Are you looking to save money on your energy bill and reduce your carbon footprint? Installing a renewable solar energy system or wind turbines in your home can be a great way to accomplish both!
Solar panels use sunlight to generate electricity and can be used for residential and commercial buildings.
Thanks to technological improvements and decreased installation costs, solar panels are becoming increasingly popular as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. If you want to install PV panels on your home, you should know a few things.
How do Solar Panels Create Electricity?
Solar panels are made up of solar cells connected to form a panel. Solar cells are made of materials, usually silicon, that allow them to absorb and convert sunlight into electricity.
When sunlight hits a solar cell, it causes electrons to be knocked away from their atoms. These electrons flow through the material to create an electric current. The current is then sent to an inverter, which converts it into electricity.
Many factors affect PV panels’ output and performance, including the size of your solar panel system, the angle at which the sun hits the panel, and the amount of sun exposure your home gets. Atmospheric conditions, latitude, cloud cover, and the time of year can also affect solar panels’ performance.
The Level of Insolation: an Essential Factor!
Solar insolation is the amount of solar radiation reaching a given surface area in a given time. It is typically expressed in units of watts per square meter per day.
The amount of solar insolation that reaches the earth’s surface varies depending on
- Latitude,
- Time of year
- Atmospheric conditions
- The angle of incidence of the sun’s rays
- Duration of the day
Solar insolation is highest at the equator and lowest at the poles. It is also higher during the summer period than during the winter.
The Importance of Avoiding Shading
Shading can significantly impact the amount of electricity produced by a solar energy system. If a portion of a solar panel is shaded, it can reduce the power output by as much as 50%.
What Is the Best Orientation for Solar Panels?
The orientation of solar panels can significantly affect the amount of sunlight they receive and, as a result, the amount of electricity they generate.
They can be mounted on roofs or the ground. The best orientation for solar panels is south-facing. This orientation will maximize the sunlight that hits the solar panels and produce the most electricity in the US, UK and generally all the northern hemisphere countries. In the United States, the best angle is between 30 and 45 degrees.
Photo by Vivint Solar
Solar Energy System For your Home – Types of Solar Panels
There are three types of PV systems.
- Monocrystalline solar panels. They are considered the most efficient type of solar panel on the market. They also have a long lifespan of about 30 to 50 years and can withstand high temperatures, making them ideal for use in hot climates. Monocrystalline panels are also considered the most esthetically pleasing. The real downside is that they are expensive.
- Polycrystalline solar panels. They have an efficiency that varies from 13% to 16%. The way they are produced makes them a cheaper option, but they are also less cost-effective in the long term. They have a lifespan of 30 to 40 years.
- Thin film panels – Thin film solar panels are photovoltaic (PV) panels made by depositing one or more thin layers of photovoltaic material on a substrate. They are the lowest-cost PV technology and can be manufactured on flexible substrates, making them suitable for various applications. Thin film solar panels have many advantages over traditional crystalline silicon PV panels, including lower weight and flexibility. They can also be produced in a continuous roll-to-roll process, which reduces manufacturing costs. They are not the most efficient and last up to 20 years.
How Much Would You Save Installing a Solar Energy System?
The answer to this question is complex and depends on different factors.
The best way to maximize the output from solar panels depends on how much time you spend at home or if you can use the energy produced during the day, for example, with programmed daily use of appliances. Selling the energy not used may not be viable according to where you live and the country’s energy system. However, If you can only use part of the energy produced by your PV system, you may want to invest in battery storage.
The Cost of Installation may Vary
Panel costs are now falling due to the high demand and reduction in production costs. However, when you decide to invest in a solar energy system, you want to consider the following:
- Size of the PV system
- Type of panels you want to adopt
- Quality of panel you are going to buy
- Accessibility and state of your roof
- Individual installer costs
A Solar Panel System Also Comes with Ongoing Costs
- Maintenance is needed, although costs are not high
- The system can have faults. The most common is the inverter
- Nesting birds o other wildlife may create problems
- Dirt can build on the panels and make the system less efficient
According to various surveys done with people who have invested in solar panels, the consensus is that installing solar panels from a certified installer is straightforward and not disruptive.
Photo by Raze Solar on Unsplash
Conclusions
Solar energy systems are a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and save money on your energy bill. They are also relatively easy to install and require very little maintenance; if you are considering switching to solar power, research to find out if it is the right choice.
Several other options allow you to power your house with energy sources alternative to fossil fuel. Like solar panels, wind turbines can be installed on private properties, and heat pumps are a potential option to reduce fossil fuel dependence.
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