With so many people becoming environmentally sensitive these days, the solar-powered home is becoming more popular. Solar power is an efficient and clean way to generate electricity. It can be used in various ways to power your home.
Making the switch to solar power can seem intimidating, but it’s easier! In this post, we’ll outline everything you need to know to go solar. Plus, we’ll dispel some common myths about solar power and show you how much money you could save by making the switch.
Are you ready to start saving a lot of money and reducing your carbon footprint? Read on for more information.
Solar Power Explained
Solar power converts sunlight into electricity, directly using photovoltaics or indirectly using concentrated solar power. Concentrated solar power systems employ lenses or mirrors and tracking techniques to focus a large extent of sunlight into a small beam. Photovoltaics transform light into an electric current with the photovoltaic effect.
In short, you can make electricity out of the rays of the sun using solar power. PV solar panels are made of many solar cells, each of which is made of two layers of silicon. When sunlight hits a single solar cell, the photons automatically knock electrons loose from the atoms in the silicon. Then, the solar cell has a positive layer on one side and a negative layer on the other.
This creates an electric field, and the electrons flow through the field to the positive layer, creating an electric current. The solar cell also has wires so the current can be harnessed and used.
On the other hand, CSP systems utilize mirrors or lenses to concentrate a large area of sunlight onto a small area. The concentrated light is then used to heat a fluid, which is used to generate electricity.
Solar Power and Your House
Solar power is indeed a great way to save money, reduce energy bills and help the environment. But you can use solar energy at home more than just for electricity. Here are some ways you can use solar power at home:
Solar Water Heating Systems
Solar power can also be used through solar water heating systems that use sunlight to heat your water. They’re a great way to reduce your energy bill and carbon footprint.
Solar Pool Heating Systems
Some solar pool heating systems are designed specifically for swimming pools. In contrast, others are designed for both swimming pools and spas. These systems can help you reduce your energy bill, especially if you live in an area with many suns (like Florida!). They’re great if you want to swim year-round without worrying about freezing temperatures!
Solar Powered Air Conditioning Units
Solar-powered air conditioning units may be a good option if you live in an area where electricity is costly (like California). The idea behind these units is that they’ll cool your house down during the day when it’s sunny out (and during peak hours) and then use electricity from the grid at night when it’s not as hot outside (and off-peak hours).
This makes solar-powered air conditioning units a great way to save money on your energy bill. Plus, they’re good for the environment because they don’t use as much electricity from the grid.
Is Powering Your House Possible?
In short, yes — but it’s not easy. Solar panels aren’t cheap; they need to be installed by an electrician or professional installer who knows what they’re doing for them to work correctly.
It would help if you also had an inverter and batteries to store electricity later at night or on rainy days when sunlight isn’t available. This adds up quickly, so you must ensure you’re prepared to make a significant investment before switching to solar power.
The average solar panel system costs between $10,000-$20,000. But the good news is that solar panels have come down in price by about 70% over the last 10 years, so they’re becoming more and more affordable. Plus, solar panel systems usually have a payback period of 5-10 years.
This means that after you’ve paid for your solar panel system, you’ll start saving money on your energy bills — and you may even make money if you live in a state with net metering laws (like California).
Benefits of Solar Power for Your House
The benefits of solar power for your house are numerous. Not only does it save you money on electricity bills, but it also reduces your carbon footprint and gives you a sense of satisfaction from doing something good for the environment.
Here are some of the benefits of solar power for your house:
Saves Money on Electricity Bills
Many people don’t realize how much electricity they use in their homes each month. If you’re using a lot of electricity, installing solar panels could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually on your electric bill.
The more energy you produce through solar panels, the less you’ll have to buy from utility companies. This is especially true if you live in an area with expensive electricity rates.
Reduces Your Carbon Footprint
Solar power is a renewable energy source that doesn’t produce emissions or pollution. This is unlike fossil fuels, which release harmful gases into the atmosphere when burned. By switching to solar power for your home, you can help significantly reduce your carbon footprint and do your part to help slow down climate change.
Gives Independence from the Grid
If you produce enough solar power, you can completely disconnect from the grid and become independent from utility companies. This means you won’t have to worry about blackouts or brownouts and will never have to pay an electricity bill again.
Of course, becoming completely independent from the grid is a significant investment. But even if you only produce a portion of your power through solar, you’ll still be saving money on your electric bill.
There are many other benefits to switching to solar power, but these three are strong enough to convince you to do that.
Common Myths Debunked
Solar power is one of the most popular forms of renewable energy. However, many myths about solar power can be confusing for people trying to make an informed decision about whether or not to install a solar panel system.
Myth #1: Solar panels are expensive
While this may have been true in the past, it is no longer the case now. In fact, many homeowners pay nothing up front when they install solar panels on their homes. They can do this because they get a loan from the government that is paid off over time through electricity savings. This loan can be anywhere from 20-30 years; after that period, you own your system outright and have no further payments!
Myth #2: Solar panels are ugly
Solar panels are actually quite attractive! They come in all shapes and sizes and can look like any other roofing material, such as shingles or tiles. They also come in different colors, such as black and gray, so if you don’t want them to stand out too much, then a darker colored panel may be best for you!
Myth #3: Solar panels take up space on my roof, which means less room for other things like air conditioners or skylights
Solar panels take up some space on your roof, but they are usually installed in areas that get the most sun, such as the south or west. This means there is still plenty of room for other things like air conditioners or skylights!
Myth #4: Solar panels constantly need a lot of care and maintenance
Solar panels are actually low maintenance! They don’t require any cleaning or special care and will last for years (20-30 years or more). The only thing you may need to do occasionally is to have the panels checked by a professional to ensure they are still working correctly.
Now that you know the truth about solar power, there is no reason not to install solar panels in your home! You will save money on your electric bill, reduce your carbon footprint, and gain independence from the grid.
Conclusion
If you are considering turning completely solar for your home, it’s totally doable. However, it would help if you considered everything you need to power your home as solar may not be able to do everything—yet. There are many incredible benefits to solar power, but they also have disadvantages. You must weigh your options carefully and make the right solar decision for you and your home.
Once you have decided to make the switch, you must find a professional who can help you do the transition safely and correctly. That’s why Spring Solar is the one you should trust. They will help you every step of the way, from solar panel installation to solar panel maintenance. Businesses and families have trusted them with their solar panels and other products, so you’re surely in good hands with them.
