Home solar systems have now been around for quite some time, reliably powering homes across the country with clean, renewable energy. If you were an early adopter, your system is likely getting up there in terms of age. Although solar panels last for 25 to 30 years on average, with an older system you might be encountering some defects, general wear and tear, or a drop in electricity production brought on by age. Whatever the reason, if your solar system is no longer producing the kind of energy you need, we’re here to show you some of your options.
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The most common solar panel defects
Solar panels are incredibly reliable, and have proven to be not only great for the environment, but a superb investment as well. Their reliability comes from the fact that they are solid state electronic devices, meaning that there are no moving parts. This nearly eliminates the risk of mechanical failure and allows panels to be extremely low maintenance for long periods of time. However, nothing is perfect, and solar panels can develop defects over the course of their lifetime. We’ve put together a list of the most common problems that can occur with your solar system.
Continue readingHow much solar power can my roof generate?
Have you ever wondered how much electricity you could produce from solar? In this article, we’ll walk through how to calculate the amount of solar power you could technically generate on your roof, as well as why our calculations aren’t all that helpful for any single homeowner.
Continue readingWhen should you go solar?
Since the cost of going solar falls every year, many homeowners wonder: should I buy solar now or wait to save money on installation costs? There are many variables that influence the total financial returns you can expect to see from solar over its lifetime, all of which you should take into account when making your solar decision.
Continue readingTypes of solar panels
Most of the solar panel options currently available fit in one of three types: monocrystalline, polycrystalline (also known as multi-crystalline), and thin-film. These solar panels vary in how they’re made, appearance, performance, costs, and the installations each are best suited for. Depending on the type of installation you’re considering, one option may be more suitable than the others.
Continue readingAn overview of utility-scale solar panel installations
The largest scale of solar projects is utility-scale solar (also known as solar power plants). Typically sized anywhere from 1 to 5 megawatts (MW), solar power plants can be massive projects, often spanning multiple acres of land. Utility-scale solar projects are usually ground-mounted arrays. Sometimes, these arrays include the use of solar trackers to maximize energy production.
Continue readingSolar distributors: who are they, and how do they impact your shopping experience
For most solar consumers, solar distributors are (and will continue to be) a largely hidden part of the value chain: When you receive quotes from local or national installers on EnergySage, you’ll have the opportunity to compare different types of equipment from different manufacturers. But where do the installers themselves — the companies that provide you quotes via EnergySage — get the necessary equipment to complete your solar installation? In many cases, the answer is a solar distributor.
Continue readingSolar panels and wind: are your panels made to last?
Weather events like hurricanes are accompanied by wind speeds up to 200 miles per hour, and tornadoes can bring even higher speeds that threaten to damage rooftop and ground-mounted solar energy systems. If you live in a windy area of the country, it is especially important to know how your solar energy system will hold up during a storm.
Continue readingFloating solar: what you need to know
Not every roof is suitable for solar panels – factors such as shade, obstructions, age, and available space can have property owners looking for other locations for installation.
When it comes to large-scale solar projects, the most common alternatives to rooftop solar panel systems include ground mounts or solar canopies. Here’s a newer alternative that’s making quite the splash in the solar industry: floating solar.
Continue readingRoofing with solar panels: solar panel roof replacement logistics
A solar panel system will last you 30 to 35 years. In that time, your solar panels will generate plenty of savings on your electric bills.
Because solar panel systems have such a long life, many homeowners have questions about the impact this will have on their roof. How will the roof hold up over time? What if you have to remove and reinstall your solar panels for a roof replacement? Does your roof need to be prepped a certain way for solar panels to fit?
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