Of the many things a living person may take for granted daily, the blazing yellow circle in the sky predominates. We depend on the sun for life, yet we rarely give it a second thought – especially its due thanks.
Today, the sun is stepping in and saving humans from an ecological and technological crisis, with some human, scientific help. From saving money at an individual level to improving the lives of potentially billions, solar energy is changing our future.
If you are considering switching to solar power, the benefits could be great for you and the world you share. Read further to ensure you make the best decision possible when switching to solar power.
What is solar energy?
Solar energy, power from the sun, has the illusion of being simple and yet it’s remarkable in its real-world application. Obtained from sunlight and transformed into either electrical or thermal energy, it’s the purest and most plentiful energy on Earth.
The history of solar
Humans have long been fascinated with the sun, with energy experiments dating back to 7th century B.C. But during the mid-nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Edmond Becquerel and Albert Einstein’s combined efforts made modern solar energy possible.
Becquerel found he could convert electricity from sunlight through metal electrodes in a conductor, shocking the world. This breakthrough inspired Einstein, whose essay in 1905 brought widespread credibility and interest to solar energy’s development.
Bell Labs invented solar panels for space crafts in the mid-twentieth century, but outside of space exploration, modernity didn’t care. It wasn’t until devastating oil shortages in the 1970’s that the spark was set, convincing scientists of solar power’s importance.
Types of solar power
Presently, there are three main solar power technologies available for residential, commercial, and industrial usage. They are photovoltaics (PV), solar heating and cooling (SHC), and concentrating solar power (CSP).
PV panels are commonly used as residential solar power systems, converting energy from sunlight directly to electricity for various purposes. SHC units have different functions, converting solar heat for your home’s air or water usage, reducing the need for natural gas.
CSP, also known as solar farms, is for large scale usage only – not residential – namely for factories or power plants. CSP is most commonly found in the southwest United States and uses heat from the sun to run steam turbines.
Inverters
Solar inverters are essential to your PV panel – converting direct current (DC) of sunlight into alternating current (AC) for usage. There are three types of inverters: centralized inverters, microinverters, and power optimize; and each inverter affects cost and efficiency.
Centralized, or string, inverters are the cheapest option but can be inefficient if there is any shading on the roof. Microinverters are the most expensive inverter and get attached to each solar panel to overcome any intrusion of shade. Power optimizers are mid-expensive inverters which also get installed to each panel but rely on centralized inverters to ensure optimization.
Storage
The sun obviously doesn’t shine 24/7 – solar batteries are useful for storing energy for later or overnight use. Depending on jurisdiction or community, you can sell back stored, unused energy for credits in a process called net metering.
Why switch to solar
Environmentally-friendly
The switch helps more than just you, combating worldwide pollution and securing cleaner air and water for generations to come. Solar energy reduces the exposure of carbon and other pollutants that are dangerous to our environment.
Solar panels significantly reduce humanmade carbon footprints, offsetting approximately 100,000 pounds of carbon dioxide over a period of 20 years. By making the switch to solar, you essentially withdraw the 100,000 miles of carbon damage emitted by your gas guzzler.
Consumer-friendly
Solar is a natural resource, readily available, whereas non-renewable resources like coal, nuclear, and oil are finite and harmful. The sun will outlast humans by far, and we can extend our lifespan as people by making the switch.
The solar installations themselves are incredibly reliable, usually coming with 20-year warranties and a lifespan likely to surpass the warranty. Solar power isn’t going anywhere, and part of the reason is solar panels really do work.
Cost-friendly
Electricity isn’t cheap and solar energy, depending on the house and state, can save homeowners approximately $100 per monthly bill. This adds up to tens of thousands of dollars saved over the decades.
Thus, it’s estimated the average American can break-even on their solar installation within ten years. Remember a solar panel is a long-term investment; the cost will offset itself if you purchase intelligently and finance accordingly
Shopping for solar power
Take your time shopping – a solar panel is a long-term investment and you want to be confident in your decision. Research, read reviews, and get multiple quotes from professionals certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
Purchased solar panels see cheaper installation rates, but new homeowners can receive federal and private loans and tax credit. Additionally, leases and power purchase agreements (PPA) exist to accommodate homeowners who can’t afford or aren’t interested in owning installations.
The national average cost to purchase a solar panel in homes is approximately $2.60 per watt. The most typical size, a 6kW system, would therefore cost $11,544 after utilizing a solar tax credit of 26%.
But, of course, the average cost of installation differs from state to state. Consider the average cost of a 6kW system in Alabama at $10.878 vs. New Jersey at $12.277.
Owning a solar panel
General solar loans function like any home improvement loan, whereas, depending on your jurisdiction, subsidized solar loans offer below-market rates. Loans help lower the initial price and the monthly payments are still lower than standard power costs.
New homeowners can finance solar power with mortgage loans through FHA and Fannie Mae because those account for home improvement. Additionally, buying a solar energy system can make you eligible for a federal tax credit.
Studies show solar panels increase your house’s value in addition to the speed at which it sells on the market. Not only do buyers want houses with low electricity costs, but people also view panels as an upgrade, like a renovated kitchen.
Renting a solar panel
Leases and PPAs eliminate monthly loan payments by letting homeowners rent panels from solar companies, often with no money down. Both options let you purchase the energy generated without owning the panel, but they differ in determining your monthly cost.
Solar leases assign a set monthly payment based on the estimated amount of electricity the panel will generate. Solar PPAs, conversely, determine the monthly cost by comparing their set price per kilowatt-hour to the electricity produced for your home.
For renters, the company is responsible for the maintenance, monitoring, and repairs of solar panels, which can eliminate certain costs. But everyone should provide upkeep for their panels, as doing so will remove solar barriers like airborne particles, optimizing generation.
Considering community solar energy
If your community hasn’t invested in solar energy, it’s time to call a meeting and suggest a change. Community solar programs exist to help your neighborhood contribute to the solar movement and reap its various local benefits.
Various nearby homeowners can invest together to install a solar array in their community which can then power multiple homes. The initial cost and monthly payments are split between participants, and each homeowner buys into the shared system accordingly.
Solarize campaigns help communities jump into the world of solar power through various incentives that help them afford solar panels. Additionally, these campaigns will help homeowner groups negotiate the best possible rates, select reliable installers, and decrease total installation costs.
Other factors to consider
The more efficient your solar panel is, the more effective it will be in powering and cost. But to ensure you get the most efficiency out of your panel, there are a few factors you must consider.
Determine usage: the more energy used, the bigger the unit required, costing more upfront but saving more in the end. Remember to check your utility’s rates and how much they will compensate for the energy you send back to the grid.
Solar reception matters: direct sunlight must reach the panel to generate energy, so your panel needs to be installed thoughtfully. Installers must ensure your solar panel is angled and positioned correctly, and that the shade of nearby trees doesn’t interfere.
If you must rebuild your roof soon, don’t install the solar panel until after the repairs have been made. And if you’ll be moving within 7-10 years, chances are you won’t break even after purchasing the installation.
It’s worth noting the type of roof you have matters for installation, though panels can generally go on any roof. Costs may differ depending on if you have composite or wood
shingles or Spanish tiles, so talk to your installer.
Shine on
Solar power isn’t going anywhere and is in fact expanding in availability and affordability every year. The many options that exist to help homeowners purchase or rent solar power could improve your financial longevity immediately.
Moreover, the future of the world’s wellbeing is at stake. Solar power is ultimately a more ethical and sensible alternative to expiring modes of power. Join the movement and see for yourself what it has to offer you!