Theres Nowhere Else To Put Solar Panels
The roof is the most common place to put solar panels but its not the only place they can go.
You will find homeowners placing solar panels in other places, such as in their backyard or on secondary structure on their property.
If both of the circumstances below apply to you, then youre out of luck.
- Ground-mounting isnt possible for you: Ground-mounted solar refers to solar panels installed on the ground using special mounts to angle them towards the sun. While this may be an option for farms and ranches, it is rarely feasible in cities and suburbs where there is less open space to work with.
- No other structure available: The last option to consider are buildings like carports or sheds, or backyard structures like gazebos, pergolas and patio covers. If you dont have any of these, or they lack suitable surface areas, it means that youre going to hold off on solar panels for the time being.
Keep An Eye On Trade Policy
Changes in government trade policy also impact prices. In January 2018, President Trump imposed a four-year tariff on imported solar cells and panels that started at 30% and was set to drop 5% each year until February 2022. In 2020, the tariff rate for the fourth year was raised from 15% to 18%. The tariff resulted in a 16 cent per watt increase for the average consumer in 2018, which translated to an overall increase of $960 for a six-kW system, according to EnergySage.
The cost of foreign-manufactured panels may still drop, lessening the tariffs effect over time.
What Is It Made Of
The structure and development of solar panels differ from type to type.
There are mainly two types of solar panels used around the world on rooftops, as well as ground-mounted installations.
This is the most common type of solar panel.
There are usually blue or black with small squares in rectangular grids.
The solar cells on this panel are connected in a series circuit, which helps the system produce more electricity by the system.
There are further two types of crystalline silicon panels: polycrystalline and monocrystalline.
This type of panels is mostly used in large scale industries where more number of solar panels are required in a suitable budget.
It consists of a thin layer of semiconducting material on the glass.
As its evident by its name, its fragile and flexible.
Furthermore, there are many types of thin-film: Amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, and copper indium gallium selenide.
Module assembly is also one of the types of solar panels that consist of solar cells with a thin layer of glass in front and a protective back sheet on the back.
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Read Reviews Of The Solar Equipment
Check to see how the brands youre looking at have been rated by other consumers.
Why? Because reading the product specifications and marketing materials only tell part of the story. To get the full picture, you want to hear what end-users have to say about the equipments real-world performance.
Luckily, finding consumer reviews of solar equipment is easy. SolarReviews has the largest collection of solar company reviews on the internet. You can check them out here:
The most recent reviews tend to be the most valuable, as they reflect customer experiences with the companys most recent model.
Are Solar Panels Worth It If Youre Not In The Sunny Southwest
Solar loves the sun, but you dont have to live in the sunny Southwest to achieve solar savings! In fact, solar systems can sometimes cost more in these areas because you need a larger system to cover your electricity needs due to air conditioning. Certain climates, even though they can be less sunny than others, are better suited for solar. Many factors go into whether solar is a good fit or not sunshine is just one of them! Some of the states with the most installed solar in the country are in the Northeast even though theyre more famous for their cold snowy winters than their sunny summer days! These areas often have higher electricity costs and better local incentives than other states, leading to greater savings down the line.
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Installation Standards And Warranties
If you want to be eligible for small-scale technology certificates , your system must be installed by a CEC-accredited installer. The Clean Energy Council is Australia’s peak body representing the clean energy sector. It accredits both installers and systems that meet certain standards.
Look for a CEC-accredited company:
- that is a signatory to the CEC’s code of conduct
- that has been in business for a while
- with an established track record
- with relevant experience
- that has specialist expertise
- that has a good reputation.
Retailers can also sign up to the CEC’s voluntary code of conduct, which demonstrates a commitment to best-practice installation.
See our guide to finding a good solar installer.
Solar panels in Australia work best when they’re facing north, pointed directly at the sun, at an optimal angle and not blocked by trees or shading.
Solar panels to suit a very hot climate
Some panels have better temperature tolerance than others and are therefore a better choice in hot climates.
Although solar panels are meant to sit on roofs in direct sunlight, they actually become less efficient as they get warmer, due to the physics of the photovoltaic effect. So you’ll sometimes get less power from the panels on a very hot day than on a mild day . Solar panel power ratings are based on standard conditions .
Panels should be installed in a way that allows air to circulate underneath to help keep them cooler.
Product warranty
Performance warranty
Other warranties
Home insurance
When Are Solar Panels Worth It
There are various ways solar panels pay off, ranging from reducing your carbon footprint to increasing your homes value. Recently, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that for a home with a solar power system, every dollar saved on energy increases a homes value by $20. That is a 20-to-1 return on investment .
