Embrace the Future when you Install Solar Panels
Solar panels are an investment, but you can recoup the initial cost – and more – in the years
to come.
Going off the energy grid
is becoming an increasingly popular option, with about 600,000 U.S. homeowners
enjoying solar panel energy, according to the Solar Energy Industries
Association (SEIA), and many more solar systems operating worldwide.
You can feel good about
helping this planet move toward sustainable energy sources. Nonrenewable
energy-produced electricity sources pollute the earth, but solar energy ensures
clean renewable energy.
Because solar panels have
become more popular and technologically advanced, the manufacturing price has
dropped, so it’s not just for wealthy homeowners anymore.
Is solar energy the right
choice for you? Consider things like your home’s location, how long you’ll
remain in your home, whether you want to own or lease your panels, your present
electric bill, and financial incentives that may be available.
What are Solar Panels and How Do They
Work?
Solar panels are made
from tempered glass. They’re installed on a rack system on your roof and an
inverter system generates electricity for your home, potentially eliminating dependence on your local electricity
company. Your system may include a bi-directional meter that measures the power
produced and the amount you use. You may be able to sell any excess power if
your local electric company participates.
The monitoring system lets you see the amount of energy your panels produce daily (and over time) and also notifies you if there’s a problem with a panel.
Pros of Solar Panels
There are a plethora of
reasons to go solar, including reducing your carbon footprint and saving money.
Many countries rely on fossil-fuel-produced energy, including coal and fuel.
Producing electricity from those fuels is expensive. So is the cost of building
new nuclear-powered plants. Those increasing costs are passed on to you.
Solar
Saves Money
If you dread paying your
massive monthly electricity bill, solar is definitely an option. Solar could drastically reduce
your dependency on your present electric supplier. Installing a solar-powered electric system now could mean your future electric bills could shrink,
especially once you’re no longer paying for the cost of the panel system.
You may even be able to
make some money from your solar panels. Check with your government and your
electric company to see if they have a buy-back energy metering program and
solar renewable energy credits. These kinds of programs let you bank money (or
receive credit on your electric bill) while your system generates electricity.
You could be paid for extra electricity your panels produce.
Low
Maintenance Costs
Solar rooftop panels
require little maintenance, especially if they’re tilted. They may need a light
cleaning every few months to remove dirt, leaves, and other debris using a leaf
blower or garden hose, and you may also need to clear panels after a heavy
snowfall. Panels installed on the ground are even easier to keep clean because
they’re on your level.
Solar panels are sturdy
so they can weather storms and even hail, but you’ll still want to have a
warranty or homeowner’s insurance in case you need to repair or replace any
storm-damaged panels.
Reduce
your Carbon Footprint
Solar energy is clean and renewable, the perfect way to reduce the atmosphere-damaging carbon
dioxide emissions coming from your property. Producing solar electricity
doesn’t create pollutants and is even more earth-friendly than nuclear energy.
Your choice to transition
your home to solar energy also helps lessen the need for – and the dependency
on – fossil fuels.
Solar Considerations
There are some things to
consider before you jump on the solar bandwagon. For instance, how long do you
plan to stay in your home? How long will the panels last, and how much should
you budget for buying or leasing?
Solar energy isn’t a
get-reimbursed-quickly system. Instead, it’s a long-term
investment so consider how
long you’ll live in your home. It could take seven or more years for you to
recoup the purchase cost through energy savings.
Another thing to consider
is the condition of your present roof. You’ll have to remove the panels and put
them back when you replace shingles on your roof. Therefore, if you’re
considering getting panels, take a good look at your roof. If it has seen
better days, you may want to replace it before you install solar panels.
How
Long do Panels Last?
Panels are made to give
you years of dependable electric service and can last from 25 to 35 years. You
can enjoy energy-saving benefits for quite a while before you need to replace
them.
Installation
costs
Look for a professional
company to install your panels. The cost of both panels and installation vary
according to your system, region, and the location of the panels (on a roof or
on the ground).
Can
Your Roof Hold Solar Panels?
