Solar panels are the most essential component of a solar power system. There are other components that make up the system; however, the solar panel dictates the efficiency of the entire solar power system. The sun has enough energy to provide the electricity that we need. But the sun has always been there with this potential yet it did not automatically provide uses for electricity. There is a need to develop a system to tap from the sun’s energy. Not until recently, this fit seemed far-fetched. Research in this line that gave us solar panels which is the main source of tapping solar energy. The solar panel is the component that is designed to capture the UV (Ultraviolet) rays that are generated by the sun. This is then converted into an electron that generates the direct current (DC). The direct current (DC) is then converted into an alternating current (AC) using an inverter. The AC current is the electricity that is consumable. However, not all the sunlight will be converted to electricity by the solar panel; some will be left unconverted, which means, there is still some potential energy been unused. In other words, a signal panel is limited in the amount of solar energy it can convert to electricity. If you, therefore, need to produce electricity in a large quantity, you will have to combine solar panels so that one can make up for the other. This is where the question of panel efficiency comes in.
Solar panel
efficiency: what you need to know
When we talk about the efficiency of a solar panel we refer to its ability to convert sun ultraviolet rays into electricity. All things being equal, when the same amount of sunlight shines on two solar panels, for the same time duration, the better efficient one will produce more electricity than the less efficient one. What this means is that if there are two panels A and B of the same size, subjected to the same condition of sunlight and it is found that panel A has an efficiency of about 21% while panel B has efficiency of 14% then panel A will produce 50% more electricity in kilowatt per hours than panel B which has a 14%. A higher efficiency rate means the panel has the ability to use or convert more solar energy. The more solar energy a panel can convert the less the number you will need to power your building.
Solar panel development has gone through many stages. The first set of panels produced were of little efficiency which means they could scarcely be used to produce electricity. They were not only of little efficiency, but they were also very expensive. This added to the difficulty of them having substantial commercial value. Many in the solar industry associate the efficiency of the solar panel to be the most important factor to assess a solar panel. As much as this is true, it is not the only factor. There is a need to consider the ability of the panel to convert at a low cost and supply at a high rate.
Most efficient
solar panels:
With the realization of this fact, manufacturers have invested time and resources into doing proper research in order to increase the efficiency of the solar panels produced by them. As it stands this year, 2019, the solar panel with the highest efficiency rate is at 22.2%. Let’s see some of them and what rate of efficiency they have to offer:
SunPower (22.2%)
LG (21.1%)
Panasonic (20.3%)
Solartech Universal (20.2%)
Silfab (20.0%)
The majority of the solar panel manufacturers out there offer an efficiency rate that is less than that of the top five. They offer between 15% to 17% efficiency rate solar panels. The top five solar panel manufacturers led by SunPower offer within the rage of 20% to 22% and this is the latest development. The challenge with the solar panels offered by the top five manufacturers is that they come with a higher price tag than that of the majority manufacturers. These top five will often be the favorite of anyone more concerned about efficiency over cost. The truth is that no matter the cost you moderately spend on the installation of a reliable solar system, you will eventually break even. And this will be in the early years of the life span of the solar system especially if you stay in an area where the cost of electricity is high and keeps rising.
Companies produce solar panels in large quantities. There will, therefore, be a disparity in the efficiency of the panels across the board. Most solar manufacturers produce solar panels in several models which will cause ranging in the efficiency of the solar panel. It is important to know that there is a difference between what we call the maximum efficiency rating of solar panel manufacturers and consistently maintaining the record across boards, meaning across the solar panels that were produced in mass. You need to know that for every manufacturer, there is the maximum efficiency record as well as the minimum efficiency record, and we have the average efficiency record which is the efficiency rating that the manufacturer consistently maintains over time. For example, LG has a maximum efficiency rating of 21.1%, however, the minimum efficiency rating for LG is 16.80%. From these two ratings, we have an average rating of 18.78% which is still a leading efficiency rating among other manufacturers, excluding SunPower which has an average rating of 19.96%.
