An Intro To Home Solar

If you are new to solar power, this is the perfect opportunity to learn the basics of residential solar!

How Residential Solar Panels Work

The term ‘solar panel’ refers to solar cells which are composed of small photovoltaic (PV) cells. These measure about six inches long by six inches wide, and resemble small reflective windows. The cells are positioned in a grid panel and are placed between two protective layers of tempered glass. The groups of PV cells are connected by semiconducting materials, which are usually crystalline silicon.
Solar panels rely on photovoltaic cells to absorb sunlight and transform it into direct current (DC) energy. This DC energy is not compatible with residential power, so it has to be converted into (AC) energy via inverter technology. The AC energy is then used by the home’s electrical panel and distributed throughout the residence. Typically, solar panels are mounted on a roof and positioned for the best sun exposure for the region.

Check out this article to learn more about how solar panels work

The Advantages of Solar

Solar power has been growing at a rapid pace over the last 15 years, here are the main reasons why so many homeowners are choosing to go solar:

• Produce their own electricity and gain independence from utility companies
• Enjoy long term savings by replacing their utility bill with monthly solar loan payments
• Taking advantage of the current Federal Tax Credit of 26%
• Ability to lower their carbon footprint by using renewable energy
• Monthly payments will never go up and will eventually disappear when the loan is paid off.

Check out our article on the Benefits of Solar to learn why so many people are making the switch to solar power.

The Best Time to Go Solar

Solar Power is one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S. right now. The main cause for this growth has been innovation. In the past 60 years, solar panels’ efficiency has grown from 8% to a whopping 22%. Due to these recent improvements in efficiency, the cost of solar energy has plunged and become more affordable than ever before.

Not only did these technological advancements allow for solar to become more affordable, but they also made solar power a realistic option for homeowners. The Energy Administration reported that the average household in the U.S. consumes 10,649 kwh every year. An average sized solar system of 7.6 kw can produce 10,685 kwh, which would be more than enough energy for your home. Homeowners in the United States are now looking at solar as an effective and viable energy source for their homes.

What Happens if My Solar System Produces Excess Energy?

Net metering is a crediting process that allows you to build up credits with your utility company on sunny days, that can then be used on days with less exposure to the sun. It does this by taking any excess energy garnered by the solar panels and directing it back into the electric grid.