Are you looking to convert your home into a renewable energy source? Have you considered solar installation as an option?
There’s a reason why solar installation is a heated topic. From arguing about it being costly to the innumerable benefits it provides; solar installation is a trending topic among homeowners. There is, without a doubt very serious conversations about it on an international and local leve.
This article contains everything you need to know about solar installation; how to hire the best contractor for this purpose, and a final verdict on if you should opt for solar installation in 2021 or not. But before diving into this, let’s first briefly understand what solar panels are.
Solar Panels and Solar Energy
To describe it in the simplest of words, solar energy is a form of energy stored in a device that supplies power to different electrical and mechanical equipment. The devices used for this purpose are solar cells or panels.
These panels store energy throughout the day and provide power to your home, different workplaces, and even schools, which takes us to our next point.
Benefits of Solar Installation
There are numerous benefits solar installation provides. When homeowners talk about renewable energy, they think of solar installation. Even though the past decade was full of criticism for solar installation for being costly and less efficient, they have redeemed their worth and are beneficial for homeowners considering to switch to renewable energy resources.
The demand for solar panels has increased, thanks to the advanced and improved technology incorporated in the panels and solar battery storage that prove to be more efficient and a clean energy source. Some of its benefits are:
- Renewable Form of Energy
The first and foremost benefit that solar energy provides is that it is indeed a credible renewable energy source. You can easily store it in any part of the world, use it every time and every day, and the best thing is, you won’t ever run out of clean energy. So, think of all the possibilities and benefits us mere homeowners can have at the tip of our fingers.
- Electricity Cost Reduction
Your home will use the energy generated by the solar panels, thus reducing your electricity costs. There is a way to calculate how much you can save on your bill, depending on the solar panel’s size and the electricity used in your home. Not only this, but you may also even receive bonus payments from the surplus energy the panels produce that you export back to the grid through Net Metering.
- Weather Advantage
Let’s face it; electricity is expensive during the summers with splits and ACs. With the use of solar energy, the primary energy source powering your house will be the panels. During winters, the panels will store as much energy as they can to keep your heating systems on throughout the day and night. So, let it be winter or summer, solar panels will prove worth during every season.
- Cost-Effective
We’ve already established that electricity costs thousands of dollars at the end of the year. The annual cost per person for expenses on electricity is around $3,000. Installing solar panels reduces or ultimately removes these costs. Moreover, it’s a valuable way to save on a long-term basis because storing the sun’s energy is free.
- Lowered Maintenance Costs
Solar energy panels don’t usually require any maintenance except cleaning. As long as you keep them clean, they work efficiently, but if you don’t know how to clean them, then taking professional help will only cost around $20-$35. They only need cleaning a handful of times throughout the years, and the best solar companies offer a product warranty of at least 20-25 years.
The inverter needs change after 5-10 years because it’s the primary source that converts solar energy into electricity. Other than that, keeping the wires maintained is essential to ensure the efficient functioning of the system.
- Increases Resale Value
Think long-term! Think of the time when you have enough and want to buy a new house. Having a pre-installed solar system will benefit you because research shows an average of $5,911 increase in resale value per installed kilowatt. So, if you decide to sell your house equipped with a 3-kilowatt system, your home’s resale value increases up to almost $18,000.
- Protects the Roof
Solar panels are the perfect roof guardians. They protect your roof from rains, dust, snow, and debris, which decrease the life span of the roof. They keep the hotness away by absorbing it during the summers as the sun rays won’t directly hit the ceiling.
- Protects the Environment
Going solar means reducing your carbon footprint. In total, all the buildings are accountable for 38% of carbon emission in just the USA. Going solar will substantially decrease that number. Installing a solar panel means eradicating 3 to 4 tons of carbon emissions annually, equal to planting almost a hundred trees.
- Use of Advanced Technology
With marvelous brains at work in quantum physics and nanotechnology, the time is near when solar panel’s efficiency will rise exponentially. They will be able to save double or triple the amount of solar energy than before. Such advancements in technology will indeed create innovative surges.
- Multiple Uses
Solar energy stored in solar systems has varied purposes. Solar systems can generate electricity or thermal energy in places without having any access to energy grids. Now we can integrate solar energy in various building-making materials.
INTERNATIONAL LAWS TO CONFORM TO FOR SOLAR INSTALLATION
As homeowners, you must follow these International Residential Codes before installation:
- The roof should be structurally compatible to support the load of the system and its racking
- Modules of the system and racking should be non-combustible
- Be sustainable and eco-friendly
- The roof or wall penetrations should be appropriately sealed to avoid entry of water, rodents, or insects
- Rooftops solar panels should have the same classification like roof assembly
- Establish a thorough criterion of minimum design loads requirement for the roof
CONCLUSION
The amount of solar power falling on the earth in a day is more than the inhabitants can potentially consume in one year. The best way to invest in anything is to learn about its long-term benefits. We hope this guide has helped you enough to make you understand how solar installation is beneficial, especially for homeowners looking to convert their homes into a renewable energy source.