There are so many reasons why you should go solar. From environmental, financial and then to personal reasons, there seem to be numerous justifiable reasons why you need to go solar. To go solar means to tap from the solar energy generated by the sun to provide electricity. Besides the fact that solar energy is environmentally friendly, it has a direct effect on your finances. Whether you are a homeowner of you own a business of your own, the cost of electricity has a way of affecting your finances. Since solar energy can be used for both individual and commercial purposes and investment in a solar system for electricity generation is a once in decades investment, this has an influence on electricity bills. Going solar can help eliminate the bill you pay on electricity completely. Using solar power alongside the public provided electricity will help reduce the amount you pay on the electricity bill.
Also, you tend to save a lot when you go solar. This is because savings is equal to the amount of money you avoid paying as a result of going solar. You save more as the electricity rate in your area gets higher and this will continuously happen throughout the 25-plus-year lifespan of the solar facility. As a business person or a homeowner, it makes your budget planning really easy to do. This is because the rate of electricity is unpredictable. It might, therefore, be difficult to do a forecast of your expenses for managerial purposes. The benefit of going solar cannot be overemphasized. There seems to be little or no disadvantage to the choice of going solar. It is the modern day idea and it seems totally welcomed. Now that we know the benefits of going solar, an important aspect is to know how much it costs to come on board. How expensive or affordable is the cost of solar system installation?
Cost of solar
system Installation:
The cost of solar panels is the major determinant of the overall cost of a solar system. Solar panels do not work alone; they work alongside some other components. These components are not as expensive as the total cost of solar panels that you will need. Most times, you will need more than one solar panel to fully power your facility. It is also important to note that, no matter the cost you incur as a result of going solar, you will break even within its lifespan and begin to earn or save money over the rest of its life span. The lifespan on a solar system is expected to be over 25 years. Those who take the solar panel financing scheme usually finish paying their loan within about 5 to 6 years. The rest of the years are used as a time for savings on the electricity bill. In summary, a solar system is a fixed asset that eventually puts money into your pocket in the long run
Cost determinant
for a solar system:
Now, to determine the cost of the solar system you will need, the size of the facility you are trying to power with solar is paramount. This will determine the quantity of electricity you will need to generate, which will determine the number of solar panels you will need and the cost of the solar system installation. The more electricity you need to generate the bigger the number of solar panels you will need and the number of labor that will be needed to install the system. All these amount to the cost of installing the system.
ystem you will need, the size of the facility you are trying to power with solar is paramount. This will determine the quantity of electricity you will need to generate, which will determine the number of solar panels you will need and the cost of the solar system installation. The more electricity you need to generate the bigger the number of solar panels you will need and the number of labor that will be needed to install the system. All these amount to the cost of installing the system.
It is also important to note that the number of solar panels needed varies across geographical locations. This is because some places experience more intense sunlight than others. Some places are cloudier and experience lesser days of sunshine. The number of solar panels needed in places like these will be more. California has no problem in this respect. However, if you do a quick research about sunshine in California, you’ll find that sunlight differs according to places in California. For example, the record has it that Redding, California, experiences 88% sunshine yearly, while Sacramento, California, experiences about 78% sunshine yearly. This show a disparity in the amount of sunshine that is experienced in places across California. However, this would not have much effect in that the two places experience quite a high amount of sunshine, therefore, there might not be much difference. In places with a substantially low quantity of sunlight, this does not mean they cannot install a solar system. It only means they will need more solar panels to compensate for this. One very wise way to do it is to know how much a complete solar system will cost in your area is to compare the price of quotes from homeowners if you intend powering your house with it. If you intend powering your business with it, you compare quotes for commercial buildings.
Another great determinate of solar system cost is
the solar panel manufacturer brand. Some brands are more expensive than the
other. Some brands attach quality of the product brand to price. But this is
not always the case.
Cost of DIY installation Vs. Solar company installation
Some people who will like to take the solar system installation as a personal project would want to know how much a single panel cost.s The simple way to answer will be that, it depends on how much leverage you have as a buyer, the type of the panel you are trying to buy and the size of the system you need. However, because solar companies have a direct relationship with those who sell the solar panels and they buy in bulk, they have the opportunity to buy the panels at a much lower price than an average customer. They also know where to purchase quality solar system components. This is why you need solar companies to handle your solar system installation. Get as many solar quotes from companies and compare your choices. This way, you will be sure to get the best solar system installation cost.
