According to the SEIA, there’s currently enough solar power installed in the US to power almost 19 million homes. Are you ready to get on board, too?
Solar power offers significant savings, but initial costs are often high. So, it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into beforehand.
If you’re serious about solar, keep reading to find out more about your solar options here.
What Are Your Solar Options for PV Panels?
There are three primary solar panels types available nowadays. These are:
- Polycrystalline solar panels
- Monocrystalline solar panels
- Thin-film solar panels
Each of these undergoes a different manufacturing process, and they offer various degrees of efficiency.
Monocrystalline panels produce more power, but you’ll also pay more for them. Thin-film panels are the cheapest option but generate the least power.
The best solar panel types for you depend on your electricity needs, your location, and your roof. Don’t guess, rather work with a reputable solar panel company to find the most cost-effective solar products for you.
Apart from choosing the best solar panels, you’ll also need to decide which type of solar system suits your needs best.
Types of Solar Installations
When you think of solar, the first thing that comes to mind is an off-grid installation, where you never make use of power from the grid again. This is a good option if you have very high electricity bills and live in ideal conditions for solar generation.
However, it’s also the most expensive way to enjoy the benefits of solar. You can also opt for one of these cheaper alternatives:
Grid-Tied Solar
These solar systems boast few components and are the cheapest option. All you need is your solar panels and an inverter.
With these systems, you still receive electricity from a power company, but you also feed your excess solar energy back into the grid.
You can also run your home off solar power during the daytime if you want to, and switch over to grid power only when necessary. In return for the energy you give them, the power company gives you a cheaper rate on the electricity you get from them.
Grid-Tied Systems With Storage
These systems are the middle ground between off-grid solar and conventional grid-tied solar.
Your solar installation company will fit your home with solar panels, an inverter, and batteries. You use your solar panels to charge these batteries, so you’ve got backup power during times of outages.
You’ll still feed any excess electricity you generate into the grid, and you can use grid power when needed. The power company gives you credit on your electricity bill in return.
Should You Invest in Solar?
With so many solar options to choose from, you’re bound to find a cost-effective solution for your home.
Solar power offers enormous savings when it comes to your utility bills. It can improve the value of your home, and it also helps reduce global warming.
Government tax incentives on solar installations expire soon, so you need to act fast.
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