When you think about solar panels, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Is it the fact that people only enjoy 4 to 5 hours of electric each day?
Sure it might be how some people live, but it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, in today’s world solar panels have become quite inexpensive and very cost effective. Now you can actually supplement your regular energy with even hot water and electricity thanks to solar panels. Even more amazing is that you can help the planet by taking advantage of them and save money over the long haul. Most importantly you are still able to stay online and get whatever sources you need that the solar panels don’t deliver.
How can you use solar panels to offset your home’s electricity and/or hot water needs? There are two basic types of solar panels. The first kind is the solar thermal panel. A solar thermal panel collects heat from the sun and then transfers it directly, to heat your water and/or your home itself. Usually, this works by having the panels collect the sun’s heat during the day, and then having water circulate throughout your home into “solar thermal collectors” to provide the hot water and heat you need. This provides passive thermal heat for your home, and can at least offset heating costs in the winter and hot water heating costs as well; depending on usage, it may or may not take care of all of your heating needs in this way.
On the flip side, if you choose the photovoltaic panels you will be using the sun’s power to produce electricity. There are silicon cells that absorb the sun’s light instead of getting warmth like thermal panels do. It’s built through direct currents, which cannot accommodate many homes. So in order to make it work everything has to be converted to an alternating current. When this is performed you will lose some power in the process. The good news is it won’t be a huge loss and really make much of a difference.
One additional benefit to these solar panels is the ability to use both types at the same time. If you ask around most of the people who use these do utilize both options. This way electric power and heating needs can both be justified.
Keep online even with Solar Panels – One of the most important things you can do is stay on the grid even when you install solar panels. This way you protect yourself in the case that you don’t have enough. Also, you will be able to sell your excess energy back to the power company! Taking this route will give you the comfort in knowing you are getting electricity and hot water whenever it’s needed, and still be able to cut your costs in the process. This will allow you to take your savings and put it towards other bills or simply enjoy the other parts of your life. Can you imagine the power company paying you instead of the other way around? It would definitely be a big turnaround.
What’s the Cost? While the estimates are always going to be different, most of the experts figure it to be around four grand to outfit a normal home. Keep in mind though this overall price for installation could change. It really just depends on how popular this option becomes for homeowners. Then again, it’s also possible that the cost can be offset by tax credits, energy credits, and several other variation. Plus, when you produce your own energy you will be able to produce all kinds of savings. This way you won’t be paying the power company and they’ll be paying you instead. In the end though, there is great satisfaction in knowing you’re helping out the planet as well.
About the author: Jerry Dyess has been in the Texas Energy business for the past 7 years. He has published many articles on Texas Power rates.
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