Many homeowners decide to switch to solar energy, and it should come as no surprise. These days, according to the 10 PowerUp buyer’s guides, you can get your hands on a wide range of solar-powered products, which makes going solar a breeze.
However, you might end up feeling kind of confused about it. How does it work? Is installing solar panels on the roof of your house a viable option? If you want to know the answers to such questions, keep reading!
In this article, you will find a guide to going solar. It will touch upon a number of important points, including how solar power works and how much it costs, as well as what the benefits and drawbacks of going solar are. Check it out!
How Does Solar Power Work?
Solar energy is produced by photovoltaic cells, which are thin sheets of silicon that are coated in layers of certain chemicals and meant to capture sunlight. Solar panels are made of numerous photovoltaic cells and mounted on the roof of a house.
The amount of energy that a typical house can produce that way depends on where it is located, but it can range from 1 kW to 4 kW per day, making solar energy an attractive choice for environmentally conscious individuals.
How Much Does Going Solar Cost?
The cost of installing solar panels has decreased dramatically in the past couple of years. These days, solar panels cost $0.70 to $1.50 per watt. It used to be around $2.10 and more just a few years ago. This reduction in price has made solar power incredibly affordable!
Unfortunately, the initial cost of installing solar panels on the roof of a house can range from $15,000 to $20,000. However, it is definitely worth it, as you will get to save money on your utility bills, as well as increase the price of your house.
How Is Solar Energy Better Than Fossil Fuels?
Solar energy is completely renewable, while fossil fuels are finite and are bound to be depleted. In addition to that, fossil fuels cause greenhouse gas to be emitted into the atmosphere upon being burned, which contributes to global warming. On the other hand, solar energy does not emit greenhouse gases, which makes it incredibly environmentally friendly.
Why Should You Go Solar?
There are quite a few reasons why you might want to switch to solar energy. First, it will help you conserve resources and protect the environment. Second, it will reduce your reliance on fossil fuels. Lastly, it will help you lower your utility bills.
What Are the Benefits of Going Solar?
1. Cost Savings
One of the biggest benefits of solar energy is that it can help you lower your utility bills. It might be a pricey investment, but it will definitely pay off in the long run, particularly if you live in a sunny area.
2. Environmental Protection
Going solar can help you protect the environment! It will effectively reduce your carbon footprint, allowing you to become less reliant on fossil fuels. It is a great option for people who are environmentally conscious!
What Are the Drawbacks of Going Solar?
Requirements
In order to be able to benefit from solar panels, you need to own a house that is located in a sunny area and gets a minimum of four hours of direct sunlight per day. Moreover, your roof needs to be able to withstand the weight of the panels.
How Do I Get Started?
The first step that you will need to take to go solar is to determine if installing solar panels on your house is a viable option. If your house does not get direct sunlight and has a roof that is unable to withstand the weight of the panels, going solar might not be possible.
If you know for a fact that solar panels can be installed on your house, you can start reading up on the installation process. You can go about installing solar panels in a few different ways, but the most common one is hiring a professional solar panel installer to take care of it for you.
Other than that, you will need to check if your solar panels are working properly. If you decide to purchase a more modern set of solar panels, you should be able to do it using a special mobile application.
Once you have checked if your solar panels are working properly, you can start harnessing the power of the sun! However, you might want to keep on monitoring your solar panels just to be certain that everything is working the way it should be.
The Bottom Line
To sum up, solar power is a smart investment that can save you money on energy bills. However, you will need to put in a lot of effort in order for it to pay off. For starters, you will need to educate yourself on the basics of solar energy and install the panels correctly. That being said, it is definitely worth the hassle, as it will allow you to lower your carbon footprint and do your part in protecting the environment!
