Have you been hearing about solar panels but don’t know how they work? Well, you’re not alone. Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity.
In this article, we’ll be discussing solar panels for homes, where I’ll walk you through all you need to know about solar panels, ranging from their benefits, types, costs, installation, maintenance, and lots more. It is really going to be interesting and educational at the same time. Stay tuned as we go through it together.
Solar panels not only produce clean and sustainable energy, but they are also cost-effective since you can save thousands of dollars from your energy budget by just installing solar panels in your home. There are different types of solar panels with varying capacities and prices, so you’ll be able to afford solar panels, irrespective of your financial status.
However, when going for solar panels, it is best to consider your energy needs, type of panel, overall cost, and the budget you made for it to enable you to make informed decisions before installing solar panels in your home.
Solar Panels for Mobile Homes
A solar panel, also called a photovoltaic panel (PV), is an innovative device that converts sunlight into electricity. The solar panels are made of different solar cells made from semiconductor materials, like silicon, which generate electric current when exposed to sunlight.
Solar panels are multipurpose since they are ideal for both residential and commercial uses for electricity generation. Solar panels offer clean and fossil-free energy, which is ideal for environmental sustainability. Solar panel systems in homes will not only enhance sustainable energy, but they will also reduce energy costs due to their long-term nature.
Benefits of Solar Panels for Home
The benefits that come from using solar panels in your home are enormous and can’t be overemphasized. Some of the benefits are enumerated below:
- Reduced energy bills, which can lead to substantial reduction in your energy budget.
- Energy generation through solar panels leads to environmental sustainability.
- Solar panels provide more reliable energy for your home.
- It also enhances long-term energy savings, which will invariably lead to appreciation of homes’ value.
Types Solar Panels
There are three different types of solar panels. They are:
1. Monocrystalline Solar Panels
- It is made from a single silicon crystal
- It has high efficiency.
- This type of solar panel is normally dark in colour with rounded edges.
- It is the most expensive solar panel.
2. Polycrystalline Solar Panels
- This type of solar panels is made from multiple silicon crystals melted together
- It’s efficiency is moderate and can’t be compared with monocystalline solar panels.
- It is normally bluish in colour with a speckled look
- It is less expensive than monocystalling panels.
3. Thin-Film Solar Panels
- It is made from depositing thin layers of photovoltaic material on a substrate
- It is least efficient of all the solar panels types
- It looks uniform in color with its flexible and lightweight nature.
- It is the least expensive and most affordable of all the solar panel types.
- This type of solar panel is ideal for flexible and portable applications.
Cost of Solar Panels for Home
The cost of solar panels is not fixed since it is dependent on the size of the system, location, and capacity of the panels used. However, the average cost of a complete solar panel system can range from $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your country. This cost covers the panels, inverters, mounting hardware, and installation of the solar panel.
While this is a bit more expensive, some countries have support programs to help users reduce the initial cost of solar panel installation. For instance, the federal ITC allows you to deduct up to 26% of the installation cost from your federal taxes. So, this will definitely help to reduce the amount of money it will cost you to set up solar panels in your home, allowing you to enjoy eco-friendly energy.
Additionally, while this solar panel system installation cost may be a bit high, it is worth the investment because it will significantly reduce your energy cost on the long run. In fact, as a homeowner who install complete solar system in your home, you’ll be able to save hundreds to thousands of dollars within the lifespan of the solar panels. Ordinarily, solar systems have a lifespan of upto 20 years and above, so you are definitely going to save enough money when you setup solar panels system in your home.
Factors to Consider when Installing Solar Panels in your Home
The factors that you should take into consideration when installing solar panels for your home are:
- Energy needs of your home
- cost of the solar panels and your budget
- Type of solar system that you need, i.e., grid-tied or off-grid
- Quality and warranty of the solar panels.
- The roofing suitability of your home.
Solar Panels Installation Process for Home
If you want to install a solar panel system in your home, you’ll need to follow the steps below:
1. Contact Solar Panels Producers
- Reach out to any reliable solar company of your choice that produces solar panels.
- Request solar panel system installation for your home and they’ll schedule site inspection with you.
2. Site Assessment
- A professional solar system installer will evaluate your home to determine suitable solar panels for it.
- Choosing a solar panels system design for your property
3. System Design
- The installer will design solar panel system that will maximize energy production based on what he gets from the site assessment
- The installer will determine the type and number of solar panels to be installed.
4. Permitting and Paperwork
- If your country requires permission before solar panel installation, get the paperwork and other necessary permits done.
5. Installation
- Installation of the solar system
- Testing of the system to ensure that it is functioning properly.
5. Inspection and Activation
- If solar installation is regulated in your region, wait for an inspection by the local authority
- Finally, activation of the solar system in your home
How to Maintain Solar Panels
After the installation of your solar panels, you will need to maintain them for optimal performance and an increased lifespan. You can maintain it by taking any of these measures
- Clear the solar panels regularly.
- Track your energy consumption with the monitoring tools to enable you to identify any malfunctions and fix them swiftly.
- Employ the services of professional inspectors for the annual inspection of your solar panel system.
Conclusion
There are different kinds of solar panels that you can install in your home, depending on your energy needs. These solar panels are cost-effective and eco-friendly. You can install one in your home today, and you’ll be happy that you did.