Before signing up, do
some homework on your own roof’s age and materials. Installing solar panels
consists of mounting a connected racking system directly onto your roof, and
not all roofs are suitable. Roofs on homes that are historical (or are older),
those with slate or cedar tile roofs, or homes with skylights or roof decks are
difficult to fit with racking systems. There could also be concerns with roof leaks
because the racking is screwed directly onto your roof.
If your roof isn’t a
candidate for panels but you have the room in your yard, you can have panels
installed on the ground. If neither of those locations is an option, you can
research whether there’s a local community “solar garden” that you can
participate in.
Climate
and Weather
The amount of sun that
hits your roof and its orientation to the sun can impact how much energy your
solar panel system generates each day. The more sun (and less shade) your roof
has, the more energy those panels can produce. This is great news for
homeowners in high-sun regions.
Solar panels can lose a
small amount of their efficiency in climates whose heat rises above about 90
degrees, though. You can keep track of how weather affects your panels through
the monitoring panel.
Don’t
Forget Insurance
Installing solar panels
on your roof may increase – or decrease – the cost of your homeowner’s
insurance. This is something to discuss with your insurance company before you
have panels secured onto your roof.
Cost of Solar Panels
The cost of installing
solar panels will depend upon the location, the number of panels, the size of
the system, and other factors. Remember that the more electricity you normally
use, the sooner you can recoup your investment by going solar. If you know your
current energy usage, you can calculate how much you’ll need to budget monthly
for solar panels.
Leasing
vs. Buying
There are a couple of
ways to start taking advantage of this earth-friendly “off the grid” energy
source: you can buy your solar panel system outright or you can lease it. Both
ways have pros and cons.
Why
Lease?
Some homeowners choose to
lease their solar electric systems. Leasing lets you go solar without the big
up-front costs. If you don’t have thousands of dollars for a down payment, you
can lease while still helping the environment and lowering your electrical
bills.
Leasing lets you install
solar panels and start saving right away. You may have numerous finance options
when leasing. For instance, you can pay the leasing company for the equipment
and use as much energy as you want, or you can pay the solar company based on the monthly kilowatt-hours used. Some leasing companies also offer the option of
buying the panel system at the end of your lease. Financing and leasing options
will vary depending on where you live.
Another advantage of
leasing solar panels: you won’t have to fix them if there’s an issue. The
company you lease them from should do the maintenance and repairs, depending on
the terms of your lease.
Down
Sides to Leasing
While there are definite
pluses to leasing your solar electric system, there also are some drawbacks to
ponder.
Solar leasing contracts
can last up to 20 years or longer. Also, you probably won’t get any tax
benefits or rebates (if wherever you reside offers those) by leasing versus
owning. In addition, you’re locked into having equipment on your roof that
belongs to a company, not you.
All in all, you still
should save money by leasing while doing your part for the planet.
Advantages
of Owning
There are definite
advantages to owning your solar panel system rather than leasing. One of the
biggest pluses is that many governments or electric companies offer incentives
for installing this green energy source.
Owning your own system
also means you’re not tied to a year-long contract. You own the panels instead
of someone else owning the panels. Also, if you decide to sell your home,
having a solar energy system can be a great selling point and increase the
home’s value.
Disadvantages
of Owning
There are some negatives
to buying your own system. The most obvious disadvantage is the up-front
investment required. If you buy, it may take some years before you break even,
depending on how much your electricity bill is now. If you normally don’t have
a hefty bill, it will take longer to recoup your costs. If your normal
electricity bills are high it could be less time, depending on the cost of your
system.
If you own your solar
panels and monitoring system, you’ll be responsible for maintaining and
repairing (or replacing) when parts fail or need work.
Solar is the Future
Installing solar panels is an enticing, Earth-friendly option, but it’s wise to consider all factors before taking the plunge. Solar energy system installation and material costs are decreasing as technology and production methods improve, so it’s becoming an appealing alternative to expensive electricity. It is definitely an investment, but worth adding value to your home as you help make this a greener planet.
This article was originally posted on Porch.com.
How Long Do Solar Panels Last?
