The Future and Solar Power

Solar technology is evolving quickly, and there are several different types of innovative solar panels you can expect to see more of in the near future. While solar panels themselves are not exactly a new technology, their prevalence among homeowners is relatively new within the last few decades. As the need for clean, renewable energy continues to grow, so will the various futuristic solar options. Here are a few you can watch out for.

Solar Skins

A solar skin is a piece of thin material that produces an electrical current when it’s exposed to sunlight. Think of it as a piece of saran wrap that you can wrap around an object, like a cell phone for example. Solar skins can be applied to almost any surface – cars, the outside of a home, a motorized scooter – and they generate power for the object they’re wrapped around. Soon you may be able to buy a solar skin to charge your phone in the sun!

Floating Solar Farms

Floating solar farms are clusters of solar panels installed on the surface of lakes, industrial ponds, reservoirs, and other bodies of water near coastal areas. Land is both limited and expensive, so utilizing water to generate renewable energy is an excellent alternative. Portugal is home to Europe’s largest floating solar park, located on the Alqueva reservoir, and it supplies the nearby towns with a third of its power. 

Solar Power Street Lights

Did you know that it can cost millions of dollars per year to keep street lights illuminated using electricity from the grid? Solar power street lights are just one way that cities can reduce their dependency on non-renewable energy. Not to mention, a solar power street light has a lifespan of around 25 years, making it incredibly efficient. 

Replacing the Grid With Solar Energy

If you’re interested in getting your home or business off the grid, investing in a solar system is the right choice. Despite the common misconception, your solar panels will still release energy to your building when it’s not sunny or when it’s dark outside, and solar accessories like batteries ensure your home stays powered around the clock.

As you can see, the future of solar is very exciting and full of possibilities! If you’d like to learn more about innovative solar panels, or if you have any residential or commercial solar questions, please give us a call or visit our website at: https://greenhouse.solar/

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.