Did you know that the sun produces more energy in one hour than the entire human population uses in one year? THAT is impressive! Solar is becoming more and more prevalent in our communities, and when it comes to upfront savings, solar might be the most economical and efficient way to not only put money back in your pocket, but to create an investment into your home.

If you’re like most people, you know about solar, but you have questions. Let’s answer a few of the most common ones.

HOW DO SOLAR PANELS WORK?
A solar panel “works by allowing photons, or particles of light, to knock electrons free from atoms, generating a flow of electricity,” (Live Science, 2017). That’s a fancy way of saying that the panels convert the energy in sunlight to electricity.

The panels produce DC or Direct Current which is then converted to AC or Alternating Current by another piece of equipment called the inverter. For clarification, we use AC current in our homes in North America so that is the need for the conversion.

HOW LONG WILL SOLAR PANELS LAST?
Almost all solar panels have manufacturer warranties that cover 25-30 years, but realistically, a solar panel could outlast your lifetime and beyond.

Solar systems do not have the challenges of moving parts so they do not wear out easily, and history has shown that solar panels will continue producing clean electricity for decades beyond their warranty.

WHAT SORT OF MAINTENANCE IS REQUIRED?
Very little.

Like anything outdoors, you need to be aware of dust and debris that could block the panel from the sun, but again, because of the lack of moving parts, the panels themselves are very low maintenance.

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DO SOLAR PANELS WORK ON CLOUDY DAYS?
Yes!

Panels work by light, not heat so if you can get a sunburn, your panels are creating energy. They may produce a bit less on those days, but when sizing your solar system, you need to look at the entire year’s average of energy need not just a day to day balance.

HOW MUCH DOES A SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM COST?
That depends.

“In 2018, most US homeowners are paying between $2.71 and $3.57 per watt to install solar, and the average gross cost of solar panels before tax credits is $18,840,” (EnergySage).

That may seem pricey, but there are tax credits and incentives that are not accounted for in this calculation, as well as the consideration that you will be owning equipment that eliminates the need to pay a utility company for your power.

Why rent your power when you can own it!?

CAN PEOPLE REALLY SAVE MONEY WITH SOLAR PANELS?
Yes.

Not only are you making your own power, but you are investing in your home and adding value. Lawrence Berkeley National Lab research says: “each watt of solar adds about $4 (per watt) to a home’s value in California and about $3 per watt elsewhere.” In addition, “twenty-year electricity savings from solar can be significant, ranging from the low end of $10k to almost $30k,”(EnergySage). These savings can be significantly higher depending on your home's energy consumption and your utility company's electricity rates.

To summarize, yes, solar is worth the investment. You can save money, invest in your home, and be a Solar Super Hero!!

If you have any questions on how solar works for your home, please contact us. We are happy to answer any questions and help you start saving with your own solar system.

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