Across the United States, more and more people are uncovering the advantages of solar power. Switching to solar is a long-term commitment. You need to pay close attention to various parameters, and it is important to make an informed decision. Here are five factors to consider when you’re thinking of moving to solar:

1. Strength and status of your roof

Before switching to solar, it is essential to check the health of your roof. If it is aged or has some damage that needs repair, it is better to get that done before affixing the solar panels. This way, there would be no dismantling of solar panels required to fix the roof.

Other aspects you’ve to take into account:

• Warranty on the roof vs the warranty on the solar installation you are considering
• Strength of the roof, to understand if it can easily support the weight of solar panels
• A professional audit encompassing evaluation of roof health and additional reinforcements that might be required to ensure a safe installation

2. Warranty on solar panels and other integral components

The warranty offered on solar power systems varies depending on the manufacturer and contractor. Most reliable companies offer a long-term guarantee of 20-25 years. As there are no moving parts, the wear and tear and the subsequent maintenance will be quite low. However, the warranty does cover an assured level of power output (around 80%) throughout the warranty period.

Make sure to check the following:

• What does the warranty cover? Is it for the entire system or the inverter alone? Does it include the quality of workmanship by installers?
• What doesn’t the warranty cover? What happens in the case of improper installation or high wear and tear caused by extreme weather conditions?
• What is the duration of the warranty? The average industry standard is 25 years.

3. Optimization of installation efficiency

The way in which the panels are placed makes a difference in how much energy you can harvest. If you are about to construct a new building, it is a good idea to design it in such a way that the rooftop gets the most sunlight throughout the day. If you already have a home, you could think of minimal shading, thermal insulation, and double glazing.

Before finalizing the location and system capacity, do check:

• If there are provisions to expand the panel applications to new cases in the future, like pool heaters, water heaters, EV charging stations, etc.
• If sufficient arrangements are being made to avoid shade on the panels. Typically, the panels should be as south-facing as possible.
• If the system is compatible with gen-next Artificial Intelligence-based transformers like Neurobotz, to optimize the load curve and maximize the capacity.

4. Local grants, financial incentives, and tax credits in your area

Federal and state government incentives have never been better for renewable energy sources. With a combination of grants and tax credits, you can realize your dream of a solar home at a much lower cost than you’d expect! Do make it a point to check out the financial incentives in your county, across Maryland, Virginia, or Washington DC, to receive considerable Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) in your account.

Here’s a quick snapshot of how RECs work:

• Utility companies are required to generate a fraction of their power through renewable energy.
• You can contribute to this Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) by sharing the extra power you produce with your solar installation.
• The company will credit RECs to your account periodically.

5. Provisions for adequate, timely maintenance

Proper and regular maintenance procedures go a long way in maximizing the efficacy of your solar panels. This is an important consideration because poor maintenance can result in inefficient energy storage in the long run. Therefore, do check with your service provider what kind of maintenance activities they can provide.

Depending on the conditions around your area, you can include your concerns around:

• Cleaning the panel surface to take care of dust, bird droppings, or leaves
• Washing the panels, especially in spring and autumn
• Rectifying seasonal problems that might arise with time

Go solar with GreenBrilliance

If you are excited about going solar, GreenBrilliance would be delighted to assist you with the next steps of the process. Click here to Get a Free Evaluation.

Solar energy has rapidly become one of the most accessible forms of renewable energy in recent years. Harnessing an energy source that is eco-friendly by nature, solar tiles and panels are a relatively affordable solution that has thus gained attention. By installing solar panels, homeowners can decrease both their bills and carbon footprint – all while the market rushes to provide ever more aesthetically pleasing options. Maximizing the effectiveness of solar energy did, indeed, use to be far less viable to the average homeowner when such options were in their infancy, but technological strides have made it all the easier since.

US homeowners specifically have found further reasons to opt for solar energy, from the federal solar tax credit to intense tropical sunshine in some states. Solar panels also provide much more autonomy in the event of outages and blackouts; the US does, unfortunately, face more natural disasters such as hurricanes compared to most of the West. Grid infrastructure may not be able to facilitate increasing power needs, and generators are only a temporary solution for times of need. Solar energy is thus not only the eco-conscious choice but also one with both practical and economic merit.

