Your solar panels generate energy for you that can be used in place of power from the grid. This reduces the amount of electricity that is lost during transport and distribution.
Your installer will install the electric wiring on your roof or ground mount that connects the panels to the inverter and battery (if you have one). They will also turn off your power supply for this process.
Know Your Energy Needs
While the initial investment of going solar is high, you can save by producing clean energy over time. The payback period for a residential solar energy system typically runs six to 12 years.
Consider your household energy consumption and seasonal fluctuations when sizing your solar panel installation in Parker, Colorado. A good starting point is to dig up some past utility bills and figure out how many kilowatt-hours your home uses on average per day, then divide that by the number of peak sunlight hours in your area.
You can also monitor your energy use using apps or other monitoring tools. Try to reduce your use during peak hours, when you’re drawing the most power from the grid. It’s also helpful to avoid running multiple appliances simultaneously, as these devices draw power simultaneously, reducing efficiency and consuming more electricity than necessary.
Look for Efficiency Opportunities
In addition to ensuring that the energy your solar panels produce will meet or exceed your household’s electricity demands, look for efficiency opportunities that can help you save even more. For example, investing in battery storage allows you to store excess energy and use it at night or during cloudy days. This is especially helpful if your energy provider offers net metering and time-of-use rates that give you credits on your electric bill for generating power during peak hours.
You can also improve your solar panel’s efficiency by eliminating shading. This may include removing trees, trimming branches, or changing your roof’s tilt angle. Ideally, you’ll want to set your solar panels to face the geographic sun at a tilt that’s appropriate for your home’s latitude.
Investing in high-quality panels is another way to increase your solar panel’s efficiency. Typically, more efficient panels have higher power production ratings. For instance, a 21% efficient solar panel will generate more kilowatt-hours of energy than a 14% efficient model under the same conditions.
Monitor Your Energy Use
After your solar panels are installed, regular monitoring can help you make smart energy choices. This may include identifying energy-intensive appliances or behaviors and shifting them to more efficient alternatives.
Solar panel efficiency is also improved by keeping them clean and shade-free. This is why it’s important to watch for trees that could grow and cast shadows on the panels and to check regularly for dust and animal droppings.
Depending on your meter and utility company, you can also monitor how much electricity you use daily and when your solar system is producing or drawing from the grid. This data is especially useful if your utility offers net metering or time-of-use plans that let you “sell” back excess energy during peak hours for credit on your electricity bill. These savings opportunities can further boost your utility and solar energy savings.
Take Action
Once solar panels are installed, monitoring them to ensure they continue producing clean energy at optimal levels is important. This can be done by comparing their production to your monthly electricity usage. Navigate on https://solarbypeaktopeak.com/colorado-solar-installers/ to get more ideas regarding solar panel costings.
If you see a difference, take action to address it. For example, if your roof is older than it needs to be, consider taking care of this beforehand to avoid the hassle and expense of replacing it later. Similarly, if your home needs to be more well-insulated, this could also lead to increased costs and reduced performance of your solar panels.
Additionally, you’ll want to ensure you’re taking advantage of solar energy incentives like net metering and time-of-use rates. This will help you save money by allowing you to sell excess electricity back to your utility or to align your energy use around peak and off-peak hours when the power demand is highest or lowest.
