Solar Isnt Ideal If Youre About To Move
Solar is a great financial investment, but it can take some time to reach the break-even point so often heralded by industry sales reps. The average solar panel payback period in the U.S. is around seven and a half years. For a young homeowner who may be moving in the coming years, putting solar panels on his or her roof might feel like an unworthy investment. But, as youll learn later in this article, solar can actually improve your property value and thus increase your return when you do sell your home. So as long as you plan to buy your system with a cash purchase or loan, this disadvantage of solar energy can be easily avoided.
What Is Net Metering
Net Metering is a system that allows a house to connect to the local electricity generation network and inject energy. It is especially useful for those technologies that produce renewable energy such as solar and wind energy.
In this way, when the house injects energy, the light meter works in reverse. At the end of the billing period, the customer only pays for her net consumption. It means, the total resources consumed, less the total resources generated.
Solar Energy Reduces Reliance On Fossil Fuels
Installing the proper solar panels in size and energy production means that your home can run without regular electricity. Automatically the demand for electricity goes down hence, the fear of fossils running out is reduced.
Fossils may be in high supply or availability today, but one day, they may run out. What happens then? If everyone can install solar panels, then the dependence of fossil fuels will be cut down and the dangers it posses too.
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Less Electricity Lost During Long
It is not a secret that the longer the distance between the production and supply spots is, the bigger your losses will be. Transportation and distribution represent two big energy guzzlers since you can lose about 5% of energy, and this number can go up when the distance increases. If you live in an area with a high population density, you may face decreased installation performance. However, the situation is not extremely disappointing when it comes to utilizing solar energy. You can install photovoltaic panels on your rooftop or in the yard, reducing the distance dramatically. Hence, you may increase the efficiency of the photovoltaic panels used.
Solar Panel Carbon Print
Greenhouse gas emission is responsible for over 72 grams of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to a kWh of electricity generated.
Any solar power plant also has an average environmental footprint of about 20gm of CO2 for every kilowatt-hour of electricity generated on top of consuming large water amounts. This is way low than the carbon print effect by regular electricity production.
During the production of solar panels, manufacturers handle toxic chemicals. However, once the panels are complete, they emit no toxins into the atmosphere.
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Improves Your Energy Security And Independence
Another benefit of being less reliant on the National Grid is that your business is less vulnerable to power-cuts and other outages. In these scenarios, the loss of productivity is one of the biggest threats, as it can severely limit your ability to complete work for your clients and customers, which can quickly end up costing you money . However, generating and storing energy on-site means that you can potentially give yourself a supply to fall back on if the main power fails, which limits this loss of productivity, preserving your flow of revenue.
7. The electricity you generate is more valuable
Studies have shown that our energy requirements are generally highest between 11am and 4pm, and then peak briefly again in the evening. It doesnt take any special scientific knowledge to work out why those are the hours when the vast majority of us are almost guaranteed to be in work, and then spending a bit of leisure time in the evening. Naturally, the price of electricity peaks at these hours, so this is when youll be paying the most for energy. Happily though, this 11am-4pm timeframe is also when solar energy reaches its maximum production capacity which means the electricity you generate is by definition more valuable, saving you even more on energy costs.
Solar Energy For Your Home The Main Advantages Of It
Solar energy is not anything new. It has been around for centuries. However, in recent years, solar energy has become more popular as a way to power homes and businesses. The main reason for this is that the technology to harness solar energy has become much more efficient and affordable. Furthermore, 3D Energy experts say that solar energy is one of the most promising renewable energy sources available today. Now, solar panels have become more efficient, and the cost of installing a solar energy system has come down significantly.
This is to the point where solar energy is now a realistic option for many homeowners. Because more and more households turn to solar energy, we must ask the question of why that is. Why is solar energy gaining such popularity, and what are its advantages?
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What Can Solar Power Be Used For In The Home
- Providing electricity can generate the electricity you need to light your home and power your appliances. If you make your home more energy efficient at the same time as installing your solar energy system, you could find that your solar panels provide the bulk of your electricity needs.
- Charging electric cars – If you have a hybrid or electric vehicle, you can use the energy generated by your solar panels to charge your car at home.
Solar Is Becoming Increasingly More Popular And Common
Incentives and rebates provided by the government may not actually last forever. This is another good reason to take advantage of these rebates and incentives right now.
