The Earth intercepts a lot of solar power: 173,000 terawatts. That’s 10,000 times more power than the planet’s population uses. So is it possible that one day the world could be completely reliant on solar energy? Richard Komp examines how solar panels convert solar energy to electrical energy.
Should You Clean Your Solar Panels? Before/After Testing!
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5 Years with Solar Panels - Is It Still Worth It? For 65% off with HelloFresh PLUS free shipping, use code MATTFERRELL65 at https://bit.ly/3D53QkS! I’ve been living with solar panels for almost 5 years in Massachusetts. Get my achieve energy security with solar guide: https://link.undecidedmf.com/solar-guide. There’s been some twists and turns with solar production and how it’s performed in the cold and snow. I also added a Tesla Powerwall into the mix. There are definitely some things I wish I knew before getting solar and a battery installed. How has it performed and do I still think getting solar panels was a good idea?
Solar power for homes is increasing in popularity and decreasing in price. Many homeowners are discovering the advantages of Solar Power and you may have even seen quite a few solar panel systems being installed in your own neighborhood.
You're probably wondering:
How much do solar panels cost?
How much money will I save on my electricity bill?
How solar panels work?
Are solar panels worth it?
This video is a general overview of solar energy for beginners so you can make the best possible decisions regarding solar power for your home.
A solar panel (or photovoltaic panel) is a panel made of solar cells. Solar cells are the essential component by which light is converted into electrical energy and they are usually made of crystalline silicon. Each solar panel usually contains from 32 up to 96 solar cells.
Depending on the way solar cells are made, solar panels are categorized as polycrystalline, mono-crystalline, or thin film. The first two categories, which are the most common types of solar panels, are made of crystalline solar cells. The third category (thin film) is made of amorphous silicon.
Frameless solar panels have been on the market for more than a decade. Also, solar shingles and solar tiles popularized by the tesla solar roof are two types of products that are becoming more popular among residential applications.
How do solar panels work?
Solar cells produce electricity by converting the tremendous solar energy that the earth receives every day in the form of sunlight and more specifically in the form of photons. Most typical commercial solar solutions convert sunlight to electrical energy at an average efficiency of 3 – 17%
In order to have a complete system that will produce electricity for your home, you need the following components:
a) solar panels
b) solar panel mounting structures
c) an inverter
d) an electrical panel with the necessary switches and circuit breakers
e) DC and AC electrical cables
f) Power meter.
Generally, residential solar systems are separated into 2 main categories: off-grid and on-grid.
In the case of an off-grid system, the electricity generated by the solar system will be used to cover 100% of the electrical usage of a home since the house is not connected to the electrical grid at all.
In a on-grid system, the house where the solar panels are installed is connected to the main power grid. Electricity generated by the solar panels can either cover the electrical needs of the house or when you produce more electricity than needed, it is sent to the power grid.
With net metering, your monthly electricity bill is calculated both ways, based on the net of your overall energy consumption and the monthly output from your solar panels. If you are producing more energy than you’re using the utility company will actually pay you!
How much will I save on my electricity bills if I install solar panels?
How much you actually save depends on a number of factors.
Where you live matters a lot. Sunnier is better. For example. A 5Kw installation consisting of 20 solar panels can produce approximately 8,000 kilowatt-hours every year if your house is in a hot and sunny state like California, but the same system will only produce approximately 6,000 kWh every year if your house is in a less sunny state like Connecticut.
The available surface on your roof, the unshaded part with the appropriate orientation, determines how many solar panels you can install and consequently your savings.
How much does a solar panel system cost?
You need to know how many solar panels you need. In 2019 the average cost of a residential solar panel is $2.99 per watt, so with an average solar panel system size of 5 kilowatts, you are looking at an average cost of $14,950 before any tax credits or incentives. Equipment makes up the majority of the cost but permits and labor for solar installation are also factored in.
Benefits and negatives of solar power for your house:
Pros:
-A true renewable energy source
-Reduce your electricity bill and provides insurance against rising power prices
-Low maintenance cost
-Financial incentives from the government
-They operate quietly, with no moving parts and emit zero pollution.
-They have a long service life and reliability in operation. The guarantees given by the manufacturers for the solar panels are generally for more than 25 years of good operation.
Cons:
-Initial costs, but marginal cost drops to zero once the price of installation is paid off.
-Weather Dependent so it is an intermittent energy source, and can not be relied on in critical applications.
-Energy storage systems to smooth demand and load like the Tesla power wall are expensive.
The price of various solar panel types varies. Each type of panel has a varied cost since the production procedures for monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film are different.
Mono-crystalline:
Monocrystalline solar panels are perhaps the most expensive form of solar panel available. This is primarily attributable to the manufacturing process; as solar cells are created from a single silicon crystal, producers must pay for the crystals' production. This technique, also known as the Czochralski process, uses a lot of energy and wastes silicon (that can later be used to manufacture polycrystalline solar cells).
PolyCrystalline:
Generally speaking, polycrystalline solar panels are less expensive than monocrystalline ones. This is due to the fact that silicon fragments rather than a single, pure silicon crystal are used to make the cells. This makes it possible to manufacture cells considerably more cheaply for both manufacturers and ultimately end users.
Thin- Film:
The cost of manufacturing a thin-film solar panel will primarily depend on the type you choose; CdTe solar panels are often the least expensive to make, whereas CIGS solar panels are significantly more expensive to make than either CdTe or amorphous silicon.
Regardless of how much the panels themselves cost, installing a thin-film solar panel system may be less expensive overall than installing a mono-crystalline or polycrystalline system since it requires less labor. Due to their reduced weight and greater maneuverability, thin-film solar panels require less work during installation because they are simpler for installers to take up onto rooftops and fasten. This translates to lower labor expenses, which can help make a solar installation more affordable overall.
We finally decided to get Tesla Solar! Luckily, we got ours in 2020 when it was much cheaper. However, now the price has gone up! Is it still worth it in 2021?
This video gives a simple but compelling introduction to solar energy. Did you know that all of the energy we use comes from the sun? You probably know that’s true for solar panels, but the sun is also the ultimate energy source generated by wind, water, and fossil fuels. Watch this video to learn more about renewable sources of energy and more! #fossil #fossilfuel #scicomm #solarenergy #energy
Located in Vacaville, CA, Solar Butler LLC was started with the recognition of a growing need for cleaning and maintenance of solar panels in the fast growing solar industry. Our company’s goals are very simple “customer service is number one”. We strive, in all aspects of our business, to make sure each customer is treated like they are our only customer. Now that You have taken the first step in the “Green” direction, Let Solar Butler help You maintain your investment. Driven to deliver a quality product, Our Clients satisfaction is Our top priority. We are family owned and operated and take great care and pride in our work. To keep Your system producing for You, let Solar Butler be your choice to keep Your system clean and running at peak performance.
Does off-grid solar confuse you?
Check out my DIY friendly website for solar system packages and product recommendations, and so much more! http://www.mobile-solarpower.comJoin our DIY solar community!
#1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike:
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If DIY is not for you, but you love solar and need an offgrid system, check out EnergyPal! They will price out a system and get your house offgrid: https://energypal.com/diysolar/My Solar Equipment Recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first):
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