Solar panels and solar panel efficiency

Solar panels capture solar energy and convert it into electricity, through the photovoltaic cells they are comprised of. This function has elevated this eco-friendly option above both natural wind and gas in terms of capacity additions and has expanded to various products beyond panels – from solar hats and lamps to solar rucksacks. All such products fundamentally function in the same way, but panels specifically provide far more than circumstantial or small-scale utility; they can provide power autonomy. For solar energy to be harnessed effectively, a solar energy system requires panels to absorb sunlight, a controller to regulate its flow, an inverter, and a battery. In essence, the more sunlight is available, the more power can be generated.

Solar efficiency is not quite as simple, of course, and the term itself holds two meanings – ones that are often used interchangeably. “Solar panel efficiency” can mean either;

• A solar panel’s built-in energy conversion capacity, or
• A solar panel’s efficiency in reaching maximum energy output, through optimal installation and operation.

The former factor depends solely on individual solar panels themselves, so there is little to be analyzed on the part of the customer beyond the solar cells’ rated efficiency. The latter, however, both warrants attention and is highly dependent on the homeowners themselves. So, without further ado, let us explore some tips for maximizing the effectiveness of solar energy in this context.

Be mindful of panel quality

The most crucial factor in terms of the panels themselves is, predictably, their quality. Being mindful of panel quality is as essential as fixing your roof before installing panels since photovoltaic cell quality directly affects power output.

Most commercial solar panels are comprised of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, and the silicon’s purity directly affects quality and output. Such solar panels can be either;

• Monocrystalline – relatively more efficient and more expensive, or
• Polycrystalline – relatively less efficient and less expensive.

The practical difference between the two is a result of their production process; polycrystalline solar cells are made through a relatively cheaper production process, which renders them comparatively less efficient and less heat tolerant. Their usual speckled blue color may also make them aesthetically unappealing to some, although this is highly subjective.

On the whole, both types are viable options. Polycrystalline panels may suit one’s needs and budget effectively and are by no means an unviable product. It is noteworthy, however, that monocrystalline panels may suit some parts of the US market better; some states boast very high summer temperatures, which monocrystalline panels are generally better suited for.

Ensure ample sunlight and a correct installation

Beyond panel materials, maximizing solar energy effectiveness naturally hinges on the availability of sunlight. It is thus vital to ensure that they get as much exposure to the sun as possible; tree shades, antennas, and any other obstructions should be minimized. Proper installation and panel angle can also make a drastic difference in how much sunlight panels can absorb throughout the day.

Shade from any obstructions is a vital factor to keep in mind for a simple, practical reason. Most conventional solar panels are installed in interlinked strings – therefore a single obstructed panel can affect its entire string’s ability to produce electricity. It is thus vital that all panels have as clear an opening to the sky as possible.

Similarly, the panels’ orientation and tilt angle can affect efficiency, especially in the long term. A tilt angle of 28°–30° is generally recommended, while orientation depends on the location’s hemisphere. Being located in the northern hemisphere, US homeowners should ideally be facing as close to the south as possible.

Use one device at a time and use backup batteries

The effectiveness of solar energy does not depend on a system’s capacity alone, but also on a household’s power consumption. Moderate power usage ensures better overall efficiency, while a backup battery can expand it to night hours and provide autonomy in times of need.

Ideally, while total consumption will still depend on individual devices’ consumption, using one device at a time can keep consumption low. It is thus advisable to not use such appliances as vacuum cleaners and dishwashers or hairdryers and electric razors simultaneously. Similarly, not using such devices as televisions without being free to dedicate to them can also be beneficial.

Additionally, some of the aforementioned solar-powered products and systems come with backup batteries. Using them during night hours can limit overall consumption, while also offering autonomy during potential emergencies.

Maintain panels regularly

Lastly proper and regular maintenance is crucial to maximizing solar energy efficiency. Poorly or irregularly maintained panels will incur a loss of efficiency over time.

