Efficient Energy Production And Usage
With a smart energy system, energy usage is more efficient than ever. The system automatically takes advantage of every watt that your solar panel produces, storing as much green energy as you can handle while sharing all the surplus energy across your personal grid for the best possible value.
As previously stated, energy from utility companies can run on the expensive side: solar + storage allows you to be self-sufficient when it comes to your energy. Even better, the smart system creates patterns from your energy-behavior, taking into account multiple data points from servers while also making predictions.
For example, if you usually go out on Wednesday night, and you know that Thursday will be a sunny day, the smart system will store just as much energy you would need for your morning routine, while unneeded energy is shared efficiently.
The next day, your battery will be freshly supplied with some needed sunshine, starting the cycle over again.
How Long Does It Take To Recoup The Costs
Depending on the size of your solar panel system and any money you earn through exporting excess energy back to the National Grid , you can expect to recoup the costs of solar panel installation after 15 to 25 years, according to Green Match.
Although larger systems are more expensive, they generate more energy and can save you more in the long-term. Therefore a 5kW solar panel could pay for itself after 15 to 20 years, a 4kW system would take 16 to 22 years, and a 3kW system would take 21 to 25 years.
Try A Solar Water Heater Kit
Your typical water heater uses around $440 dollars worth of electricity per year. You can save that money by going solar. There are solar water heater kits you can buy for $250 to $1,200, so they pay for themselves very quickly.
Typically, there are three different types of solar water heaters. One thing they all tend to have in common is that they heat the water and then store it in insulated storage systems to keep the water warm until it is needed.
Batch collectors, also called integrated collector storage systems, are the oldest types of solar water heaters and they are still popular because they need very little sunshine to heat water and they are simple to install.
You likely already know that anything painted black absorbs sunlight and gets hot quickly. Batch collectors use large black tanks or tubes to collect solar heat to warm the water inside of them.
Flat-plate collector water heaters have a heat absorbing plate that collects heat from the sun, then transfers the heat to copper tubes. As the tubes heat up, so does the water inside them. The plates are usually installed on top of the roof to get the maximum amount of light during the day. The problem with this style of heater is it isn’t as dependable to heat water as consistently as some of the other choices.
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What Is The Best Solar Power System For Home
The right solar power system for your home depends on what you want out of the system.
If youre just trying to save money on your electricity bills with the added bonus of powering your home with renewable energy, then a grid-tied solar system is probably best for you. Grid-tied systems are especially great if your utility offers full-retail net metering.
Hybrid solar power systems are better suited for homeowners who live in areas that have access to the grid, but still experience frequent power outages. In most cases, solar batteries wont save you any additional money, so youre really paying for the peace of mind of having a battery backup bank when the grid is down. Hybrid systems are also popular for homeowners who want to maximize the amount of clean energy they use to power their home.
Off-grid systems are best for homeowners who dont have access to the grid. Whether it’s a rural farm or a cabin in the woods, off-grid solar systems let you have the electricity that you otherwise might not have. However, going off-grid requires some substantial lifestyle changes, as you really need to be conscious of your energy consumption.
Charging Batteries With Solar Power
Virtually any device that operates on a battery can be charged with solar power via some type of photo-electric panel system. The nature of photo-electric solar panels is to generate DC current, which is the same form used in most batteries. Many basic and inexpensive solar panel kits have connections that allow you to plug in cell phones, pad devices, and laptops for direct charging. And by adding a simple inverter that converts DC current to 120-volt AC current, you can also plug in the chargers for other batteries.
On a much larger scale, as we’ll soon see, a large bank of solar panels can charge a whole bank of storage batteries that can power nearly any 120-volt AC devicesright up to serving your entire house.
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Jerry Brown On Trumps Proposed Attack On Climate Science: Were Ready To Fight
California Gov. Jerry Brown told scientists on Wednesday that he would protect climate research in his state, even as President-elect Donald Trump presents retrograde ideas and proposals to quash studies on the subject.
Weve got the scientists, weve got the lawyers, and were ready to fight. Were ready to defend, Brown said while addressing the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco.
The governor unloaded on Trump while referencing the president-elects proposal to scrap NASAs climate research program in an effort to, as a senior adviser said, crack down on politicized science.
If Trump turns off the satellites, California will launch its own damn satellite, Brown said to cheers and applause. Were going to collect that data.
Brown offered support in response to reports that some climate scientists are copying information from public servers to independent servers because theyre afraid that a Trump administration may try to alter or dismantle the federal governments reams of climate data.
If they start deleting databases, look, weve got a lot of databases in California, he said. We can take a few more. Were here. Were here to collaborate and stay on the course.
He also pledged to protect any labs within the public University of California system that are doing climate research.
We have more sun than you have oil and were gonna use it, Brown said.
Solar Power Improves Grid Security
When there are many of us switching to solar power, we are less likely to experience blackouts or brownouts. Every household in the UK that have solar cells installed, functions as a small power plant. This, in turn, provides us with a greater electricity grid security, especially in terms of natural or human-caused disasters.
With the help of solar panel grants, you can also be paid to export electricity back to the grid.
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Hiring A Solar Installer
Solar Electricity Makes Your Home Go Off
The decrease in the cost of solar panels serves as a great example of why there should be an increase in the use of solar energy. Traditional electricity relies heavily on fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas. Not only are they bad for the environment, but they are also limited resources. This translates into a volatile market, in which energy prices alter throughout the day.
