solar energy

Does Size Really Matter? Determining Solar Power System Size For Your Home

December 28, 2020 By Cassandra Love Leave a Comment

Once you have decided to invest in a solar energy system, you’ll need to think about how many solar panels will be required to power your home. You might think that you will need to cover your whole roof with solar panels, but that is not necessarily always the case. In some cases, only a few solar panels can efficiently power a home or business. Sometimes the best way to power your home with solar panels and save money on your electric bill is not by installing a lot of panels, but by installing panels that are top-rated for efficiency and reliability.

Average Solar Panel System Requirements

solar panels connected in a square shape on a roof

The average homeowner will need approximately 28-34 solar panels to cover 100% of their energy usage. This number is based on a household consuming the average of 10,400 kilowatts per year and installing 2,500-watt solar panels. But this is just an average; the best way to know how many solar panels you will need for your home or business is by doing a few calculations, as well as by comparing the efficiency of solar panels from different companies.

How Much Energy You Currently Use

The number of panels that you will need depends on multiple factors such as location, panel performance, and energy consumption. The first thing you need to do is calculate your energy consumption. When estimating the specific number of solar panels that you need, look at how many kilowatt hours (or kWh) of electricity you use in a year. You can normally find this information on your monthly electric bill. You should also look at the breakdown of daily and hourly usage for further calculations.

womans hands on a calculator with a laptop screen in front of her with numbers on the screen.

If daily and hourly rates are not provided on your bill, you can figure this information out by dividing the monthly or annual average by 30 or 365 days, and then divide again by 24 to determine your hourly average electricity usage in kWh. Your average daily energy usage is your target daily average for calculating your solar needs. That’s the number of kilowatt hours you need your solar system to produce if you want to cover 100% of your energy needs. The average U.S. home uses about 900 kWh per month. So that’s 30 kWh per day or 1.25 kWh per hour.

How Many Solar Panels You Will Need

After finding out your hourly and daily usage, the next step is to determine how much solar power you will need. You will need to find out how many daily peak sunlight hours you get in your area by looking up this information for your specific state. The more sunlight you get, the fewer panels you will need, and vice versa. To calculate how many solar panels you need:

illustration of the sun with a little cloud over part of it

Divide your household’s daily energy requirement by the peak sunlight hours for your area. This will give you the number of kW your solar energy system will need to provide.
Next, multiply that number by 1,000 to convert it into watts.
Lastly, divide the number of watts needed by the number of watts one solar panel generates. This will tell you how many panels you need to power your home.

The average U.S. home that uses 900 kWh/month in an area that gets 5 peak sunlight hours per day would need approximately 6,000 watts. This broken down by the formula above is:

30 kWh/5 = 6 kW
6 x1,000 = 6,000 watts
6,000 would then be divided by how many watts one solar panel generates to figure out the number of panels needed

Not All Solar Panels Are The Same

Solar panel quality differs by manufacturer, and is determined by the size and efficiency of the panel. Once you have done your research and chosen which type of panel is right for your home, you can figure out how many of them you will need for your roof. To figure out how many panels you will need, divide the hourly wattage requirement of your home by the solar panel’s wattage as calculated above.

Note that weather conditions can temporarily reduce your system’s efficiency. Therefore, experts recommend adding a 25% “cushion” to your daily average to make sure that you will have enough panels to generate all the energy you need.

These calculations can seem quite confusing, which is why your best bet is to speak with a Go Solar Energy agent. Our agents are highly trained and can do all the calculations, as well as compare the size, efficiency rating, and quality of each solar panel in minutes. Go Solar Energy works with the top-rated solar companies in the country, so we can compare all the panels that are available in your area. Our agents will work with you to calculate your energy consumption and needs; we will also explain how it all works, so that you can maximize your return on investment.

We want to make sure you are fully informed and not confused, so that you can make the best decision for your home or business, and your wallet. We will guide you through the process, for free. To get started, enter your zip code on our homepage, or to speak directly with an agent, call 888-290-3112 .

Solar Vs Wind Energy

December 13, 2020 By Cassandra Love Leave a Comment

There is no doubt that wind and solar energy are helping to reduce pollution around the world. If you have decided to make the switch to one of these types of renewable energy, then you’re also doing your part to help the environment. But how do you decide between the two? There are pros and cons to each; in order to know which is best for your home, you’ll have to do some research into which is more affordable, and which is most efficient for you.

