Solar panels already power tens of millions of homes in North America, so it is a little misleading to say they are the future – for many they are also the present.
Why do so many homeowners opt for solar? As well as providing a green, renewable source of energy with a reduced carbon footprint, they also represent freedom from regular energy bills. In fact, homeowners can save anything from $100 per month over the lifespan of the solar panels – savings that can amount to tens of thousands.
So what’s not to love, and what should you consider when evaluating solar panels for your home?
First ingredient: The sun!
At the risk of stating the obvious, the first thing you need to think about when considering solar panels is the sun. This is not all about living in the hottest part of the country, but also about considering factors such as how much shade your roof has.
Think about what if anything you could do to maximize the sunlight hours on your roof, perhaps by cutting back trees or situating panels to one side if you live in the shadow of another building. It is advisable to commission the help of a trusted solar panels company to guide you through this part of the process.
The installation process
You can take the pain out of the installation process by using a trusted solar panels company. This is highly advised, since the process can be a little complex, not to mention unsafe if it is installed incorrectly.
The good news is that you do not need planning permission for your project. For example, if your home is in Riverside County, the only thing you will need to factor in is that your solar equipment will need to be signed off by local safety authorities to ensure it meets safety standards. Again, your chosen solar company in California should make sure that this part of the process goes smoothly.
Unlike mains electricity setups, you will also need to consider batteries to store the energy your system creates. This is important to ensure you have access to uninterrupted energy even at night or during periods with little sunlight.
On or off-grid: How to choose
In urban areas, it is wise to opt for an on-grid arrangement. While still providing cheaper prices than main grid power, you are able to pull energy from the grid should your system experience difficulties. You can also opt to feed in surplus AC power back into the grid to pay for any energy you need to draw during those down periods.
In more rural areas, off-grid power enables you to produce electricity without the need to connect to the grid – which may be impossible, or at the very least difficult.
The final word on solar
Although you do not reap immediate returns on your investment, you will start to realize the benefits as soon as your equipment is paid off.
After around four years you can realistically expect to be free of your initial cost outlay. You can also expect around 25 years’ good lifespan from most solar panels, meaning you get around 20 years of bill-free electricity!
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