When considering the installation of a solar power system for a home or investment property, there are numerous options with a wide degree of price points. Bob Monnet of Flatiron Solar – www.flatironsolar.com – helps us to navigate the solar sea by detailing the two most popular home solar systems: Solar Electric and Solar Hot Water. Each solar system described below can effectively reduce electrical bills and increase the value of a property once installed and properly implemented.
Solar Electric
A solar electric system absorbs the sun’s energy and provides a home with raw energy to use for your specific purpose.
Learn more about how solar electric works: http://www.nrel.gov/workingwithus/re-solar.html
This could be anything from powering a phone charger to running the refrigerator or air conditioner – which obviously reduces the cost of the electric bill from the utility company. It’s sun’s out, fun’s out for the electric bill.
Solar Hot Water
A solar hot water system uses the sun’s energy to heat up water for a home, reducing the overall monthly gas bill.
Learn more about how a solar water heater works: https://energy.gov/eere/energybasics/articles/solar-water-heater-basics
Of course, a home still needs a hot water heater during the winter or for those times when the sun isn’t out, but a solar hot water system can help augment the existing heating system to lower costs and reduce the stress on the hot water heater, thus also increasing its lifespan.
Other Solar Power Installation Factors
While home solar power systems provide a home with power, there are a range of factors to consider when looking for an installation, such as what type of panel the home needs, how many panels are needed to adequately provide a benefit, and whether the home will be storing energy in a battery or be connected to a grid system.
Here are some factors to consider when installing a home solar system:
- Number of panels – depending on the size of the roof face that is sun-facing, more panels can be installed for greater efficiency.
- Type of panels – different panels have different efficiency, and a solar expert will be able to provide a consultation to advise what is best.
- Homeowners Association – some HOA’s don’t allow solar panels, so make sure to check if the area HOA doesn’t have a rule against solar installation.
Whenever you are thinking about installing a home solar system, be sure to consult a local solar expert!