Why Solar Powered Energy Is Better Than Fossil Fuels
Are Fossil Fuels Our Friend? Fossil fuel has been around for millions of years. They have been used for powering countless things such as our household, businesses, manufacturing, and our cars to name a few. Our dependency has dated far back in time and continues even till today despite growing resources of alternative energy. The primary sources of fossil fuel energy include coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Their combined energy usage totaled a whopping 86.4% according to 2007 EIA statistics. Every time we are able to drill new areas flourishing with fossil fuel, most of the world rejoices. Being able [...]
5 Methods to Remove Snow Off Solar Panels
Removing Snow is Part of Maintenance Just as you need to make sure you check on the roof every so often for debris and do a bit of cleaning, snow removal is equally important. If you want your solar panel system to function and continue to produce power throughout the winter season, making sure your panels are free of obstructions is critical. Luckily for most of California, snow isn’t as heavy here and is limited to a smaller region. However, if you happen to live in a snowy area , then the following tips may certainly be helpful. If your roof [...]
Adding Solar Panels to an Existing System
We are asked fairly often: Can I add more panels to my system down the road? How difficult is it to upgrade? There are many factors to consider in upgrading a system. Panel size, inverter capacity, and space are going to be the biggest deciders. As far as possible, stick with the same manufacturer. But since brands come and go, it isn’t unheard of to mix and match components – as long as the voltage is compatible and can be balanced it can generally work. Not the best scenario, but if options are limited as far as what’s available, it [...]
Would a Magnifying Glass On Solar Panels Generate More Energy?
Are there ways to increase the amount of energy drawn from solar panels? People who own solar often inquire how or if panel production can somehow be increased or maximized. One reader came up with this idea: “Could you put some type of magnifying glass and set it at the right distance to increase the heat of the sun and give you more energy production from the solar panels?” Possibly this subscriber had done a bit of reading on the mathematic & military genius of one Archimedes of Syracuse. While this is an interesting concept and not categorically implausible, we [...]
What is Net-Metering?
Most utilities in California currently offer net metering, which effectively allows you to bank your energy until you need it, virtually eliminating your electric bill. Net metering lasts for a whole year, so you can build credit in the summer for those darker winter days. It measures the difference between the electricity you buy from the utility and the electricity you generate with your solar panel system. When you are making more electricity than you are using, such as on summer days, your extra electricity automatically gets metered back (sold) to the utility grid. You receive credit for this power at the [...]
What Happens To Solar Panels At Night And On Cloudy Days?
What happens to solar panels at night? In order for photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity, there must be sun. At nighttime, when the sun makes its daily round across the globe to provide other areas with sunlight, solar panels also go into sleepy mode. Solar panels work best during the seasons where sun is more available with longer hours, such as the summer. Of course, like myself, I have a tendency to work late at night and I often enjoy those late night movies playing on my television set prior to going to bed; thus, if you’re like [...]
Do Solar Panels Work At Night?
During the day, the sun shines brightly and solar panels get busy absorbing rays and generating electricity. But what happens when the sun goes down? Can solar panels work at night? Even though solar panels are not actively producing much at night (maybe just a little bit if the moon is bright enough), appliances are still getting power in your home. How? Your home is connected to a main utility grid. Think of the grid like a giant bank that you can draw power from or even deposit power to from your solar power system. During the day, extra power that your [...]
Why Utility Rates Go Up
Utility companies give many reasons for rate increases. In fact, there’s a huge list of fees and taxes they pass on to all ratepayers which is broken down directly on our monthly bill. These fees are used to cover: Power generation Replacement of aging power plants and decommissioning of retired plants Distribution costs (power lines, poles, transformers, etc.) Public assistance programs (general assistance for low-income customers) There are also other charges tacked on by individual counties or cities based on a percentage of your total charges, and a state fee which is generally a flat rate. Gas is charged an [...]
How Solar Saves You Money
Solar is not just a phase – it’s an aggressively growing alternative as more and more people realize that they can save money every month by using solar panels. Save money and do something good for the planet? Where do I sign up?! How It Works Traditional power: your home or business is connected to the main power grid (which you pay a connection fee for) and you buy power directly from a utility company. The utility company dictates the rate you pay depending on time of use or amount used. Solar power: your home or business is generally connected [...]
Can I Fix a Cracked Solar Panel?
Unfortunately, you cannot fix a cracked solar panel. Although there are many internet sites that claim you can, the chemical reactions that occur within the photovoltaic panels we install on your home require properly and completely sealed cells to allow for maximum performance of your system. Once moisture enters your panel after it has cracked, it is: 1. Unlikely able to be removed completely and 2. Can lead to possible corrosion within the panel and even further damage to your system. Either scenario will compromise the system integrity and could be potentially hazardous. Prevention and maintenance of your solar panels [...]
Are Fossil Fuels Our Friend? Fossil fuel has been around for millions of years. They have been used for powering countless things such as our household, businesses, manufacturing, and our [...]
Removing Snow is Part of Maintenance Just as you need to make sure you check on the roof every so often for debris and do a bit of cleaning, snow [...]
We are asked fairly often: Can I add more panels to my system down the road? How difficult is it to upgrade? There are many factors to consider in upgrading [...]
Are there ways to increase the amount of energy drawn from solar panels? People who own solar often inquire how or if panel production can somehow be increased or maximized. [...]
Most utilities in California currently offer net metering, which effectively allows you to bank your energy until you need it, virtually eliminating your electric bill. Net metering lasts for a [...]
What happens to solar panels at night? In order for photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity, there must be sun. At nighttime, when the sun makes its daily round [...]
During the day, the sun shines brightly and solar panels get busy absorbing rays and generating electricity. But what happens when the sun goes down? Can solar panels work at [...]
Utility companies give many reasons for rate increases. In fact, there’s a huge list of fees and taxes they pass on to all ratepayers which is broken down directly on [...]
Solar is not just a phase – it’s an aggressively growing alternative as more and more people realize that they can save money every month by using solar panels. Save [...]
Unfortunately, you cannot fix a cracked solar panel. Although there are many internet sites that claim you can, the chemical reactions that occur within the photovoltaic panels we install on [...]
