How to Choose a Solar Power Company

Most scientists and climate activists agree on one thing more than any other: Solar power is the way of the future. Millions of people envision a world where burning coal and building nuclear facilities is a thing of the past. Instead, humanity will harness the power of the sun to power our everyday lives. The sun has more than enough energy to offer us. Until which point it burns out, the sun could provide enough electricity for every single person on earth a million times over, if only it was harnessed and converted correctly.

There have been a lot of significant advances over the past few years with solar panels and different kits that people have installed in their homes. More people than ever are getting their energy through solar means, and some people are even getting so much of it that they end up profiting when selling power back to the grid. Though, to be clear, solar panels are products, so the system you get is only as good as the solar power company with which you choose to do business. So, how will you find the best one? Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re exploring your options for solar companies.

Tips for Choosing the Right Business for Your Solar Power Needs

Make Sure They Match Your Needs

The first tip here is to only go with a company that matches your needs. Some of those needs, which you need to consider, are expediency and pricing. To help you get a system installed much faster, and for a more affordable rate, you should consider looking locally. Not having to travel far to install your system means saving a ton on shipping costs and also getting it installed quicker. Though another thing of which you want to be aware here is the fact that not every system is one size fits all. You want a company that’s going to offer you a system that matches the exact requirements of your home. You want something that works well, not something that barely supplements your existing methods.

Find Professionals to Install the System

Another thing you’re looking for with a quality solar power company is the ability to install the system for you as a professional. If you were to study the topic a bit and have a relatively good understanding of electronics and carpentry, then you could undoubtedly install the panels yourself. Though, by that same token, most people could study and train and build their own houses themselves. Who has the time or energy or expertise to do that, however? This problem is why it’s so important that you shop only with a quality company that’s going to show up and professionally installs your system for you. This way, you know it’s going to work, above all.

Get an Estimate

The next thing you want to look for in the right company selling solar goods is their willingness to be upfront with you about how much things are going to cost. Some sites will refer to this as a free quote or an estimate. Whatever name they give it, it’s important that you receive an estimate. This result means that the company is looking at the size of your property, calculating your exact energy needs. Then they’re going to estimate the package you’re getting, the costs of installation, and give you a quote for how much you can expect to spend. This way is far better than merely having people spring surprise charges on you.

Check Out User Ratings

Lastly, you should make an effort to look at the ratings of the company you’re considering. The thing about online reviews is that you never know which can be trusted. However, if you visit various blogs and forums, you will find people giving their real opinions about real companies. This organic knowledge is what you want to have. For instance, find someone’s Facebook or blog in your immediate area who has solar power now and are thrilled with the package they received, and find out who they chose.

It’s easy to get solar power these days. There are all sorts of companies offering these services. Just make sure you use the tips above so that you can find the absolute best company with which to do business.

Click on the map of solar farms in Texas and solar farms in California to search for locations.

How Does Solar Power Work?

Throughout the entire universe, scientists agree that there is no better example of energy than nuclear fission. We don’t have to look farther than our own solar system’s sun to see this process in action. Every single second within the giant ball of burning gas that is our sun, 600 million tons of helium convert into hydrogen, which then converts 4 million tons of matter into pure energy. The energy generated remains at the core of the gas giant for 10,000 to 170,000 years. Needless to say, people for all of history have been looking for ways to copy this process for limitless energy on Earth.

To date, the best we have at mimicking the sun’s energy is actually to use the sun’s energy through solar power. Though it’s not quite as simple as holding an appliance under direct sunlight, the energy that the sun puts out isn’t just freeform energy we can use. It has to be absorbed and converted into usable electricity for appliances, lights, etc. How does that process work? Here is a quick rundown on how we harness the power of the sun and convert it into usable energy.

The Steps to Converting Sunlight into Energy

Photovoltaic Cells

The first step in this process is to absorb the sunlight through what are called photovoltaic cells. Most people know them merely as solar panels. These aren’t just pieces of glass that you hold under the sun. There is a lot of intricacy going on with these panels, which feature multiple layers of PV cells that have a photovoltaic effect and actually absorb the sun’s energy. It doesn’t absorb the light per se; it absorbs the UV rays, which act as energy when it hits the PV cells, and this works the best when it’s a direct line with the sun’s energy. The sun’s energy output remains relatively constant, so the effects of the power from the sun in this regard has much more to do with the quality and functionality of the PV cells set up to absorb that energy.

Solar Converters

So, with the right PV cells, solar power is ready to be used as electricity, right? There’s another step here not to overlook. Once we harness the power of the sun, we have to convert it into actual electricity for use. This typically happens once a solar inverter, as part of a solar panel system, converts the power from DC (direct current) electricity from the solar modules into AC (alternating current) electricity. This conversion means we can use the energy to charge up a series of batteries, which are wired throughout the home like basic electrical components, thus used to provide the electricity people use in their day to day lives. It has to be converted and stored before use.

Flowing Electricity

 After this point, the electricity is flowing through the home, but it’s finite. For most solar panel setups, the power is only going to flow for as long as the batteries have a charge. The PV cells absorb the energy, the PV cells convert and charge batteries, and we use the battery power to charge electrical appliances. You can think of it in many respects, like a laptop or cell phone battery. It will give you plenty of power but need regular recharging. Some appliances go straight from the PV cells to the appliance, like some water heaters, but most systems charge up batteries to use to deliver the electricity.

Tracking and Sun-Facing Mechanics

 The better aligned solar panels are with the sun, the more power they can absorb and put out. This reason is why a lot of sophisticated systems will actually track the sun, though even these are basically useless at night. This requirement is also why many people who want solar setups in their home have to get themselves a lot of different batteries for their rigs, as they will need to rely on that battery power at night when the sun sets, while the next day the sun’s energy will recharge them.

The good news for people interested in solar energy is that there are companies out there who have a great handle on this and can come in and give you a solar panel rig that will get the job done for you and your family. Though it never hurts to learn a little about the process. 

Click on the map of solar farms in Texas and solar farms in California to search for locations.