When deciding whether or not solar panels are worth your money, there are many important things to take into consideration. These include the costs and payback periods, as well as the impact on home values. Although solar panels are an option that may work best for some homeowners, it is not always the best. Your home's ability to receive solar power depends on the location of your roof and its shade. South-facing roofs are best for solar power.
Costs
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 also reduce utility bills, making solar panels a very attractive option for homeowners. Solar panels can be expensive, but they can reduce your utility bills and help the environment.
Calculate your monthly electricity bill before you make a decision about whether to install solar panels. Add that number to the average rate charged by your utility provider. To calculate the cost of installing solar panel, you can use an online calculator.
Payback period
The payback time for solar panels is dependent on many factors. These include how much electricity you use, and how big your solar system. A rooftop solar array usually costs less 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, like those used to prevent food spoilage during power outages, or keep your sump pump working in the event of a hurricane.
Determine how often your electricity bill fluctuates. To calculate the payback period you can use your last six month's electricity bill as an average. Other cost variations, such as seasonal temperatures, can also be included. If you consume 100% of your monthly electric bill, the payback period for solar panel panels will be between twenty and twenty-five years.
Impact on home prices
The location and size of the solar panel system will have an impact on the home's value. According to one study solar panels increased the home's value by approximately 4%. This study was done seven years ago and it's not clear if the same effect will be seen today.
Many agents will tell you that adding solar panels increases the value of your home. According to the size of the solar panels and how much electricity is used, a typical solar home buyer could save hundreds of dollars each month. Although these savings are not significant, home owners should consider the maintenance costs. Many buyers view solar installations as a win/win situation. 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 panel system must be able to produce at least that much electricity. Residential solar panels typically produce 350 to 450 watts. Depending on the specific use, you might only need 17 400-watt panels to produce enough electricity for an average American home.
You will need an inverter to convert the sun's direct current (DC), into alternating power (AC), which is necessary to run most appliances. It is crucial to choose the right type of inverter to suit your system. This will determine the efficiency of your solar panels.
Maintaining the property
Easy steps can be taken to maintain your solar panels. It takes very little time and is safe and affordable. Dust and other debris may build up if the panels are exposed to a lot more traffic. In such cases, it's important to clean your panels regularly. 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. You can hire a professional cleaner if you are unable to reach your panels.
When cleaning solar panels, wear a hard hat as well as a protective harness. To prevent damage to solar panels, use mild detergent. You can also hire a professional to clean your solar panels if you don't have time or the tools. It's easy to find someone to clean the panels using a free quote.