Wind Energy

Wind energy is technically a form of solar energy that is captured by wind turbines. The sun heats the earth, causing hot air to rise and cool air to settle, which creates the kinetic energy that produces wind. When wind blows over the turbine’s propeller-like blades, this energy is converted into mechanical power, which then generates electricity for homes and businesses. Wind power is more popular than solar amongst utility and large-scale operations.

There are many advantages to using wind energy: it cuts down on toxic air pollution, provides backup power in case of emergency, and can’t be depleted. The biggest benefit to wind energy over solar power is that wind turbines aren’t dependent on sunlight, which means they have the ability to generate power 24 hours a day.

There are also some disadvantages to wind energy. The main cons include:

In order to get the full benefits of wind energy, the area where the turbine is located must have an average wind speed of at least 12 miles per hour.
Wind turbines are about 80 ft tall and require a lot of space.
If you install a wind turbine within 500 feet of anything that might block it, the turbine will need to be built 30 ft taller.
It can be hard to predict the energy output of a wind turbine, because the wind never blows at the same speed continuously (wind turbines will convert nearly half of the wind hitting them into electrical power).
Because turbines need to move constantly to produce power, the moving parts will need to be replaced often due to wear and tear. Any larger issues will require specialized maintenance, which will cost more money.

Solar energy is produced when the photovoltaic cells inside solar panels capture the sun’s energy and transform it into electricity. Solar panels have many benefits, including:

They can be installed almost anywhere on a roof or on the ground, unlike wind turbines which are much less flexible.
If you have a solar battery, you can store energy for use when it is not sunny out.
If you do not have a solar battery, you can be tied to the grid, meaning that the excess energy your system generates will be sent to the utility grid. You will also be able to use the energy stored in the grid to power your home at night when your solar panels are not generating any charge.
You will receive credit for the extra energy that you generate, which you can use at any time.
Unlike wind turbines, which constantly move, solar panels are stationary so there is little maintenance required, other than removing dirt, snow, and debris from the surface area.

There are also some drawbacks to solar energy. Solar energy is only produced when there is sunlight, so your system will not produce energy at night or in cloudy areas. If you don’t have a backup battery or have any extra electricity stored, then you will have to use electricity from your local utility company. Solar panels have high upfront costs, but there is a good chance you will qualify for incentives and rebates, which can help save you a lot of money.

Which Is Best?

When it comes to choosing between wind and solar energy, you need to take into account all of the above and decide which will work best for your needs. Both sources of energy are great options, and both come with some drawbacks. Overall, wind energy makes more sense at a utility level, while solar energy is a more practical choice on a smaller scale and for homes. In most cases, solar energy will be more practical because you can install panels just about anywhere, while wind turbines need a huge amount of space. Solar energy will also allow you a predictable source of energy, since you can easily store the excess energy that you produce.

woman with a headset on with her hand up and money over it

When considering renewable energy for your home or business, it’s best to compare plans and companies in your area before making a decision. A Go Solar Energy agent can help you make an informed decision by reviewing all of your options, explaining the installation process for solar energy, going over all of its benefits, and calculating how much you can save. Our agent will compare plans from the top-rated companies in your area, and will help you find the most affordable plan and panel size for your home or business.

To compare quotes for free, enter your zip code on our homepage, or to speak directly to an agent, call 888-290-3112.

Grid-Tied vs. Off-Grid Solar

November 27, 2020 By Cassandra Love Leave a Comment

Once you’ve made the decision to invest in a solar energy system, you still have another decision to make: should you be grid-tied or go off-grid? The difference between the two is in where you store the energy that you generate. An off-grid system is entirely self-sufficient; your solar energy system will produce all of your energy on site. A grid-tied system is attached to the power grid, which will provide your home or business with electricity if your panels are not able to produce enough power. Grid-tied solar is the preferred type of solar system for most properties because it’s cheaper, but depending on your situation you might want to go off-grid.

