Solar power packs incredible potential. Just one hour of sun, if harnessed, could power the entire planet for a year. Of course, you do not have to worry about harnessing the full power of the sun for an hour, or at all — but what you can do on a personal level still matters a great deal. For example, installing and utilizing solar panels on the roof of your home can make a big difference. A typical configuration of rooftop solar panels will produce enough electricity to cover one-third to 100% of your power needs.
If your panels cover 100% of your energy needs, it is possible to go off the grid or choose not to use conventional electric power at all. Find out more below.
How Does it Work?
“Simply put, a solar panel works by allowing photons, or particles of light, to knock electrons free from atoms, generating a flow of electricity,” Live Science explains. Most people are able to reap the benefits of solar panels for four to five hours per day, when their state receives peak hours of sunlight. In some particularly sunny states — like Florida and Georgia — that amount will trend toward the higher end of that range.
If you produce enough electricity to cover all your energy needs, you will not get a monthly electric or power bill. Even so, the wisest course of action is to remain on the grid, even if it is mostly a formality. That way, if there are particularly rainy or overcast months, you have an established connection with an electric company. You can pay just for the power you need. It also gives you options should any of your solar panels need maintenance. Call solar panel repair services at the first sign of a problem. In the meantime, you have backup power if you need it.
What If My Solar Panels Produce Too Much Electricity?
Did you know that it is possible to produce so much power your electric company ends up paying you? Let’s say your relationship with solar panel repair services is well-established. Your system is in tip-top shape and receives plenty of sun. That’s great news — and it may even mean that you are eligible to receive credit from your local utility company.
If your panels harvest excess power in Georgia, for example, there are two ways to sell back that power to the grid. The first gives you credit toward future bills; if you do not produce 100% power during the winter, these credits will be applied to your bill. The second is to sell excess power back to the grid. In Georgia, this is a sizeable percentage of what they would normally charge customers, but it is not the full amount. Sell back rates vary by state.
New Options For Harnessing Solar Power
In the near future, solar panel repair services will have even more on their plate! In addition to traditional, photovoltaic (PV) panels, researchers are working on glass or coated glass that collects solar power. New solar windows will be crafted with solar cells positioned at precise angles to capture the sun’s rays. When the sun passes through these cells, it is converted into energy.
If you are interested in using solar power to eliminate or significantly reduce your energy bill, keep an eye on the market and what’s in store for the future.
Are you paying too much for electricity month after month? Contact solar panel repair services to see if solar panels and solar power are the right fit for you.
