Get A Minimum Of 3 Solar Proposals
The proposed solar panel installation should eliminate your monthly power bill based on your actual energy consumption. In addition, it should detail how much power will be produced, what the investment tax credit will be, and what the solar loan or lease payments are.
Most important of all, it should list all the solar products. Some proposals dont even list the brand of the solar panels! Ask to see a copy of every warranty thats included.
In addition, ask friends and neighbors who have solar if they recommend their solar provider and if their energy bills have been offset. Check review sites and the BBB, and pick the top quality installers to avoid installation disasters.
Sign up with an online quote service like EnergySage. You will get multiple competitive quotes from high-quality installers along with helpful articles. It may seem like work, but your diligent research will pay off during the entire process when you find the best solar company.
Follow the tips and ask the common questions outlined below.
How Many Watts Do You Currently Use
Look at your electricity bill for average usage. Look for Kilowatt Hours Used or something similar, and then note the length of time represented . If your bill doesnt show kilowatt hours used, look for beginning and ending meter readings and subtract the previous reading from the most recent one.
You want daily and hourly usage for our calculations, so if your bill doesnt show a daily average, just divide the monthly or annual average by 30 or 365 days, respectively, and then divide again by 24 to determine your hourly average electricity usage. Your answer will be in kW.
A small home in a temperate climate might use something like 200 kWh per month, and a larger home in the south where air conditioners account for the largest portion of home energy usage might use 2,000 kWh or more. The average U.S. home uses about 900 kWh per month. So thats 30 kWh per day or 1.25 kWh per hour.
Your average daily energy usage is your target daily average to calculate your solar needs. Thats the number of kilowatt-hours you need your solar system to produce if you want to cover most if not all of your electricity needs.
Its important to note that solar panels dont operate at maximum efficiency 24 hours a day. . Weather conditions, for example, can temporarily reduce your systems efficiency. Therefore, experts recommend adding a 25 percent cushion to your target daily average to ensure you can generate all the clean energy you need.
Solar Panels What You Need To Know
If youre preparing to get quotes for solar power, this guide provides detailed and valuable information on the star component of a system installation the solar panels.
Before we delve into the wonderful world of PV modules and which are the best solar panels to choose we need to make sure we are talking about the right product. So lets get any confusion out of the way for starters. The information on this website is focused on also known as solar PV or solar electricity modules.
Theres another type of solar panel that is used for heating water . This type is called a solar hot water panel or solar thermal collector and is a completely different beast.
Heres a look at the two different types of panels:
If solar hot water is your thing, then you probably want to be at my other website 100% dedicated to solar hot water systems.
So now weve sorted out the difference, lets jump in and discuss what you need to know about solar panels!
Solar panels are the most critical part of any solar power system installation. Choosing the best panel brand or module type to buy for your circumstances is just as important as ensuring the solar panels are installed by a competent accredited installer, at the best angle and pointing in the optimal direction.
They cant all be right! So whats the truth? How do you make a real solar panel comparison and a purchase choice that is best for your circumstances? Lets find out
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Choosing Between Green Roofs And Solar Panels For Your Green Home
More people than ever are shifting towards sustainable homes. In 2020, 29% of homes were rated as having net zero carbon footprints.
Choosing a home that is eco-friendly is very important. However, there are a lot of things to take into consideration. It is not just about aesthetics or saving nature. There are also some important functional benefits that will pay off all the investment. And that is important, too! It just wouldnât make sense for a typical homeowner to spend hundreds of dollars for nothing!
There are a lot of eco-friendly amenities and features that need to be supported, which include things like green roofs and solar panels. One is a tiny garden on the roof filled with soil, plants, and everything else to grow them. The latter replaces the roofing tiles but provides a decent amount of energy savings on the side. Choosing between these two can be like choosing between oranges and apples. Ultimately, the best one always depends on who wants it and why.
You need to understand the benefits of both green roofs and solar panels before choosing the right one for you.
Review Options For Using Solar Energy
Solar energy is more accessible than you may think. You have more options than simply purchasing a system to maintain. Before deciding, talk with local installers about community or shared solar options and determine if solar leases or power purchase agreements are right for you.