Your decision to switch over to the use of solar energy has most likely been impacted by solar marketers either physically at your doorstep, an ad on television or radio or even via the spam on the internet.
In order to
properly make a decision based on actual facts and not on enticing hyperbolic
statements, you may need to be properly enlightened on the upsides and the
downsides of the use of solar panels..
What exactly are
the desirables and undesirables that come with the use of solar? Advantages
include energy from the use of solar could bring about a reduction in bills
from electricity consumption, an appreciation in the value of your properties,
the creation of profit, protection from increasing costs of energy, and a
reduced in carbon you emit.
Disadvantages include the fact that solar cannot be used on all and any roof, it probably is not the better investment especially when considering relocating, solar can cause a lowered investment return when the bill from electricity use is small, it could be expensive up-front, and getting the right company for installation may not be easy.
Among the general
upsides and downsides of making use of solar energy, below are the few that
repeatedly stand out:
UPSIDE OF SOLAR SYSTEM
A decrease in bills from the use of electricity
Greatly increases value for your home
Minimizes carbon emitted from you
DOWNSIDE OF SOLAR SYSTEM
Cannot be used on all roof
It is not advisable in the case when you plan to relocate
soon
The high cost of solar paraphernalia
The significance of the use of solar:
Major advantages to always be conscious of.
Solar panel electricity has quite a number of significant advantages. Here a few essential ones for consideration:
1. It could greatly minimize or end bill expenses from the use of electricity.
This is a straight forward benefit that is enjoyed from the use of energy from a solar electrical system in a home setting. As you enjoy electricity generated freely, you are independent of supplied utility and therefore minimize regular electricity bills. The panels used for solar electricity generation are durable and can be used for upwards of 25 to 30 years. The implication of this is that the costs of electricity are totally put off over a very long period of time. You can make use of available tools such as the ‘instant estimate tool’ to get an estimation of your bill savings over a long period of time and also reviews that are personalized for projected cost savings from solar for 20 years.
There is a dwindling in the price of solar throughout the nation. View the costs in your location and receive solar quotes for free from Next Generation Energy.
2. It increases home value
In the U.S, there are millions that own a home and could benefit from the use of a solar electric system but face a basic challenge of being ignorant of what is required for its installation. This is because they have not diligently given it enough attention. This fact about consumers coupled with the obvious advantages of using solar in a home setting promoted some studies that have been recently conducted, which show that the value of property appreciates after the installation of a solar electric system. Therefore, the second advantage of the use of solar can eliminate one of the disadvantages stated above – if you plan to relocate very soon. After the sale of the panels for your solar energy generation, you will recover your money and possibly more after you have sold your house. To get more knowledge on the appreciated value in the resale of homes with solar electricity, look out for exactly what solar increases the purchase value of the property by. View the article on ‘solar and property values’.
3. You can get paid by solar and simultaneously earn from the investment you have made
As a result of the several incentives on solar within the U.S., you can make profit added to the savings from a bill which clears out the system’s cost. ‘Solar renewable energy credits (SRECs)’ coupled with ‘net metering’ are essential solar incentives which give room for you to merit bill credit (and in some cases extra money) while your system generates electricity. For these cases, compensation for produced electricity from your solar system is paid to you. If where you dwell in a place that either incentive is applied, you may anticipate the immediate and long-run returns over your investment.
4. You gain control of increasing costs in energy
Many of those who own a home deal with anxiety when faced with charges from the use of electricity. In many cases, there isn’t anything that can be done to control the rate of electricity. On one hand, the expense incurred on solar has reduced by over 70 percent during these past 10 years while on the other hand, that of electricity has gone up with 5 percent and has an expectation for a constant progression. You become the driver in terms of the production of energy when you adopt the use of solar. Quick adaptation by utilities is being made towards the increasing use of energy that is renewable. The U.S. government is fast adding to its aim for the reduction of emitted gas from greenhouses making this the best time to become autonomous with energy.