Due to the price of solar panels becoming more affordable, there may come a time in the future where the government reduces the rebates and incentives that they offer.
Its best to jump on the wagon now to take advantage before theyre gone!
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Are There Any Potential Disadvantages Of Solar Energy
While there are obviously many environmental and monetary benefits to installing solar energy in your home, there are also some factors to consider before making your decision:
- Affordability While having solar energy helps to reduce your electricity bill, you’ll have to make the initial investment in the purchase and installation of the panels. At E.ON, we want to make going clean that little bit easier, so we have a range of payment options to suit you, including 4 to help spread the cost.
- Weather dependency Solar PV systems reach maximum efficiency when it’s sunny. So although solar PV systems will , you’ll get the maximum benefits on days of full sunshine.
- Aesthetics Many people think they dont like how panels look on their roof but with new designs like , you wont be able to tell the difference. With sleek, black-on-black modern panels now available in-roof panels no longer sit on top roof tiles, they fit in with the roof tiles so they blend in, looking more natural.
- Every house is different Due to trees or shading around your property detailed surveys can be carried out in advance to ensure the right solar package for your home including making sure its monitored and optimised for the best solar self-generation.
It Has Numerous Environmental Benefits
Using the sun to produce electricity has a number of benefits on the environment. Its important to note that electricity generation with fossil fuels involves combustion. This process releases gases such as carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. Such gases contribute towards climate change and pollute the air we breathe .
Using solar photovoltaics to generate electricity does not involve combustion and therefore produces no greenhouse gas emissions This results in cleaner air and a reduced effect on global warming.
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Long Lifespan And Low Maintenance
Solar panels are made of photovoltaic cells which convert sunlight into electrical energy, and they can last for up to thirty years with little maintenance required. Solar panels are also relatively easy and inexpensive to install, making them an excellent option for homes and businesses.
Solar panels are also low maintenance, which means that they require little to no upkeep once they are installed.
How Solar And Hydropower Energy Compare To Solve Our Energy Crisis
People who love the idea of clean energy generation are always on the lookout for better sources of energy. Many are looking to solar energy and hydropower sources to lessen their carbon footprint and to start solving their energy problems. Both these sources of energy serve as examples of renewable energy and are considered to be among the least costly sources of energy as well.
However, it is necessary to determine the benefits and disadvantages of both these sources of energy so that people can better decide which source is best for them. This article takes a closer look at solar and hydropower energy to offer a comparison of both energy sources.
I. Advantages
Both these sources of energy are renewable. The other real advantage that both these sources of energy share is that they are clean sources of energy. In other words, they dont pollute the atmosphere and are good for the environment. Renewable energy, in general, has a very small carbon footprint, which is why it is considered to be a low-carbon energy source and is thought of more favorably than other sources of energy. Using renewable energy is a good way to save the environment.
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Solar Panels Offer A Return On Investment
When installed under the right conditions, solar panels provide a return on investment . Whilst the initial cost of solar can be quite high, this can be offset by the reduction in energy costs you are likely to face. When solar cells are installed under a tax credit system, ROI can be sped up.
Many homeowners experience a reduction in their electricity bill after the installation of solar technologies. This can in many cases, offer an ROI over a 20 year period. This may differ depending on your exact circumstances, so be sure to check with your supplier.
Your Solar Power Can Helps The Community
If you use less energy than your solar panels accumulate, you may be able to sell it back to the communal grid through the utility companysomething known as net metering. One of the clearest benefits to this is that you can further reduce your utility bills. Looking beyond that, this is a way to contribute to the grid, reduce the strain of electricity demands, and further help the environment by reducing the need to import non-renewable energy sources to the community.
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Solar Reduces Carbon Emissions
Solar is a clean, renewable source of energy that can help reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions and lower our impact on the natural environment. Unlike traditional fossil fuels like coal and oil, solar energy does not lead directly to pollutants being released into the atmosphere and water supply. Even compared to nuclear energy, solar comes out on top in terms of being a more environmentally friendly solution.
Solar Panels Dont Work For Every Type Of Roof
Rooftop solar panels are installed by connecting a mounting system to your roof. Certain roofing materials used in older or historical homes, such as slate or cedar tiles, can be difficult for solar installers to work with, throwing up a roadblock for solar power. Additionally, many homes and apartment buildings have skylights or other rooftop additions like roof decks that can make the solar installation process difficult or costly. In the long run, however, this shouldnt be a barrier to the mass adoption of solar power in the U.S. If your home doesnt qualify for a rooftop solar installation, you still have options: ground-mounted solar panels or buying a share in a community solar garden can get you around this disadvantage of solar energy.
