The earth receives enough energy in 40 minutes to power the world for 1 year. Since photovoltaic and solar thermal take advantage of this abundant resource, it makes sense that solar is the fastest growing energy source.
Whether doing your part to reduce greenhouse gases or saving money, a photovoltaic solar system offers an attractive energy source. Solar panels have no moving parts required to generate electricity, so there is nothing to wear out on the solar system. Over time, the solar panels lose efficiency, but they are rated to generate the wattage you purchase for 15-25 years (depending on the panel's warrarnty).
Solar panels will continue to generate electricity after 25 years, only at a lower output. Since solar requires 7-12 years to pay a homeowner back, it is a long term investment. Solar is meant to reduce or eliminate one's electricity costs, the savings on the electricity bill are the payback.
To determine the payback period, many variables must be considered:
- Location. Depending where your home is located will determine how much electricity a solar system will produce. A solar system on the equator will produce many times more electricity than a solar system in Alaska.
- How much electricity your home consumers. The average US home consumes just under 936 kW hours of electricity each month. This number also varies by home. The best way to determine average daily consumption is take total yearly consumption and divide it by 365.
- Determining how much solar to purchase
- Find the average hours of sunlight
- Divide your average daily consumption by average number of sunlight hours.
- Multiply this number by 1.25. This is the size of a solar system a homeowner needs to install to cover all of his electricity with solar.
Using this number, a homeowner knows the maximum amount of solar to install for his home. After taking this into account, the homeowner can determine the size of solar system he wants to install based on the solar budget. A solar system is 100% customizable to the homeowners needs. If a homeowner can only afford to install a small solar system, keep in mind that more solar panels can be added in the future.
Determine if Your Home is Ready for Solar
Rich Hessler
Free Solar Estimate
(949) 208-0221
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