Solar Power Efficiency And Cleaning

With so many homeowners switching over to solar power there is a lot of excitement around the technology and the purchasing of solar power systems. In the midst of their excitement however what many homeowners often overlook is the fact that their solar panels will become dirty and their efficiency slowly but steadily reduces. When a new solar power system is first installed and activated even the most modest of systems typically converts about 20% of the sunlight it receives into usable energy. Over time however its conversion rate can drop dramatically depending on how much maintenance and care homeowners give their solar panels.

In environments where there's a lot of dust, dirt, or pollen solar panels can lose up to 30% of their efficiency in a relatively short amount of time. Add in even small amounts of wind in those types of climates and solar panels can see their efficiency drop to alarming numbers and relatively quickly as well. In addition to desert climates homeowners need to also be aware of the fact that environments with a high precipitation, be it snow or rain, can also negatively affect their solar panels. When precipitation falls and gathers on solar panels they become havens for dirt, mold, and many other types debris that might try and pass by the panels. On solar panels water acts like a low-grade epoxy resin and helps debris of all types stick to their surface.

Fortunately homeowners needn't worry much about the effectiveness of their solar panels as they can be cleaned. Though they can be cleaned homeowners do need to take great care in doing so. The process can also be time-consuming for those homeowners who choose to do it themselves. Homeowners need to take great care when they set out to clean their solar panels because the wrong chemicals/detergents can damage some solar panels and even render them inert. Ideally homeowners should clean or have their solar panels cleaned every few weeks to maintain peak efficiency though those homeowners with larger solar panel arrays may find that to be inconvenient.

Homeowners concerned with hiring a professional to clean their solar panels and those with little time to do it themselves can actually breathe a sigh of relief. There is a self-cleaning material for solar panels that can be applied by professionals during installation and periodically throughout the life of a solar power system that reduces the number of times panels must be cleaned. This robust coating is designed to maintain peak efficiency over long periods of time. The technology behind this coating is quite complex but homeowners can think of it as being similar to the no fog technology found on corrective lenses and other types of glass. Unlike some of the spray-on coatings available for solar panels this type of coating actually bonds to individual solar panels and forums a barrier between debris and the panel it protects. This usually allows debris and even precipitation to fall roll off solar panels.

For those homeowners who do want to clean their own solar panels themselves, it behooves them to at the very least have a consultation with a solar power professional. It may be the individual or company that installed their system or maybe somebody else but either way these people can help homeowners determine exactly what type of chemicals/detergents and tools to use. While the degradation of solar panel efficiency might be a nuisance to homeowners the cost of replacing damaged solar panels is much more than a simple nuisance.

SolarGEM specializes in Orange County solar power and solar panel services.

Returning Energy Efficiency To A Home

Like everything else in life a home can become inefficient. Time robs things of their luster and value though the most frustrating loss is often efficiency. Insulation in a home eventually loses its ability to protect the homes internal environment, and even appliances and electrical devices lose their ability to do their jobs properly. When a home' becomes energy inefficient however homeowners will often notice a steady rise in electrical costs. In order to make a home energy efficient once more there are several things that homeowners need to consider.

Although most homeowners immediately retreat to the thought that says something to the effect of "how much are these changes/upgrades going to cost me" and "where do I even get the money for these things" when they begin thinking about making their home energy efficient again, most of the changes/upgrades needed to make a home energy efficient once more are actually quite affordable and/or pay for themselves. What homeowners will really want to keep in the back of their minds is the fact that while it may cost money to make their home energy efficient again it will cost even more to neglect the problem and pay higher energy bills each month. In effect bringing energy efficiency back to home is a project that pays for itself right out of the gate.

When a homeowner does decide to move forward with improvements to make their home energy efficient again one of the first things they need to look at is air conditioning and furnace units. On average an air conditioning/heating unit will operate at optimal levels anywhere from 15 to 25 years depending on the brand and the maintenance it receives over those years. Once these units pique however they will actually begin consuming more energy in order to do just the half job they did before. Moreover they'll won't be capable of cooling and heating a home as they once did regardless of how much more energy they consume in an attempt to do so. Replacing heating and air-conditioning units can actually reduce energy consumption by 50%.

