Benefits Of Solar Panels
If youre considering installing a solar panel system on your home, here are some benefits to consider:
- Cost savings Installing solar panels can lower your monthly utility bills by $650 to $1,500 per year, on average.
- Increased home value Purchasing and installing solar panels on your home can increase your property value. Home values increase by an average of $20 for every $1 reduction in annual utility bills, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. So, a solar energy system that reduces your power bills by $200 per year would increase your homes value by $4,000.
- Positive environmental impact Solar energy doesnt produce air pollution or greenhouse gases once installed. Switching from standard utilities to solar energy is like eliminating the emissions created by a car that drives 18,000 miles per year, according to EnergySage.
Using Solar Energy At Home: 6 Pros & Cons You Need To Know
We all know that the climate of our Earth has been changing in a very rapid manner. The temperatures are rising that cause heat waves in multiple regions. Some regions in the third world countries have been battling with the epidemic of the shortage of water.
All of these factors point to one solution that we all must focus on before it is too late. That solution is to conserve our natural resources and not let them go to waste!
The concept of solar energy is not new and has been around for years. It is something that makes sure that none of the energy is wasted, but in fact, conserved.
The sun rays reach our Earth every day without any cost. It is wise to use that energy for the betterment of our own environment.
Solar energy works by converting the energy from the sun into electricity for homes/offices. Consider our sun to be as powerful as a nuclear reactor. Only in this, the entire process is natural.
A nuclear reactor contains an immense amount of energy, so we can only imagine how much energy the sun radiates. The sun releases tiny packets of energy that travel from the sun to Earth in every hour of the day, there is energy in those tiny packets that can satisfy the global energy needs of electricity for a year at least.
We already know how many underdeveloped nations are still fighting to provide electricity to their towns and cities. Solar energy can be the answer to that crisis. It doesnt take much of our resources and provides us with enough electricity.
How Many Solar Panels Are Needed To Power A House
The typical American home needs between 20 and 25 solar panels to cover 100% of its electricity use. The exact number of panels needed depends greatly on the geographic location of your home, the energy consumption habits of your household and the efficiency and type of panels you install as well as the amount of sunlight the panels are exposed to each day.
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How Are Solar Panels Installed On A Roof: Faqs
Q: Are Solar Panels Heavy?
A: Generally, solar panels arent heavy and so that cant easily alter the roof design of your home. Each square feet of a solar panel can weigh a maximum of 2.7 pounds only. Reports indicate that over 95% of roofs where solar panels have been installed dont need any form of extra support.
Q: Can Solar Panels Cause Roofs to Leak?
A: One thing that worries a lot of homeowners is a leaking roof as a result of the drilled holes on rails. The thing is that if the holes are well-drilled and the solar panels are installed correctly, then you dont have to worry about leakages.
It should be noted that these panels canactually protect your roof if you install it correctly. Generally, its knownthat solar panels can help to reduce wear and tear. They are built with highlydurable and long-lasting material. As a result, they can effectively withstanddifferent elements of weather and ensure that your roof is clean and dry.
To be on the safe side, go for solar panelsystems with warranties. We know that anything can and in that case, you canalways seek compensation.
Q: Can Solar Panels Withstand Strong Winds?
A: Yes. They have been designed to withstand even the severest of weather patterns. Most of them have been designed with specifics to withstand local wind loading requirements. Generally, the panel systems can effectively withstand wind with speeds ranging between 90 and 120 mph.
The Bottom Line
Myth : Solar Energy Is Not Viable
The International Energy Agency made a statement five years ago that, within the decade, solar energy is going to become a viable alternative to fossil fuels ahead of coal, hydro, and nuclear. As it turns out, they were right. Why? The world is finally becoming aware of all the benefits solar energy brings along, as well as the fact that it doesnt cost us a thing, except a fact we have to install the system that supports it. Above all, the same Agency is predicting that by 2050, solar power will be the worlds largest source of electricity.
Also Check: How To Calculate How Much Solar Panels You Need
Soft Cost Reduction Solutions
The Department of Energys Solar Energy Technology Office launched an initiative called Sunshot in 2011. The goal is to put solar energy financially on par with other energy sources by the year 2020.
Various permitting, entities and laws throughout various jurisdictions can slow down the process of solar installation and raise costs. Through systematizing and unifying solar, SETO is working to cut red tape and prices.
