7 Things You Should Know About Solar Power
For the last decade, hundreds of thousands of solar panels have popped up across the country as an increasing number of Kenyans choose to power their daily lives with the sun’s energy. The cost of going solar goes down every year.
Despite solar energy being a leading clean energy technology, there is still a lot of confusion surrounding installing solar panels. How much does solar cost? Do you need a battery? How does solar power even work? We’ve broken down the basics of solar power to answer your questions and give you a better understanding of the increasingly popular energy source as you may be considering the option of adding a solar energy system to your home’s/business’s roof.
How does solar power work?
There are two types of solar panels: Photovoltaic (solar PV) panels convert sunlight into electricity, and solar thermal panels which heats water by absorbing the sun’s warmth, and can be used to heat homes or swimming pools.
Solar power is produced through something called the photovoltaic effect. If you’ve ever looked at a solar panel, you’ve probably seen that they are made up of multiple small squares. Those squares are called solar cells, photovoltaic cells, or PV cells.
When the sun shines onto a solar panel, photons from the sunlight are absorbed by these cells in the panel, which creates an electric field across the layers and causes electricity to flow.
How solar power is used?
We’ve established how solar power is produced through the photovoltaic effect, but how do our homes use solar electricity?
Solar panels produce something called Direct Current, or DC, electricity. Most homes can’t use DC electricity, so it needs to be converted into alternating current, or AC electricity. That’s where solar inverters come in – the DC electricity produced by the solar panels travels to the solar inverter where it is converted into AC electricity.
The AC electricity can then be used by your home appliances such as your refrigerator, lights, and TV
The cost of a solar power system
The cost to install solar power system on your specific home or business will vary depending on your location, your energy usage, and the brands of equipment chosen.
The cost of installing solar panels is not to be overestimated, because even though the initial cost is high, the payback period is quite short due to the savings on electricity bills.
Advancements in technology and rises in the number of installations will likely bring down prices, due to economies of scale and lower cost of materials. As a matter of fact, prices have been falling continuously since the introduction of solar panels: in 1990, one watt of solar panel would have cost you so much as Ksh200. Today, that one watt costs Ksh45-55.
Do I need solar batteries?
Solar batteries are great for energy security. The peace of mind from knowing that you will still have lights, refrigeration and other essential circuits no matter what happens to the grid can be priceless.
Batteries are also great fun. There is something extraordinary about seeing your house run off nothing but battery power.
A properly sized, correctly installed and configured solar battery can reduce your grid use by up to 95%. But these benefits come at a cost. Battery storage will also take a substantial amount in the cost of your entire system, but they are a good option as you will not have to worry in case of power black-out if you use solar power as a back-up. If you intend to use solar as your primary source of power, then you must have solar batteries.
Will I save money going solar?
The amount of money you can save with solar depends upon how much electricity you consume, the size of your solar energy system, and how much power it is able to generate given the direction your roof faces and how much sunlight hits it. Your savings also depend on the electricity rates set by the utility company. But the higher the rates from the utility company, the more you will save with your newly installed system.
Solar energy is completely free and renewable
Once the initial solar panel costs are covered, you will not need to spend a cent on the electricity they produce. Moreover, you will save money and reduce your carbon footprint by using solar energy, since it is totally green and renewable. Solar panels don’t release any of the nasty carbon emissions or other air pollutants that fossil fuels do when they generate electricity.
Maintenance
Once installed, almost no solar panel maintenance is required. You will only have to make sure they’re clean and not shaded by anything. A tilted roof will require less cleaning, since rain helps remove dirt. Additionally, solar panels have a very long lifespan. They carry a standard 25-years warranty, but can last up to 30-40 years.
If you are considering lowering or eliminating your energy bills by investing in a solar power system for your home or business, then simply feel free to contact us and our specialists will provide you with the help you need to make that move. You will receive a quote completely free of charge.
Phone number: 0759493610
Email: info@voltmaticenergysolutions.co.ke