Solar Panels for Your Home: Everything You Need to Know

As our planet faces a global environmental crisis, it is time for everyone to consider how they can live a more sustainable lifestyle.

One of the most impactful ways to go green is by adopting renewable energy solutions for your home. This will not only help the environment, but also reduce your energy costs.

Are you thinking about installing solar panels for your home? Here is everything you need to know about choosing and setting up home solar panels.

Click on any of the links below to jump straight to the question, or read on to get the full picture.

How does a solar panel work?

If you are thinking about producing your own sun-based energy, the first thing to ask yourself is how does a solar panel work.

It is important to think about how our energy consumption habits impact not only our lives, but also the planet.

For many years, nuclear energy and oil have been almost the only way to produce enough energy to power our homes, but this is all changing. There are now way greener ways to live and to meet our needs in energy.

All you really need to know is how a solar panels works.

Solar panels work using the photovoltaic effect, and do so using silicon much like computers. When silicon is stripped down, it is ideal for the transmission of electrons – the backbone behind how solar panels work.

When they’re not charged, silicon atoms only carry four electrons, but they can carry eight when charged.

When combined with elements found in sunlight, the solar plates combine through conductive wires to allow the passing of currents between panels.

Without photons (found in sunlight) these panels wouldn’t charge. The silicon atom carries nine electrons when it connects with sunlight, but it only has space for eight.

The particle ‘drops’ the negative electron, which circulates until it’s picked up by a positive electrode, which generates charge in the panel.

The atom can remain undamaged for a long time, which is why this form of energy is so durable.

Learn more about how a solar panel works

A common mistake is that people believe you need to live in a very warm and sunny area to use solar panels. It’s not necessarily true.

Even though it’s undeniable that areas such as California, South Europe or Africa would make the best out of solar panels, a tropical climate is not mandatory if you wish to install solar panels.

The way solar panels work, is that they convert sunlight into energy. It has nothing to do with the heat, so you don’t have to live in the warmest area of the globe to enjoy the perks of producing your own energy.

Solar panels work even when there is less light, for example during the winter. The daylight time will be reduced, and so will be your energy production, but there is no reason that you won’t be able to cover your basic needs in electricity.

The temperature is not an important factor, and solar panels work in spite of the snow. You will just have to make sure that snow doesn’t cover the panel, making it harder to catch the light and convert it into energy.

The pros and cons of installing your own solar panels are numerous, and you should consider every aspect of it before making any decision.

Yes, solar panels cost a lot to purchase and install, but you’ll save a lot on your electricity bills.

Yes, solar panels work everywhere on the globe, but only as long as there is enough sun during the day. Considering installing solar panels in an area that has mostly rainy days might not be the best idea.

On the contrary, if you are lucky enough to live in a very sunny region, your production may be higher than your needs. In that case, you should contact a specialist, who will advise you on the best way to sell your excess of energy.

Yes that’s right, you can make money by producing your own energy. A win-win situation in which the planet and you will be equally happy.

How do solar panels work for your home?

Solar panels are an energy saving home power solution that can help dramatically reduce both your power bill and your carbon footprint.

Installing them is relatively simple and although their one-time installation cost may be high, long term prices for these panels are remarkably reasonable.

Many commercial and residential dwellings use solar panels as part of their energy plan and use is only growing in popularity. This applies particularly to areas of the world where at least 6 hours of peak sunshine are available on a daily basis for large parts of the year.

However, even in less sun soaked places, panels can be installed and will still help reduce your power bill to some extent.

That said, you should look over some important factors that you need to consider before installing a solar panel system in your own home or business.

This is a fairly big decision and you need to have at least your basic facts straight if you want to go ahead with it. Here are 5 important things you should know before installing solar panels on your home.

Solar panels boost the value of your home, and provide enough savings over time to pay for themselves –and yet so many avoid the prospect of doing so because it seems like such a daunting task.

Installing solar panels doesn’t have to be a nightmare; here are a handful of tips to make the process a little easier (and less scary) for the uninitiated.

Why install solar panels?

Energy consumption is an important environmental factor. To produce energy, many highly-polluting methods still exist and endanger our planet and ourselves.