Such obstructions to panel surfaces as dust, leaves, and bird droppings may seem less common in the US than in other countries, but they do remain factors – in some states even more so than others. Most noticeable drops in efficiency tend to be attributable to accumulated dirt, so maintenance is essential. Fortunately, all most panels require is a wash every few months, and rain alone can clean some panels’ surfaces rather well. For more severe or specific cases, the professionals that installed the panels in question, and are thus also familiar with the installation and arrangement, should be able to rectify the problem.

GreenBrilliance, headquartered in Virginia, USA, is a vertically integrated, end-to-end Solar systems Installation company. Our corporate mission is to make solar energy affordable for the grassroots level consumer by tightly securing, owning, and managing the supply chain, thus accumulating cost savings to pass on to our customers.

With remote working becoming the new normal, we’re all using more electricity at our homes than we did earlier. We’re plugged in on our laptops and smartphones throughout the day, run heaters or coolers round the clock, and spend significantly more electricity on household appliances. And higher utility bills are a natural consequence.

Are you looking for ways to curb electricity consumption without hampering your productivity? Here are five simple ideas to save energy while working from home:

1. Let there be sunlight

Where have you set up your home office? If it is an unused corner in a dimly lit space, it is quite likely that you are spending a lot of energy and money on lighting up your workstation. Why not switch to a brighter room illuminated by natural sunlight? Alternatively, you can set up the desk by a window, so that the light and warmth that pour in keep you in a good mood throughout the day!

Some more handy tips you might find useful:

• In case you do need more light, try task lights that illuminate specific areas and consume lesser energy than overhead lamps.
• In winter, throw open the curtains to take advantage of natural daylight.
• In summer, optimize blinds for sufficient sunlight but minimal heat dissipation.

2. Unplug devices and appliances that are not in use

Does that glaring television screen or gaming console distract you from the task in hand? Apart from diverting your attention, such gadgets could be unnecessarily drawing energy in the background even when not in use. So, it’s a good idea to unplug everything that’s not in use, such as chargers, kitchen appliances and computer peripherals like monitors or printers.

A few easy tricks that can bring savings:

• Turn off the lights and air conditioners when you leave your home office for a cup of coffee or lunch.
• Unplug the chargers from sockets when the battery is 100% recharged.
• Use smart power strips that regulate output energy and cut off supply to idle devices.

3. Invest in energy-efficient equipment

Did you know that an LED bulb consumes up to 75% less energy than an incandescent bulb? By switching to newer devices like LED lamps, televisions and monitors, you can lower your energy consumption significantly. It is also a good idea to set up power management in existing devices, like automatic sleep mode after a specific idle time.

Here are some effective ways to boost energy efficiency:

• Opt for ENERGY STAR® certified appliances and devices, such as printers, computers, and monitors. When not in use, these devices automatically switch to a low-power mode.
• Try a power monitor that analyzes device-wise energy consumption and helps optimize usage patterns.
• Prioritize regular maintenance of equipment. For example, clean air filters in HVAC systems reduce the energy drawn.

4. Tweak the heat settings

A good chunk of your electricity bill comes from heating appliances like room heaters. Through slight modifications in temperature settings during your work hours, you can avoid considerable energy wastage. For instance, while you can stay comfy in the home office during the day, you can turn off the radiators in unused living spaces.

A few other heating applications you need to be cognizant of:

• Water heaters and pool heaters should be switched on right before you need hot water.
• Washing machines can be used at lower heat settings. Instead of tumble dryers, you could hang your clothes out in the sun.

5. Switch to solar power

The sun is a free source of energy. By brightening up your workspace with solar energy or drawing solar power on your computer, you can harness a reliable source and cut down your utility bills. Thanks to technological advancements, some simple attachments with your solar panels can monitor your consumption patterns and help avoid wastage.

A few hassle-free ways to plug into the sun:

• Solar power banks: Get started with portable solar chargers for your smartphones and laptops. You could simply sit by the window while you work, and your device gets recharged in no time.
• Solar light bulbs: Enjoy working from your balcony or a patio with a good view? Replace those outdoor bulbs with solar lamps, to reduce utility bills.

Cut down your electricity expenses with GreenBrilliance

If you are excited to decrease your electricity expenses and carbon footprint with solar power, we’re happy to help! Click here to Get a Free Evaluation.