Solar Panels for Home Use: Your Ultimate Buying Guide

Did you know that most homes are embracing solar panels as a source of alternative energy? In many parts of the country, the solar home system is a substantial investment for homeowners.

Buying solar panels for home use is exhilarating because they save energy and they are durable.

When you are ready to get solar panels systems for home use, you need to ensure it is the right decision. There are many questions and factors you need to consider like the energy goals and your budget. So keep reading to find out more!

How Solar Panels Work

Before you settle on buying solar power panels for your home, you might need to know how they work. When the sun emits solar radiation, it is absorbed by the photovoltaic cells on the solar panels.

This creates energy from electric charges. This energy will flow and convert to the current that can be used in the home. The heat from the sun is converted from DC to AC using an inverter so that you can use it with appliances.

Types of solar panels

There are different types of solar panels available in the market today. With the help of a professional, you can choose the right one for your home. The type of solar panel you install should be dependent on the performance.

These are the types of solar panels available today:

Mono-crystalline

This is a type of solar panel that has high efficiency and performance. It is ideal for areas that do not receive much sun and it is higher in cost compared to other types.

Poly-crystalline

This is a lower efficiency performance solar panel and is also lower in costs. During the summer, this solar panel will work best. You will get enough energy to power most lights and appliances in your home.

Thin-film Panel

This is a more flexible and portable type of solar panel. It also has lower efficiency and performance. The solar panel and system are ideal for portable use like in RVs and emergency use.

Solar Panel Uses For The Home

Before you install solar power systems, you first need to know what are the solar panels used for in homes. The following are the major uses of solar power systems in the home:

Electricity Production

This is the most common way that solar is used in most homes. You can use solar power as your main source of electricity or as a backup when there is a power outage.

The electricity generated by solar can be used to run different appliances in the home. You can also light up your entire household using solar energy.

Heating Solutions

During winter, most homes use a lot of energy to keep their houses warm. A solar heater can generate enough heat when you place them in strategic locations in your home.

You can also use solar power to heat water for washing utensils, showering, cooking, and washing clothes, and many more. This is done by using the power to heat the water in your tanks instead of using electricity.

Heated Swimming Pool

Installing a solar heating system in the pool will make it warm enough. You and your family or friends can enjoy a dip in the water no matter the weather.

Ventilation Fans

Installing solar ventilation solutions will reduce the amount of work your HVAC system is doing. You can cool your home in hot conditions without installing the whole energy panel in the home.

Lighting

one of the major uses of solar power in homes is lighting. Solar lights can be used in different parts of the home. You can use the lights in the garage, landscape, security, garden house, and party lighting.

They offer a more cost-effective way to light your home as compared to electricity.

Portable Power

You can also get portable solar devices for use when you are in remote areas. These can be chargers, portable lights, appliances, batteries, and any other that you may need to use.

Water Bumps

To help save energy costs, you can use solar energy to pump water into tanks. The solar-powered pumps will use batteries to run pumps even at night or in cloudy conditions.

Charging Batteries

Solar power can be used to charge batteries to help power devices in the home. Sometimes, you can use batteries to power devices at home or during travel. Solar power is cost-effective you can use it to charge your batteries for later use.

Dryer

When it is wet clothes take longer to dry. Most homes have solar dryers to help clothes dry faster and also to save costs as compared to electric-powered dryers.

Benefits of Solar Panels for Home Use

Here are different reasons to choose solar panels for your home. The following are the benefits of using solar power:

They Are Energy Saving

This is the most direct benefit you will get from solar panels. You can have control of the power you have in your home and it will save you money. With solar panels, you generate power and you can get credit on your electric utility bill.

Many homes use solar power to heat water and in other areas to cut costs.

Go green

With solar panels in your home, you can also minimize your carbon footprint. This is because solar is a renewable source of energy. You will save energy and save the planet in the process.

There Is Enough Power

When you have solar panels, you can harness enough power to give your home energy for a long time. Even an hour during the summer can help you save on electric bills.

Increases Your Home Value

If you ever plan on selling your home, you need every advantage to increase its value. Solar panel systems for home use will make more buyers interested in the property.

They are Portable

Some solar systems are easy to carry and you can use them when you go camping and do outdoor activities. When you are in a remote location with no electricity, you will have power for your appliances and lighting needs.