Grid-Tied

With grid-tied solar energy systems, the energy that your system generates is sent to the utility grid. The energy you produce will be used to power your home first, and the excess will then be distributed to everyone in your area who is connected to your grid. You will also be able to use the energy stored in the grid to power your home at night when your solar panels are not generating any charge. You will receive credit for the energy that you generate, which you can use at any time. The pros of going grid-tied are:

brown bag with money symbol on it with money bills sticking out of it

It is less expensive because you will not not need a backup battery.
You’ll save money with the net metering program. Net metering is a billing mechanism that allows you to sell the excess energy you generate back to the grid.
It’s flexible: if you can’t install a solar system big enough to cover 100% of your energy use, being tied to the grid will give you access to electricity when you need it.
In some areas, solar renewable energy credits will allow you to earn extra income by selling the SRECs your system produces.

The only downside to being grid-tied is the same downside that any home faces: if the grid goes down, then so will your system and your electricity, and it will not turn back on until power is restored to the grid.

Off-Grid

Off-grid solar energy systems have no access to the utility grid whatsoever. Your home or business will generate its own electricity, and you will need a way to store energy for nights and cloudy days. This means you’ll need a “battery bank,” or batteries that will store any extra energy produced. Unfortunately, batteries are the most expensive part of this type of solar system, accounting for about 30-40% of the cost of the system. The pros of going off-grid are:

person in a suit pressing on a blue house with a light bulb in the middle of it

You are completely independent from the grid. If there is a blackout and the local grid has no power, you won’t have to worry about losing power as well. You will still have access to the energy that is stored in your batteries.
If you live in a remote location where installing traditional power poles is difficult and expensive, you will have more reliable access to electricity.
You produce all of your own power supply, so you’ll be able to see how much power you use in a day and will be able to take better control of your energy consumption.

The biggest downside to going off-grid is the need to have batteries for backup energy on days when there is no direct sunlight reaching your solar panels. These batteries are expensive and are costly to replace, which you will need to do every 5 to 6 years.

What’s Best For You?

You’ll have to weigh many factors when choosing whether to go off-grid or grid-tied. Take into consideration things like how far you live from a grid, what size your home is, and how much energy you consume. Most people end up buying a grid-tied solar system because these systems provide security and predictability at an affordable price. If you are in an isolated area, though, an off-grid solar system might be a better option.
If you would like to learn more about grid-tied and off-grid solar, and which system would be best for you, speak to a Go Solar Energy agent. Our agents are highly knowledgeable about all types of solar energy systems and can answer any questions you have, as well as find the perfect system for you. To speak to an agent directly, call (888) 290-3112, or to get instant quotes on different plans in your area, enter your zip code on our homepage.

Be Prepared: A Better Understanding Of Solar Energy Terms

November 12, 2020 By Cassandra Love Leave a Comment

Solar energy can seem complicated and confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re thinking of going solar, then it’s best to have a basic understanding of some solar energy terminology so you can make a more informed decision on a solar energy system. In order to help simplify your search for the right solar energy system, we have provided some key terms that will help you better understand your options.

Solar Panel Terminology

Module– This is another name for a solar panel.
Kilowatt- The standard unit for electricity. The average home uses approximately 900 kilowatts per month.
Utility Grid– Often referred to as simply “The Grid, ” this is a term for a generating station that produces electricity. Electricity is transmitted from a generator, and transmits it to customers through a distribution system.
Off Grid– This means being completely disconnected from the electricity grid. Homes that go “off the grid” have to generate all of their own electricity from their home solar energy system.
Array– Multiple solar cells make up a solar panel, and when multiple panels are wired together, it forms a solar array.
Mounting hardware– The equipment used to secure solar panels to each other and onto rooftops.
Ground-mounted solar- Term for a solar array that is installed on land. Ground mounted solar systems are mainly used for large-scale commercial and utility-scale solar projects.

red solar inverter on a wall with a man looking at the wires.

Inverter– Solar inverters take direct current (DC) from the solar energy system and use it to create alternating current (AC) electricity to power your home. You have the option to choose from different types of inverters, including micro-inverters, which are attached to each individual solar panel. This allows each panel to perform at its maximum potential, and means that one damaged solar panel won’t bring down the performance of the entire solar array.
Solar batteries– Also referred to as solar storage systems, backup batteries can store excess energy generated by the solar system for use at night or during emergencies.
Solar panel efficiency-The percentage of sunlight captured and converted into reusable energy. Most panels run at about 14-16% efficiency, and high efficiency panels rate just above 20%.
Voltage drop– When a current moves through an electrical circuit, a small amount of voltage is lost. This can lead to some production loss from your solar system.

