Clarifying  common solar energy mishaps 
 

Factors  when looking to purchase solar panels

Sizing a solar system is more challenging than it appears. There are many factors to assess when looking to purchase panels; climate, panel orientation, shading, and  natural efficiency drop are just a few variables that impact the “true” output of your system. Below are some of the variables in more detail; 

Efficiency: Solar panels have an efficiency rating and have a 0.5-1% efficiency drop every year. 20 years after you install it, your panels will be 10-20% less efficient. 

Climate: Solar panels are tested in ideal conditions: an indoor factory with temperatures in the mid-70s. In the real world, your system can be exposed to harsher elements. High temperatures can decrease the amount of energy generated. Your location dictates how many sun hours you get. It means the amount of time the sun is in the right position to harvest peak energy. Most places get 4-6 sun hours per day, and the exact amount influences sizing.

Voltage: Inverters and charge controllers have maximum and minimum voltage input windows. Solar panels and batteries have a voltage rating. You’ll need the right voltage based on usage and what it requires.  If you don’t have the right voltage, your system might not perform as well or could get damaged.

Battery sizing: Mismatching your battery bank with your charging source is the most common problem, specifically with off-grid system sizing. Your array needs to supply enough power to keep the batteries charged, but not to the point of being overcharged. Too much current could damage your batteries while undercharging can have an even worse effect. Certain batteries need to be brought up to full charge on a regular basis. Leaving the batteries at empty or partial charge for an extended period of time may cause them to fail prematurely.
 

About the grid system

Solar energy generates your own energy, which means you won’t pay for power from the network. Some assume this means “going off the grid,” but this is inaccurate. In reality, most are looking for a grid-tied solar system. Here’s the distinction: your solar panels harvest energy, yet you need to store that for later use. If you have access to power lines, you store the energy in the utility grid. The utility company will credit you for extra power made while  allowing you to pull from the grid when you need it.

Off-grid properties have no access to power lines which means off-grid systems need a battery bank to function. Batteries are needed for off-grid systems. Saving money and being independent from the grid are mutually exclusive. Batteries eat into your ROI (return on investment), and grid-tied properties don’t need them.
 
Solar power is here to stay, and the sooner you explore how much you can save, the sooner you can enjoy the benefits of residential solar power. Go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. It tells you how much solar power you need, and how much you can save. Please visit our solar blog to find out more about the benefits of going solar.