Rooftop Solar Company is becoming increasingly popular as homeowners seek ways to cut their energy costs and protect themselves from rising utility rates. A well-sited rooftop solar system can produce the equivalent of two-thirds to three-quarters of a household’s electricity use.
Choosing the right system depends on a number of factors, including the size and condition of your roof. Tools like Google’s Project Sunroof and PVWatts can help.
Solar energy has captivated inventors and entrepreneurs for centuries, offering the promise of a more sustainable future. Today, a homeowner can harness the power of the sun to reduce energy bills and create a cleaner environment with a rooftop solar system that produces green electricity for their home. This type of renewable energy generation is a key component of SRP’s commitment to a clean and reliable grid for all customers.
Solar technology is an amazingly efficient energy source that can produce clean, green electric power for homes, businesses and even stadiums. This is because of the way solar panels absorb and convert sunlight to power. The basic solar panel is made up of silicon cells that are grouped together into arrays to form solar modules. Each panel has a metal frame and glass casing that absorbs sunlight during the day, turning it into energy. The solar modules are then connected to each other and an inverter. The inverter turns the direct current, or DC, electricity into alternating current, or AC, which is what most electrical devices need to operate.
This power can be used by the household in their home or business, or it can be sold to the electricity grid for additional savings. Many homeowners can also claim a federal tax credit that covers up to 30% of the cost of their solar systems. Businesses can also claim a production or investment tax credit, which reduces their income taxes for every kilowatt-hour of electricity produced by the system.
Regardless of which type of solar energy system you choose, it is important to work with an experienced contractor to ensure the proper installation. A reputable company like Chint Global can help you select the right system for your home or business and install it to the highest standards. They can also handle the necessary permits and interconnection with your local utility to get your system up and running.
The solar energy industry is experiencing tremendous growth. As solar technology becomes increasingly sophisticated and affordable, it is becoming increasingly popular among prosumers of all income levels. These people are seeking energy independence from the electric grid, and they are making a difference by contributing to their community’s clean energy production.
Photovoltaic Cells
The key to rooftop solar is the photovoltaic (PV) cell, a nonmechanical device that converts sunlight into electricity. PV cells are composed of semiconductor material, usually crystalline silicon, that converts light energy into electric current by absorbing the sun’s radiation. The solar cell’s outer layer, called the cathode, carries positive and negative charges, while the negatively charged electrons are separated from each other by a layer of positively charged impurities known as the p-type layer. Electrons with different levels of energy are captured by those impurities, and they create an electric field across the cell. When this electric field is applied to an external load, like a home’s electrical system, it produces electricity.
The PV cell’s effectiveness depends on its efficiency, which is measured by how many electrons are able to be absorbed at any given moment. A well-designed solar cell is able to capture most of the available electromagnetic spectrum and convert it to electricity at the highest possible level.
Most residential PV systems are based on monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar cells, which are wired together to produce the electricity necessary to power a home. The resulting system is typically mounted to the roof using a series of metal hooks and rafters. Often these panels are visible above the surface of the roof, but they can be made almost invisible by using an innovative mounting system that allows them to sit flush with your roof for a more streamlined appearance and optimal performance.
Commercial and industrial buildings can benefit from building-integrated PV (BIPV) systems, which serve as both the roofing material and the power generator for on-site use or to be sold back to the grid. These systems can significantly reduce construction and electricity costs, as well as cut energy emissions and add to the architectural design of a building.
Solar systems are also able to provide power in remote locations and during power outages, when coupled with storage batteries that charge during the day and provide backup energy at night. These types of systems are often seen in places such as SOS posts on highways, railway signalling and solar streetlights.
Inverters
An inverter is a nifty little box of electronics and switches that transforms the DC electricity produced by your solar panels into appliance-friendly AC electricity. It also enables your system to work in the event of a grid outage and helps you earn credits for any excess solar energy fed back into the power grid (as part of net metering).
The most common type of inverter is a string inverter. These are found in homes with solar panels that are arranged in groups or rows, connected to a single inverter that turns the DC output from each row into AC. String inverters are a good choice for homeowners who have limited space on their roof or who are interested in budget-friendly solar.
A more recent innovation is the hybrid inverter, which adds a battery-based inverter to your solar array. It combines the functions of both a PV inverter and a battery inverter, allowing you to store energy for use when the sun isn’t shining or you need to pull power from the grid. Some hybrid inverters have the ability to charge electric vehicles, too.
Other things to consider when choosing an inverter include how much DC current it can handle, its voltage regulation and its efficiency rating. A good inverter should be able to deliver at least a continuous load of 300 amps for up to a minute. It should also have a high degree of “clean” sine wave generation, which is important for sensitive electronic devices such as computers and audio equipment. A total harmonic distortion rate lower than 6 percent should satisfy most household needs.
Another feature to look for is the inverter’s ability to monitor its own performance through a web-based user interface. This allows you to check on system performance from anywhere in the world, a handy feature that can reduce downtime and help you optimize your home energy usage.
One last thing to consider is whether your inverter will incorporate an overcurrent protection device. These are fast-acting fuses or circuit breakers that will shut off the inverter within milliseconds if a short occurs, protecting your system and preventing any damage or hazards.
Installation
A well-designed rooftop solar system is more than just a good way to lower electricity costs. It also decreases dependence on the power grid and contributes to a healthier environment. Using renewable energy reduces the emission of greenhouse gases, which help slow global warming. By switching to rooftop solar, the average household decreases carbon emissions by 560,000 lbs over the life of its system.
The number of homes with rooftop solar is increasing rapidly across the country. Homeowners are attracted to the financial benefits of generating their own clean, affordable power from the sun, as well as increased property values, and being less reliant on the electricity grid.
Before installing a solar energy system on your roof, it is important to have an understanding of the regulations in your area (including homeowner associations), and be familiar with your electricity consumption and rates. Additionally, if your local utility offers net metering, it is important to understand how your system will work with your electric bill.
The size of the solar panel array is also an important factor to consider, as well as the type of roof. Solar systems can be installed on asphalt shingles, corrugated metal roofs, and even tile or slate roofing. However, some older or historic homes may have roof additions that limit the ability to install a solar system.
Solar installations are most successful when they face the sun at an angle between 18 and 36 degrees. It is recommended that you consult with your installer to ensure that your system will be positioned, tilted and oriented to maximize the amount of sunlight received and energy generated.
The cost of solar energy is continuing to decline, largely due to federal tax credits, state and local incentives, streamlined permitting processes, and community-led efforts to pool homeowner demand for solar. In addition, many home owners and businesses are able to participate in third-party ownership programs that offer little or no upfront payment, with electricity delivered over a long term at attractive fixed rates. This is particularly common in communities with high electricity prices and/or limited access to the power grid.