If you want the benefits of solar power but are unable to purchase a system, a PPA could be perfect. A solar company installs a solar system at your address and affords you the opportunity to buy back any energy generated. This reduces your energy bills at a limited up-front cost with no responsibility for ongoing maintenance or repairs.
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How To Choose The Right Solar Panels For Your Home
Solar power systems are a smart financial investment for homeowners. As we evaluate offers from solar companies, there are still many factors to consider before choosing the right equipment. Your financial options, the installer you select, and the solar system you installed impact your energy savings.
In this article, well guide you through evaluating different solar panels and inverters. In the end, youll have a better understanding of what you need for your home.
6 Factors to Consider Before Choosing the Right Solar Panels
One grid-connected solar energy system has two main components: solar panels and inverters. Solar panels can generate electricity directly from the sunlight. Then, the inverters can convert the electricity into an energy form that can be used at home.
Some solar energy systems also include a monitoring system, allowing homeowners to see how much power they consume and produce.
On the other hand, other manufacturers will only assemble the solar panels. These companies neither manufacture their product nor invest in R& D.
String inverters are the cheapest option for the solar power system. When you have optimal production conditions, string inverters can be a good choice for your home.
How Much Does A Solar Panel Cost
Prices have been coming down steadily over the years. The total cost will depend on how many kilowatts of power your array will generate. According to consumer reports, after solar tax credits are accounted for, the cost for a solar panel system on an average-sized house in the U.S. in 2021 ranges from $11,000 to $15,000.
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Most Suitable States For Solar Panels
Installing solar panels on home roofs is certainly a great choice that benefits our environment however, there are specific places that are more suitable than others when it comes to maximizing solar energy use. According to UMA Solar, Hawaii, California, New Jersey, Florida, Colorado, and Nevada are some of the best areas for solar power. This list of results came from the consideration for both weather and tax incentives. For example, Honolulu, Hawaii has an average of 271 sunny days per year. And in New Jersey and Colorado, there are tax incentives available to earn depending on the energy output.
If you happen to live in these areas and considering adding solar panels on your rooftops, you should definitely go for it!
Which One Solar Panel We Select
Among lots of brands and material of solar panels like c-Si, String Ribon, Thin Film Solar Cells or , Amorphous silicon ,Cadmium Telluride Solar Cells, Copper Indium Gallium Selenide Solar Cells, BIPV: Building Integrated Photovoltaic Panels, Hybrid Solar Cells and PV Panels, We have discussed in a very details post different types of solar panels with advantages/advantages, cost, and applications This way, you will be able to find which is the best type of Solar Panel for Home Use?
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Series Or Parallel Connection For Batteries
Why Batteries in Parallel, not in Series?
Because this is a 12V inverter System, so if we connect these batteries in series instead of parallel, then the rating of batteries become V1 + V2 = 12V + 12V = 24V while the current rating would be same i.e.100Ah.
Good to Know
Thats why we will connect the batteries in parallel, because the Voltage of batteries remains same, while its Ah rating will be increased. i.e. the system would become = 12V and 100Ah +100Ah = 200Ah.
Good to Know
We will now connect 2 batteries in parallel
i.e. 2 12V, 100Ah batteries will be connected in Parallel
= 12V, 100Ah + 100Ah = 12V, 200 Ah
Good to Know
Now the Required Charging Current for these two batteries.
200Ah x = 20A
Manufacturing Country Of Origin
Some people insist the best solar panels are made in Germany and all Chinese solar panels are crap. Follow that previous link for a deeper discussion on this, but frankly I find that talk borderline xenophobic.
You may have reasons for not buying Chinese products and Im not going to get into a debate on the topic. However, as far as quality is concerned, some Chinese brands are just fine, great even. Some are crap, but if you think Chinese is synonymous with low quality, what do you think about your iPad or your Macbook Pro? Yep, made in China and theyre both pretty high-quality, sophisticated devices.
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How Do Solar Panels Work
- Some materials such as silicon can be made to produce electricity when light falls on them. This is called the photovoltaic effect. Solar panels use this to convert energy from sunlight into direct current electrical energy.
- An inverter unit then changes this into alternating current for your home’s electrical circuits.
- Any excess energy can be fed back to the electricity grid or to your own battery storage system.
What’s in a solar panel?