5.With solar, the carbon emitted is reduced and promotes non-reliance on energy
In the use of solar, the most
admired advantage which is also patriotic is that the environment also benefits
even as the country is transformed from fuels from fossils. In the bid for
solutions to energy to aid the U.S. to minimize the total emissions, the
country seems to be establishing non-reliance to quit excessive dependence on
generators of fuel from fossils abroad. Just as the cheapest methodology to
minimize the output of carbon in respect to change of climate of the globe is
being sought for by the world, energy from solar is now a major resource and to
a great extent a right to brag for the day of the earth and also July Fourth.
Are there downsides of
adopting solar? The 5 top disadvantages of energy from solar
Energy from solar is not flawless. Consider the following to be conscious of when making the decision to opt for solar.
1. The panels for solar energy cannot function on every roof type
Panels for rooftop installation are done by racking which is also the same as connecting to the roof a mounting system. Some specific materials for the roof in homes that are old or historical like slate, cedar tiles and etc., can be difficult to work with by solar installers. Lots of homes and apartments use skylights or have additions of rooftop decks which could cause the process of installing the solar not easy or expensive. However, over time in the U.S., this may not be an obstruction in the adoption of mass power from solar. In the case where your home is not fit for installing rooftop solar energy, there are options of panels that are mounted in the ground or purchasing shares from the solar garden community could help level up this disadvantage.
2. Solar may not be the best when you want to relocate
The use of solar is a good investment financially though, it could be a good while before reaching a point where you break-even. About seven-and-a-half is the average period in the U.S. for solar payback. Homeowners that are young may feel like using a solar panel on the roof of his or her home is not a worthy investment. However, there can be an improvement in the value of your property if and when your home is sold. Therefore this downside can be leveled up if you decide to purchase a system using cash or a loan.
3. Savings from solar are low if electricity is cheap
The major and optimal benefit of energy from solar is the reduction in your dependence on provided utility and also as a result save money. This benefit, however, presumes that the homeowner gets a sizable bill from electricity usage. For homeowners in places like Louisiana that have electricity cost 25+ percent cheaper than the nation’s average, the solar installation may not be quite attractive compared to homeowners in Hawaii that pay over double the rate of average electric.
4. Solar cost up-front can cause intimidation if you have no access to financing for solar.
All over the nation, there is
an argument concerning what homeowners are to pay for solar from the pocket.
The net price for panels used for solar energy generation is dependent on
credits from tax, rebates, and the choice of financing you make. Even if you
easily can get an amount of the average expense of solar in your location or
perhaps a personalized home estimate, a simple response is if you do not meet
up the requirement for a zero down loan for solar, the cost upfront for the solar is quite sizable.
The downside here is vivid: it is not everybody that has the money at hand for an investment of this magnitude with payment upfront. Having stated the above, several financing options for solar are available to help anyone with this downside. Examples are the loan programs agreement of power purchase and leases.
5. Getting quality installers of the solar panel at the local level and comparison of quotes may not be easy
Many homeowners have an association in common with solar. This basically involves coercive front door sales reps of solar who pressurize customers to opt in for a contract of 20 years before clarifying them on the entire scope the offer covers or the reliability of the company. Of the many fast-growing markets worldwide, the solar market is one of them and more companies are employing aggressive means to obtain a percentage of the market. Owing to this, many people find solar shopping tiring and confusing. With luck, easier ways to purchase solar that gives homeowners control have sprung up. The next level energy marketplace is a 100% online platform of shopping comparison which gives room for the comparison of solar quotes of from top installers that have been pre-screened in the area you reside in.
Important notes: A comparison
of the pros and cons of solar energy panels
Following
the review of our upside and downside of solar, there are vivid notes to be
conscious of:
Solar panels for rooftop are not perfectly fit for all: Just like other products for home efficiency, panels for solar power bring about benefits to the homeowners, including the desired upgrades in energy as well as a reduction in an electricity bill. The description does not fit everyone.
