If you operate a small business, it makes a lot of sense to pay for a solar panel installation to provide your business with an emergency backup power supply, as many essential processes such as your computer servers and equipment will need to be able to go on functioning even if the city electrical supply goes out. Advantageous to have during a storm or heavy blackout, solar panels are not susceptible to the same vulnerabilities of traditional power sources, and they are better for the environment as well as being more cost-efficient.
Some people opt to have small solar panels installed to help cover the excess requirements for electricity, as some ongoing processes in a small business or even a home business can cause a strain on your home’s power supply. Having a solar panel installation as a small power supply to cover the extra electricity needed will be easy to afford and can be accommodated within most budgets. If you’re unsure of what you can or cannot afford, consult a solar panel installation company for rates or a free quote. This is the first step to getting to a place where you have electricity which is both abundant and affordable for you, your home or your small business.
There is a large selection of options to choose from when having a solar panel installed outside your home or place of business, including size and functionality. Even though traditional forms of electricity are still the accepted standard in most places, those who fail to take advantage of alternative forms of energy and clean energy, such as that which can be had through solar panels, are missing out on potentially huge savings, both in terms of money and productivity lost through electrical blackouts. Making sure you have a continuous source of electricity for your home or small business is something which should be a high priority, and more and more consumers and small businesses are experiencing a heightened awareness of this need for alternative sources of reliable electrical current. You can count on a solar panel installation to meet your needs and to solve a lot of problems in terms of sheer capacity and uninterrupted electrical current. As more industries and consumers address the need for alternative and clean energy sources, solar panel installations will be more common across the country and across the world. Getting a free quote or price estimate is the first step in getting set up with your own solar panel installation.
]]>Low Cost
Once solar panels are in place, solar power is virtually free. Homeowners and businesses may have to make a significant upfront investment to install a solar energy system, but there are often state and federal tax incentives and rebates available to help offset initial costs. Once the system is installed, electricity is produced at no cost! Solar panels require little maintenance and can last for 30 years or more. Depending on your power usage, your initial investment may be recovered relatively quickly. Utility rates increase frequently, which means that your savings from using solar power become greater with each passing year. Coal and natural gas prices are volatile and have been going up rapidly in recent years as worldwide demand for commodities explodes. Furthermore, these fuels are limited in supply, and it’s becoming more and more difficult to extract adequate supplies of these fuels from mines and wells. Prices for coal and gas will probably continue to increase at a fast rate while the cost of solar energy will remain zero and will never go up.
Renewable Energy
Solar power does not require any input except the sun’s rays. In a trend that is spreading, some states require utilities to obtain a portion of their electricity from renewable resources, such as solar energy. This means that people who install a solar energy system at their home or business can sell any excess electricity that they generate to the utility company through a policy know as “net metering”. By selling electricity to the utility, you can offset initial costs, make a profit, or build credits so that you can draw electricity from the grid at night or on cloudy days at no cost.
Environmentally Friendly
Solar power is simply good for the environment. It produces no greenhouse gases, so it doesn’t cause climate change. It also reduces the need for coal and natural gas. Mining coal or drilling for natural gas can contaminate the environment. Burning them to produce electricity produces greenhouse gases, which are driving potentially calamitous climate change. Burning coal and gas also pollutes the air which harms the environment and drives up health care costs. Nuclear power produces toxic waste that must be secured and stored indefinitely. Solar power eliminates all of these problems.
Solar is the Fuel of the Future
Cheap, clean, and renewable solar energy is simply the best way for homes and businesses to obtain electricity. In order to forestall climate change and free ourselves from dependance on ever-dwindling supplies of fossil fuels and waste producing nuclear power plants, we must adopt solar power as the energy of today and tomorrow.
]]>What to Look For
The main purpose of using affordable solar panel kits is to get all the parts necessary to create energy efficient power in one complete package. While there are numerous retailers and dealers who offer solar panel kits, look for companies that test all their components together, ensuring that the system will work perfectly once installed in your home. In addition, a kit gives you peace of mind that all the parts you need are in one easy-to-locate place. Most kits comes with solar panels, an inverter, wiring and installation tools and instructions. Batteries may be sold separately, so read the kit’s contents carefully.
What About Price?
The price will vary a great deal among different solar panel kits. In most cases, this price difference is mainly based upon how large the system is and what is included with the bundle. A small and basic starter kit, for example, may only have one solar panel, an inverter and the necessary complementary parts; this kit may be under $1,000, but keep in mind that it will only generate a limited amount of electricity and will probably not be near enough to handle the load of the average home. Larger solar panel kits go up in price depending on how many solar panels are in a kit and how much electricity the system can generate. A 1.3 KW kit with six panels, for example, sells at one retailer for around $6,000, while the same company offers a 10.9 KW kit for almost $40,000. Obviously, you have to take the time to assess your needs and do a cost to benefit comparison to determine which size system is right for you.
