What is solar energy?

Solar cells can be used to generate electricity from sunlight. It is a device that converts light energy into electrical energy. Sometimes the term solar cell is reserved for devices intended specifically to capture energy from sunlight, while the term photovoltaic cell is used when the light source is unspecified.

Why use solar?

No greenhouse gas emissions are released into the atmosphere when you use solar panels to create electricity. And because the sun provides more energy than we’ll ever need, electricity from solar power is a very important energy source in the move to clean energy production.

What are the types of solar panels?

There are 3 types of technology utilized in the solar panels available on the market today: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin film amorphous

How do solar panels actually work?

Solar panels are made of highly excitable, conductive materials. When the sun’s rays hit the solar panels, the reaction creates direct current (DC) electricity.

Since most homes and businesses use alternating current (AC) electricity, your solar-generated DC energy will pass through an inverter to become AC electricity. Then it flows through your property’s wiring and behaves just like the power you’ve been using your whole life.

What are the financial benefits of solar energy?

When you install a solar energy system on your property, you save money on your electricity bills and protect yourself against rising electricity rates in the future. How much you can save depends on the utility rates and solar policies in your area, but going solar is a smart investment regardless of where you live.

What factors are important to consider when planning to go solar?

it is important to consider:

a. How much of your needs can you meet with solar?

b. How much can you save by going solar?

c. Do you have enough shadow-free space (land or roof)?

d.How much do you want to invest in your solar PV system?

How does solar power work?

A photovoltaic (PV) solar system is comprised of solar panels, racks for putting the panels on your roof, electrical wiring. Our Solar panels capture the sun’s energy, channel it via cables to an inverter, where it’s changed to electricity to power your home. At the point when your solar energy system delivers more power than you require, it feeds the energy into the DEWA electricity grid.

How much does solar energy cost?

Today, Solar solution costs less than conventional electricity power in numerous market sectors. We offer a range of financing alternatives, which makes going Solar simple and affordable.

How much will I save with a solar energy system?

Your energy use and the size of your solar energy system will determine your actual savings amount. With little or no startup costs, systems start paying for themselves immediately and increase each year as the cost of electricity rises.

Will my solar panels generate electricity during cloudy, rainy, or snowy days? What about at night?

Your solar panels don’t need sunshine, per se, to generate electricity as much as they need direct, unobstructed access to the sun’s UV rays. Similar to how your skin still tans when it’s overcast outside, your solar panels will still generate electricity during cloudy, rainy, or snowy days — they just won’t produce as much energy as they do during clear days. Solar panels do not generate electricity at night since the sun’s not out. This is when staying connected to the power grid comes in handy as you’ll still have electricity to Netflix and chill..

Do I have to go off the grid when I switch to solar energy?

In reality, you probably won’t want to go off grid. The practice is known as “islanding”, or when you connect your solar array to batteries so you’ll be able to power your home or business entirely on solar energy instead of using the utility company for power. The thing is, this practice is incredibly expensive and inefficient for most people. Batteries are not only expensive, they’re not as technically developed as solar panels (read: they clunk up the operation). They also need to be maintained and replaced routinely. Most solar adopters choose to stay on the grid out of convenience and money-saving.

When you stay connected to the grid, you’ll be able to generate credits with the electric company to lower the price of your bills.

 

What is net metering?

You know how you have an electric meter on your property to record how much energy your home or business uses every month? When you switch to solar energy, you’ll have an electric meter that works both ways:
1. It will show the utility company how much energy you consume when your solar panels aren’t generating electricity (like at night)
2. It will show how much energy your solar panels generated during the day See, your solar panels will produce a lot of energy during the day when the sun’s the strongest. You most likely won’t use all this solar-generated power. Your excess solar energy will feed back to the grid and help supply power for the utility company.
Your utility company will pay for your solar-generated electricity by giving you credits to lower your monthly electricity bill. So at the end of the month, you’ll only pay for the net amount of electricity.

How much will I really save on my electricity bills every month?

That depends on how much electricity your home or business uses, where you live, the rate your utility company charges for electricity, and several other factors. Most solar providers aim to offset 70–90% of your monthly electricity bill, so that’s a good place to start your calculations.

How will switching to solar energy help me budget better?

Right now you don’t have any control over the electricity rate your utility company charges. And trends show that electricity rates will continue to rise.
When you install solar panels on your property, you’ll be generating more electricity than you use from the utility company at the price of free.

Then you’ll also generate more than enough to sell back to the utility company as credits to further lower your monthly bills. No more surprise electricity bills to tank your budget again.

How soon will I notice a difference in my electricity bills after switching to solar energy?

Your solar panels will start generating usable energy for your property the day they’re installed. Depending on when you receive your electric bill, you could start noticing lower bills the very first month.

What are the environmental benefits of solar energy?

Solar power, like other renewable energy resources, has many environmental and health benefits. Going solar reduces greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change, and also results in fewer air pollutants like sulfur dioxide and particulate matter, which can cause health problems.

How do solar photovoltaic (PV) panels work?

Solar panels absorb the sun’s energy throughout the day and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity. Most homes and businesses run on alternating current (AC) electricity, so the DC electricity is then passed through an inverter to convert it to usable AC electricity. At that point, you either use the electricity in your house or send it back to the electric grid.

Do solar panels work in a blackout?

If your solar panel system is connected to the grid, it will shut off in the event of a blackout. This is to prevent emergency responders and electricity utility repair-people from being injured by your panels sending power back to the grid. However, there are certain inverters you can buy that provide backup power in a blackout when paired with a battery.

How much will solar panel maintenance cost?

Solar panel systems are made of durable tempered glass and require little to no maintenance for the 25 to 35 years that they will generate power. In most cases, you don’t even need to clean your solar panels regularly. If something does happen, most equipment manufacturers include warranties, although warranty terms depend on the company.

Is my roof suitable for solar panels?

Southerly-facing roofs with little to no shade and enough space to fit a solar panel system are ideal for installing solar. However, in many cases there are workarounds if your home doesn’t have the ideal solar roof. Register your property on EnergySage to learn more about all of your options; all installation offers are based on images of your actual roof.

What size solar energy system should I get?

The size of your solar energy system will depend on how much electricity you use on a monthly basis, as well as the weather conditions where you live. Take a look at your past electricity bills and compare offers from licensed, pre-screened solar installers to determine the best system size for your needs.

How long will my solar power system last?

In general, solar panels are very durable and capable of withstanding snow, wind, and hail. The various components of your solar power system will need to be replaced at different times, but your system should continue to generate electricity for 25 to 35 years.

What are the different types of solar panels?

While every solar panel brand and product has unique specifications, Energy Sage has rated solar panels on a five-tier scale, from Poor to Fair, through Good and Very Good, and ultimately up to Excellent. The classifications are displayed on each panel page in the Energy Sage Buyer’s Guide, and are provided alongside every quote that is submitted through the Energy Sage Solar Marketplace to help shoppers compare their options and choose the best solar panels for their needs.

Should I ask for a solar monitoring system for my solar panels?

If you are interested in receiving detailed information about how much energy your solar panel system is producing, ask your installer about solar monitoring system options. In many cases, solar lease agreements will include free programs to track your system’s performance. If you own your system you may need to pay for one separately.