How To Plan A Solar Electric System?

In this article we will discuss about How To Plan A Solar Electric System? There are a number of measures that you need to follow when intending to start using solar energy for your home. After deciding on the best Solar option for you (see Step 3), proceed with the procedures below that pertain to you. Your solar installer and local utility company can provide more information on the particular procedures you need to take to get your home solar powered.

Examine the energy efficiency of your home.
Examine your solar potential and any constraints.
Examine your alternatives for going solar.
Calculate your solar energy requirements.
Obtain bids and site assessments from contractors
Learn about available financing and incentives.
Install the system and establish agreements with your installer and utility.

How To Plan A Solar Electric System?

1. Examine the energy efficiency of your home

Before beginning to use solar power to power your home, homeowners should do an energy audit and examine potential efficiency benefits. Before going solar, homeowners should be aware of their entire electricity consumption and explore cost-effective and simple-to-implement efficiency solutions.

Investigate the following resources to lower your electricity consumption:

Home Energy Audits: A home energy audit can help you understand where your home is losing energy and what activities need to be taken to increase your home’s efficiency.
Devices and Electronics: Use your equipment and devices more efficiently, or purchase in high-efficiency goods.
Lighting: Switch to more energy-efficient lighting, such as an LED light bulbs.
Heating and Cooling: When you use electricity to heat and cool your home, your heating and cooling needs will dramatically alter the quantity of solar energy you need. Weatherproofing your home and heating and cooling it efficiently will lower the amount of electricity you need to create utilising solar energy.

In this article we will discuss about How To Plan A Solar Electric System?

2. Examine your solar potential and any constraints

Before selecting how to effectively use solar electricity in your home, you need assess the amount of solar energy that can be generated at your location. Because PV technologies generate electricity from both direct and scattered sunlight, the solar resource in the United States is enough for home solar power systems.

Nevertheless, how much solar radiation a solar system receives and how big the system itself are what determine how much power it can produce at a specific place.

Various map services and tools are available to assist you assess your home’s solar energy potential. Some of the sites also offer estimates for system size, prospective expenses and savings, and local contractors.

These tools are a wonderful place to start and can help you evaluate if your home is solar eligible, and if not, the best method to keep generating solar energy. While these tools are useful, they do not account for all of the variables that must be considered for your specific system.

You must deal directly with a solar installer who can give an accurate assessment of your solar potential as well as specific advice, estimates, and equipment knowledge to do this.

Consider the following:

There are several trees around that provide shade. Contractors will also aid assess shading, but will also take into account your own or your neighbor’s trees that may still grow and shade your system in the future.
The age of your roof and how long it will be before it needs to be replaced. If you plan to require a new roof in the next several years, consider this improvement before installing solar.
Restrictions or permission requirements imposed by the neighbourhood or Homeowners Association (HOA). Some jurisdictions now have “solar regulations” that limit homeowners’ associations’ power to ban solar systems or access to solar energy. These regulations differ from one state to the next and from one municipality to the other. Learn about your HOA agreements and state legislation.

In this article we will discuss about How To Plan A Solar Electric System?

3. Examine your alternatives for going solar

When making the switch to solar electricity, purchasing and installing a system that you totally own and operate is no longer the only choice. Even if you wish to rent your property or do not want to purchase a roof system, there are numerous programmes available to assist you benefit from solar electricity.

Below are some alternatives for using solar energy at home. Check with local installers and your utility to see what programmes are available in your area.

Purchasing A Solar Energy System:

If you want to optimise the financial benefits of installing solar panels, take advantage of tax credits, and raise the market value of your property, purchasing a solar panel with cash or a loan is the best option. Solarization programmes are either unavailable or impractical.

The solar installer will connect the system to the electrical grid and secure utility company connection permission. If the PV system creates more electricity than the house uses, the client can often sell excess electricity to the grid. If the homeowner’s electrical needs surpass the system’s capacity, the residence continues to receive energy from the grid. Learn more about grid-connected residential energy systems.

If any of the following apply to you, purchasing a solar energy system is a suitable option:

You want to buy a solar energy system to put in your house.
You qualify for either state or federal investment tax credits.
You are willing to be in charge of maintenance and repairs (note that most solar energy systems offer warranties, and many installers offer operations and maintenance plans)
You want to reduce your electricity costs
You wish to use net metering to sell unused electricity generated by your system back to your utility.
You want to increase your home’s value
You have the upfront capital to purchase the system or access to capital through a lender (note: many banks, utilities, and solar installers offer financing arrangements for solar systems).

Community Or Shared Solar:

Almost half of all US homeowners are unable to operate a solar system on their roof due to a lack of roof space or insufficient funds. If you can’t host a rooftop system, you can alternatively invest in a communal or collective solar scheme.