Oil causes wars and pollution problems, so how do we produce a clean, violence-free energy? What if that big yellow ball in the sky could help us? Yes, we’ll tell you how solar panels can work for your home, so you can produce your own natural energy to power your home.

Going green has a lot of perks, and it’s all easier than it seems. Many websites will explain in details how to choose and install your solar panels, and produce your own energy. If you are lucky enough to live in a sunny area, make the most of it!

Be kind to the environment and to your wallet, and find out how solar panels work for your home.

Solar panels for your home: pros and cons

In these times of environmental crisis, let’s look at solar panels’ pros and cons.

You might want to start producing your own energy, and that is a great idea. Electricity is expensive, and its production can be very damaging for the environment.

If you have decided that you don’t want to contribute to air pollution anymore, or just want to adopt cleaner energy for the good of the planet, take a look at these solar panels pros and cons.

Pros

The advantages for you are numerous. Mass-energy production can be harmful to the environment and humans. Nuclear power stations have caused enormous damages to populations’ and to the planet’s health.

Aside from doing the planet and yourself a big favour, solar panels pros are also economical. Producing your own energy means that you will save a lot of money on electricity bills, and let’s face it, that is a huge solar panels pro.

Of course the amount of what you will be saving depends on different factors, and you might save more during the summer than during the winter, during daytime than at night, and so on.

On the side of solar panels pros, yes, the sun shines everywhere. You don’t have to live in a well-connected area to enjoy sunlight, and that’s great if you live in the countryside.

in remote areas, it is easier to get solar energy than a high-speed Internet connection!

Also, it is possible to sell the excess of energy produced. If you live in a very sunny area, you might produce energy in excess, but a relatively sunny area can provide you with enough energy to cover the basic needs of your family.

Cons

However, keep in mind that one of the solar panels cons is that they are costly. The installation and the cost of the panels are not cheap, but it’s worth it if you can afford it.

On the side of solar panels cons, you can’t guarantee sun everywhere. There are places sunnier than others, and you don’t really have a word in it, especially if you already own your house in a place that doesn’t have great sun exposure all year long.

It goes without saying that solar panels are more worth the try for those who live in California than for people who live in Alaska.

Bear in mind that its initial cost is high, but that you will be saving money on the bills over the long-term. It won’t be an immediate return on the investment.

However, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages – solar panels are very environmental-friendly, and deserve to be taken a closer look at.

Do solar panels work in winter?

If you are considering going for home-made, green energy, you must be wondering if solar panels work in winter.

To answer this question, it’s important to know how solar panels work.

Even though the sun heats, it’s the light that’s converted into electricity. This means that even in absence of sun heat, your solar panel will continue converting the sunlight into energy, regardless of the season.

However, keep in mind that even if solar panels work in the winter, the time of daylight is reduced and so will be the amount of energy you can produce.

Even though installing your own solar panel will help you reduce the cost of your energy consumption, the whole process is a bit expensive, so before you make the investment, some practical factors need to be taken into account, depending on where you live.

You will have to consider whether this is a sunny enough area to make it worth the price, and whether or not solar panels work in winter.

Some of us don’t live in countries or cities that have an all-year-round summer-like weather, and it is something to think about before investing money and time into solar panels.

But what about other winter factors, and how do they affect my solar panels?

Does snow affect solar panels?

Whether or not snow affects solar panels is a good question, and a tricky one as well.

The amount of electricity you can produce with your solar panel will vary depending on where you live, and the season sure will have an influence on it.

Technically, the snow will not damage your solar panels. However, in order for the panels to work, they need to be able to absorb the sunlight. So you must make sure that nothing covers the panels, as it needs access to the sunlight to convert it to energy.

Make sure no leaves or significant quantity of snow obstructs the sunlight way to your panels.

The great thing is that solar panels work in winter, so there isn’t a time of the year when you’ll find yourself in a difficult situation.

It’s a great idea to reduce your mass-energy consumption. Going for solar panels is way greener, and will cost you and the planet less in the long-term.

However, if you get enough sunlight in your area in the summer, the wintertime should not cause any particular problem. Just make sure that nothing covers the panels, making it harder to absorb the light.

