Summer is here, install solar panels! But, read some of these tips first
Thanks to advances in technology and manufacturing, the cost of solar panels has plummeted over the past decade, making solar power more popular than ever. But, figuring out how to add a solar system to your roof can be frustrating for many people.
After all, this will still be a great investment. But very soon, you will notice your utility bills getting lower and lower. Not only that, it ensures that we will have at least some electricity during power outages, which is common during hot and rainy seasons.
And now, interest in rooftop solar systems is growing as energy prices rise as well as concerns about climate change. Because many people have begun to worry about power outages due to extreme weather related to climate change.
If you are interested in solar energy, here are some things to consider.
Can your roof be fitted with solar panels?
The question sounds simple, but finding the answer can be surprisingly complex. If your roof is covered with surrounding vegetation, which you can’t cut off, installing solar panels won’t generate enough electricity to make the investment worthwhile. And if you already have them installed, think about pruning the trees, as the system can generate a lot more electricity than before.
Then you may know that some local governments and some special areas will not allow you to install solar panels on the roof. For example, in foreign cities like New York City, some buildings are not equipped with solar panels but must keep the roof flat, so that firefighters can move back and forth in the event of a fire. Meanwhile, some areas also ban the installation of solar panels as that would violate height restrictions in a specific residential area of the city. For example, your home area is in an ancient relic that needs to be preserved, limited to repair and new construction, do not think about installing solar panels.
The best approach is to talk to as many solar installers as possible. You can also consult neighbors who have installed solar panels on their roofs, for advice and advice.
Can you afford a solar battery installer?
In Vietnam today, it is not difficult to find a unit that provides installation services of solar battery systems.
However, leaving aside the issue of reputable units, when considering recommendations, pay attention to the cost of the system per watt. This tells you how much you’re paying for your system’s power generation capacity and allows you to compare different offers.
And yet, prices can vary greatly due to location, local labor costs, and other factors, such as the type of roof you have and whether other work is required prior to installation. . For example, if your roof is old or damaged, it may need to be replaced before a new solar system can be installed.
A rooftop solar system can reduce your monthly utility bill, but it also depends on the price of electricity, the home’s energy usage, and government policies. The more money you save on installation, the quicker you’ll get back on your investment. According to Vikram Aggarwal, CEO and founder of new energy company EnergySage, ideally solar systems should return enough initial investment for owners within 10 years.
Excess electricity generated by rooftop energy systems is routed to the grid, and they can be repaid to homeowners through credits on monthly bills. However, the value of these electricity sales may vary according to local policies.
Which way should I buy?
If you can afford to buy a solar system outright with cash, this is the best deal. Systems purchased with loans or through a lease tend to be more expensive, especially over the life of the contract.
Today, many units already offer solar cell rental, but the agreements are often unclear or beneficial to the supplier.
The main advantage of leasing a solar panel system is that your costs are usually fixed for the life of the contract. But experts warn that a lease can be difficult to terminate and it can become a burden when you sell your home, as buyers may not want to continue your lease.
In case you still want to hire, it is recommended that you consult contracts and quotes from three or four different service providers.
Should I buy a battery?
Adding batteries to your solar system will allow you to store some of the excess electricity it generates for use during power outages or in the evenings and nights. A battery-free solar system will not provide you with power during a power outage as most residential systems automatically turn off when the mains power fails.
Storage batteries can be quite expensive, especially if you want to operate large equipment and provide power for hours or days. A 10 to 12 kilowatt-hour battery, which can store about a third of a house’s typical daily use of electricity, costs about $10,000 more.
Can an electric car be used as a power bank?
Electric cars are gradually popular and will become more and more popular in the near future. But, most electric cars cannot power homes. Only a few special models, like the Ford F-150 Lightning and Hyundai Ioniq 5, have that capability.
But many energy experts believe electric vehicle batteries will eventually become commonplace to power your home.
In many areas, prolonged power outages may occur only once or twice a year. As a result, it may not make sense to invest in an expensive home battery pack, which typically holds much less energy than electric car batteries. So, if you have the opportunity to install a solar battery and want to buy an electric car, think a little further.
If I can’t install solar panels, can I buy solar energy?
The answer is yes. You can join a community solar project, which is the installation of battery systems on vacant lots or on the roofs of warehouses and large buildings. Of course, in Vietnam, this trend is not really popular yet, but it is likely to be replicated in the near future.
The benefit of this option is that you will be able to buy electricity at a discount, cheaper than the grid price. And you can join or leave at any time.
Refer NYTime
at Blogtuan.info – Source: genk.vn – Read the original article here
