A solar panel is a series of photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity. They generate energy without releasing any harmful gases.
Choose a reputable installer that offers equipment from well-known brands and is financially stable. Ask about available incentives and financing options.
Choose a model that best fits your roof and budget. The best-performing panels use monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon.
Reduced Electricity Bills
Solar energy is an incredibly clean source of power. While fossil fuels produce many unwanted pollutants, solar does not. In addition, when used on a large scale, solar energy can help to reduce electricity bills and dependence on imports.
Solar panels generate electricity using the photovoltaic effect, turning sunlight into direct current (DC) or alternate current (AC). When DC is converted to AC, it can be used to power homes and businesses, or fed into the electric grid for use by all.
There are many different types of solar panels available. The most common use is monocrystalline silicon cells, which are manufactured by melting silicon into a block and cutting it into wafers. Metal connectors are then soldered to the wafers, and ethylene vinyl acetate glue holds everything together. These parts are then encased in glass, and the panel is mounted on your roof.
Another popular type is thin film, which combines layers of solar materials like amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, and copper indium gallium selenide. These panels are more flexible than other types and can be used in curved or shaded areas. Thin-film solar panels have the added benefit of being easier to recycle than other types of solar panels. However, some waste from the manufacturing process – such as silicon tetrachloride – is generated, and this needs to be managed safely.
Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The sun’s rays create electricity, and solar PV (photovoltaic) systems harness this energy to power homes or businesses. This reduces carbon emissions that contribute to global warming and cuts back on pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxides, and particulates that are bad for human health.
There are many different types of solar panels available, ranging from monocrystalline to thin-film. Monocrystalline are the best-performing and longest-lasting — they have an efficiency of between 15% and 20%, and take up less space than other types. They’re also the most expensive, but they’re worth it for homeowners that value a high-quality product.
Thin-film panels use a variety of materials with photovoltaic properties, like amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride or copper indium gallium selenide to produce electricity. They’re cheaper than monocrystalline, but have lower efficiency rates of between 7 and 10%. They’re often used for large-scale installations and in places with shaded roofs.
The simplest type of solar panel is fixed to a support frame that’s tilted south (in the Northern Hemisphere) or north (in the Southern Hemisphere) for maximum efficiency. More complex deployments use motor-driven tracking systems that continually reorient to follow the daily and seasonal movements of the sun.
Reduced Water Consumption
The solar panels on a home or commercial building collect energy from the sun, which is then converted into electricity by an inverter. That electricity is then fed into the electrical system, which uses it to power appliances and other devices. Since they don’t require direct sunlight to work, they can also function on cloudy days or during the night.
Depending on the type of solar panel, its performance can be monitored with a smartphone app or microinverters that are affixed to each individual panel. Both options can provide insights into the performance of the panel and help homeowners identify issues quickly.
A basic solar panel is composed of a silicon matrix sandwiched between a glass front plate and a polymer back sheet. A phosphorus layer gives each cell its electrical charge, and metal connectors connect the cells to form a single panel. A protective polymer or glass sheet is then affixed over the top, and the entire unit is held together with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) glue.
Several different types of solar panels are available, based on their manufacturing materials. Among the most popular are monocrystalline and polycrystalline, both of which are made from melted silicon. The former is cast into long cylinders and sliced into thin wafers, making it more efficient than its competitor, with lab tests showing it can reach up to 23 percent efficiency.
Increased Home Value
Adding solar energy to your home can increase its value. Solar PV panels are viewed as upgrades, similar to a renovated kitchen or finished basement, and buyers are willing to pay premiums for homes with them. A study by Berkeley National Laboratory found that, on average, a house with an average-sized solar system sold for $15,000 more than a comparable property without it.
A solar power system is a long-term investment, but it is a good choice for homeowners who want to save money on energy bills and reduce their environmental impact. It is also a good option for people who live in rural areas and don’t have access to the main electric grid, as solar panels can generate enough electricity for their needs.
Solar panel technology has improved over time, and newer models offer more efficiency and higher peak power ratings. Some new solar systems include performance monitoring, which allows homeowners to see how much power their panels are producing in real time. Your solar retailer or installer can explain what the different options mean for you.
In addition to installing solar, there are other ways that homeowners can improve their home’s energy efficiency, such as installing new windows or upgrading appliances to more efficient versions. Rocket Mortgage recently reported that 35.7% of home buyers surveyed prioritized energy-efficient features when buying a new property.