Solar Power 101: Everything you need to know about solar energy

How many times have you opened up your electric bill, and it's more than you expected? Do you

ever find yourself thinking, "I can't afford this?" Well, if that is the case, then solar power might be for you. With solar energy, homeowners can generate their electricity by using panels on their roofs or at different locations. If this sounds like something that interests you, continue reading below to learn more about how it works and what benefits come with it.

For homeowners looking for an environmentally friendly way to save money while reducing their carbon footprint, this article will help give you all the information you'll need to decide whether solar panels are suitable for your home.

What solar energy is and how it works.

First, a little background on what solar energy is and how it works. Solar energy is generated by absorbing the heat from the sun and using that energy to convert it into usable heat or another form of energy or storage. Solar panels capture the sun’s light directly.

You will see products that say, “We’re environmentally friendly because we use solar energy!”

In reality, most commercial solar panels you’ll find today don’t need to use solar energy all the time. Commercial panels have thousands of mirrors that concentrate and redirect the sun’s rays to the photovoltaic cells (also known as cells). Unlike a regular aftermarket solar panel installed on the roof, those commercial panels don’t generate much electricity. Instead, they generate heat that used to be wasted.

When you look outside your window, there probably is some amount of heat radiating off the Earth. And even if your windows aren’t directly facing the sun, there is perhaps some heat radiating from your home. That heat is being converted into energy sent back to your home by connecting to your utility. Back to the beginning of the article.

A typical residential solar system includes 285–570 watts of panels, where the “grid energy” refers to actual electricity production from utilities. This is only about 20% of what a typical commercial system will generate. The rest of the energy comes from the panels’ energy storage capabilities. That is, the panels convert the surplus sunlight from the photovoltaic cells into electricity or heat.

Many folks interested in installing solar panels on their roofs can find great financing options through local or state government programs. If you are not a U.S citizen, you can apply for a U.S. Green Card. If you already have a Green Card or can establish your domicile in the U.S., you do not need to apply for a Green Card. However, if you are not yet a U.S. citizen or have a Green Card, learn more about using for one.

Simple

Installing a solar power system can be pretty simple, and the panels only cost about $25–30 to $50, although they can go up fast. If you replace your bathroom’s air conditioning unit, the solar system’s total cost could go from around $300–500 to more than $1,000. There are plenty of online calculators that can help you estimate the costs.

This is the most common reason that people go with solar panels on their roofs. It’s energy-efficient and gives homeowners overall energy access. Typical homeowners will save money by installing 3 to 5 panels on their roof, which will then be able to generate around 1/3 of the house's energy needs.

According to Generation Progress, solar panels, on average, pay for themselves in nine to 12 years. Depending on how productive the panels are from year to year, the cost can vary from around 25 to 30 million dollars for 4 or 5 panels to over 100 million dollars (at least) for 11 to 12 panels.

Each time you can use the sun for your electricity, you’re essentially making a return on investment. The amount of money you gain comes down to how many panels you have and how productive your panels are.

Maximum power output

As solar energy is mainly dependent on the amount of sunlight, the panel can capture, the more power you pack in, the more energy you’ll be able to generate. There is a limit to how much power a single solar panel can produce, known as the panel amp-hour (panel amp is the unit of measurement for panel power output. This is measured in watts).

When discussing energy efficiency, people often say watt per hour (Wh/h). This is calculated by multiplying the wattage of a solar unit by the efficiency. A typical 30 amp-hour power rating for a 5kW panel will result in an efficiency of 75%, making it able to produce at a maximum rate of 3.3 Wh/h. However, efficiency ratings will vary based on the characteristics of the panel. What is important to note is that this is purely theoretical and will not magnify your actual working efficiency.

According to EnergySage, 42% of the average American household’s energy consumption is spent on power generation. If you add up all the panel watt ratings in a typical home using the estimates in the previous section, totaling up to 6.25kW. This means that at least 42% of your household’s electricity needs sit in the form of power produced from the sun.

Lithium-ion batteries can store one-fourth to one-fifth of the energy consumed by a typical household (based on a 25-year average for used batteries. A 100-watt panel producing 20.7wh during a year will require 1,350 kWh of storage, which would need 4,630 AA batteries).

Nonoxide rechargeable batteries are the most efficient respondents in terms of energy consumption.

The first thing to know is that solar electricity is not the same as photovoltaics (PV). PV devices convert light into electrical energy. Solar panels, on the other hand, use the Sun to generate power. In simple terms, they convert sunlight into electricity.

If you have trouble visualizing how this works, try thinking about generating electricity by using a cellphone. When you flip on a light, electrons are hit by photons, and the phone generates electricity due to the chain reaction. Likewise, solar power cells convert sunlight into electrical energy. The more sunlight that hits a panel, the more electricity it will generate. Solar energy is the same. Think of it as energy being created when the sun comes up. However, in reality, electricity is produced when a solar cell is exposed to sunlight. This is called photovoltaic (PV) technology and is what you typically find in cell phones and small electronic devices.

Before anybody tells you this approach is not eco-friendly, I want you to think about what you might be willing to sacrifice to save money and reduce your carbon impact. Perusing the electric bill may help give you an idea of what you are ready to accept. Considering these factors and the environmental benefits will help you decide if a solar method suits you.

Space is a significant drawback when considering solar power for homeowners. According to the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) report released in 2011, people are willing to pay a premium in places where space is limited, such as the Mojave Desert in California. Homes in communities with low populations are valued more than homes in high-populated areas. This might be a drawback for those who live in areas where access to solar panels is limited.

If this is something that worries you, consider a panelous house. A panelous house is simply a house in which the roof, windows, and walls are covered with solar panels. Homes using panels like this will potentially save a family 50% on their electricity bill if installed on a sunny day.

Homeowners using solar power must also consider access to skilled labor. Since each household will require different equipment, there might be a need to install the panels. If you are looking to do this yourself, hiring a handyperson might be in your best interest. Another consideration regarding labor is that finding a qualified solar panel installer is expensive, making choosing the right one even more difficult.