Here are some factors to help you maximize the value of your solar investment.
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How Much Do Residential Solar Panels Cost For An Average 2000 Square Foot Home
Solar panel cost is often measured as the cost per watt of solar. This makes it easy to compare the relative value of solar systems of different sizes in terms of the watts of power they can produce.
Our data shows that the average cost of a residential solar system in 2021 is $2.85 per watt, before the federal tax credit. At that price, a typical 7 kilowatt home solar system would cost $19,950. The cost would fall to $14,763 after claiming the 26% solar tax credit.
The cost of residential solar panels has dropped dramatically over time. In fact, it has fallen over 70% in the past decade.
In 2019 alone, the cost of solar dropped by 5%.
Not Just Free Electricity
Perhaps like me, you thought that the only benefits to solar panels were free electricity and a chance to help the environment. But not only that, any excess you generate can be sold back to the power companies. This is known as a FIT payment. Please note that these payments closed to new applicants on March 31st, 2019.
However, there are companies that now run schemes separate to FIT and will pay you for exporting your electricity to them. Octopus Energy runs Outgoing Octopus and you can find out how much they pay per unit here. This is a must for anybody with panels that doesnt qualify for FIT payments.
And not only that, switching to Octopus will earn you £50.
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As Electric Bills Go Through The Roof Demand Grows For Alternative Energy Options
Roy Wylam/Alamy Stock Photo
With the cost of living increasing and energy bills dramatically rising from this month, households across the UK will be looking at ways they can reduce their monthly outgoings. Savings can be made with some short-term changes around the home, but many people are trying to find long-term solutions to lowering their electricity bills.
As UK energy prices go through the roof, homeowners are looking skywards to try and ease the pressure on their budgets, said Shane Hickey in The Observer. One ray of hope is to install solar panels.
According to a government report in 2020, more than 970,000 UK homes have solar panels and numbers are increasing rapidly, said Amy Cutmore on Ideal Home. Youve probably spotted an increasing number of solar panels popping up on roofs all around the UK. And it seems this trend is only set to continue.
Demand is growing as more people work from home, but does the outlay for installation pay off?, Hickey asked. Here we look at what the experts are saying about solar panel installation and investment in 2022.
Solar Power For The Home: Benefits
A significant benefit to PV installation is a lower energy bill, but the magnitude of this benefit depends on the amount of solar energy that can be produced given the available conditions and the way in which utilities charge for electricity.
The first consideration is the solar irradiation levels available in the home’s geographical location. When it comes to using solar panels, being closer to the equator is generally better, but other factors must be considered. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory produces maps for the U.S. showing solar irradiation levels the tools on its website provide detailed solar information for specific locations within the U.S.
Similar maps and data are available in other countries as well, often from government environmental agencies or renewable energy organizations. Equally important is the home’s orientation for rooftop arrays, a south-facing roof without trees or other objects obstructing sunlight maximizes the available solar energy. If this is not available, panels can be mounted on external supports and installed away from the house, incurring additional costs for the extra hardware and cables.
The final benefit is the potential effect on a home’s value due to the addition of a solar array. In general, it is reasonable to assume that solar panels would raise the value of most homes.
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How Does It Work
A solar panel usually works by allowing particles of light or photos , to free electrons from atoms, which then generates a flow of electricity.
These panels consist of many small units known as Photovoltaic cells .
Such cells, connected consecutively, make a solar panel.
The photovoltaic cell is made up o many different layers of materials, each with a purpose of its own.
The semiconductor layer is the most essential layer of the cell, which is made up of two different layers, usually silicon, P-type, and N-type.
Do Solar Panels Increase Your House’s Value
With energy bills on the rise and the climate emergency in full swing, its not surprising that properties with solar panels are more desirable than those without.
To a prospective house buyer, solar panels basically mean low energy bills and low carbon footprint.
Whats more, the costs of maintaining solar panels are extremely low, as there are no moving parts at risk of breaking.
Every property comes with an Energy Performance Certificate , with grades ranging from A to G . A solar PV system can boost a propertys EPC by up to two grades, which can then have a positive impact on price.
A study conducted by Zillow in April 2019 found that US homes with solar panels sell for 4.1% more than homes without, and this enthusiasm for solar is certainly mirrored in the UK.
As the worlds awareness of global warming continues to increase, the effect of solar panels on property prices is expected to grow and grow.
Of course, there are people who find solar panels to be an eyesore, but panels are looking ever sleeker , and the climate-conscious younger generations tend to think aesthetics are a lower priority than our dear, declining Earth.
