Do you plan to stay in your home for more than 3 years, but are skeptical about investing in solar energy?
Statistics show that the United States had a cumulative solar PV capacity of 60.5 GW in 2019 and a quarterly number of new solar PV installations of 3.6 GW as of the first quarter of 2020.
Recently, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated that the temperature of the Earth is rising at a much faster rate than we thought. Unfortunately, energy sources that use fossil fuels release up to 75% of these emissions globally.
Is there a way of generating energy without damaging the ozone layer?
Solar power is the best way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 100 million tons yearly. The introduction of solar energy has helped to mitigate the impact of the energy sector on climate change.
If you are reading this, then you are way ahead of most homeowners who are considering an alternative source of energy for their homes.
Let’s take a sneak-peak at what this article has to offer you:
- What is a solar power system?
- 5 Major components of a solar power system
- How important is a solar system to homeowners?
- Why are homeowners skeptical about buying a solar system?
- What is the most suitable solar system for your home?
- Factors to consider when buying a solar system
- Where can you get the best solar system for your home?
Read on to find out more!
What is a Solar Power System?
A solar power system generates renewable energy using photovoltaic energy from the sun. It converts this energy into usable electricity.
This system is often found as PV arrays on rooftops and varies in size. It can power residential properties, as well as commercial and utility-scale zones.
5 Major Components of a Solar Power System
Solar power systems are vital to the modern-day home because of the numerous technological and electrical appliances you likely use to make life easier for yourself and your family members.
Nevertheless, there will be no solar power system without some major components. As a matter of fact, understanding these components will help you to choose the best system for your home, as well as the perfect company able to meet your needs.
The various solar system components include:
The panels
The solar panel is the most common and most visible component of your solar system. Solar panels are the components by which you can distinguish between those who use solar energy and those who do not by simply looking at their rooftops.
How do solar panels work?
Solar panels generate electricity through a process known as solar irradiation – generating DC electricity from sunlight. This stimulates electrons to move through the built-in solar cells in the panels.
Do not fall for the misconception that heat, instead of sunlight, generates electricity. On the contrary, when the panels overheat, they become less efficient. This is one of the reasons you should choose Enlightened Solar for panels that can withstand different weather conditions for as long as 25 years.
You can choose between Monocrystalline panels and Polycrystalline panels.
In a nutshell, monocrystalline panels consist of individual large crystals with some of the cell corners missing due to the production process. They are darker in color and exhibit higher aesthetic consistency.
Polycrystalline panels, on the other hand, consist of multiple smaller crystals and are either light or dark blue in color. Their textures vary and you will find some patches that are lighter than others.
The inverter
Your solar system cannot function without an inverter.
What do inverters do?
When your solar panels produce DC electricity, inverters help to convert it to 240V AC, which is more than you need to power your household appliances.
This component can easily become faulty since it operates continuously. Therefore, most companies offer a warranty of about 10 years on inverters. This is not satisfactory for a component that forms a crucial part of your system. Hence, the need to choose the high-quality inverters provided by Enlightened Solar.
There are two major types of inverters, namely string inverters and microinverters.
String inverters are installed on a wall in an area that is not directly exposed to sunlight. They then convert the energy from the string of panels into AC electricity that you can use in your home.
The inverters that you install behind each panel are called microinverters. They allow energy from individual panels to exist independently. However, they are quite expensive.
Bridging the gap between string inverters and microinverters are the power optimizers. They do not always require shade and are more affordable than microinverters. However, they are not as effective as other types of inverters.
The mounting/racking
The solar power system also includes mounting/racking. This component is responsible for securely attaching the solar panels to your rooftop. You can trust a brand like Enlightened Solar to provide and install high-quality racking equipment for your home.
Avoid solar providers that are cheap and non-accredited as they are likely to leave holes in your roof, causing leakage or other unwanted issues.
So, if you don’t want to put your home at risk, pay a little extra for a solar system that will follow all the right procedures to give you optimal performance.
Balance of systems
The balance of systems has to do with the accessories that help your solar power system to work better. These accessories include wires, junction boxes, cabling, and many others.
Batteries
The main function of batteries is to store energy.
In solar systems, batteries store the energy that is generated by solar panels during the day to be used at night when there is no solar radiation to generate power.
Though optional, they are fast becoming a viable option for homeowners who spend most of their day at work and only return home in the evenings.
Battery technology is quite expensive, so if you choose it, you need to make sure that you really need power supply at night. Another thing you need to consider before buying batteries for your solar power system, is your feed-in tariff.
Engaging the services of an expert will prevent considerable losses and waste of energy. An expert will help you analyze your usage, and will be able to tell you whether your home needs battery technology or not.
How Important is the Solar System to Homeowners?
Installing a solar system in your home has many benefits. This mainstream source of electricity generation has really improved over time and is now quite affordable for the average homeowner.
