In the United States and all over the world, the use of solar panels is increasing rapidly. People are hearing about lower utility bills from their neighbors, once they have solar panels added to their homes. In states such as Arizona and Nevada, with large, wide-open plains and sun that is brilliant and bright for much of the year, implementing this type of energy-saving method makes sense. On a personal note, my in-laws installed solar panels on their roof and are experiencing a lower utility bill than they ever have (most months they receive no bill at all), and they started incurring utility bills over 60 years ago!
Solar panels have come a long way from their inception; they are much more high-tech, efficient, and lower in cost than in years past. However, that does not mean that a person should install and then forget about them. There are things a homeowner should do that will maximize the power these panels can produce, as well as keep them in working order for years to come.
One method is to use an energy monitor, which will monitor the details of the solar panels such as how much energy they are producing. An energy monitor will also give a homeowner the ability to check their utility meter readings and compare them against the bill that the utility company is sending. It will also monitor the energy levels around the home and let a homeowner know if there are appliances or power outlets that are consuming more energy than they should. Energy monitors can save the average homeowner up to 30 percent on their monthly utility costs.
Another way to increase the efficiency of the solar system is to keep the panels clean. Dust, dirt, and bird waste can build up over time and decrease the solar panels' efficiency up to 20 percent, so keeping them clean is necessary to keep them working at peak efficiency. Solar panels can be washed using a squeegee and a soft cloth or sponge with water. It is best to keep harsh chemicals or hard scrubbing brushes away from the panels as it could cause scratches which will affect the performance of the solar panels. Some manufactures are producing a self-cleaning coating that will keep dirt and viscous liquids at bay.
Thin coatings have also been developed which absorb light from the sun, and are being used in conjunction with less expensive, thinner solar panels to increase their efficiency. Thinner solar panels are less expensive but do not perform as well as their thicker counterparts which is where the light-absorbing coating comes into the picture.
Adding a concentrator will increase the efficiency of solar panels which use Fresnel lenses to bend and focus the rays of sunlight, similar to a magnifying glass. The focused light will fall upon the solar cells and because the light is so concentrated the solar panel becomes much more efficient. When using a solar concentrator less solar panels are required to produce the same amount of energy as would be produced with more panels.
If a home is located in an area of the world where freezing temperatures are the norm, a solar water heating system may be in order. Since this system uses free sunshine to heat the water utility bills will be lower, although a backup system is required to heat water on cloudy days.
Thinking about going solar? Check out the U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Homeowner's Guide to Going Solar.
Using solar energy can reduce the cost of monthly utility bills as well as increasing the value of a home. Those who are seeking to purchase a home will find the lower utility costs an attractive selling point, as energy costs increase with each passing year. And of course, there is the added benefit that electricity produced via solar panels is sustainable vs. electricity powered by fossil fuels.
Comments