After installing a solar energy system in your home or property, you save money on paying monthly utility bills. This is a good way to protect yourself against rising electricity rates in the future. The amount of money saved largely depends on the utility rates as well as solar policies in your State or area. All in all, going solar is a smart investment irrespective of where you live.
Solar power, just like every other renewable energy resources, has many environmental and health benefits. Solar is a clean energy generated from a natural source, the Sun. This makes it suitable for the environment. Going solar is one of the appropriate ways of helping Mother Nature. When you switch to solar, not only are you helping yourself, you are also helping the environment. Going solar lessens the emission of greenhouse gasses. Pollution created by solar is very low. Thus, health problems are reduced.
The easiest way to know the amount paid for electricity is by taking records of your utility electricity bill. Review EnergySage’s guide to reading your electricity bill to find out exactly what to look for.
Net metering, or Net Energy Metering, is the system whereby surplus power produced by a home is sent back to the electric grid during the moments when more power being generated by your system is more than required. At the point when this happens, your meter keeps counting in reverse. Net metering helps you in accounting for these high points and low points in your everyday power generation and utilization. Net metering policies differ from state to state – from Massachusetts to California to Hawaii – so make sure to do your homework ahead of time.
Studies have revealed that homes and property with solar energy systems sell for more than homes without them. However, your property value will only increase if you own, rather than lease, your solar panel system. In most parts of the country, going solar will actually increase your property value more than a kitchen renovation.
The amount of power that can be produced by your solar energy system depends on available sunlight. Due to this, less energy will be generated by your system during cloudy weather, and non at night. This is why battery systems are used to store energy for that will cover for times like this. However, because of high electricity costs and financial incentives, solar remains a smart decision even if you live in a cloudy city.
Solar panels convert the sunshine into power. Snow on your panels will obstruct rays from the sun from getting to your panel. Thus, no power will be produced. However, snow generally isn’t heavy enough to cause structural issues with your panels, and since most panels are tilted at an angle, the snow will slide off. In case snow accumulates, you can easily clean your panels.
After installing solar panels on your property, it is advisable to remain connected to the grid. Even though you may be able to store energy using solar batteries, but these solar cells have limited power storage capacity. They may be unable to supply your household demands in no-sunlight situations, especially during the summer months. Connecting to the grid also makes it possible for you to take advantage of Net Metering. Going totally off the grid will cost you significantly more. This is unnecessary for the majority of homeowners.
Unless your solar energy system includes battery storage and you are totally off the grid, you will still receive a bill from your utility company. However, you can dramatically reduce your bill, or even cut the amount you owe to $0, by taking advantage of Net Metering or by installing a solar panel system that matches your energy use.
In case your solar panel system is connected to the grid, it will shut off during an outage. This is to prevent emergency responders and electricity utility repair technicians from being injured by your panels sending power back to the grid. However, there are certain inverters you can buy that provide backup power in a blackout when paired with a battery.
Solar panel systems are made of durable tempered glass. They have a longer lifespan and require little to no maintenance for the 25 to 35 years that they will generate power. In most cases, you don’t even need to clean your solar panels regularly. If something does happen, most equipment manufacturers include warranties. However, warranty terms depend on the company, and if the company is still in operation at that period.
Power inverters are relatively quiet. They only emit about as much noise as a refrigerator. They are generally installed in utility rooms or basements alongside existing mechanical systems, rather than in living spaces.