If you are serious about energy consumption while saving up on your electricity expenses, it is high time that you learn more about using solar panels as your primary power source.
Here are some of the most essential things you need to know more about before finalizing your plans:
1. The number of solar panels
Your service provider will look into your area and analyze your requirements before coming up with their recommendation regarding the matter. Generally, the number of solar panels you will need depends on your budget, where you live, and the space you have. The amount of sun where the place you live is getting is also an important factor in coming up with the right numbers of panels to be used.
2. Installation process
Once you have contacted the right provider, they will explain your options and complete the paperwork before beginning the installation process. Solar panels are capable of converting the energy coming from the sun to DC. Aside from providing your home with electricity, if the system is connected to the grid, you can get compensated for any unused and extra electricity. If no grids are available in your area, you can still push through with the installation without having the benefit of getting compensated for the extra electricity your panels return to the grid.
After installation, a solar engineer will continuously monitor your panels to make sure that you are getting sufficient electricity for your needs.
3. Maintenance and repair
These panels are bound to malfunction for many reasons, so it is recommended to hire professional installers who will provide lifetime support. Most of the common troubles encountered by solar panel owners include worn-out panels and malfunctioning parts.
As long as you keep them maintained and replace parts that no longer work, most of these panels last for more than 25 years. They may be costly initially, but you have to consider the savings you’ll get in the long run.
The majority of homes in the US consumes about a kilowatt of electricity per hour. The utility bill of an average home starts at $0.10 for every kWh of electricity. The average cost of solar panels ranges from $7 to $10 per watt. For a house situated in an area that gets an average amount of sunlight, you need to prepare around $25,000 to $35,000 for a 5-kW solar panel system.
The prices of the panels keep on going down through the years and as more people shift to the system. If the trend continues, it might be possible to get a price per watt for around a dollar or two. Once this happens, the 5-kW system will only range at around $10,000 with a payback plan of 10 years. This means a good return on investment since the panels will last for more than 25 years.
It may be a lot of money, but it can also mean huge savings in the long run. It will eventually cost you less, and the best thing about solar panels is that they are environment-friendly. You only have to make sure that you get the services of a good provider that will stick with you from start to finish.