How to choose the best home solar panels for you

We’re thrilled that you’ve made the decision to install a home solar system! You’ll soon be joining many other homeowners across the country who enjoy the benefits of completely clean, free, renewable energy and you’ll be doing your part to make positive choices for the environment. 

A question many people ask is: what are the best home solar panels for me? As with many things there is no singular “best” home solar panel, and the answer depends on several factors that our team will discuss below. If you’d like to learn more about which home solar panels are best for you, our team will be happy to assist. 

Cost per watt

Your budget will be the biggest determining factor in which solar panels you choose, and panels come in many different sizes. Full-size panels are generally in the range of 275-400 watts, so to deduce the true cost, you can divide the total price of the panel by the number of watts it outputs. You may have the budget for full-size panels or you may want to go with a smaller option. We can work with all different budgets at Green House Solar. 

Efficiency

You obviously want your solar panels to be efficient because they’ll be powering your whole house with renewable energy. Check the efficiency ratings of the different brands you’re considering – between 15-22% is considered a good efficiency rating. 

Temperature Coefficient

Your solar panels will be subjected to all different types of weather conditions and varying temperatures, especially as our summers get hotter and our winters get more severe. Very hot temperatures can make your solar panels less efficient, so if you live in a place where it gets hot on a regular basis, we recommend asking your solar installer which panels are best suited for hot climates. 

Warranties

Home solar panels come with a workmanship warranty and a performance warranty. The workmanship warranty protects your panels against any manufacturer defects and other physical problems, while the performance warranty ensures your home solar system continues working above the efficiency rating for their entire lifespan. 

Company History 

When choosing a solar installer, we recommend selecting a company that has a long, successful history of installing home solar panels in your area. The company you choose will be with you every step of the way until your solar system is complete, so picking a company you feel comfortable with and that you trust is very important.

For more information about the various types of home solar panels, or if you have any questions about which ones are best for your home, please contact our team at Green House Solar today. We look forward to hearing from you.

What documentation do I need when installing solar panels?

If you’ve made the decision to install a home solar system, obtaining the necessary documentation is an important first step. Each year, thousands of homeowners go off the grid and make the switch to solar, but before you can have your solar panels installed, there is certain documentation that needs to be completed. In this article, our experienced solar technicians will explain the permits and the documents you’ll need, and if you have any questions – our team is happy to help. 

Permits and documents: the logistical paperwork required for your solar panel installation

The first step is to contact your county and city government offices and ask what their requirements are. If you’re working with a licensed solar company, then chances are they know the requirements and can help you understand them. It’s worth noting that not all cities require permits.

If your city requires you to obtain a permit, you’ll now need to prepare all the documents for your permit application. These typically include a roof plan, a site plan, a construction plan, an electrical plan, and a location plan, among others. Your solar installer should be familiar with the process and may be able to assist you in submitting your permit application. 

Next, your local government may ask you to attend a hearing before issuing your permit for solar panel installation. If this is the case, your solar installer can attend on your behalf and answer questions, such as what your panels will look like, but we also encourage you to attend the meeting as well. 

Solar panel permit approval and interconnection

Once your permit has been approved, your solar installer will pay for and pick up your permit, which needs to be on site during the installation of your solar panels. The permit will include information about which inspections are required during and after installation, and your solar company can help you schedule the necessary inspections. 

Many solar panels draw energy from the grid as a back-up electricity source, so you’ll also need to complete an interconnection agreement, which is between you and your utility company. This agreement notifies the utility company that you’re installing a home solar system and will be connecting it to their energy grid. 

For more information about the documentation needed to install a home solar system, or if you have any questions, please contact our team at Green House Solar today. We’d be happy to walk you through each stage of the solar panel documentation process.

Solar panel system installation: what to expect

If you’re considering installing a solar panel system at home, you may be wondering what happens during the installation process and what you can expect. More people are opting for home solar systems now because they want to break free from conventional energy, reduce their environmental footprint, and lower their monthly energy costs. 