How much does it cost to get solar panels on a house?

The cost of your solar panel system will depend on electricity usage, which dictates how many solar panels you need.

Many people consider producing their own energy, but are wondering how much it costs to get solar panels on a house. That’s a tricky question, but the answer might surprise you.

Is it expensive? Not really.

Installing the solar panels has a cost, but you’ll eventually be saving money on electricity bills. By looking at different companies and comparing the quotes, make sure you’ll find the best priced solar panels. Keep in mind that it’s not because a company is famous that they offer the best deals.

Did you know that you can actually make money with your solar panels? If you produce more electricity than you can use, you can sell it. If the energy produced by your solar panel exceeds your consumption, it can be sold to a third-party and you’ll make some money.

Make sure to contact a specialist, who will explain to you how everything works in your region, so you’ll make the best out of your solar energy adventure!

Producing mass-energy has become more and more costly to the planet. Cheap energies such a nuclear are easy to produce, but pose potential problems for humans and the planet.

Energy production is one of the great questions of our times: how do we do it, and how do we make it less harmful for the planet?

Clean energies such as solar and wind are great alternatives, but many wonder how much it costs to get solar panels on a house. No one wants to lose money, even for the greater good, and that’s understandable.

Life is not easy, and there is no need to complicate it for nothing. However, you might be wrong if you think getting solar panels is expensive.

Of course, any transition has a cost. Purchasing and installing solar panels has one as well, and it’s surely not cheap. The cost of it might scare away some people, but it’s necessary to look at the big picture when you decide to go greener.

Indeed, you will only need to instal your solar panels once. They are quite resistant, and don’t require a lot of maintenance. Snow or rain don’t matter, and won’t damage your panels.

However, if you live in a very cloudy and rainy area, this particular alternative might not be ideal for you, as solar panels need sunlight to produce energy.

So, how much does it cost to get solar panels on a house?

You can find the best quotes on the Internet. Don’t hesitate to compare quotes from different companies and see which ones offer the best deals.

The idea is that you will start saving a lot on your electricity bills, which is often one of the most expensive bills. Since you will be producing your own, no need to give all your money to your energy provider. Get better control over your consumption and budget.

Have a talk with a specialist who will guide you through the process, and start making profit. In the end, the cost of installing solar panels is much lower than all its advantages.

Can you buy and install your own solar panels?

If you are looking to go green, maybe you are wondering if you can buy and install you own solar panels.

With a little help, it isn’t difficult to size the system yourself, select components, or even mount and install solar panels, inverters, and appropriate safety disconnects.

Solar panels have become a real alternative, and everyone should consider it for their home. Not only are the solar panels producing green and clean energy, which is great for the planet, but they come with all sorts of advantages.

Producing your own electricity will give you more independence and more control over your energy consumption and budget. If you believe to be living in an area that is sunny enough to produce your solar energy, the only question left is the one of the cost.

Buying and installing solar panels has a cost, and many are not ready to spend that much money upfront, even if it means saving money eventually, and even maybe making some.

Professional installation can be quite costly, and we see more and more people wondering whether or not you can buy and install your own solar panels.

It depends on you, and on the solar panels you want to invest in. Some companies offer smaller solar panels, and promote a DYI installation that doesn’t require professional help.

These alternatives exist, and the market is growing. You can look at the these panels, and see if they match your expectations.

However, when it comes to electricity, there is always danger. You should not manipulate some components on your own.

Also, solar panels can be quite expensive to buy, and hiring a professional to install them for you will reduce the risk of you making a mistake, which will end-up being way more expensive if you damage the materials you bought for your own installation.

To start installing your very own home solar panels, there are several things that you should consider.

In you want to have everything right and legal, seek professional help. You can buy and install your own solar panels, but don’t forget that it is safer and will anticipate problems if you ask a company to do it for you.

Trying to fix some problems on your own can be way more costly than hiring an electrician in the first place.

Going for solar panels is a great idea, and the planet and your children might thank you later.

However, like any installation, it requires skills that you might not have. If you have any doubts, ask for a professional to help you, in order to avoid any error that would result in damages to the panels, your home, or yourself.