Cost vs. Efficiency
The main discouraging factor for most people who are looking at solar panel kits is the initial cost; it can be expensive. However, if you get your numbers right, you can partially or completely eliminate your power costs. If you’re paying an average power bill of $100 per month, for example, a system that required a $12,000 investment will pay for itself within a year. In addition, any revenue you generate from overproducing power is money in the bank. Keep in mind, however, that each power company deals with this differently. Some may pay a check to homeowners with solar panel kits for all power generated. Others may record extra power as a credit that expires after a 12-month period. If this is the case, try to buy affordable solar panel kits that match your usage as closely as possible to avoid losing money in the long run.
]]>Choosing the right solar panel on a detailed budget is the most important decision someone interested in a system will have to make. The budget, specifically set to fulfill your needs, will always be the most important step to effectively minimizing *solar panels cost. Once you have your budget in mind, you should research which panels would help you get the most effective cost-cutting results for the money you’ve invested. The overall cost of a solar panel installation will depend on the type of solar cells used, the system’s general efficiency level, and the quality of the parts used.
If your goal is to minimize *solar panel costs installation, then you need to take under consideration: the size of the panels, the panel’s wattage, and the panel’s total cost, and estimated durability. Of course, the larger wattage solar panels of higher quality will cost a bit more to install. However, these are the panels that generally will be more durable—as well as being much more efficient harvesters of our sun’s abundant renewable energy supply. This is very important, because the more renewable energy your panels produce equals less non-renewable energy consumed, which you pay for month after month. The specific cost of a solar panel installation will always be proportional to the system’s wattage. A one-hundred watt solar panel will cost twice what a fifty watt panel would.
Your solar panel system’s durability is just as important as the wattage you’ve selected when making an installation decision. Technology has improved dramatically over recent years, allowing modern solar panel systems to function for decades, with lower *solar panels cost. Yet there is still some variation in how long individual systems are estimated to function compared with others. Some cheaper systems have an estimated functionality of around ten years, where others are estimated to perform for over thirty years with no maintenance or replacement necessary. This is important information to know when considering how to minimize the long-term *solar panels cost. Especially if you are comparing one system with a longer expected rate of durability with another of less projected durability.
You will get out of your solar panel system whatever you put into it, but keep in mind that your *solar panels cost qualifies as a long-term investment. A system would decrease your carbon footprint on the earth, put away some much needed money in your pocket every month, and increase your home’s overall market value. These are some important factors to keep in mind when thinking about minimizing *solar panels cost.
]]>To really understand what renewable energy is, it’s important to understand how it differs from non-renewable sources such as coal and oil. Non-renewable energy can only provide energy so long as there is a supply. Once the energy in the supply is released, it is spent. For example, when you put gas in your car and spend the gas in your tank, it does not refill itself with more gas. Also, non-renewable energy sources are often heavy polluters as they release carbon gases into the atmosphere.
In contrast, renewable energy sources have a sustained supply which replenishes itself. For example, even on cloudy days the sun still shines and heats our planet. This is called sustainability because the supply is virtually infinite and so harvesting renewable energy can be sustained over the long term.
In addition to being sustainable, renewable energy sources have a minimal impact on the environment. This means that the energy derived from these sources do not emit carbon gases and contribute to the greenhouse effect in our atmosphere. Nor do these forms of energy pose other environmental hazard such as poisoning water ways with other chemical by-products.
Other than being good for the environment, renewable energy sources are attractive solutions for many households because the non-polluting effects can work in conjunction with other environmentally friendly solutions to improve the indoor air quality of a residence. This is a major concern to households who want to maintain the health of their family members.
Another benefit of renewable energy sources is the cost savings. Because of the sustainable nature of renewable energy, there is an opportunity for cost savings over time. This means that a household’s energy costs go down as a result of not having to purchase energy from non-renewable sources. For example, if household A uses wind energy to supplement their electricity use, they purchase less electricity from the electric company than household B who does not use any renewable energy solutions.
So households who offset their energy costs with renewable sources see a savings. This is especially true when factoring the rising cost of non-renewable energy sources such as coal and oil over time. Some feel that the time it takes to see a return on the initial investment in a renewable energy solution as a deterrent to taking the initial steps to a renewable household. However, with many government incentives on the federal and state level, the costs for fitting a home with renewable energy sources have never been more affordable.
Finally, the types of renewable energy sources that are right for anyone vary greatly. That is why consulting with a professional specializing in renewable energy sources is so important. We can help you find what solutions fit your goals and budget. It’s never been a better time to contact us for a quote.
]]>The first thing to keep in mind when comparing solar power kits for your home is that the photo voltaic panels you buy will have a large effect on the quality and amount of electricity they can generate. In other words, not all solar panels are created equal. It is tempting to try to buy the cheapest solar panels you can find when you begin shopping, as everyone wants to save money. However, the dangers of buying a kit that is suspiciously cheap are that you might have to pay much more in the long run when you eventually replace it with a high quality kit after it fails prematurely. While there is no guarantee that a more expensive solar kit will last you longer than a cheaper one, the odds are definitely tipped in the favor of the more expensive kit. Similarly, you will find some solar kits are designed as high efficiency panels, which means they will be capable of converting more energy from sunlight into electricity; however, these kinds of solar kits are likely to cost much more than the traditional kind. As always, what you choose will depend on what you need.