Here are some of the best reasons why installing a solar system in your home is a great idea:
Reduces the electricity bill
The steady increase in monthly power bills is a global phenomena. As a matter of fact, the high cost of electricity is a major incentive for installing a solar system.
Most homeowners want to install a solar system so that they won’t have to pay high bills. They are content to save their money while also earning some money from their new source of electricity.
If this isn’t a good enough incentive, what is?
Good investment opportunity
Are you looking for a lucrative business opportunity that offers low-risk and high returns?
You should invest in a solar system.
Renewable energy is an incredibly profitable sector that can yield daily returns on investment. By investing in a solar system, you will receive extra funds when you sell your excess electricity to the grid in your community.
This is ideal if you are a homeowner, businessperson, or student looking for an extra source of guaranteed income.
1 kW of solar power can generate about 1500-1600 units of power a year. If you sell some of your units to the grid every day, you can recover your money in about 5 years.
People living in areas with high electricity tariffs should consider installing a solar system as a viable option.
A reliable backup power supply
Most homeowners and establishments who install a solar system do so for power backup. Establishments like clinics, offices, and shops experiencing substantial losses usually know the value of a reliable alternative, especially when there is a power cut.
Solar power is an ideal source of energy when you are using a good storage option.
Do you spend too much on diesel to run generator sets?
Get a good solar power system and you won’t have to worry about diesel anymore.
Lowers carbon dioxide emissions
Research by the Union of Concerned Scientists in the United States shows that about 29% of global warming emissions come from the electricity sector.
Research by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) showed that carbon dioxide accounts for up 82% of the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States.
According to research conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), replacing coal power plants with solar power
Why Are Homeowners Skeptical About Buying a Solar System?
What is preventing you from buying a solar system?
Despite all the benefits of owning a solar system, some homeowners remain quite skeptical about acquiring one.
Let’s take a look at some of the challenges homeowners like you are facing when considering installing solar systems in their homes:
Financial constraints
The main challenge that most homeowners face when the topic of solar system ownership comes up is budget constraints, especially for medium to low-income homeowners.
The ordinary person would rather install other electrical devices in their home than install an alternative source of energy. This happens because they are not aware of the numerous benefits they stand to enjoy by being energy-independent.
Net metering
Net metering is an option that allows homeowners to claim credit for any extra energy they send back to the grid. Although this sounds very simple, it isn’t always the case.
Issues may arise in procuring the net meters, but when you do, you will enjoy returns on your investment.
Double expectations
People expect so much from solar systems. Some homeowners expect their solar power system to reduce their electrical bills, while also carrying the full load of their electrical appliances at the same time.
They do not intend to buy a solar panel with the right capacity for their needs.
What Is the Most Suitable Solar System for Your Home?
Solar power is generated during the day when there is sunlight. If it is not used immediately in your home, it will be exported to the grid. So, if you are usually available during the day, you should buy a solar system for daytime home usage.
For instance, if you use up to 10 units of electricity a day between the hours of 7 am and 5 pm, you should get a solar system with a minimum capacity of 2kw to 2.5kw able to generate 10 units. Also, note that the number of solar units you use daily will vary, and usually doubles in summer.
Buying larger solar power systems provides substantial benefits. In addition to generating more power, they also meet high household energy demands and save a lot of costs, especially in summer when you are more inclined to use air conditioners.
If you can spare a little extra money, you can get a much bigger system that will generate more free power to meet the electrical needs of your household, while you can sell excess energy to the grid. This is a great way to earn extra credits to pay for your night-time power usage.
If you have a medium to large household that is usually occupied during the day, you will have more power demand during daylight hours. With a household like this, you will need a larger solar system or even a maximum system, depending on what your roof can accommodate.
For smaller households that are often empty during the daylight hours, you do not have to worry about huge expenditure as you will be saving a lot of money. A smaller PV system should be perfect for smaller households.
Does your roof have orientations or is it subject to shade?
Then you will need to get a string inverter, also referred to as a standard single inverter, to generate far less than a system with micro-inverters or optimizers.
If you are not sure of the most suitable solar system for your home, ask an expert.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Solar System
Now that you have decided to buy the best solar power system for your home, there are certain factors you should consider.
Here are some tips to consider:
- The size of the solar panel
- The efficiency of the solar panel
- Durability
- Warranty
Where Can You Get the Best Solar System For Your Home?
If you are in the market for the best solar system, you need to consider factors like size, efficiency, durability, and the warranty of the solar panels.
To ensure you buy the best solar system, you need to contact a trustworthy solar system expert. Our solar products at Enlightened Solar are designed by experts with many years of experience in the field.
We can also guide you through the process of installing the panels or we could do it for you – with installment warranties too.
Give us a call and let’s power your home.