No matter what level of understanding you have, it is important to remember that there are many things that can affect the average life of your solar panels. Anyone new to solar energy does not have to know everything. Solar can teach you everything you need to know about how a solar system works, how to connect it to the public grid, and how much it costs. Contact us to learn more about our repair and maintenance services for solar panels and other related issues.
Assuming that the end of the life of a solar panel means that it stops producing electricity, how long will the life of your solar panel be? The industry term "solar panel lifetime" is a degradation rate that describes the performance that a solar panel experiences over time.
At this point, it is fair to estimate that your solar panel will still produce energy after the warranty expires. If you have a 0.5% deterioration, the solar panels in your system should continue to run for a long time, which means that you should still operate your solar system even after the warranty has expired. Also, here are some tips to follow to ensure you keep solar panels for the longest period of time.
If you understand how long you can expect to benefit your solar panels, you will put your initial investment in context. Typically, guarantees guarantee that your panels will work for the 25 years they are considered efficient, but in reality, they can last quite long. Depending on the manufacturer, the performance of the solar panels cannot be guaranteed and it is very possible that the modules will produce electricity for more than 25-30 years. The fact that some panels, such as those with a 25-year warranty and those that last 25 + years, can give you an idea of how much solar power you should expect over time from a solar-powered system.
There is already plenty of evidence that solar panels can last up to 30 years, but real-world experiments will tell you more about the long-term impact of solar energy on your home and energy consumption.
There is already plenty of evidence that solar panels can last up to 30 years, but real-world experiments will tell you more about the long-term impact of solar energy on your home's energy consumption. If you ask yourself how long a solar panel lasts in the real world, you ask yourself: "How is this possible"?
In 2012, a study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that the average life of a solar panel is between 20 and 30 years. Let's take a moment to explore why solar cells degrade over their lifetime and what impact solar energy has on your home's energy consumption. The Solar Energy Industries Association is a group of companies responsible for the production of more than 80 percent of the world's solar panels, so let's look at their research and learn more about the long-term impact of these panels on energy consumption.
Generally, solar panels will last between 25 and 30 years, but a number of factors complicate this estimate. The question arises: What makes a solar module last so long and why does it last so long? The expected life of a panel varies from year to year, and the estimate of the average life of each panel changes.
Solar panels are the power plant of the future, and like any other device you use in your home, you want to know how long it will last. As a homeowner, you can take steps to extend the life of your solar panels. Let's take a closer look at how long solar panels last on your roof so you're prepared and know how best to keep them waiting as long as possible.
If you have considered a major investment like this, it is also an obvious concern that you can expect it to last until the end: How long do solar panels last? When we consider a large investment as a home plan or as an investment in a new home, the question of how long we can expect our solar panel to last is always a direct concern for us, especially when we consider large investments like this.
Does Your Roof Need to Face South for Solar?
East- and West-Facing Roofs are Great for Solar
We all know south-facing roofs are the best
option for installing solar, but what if your roof does not face south? What if
the south side of your roof is shaded or at a bad angle?
Don’t worry. A southern orientation is not
crucial for a solar installation. East- or west-facing roofs are also great
candidates for solar.
Even though the sun shines from the south, the
east and west sides of a roof are exposed to significant amounts of sunlight
throughout the day. In fact, east- and west-facing solar panels can produce 80%
as much electricity as south-facing solar panels.
What this means is that with a small increase
in the number of solar panels on your roof, your
east- or west-facing solar panels can produce just as much electricity as a
south-facing solar panels.
When is
East-Facing Solar a Better Option?
The best strategy for solar production is to
produce electricity when you need it. This means that sometimes a south-facing roof
is not the best option for solar panels. This can be the case for households or
businesses that see high electricity use early in the day.
As businesses or households start flipping
switches to turn on lights and equipment and start powering up computers and
other machinery, their energy consumption can quickly ramp up. This is the time
when solar could help cover their energy demands.
For these consumers, early-morning energy
production from the east or southeast-facing solar panels is a good option. East-facing
solar panels can take advantage of the early-morning sun and start producing
electricity earlier than south-facing solar panels.
When is
West-Facing Solar a Better Option?
