Solar energy has long been seen as an unsustainable and idealistic contraption. Is solar energy sustainable? 4 problems to solve before the solar revolution Is solar energy sustainable? 4 problems to solve before the solar revolution Read More 6 Advantages of Solar Panels You Probably Haven't Considered 6 Advantages of Solar Panels You Probably Haven't Considered solar power is becoming more and more common among middle-class consumers as more and more people realize the advantages of solar panels Read More:Not Just To Save Money, But To Drastically Reduce Your Carbon Footprint 7 Energy Saving Technologies To Reduce Your Home's Carbon Footprint 7 Energy Saving Technologies To Reduce Your Home's Carbon Footprint The following Energy saving technologies can be introduced in our homes to reduce our environmental impact. Not all of them will be affordable just yet, but we expect all of them to become the norm in the near future. Read more.
And maybe now you're convinced and ready to invest in some solar panels..
That's great! But before you dive in, there are a number of pitfalls you'll want to avoid. Home solar panels are more complex than residential emergency solar kits. How Home Solar Power Kits Can Keep You Online During Outages. How Home Solar Power Kits Can Keep You Online During Outages. While generators running on fossil fuels are well known, this is not the case. Residential solar energy kits. There are thousands of products on offer, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Which ones are right for... Read More
Here are several mistakes you'll want to avoid.
Proper preparation is the most important thing when buying and installing solar panels. Never before has the phrase “measure twice, cut once” been so crucial. These things are expensive and you do NOT want to end up with an inefficient or broken system.
Important preliminary questions include:
Their answers will give you a much better idea of how feasible solar power may be for your situation. If you find that it won't do you much good, don't feel bad about giving up (until you move to a place where the feasibility is better, of course).
For one thing, just like you can flip a switch and get light without understanding light at a quantum level, you don't need to know how solar panels actually work Future energy today:how do solar panels and heliostats work? The energy of the future, today:How do solar panels and heliostats work? renewable resources. It's a problem we face every day, whether we realize it or not. With every pump of a gas handle, with every press of a car's accelerator, with every plug of our... Read More On the other hand, being completely ignorant will just come back and bite you in the future.
There are two main things you need to understand, if only at a superficial level:solar PV systems and solar panel specifications.
When it comes to solar PV systems, you'll want to look at the difference between on-grid and off-grid systems (grid-connected systems are simpler) and all the different components needed for a working system (panels, inverters , batteries, etc.). Check out our quick start guide for all these 5 Types of Solar Home Electric Systems and How to Choose the Right One 5 Types of Solar Home Electric Systems and How to Choose the Right One Want to know how you can make your life greener? More full and not be so dependent on the electricity company? Install one of these home solar electric systems! Read more.
When it comes to solar panel specifications, there are several different terms and numbers you'll want to understand, including:cell type, power rating at STC, power rating tolerance, module efficiency, power guarantee, etc.
To meet the energy needs of a modern single-family home, you'll likely need a 2 kW system if you're extremely energy efficient (about $15,000 to $20,000 to install) or a 5 kW system if your energy use is more conventional (about $30,000 to $45,000 to install).
These prices are at face value, meaning no incentives or rebates included, so the final cost won't be that high, but it's still a lot of money and you'll probably want to cut that cost down as much as you can. That's fine, but be very careful about HOW you cut those costs.
Cheap is bad. In today's solar market, “You get what you pay for” is 100% true. Yes, there are companies working to reduce those costs. Top 10 Tech Companies You Should Know About in 2016 Top 10 Tech Companies You Should Know About in 2016 2016 is shaping up to be a year full of technological breakthroughs and innovations. You don't want to be left behind. Here are some of the top companies you should know about. Read More Don't skimp! Short term savings will be more expensive in the long term.
Compare and get multiple quotes. Going to different solar power providers allows you to get a better idea of how much you can afford to spend. If you see a required offer for $5,000, but everyone else is charging more than $15,000, you should pause.
It also gives you leverage to trade down. Not only that, but part of shopping should include researching the credibility and experience of various vendors. And don't forget the financing options! No need to shell out $15,000 up front for a new solar PV system.
This isn't a big deal for most people, but there are some who think they're so smart that they can mix and match different components from different manufacturers to cut costs, which is totally possible, but can end up as a regret.
You won't really save much up front because, as mentioned above, you often get what you pay for when it comes to solar panels. Also, solar PV systems are designed to interface with certain parts, sometimes even specific brands.
At best, your savings will be marginal, but your system won't be as robust and may require a lot of maintenance in a few years. In the worst case, it won't work at all or may break much faster than you'd expect.
At face value, a solar PV system for a modern home will probably cost you between $15,000 and $30,000, but depending on the state you live in, you won't have to pay that much.
There are several tips and tricks you can use to reduce the price of a solar PV system. How to calculate the real cost of the solar panel for your home. How to calculate the cost of the actual solar panel for your home. Perhaps you need to calculate the cost of a house. Solar system will be after federal, state and municipal incentives? Let's take a look at how to solve that. Read more, how to take advantage of government and corporate incentives..
The truth is, the US government wants people to invest in solar power - that's why the Department of Energy offers all sorts of ways to cut costs in the form of tax credits and rebates, sometimes as much as 30 % throughout the federal and state state. , and local.
Not only that, but your local utility company may offer rebates for solar installation, and these rebates can be as high as 30% as well.
The general rule (within and beyond the solar panel industry) is that the length of a warranty indicates how confident the manufacturer is in their product. In other words, a shorter warranty often translates to a cheaper, lower quality product.
When shopping for solar panels, make sure you know what your warranty entails. Ask about what exactly Does it cover and for how long? Don't be fooled by the misleading. "performance warranty" (which is typically 25 years) when you really want to know about the "panel warranty" (which is closer to 10 years).
If you're a DIY guru who's done all kinds of successful home improvements and you know your way around lumber, wiring, roofing, and electronics, this obviously doesn't apply to you.
On the other hand, if your hands-on experience doesn't go beyond LEGO, you probably don't have the necessary experience. You do NOT want to make a mistake during the installation process!
Leave it to the professionals. If your solar provider doesn't install for some reason, hire a reputable third-party company that will do it for you. 4 companies that will help you run your home with free solar power. 4 companies that will help you run your home with free solar energy. The electronics that run your smart home need a little juice to power it all. And there's nothing better than not worrying about rising utility bills by using solar power. Read more . Don't skimp here:using inexperienced installers or otherwise is almost as bad as doing it yourself.
If this article has led you away from the idea of installing solar panels, rest assured that thousands of people with no applicable experience have successfully equipped their homes with working solar power. As long as you do your research, don't be too stingy, and can find a knowledgeable supplier, you'll be fine too.
Have you decided that solar panels are not for you? You can still reduce your carbon footprint in small ways here and there, like with a solar generator. Solar Generators vs. Fuel Generators:Which is Best for You? Solar Generators vs Fuel Generators:Which is Best for You? Would a solar generator make more sense than a gas generator? What solar generator options are there? Those are the questions we will look at today. Learn More:Solar Lights In Your Home 10 Reasons You Should Use Solar Lights In Your Home 10 Reasons You Should Use Solar Lights In Your Home You don't need fancy panels to harness solar power:tiny solar lanterns with tiny solar panels connected They are essential for any home. This is why. Read More What benefits do they offer? Read more.
How do you feel about solar technology? Have you installed solar panels on your own home? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in a comment below!
