Solar companies provide financing options that make it possible for homeowners to install a system. These loans work similarly to the loans you’d take out to purchase a car or other home improvements, so it pays to compare fees and rates.

Remember that leases and PPAs are typically long-term contracts, sometimes up to 20 years. If you plan on selling your home, find out if the contract can be transferred to the new owner. Visit Website to learn more.

Sunlight provides clean, affordable and sustainable energy to homes and businesses. Solar power reduces the use of fossil fuels, curbs greenhouse gas emissions and promotes energy independence. It also saves money on your utility bills and increases your home or business value.

The basic solar system consists of panels and an inverter that converts DC electricity into grid-compatible AC electricity, which powers your household appliances. The panels are installed on your roof, where they collect sunlight and convert it to electricity. That electricity then flows to the inverter, which converts it into grid-compatible AC power that runs through your electrical panel and can be used to power household appliances. The inverter is connected to the traditional electric grid so you can draw additional power from the utility company on cloudy days or at night.

During the day, when the sun is shining, your solar energy system may generate more electricity than you need. When this happens, the energy flows back to the utility grid through a special meter known as a net meter. Your utilities usually give you credit for the excess electricity your system sends back to them, and you can use that excess to offset expensive peak-demand power.

A good solar installer will make sure the disconnect switches are easily accessible, so any member of your family can shut off the PV system in an emergency. The installer should also install a meter that can be read from the outside of your home, and mount it in a location where everyone can see it. A digital meter is best, as it can provide more information than a conventional power meter, including time-of-use rates for your home or business.

If you’re considering going solar, it’s important to know your home’s electricity usage and consider low-cost and easy-to-implement efficiency upgrades first. Your solar energy installer can help you identify areas of potential improvement.

Once you’ve done that, there are many options for getting solar. Whether you choose to buy your system outright, or to finance it through a lease, PPA or community solar, you should start saving on your utility bills right away.

Net Metering

When your solar panels make more electricity than you consume, it’s sent back to the grid along the same wires that carry power into your home. This energy is then credited to your account on your utility bill through a process known as net metering or energy buyback. Net metering laws and compensation vary by region, state, and utility provider.

A specialized meter installed at your home measures the flow of energy in both directions. During times when you use more power than your solar panels are producing, such as at night or on cloudy days, your home will draw electricity from the grid, running the meter backward. However, in moments of overproduction, your solar panels will send electricity to the grid, running the meter forward. Depending on your local policies, these credits may roll over from one billing period to the next.

With a properly sized system, your solar energy production will closely match your electricity usage year-round. But the amount of electricity your panels produce will vary throughout the year – more in sunnier summer months, and less as the sun moves lower in the sky and sets earlier at winter. Net metering accounts for these variations by allowing you to ‘deposit’ excess energy credits in the summer when your solar panels are likely to be making more than you’re using, and then ‘withdraw’ those credits from the utility during the winter when your solar production will have decreased.

By promoting energy savings, financial incentives, environmental sustainability, and grid stability, net metering plays a critical role in the success of solar power in the United States. Before you install a solar power system, it’s important to research your area’s net metering laws and policies. You’ll also need to work with your solar company and your utility providers to set up an interconnection agreement and get started. This will include details such as power limits, maximum annual compensation amounts, monthly rollovers, and other important information.

Solar Panels

If your home will be powered entirely by solar energy, you’ll need to invest in some specialized equipment. Solar panels convert sunlight into DC power, while an inverter turns that electricity into AC power (which is what your electronics use to function). Many homes also include a battery system to store excess power for usage at night or on cloudy days.

It’s best to have a baseline understanding of your home’s energy needs. This will help you evaluate solar companies’ offers and prevent unsavory salespeople from pulling a fast one on you. If possible, ask for references from local homeowners who’ve been happy with their solar installations. You can also look up reviews on consumer-oriented websites and solar-specific forums to see what other people have experienced. Look for recurring complaints, such as equipment failure or misleading sales tactics, as these are red flags.

Once you’ve figured out how much power your home consumes and how much sun your area receives, you’ll be able to calculate the size of a solar panel system that will meet your needs. A good solar company will have software that simplifies this process and takes into account the specifics of your home. It’ll also provide meteorological data for your region so you know how much sunshine to expect in any given month and will use copies of past utility bills to determine how much you typically consume.

As you research solar companies, pay close attention to the types of financing they offer. Many companies offer third-party or in-house loans that may come with different fees and interest rates. You should also look into any potential state tax credits or exemptions that may be available for your area.

Solar systems last for 25 years or more, so it’s important to find a company you trust will be around for support during that time. Evaluate each company’s reputation by checking customer satisfaction ratings on sites like ConsumerAffairs and the Better Business Bureau as well as checking out online reviews on solar-specific forums.

When you’re ready to start exploring your options, reach out to companies that offer a wide range of hardware and services for both residential and commercial customers. For example, the team at Elevation Solar can install your solar system while addressing your home’s energy efficiency through its EnergyPal platform. This streamlined approach makes it easier for you to qualify for tax incentives and achieve a payback period that’s in line with your goals.

Inverters

Inverters are responsible for many of the active processes that occur within a PV or battery system. They can be programmed, for instance, to begin battery charging at a certain state of charge or to sell power back to the grid during peak hours. They are the brains of such systems and can have a significant impact on the overall efficiency of a home solar energy system.

Electricity is created when electrons move from the negative terminal of one conductor to the positive terminal of another. Usually, electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels, such as coal or natural gas in giant turbines that spin a rotor inside of electromagnets, but renewable sources of energy are becoming more popular. Solar energy is an alternative to relying on fossil fuels for energy production, and homeowners can reduce their reliance on utilities by installing a home solar energy system.

To create electricity from the sun, solar panels use photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into direct current (DC). These DC electrons are transferred through metal plates alongside each cell and into connecting wires, which then run to an inverter. The inverter converts the DC power into alternating current (AC) that can be used to power appliances. The system can also capture and store energy in batteries for backup purposes during outages or inclement weather.

Some solar energy companies offer leasing options, which may make the initial upfront cost of a system more affordable. Homeowners who purchase their systems can also benefit from tax incentives, making the investment more attractive. It can take years for a homeowner to reach the point where their solar energy system pays for itself in savings from utility bills.

Before purchasing a solar system, homeowners should understand how much power they will need based on their peak load needs. To determine this, a homeowner can check the wattage listed for each appliance or tool in their home and add together the total amount of energy needed. This information can help them identify the size of an inverter and battery bank required for their home. It can also help them avoid being misled by unsavory salespeople who try to sell a larger system than necessary.