In keeping with the theme of heating and cooling a home let's talk about replacing windows within a home. While the initial cost of replacing these might seem a little high, depending on the type of homeowner selects, keep in mind that again leaving old windows in place will actually cost homeowners more money than it would to simply replace him. Modern windows are often made with multiple panes/to better insulate a home. This means that not only will help trap cool and hot air pumped out by furnace and A/C units but will also keep sunlight to a minimum and some even reflect ultraviolet light which in turn protects furniture, carpet, and flooring. In addition making a home more energy efficient by replacing windows in a home can also provide security and privacy homeowners as many types of modern windows are reflective and key outside eyes peering in.

Customers concerned with making their homes energy-efficient should also keep their eyes firmly fixed on all of their appliances. Things like refrigerators, stoves/ranges, and even washers and dryers all behave in the same manner as air-conditioning/furnace units do when they are past their prime and on the down slide. These appliances will begin consuming more and more energy as they age in a futile attempt to operate as efficiently as they once did. By leaving old home appliances in place and allowing them to operate far below optimal levels while consuming additional energy can raise energy bills by as much as 40% to 50%.

Homeowners who not only want their home to become energy-efficient again but really want to reduce their monthly electrical bills can opt to have a solar power system put into their home. Not only has solar power change dramatically and become far more efficient than ever has been in recent years but homeowners can also expect rebates and tax credits from state and even federal government agencies once installation has been completed. Moreover any unused energy that is collected and stored in a solar power system can be sold back to utility companies for use elsewhere. Solar power is one of the most popular upgrades for a home right now and with prices very friendly homeowners would be foolish to overlook this possible upgrade.

Keeping all the things they need to replace or upgrade in the back of their minds homeowners should first focus on cost. While many homeowners may not initially have the money to make their homes energy-efficient these same people are often surprised to learn that there is financing available for these types of upgrades. Various nonprofit organizations such as the "EGIA" or The Electric And Gas Industries Association work hard to find homeowners financing for these types of projects and even sponsor some of them themselves. In those scenarios where a homeowner not only has good credit but is in good standing with their mortgage bank said bank may even offer homeowners an additional loan to either improve or raise the value of their home.

Homeowners who seek to bring energy efficiency back in their home all do so for different reasons. Some do so in order to bring the cost of their electrical consumption down while others do so to do something for the environment. Other homeowners still seek to make their homes energy-efficient once more simply because it will raise the resale value of their home. Regardless of why a homeowner chooses to do so however there are no drawbacks to actually doing so. Everybody wins when a home is energy-efficient.

SolarGEM specializes in Orange County solar power contractors, and solar power services.

Solar Power Benefits For Homeowners

While solar power works very well for both commercial structures and homes, very few homeowners look at solar power the way they should. The vast majority of homeowners think of solar power as an expensive and alternative energy source though nothing could be further from the truth. Homeowners are often proud of the fact that they own their home but they should be dismayed by the fact that they do not own their energy. Homeowners who generate their own energy rather than giving their money to a utility company to rent energy find themselves the more satisfied type of homeowner.

Solar power generated during the day that goes unused can be stored in a solar power system and will reward a homeowner with tax credits and even local benefits. A solar power system will send excess power back to a utility company and homeowners will reap the rewards. This is just one benefit to owning and generating your own power as opposed to renting it from a utility company.

Homeowners also need to keep in mind that while the initial cost of purchasing and installing a solar power system may seem a little high in the beginning its actually a fraction of what they will pay for renting their own energy over the course of just a few years. Homeowners who rent energy from a utility company are actually throwing money out the window on a monthly basis. Electricity doesn't need to be a liability and by installing a solar power system homeowners can instead turn their electricity into an asset.

The vast majority of states offer rebates for homeowners who install and utilize solar power systems. Different states offer different initiatives for homeowners who utilize solar power and these range from covering 15% of the initial cost of the system to various tax rebates and credits. Homeowners interested in a solar power system for the tax credits and other rebate initiatives that go along with it should speak with a solar power contractor to learn more. The vast majority of solar power contractors have brochures, paperwork, and information on their websites that pertain to these types of incentives.

If credits, rebates, and being environmentally friendly aren't enough to convince a homeowner to install a solar power system than they should consider the dramatic increase in value their property will see after having done so. In many cases every dollar that is saved on electricity expenditures can increase the value of a home by up to $20. Even if your not a math wizard it's not difficult to see just how much value a homeowner can add to their property by installing and utilizing a solar power system. Additionally homes with solar power system installed are far more attractive to buyers not only because they appear more modern and environmentally friendly but because they're going to begin saving money just as soon as they move in. Homeowners will also be happy to learn that any increase in property value due to the installation of a solar power system is exempt from property taxes making a solar power system all the more valuable.