As stated above, the best strategy for solar
is to produce energy when you need it most. For many households, their highest
energy demands come in the evening. As families get home from work and school,
they start turning on lights, televisions, microwaves, washers, and dryers, and
their energy consumption skyrockets.
To meet these late-evening energy demands, it
can sometimes be a good strategy to have solar panels that face west or
southwest to take advantage of the evening sun.
Designing your solar system to produce
electricity in the evening can also help avoid Time-Of-Use (TOU) utility rates.
TOU rates charge more for energy used during peak demand periods, often in the
evening when households are ramping up their energy usage.
With west and southwest-facing solar
installations, solar panels can produce electricity when TOU rates are highest
and help reduce energy bills.
Click on the map of solar farms in Texas and solar farms in California to search for locations.
Author: Tim Deters
Bio: Tim Deters is a content manager for Green Ridge Solar. Tim’s background is in journalism and
renewable energy, which he uses to convey important facts and information
about solar and renewable energy. Tim is known for his silent nature and owning
more plants than he has space.
Energy-Saving Apps and Gadgets Perfect for Holiday Gifts
Not all gifts have to be power-guzzling game consoles, They do send quite the mixed message. On the one hand, you care about saving energy and saving the planet. On the other hand, you consume industrial-level watts per hour blasting fake enemies in 4K splendor. Something seems a little off about that.
Perhaps this is the year we all do a little better at giving gifts that are consistent with our values. If you are a low-calorie guru, you wouldn’t give everyone on your list a box of chocolates. You want to give people things they will enjoy, but that also reflects who you are as the giver.
Sometimes, your gift is a statement of intent or even a call for a certain kind of action. Rather than another video game, you could give your child a basketball and membership at the local Y. You might give a less athletic child nice chess set to encourage their analytical thinking. So what do you give your friends and family to help them save energy, and show your commitment to conservation? Here are a few suggestions:
An Electric Vehicle
Why not go big? Get your family the gift of green. Put a new electric car in the garage and provide an app or website for all the drivers so they can easily search for “charging stations near me”. Don’t just talk about how bad fossil fuels are. Take a big step away from using them. Breaking dependency on fossil fuels starts at home.
While you’re at it, go big and go home. Add solar to your home and get completely off the grid. If you are the kind of person who likes to keep up with all the solar locations worldwide, why not become a solar location? Make your home the model of what you believe homes should be. Why have a white Christmas when you can have a green one instead?
Lights That Turn Themselves Off
A great energy-saving gift is a motion sensor that turns off the lights when you leave the room. If you have kids, you know it is useless to keep telling them to turn the lights out when they leave a room. Come to think of it, the problem isn’t just the children. Perhaps there is something in human nature that causes us to leave the lights on even when we don’t need them.
With motion sensors, you don’t have to worry about it. You can set things up so that the lights always go off even if everyone forgets to check. You will save money from all the lights you are not burning. When you need light, go for energy-efficient bulbs. These are fun and inexpensive gifts that can save money and the planet.
Thermal Leak Detector
Do you know where your heat is leaking? It is almost certain that you have heat leaking somewhere in your home. Those leaks are costing you a ton of money. The problem is that it is almost impossible to know where the leaks are just by eyeballing it.
This is where a good thermal leak detector comes in. It is a handheld tool that reads the ambient temperature. From there, you can point at places you think heat and air might be escaping. The device indicates hot spots and cool spots. This allows you to seal those areas that are costing you money. With a device like this, you can use less heat in the winter and less air in the summer. Save money year-round.
While you’re at it, you might want to pick up one of those smart thermostats that only heat the areas of the home that are needed at any given time. You can control the heating and cool it from your smartphone. Better yet, you can let the smart unit make those decisions. Again, the end result is that you save money.
There are a lot of ways to save money, and just as many ways to give the gift of green. You can go big and go home by investing in an electric vehicle and powering your home with the sun. You can go for stocking stuffers like motion sensors and energy-efficient bulbs. And you can use gadgets to find those expensive energy leaks and allow your smart gadgets to be the brains of the whole energy-saving operation.