These programmes enable a group of members to pool their purchasing power in order to purchase solar energy in a solar system that meets their demands and budget. The system can be on-site or off-site, and it can be owned by utility companies, solar developers, charitable organisations, or a group of community members.

Consider community solar if you have one or more of the following:

You are unable or unwilling to instal solar panels on your home or land.
You are unable to collect state or federal investment tax credits
You do not want to be in charge of maintenance or repairs.

Solar Leases

If you rent a solar system, you can consume the electricity generated, but someone else – a third party owns the PV system equipment. The consumer is then charged for renting the device. Solar leases sometimes entail low upfront costs and fixed monthly payments over a certain length of time.

A leasing agreement normally requires homeowners to pay the developer a set monthly price for the equipment depending on the expected amount of power produced by the system. This sum is frequently less than the initial electric bill.

In this article we will discuss about How To Plan A Solar Electric System?

Solar leases are an excellent option if one or more of the following apply to you:

You want to put solar at your home, but you are unable or do not want to purchase a solar energy system
You do not qualify for state or federal investment tax credits.
You do not want to be in charge of maintenance or repairs.
You want to save money on power.
You want to sell unused electricity produced by your system back to your utility through a net-metering agreement.

Power Purchase Agreements (PPA)

PPAs allow consumers to host solar systems from solar businesses and then purchase the generated electricity. This is a financial deal in which a developer arranges, permits, funds, and instals on the property of a client for little or no upfront expense.

The host consumer agrees to acquire the electricity generated by the system at a predetermined price per kilowatt-hour of electricity generated over the life of the system. Solar electricity is frequently less expensive than the retail price of the local utility company.

PPAs are a good alternative if you meet one or more of the following criteria:

You want to put solar at your home, but you are unable or do not want to purchase a solar energy system
You do not qualify for state or federal investment tax credits.
You do not want to be in charge of maintenance or repairs.
You want to save money on power.
You wish to employ a net-metering arrangement to sell unused electricity generated by your system back to your utility.
You want to buy solar panels with a low initial investment.

In this article we will discuss about How To Plan A Solar Electric System?

Solarize Programs

A solarization scheme is one of the most efficient ways for communities to run solar. Solarize initiatives enable a locally organised group of households and businesses to pool their purchasing power in order to select a competitive installation and negotiate lower pricing. This bulk purchase allows more people to operate solar as the group model simplifies the procedure, stimulates demand for solar, and also lowers installation costs.

Solarize programmes are a suitable choice if you can identify with one or more of the following:

A Solarize programme is available in your area
You want to buy a solar energy system to put in your house.
You qualify for either state or federal investment tax credits.
You are willing to be in charge of maintenance or repairs (note that most solar energy systems offer warranties, and many installers offer operations and maintenance plans)
You wish to lower your electricity expenses by selling any unused electricity generated by your system back to your utility company via a net-metering agreement.
You want to increase the worth of your home.

4. Calculate your solar energy requirements

Collect information about your home and electricity usage to assist your contractor in recommending the type and size of your system.

Check your utility invoices to see annual electricity needs. Your consumption is displayed in kilowatt hours (kWh). Check every month of the year; In certain months you may be using more electricity than in others (For example, if you operate the air conditioner in the heat). Some utilities give tools that can aid with this check.

Consider any adjustments that are in the works. Purchasing an electric vehicle or preparing to extend your home can result in an increase in your electricity consumption. If you continue to make major modifications to enhance the energy efficiency of your home, you may wind up consuming less electricity than you have in the past.

In this article we will discuss about How To Plan A Solar Electric System?

5. Obtain bids and site assessments from contractors

When looking for installers, make sure they are qualified, insured, and have the necessary certification. The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners is the industry standard for solar certification.

You can also question friends and family who previously run solar for testimonials and explore online resources for reviews. Before making any promises, seek proof of licencing prior to engaging with an installation.

There are other tools online that make it easier to identify and compare solar installers. Get at least three bids for the PV system installation, and make sure the quotations are based on the same qualities and metrics to enable for comparison shopping.

Consider the following questions while interviewing installers:

Is your organisation well-versed in local approval and interconnection procedures? Often times, gaining building permissions and approval to connect can be long and difficult processes. To guarantee that your system is installed and connected instantly, verify that the installer is familiar with certain local operations.
Can the organisation offer you with references from previous customers in your area? Talk to other customers in the region to learn about their problems and how the company helped them solve them.
Is the business duly licenced or certified? PV systems should be installed by a suitably licenced installer. The term “electronic commerce” refers to the online sale of goods and services. You can check with your state’s electrical engineering department to see if a contractor has a valid electrician licence. Local building departments may additionally require the installer to be a licenced general contractor. For additional information about licencing, contact the city or county where you live. Furthermore, solarization schemes may need you to deal with a specific installer in order to receive the discounted system pricing.
What is the guarantee for this system? Who is in charge of the system’s operation and maintenance? Most solar systems come with a typical industry guarantee (often 20 years for solar modules and 10 years for inverters). Having a strong warranty on the system is generally a sign that the installation is employing high-quality equipment. Similarly, the homeowner should identify who is responsible for properly maintaining and repairing the system. The installer is required to undertake system maintenance in most lease and PPA agreements, and many installers offer competitive O&M plans for systems owned by the host.
Is there any pending or current judgements or liens against the company? Due diligence is recommended for any project that necessitates the use of a contractor. A verdict or complaint against a state-licensed electrician can be reported to your state electricity board. Consumers should contact their city or county for advice on how to evaluate contractors. The Better Business Bureau is another source of information.