Think of the use of solar as an investment: an investment that yields major returns and has low risk though the investment is hefty nonetheless.
Solar is the least expensive option for the U.S. movement towards energy that is clean. Nothing is vague concerning the future of energy in America. There is a transition in the U.S. away from fossil fuels from and toward renewable sources. One of the best solutions for a consumer is solar.
According to a recent study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBL), the installation of panels for solar powergeneration can cause a major appreciation in the value of your property. A report titled “Selling into the Sun: Price Premium Analysis of a Multi-State Dataset of Solar Homes”, says that in California, the homes that have panels for solar energy are more expensive than others that do not.
Is value added to a house because of
panels for solar?
Panels for solar power increases home value. If you are considering buying a solar power generating system for use in your home, the information found in the LBL study will show you that a reasonable investment is being made. The LBL study discovered that homes in states including California, Connecticut, Maryland, New York, Massachusetts, Florida, and Pennsylvania with solar panels enjoy benefits from a ‘solar premium’ if sold as a result of the willingness of buyers to pay extra for homes with solar panels.
What value does solar power add to homes?
Example: A 5
kilowatt (KW) system of solar (the nation’s average) offers power worth 5,000
watts. LBL declares that each solar watt adds approximately $4 to the value of
California homes and approximately $3 for a unit watt in other states. Hence,
solar homes ought to be sold for approximately ($4 x 5,000W =) $20,000 higher
in California or ($3 x 5,000W =) $15,000 higher outside of California.
Potential buyers who consider whether panels for solar power appreciate the value of homes was pleasantly surprised. The amazing thing about the figures is their closeness to what a brand new solar system can be purchased for today.
Our price
analysis of a system of solar of 6KW in California shows many of the more
costly systems are above $4/W. And be conscious that you would pay for the cost
before taking the magnanimous 30% incentive of federal tax which is available
Cheaper power from solar is your optimal
investment in California
The feeds state that the distinction between the California premium panels for solar and non-Californian states is ‘not significant by statistics’: Premiums that are lower may be as a result of “estimates of income and net costs that are lower” that are in other states. In other words, non-Californian states premium deals with installation of solar prices and rates of electricity that are lesser instead because the valuation of solar there are lower.
All these imply
that if your house is sold quickly after the installation of a system of solar,
most or every of your investment will be recouped while money from your bills
of power is saved. This is a confirmation of what we have stated earlier: Power
from solar system’s periods of payback is not something of excess concern.
Either the value
of your home will be significantly increased by your system of solar if you
make the decision to sell your house off, or by itself, it would pay off
through the savings of power bills, before moving out. In either case, a good investment
is solar.
Other fascinating points in the feeds
include:
The premium for solar for homes that are newly built was a little bit lower than homes that are older, showing that installations of solar that are retrofit are equivalent to systems that are built into the house.
Homes with bigger systems have a smaller $/W premium, showing the possibility of an effect which is known as ‘green cache’. As stated in the report, “Purchasers may be desirous to pay a specific amount for owning a PV system of any size on their homes and increment that is more dependent on the system’s size”.
The writers propose that homes which opt for solar via leases or programs of PPA should be future research areas; the recent study scrutinize only homes that have systems that are owner-owned.
We have made
a sample list of frequently asked questions that covers the use of solar for
your home or business.
Are there
enough good reasons to go solar?
1. If I
go for solar energy, what are the financial benefits ?
You save a lot of money on your electricity bills and get protected against increasing electricity costs in the future when you install a solar energy system on your property. The amount of savings you will make is dependent on the utility rates and solar policies in your area. Regardless of where you might be living, solar is a smart investment.
2. What
are the environmental benefits of solar energy?
Just like other renewable energy resources, solar power has numerous health and environmental benefits. There is a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions when you go solar. Solar is a great contributor to climate change and air pollutants reduction. It also helps to reduce these attached environmental problems that can create health issues.
3. How can I find out how much I pay for
electricity?
We recommend that you take a look at your utility electricity bill to find out how much you pay for electricity and your monthly electricity use. It is the quickest and easiest method.