In this article, we’ll discuss each step of the installation process from start to finish. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact our team today – they’ll be happy to help.

Step #1: Install Solar Panel Mounts

The first step is installing solar panel mounts. These pieces are affixed to your roof, and then your solar panels are affixed to the mounts. Your solar installer will inspect your roof to determine what type of mounts will work best, and then they’ll place them in the ideal position for maximum sun exposure. While it’s true that solar panels generate energy on cloudy days, you want your solar panels to be in the best position possible to absorb as much sunlight as they can, hency why it’s so important to properly place the mounts. 

Step #2: Install the Solar Panels

Once the mounts are firmly in place, it’s time to attach the solar panels to the mounts. Your solar installer will ensure the panels are properly attached to the mounts and that they’re angled correctly. It’s important that your solar panels are securely affixed to the mounts.

Step #3: Wire the Solar Panels

After your solar panels have been secured to the mounts, you’ll need to install the electrical wiring. Turn off your home’s power supply before this step. 

Step #4: Install Solar Inverter and Consumer Unit

The solar inverter is a crucial part of the home solar system. It converts sunlight into the energy used to power your home. Solar inverters are usually placed near the main solar panel, and we recommend they be kept in a cool place away from direct sunlight. 

The solar inverter will need to be connected to the consumer unit, which is your fuse board, in order to generate electricity. 

Step #5: Start and Test Solar Panels

You’re now ready to turn your power back on and let your solar panels get to work. Once your home solar system is up and running you can install an app on your phone that allows you to monitor your electricity usage in real time.

To learn more about solar power and how our team can install a home solar system for you, please call us today or visit our website at: https://greenhouse.solar

How long can solar energy be stored -

Are you thinking of transitioning to solar energy for your home or business? More and more people are turning to solar panels because they are becoming more interested in free, clean, completely renewable energy from the sun. Instead of relying on traditional energy, why not invest in a solar system that gives you total control?

Solar panels are consistently generating energy, and when they generate more energy than you’re using, the excess energy is stored in a battery pack. While there are differences in battery types, a standard solar battery can store energy for one to five days.

How is Solar Energy Stored?

For home solar systems, solar energy is stored in batteries. The most common type is a Lithium-Ion battery, and other types include saltwater batteries and lead-acid batteries. Your solar installer will recommend the best batteries for your system, and batteries are useful for storing solar energy during high-production, low-use periods, like on a sunny day while you’re at work. 

The number of solar batteries you’ll need depends on several factors, like the size of your home, how many people live there, and how much energy you all use at various times of the day.

Can I Use a Solar Powered Battery Pack instead of a Generator?

Generators are loud, dirty, wasteful, and very inefficient. They also only provide power for a limited amount of time. On the other hand, solar powered battery packs are environmentally friendly, have a longer life than generators, and emit no noise. 

Additionally, solar powered battery packs don’t require any servicing or maintenance, they come with a 10-year warranty, and they are smart home ready. There’s a misconception that solar panels only work on bright sunny days. However, solar power battery packs make it possible to use solar energy at night and during adverse weather conditions, meaning your home will never be without a steady supply of energy. 

How long will the charge on battery storage last for?

Like all batteries, solar batteries do need to be re-charged from time to time. An average fully-charged solar battery can last anywhere from one to five days, while Tesla batteries can last as long as seven days without a charge. 

Solar batteries have a very long life, lasting on average nearly 20 years. How frequently you need to re-charge your solar batteries depends on several factors, including the make and model, and how frequently you use it. 

To learn more about solar batteries or solar panel installation for your home, please contact us today or visit our website at: https://greenhouse.solar

solar-powered home building needs

As we move away from non-renewable energy sources, solar-powered homes are growing in popularity for many reasons. Homeowners across the country are interested in how they can power their houses as cleanly and efficiently as possible, but there is still some confusion and uncertainty about home solar systems and the components you’ll need to build a solar-powered home. In this article, we’ll explain the basic components of a solar system and how they work to power your home or small business. 

Continue reading “The basics needed to build a solar-powered home”