There are a number of important factors to consider when deciding whether solar panels are worth the money. These include the cost, payback period and impact on your home's value. While solar panels may be the best choice for homeowners, not all homes are suitable. How much solar power your home can get depends on where it is located and what shade it has. In general, solar power is best received from south-facing roofs.
Prices
Although the cost of solar panels varies by region and state, they are generally much less expensive than power from traditional utilities. Solar systems can even lower utility bills, making it a popular choice for homeowners. Although solar panels may not be cheap, they can help lower your utility bill and make the environment greener.
Calculate your monthly electricity bill before you make a decision about whether to install solar panels. Divide that figure by your average utility provider's rate. A solar energy calculator online can help you determine the cost to install solar cells.
Payback period
The payback period of solar panels depends on many factors including how much you use electricity and the size of the system. A rooftop solar array is typically cheaper than a ground or pole-mounted system. The cost of adding premium solar panels and a battery bank to your rooftop array will go up. Premium panels, for instance, can prevent your food from spoiling in a power outage or prevent your sump pump from running during a hurricane.
First, calculate how frequently your electricity bill fluctuates. To calculate the payback period you can use your last six month's electricity bill as an average. Also, seasonal changes and variations in cost can be considered. Your payback period on solar panels is between twenty-five and twenty five years, depending on the amount you use each month.
Impact on home valuations
The location and size of the solar panel system will have an impact on the home's value. According to one study, solar panels can increase home value by as much as 4%. But, the study was seven years old and it is not certain if this effect will continue today.
Many agents claim that solar panels can increase the home's value. According to their estimates, the average solar home buyer can save hundreds per month depending upon how large and how abundantly they are used. These savings may not be substantial, and a home owner should also consider any maintenance costs. Many buyers see solar panels as a win/win solution. They are prepared to pay as little as $4 per watt to have a solar-powered home.
System size
A number of factors affect the size and shape of a solar panel system. The first is how much electricity your average household uses. The average US household uses about 10,400kWh each year. As such, a solar system must produce at minimum that amount of electricity. The typical output of residential solar panels is 350 to 450 Watts. Depending on how you use your panels, you may only need 17 400 watt panels. This will provide enough electricity to power an average American home.
An inverter is required to convert direct current (DC), generated by the sun, into alternating current. This allows you to use most appliances and machinery. It is important to select the right inverter, as the size of your solar panel will impact its efficiency.
Inspection and maintenance
Keeping your solar panels clean is easy. It doesn't take a lot of time, and it's cheap and safe. Dust and other debris may build up if the panels are exposed to a lot more traffic. You need to clean your panels as often as possible in such cases. You can use soapy water to remove dust, but it's important to remember that soapy water evaporates quickly and leaves a film on the solar panels. If you can't get to your panels, you can hire a professional cleaner to do it for you.
When cleaning solar panels, wear a hard hat as well as a protective harness. To avoid damage to your solar panels, you should use mild detergent. If you don't have the time or tools, you can hire a professional solar panel cleaner to do it for you. It is easy to find someone who will clean your panels using our free quote system.