The maximum generation capacity of the system – measured in watts (W) or kilowatts – should be clearly stated in the offers (kW). In addition, get an estimate of how much energy the system will produce annually or monthly (measured in kilowatt hours). This figure is most relevant for comparing to your current utility bills.

The offers should also contain the entire expenses for commissioning the PV system, including hardware, installation, grid connection, approval, sales tax and warranty. Cost / Watt and Estimated Cost / kWh are the most helpful metrics for comparing prices amongst installers because they may use different equipment or make quotations for systems of varying capacities.

In this article we will discuss about How To Plan A Solar Electric System?

6. Learn about available financing and incentives

Small solar systems are eligible for a 30% tax credit till 2019. The tax credit decreases to 26% in 2020, then to 22% in 2021, and ends on December 31, 2021.

If you choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement, keep in mind that you will not qualify for this tax break because you will not own the solar energy system.

Additional government, local, or utility incentives can be found by searching the Database of Government Renewable Energy Incentives and Efficiency (DSIRE).

Learn about all of the solar financing alternatives available, in addition to the incentives. Every circumstance is different, and what is best for your home relies on a variety of factors. The Clean Energy States Alliance brochure will assist homeowners understand their alternatives and discuss the advantages and downsides of each option.

In this article we will discuss about How To Plan A Solar Electric System?

7. Install the system and establish agreements with your installer and utility.

If you decide to instal a solar system, your installer should be able to assist you in obtaining the required permits and taking the essential processes.

Your technician will decide the proper size for your system. The size is decided by your electrical requirements (calculated in step 4) as well as the following factors:

The site’s solar resource or available sunshine
The system’s orientation and inclination The system’s effectiveness in converting sunlight into energy
Other sources of power include a utility company, a wind turbine, or a fossil fuel generator.

Your installer will also ensure that all equipment is properly positioned, orientated, and tilted to maximise the solar energy received and produced by your system on a daily and seasonal basis.

Make sure you know how billing and net metering work, as well as any additional expenses that you will have to pay.

In this article we will discuss about How To Plan A Solar Electric System?

FAQs.

What Are The Two Primary Disadvantages Of Solar Energy?

Cons of Solar Energy:

Solar does not operate at night.
Solar panels are unsightly.
You cannot instal a solar system in your home on your own.
My roof isn’t suitable for solar.
Solar hurts the environment.
Solar panels are not all of excellent quality.

Can I power my home entirely with solar energy?

It is feasible to power a house entirely with solar panels. However, being entirely off-grid takes a major financial and time investment. You will need additional solar panels as you use more electricity.

In this article we will discuss about How To Plan A Solar Electric System?

To power a home, how many solar panels are required?

We estimate that a typical home requires between 20 and 24 solar panels to cover 100% of its electricity consumption. The actual quantity you’ll need to instal is determined by factors like as your geographic location, panel efficiency, panel rated power, and personal energy usage habits.

How Does A Solar Electric System Work?

When the sun shines upon a solar panel, energy from the sunshine is absorbed by the PV cells in the panel. This energy produces electrical charges that move in response to a cell’s internal electric field, which causes electricity to flow.

What Is The Biggest Problem With Solar Energy?

The Disadvantages of Solar Energy: One of the most serious issues with solar electricity technology is that energy is only generated when the sun shines. That means nighttime and gloomy days can halt the supply.

What Happens To Solar Panels After 25 Years?

In actuality, solar panels can live much longer: the warranty normally assures that panels will perform at or above 80% of their specified efficiency after 25 years. According to an NREL research, the majority of panels continue to provide electricity after 25 years, albeit at a slightly lower output.

How Long Does A Solar Panel Last?

The sale of electronic products is referred to as “electronic commerce.” The industry-standard life lifetime is 25 to 30 years, which indicates that some panels put around the beginning of There will be a decommissioning of the current boom.

What Number Of Solar Panels Is Required To Run A Refrigerator?

How many solar panels are need to run a fridge? The average refrigerator uses roughly three or four average solar panels to run. The typical refrigerator found in the United States uses roughly 57 kWh per month whereas the average freezer uses 58 kWh. Adding them all together yields a total of 115 kWh.