Another thing to keep in mind when comparing solar power kits for your home is that your needs will vary depending on the amount of energy various appliances in your home use each day. When you purchase your kit, you will need to make sure that it is capable of powering all of the appliances in your home through the electricity it generates and stores in its battery for a suitable amount of time. For example, if your home consumes 38 kwh, which is the average rate of consumption for a home in the United States, you will need to be able to collect and store 38,000 watts x 24 (for 24 hours) each day to have enough energy to completely run everything in your home from your solar panel kit. You will probably want to have slightly higher collection and storage capacities to account for cloudy days and days when you happen to use more energy.
As you can see, the process of purchasing solar energy kits requires some thought, but it is manageable. When buying solar power kits, think of your energy needs and the quality of your kit.
]]>The internet has made all sorts of price and feature shopping much easier than it would have been even 5 years ago. When looking to compare solar products, the first thing that has to be done is to make sure you are comparing apples to apples. There are various competing technologies when it comes to solar panels, although they all work on the same principle of converting sunlight to electricity. The four main types of solar panels produced are mono-crystalline panels, polycrystalline panels, string ribbon panels and amorphous panels which are all silicon based.
There are 2 main ways you can compare solar products, by energy output (kWh), and by price. Like anything else, the higher the energy output, the higher the price. When comparison shopping, make sure you get quotes from various vendors for the exact same type of panel, otherwise its very hard to compare what the best deal is. In terms of price and efficiency, the mono panels are the most expensive, followed by the poly, then the ribbon and finally the amorphous.
For those who are handy, there are many guides available on how to build your own solar panels. This option can save you as much as 80% off of the cost of a solar power system. However, the power company will still need to come out and install a new meter at your home to handle your new system. One of the disadvantages to any DIY is you lose out on all of the lucrative tax write-offs that a professionally installed system receives. Additionally, most solar products installed by professionals come with a decent warranty, which average around 20 years or so. Keep those two facts in mind if you decide to do-it-yourself.
Choosing an installer for your solar products can be quite an undertaking. There will most likely be hundreds of companies that will be competing for the business in your area. One of the first steps is to make sure they are rated with the Better Business Bureau, and to seek out if they have any formal complaints. The very best companies will give you a free consultation, measure your house for sun exposure, and present you with a detailed proposal showing how many panels you need, the estimated energy production, and the total cost of installation. Most companies have various types of panels they can install, depending on your budget and needs. In areas with an abundance of sunlight, often cheaper panels which are less efficient can be used with good results. In areas with less sunlight, usually the more efficient panels need to be used to get the desired effect. Either way, your local professionals will be able to show you all the options, and help you select the right solar products for your home.
]]>In these economic times, the most common reason, of course, for families to turn to alternative energy sources is money. Electricity and water continue to become more scarce (those living in the Western United States have seen this potential for scarcity firsthand), and as this happens, the costs of these resources to consumers rise. Alternative energy systems may seem extremely expensive, especially to the average homeowner, who may not have the purchasing power possessed by large companies and businesses. However, though, costs may seem high for the initial investment, alternative energy technologies hold value extremely well over time, and will generally prove themselves more than worth their original costs over a period of many years. Decades of paying no electricity bills, for instance, with little necessary maintenance, will most certainly show a solar photovoltaic power system to be well worth its original costs.
Even those who aren’t hindered financially have a lot of reasons for choosing alternative energy sources. It’s no secret that natural resources are quickly becoming scarce. With the worries of a crisis arising from an international shortage of fossil fuels, many homeowners are acting early take steps that will provide energy for their families even in the event of a sudden, major deficiency. Alternative energy sources allow homeowners to become more self-sufficient, and to provide electricity to their homes without having to depend on an outside energy source that may become volatile and unreliable. Alternative energy lets individuals be in charge of their own resources!
A large majority of citizens are also becoming more concerned about “going green,” a phenomenon that has arisen in the past few decades as people begin to realize that their actions and habits may have negative effects on the environment and the world at large. This impetus compels many homeowners to more closely examine their lifestyles, and they often reach the conclusion that their homes and the systems and processes that allow their families to remain comfortable may be creating unnecessary pollution or may be contributing to large-scale disasters and crises such as climate change and mountaintop removal.
For those with these concerns, alternative energy in homes and businesses is an essential step toward being more sustainable and environmentally responsible. Most alternative energy sources create no carbon emissions and are produced on-site, leaving no need for fuel-intensive transport. They rarely involve toxic byproducts, and thus do not contribute to air or water pollution. Generally speaking, alternative energy sources are simply better for everyone involved, and better for the planet!
Alternative energy will soon become a necessity for many homes and businesses, small or large. Some fear that alternative energy sources are just too expensive or complicated to possibly meet their needs, but this is not the case. Alternative energy systems can be adopted gradually, and are almost guaranteed to pay for themselves over time in energy savings.
]]>