Solar Pricing Terminology

yellow money sign next to a white question mark

Grid parity– A term used when power generated by solar panels costs the same or less than power from conventional resources like natural gas.
Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC)– Commonly referred to as the solar tax credit, this credit to your federal taxes reduces the total cost of your solar energy system by 30% .
Net metering- With this billing mechanism, you can receive credit for any excess electricity generated by your solar panels.
Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC)– A solar incentive that allows you to get a credit for every unit of electricity that your solar panel system generates. You can sell your SRECs back to utility companies in order to save more money.
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)- The contract you sign with a solar company to have a solar energy system installed on your roof. With this agreement, you agree to pay the company a per kilowatt-hour rate for the electricity produced by the solar panels.

Go Solar Energy wants to make your solar experience as smooth as possible. Our agents will help you fully understand how solar power systems work, and can save you money by finding all of the rebates and incentives offered in your area. If you are interested in installing a solar panel system and reducing your electric bill, we will find you the most affordable plan, so you can start saving hundreds of dollars every year. To compare different plans and to see if you qualify for incentives, speak to one of our agents. We will compare quotes for you in minutes, for free. Start saving now! Enter your zip code on our home page, or to speak directly to an agent call (888) 290-3112.

Calculating Your Solar Panels Return On Investment

November 1, 2020 By Cassandra Love Leave a Comment

Investing in a solar power system will save you thousands of dollars a year on your electricity costs. What’s even better is, depending on where you live, you may qualify for various incentives that could end up saving you even more money. You also have a lot of options when it comes to solar energy systems: you can be grid-connected or go off-grid, you can choose between different types of converters, etc, and these choices will help to determine your costs. Whatever you choose, if you invest in a solar energy system, you will save money because you’re using renewable energy. But just how much will your return on investment (ROI) be? Go Solar Energy can help you calculate the ROI you can expect when you switch to solar energy.

How Much Is Solar Power System Installation?

caucasian man with a utility belt working on a solar panel

Solar panel systems can cost anywhere from $12,000 to $20,000 for a 5kw system if you purchase one outright. This includes installation, solar panels, batteries to store the energy for later use, and an inverter which converts the energy into electricity.

The average cost of solar energy is between $0.13 and $0.17 per kilowatt. If you qualify for incentives, then the price could come down to anywhere between $0.08 and $0.11 per kilowatt, which is a lot less than what the average home pays for traditional electricity.

What Incentives Are Available?

There are multiple money-saving rebates and incentives that you can qualify for when you install a solar energy system. These include:

The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC)- This incentive allows you to deduct 26% of the installation costs for your system from your federal income tax. If your installation cost $20,000, then you would get a $5,200 tax rebate.
State-level incentives– Different states offer different incentives to encourage you to go solar. In order to find out what incentives your particular state offers, speak to one of our agents who is trained for your particular state.
Property Tax Exemptions– Installing solar panels will most likely increase the value of your home. The property tax exemption allows you to deduct this added value from your property’s value for tax purposes. So even if your property value goes up after you install solar panels, this exemption will allow you to keep your property taxes at their original level.
Sales Tax Exemptions– This provision exempts you from paying sales tax when purchasing a home solar system, reducing the upfront cost of going solar.

caucasian hands counting large money bills.

Other Ways To Save More

Aside from the above incentives and the added value to your home, there are other ways that installing a solar power system will help you save money in the long run.

Net Metering Program- This billing mechanism is available in almost every state and allows you to sell any extra solar electricity that your system produces back to your local utility company.
Rebates- Some solar panel manufacturers periodically offer mail-in rebates on their products. These will help reduce the costs of your installation by as much as 10% to 20% or more.
Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs)– This incentive program allows you to earn one SREC for every 1000 kilowatt hours produced by your solar panel system. You can then sell these certificates back to your utility company for up to $300 each.

How Long Until You “Break Even”?

