and observe the readings on the meter. In most cases, a voltmeter will read about 12 volts — this is normal and it should not cause you any concern. If the meter were to show a different number, this would indicate that there is something amiss and you should address it immediately.
Step four: Enjoy the benefits
Finally, the fourth and last step is to enjoy the benefits. This entails taking time to learn how to properly operate and maintain your solar power system. You should take some time every month to check on the functionality of the system and to make sure that it is running at its optimum capacity. In most cases, this will involve simply pressing a button on the panel and observing the meter readings to determine whether or not it needs an adjustment.
By taking the time to do this regularly, you can ensure that you are enjoying the benefits of renewable energy without any complications. In addition, you can take this opportunity to learn more about energy generation and see how it works at the source — this will greatly improve your understanding of how electricity is produced and can show you the incredible opportunity that exists to have control over your energy supply and to enjoy limitless clean energy.