We are all trying to think of ways to reduce our environmental footprint. One of the most effective ways to do this is to consider home energy generation. We’ve already discussed wind energy. Another option is installing photovoltaics. These are also known as solar panels.
Image: Wayne National Forest
Solar panels harness the energy of the sun in a process that converts sunlight into DC energy. This energy can be used to power a home, stored in a battery for future use, or sold back to a utility.
Since solar energy is predictably non-constant, most residences will never run 100% on solar energy. Instead, the solar panels can help you offset some of your power use, and save you money.
If you are thinking about it, here are some things to keep in mind:
Location
Depending on your location, solar panels just might not be worth it. If you are living in areas of the country that experience a lot of rainy days, it’s probably best to think about other ways to generate home electricity.
As well, you need to consider where you are going to put your solar panels. South-facing is always best, and you want to avoid areas that are shaded. There are some panels that work with a minimal amount of constant shade on them (such as from a nearby tree), but any shade strongly reduces the effectiveness of the panels.
You will also need to make sure your roof is large enough. Panels can be sold in many sizes, and can be customized for your roof, but the most economical can be very large. For instance, GE sells some home solar panels that require 11 square meters of space.
Efficiency / Power
Related to the size of your panels is the amount of energy it generates. Often, the larger the panel, the more energy it generates. Space constraints might put a damper on how much energy you can generate.
Not all solar panels are equally effective in generating electricity. There is a wide range of efficiency, with more expensive models boasting more efficient conversion of sunlight into electrical energy. This means that if you do have space constraints, a more efficient solar panel might be the answer.
Next week, I’ll provide you more info on the basics of solar panels.
Nelson Goulart
Broker of Record with Signature Service GMAC Real Estate
www.ssgmac.ca
