Category: Solar Systems

There are multiple options for using solar energy to power or light your home. We outline some of the most common uses of solar energy for homes below. Solar Panel Systems Installing a solar power system is the most effective way to power your entire home using solar energy. The best solar panels can last more than 25 years, providing your home with clean energy and utility bill savings for decades. However, solar panel systems include a high upfront cost. According to our March 2023 survey of 1,000 homeowners with…

Read More

Several factors can influence the cost of installing a solar farm. Even a small solar farm can cost a few million dollars — a 1 MW solar farm could cost between $890,000 and $1.01 million. Comparatively, home solar systems cost $15,000 to $20,000 on average, and that price can drop to less than $10,000 with solar incentives like the federal tax credit. We will cover the main factors that influence the cost of large-scale PV installations in the following sections. Solar Project Size While residential solar systems are typically sized in…

Read More

Since the sun is not out at night, solar panels cannot absorb sunlight to convert it into electricity. While solar panels can technically use artificial light to generate power, this method is not as effective as using a natural light source. Unlike sunlight, artificial lighting is not free — you would need electricity to power the light fixtures. As a result, your electricity consumption may be higher than the output of your solar panels, which can waste energy and money. Alternatively, you can use a solar battery to store excess…

Read More

When you install solar panels locally, your home uses the energy output directly. If you have access to a net metering or net billing program, you can export excess energy to the grid in exchange for power bill credits. When you join a community solar project, you use off-site solar generation to reduce your energy bills. The local utility company measures the monthly energy output of the shared solar array, and you subtract the fraction that belongs to you from your electric bills.

Read More

Knowing which tax credits and incentives you may qualify for can help you estimate the costs and potential savings of going solar more accurately. Many solar installers can also help you learn about and apply for these programs. Here are the key ones in North Carolina. Duke Energy Solar Rebate Program Credit type: Utility company credit Though Duke Energy services multiple states, its Solar Rebate Program is offered only in North Carolina. This program benefits residential, commercial and nonprofit customers. It can be hard to enroll because there’s usually a…

Read More

The New Mexico state government offers three financial incentives for taxpayers who convert to solar: Solar Market Development Tax Credit (SMDTC) Sustainable Building Tax Credit (SBTC) Property tax exemption As of 2023, New Mexico doesn’t offer solar rebates or sales tax exemptions. However, the tax incentives alone can save you hundreds of dollars. Solar Market Development Tax Credit (SMDTC) Incentive Value: 10% of solar system costs up to $6,000 Frequency: Single-use The New Mexico solar tax credit is the Solar Market Development Tax Credit (SMDTC) and is managed by the…

Read More

Yes, New Jersey offers several solar rebates and incentives that make installing a solar power system more affordable. In addition to lowering or eliminating your electric bill, solar panels can help you earn money in New Jersey through net metering and selling solar renewable energy credits. Plus, all New Jersey taxpayers are eligible for the federal solar tax credit worth 30% of the purchase price of their solar project.

Read More

Conventional solar panels are made of silicon in crystalline form, known as c-Si. Unlike thin-film panels, traditional panels have photovoltaic cells cut from silicon wafers of single crystals (monocrystalline) or multiple crystals (polycrystalline). Thin-film panels are made of whole layers of PV material, not small silicon cells. You can classify thin-film solar panels based on the material. The four main types include: Amorphous silicon (a-Si) Cadmium telluride (CdTe) Copper indium gallium selenide or diselenide (CIGS) Organic photovoltaic (OPV) Amorphous Silicon Panels Amorphous silicon (a-Si) panels use the same material as…

Read More

Solar panels consist of photovoltaic cells fully encapsulated by other materials, which prevents exposure to dust, dirt, bird droppings and weather conditions. However, grime can accumulate on external surfaces over time, which you should clean regularly. Here are some tips to clean different solar panel components: Cleaning the Glass Cover A transparent glass cover protects the PV cells in a solar panel. Ideally, you should clean the glass surface with non-abrasive cleaning tools like a soft bristle brush or squeegee. Avoid using wire brushes, roof rakes or any other tools…

Read More

Both solar products use photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity. However, solar modules have a basic rectangular design, while solar trees may have their PV cells arranged in patterns such as leaves and petals. Solar trees are also freestanding structures, while most solar panels are mounted on a roof.

Read More