Most solar cells are made of silicon. Solar panels, also called modules, are each made of several solar cells , connected together and sandwiched between protective glass and a backing plate. The whole panel is usually surrounded with an aluminium frame. A typical installation includes several panels connected together in an array.
Types of solar panels
Almost all panels used in home solar systems are mono- or multi-crystalline. While there are technical differences between these types, don’t put too much consideration into this it’s much more important to consider other aspects such as price, rated power output, and warranties.
The rated power output, or capacity, of solar panels has increased over the years as manufacturers find ways to squeeze out more power. Not so many years ago, 250W panels were common now, you might be offered panels of the same size that deliver 400W or more.
What Size Solar Panel System Do You Need
To size your solar panel system you need to work out how much electricity you use and when you use it.
As a guide, a typical home uses 20kWh of energy a day. A 5kW solar system would meet most of the daytime power needs of such a home. However, these days solar panels are relatively cheap, so it usually makes sense to put on the biggest system that your roof can take and that you can afford. The excess electricity can go back into the grid and earn you some money via feed-in tariffs, or charge a home storage battery. 6.6kW is a common size for new systems, but bigger systems are also being purchased. The bigger systems often include a battery.
NT:Home and Business Battery Scheme
The battery schemes above are included because they can apply to a new solar PV system which includes a battery.
Rebate schemes change from time to time, so it’s worth checking the federal government energy website to see what’s available in your area.
Always check the terms and conditions for any rebate scheme carefully to make sure you’re eligible, and what steps you need to take. For example, many schemes apply only to certain regions or postcodes, may have limited places available, or are only available to households below a certain income level, or you might need to have your proposed system approved by the scheme before it’s installed.
What is an STC?
Is the STC rebate going to end?
How to sell your STCs
How much money will you make selling STCs?
How feed-in tariffs work
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Are There Solar Incentives Or Tax Credits Available
The most well-known solar incentive is the federal solar tax credit, also referred to as the Investment Tax Credit or ITC, which provides homeowners with a tax credit equal to 26% of the total cost of a solar panel installation. Battery installation costs are covered, as well.
However, the solar tax credit drops down to 22% at the start of 2023 and expires completely at the start of 2024. So if you want to secure the highest tax credit possible, you need to go solar before the end of 2022. If you wait, your solar savings wont be nearly as impressive as they could be.
The solar tax credit isnt the only incentive for going solar. There are tons of solar incentives throughout the U.S., even ones just for battery storage! You can get a better idea of the savings you can get through rebates and incentives in your area with our detailed state solar incentive guides.
Deciding On A Mounting Option
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What Affects Solar Panel Output Efficiency
Heres where solar panel quality makes a difference. Not all solar panels are alike. Photovoltaic solar panels come in wattages ranging from about 150 watts to 370 watts per panel, depending on the panel size and efficiency , and on the cell technology.
For example, solar cells with no grid lines on the front absorb more sunlight than conventional cells and do not suffer from issues such as delamination . The construction of our cells makes them stronger and more resistant to cracking or corrosion. And a microinverter on each panel can optimize power conversion at the source, in contrast to one large inverter mounted on the side of the house.
Because of these wide variations in quality and efficiency, its difficult to generalize about which solar panels are right for you or how many youll need for your home. The main takeaway is that the more efficient the panels are, the more wattage they can produce, and the fewer you will need on your roof to get the same energy output. Conventional solar panels usually produce about 250 watts per panel, with varying levels of efficiency. In contrast, SunPower panels are known to be the most efficient solar panels on the market.*
To figure out how many solar panels you need, divide your homes hourly wattage requirement by the solar panels wattage to calculate the total number of panels you need.
So that average U.S. home in Dallas, Texas, would need about 25 conventional solar panels or 17 SunPower panels.
Trend: Solar Brokers Vs Solar Installers
The solar industry has broken into two distinct camps: Sales brokers and installers. Installers who only do installations and dont have a sales force are called EPC: Engineering, Procurement, and Construction. Solar sales brokers make sales, then turn it over to a contractor, with little involvement after that. Fewer companies offer sales and installations under one umbrella. A broker may no longer be in the picture once you sign the contract. Ask the question directly: Are you a broker? Always check the companys name on the contract against the name of the company that the salesman represents. They could be two different entities.
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