They also fund research for new ways to streamline solar company operations. Better software and processes to help solar companies reach new customers and run more smoothly helps tame soft costs. Through these efforts, the savings can be passed on to solar customers.
Why Bother Selling Solar Panels In The First Place
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association , the pace of solar installations across all market segments has been steadily increasing over the past decade. Check out these 3 reasons why its worth your while to get into the solar game:
Reason #1: Falling prices equals growth
One of the biggest strikes against solar for the past several decades has been the cost. But thats all changed. The cost to install solar has dropped by more than 70% over the last decade, leading the industry to expand into new markets and install thousands of systems across the U.S.
Specifically, an average-sized residential system has dropped from $40,000 in 2010 to roughly $20,000 today . And recent utility-scale prices range from $16/MWh $35/MWh, meaning solar is now competitive with all other forms of electricity generation.
Reason #2: Solar is leading in new electric capacity additions
In 2020, 43% of all new electric capacity added to the grid came from solar. This is the largest share in history and marks the second year in a row that solar has added the most capacity to the grid compared to other sources.
And its no fluke. Solar has ranked 1st or 2nd in new electric capacity additions in the last 8 years increasing its share of total U.S. electrical generation from just 0.1% in 2010 to nearly 4% today.
Reason #3: Its now a 50-state market
And now that you know why you should sell solar panels, heres the how.
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Replacing Roof With Solar Panels: Money Matters
Imagine for a minute that youve already installed solar panels without changing your roof, and suddenly after some time, your roof starts sagging.
Not only will you have to pay an additional price for removing and then reinstalling the panels, but you might even risk damaging your solar panels in the whole process.
Plus, while the panels are off, you wont be generating any electricity. This means your electricity bill will also go up during this period.
So, while replacing roof with solar panels may seem quite costly initially, but in the long run, its saving you from a lot of trouble. There are plenty of different solar panel funding options, which will make your decision a bit easier.
You can find an option that makes the most sense for you.
We also suggest you sit down and do a cost analysis before you call in the solar/roof installation team. This will help you get a better idea of how much it will cost and how beneficial it will be for you in the long run.
See Related: Solar Panel Insurance Guide
Will Solar Companies Replace Your Roof
Hunting for a roofing company and a separate company for solar panel installation is just going to be additional work.
Well let you in on a little secret. You can save yourself from putting in the extra effort by simply going for a company that does both. Yes, you read that right. Some companies offer services that install solar panels and replace roofs.
A free roof replacement with solar panels would be a dream come true, this isnt possible in most cases. However, getting the same company to do both tasks does lower the costs.
For instance, Semper Solaris offers roof replacements along with solar installation with significant cost savings. They provide clients with financing options to make the installation of solar panels on a flat roof more affordable.
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Diy Solar Panel Pros And Cons: Should You Install Solar Panels Yourself
Find out if do-it-yourself solar panels are worth the effort.
DIY solar panels: Good idea? Bad idea?
If you’re a homeowner, it’s not hard to see the appeal of solar panels. Whether you are conscious of your carbon emissions or your budget , installing DIY solar panels can shrink your impact on the planet and lower the monthly energy bill.
But while the DIY solar panels can be an elegant and eco-friendly option in some situations, they aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution for everyone’s energy-related issues. Below, we’ll walk you through the pros and cons of undergoing the DIY project of installing your own solar panels. And we’ll help you decide if you want to take on the task or pursue another option like a solar power purchase agreement or having solar panels installed professionally.
Can Be Expensive When You Install Solar Panels
While solar panels definitely provide you with a cheaper alternative, at the time of installation they can cost you a lot of money. The more you need energy, the more will be the installation cost.
The cost of the entire installation process will include paying for solar panels, solar powered batteries, wiring, inverter, and lastly, for the installation.
On the bright side, the government can give you credits for adding the solar panels, and there are some providers that aim to fund your installation. However, these options are not available to everyone. For some, reducing the costs of solar panels is not an option.
The installation procedure and funding depends on where you live and what your payment plan is. In a way, your energy savings could be equal to your monthly payment.
However, because solar technology is constantly growing, there are chances that the costs may come down in the coming years.
