A Thorough Guide to Understanding Solar Energy and Its Benefits

Solar energy has been consistently growing in popularity for years now. But how does this energy source power homes and businesses, and what perks does it offer? Learn all you need to about solar energy, from how solar panels generate power to the many applications available and financial incentives to make the upgrade more accessible.

What Is a Solar Panel, and How Do They Turn Sunlight into Electricity?

Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. The panels are made up of small PV cells made of silicon, a material that acts as a semiconductor. The PV cells absorb sunlight and produce electricity by way of the photovoltaic effect. This is how it works:

1. The PV cells allow in photons, the basic particles of light produced by the sun.
2. The energy from the photons stimulates electrons inside the silicon material, causing the electrons to detach and circulate more freely.
3. The now-agitated electrons begin flowing in a single direction, creating a flow of direct current (DC) electricity.
4. The inverter changes the DC electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity to use for appliances and electronics.

Solar Energy Applications

Solar energy is useful in numerous ways, including:

• Residential use: Solar panels are often installed on residential roofs, where they capture sunlight and create electricity for the house below. Similarly, solar water heaters can provide hot water for daily use.
• Businesses and other commercial properties: Larger solar arrays can be installed on commercial rooftops and even the facades of tall buildings to cut a commercial building’s HVAC and other electricity costs. Reduced overhead helps free up more money that business owners can put back in the property.
• The transport sector: Solar-powered EV chargers for electric vehicles are becoming more prevalent. Solar energy is considered the cleanest option for making these cars a truly clean form of transportation.
• Solar farms: Large-scale solar farms create enormous amounts of electricity, supplying enough power to the municipal electrical grid to support a community’s energy needs. Smaller community solar projects are also feasible, allowing numerous families to share the benefits of a single solar installation.

How Solar Panels Integrate with the Grid

Solar panels are easily capable of and regularly create more electricity than used by fixtures and appliances. But because of a process called net metering, any excess energy can be sent back to the electrical grid. Homeowners sending extra power can receive credits from their current utility company for any surplus power, which applies toward future electric bills. Provided you remain grid-tied, your home can still access power from there in situations where your solar panels don’t produce adequate electricity, especially overnight or on overcast days, ensuring a constant energy supply.

Solar Panels and Backup Batteries

Integrating home backup solar batteries is another way to keep utilizing solar energy whenever the sunlight is poor. Rather than sending extra electricity to the grid, batteries retain it for your individual use later on. If you’ve always hoped for more energy independence, solar panels are key to achieving that.

The Advantages of Solar Panel Systems

Solar energy is an attractive option for residential and commercial properties alike. Here’s the most common reasons why:

• Sustainable source or energy: Solar energy is renewable and eco-friendly. Investing in solar panels lowers your reliance on fossil fuels and even cuts your total environmental impact for purer air and a healthier planet.
• More savings: Homes and businesses with solar panel systems are eligible for utility rebates and tax credits that help mitigate solar installation costs. PV panels also substantially decrease or even remove your electricity bills, particularly when you participate in net metering.
• Long-lasting and easy care: Solar panels remain functional for about 25 to 30 years with expected use. They require minimal maintenance, so you can look forward to dependable energy production with hardly any upkeep.
• Increased home value: Homes with solar energy systems typically sell faster and at better prices than those that don’t. Efficiency-minded buyers are interested in the long-term energy savings and environmental sustainability of solar power. What’s more, you may obtain a property tax exemption on the extra value solar panels provide for your home.

Financing Solar Panel Installation

If there isn’t enough on-hand cash to cover the solar panels up front, you can take advantage of one of these financing options:

• Solar loans permit homeowners to finance their solar panel purchase and installation. Low monthly payments are further mitigated by the energy savings the finished solar system will produce.
• Solar leases provide another alternative to purchasing. Homeowners pay a fixed monthly fee to lease solar panels. The contractor maintains ownership and responsibility for the system.
• Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) entail an agreement to purchase the electricity produced by solar panels for a predetermined cost under market utility rates.

Go Solar with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning

If you think solar energy will be the ideal solution for your home, trust Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to help with installation. Our ACE-certified professionals offer Expert advice, fast installation times and budget-friendly financing options all guaranteed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. For even more on the potential benefits of solar energy or to ask about an estimate, contact us at 954-736-4314 today!