Residential Solar 101
Solar Panels Generate Electricity from the Sun
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. As the sun’s rays strike the earth, solar collectors, most commonly known as solar panels, convert these rays into energy. A solar photovoltaic (PV) panel consists of two layers of silicon and as the sun hits one of the layers of silicon, it excites the free electrons which then flow back and forth to the other layer of silicon creating a natural electric current. The technology is very similar to the silicon wafer technology that jump-started the whole computer era. The electricity produced by solar panels is sent to an inverter box (about the size of a large shoebox) which converts the electricity into the standard AC current that you get from your utility company. That’s it – no moving parts and very few components required – which is why installation can take only a day or two.
Check out the video to see the amazing benefits of residential solar power. The installation was done by Grid Alternatives, a non-profit solar installation company that we support.
Solar Power is a Proven and Reliable Technology
Solar technology has been around for nearly a half century. In fact, the current technology in most solar panels as not changed significantly in the last 10-20 years and is incredibly reliable. Recent advances in mounting and racking systems have made installing solar extremely safe, reliable and fast. It takes about 72 hours to fully install most residential solar systems. Solar panels can be formed into a variety of shapes and placed anywhere where they can receive sunlight but are most often placed unobtrusively on the roof of commercial, industrial or residential buildings.
In California alone, nearly 50,000 homeowners have already installed solar systems on their homes. Major corporations including Google, Wal-Mart and Federal Express have been using solar panels for years to power their buildings. Browse our website for detailed information: your residential solar 101.
Solar Power Can Save You a Lot of Money
How much did you pay for electricity last month? As a rule of thumb, assume that a solar system will account for 70% of your electric usage. So if you spent $200 last month, you might save 70% or $140 each month. That’s a savings of $1,680 per year. Don’t forget that electricity costs have historically gone up 2-3% each year – that’s means you will saving about $2260 on your 2020 electric bill!
Many new systems pay themselves back in 5-10 years. Some solar systems save more, some save less, so please request a free solar consultation to get a detailed estimate.