4. What
is the meaning of net metering?
Net metering is simply explained as a system that allows solar energy system owners to be credited for the electricity produced by their solar panels. When you are on net metering, you are only charged for the electricity that you consume beyond your supplied unused generated energy. Please be informed that net metering policies are not the same in all states.
5. Does solar impact my property values
positively or negatively?
Diverse
studies have revealed that homes that are installed with solar energy systems
sell incredibly faster than homes without them. Nevertheless, you should note
that leasing a solar energy system doesn’t increase your property value. Your
property value increases only when you own your solar energy system.
How do
solar panels work for my home?
6. How do
solar photovoltaic (PV) panels work?
Throughout the day, solar panels absorb the energy in the sun and get it converted into direct current (DC) electricity. Majority of homes and businesses operate on alternating current (AC) electricity. This means that before the energy is converted to usable AC electricity, the DC is made to pass through an inverter. At this junction, you may choose to utilize the electricity in your house or send it back to the electric grid.
7. Do my
solar panels produce power when the sun isn’t shining?
It is the
availability of sunlight that will determine the amount of power your solar
energy system can generate. This means that when the weather is cloudy, you get
less energy produced by your solar panels and no energy at night. Nevertheless,
even if you reside in a cloudy city, solar is still a good idea because of high
electricity costs and financial incentives
8. What
if there is a snow on solar panels?
If your
panels are covered in snow, they can’t
produce electricity because solar panels convert sunshine into power. It is
unlikely for snow to cause structural issues with your panels because it isn’t
heavy enough and it is likely to slide off since most panels are tilted at an
angle.
9. Can I
go off grid with solar panels?
You will
still be connected to the grid when you install solar panels on your property.
This permits you to draw from the grid when all the power you need is not
produced by your system. You can go off the grid with a solar energy system
that includes battery storage but we don’t recommend this to homeowners because
it’s not necessary and would cost a whole lot more.
10. Will
I still receive an electric bill if I have solar panels?
Yes of
course, you will still receive a bill from your utility unless you are fully
off the grid and your solar energy system includes battery storage. However, it
is possible to reduce your bill drastically or even reduce your owed amount to
$0 if you procure a solar panel system that matches exactly your energy
consumption.
11. Do
solar panels work in a blackout?
In the case
of a blackout and your solar panel system is connected to the grid, it will
shut off. The essence of this is to curb your panels from injuring electricity
utility repair-people and emergency responders. Still, you can make purchase of
some inverters that give you backup power in a blackout.
12. How much will solar panel maintenance
cost?
Your solar
panel system needs little or no maintenance for the 25 to 35 years they will be
generating power because it is made of durable tempered glass. In fact, there
is no need for you to clean your solar panels regularly. If something
eventually goes wrong, there are warranties that cover them. These warranty
terms however depend on the company.
What are
my solar financing options?
13. What
solar energy rebates and incentives are available?
Solar rebates and incentives differ based on your area of residence. The most substantial is the 30 percent federal investment tax credit (ITC), which gives you the freedom of subtracting 30 percent of your solar energy system’s cost from your taxes. There are additional tax credits that are offered by some states.
14. What
are my solar financing options?
Three solar
financing options are available: you may sign a solar lease/power purchase
agreement (PPA), take out a solar loan to buy your system or purchase your
system in cash.
15. Should
I buy or lease my solar panel system?
Your reasons
for going solar are what would determine if you’re buying or leasing your solar
energy system. If you want to maximize the financial returns of your solar
energy system, we recommend that you purchase your system. If you just want to
reduce your energy bills and help the environment in an easy and
maintenance-free way, you may consider leasing a solar. The choice is yours.
16. Which
is better – solar loans or solar leases?
Both solar
loans and solar leases have their pros and cons. The major advantage of the two
is that there is a reduction in your monthly electricity bills and an
environmental improvement.
17. What
is the difference between secured solar loans and unsecured solar loans?
