How can solar energy lower your bills and invest your money?
As environmental concerns continue to grow, more and more people are installing solar panels on the roofs of their homes to generate electricity.
In a report published by Forbes in its British edition, author Rachel White explained that solar photovoltaic cells are located between layers of semiconductor materials, usually made of silicon, and when exposed to sunlight, the electrons disintegrate, allowing the flow of electricity.
To ensure that the solar panels are exposed to as much sunlight as possible, it is best to install them on a south facing roof, tilted between 10 and 50 degrees, and make sure that there are no buildings or trees nearby that would leave the panels in the shade.
Most solar panels are installed on rooftops, but it is also possible to install them on walls or the ground, or install solar tiles, which usually cost about twice the cost of a panel system. When installing the solar panels, an electrical inverter is also installed to convert the electricity generated from direct current to alternating current, which is used by most household appliances.
What are the benefits of solar panels?
The biggest benefit of installing solar panels is saving on electricity costs, and if the solar panels are big enough, you may be able to produce enough electricity to power your entire home.
Solar panels reduce carbon emissions, and according to the Energy Saving Trust, a typical home solar PV system can cut about 1.3 to 1.6 tons of carbon annually, depending on where you live.
Do solar panels affect the electricity supply?
If the solar panels are installed correctly, the system should seamlessly switch between using the electricity generated by the solar panels and using the electricity provided by the national grid, when the panels cannot generate enough electricity and generally you will not notice any difference in the electricity supply.
You can use the solar panels in parallel with the normal ground power grid, and you do not need to inform your power company, it will help you to consume less electricity from the grid, thus paying lower cost bills.
How much do solar panels cost?
How much you will pay to install solar panels depends on the size of your rooftop and the type of system you choose; Installing solar panels is not cheap, but the costs will come down over the years. For some people, the cost of installing these panels is small compared to the environmental benefits they provide.
Xiamen Lianbang Technology Company.,Ltd offers you the cheapest option of a 3 kW solar panel system that consists of 9 solar panels, and requires about 20 square meters of roof area, and this system is supposed to generate enough power for a family home, although you may still need Energy use from the national grid.
A system of this size costs about $2,000 but in return you can save about $400 on your annual electricity bill.
How long does cost recovery take?
Depending on the size of the solar panel system and the money you earn by exporting excess energy to the national grid, you can expect to recoup the costs of installing solar panels after 5 to 6 years, and although larger systems are more expensive, they generate more energy, and can save you more of money in the long run.
Can you make money from solar panels?
Some countries offer programs to support clean energy production; For example, the United Kingdom offers a "feed-in tariff" programme, which provides cash payments to families who generate their own energy through solar panels and other renewable technologies. In return, those who do not qualify for the program can apply for the Smart Export Guarantee tariff, which was launched at the beginning of 2020, and through this program you can get paid for any excess renewable energy you export again to the national grid.
Several countries have implemented this system, and many countries are currently seeking to implement it.
By subscribing to the Smart Export Guarantee program, you will be paid for any excess electricity you generate, and it is returned to the national grid, and unlike a Feed-in, you will not be paid for all the electricity you produce, so you are likely to be Less payments.
Energy suppliers can determine the price they pay, the duration of the contract, and whether the tariffs are fixed or variable, and usually the program provides a specific price for each kilowatt-hour of electricity exported over the duration of the contract, and the tariff change contributes to price volatility based on market demand, but ultimately Prices cannot fall into negative territory.
What should be considered before choosing a solar panel?
If you are considering installing solar panels, you will need to think about whether your roof is suitable, including its area and exposure to sunlight, and you will also need to consider the size of the solar panel system that is right for you. It is important to make sure that the size you choose is sufficient to cover the energy needs of your home and not exceed it at the same time.
You should consider installing a solar battery or energy storage system that will store the electricity generated by the solar panels. This will allow you to store the electricity generated during the day for use at night, which will help you become self-sufficient and reduce the amount of electricity you use from the national grid.
While you won't usually need a license to install solar PV, it's important to check with your local authorities if there are any restrictions, such as if you live in a historic building or conservation area, for example.
You should also check whether the home insurance company will cover the insurance for the solar panels, and see if this imposes an additional financial burden on you, and make sure you get several quotes from different companies to compare costs.