Solar power is booming across the world, thanks to its ability to cut energy bills and tap into a naturally occurring source of energy. But what do you need to know about solar energy before you go ahead and get your panels installed?
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the solar energy sector is growing by 42% every year. Almost 19 million homes in the United States are now powered by solar energy, and 43% of electric capacity added to the electricity grid comes from solar power too.
Installing solar panels is an attractive proposition for many people, because it means that your home can become more self-sufficient. Once you have covered the cost of the installation and some general maintenance, you can considerably cut down your energy bills too. However, there is a lot to know about the world of solar power before you go ahead and become a solar household. Here are some key things about solar panels you may not have known.
1. Roof Size
Depending on the climate conditions where you live and the energy needs of your house, you will need a minimum number of solar panels to be installed on your roof to make it a worthwhile installation. The solar panel provider you work with can calculate your requirements. There are some situations that could mean you don’t currently have enough roof space to make the solar panel installation viable. However, there are alternative creative solutions to this. For example, some people will have a garage or car port built too – if they have enough land on their plot – which can create sufficient roof space for the required amount of solar panels.
2. Solar Storage
When most people are starting their journey into the solar panel world, they often only think about the need for solar panels. However, to make solar panels work best for your household, you’ll need solar batteries too, in order to store the excess energy the panels capture. This means that you can use electricity from the solar panels at night, or during days when there is less sun. It’s a way to make your solar panel investment work as hard as it possibly can for your household. Some people even find they have so much excess energy, they are able to sell it over to the electricity grid, for other people to benefit from. If there are general power outages due to bad weather or other factors, a solar battery can be a bit of a lifeline too.
3. Durability
As solar panels will be sitting out on your rooftop through all weather conditions, it is important to choose solar panels that are likely to be more durable. You may need to think about the specific climate you live in and the likelihood of certain weather conditions to help you make your decision. Many solar panels are made of tempered glass, which is usually strong enough for many situations. If you think you need something even more durable, look for solar panels made from monocrystalline silicon, which is even tougher. Something else to look out for is the backing that the solar panels sit on. Ideally you will want something that is very resilient and doesn’t corrode easily, such as copper. All solar panels are made waterproof, so the effect of rain is not generally a concern.
4. Efficiency
Not all solar panels have the ability to capture the same amount of energy, so it’s important to do your homework to find solar panels that will maximize your investment in terms of efficiency. Firstly look at the wattage of the solar panels you are interested in. A higher wattage means greater efficiency. There are different ways that solar panel companies achieve this higher efficiency, which includes the kind of surface used and the placement of the wires in the panels. Generally speaking, a larger panel can capture more energy than a smaller panel. However, if you are limited in terms of roof space, you may be able to generate the required amount of energy through smaller but more efficient solar panels.
5. Lifespan
A great thing about solar panels is that their average lifespan is said to be approximately 25 to 30 years. This means there is good value to be had by homeowners who choose to invest in solar panels. Furthermore, solar panel technology is improving all the time as sustainability becomes a bigger factor in peoples’ lives. This means that the longevity of solar panels could increase over time too. Even the current estimates of a shelf life of at least 25 years doesn’t mean that solar panels stop working at this point, they just tend to work a little less well as time goes on. All in all, people buying solar panels for their home can expect many years of savings on energy once the cost of the solar panels has been paid off.