Assuming that your solar energy system cost approximately $20,000 to install, and switching to solar energy saves you around $2,500 a year on your electric bills, then the typical solar payback period is just above 8 years. If you’re eligible for incentives and tax rebates, though, your solar power system will pay for itself within around 7 years.

Calculating Your ROI

person with a mustard yellow sweater holding a calculator in one hand and a pencil in the other.

If you want to know your exact return of investment, you can calculate it by:

Figuring out the cost of your solar panel system, minus any upfront incentives and rebates.
Calculating your annual financial benefits, which includes how much you’re saving on electricity, and any additional incentives.
Dividing the total from step number 1 by the total number from step number 2. The end result is how many years it will take for you to get your solar payback.

Did you know that when you compare multiple quotes on solar energy systems you can save 10% or more? To easily compare plans in your area, talk to Go Solar Energy. Our agents will compare plans in your area, find any and all incentives that you can get, and even calculate your return of investment for you – and we’ll do it all for free! To get an affordable solar energy system with a faster return on investment, enter your zip code on our homepage, or to speak directly to one of our agents, call 888-290-3112.

The Pros and Cons of Microinverters

October 26, 2020 By Cassandra Love Leave a Comment

Solar energy systems have more to them than simply the panels that you see on rooftops. One of the main components of these systems is the inverter. This essential part of a solar energy system is responsible for converting Direct Current (DC) energy into Alternating Current (AC) electricity. There are two main types of inverters you can choose from when having your system installed: string inverters and microinverters. Microinverters are the smaller of the two, and convert DC to AC one or two panels at a time, instead of converting electricity from the entire array of solar panels, as string inverters do. There are both advantages and disadvantages to microinverters, which you should know about before determining which inverter is right for you.

What Are Microinverters?

microinverter in gray with an orange background

Microinverters, unlike a string inverter (which is a standalone, central unit), are installed on each solar panel. This makes them the best option for roofs that have an abundance of shade, since they can operate independently. With a string inverter, solar panels produce electricity based on the level of the lowest-performing panel on the same string. However, with microinverters, because each panel has its own inverter, all of the other solar panels can perform efficiently even if one panel is not.

The Pros

They’re more efficient. The fact that microinverters are installed on each panel is one of their biggest advantages. This is especially true if you have a roof with multiple angles that all get different amounts of sunlight. Having a microinverter on each panel means that each panel will be producing its own AC electricity, without having to rely on the performance of the solar panel next to it. Because of this, microinverters can increase the efficiency of your solar energy system by 5 – 25%.

They have longer warranties. The inverter is one of the most expensive parts of your solar power system, so having a long warranty is a huge advantage. Microinverters usually have a 25-year warranty, as opposed to most string inverters, which have warranties of only around 8 – 12 years.
You can keep track of their energy production. Because microinverters are placed on every panel, you can track individual panel performance using your smartphone! This way you can find out which panel is not operating efficiently and needs to be cleaned or checked for damage.

They allow for flexible installation. On a limited budget and can only afford a few solar panels? Microinverters are a great way to go! This is because if you decide to add more solar panels in the future, you will not need to connect them to a central inverter.

The Cons

Although there are many advantages to microinverters, there are also a few disadvantages.

The cost. Microinverters are more expensive to install than string inverters, and the more efficient the inverter, the more you will pay. On average, microinverters cost about $1,000 more than a string inverter.

hundred dollar bills stacked on top of each other

Heat could reduce their life expectancy. Your roof is exposed to harsh weather conditions, and because microinverter equipment sits on the roof, they have more potential for breakdowns.

They require a lot of extra equipment. Because microinverters are installed behind every solar panel, there is a lot of extra equipment on your roof.
They can be damaged by storms. Most microinverters have surge protection, but there is still a chance that they could be damaged by lightning.

Microinverters are more expensive than string inverters, but they are more efficient and will mean more energy production for your home or business. If you are debating whether a string inverter or microinverters will work best for you, we can help you decide. One of Go Solar Energy’s highly trained and knowledgeable agents will look at your situation, go over the pros and cons of each type of inverter, and help you choose the best option. To find out more, and to easily compare quotes, simply enter your zip code on our homepage, or to speak directly to one of our agents call (888) 290-3112.