In addition to all of the financial and property benefits that a solar power system carries with it homeowners can also help the environment and the country by utilizing solar power in their home. The vast majority of our country is dependent on fossil fuels which are both expensive and running low on availability. As more homeowners adopt solar power in their home they ease the burden of a great many other industries and the government itself. Reducing the stranglehold fossil fuels have on both our governments and our country is always a good thing.

SolarGEM specializes in Orange County solar, Newport Beach solar power, solar power services in Los Angeles.

Solar Power Facts

A few simple facts about solar power as new knowledge about the technology develop each day. One ignored fact is that in one hour of the shining sun, there is enough energy to satisfy global energy needs for a full year. So you might ask, why is there less than one percent produced today?
For one thing, solar power is expensive, however with tax incentives solar energy can pay for itself in less than five to ten years when you figure in the savings on your utilities. When you look at their past figures that said it took twenty to thirty years to pay for them, five to ten sound very reasonable.

The photovoltaic cells or solar panels are on many items that are very familiar to most people. The familiar types are on rooftops, but you’ll also find them on handheld calculators, and even spacecraft. The photovoltaic cells are made of semiconductor materials similar to computer chips. When the sun hits the cells, it knocks electrons from their atoms, and that generates electricity.

Solar thermal power plants have several techniques to turn the sun’s energy into   heat sources. That heat boils water that drives a steam turbine and electricity is generated similar to coal and nuclear power plants. That source is capable of sending electric to thousands of people.

Another type focus the sunlight on a pipe of oil and the hot oil boils water for electricity. Moveable mirrors can focus the sun’s rays onto a collector tower with the receiver. Molten salt flows through the receiver and runs the generator.

There are passive solar technologies like large windows on the sunny side of a building that allows the sunlight to heat absorbent materials that are on the floor or walls. The heat then releases the heat during the night and the building remains warm. Plates on the roof will heat liquid in tubes and supplies houses with hot water.

One problem with solar power, it does not work at night, but with a storage battery where the energy is stored, that problem is solved.

Solar energy continues to grow by about 20 percent a year mainly because of the falling prices and the fact that they are now more efficient. The one fact that is hard to dismiss is that to create electricity for large cities you need large areas of land.

However for homeowners who want to be self sufficient and free from the rising cost of utilities, solar power appears the way to go.

SolarGEM specializes in Orange County solar , Riverside solar energy, and San Bernardino solar energy.

The Different Types of Solar Power

Some say that the Monocrystalline silicon (mono-silicon or single silicon) is the most efficient solar panels on the market today. When the sun hits the panels more of it turns into electricity than other types of solar panels. They are more expensive because of the high silicon content but you don’t need as many of them.
Polycrystalline silicon (multicrystalline, multi-silicon, ribbon) panels with lower silicon levels are less expensive to produce. They’re not quite as efficient but have a better construction that makes up for it. They are good for roofs.

Thin film (amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, copper indium gallium (di) selenide.)  Wow, now that’s a name in itself. They are very inexpensive to make, and you’ll never see them on a roof because they are inefficient as well. They use them on big solar farm projects where they have a lot of land.

BIPV (building integrated photovoltaics) they look like real roofing tiles, and because they look good they cost more. However they are less efficient and you need a large sunny roof to even make a dent in the electric bill. There are questions how long they will last as well.

Last, but not least is the solar hot water (thermal) panels. They are not electric so instead of saving on your electric bill, you’ll save on your gas bill that heats your hot water tank. There are some that provide heat and even air conditioning.

These are just a few of the different types of solar power. Many look into purchasing solar panels, and the best way to understand what would work best for you is to go to your local solar panel dealer. They know the ins and outs of every solar panel available and will be able to answer all of your questions.

Anytime you hire a company to do work at your home there are certain things you need to look for. A business that has references, and don’t be afraid to contact them. You don’t want someone who works out of their home. They need to have a place of business and a telephone. A printed contract that states everything they will do for you and it needs to have their name and address printed, not written on that contract. Approximate start dates are an important part of the contract as well as an approximate date to complete the project.

Never pay any company in full, but you need to give them a decent down payment and a final payment when they complete the work.

SolarGEM specializes in Orange County solar , Riverside solar energy, and San Bernardino solar energy.