With the rise in popularity of the solar panels due to the emergence of various service providers in the industry as well as the encouragement from the state government, people are gradually being drawn to the idea of going solar. However, as with any up and coming product, service or trend, there are a lot of different questions surfacing among the buyer’s community. Following are the answers to some of the most pertinent questions that are being asked by the potential customers
How does the solar power system work?
The solar panels are made of certain materials that react to the sunlight and produce Direct Current (DC). The current is then transferred to the DC inverter where it is converted to Alternate Current (AC) and is then transferred to the entire wiring of the house or a commercial building.
How many panels are Sufficient for My Home/Business?
This question is perhaps the most pertinent among all customers. Unfortunately, it is also a question that can only be answered in real-time by a solar expert as s/he visits your home and examines your property. The effectiveness of a solar energy system is dependent on factors such as the area of the property, roof angle, roof surface among many other things. All of these factors must be accounted for to know whether or not a certain system would be sufficient. However, one thing that is for certain is that the system only ceases to generate power in case of the absence of the sun itself, i.e. at night or during the eclipse. During the day time, the system will always make power, provided it’s not covered in snow or filth.
Can a homeowner go off - grid after having a solar energy system installed?
Depending on the laws of the state where you are stationed, you can go off-grid. However, it is advisable not to, since it is a highly cost-intensive process. Plus, in case the off-grid setup goes haywire, there wouldn’t any backup power and you would have to bear through a complete blackout for as long as the system gets fixed. Staying with the grid is only a ‘once in a long time’ expense whereby, once connected, you only have to pay for the electricity that you use over and above that of which is generated by your system. Also, through net metering, if your system generates surplus electricity, that surplus energy will be transferred to the grid, in which case, you shall receive credit from the government.
When does the system start paying dividends?
Getting the best solar panel system installed in the market can be a bit expensive and time-consuming. However, as mentioned before, it is only a one-time expense and once installed the dividends don’t take long to appear in the electric bills. If used right, an Efficient solar panel system can help you break-even by a year’s time or slightly more.
Are there any additional benefits apart from the savings?
Now is the most opportune to opt for solar energy, since the government is actually encouraging homeowners to go solar by offering tax credits, rebates and incentives. Although, as discussed above, going solar can be an expensive affair, yet still, with all of the incentives and savings opportunities makes for a complete win-win situation for all homeowners in the long run.