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Solar Panel Installation: Five Main Steps
There are five major steps to a solar installation that your chosen solar company will generally follow:
Its always good to start with a broad overview when learning how to install solar panels. Start out by watching EnergySages time-lapse video, Solar Installation in Less Than a Minute , which shows one of EnergySages pre-screened solar installers assemble a 6.7 kilowatt solar energy system on a home in Newton, Massachusetts. The happy homeowners now save $2,250 on their electricity bills every year thanks to their new solar panels and will break even on their investment in just five years.
What You Need To Know Before You Install
- Just getting started? See our four steps to get started with solar.
- Want to find out fast which solar panels are the best? See the test summary from our previous tests of solar panels .
- Interested in a solar storage battery? See our solar battery guide for more on how they work and whether they might suit your home.
Solar panels are increasingly being installed by homeowners who are worried about rising electricity costs, and who want a system that both cuts their bills and produces greener energy. We explain what you need to know before installing a solar photovoltaic system on your roof.
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Selling A House With Leased Solar Panels
If youve leased a solar system from your local solar installer, selling your home may be a bit more difficult than if you owned panels.
In addition to the fact that many would-be buyers are unfamiliar with the process of taking over a solar lease, you may have to buy yourself out of the solar contract if youre unable to find someone to take it over.
According to additional research by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, though, leased panels probably wont impact your homes value. According to the data collected by the study, people who sold homes in Southern California equipped with leased solar panels didnt see a negative impact on their homes value.
In fact, 77% of the solar leases in the group were transferred successfully to new owners, and only 20% of homeowners reported that would-be buyers were scared off by the solar lease process.
The Advantages Of Using Solar Power For Homes
Theres nothing wrong about being environment friendly. In fact, the Earth needs it because of the many problems it is currently facing such as global warming. To generate electricity, fossil fuels are needed but with the continuous burning of fuels, global warming will also become worse.
Because of this fact, people are already opting for solar powered homes nowadays. You dont need to be rich and famous to use solar power since the solar systems are more affordable these days.
There are advantages in using solar power for homes. How much are you paying for electricity bills every month? Many homeowners have aching pockets because of the costly electricity expenses. One way to reduce your bills is by opting for solar power.
You dont need any wiring if you use solar power systems. For instance, for your garden lights and water features, you can use solar power. Most of the gadgets have darkness sensors and you no longer have to worry about turning them off.
Solar lights are readily available and you will just need to take them out and place them in the right place where you want to get some good light.
Solar power is environment friendly. It is an excellent form of renewable and clean energy. You wont contribute to pollution unlike fossil fuels. By using solar power systems like the solar cooker, solar thermal systems, and solar generators, you can cook without emissions. Thereby, you can help in saving the environment.
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Living With Solar Panels
Hi, Grant here again as Deege have kindly allowed me to write another blog post to explain what solar-powered life is like! As you may have seen in my previous post Deege installed my solar panels and battery at the end of April 2021. In this post I will go through all of my facts and figures after around 6 months of having a Solar PV System Installed. Hopefully I will be able to convince a few others to go green too!
Switch On Your System
If your system has now met all state, local and utility company requirements, you can now commission it. Check whether your solar system is functioning by firing up your solar monitoring app almost every inverter comes with one these days.
Does the app show the system is performing as expected? If yes, then congratulations! It was hard work, but youre finally done.
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Set Up The Home Connections
Once everything is complete outside, go back inside the building to make finish the wiring. Run the cables from the array to the inverter panel disconnect. Again:
- the red wire is connected to the positive terminal
- the green grounding wire is connected to the grounding terminal
- and the black wire is connected to the negative terminal.
It is up to you where to install the battery bank for the solar panel setup, but it is recommended to put it near the control panels. Once you have a location run the conduit through the ceiling into the inverter panel. Next, feed two heavy-duty battery cables into the panel disconnect. The other ends of the cables will be connected to the battery pack.The battery system must be installed in a series alternating positive and negatives and secured into place. Afterward, make sure to cover the panels and everything else then run some tests to see if it works.
Are Solar Panels Worth It
Before investing in solar panels, you should consider your return on investment. Installing solar panels comes with high upfront costs. But you can get a rough estimate of how long itll take for you to break even with this formula:
Estimated payoff period = /
EnergySages Solar Calculator can help you estimate how much you can save based on your location, roof, electricity rates and incentives available in your area.
Its also important to do your research and get quotes from multiple vendors before settling on one to ensure youre getting the best deal.
If youre considering a mortgage refinance to fund a solar panel purchase, you can compare mortgage refinance rates in minutes without affecting your credit.
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