Solar electricity boosts your electricity independence! By investing in a 4kW solar system, which is the most common domestic size, you can easily protect yourself against unpredictable increases in utility prices, and enjoy cheap electricity throughout the entire day – the sun will never increase its rates and it gives you energy security.
Once you have solar panels up on your roof, youve technically reached an energy-independent status. Solar battery storage systems can also help store electricity for nighttime and rainy days.
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How Do I Select A Provider
There are a number of established providers of solar energy systems in the city. The following points should be considered when making a choice:
- Ask the provider what their background is in terms of training and experience.
- Check that the firm has an established customer base and track record. Consider contacting prior customers to find out how their systems have fared over time.
- Ensure that their components meet current standards and that there is a way to ensure the quality of the work.
- If opting to go for a Grid-Tie system, ensure that the provider is aware of all the technical requirements.
Solar System Paired To The Grid
In a grid-paired system, your solar power is tied directly to the electrical grid. The primary purpose of this type of system is to lower your utility bill while staying attached to the main electrical grid.
However, this system has one main drawback: if the power goes out, so does your solar power system. When an inverter senses its disconnected from the grid, it is automatically turned off. This is an automatic feature of grid-tied systems because, during an emergency, workers repairing powerlines need to ensure theres no electricity being fed into the grid.
If you try to use your solar system during a power outage, youll be out of luck. Theres no power available and no power stored for later use. However, if you have a grid-tied system, you can still add back up power later. Your inverter can be paired with a battery back-up inverter.
If you know you want to invest in solar but youre not ready for the extra investment in solar batteries, the initial solar power system can still be a worthwhile investment. You can add backup options later.
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Great Tips About Solar Energy That Anyone Can Use
When it comes to solar energy, there is no question that it is very beneficial to the environment. However, many of you may not understand how exactly solar energy works and how to install it in your home. The following article will serve to answer any questions you may have. Read on and learn.
If youre leasing your solar energy system rather than buying it, ensure the contract you sign gives you the option of transferring the lease. This is vital since selling your home could mean you have to pay for a unit you cant use. Transferring the lease give new homeowners a chance to use the solar energy while allowing you to break the contract.
Not every solar panel is created equally. Always buy from a reputable dealer that has been in business for a number of years. The solar energy marketplace is littered with businesses that do not succeed. Make sure the company you buy from will be around if you need help or have problems with your system.
Before you pull the trigger and buy a system, take a look at how long the manufacturer guarantees the product for. You want a fairly long warranty because the system will have to pay for itself over time and help you begin to generate a profit. Therefore, make sure the warranty is for at least 25 years.
Get Free Quotes On Solar Power
We are here to help you and best match your needs! Whether youre interested in solar energy or solar thermal or simply not sure which option is the best for you. Let us know your needs and preferences on the top of this page. We will then contact you to ask some further questions and connect you with our professional suppliers. You will get up to 4 non-binding quotes for free!
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Acquiring Your Solar Electric System
Hot Air Solar Systems
There are also full-house heating systems that use hot air rather than water or another liquid as the medium for moving warmth around the house. These systems work by gathering the air that has been heated by the sun beating down on a roof or an exposed wall, and circulating it through the home. For example, clay roof tiles may have air channels built into it that allow the warmed air to circulate.
Houses that use hot air solar heating often have roof or siding surfaces designed to absorb heat. Many systems have some form of a powered circulating fan to distribute warm air. These systems are often designed to heat single rooms only. You can see this type of system as a much more sophisticated version of the old-fashioned sunroom, which was kept warm by sunlight beating down through large windows and heating up a stone or ceramic tile floor.
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Will Installing Solar Panels On My House Be A Good Investment
In some areas, installing a solar panel system on your house can now offer a better return than traditional investments like property or shares. However, this is not the case in every situation. The residential solar calculator above will help you determine whether solar panels are suitable for your home and give you local information about costs, savings, tax credits, and other local incentives.
The calculator above will also show you what your payback period is likely to be based on your location and energy use
Solar Panels Are Not Noisy
If you have seen any solar panels, you will have observed that they do not consist of many parts other than their huge plates. That implies that there is no machinery involved.
We all know how comfortable and annoying it can be when there is a constant noise in your house. Some people who have to use generators for long time periods will understand this dilemma.
With solar panels, you might as well forget that you have something on your roof that is constantly producing energy. Many people prefer solar panels over wind turbines.
Wind turbines also produce clean energy, but there is so much noise around them that it can be hard to hang out in the area. That is why you will notice all the wind turbines are located in farms etc.
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Using Solar Electricity At Home
A solar electric or photovoltaic system can reliably produce electricity for your home or office. These small or distributed solar systems are often installed by home or business owners to offset their electricity costs.
If you want to purchase a rooftop solar system for your home, federal tax credits, and other state, local, or utility incentives can offset some of the upfront cost. There are also several financing options available for homeowners, including energy-saving mortgages, home equity, Property Assessed Clean Energy Loans, and more traditional bank loans. A federal tax credit is available for solar energy systems. The credit is for 22% for tax year 2021. It expires December 31, 2021. Learn more and find state and local incentives. Leases and power purchase agreements are options for those who are unable to purchase a system, though these options are not eligible for tax breaks or other incentives.
If you think solar is not an option for you because you rent or do not have adequate sunshine at your location your home, have inadequate solar resources, or lack financing, you may still benefit from community solar, where the benefits of a solar project, likely from an off-site solar array, flow to multiple customers. And there numerous other ways that make solar easier, cheaper, and more accessible. Learn about the various ways you can go solar:
