Odds are you’ve learned about solar energy and solar panels at some point in your life, but when it comes down to it, what exactly is solar energy and how does a solar panel work?
- What Is Solar Energy?
Simply put, solar energy is radiant light and heat that come from the Sun. This light and heat that reaches the surface of the Earth has been powering our planet since the beginning of time, providing the necessary light and warmth needed to support plant growth, temperate weather, and daylight hours.
The Sun is able to provide all this energy because in actuality, the Sun is our galaxy’s largest star powered by nuclear fusion reactions that give off radiation in the form of light and heat energy. This light and heat then travels to Earth as particles of sunlight, also known as photons, that then directly fuels our planet.
+Show MoreAs a limitless renewable source of energy, the Sun produces enough energy every hour to entirely support our global energy needs for years at a time.
2. What Is A Solar Panel and How Does It Work?
A Solar panel, also called photovoltaic panel or solar module, is made up of glass and metal casing, electrical wires to carry currents, and photovoltaic cells. The photovoltaic cells are responsible for converting captured sunlight into electricity and are most commonly made from silicon which is an effective semiconductor.
While these terms may sound fancy, they are describing a fairly simple concept. Like we mentioned before, the Sun releases light and energy as photons, when these photons make contact with a solar panel they begin the process of generating electricity. This process is called the photovoltaic effect and can be best compared to boiling a pot of water.
+Show MoreAt this point, the electricity within a solar panel is known as direct current (DC) electricity which cannot be used to power your home just yet. An addition to solar systems called solar inverters, are able to complete the process by converting the DC electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity which can then be used to power your needs!
Of all renewable energies, solar is growing the fastest and has the highest growth projected from now to 2050.
3. Lifespan and Maintenance of a Solar Modules
A Solar modules are built to last, often able to produce solar energy for decades after installation. As a rule of thumb within the industry however, most people agree on an average lifespan of approximately 30 years. This is of course dependent on the fact that your solar panels are not damaged by things like debris or extreme weather in their environment.
+Show MoreThe energy your solar modules capture can be used to power your energy needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
4. What Are Solar Modules Capable of Powering?
Think of it this way, your solar system produces the same type of electricity that your home or business already uses. So, your system is actually capable of powering virtually anything! That’s the beauty of solar, its ability to convert energy for your every need. With the addition of newer technologies, like battery storage and EV Chargers, your system is capable of powering even more aspects of your life.
Solar power systems produce no noise, require little to no maintenance, and when paired with a battery provide electricity during power outages.
5. Length and Cost of Installation
The installation process depends on the size of the project itself. However, since we do both commercial and residential installs, our team is trained to efficiently manage almost any sized project with ease and swiftness.
To begin the process, we perform a detailed site assessment where we review the aspects of your building or home such as open area, roof condition, lighting, air-conditioning, machinery, your electrical system, utility usage, how and when you use power, and most importantly we listen to your energy goals and financial objectives. Our team then handles all of the permits, inspections, and utility paperwork to get your system approved and underway. The exact timeline of course varies, but our typical installation window is as listed:
+Show More- Residential
- Design and Permits: approximately 1 – 2 weeks
- Installation: 1 – 2 days
- Commercial
- Design and Permits: approximately 4 – 6 weeks
- Installation: 2 – 6 weeks (dependent on size of project)
Our goal of course is to connect you to the grid as quickly as possible so that your system can begin making you an ROI. Our commercial projects can be installed for less than $2 per watt, while our residential projects can be installed for well under $3 per watt.
We deliver the best quality and workmanship possible, and we pride ourselves on each and every project. If you’re interested in learning more about our process or pricing, please don’t hesitate to call today!