Have you ever wanted to know more about solar panels and how they work? Perhaps, you think you may benefit from solar power. Sunlight is the most available free resource in the world. One hour of sunlight can sustain the entire world’s energy. Solar power was discovered way back in 1839 by Alexandre Edmond Becquerel, when he found that the sun has a photovoltaic effect on certain types of materials. In 1941 Russel Ohl created the first solar panel, and later Bell laboratories produced the first solar panels for commercial use in 1954. In this article, I will review the top five most important facts about solar panels.
1. An efficient use of existing energy source.
One important fact about solar panels is that these cells collect solar energy and convert it to electrical energy in two ways; solar thermal and photovoltaic. This means that solar cells are created with silicon and crystal and has two layers. Light photons help charge the electrons in each cell. The cells are placed with other cells to form a module. As it does this, it converts the solar energy into electricity and the heat energy goes toward heating the building. One solar panel can generate well over 1000 watts of power according to what is the power output of a solar panel. It may take only a few cells to power a cell phone or laptop, but you will need a collection of up to 30 panels to power an entire house.
2. Solar panels are an investment.
Once you have installed the panels and equipment they require low maintenance and yield high savings, so it's a great investment. When a solar system is attached to your area’s electrical grid, the panels will regulate the need for energy from the electric company. This eventually reaches the point that the system can put power back into the local power networks. This can save a family thousands every year and virtually pay for itself. Imagine this scenario: you’re outside looking at your panels one day, (after you have solar panels in place), and you pondering how long does it take to charge an electric car off grid and suddenly, the postal worker gives you the electric bill for the month. You open it and discover you owe $5.00. That just sounds amazing to me.
3. They work at night.
Solar power can be provided 24 hours a day all year long. Today’s advances in battery storage technology is the reason. Batteries can store energy for the times that sunlight is low or cloud coverage. The batteries used in solar powered homes can last 3 to 5 years before they need to be replaced. These batteries retain the energy collected by the solar panels and are distributed depending on the user needs.
4. Quick recovery and reliable.
If you live in areas that are often impacted by strong storms, solar power can be restored faster. When a really bad hurricane or storm knocks out power, solar modules can be fixed faster than traditional electrical systems. In 2017 when hurricane Maria hit North Carolina over 300,000 people were without power and Puerto Rico was devastated. However, the units with solar panels in North Carolina did not lose power in the storm. Hospitals, police stations, and fire departments were completely powered by solar panels. The installation in Puerto Rico for the solar panels only took a couple days according to Rebecca Leber.
5.They are low priced and a clean alternative.
Solar energy is cheaper than all other types of energy sources. Today, it cost $.17 cent per kilowatt which is 80% less than it did in 2008. The relatively new battery technology; lithium ion cell is become cheaper and more efficient replacing it’s predecessors. It is also important to remember that a solar powered house energy does depend on the user. According to Solarpowereauthority.com, the average house uses about 11000 kilowatt hours of energy every year. Installing a solar panel system at your home also helps reduce your carbon footprint by reducing household emissions over the lifetime of the system. After, tax deductions an experienced contractor can install a solar panel system for under $11,000 dollars.