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What Can Affect How Much I Get Paid For My Solar Energy
The main factor that affects what youre paid is how much energy you produce. Secondary to that is what you get paid for it. But of course how much energy you produce to sell isnt the same as the energy produced by your solar panels. You have to factor in how much you use too.
What you use is important as it can determine what you have left to sell back. So by using most of your power during the day, when there is solar, you stand to make more than at night depending on if you have battery storage. As otherwise that power is lost and youll be charged for what you need from the grid during those dark hours when youre not generating power.
As mentioned above the company that you sell to is also important as the rates of payment vary wildly from as low as 1.5p/kWh to 20p/kWh.
Of course the initial outlay affects all this too. Spend more and get the maximum number of solar panels and youre going to produce a lot more power than you need, meaning you have more to sell. But with the average charge for electricity greater than the amount paid to buy it back, youre still looking at a while to pay back the initial solar panel cost.
Impact Of Solar Panels On Property Value
These factors can all have an impact, too:
- the age of the solar panels
- whether theyre owned by a company rather than the homeowner
- their effect on the appearance of the property.
Also, remember that the system’s inverter might need changing over the 25-year period and that, over time, the panels will reduce in efficiency. These factors need to be considered if you invest in solar PV and want to sell your home later on.
If youre buying a property with solar panels installed, its worth getting a surveyor to check them.
We’ve spoken to solar panel experts and solar panel owners for their top tips onMake the most of your solar panels.
**NAEA Propertymark surveyed 1,252 estate agent businesses for Which? in June 2017.
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Is Solar Power Right For You
If youre thinking about using solar power in your home:
- Start by reviewing your utility bill to see how much energy you used in the last year and what it cost. See what part of the total bill is for metered electricity or kilowatt-hours and what is for other items such as delivery costs. Even if you reduce the number of kilowatt-hours you buy from the utility, youll still need to pay the utilitys fixed charges, like delivery or administrative costs.
- Evaluate how you use energy, and look for ways to reduce your home’s electricity use. Make your home and appliances more energy efficient and ensure your home is properly weatherized to reduce your energy needs.
- Consider how long you plan to stay in your home. A residential solar system is designed to stay on a home for at least 20 years. Leases and PPAs generally are long term some last 20 years. If you think you might move in that time, find out how installing a system will affect your ability to sell your house. Ask the solar company about its policy on transferring the contract to the new homeowner after a sale, and confirm that what it tells you is the same as what is in the contract.
- Figure out what size system you need to meet your average energy usage. Learn about the different products available in your area that will work on your house. The customizable calculator from the Department of Energy uses your address and details you provide about a system to help you estimate how much energy it will produce.
The Cost For Solar Panels
There is no way of assessing the exact cost of solar panels for every individuals home without giving a free site appraisal. Site appraisals are completed to assess anything that cant be viewed online such as if an electrical panel or the roof needs upgrading.
Typically, it is simple to provide accurate estimates remotely using satellite imagery but such methods are not perfect.
Before getting into how much different solar power systems cost, lets realize what goes into a solar installation in Alberta,BC, Saskatchewan or most other places in Canada.
Solar Power System Cost Breakdown
The chart above shows a rough breakdown for solar installations in Canada. Material makes up approximately 70% to 80% of the total job costs, with the biggest culprit being the solar panels themselves.
Installation labour is the next major cost category besides material. Solar installation personnel MUST be certified electricians to install solar modules in Alberta.
The ratios will vary reasonably. If you live in Fort Simpson, NWT, you will have a higher travel expense than a solar installation in Edmonton, AB.
Similarly, if you want a large ground mounted array, there will be more costs for solar materials and labour associated with the groundwork and racking system.
Every job will be a little different, but this should give you a good sense of where your money is going.
Cost for Solar Panels
Low $/W = Favourable. High $/W = Unfavourable.
Residential Cost of Solar Panels
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Sois Solar Power Worth It
For grid-tied homeowners, the math is clear: solar energy costs less than buying power from the utility company in the long run.
The payback period is around 8-9 years if you hire someone to install your system. When you measure that against the 25-year warranty on your panels, youre looking at serious energy bill savings over the life of ownership. And if you decide to install it yourself, that payback period accelerates to 5-6 years with the money saved on installation costs. More than anything, utilizing a solar power system reduces your carbon footprint and can minimize the effects on climate change.
Ready to learn more?
Grab a free copy of our Getting Started Guide or dive right into the DIY Solar Workshop for a step-by-step overview of the process of going solar.