No Power Outages

With solar pales in your home, you will not have power outages. You have a cost-effective backup ready for use anytime you need it.

How To Choose The Right Solar Panel For Your Home

When you get too carried away when buying solar panel systems for home use, you may not choose the right one. You must focus on certain factors because this is an investment.

The following are some vital factors and tips to consider when choosing the solar power system:

1. Price

When shopping around for the right solar system, you need to ensure that you can afford it. You should consider the price without compromising on the quality of the system.

Remember that quality and installation will not be cheap so you should have realistic expectations. Compare the different companies offering the installations and choose one that will give you major savings.

Ensure that they can cut some corners to help you reduce costs. Get quotes from different manufacturers and compare the prices to get the best one for you. Avoid sales that are high pressure because you might make a rash decision and choose the wrong panel system.

2. Solar Panel Installation

Mounting the solar panels need some certifications from engineers certified to operate in your area. Ask them about the wind certification and other relevant documentation you may need.

The installation system is important and all the mounting components should be compatible with the area. For example, if you live in Florida, you may sometimes experience hurricanes and other extreme weather.

You need to ensure that the mounting system is cyclone proof and the brackets are cyclone rated. A tracking system from the ground to the roof should be certified by an engineer in your area.

You do not want to have to take the panel down when the wind is strong or during a storm.

3. Manufactures Warranty

A good solar panel for the home system should serve you for at least 25 years. You need to ensure that you get a guarantee from the manufacturer that they will give you a reputable warranty period.

You need your solar system to last long enough to pay for itself and also make you a profit. A reputable manufacturer should honor their warranty so that you can have your system operating efficiently for a long while.

Ensure that you are cautious about the brands that operate in your area.

4. Certifications

All solar panels have certifications that show the type of testing they have undergone. This will confirm the specifications and whether they were done by an independent laboratory or otherwise.

Here you will also know if you can trust the company to deliver what it promises.

5. Referrals

The best way to avoid problems when dealing with solar panels is by getting recommendations. You can ask your friends or neighbors who have solar panels systems in their homes about their experiences.

This way, you will get accurate information and avoid getting tricked.

6. Type Of Panels

You need to maximize the space you have on your roof but if you have limited space, you need to choose the monocrystalline solar panel. Solar panel technology is changing as time goes by and they continue to advance.

Even with limited space, you can get panels that will maximize the power output without filling your roof. You can learn more about thin-film solar panels vs. monocrystalline panels and polycrystalline panels to make a better decision.

7. The Solar Inverter Efficiency

The inverter efficiency is the ability to convert DC electricity from the solar panels to ac for use in the home. When your solar has higher inverter efficiency, it will not waste as much heat when it is converting from DC to AC.

The inversion rate depends on the manufacturer and you need to choose according to the weather in your area. If you get less sun, you need a more efficient inverter.

You will get more energy even when on days when the sun is not too hot.

8. Durability

Most solar systems will last up to 25 years and it is important to choose the best one for your home. You need to ensure that the solar home system will last longer so that it can pay for itself.

Check the warranty to ensure that you will get maintenance while you are using the power system.

Solar Panel Installation

If you are not handy, you will need to hire a professional to do your installation. Ensure that you choose an option that will make you comfortable with your solar system.

In some cases, you can talk to the supplier and get special pricing for installation instead of subcontracting. This way you get the best solar panels for home use.

In some cases, you may need to change your roof to put the solar system. A professional will help you with the necessary structure that will support the weight of the system.

The Life Span Of Solar Panels

Many solar power panels for home use last anywhere between 20 to 30 years. During this time, you will not need to pay any maintenance fees. You will only need to keep off obstructions like leaves, dirt, and snow.

If you choose a great supplier, they might help with professional repairs because it is covered in the warranty.

Caring for a solar system is fairly easy and they have a useful life period. This means that the panels will start to reduce efficiency and energy as they age probably after around 25 years.

Most warranties cover 90 percent of production in the first 10 years and 80 percent afterward.

Upgrade Your Home With The Right Solar Solutions

If you consider buying solar power panels for home use, you need to contact us at West Bay Energy to get a quote. We will give you the best rates and a 100% production guarantee on all solar power solutions.