Solar Panel Installation

Solar panel installation saves money long-term, helps protect the environment from damage caused by air pollutants, conserves resources, and decreases dependence on utility companies. With increasing numbers of people looking for eco-friendly ways to improve their homes and lower their bills, it is no surprise that the use of solar panels is on the rise.

Installing solar panels enables homeowners to harness the natural energy of the sun and convert it to usable energy, thereby decreasing the need for other resources.

While the cost of purchasing and installing solar panels is considerable, the savings in electricity over time more than makes up for the initial cost. Moreover, some states offer incentives to homeowners who install solar panels, sometimes even paying any interest on loans used to finance the panels.

You can benefit from solar panel installation even if you live in an area with limited sunlight. If you cannot produce enough energy to cover all your electric needs, you can still significantly decrease your dependence on other sources of electricity and substantially reduce your electric bill.

Solar Panels:

• Provide you with a free, renewable form of energy
• Decrease your dependence on utility companies
• Increase the resale value of your home
• Decrease or eliminate your fuel and electric costs
• May qualify you for government tax incentives

Solar panels produce absolutely no pollution, making them the cleanest source of alternative energy.

Fossil fuels and natural gases currently used to supply power emit a significant amount of toxic pollutants, including more than 10 million tons of sulfur dioxide, two billion tons of carbon dioxide, nearly four million tons of nitrogen oxides, and more than 50 tons of mercury every year. Electricity from fossil fuel is the largest contributor to global warming, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Solar Panels:

• Reduce air pollution and carbon dioxide contamination
• Do not contribute to global warming
• Offset greenhouse gases
• Conserve energy and natural resources
• Decrease the use and disposal of dry-cell batteries

Solar panels work by converting sunlight directly into electricity. When sunlight hits the photovoltaic cells of the panels, a silicon semiconductor absorbs a percentage of the energy and turns it into a current of electricity. This current is drawn away from the panels and converted by an inverter from DC (direct current) to AC (alternating current). AC is usable electricity that can power your lights, television, microwave oven, and nearly everything else inside your home.

If more energy is produced by your solar panels that you are able to use, that excess energy can be directed into your power grid and purchased by your utility company. No energy is wasted.

Solar panels are available commercially in three forms: monocrystalline solar panels, polycrystalline solar panels, and amorphous solar panels.

• Monocrystalline panels are manufactured from a large silicon crystal. They are the most efficient panels available, but they are also the most expensive to purchase and install.

• Polycrystalline panels are typically more affordable than monocrystalline panels, but they are not as efficient at absorbing sunlight and converting it to usable electricity. Instead of one large silicon crystal, multiple smaller crystals make up polycrystalline panels. These panels are the most common type of panel available on the market.

• Amorphous panels are made of a thin film of molten silicon spread across plates of stainless steel. While they are the cheapest to manufacture, they are less efficient than monocrystalline or polycrystalline panels. However, amorphous panels continue to charge even when shadow covers a portion of the panel’s cells. This makes them especially useful for RVs, boats, and other types of transportation.

The efficiency of a solar panel is measured based on what percentage of energy the panel collects and converts into electricity. Monocrystalline solar panels have an 18 percent efficiency rating, polycrystalline solar panels rate at 15 percent, and amorphous panels have a 10 percent efficiency rating.

When installing solar panels, you have the option of choosing a ground mounted solar system or a roof mounted system. You can also elect to glue amorphous panels directly to your roof, saving you the need to drill holes through your rooftop. Most solar panels are mounted on rooftops where they receive the most sunlight and are out of the way. This makes them more attractive than other forms of alternative energy that require a large area for installation.

Unless you have extensive experience of solar panel installation, it is wise to leave the project to a professional. Proper installation directly affects the performance of your panels, their reliability and life expectancy, and the warranty of your roof. While it may seem like a good idea to save a little money doing it yourself, you risk considerable financial loss should something go wrong.

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