The main
difference between secured and unsecured solar loans is that you require to
promise an asset as a collateral (which is usually your home) for secured solar
loans while you do not require collateral to borrow money on unsecured solar
loans but you will be paying a higher interest rates as compensation for the
increased risk the lender is taking.
18. How
do I choose the best solar loan?
To chose the
best solar loan that is best suitable for you, we recommend you to make a
comparison of distinct options from a few different financing providers.
Am I
ready for solar?
19. Can I
afford to go solar?
So far you
can afford to pay your electricity bill, yes, you can afford to go solar.
20. Is my
roof suitable for solar panels?
The ideal
roof for installing solar is southerly facing roofs with little to no shade
with sufficient space to fit a solar panel system.
21. What size solar energy system should I
get?
It is the
weather of the area you live and your monthly electricity use that will
determine the size of your solar energy system. We suggest that you take a look
at your previous electricity bills and make comparisons from licensed solar
installers to ascertain the perfect system size for your needs.
22. Do I need to replace my roof before
installing solar?
It can be
very costly to remove and reinstall solar energy systems if you need to make a
replacement. Solar energy systems can last for 25 to 35 years. Nevertheless, if
there is a need to make repairs on your roof, do them and ensure the completion
before you finish installing your solar.
23. How
long will my solar power system last?
Solar panels
are durable and resistant to wind, hail and snow. At different times, you will
need to replace various components of your solar power system but your system
should continue to serve its main function of generating electricity for 25 to
35 years.
24. What
happens if I sell my solar house?
If you have your own solar energy system, you will sell your solar house at a premium because of its solar value. However, the case is different if you lease your system.
How do I
evaluate solar quotes?
25. How
do I choose a solar installer?
There are
certain criteria you must consider when choosing a solar installer. Make sure
you confirm that they are insured, licensed, certified and have enough
experience.
26. How
do I compare solar quotes?
It might be
a bit herculean to compare multiple quotes from different solar installers
because it’s not the same underlying assumptions and metrics that are used by
all solar installers.
27. What
are the different types of solar panels?
At
NextLevelEnergy, we group solar panels into three distinct categories: Economy,
Standard, and Premium. Premium performs best but with higher price tag, Economy
panels are low-priced with low durability.
28. What
are the different types of power inverters?
There are
three types of power inverters. They are, microinverters, string/centralized
inverters, and power optimizers.
29. What
happens during the solar power installation process?
The first thing you need to do while going solar is to register on NextLevelEnergy where you can receive and make comparison of numerous installation quotes. The actual installation takes a day or two to complete.
30. Should
I ask for a solar monitoring system for my solar panels?
If you need
detailed information on the amount of energy your solar panel system is
producing, you are at liberty to enquire from your installer about solar
monitoring system options.
31. Do I
need to install solar batteries with my solar power system?
For most
solar homeowners, batteries are not necessary. In as much as you are connected
to the grid, your system doesn’t require a battery.
What is shared solar?
32. How
is this different from rooftop solar?
You receive
a part of the generated energy from a large solar panel system if you buy into
a community solar project. In contrast to home solar panel system, you don’t
install community solar project on your roof.
33. How
should I evaluate my options?
Foremost,
make a decision if you prefer to own your share or find a subscription-based
program. If you decide to go for ownership, this implies that you’ll be making
an up-front investment in order to save money in the future. If you decide to
go for subscription-based programs, you can make savings over a set period of
time.
34. What
if I move or have to cancel?
You can keep
your share of the community solar project if you move, provided that your new
home is within the same service area. If you relocate outside the service area,
you are requested to sell your share if they are yours, transfer a subscription
to another account or you may make an early payment of cancellation fee (if you
choose a subscription-based model). Terms for cancellation are different based
on project and provider.
35. How
does it save me money?
Your
unavailability to install solar panels on your roof is no longer a problem when
you invest in community solar. You save money and enjoy electricity in your
home or business. You don’t have to buy electricity at standard utility rates
when you’re participating in a community solar project because you’re paying less
for solar electricity.
36. How
will it appear on my electric bill?
If you subscribe to a community solar project or you own a share, you will receive virtual net metering credits on your electric bill from your utility.