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Solar Improves The Value Of Your Home
Millions of U.S. homeowners are interested in solar panels but havent taken the time to figure out what it takes to install them. This consumer reality and the undeniable benefits of having solar panels on a home complements recent studies that found property values increase after solar is installed. Thus, the second pro of solar can help to level out one of the cons that we discussed earlier even if youre planning on moving in the near future, youll earn back your solar panel investment and then some when you sell your home.
Solar Energy Gains Tax Credits Rebates And Other Incentives
One of the best benefits of solar energy is the government incentives like tax credits and rebates that come along with installing solar panels. While there is an upfront investment, many state and federal programs offer some form of monetary relief intended to encourage homeowners and businesses to use solar energy. Knowing what these incentives are and taking advantage of them can reduce your costs and make the initial install and cost of solar panel materials much more appealing.
So what are some of these incentives and tax credits? Lets break them down:
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Solar Energy Can Be Paired With Solar Battery Storage
Solar panels and battery storage are an ideal combination when paired together. Battery storage allows you to store electricity and discharge it for later use, which is perfect for people who want to self-produce all of their own power and dont want to be reliant on the power grid or use fossil fuel generators.Home battery backup systems are designed to charge during the day and homeowners can either use that power at night, or save it up to power the house when the grid is down. We recommend having more than one battery installed to be sure that you have enough energy to power your home whenever you need it. Our standard package is two Tesla Powerwall units.
How Do You Operate The System
Since the thermodynamic water heating system is relatively simple, there is only one control unit on the compressor all other components work without having to adjust them regularly. The control unit displays the status of the system, i.e., whether the compressor is running, what the water temperature is, and what is the progress of heating up the full tank.
Under regular conditions, the system works by itself, without having to set anything. If you go on vacation, it is a good idea though to turn the system off so that it does not use electricity in vain. When returning, you can turn on the anti-legionella boost that heats up the water to a higher level using the compressor in order to kill any bacteria that might have appeared in the stale water.
This boost can also be used by a single button press if the entire tank of hot water has been used up because of extraordinary hot water usagefor example, when hosting guests. Turning on the boost will use the compressor to quickly reheat the water. Once it has reached the optimal temperature, the boost switches off automatically.
Some thermodynamic systems have the option of setting operating hours so that the compressor turns off during night, for example. Using such an option can save you £4-5 a month, and also prolongs the lifespan of the compressor.
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Should We Still Invest In Solar Energy
The short answer is yes. There is no such thing as a perfect energy source. From nuclear and fossil fuels to renewable resources, all of them have many advantages but also some disadvantages. However, as we are quickly running out of time in the race to reach zero emissions, it is crucial that all countries begin to seriously evaluate which sources of energy can bring the most benefits. While solar energy might not be the best solution for northern countries for the lack of sunlight they receive throughout the year, and some of its disadvantages such as the extensive land use that the installation of solar panels requires might not make it the best candidate for everyone, this renewable resource, along with all others, certainly has undeniable potential and it still a better alternative to environmentally unfriendly fossil fuels, beyond being the best chance we have at stopping global warming.
Solar Panels Have Long Lasting Warranties
Companies that design, test and manufacturer and solar panels include long lasting warranties with their products.
This shows that they have a lot of confidence in the performance of solar panels and that they are guaranteed to reach a minimum performance for a period of time.
Long lasting warranties are a big benefit of solar panels because they show that they wont break or stop performance within the first 10+ years installing them. Companies like Jinko, LG and SunPower offer great warranties.
Homeowners can feel like moving to solar is less risky, because they are covered by the solar panels warranties.
It also means they can work out their estimated saving given that there are no issues with the solar panels.
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What Appliances Can Run On Solar Power
Solar power can deliver electricity just like power coming from the grid, meaning that you can virtually run any appliance using solar panels as long as you have enough generation capacity. The most important factor to consider is the power consumption of the appliance , comparing this against how much power the solar panels produce.
For instance, a 49 LED TV consumes up to 85Wh, meaning that a 100W solar panel can power it and still divert 15Wh for other appliances when generating at full capacity. You can calculate how many devices you can run with solar panels, by calculating their power consumption and relate this to the generation capacity of your system.
