Property in Santa Cruz Real Estate Blog

Adding Solar Panels to Your Home

Chances are your latest electric bill is a bit higher than you would like, and you’re thinking about how you and your family can help the environment. If that is the case, one of the ways that you can improve both is through the use of renewable energy resources. If you’re considering taking such a step, one possibility to think about is installing a solar panel system on your home. Another is to look into buying one of the many Santa Cruz County homes for sale that already have them installed. In this article we will explore what solar energy is, how it can be used to power your home, and what to consider before making an investment in this renewable energy source.

At this point, nearly 85% of the U.S. energy needs are being met by fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. In addition to being finite resources, they also have a significant impact on the environment, either through their production or their use. Because of these factors, homeowners who seriously consider using solar energy in their homes can significantly improve their impact on the environment, as well as lower their overall utility bills. In fact, with the lower utility bills, the initial investment in a solar power system could potentially be paid off within 15 years. Also, a number of solar loans and financial incentives exist on local and state levels to reward those taking the steps to make their homes more energy efficient. A local Santa Cruz realtor can help you find the house that fits your energy and efficiency needs. You can search for the Santa Cruz solar home that will fit your needs, many are available.

A solar energy system is a fairly straightforward configuration. Basically, a solar generator system consists of three basic parts. The first and most noticeable is the photovoltaic cell, or a series of them. The second is a transformer that stores and changes the DC output from the cells into usable AC current, and module racks to make sure that the series of solar panels are securely mounted on the roof or ground at the appropriate angle.

The solar cells, as mentioned above, are actually photovoltaic cells, and are group together in series referred to as modules. Each cell is comprised of specialized materials called semiconductors, usually silicon or other material that can partially conduct energy. When sunlight strikes the solar panel cell, a portion of the sunlight is absorbed into the semiconductor material. The energy of the absorbed light is then transferred to the semiconductor. On the atomic level, this energy knocks electrons loose, allowing them to flow through material. This flowing of electrons is what is commonly referred to as electricity. This electricity is then forced into specific pathways by the use of secondary electrical fields within the photovoltaic cells. The electricity is then moved and stored in the associated transformer, which converts the direct current into an alternating current utilized by most homes.

Of course, if you want to reduce you’re electric bill; you’ll have to make sure that the energy harnessed through your solar power system is accounted for within the general power grid. A great way to accomplish this is to use a system that is grid connected. Grid connected photovoltaic systems are designed to operated in parallel with and connected with the electric utility grid. In addition to the normal system requirements, a power conditioning unit is required. A power conditioning unit acts in much the same way as a transformer in an off grid system. It converts the direct current electricity into AC power that is consistent with the voltage and quality of the electricity supplied by the grid. When the grid is not energized, the PCU automatically stops supplying power to it. Surplus energy to the utility grid simply flows out through the main electric service panel to the electric wires of the residence. Since the electricity from both the utility grid and the solar generator system flows through the same meter, you would be credited the value of the electricity that you supplied to the overall utility grid.

Besides the potential lowering of your utility bill, there are a number of things to consider before adding a solar panel system to your home. The first, of course, is whether or not a system such as this could provide enough energy for your home. Despite what you might think, geographically areas with a lot of sunlight, such as deserts, aren’t the only good choices available. In order for a solar panel system to be a feasible choice, you need to consider how much sunlight, or peak sun hours are available during the year. One way to estimate the peak sun hours of your property is to review Global Peak Sun Hour Maps as maintained by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (www.nrel.gov).

In addition to determining the amount of sunlight available in your area, the next thing to consider is the amount of potential energy that a system can provide to your home. An average solar panel can produce approximately 60 watts of energy. If your area has approximately 6 hours of peak sun, a solar panel could potentially generate 360 watt hours of electricity. By comparing this to your electrical needs, you and a solar power professional can design a system that meets your needs.

One final consideration to make before investing in solar power generation is the initial cost and cost of system upkeep. Initial cost of a residential system can vary from $25,000 to $90,000. However, after available incentives and rebates, the cost of installation could be substantially less, usually between twelve and twenty-five thousand. Maintenance costs are usually included in service contracts offered by the installers, so it’s a good idea to shop around.

Whether you’re considering solar panels to lower your utility bill or help the environment, you’re making a significant investment in your home. Not only can they potentially reduce both your electric bill and your environmental impact, but it can potentially increase the resale value of your home. Making the choice to use solar energy can be a great investment, now in well into the future. Search for Santa Cruz solar homes or other eco-friendly homes in Santa Cruz.