The Benefits of a Residential Solar Panel

A Residential Solar Panel is a great way to generate your own clean energy and offset your electricity bill. It’s also a low-maintenance investment that can help you save money in the long run.

Before investing in solar, it’s important to calculate your electricity usage and find out what size system will meet your needs. Then, compare prices from different installers.

Cost

The overall cost of a residential solar panel system depends on several factors, including the number of panels you need, your energy needs, and whether you choose to install a system that generates electricity on-grid or off-grid. In addition, you will need to consider the installation costs of the panels themselves and other equipment like inverters and batteries.

The average solar panel cost per watt has dropped by more than 65% over the past decade. The solar tax credit and state and federal incentives can also help lower the initial cost of your system.

Besides the panels themselves, the system installation costs vary based on the brand of panels, the other equipment used in the solar panel system and the home's orientation to the sun. Your roof type, roof angle, shading and the number of trees on the property also influence your system's energy production.

The installation process usually involves a professional engineer who visits your property to inspect the electrical status and determine which equipment is compatible with the solar panel system. This will help ensure that the system will function properly and provide energy efficiently.

Energy Efficiency

Solar panels are an effective way to reduce your energy bill. They’re also an environmentally friendly option that can cut your carbon footprint.

Panel efficiency is an important factor when choosing a residential solar system. The higher the panel efficiency, the more energy it can produce.

The best solar panels have an efficiency of 20 to 22 percent. This means they can turn 20% of the sunlight hitting them into electricity.

NREL scientists created a solar cell that was 39.5% efficient, breaking the previous record of 39.2% in 2020.

These cells are still in the early stages of development, and there are some limitations to their performance.

Weather conditions, including cloud coverage and heavy dust, can also degrade solar panel efficiency. For this reason, it’s crucial to choose a professional installation and maintain your solar system regularly.

Longevity

Solar panels are an investment that can pay off in a lot of ways over the years. They offset your electricity use, save you money on energy bills, and reduce your carbon footprint.

When installed properly, they can last for several decades -- if you do the necessary maintenance to keep them in top condition. This includes brushing off accumulated snow and dust, pouring lukewarm water on them after a rainstorm to remove debris, and keeping up with routine cleanings.

But over time, they can gradually degrade and stop producing the energy you need for your home. The degradation rate varies from brand to brand and type to type, but generally it's around 0.5% per year.

Fortunately, the industry standard is that solar panels should be warrantied for 25 to 30 years. This gives them plenty of time to produce the optimum amount of power before they begin declining in production.

Maintenance

Solar panels are one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to produce renewable energy. They’re built to withstand harsh weather conditions and usually come with a warranty of 25-30 years.

But as with any equipment, it’s important to regularly check for maintenance needs. This includes checking for loose screws, bolts, and mounting brackets, which can reduce their performance or even void the warranty.

Similarly, cleaning debris from the solar panel can help them function at their best. Dirt, dust, and snow can build up on them, making it difficult for the panels to absorb sunlight and create electricity.

Most solar panels need a simple cleaning about twice a year, but you’ll want to check the manufacturer’s manual for your specific installation. This may be more frequent if you live in an area where the panels get heavy rain or collect lots of dirt and dust.