Are you curious about solar energy for your house? You are not the only one! Millions of Florida residents are switching to renewable energy instead of fossil fuels. You can find out more here. This is a quick version of Solar 101.
What Is Solar Power?
Solar power is a form of renewable energy that comes from the sun. It can be either thermal or electric energy. There are many methods to harness solar energy. However, solar photovoltaic panels (PV) convert sunlight into usable energy. Solar energy is growing in popularity because it is clean, available everywhere, and doesn’t pollute, especially in sunny states like Florida, which has 200 days of sunshine each year.
How Does Solar Power Work?
A solar panel has four components: a layer of silicon cells and a metal frame. The glass casing unit is the wiring that transfers electric current from silicon. Silicon, a nonmetal that has conductive properties, can absorb sunlight and convert it into usable electricity. The “photovoltaic effect” is when light strikes a silicon cell. This causes electrons to trigger a flow of electricity. This is how it works:
First: The photovoltaic (PV), cells absorb sunlight and convert it to direct current (DC), electricity.
Step 2 The inverter converts DC to alternating current (AC), electricity.
Step 3 The electrical panel supplies power to your lights, appliances, and other devices.
Step 4 The utility meter measures how much energy you use and gives back to the grid. Your power company will purchase excess energy from you if you produce more than you consume at the end.
What Does Solar Cost?
The cost of installing solar panels has fallen nearly 80 percent over the past five years thanks to advances in solar technology. The average price for solar panels currently ranges from $1.77 to $2.20 per watt. Solar panel installation costs for an average home range from $10,626 to $26,460 to install a 6- to the 20-kW system.
Don’t be alarmed by the upfront cost. You can offset the cost of solar panel installation with several incentives programs offered by the Federal, State, and local governments. You can also save up to $100 per month by switching from fossil fuel to renewable energy.
ESD Solar Tampa’s Energy Experts are available to assist you!
This post was written by Daniel Massaad, owner and expert solar technician at Energy Solutions Direct! ESD is the top choice for Solar Panels Tampa! Our licensed and certified contractors are masters of their craft; with years of experience servicing the great Tampa Bay area and beyond, the choice is simple. ESD excels at offering you the best in solar value!
