Nearly 4% of America’s electricity comes from solar power. That is a whopping 80 times greater than just ten years ago and represents more than 3% of total U.S. households.
Your reason for going solar could include a desire to cut down on fossil fuel consumption, save money, or both. Whatever your motivation, there are real-world concerns you need to address before installing solar panels.
From utility bills to the location of your home, you need to assess your unique situation to figure out how to maximize your power generation. Also, you need to make sure that buying or leasing the panels makes sense for your long-term needs.
In the following article, we’ll discuss the advantages of solar panel installation and how to install solar panels in your home.
Solar Power Basics
The sun bombards the Earth with photons in the form of sunlight. The solar panels on your roof are primarily made of silicon and other elements that allow the panels to have a negative and positive charge.
When the photons strike the panels on your roof, they release electrons from the panels. These electrons then migrate towards the positively charged part of the panel. However, since the panels have a mesh conduit, the electrons are caught in the mesh and flow out of the panels. This resulting electricity takes the form of direct current or DC.
This current isn’t immediately usable in your home and needs to be converted to alternating current, or AC, through a device called an inverter. Once converted to AC, the power can flow into your home, the greater power grid, and even home batteries to store energy for your home when the sun goes down.
Where Solar Works Best
While the South, West, and Southwest are the best places for solar power production, homeowners will feel the benefits of solar panels anywhere in the country.
Also, you’ll get more bang for your buck if your home is south-facing. However, you’ll still be able to generate a significant amount of power if the panels are situated in another compass direction.
Lastly, making sure that your roof is not enveloped in the shade for a significant portion of the day will help your panels generate more power. Therefore, try to clear any sunblocking obstructions like trees before installing your solar panels.
Calculate Your Power Requirements
Other things to consider are your home’s square footage and how much power you need to generate to power your home. You can locate your home usage on your utility bill, but you may need to call in an expert to calculate how many panels you need and how many your roof can support.
Contact Blue Raven Solar for a complete estimate of your home’s solar power capability and requirements.
Installing Solar Panels Is a Phone Call Away
Companies like Blue Raven Solar can help you get leasing or financing and help you get the most out of your panels.
This not only includes installing solar panels but deciding on solar storage batteries and how much you should expect in rebates from your power company.
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