SOLAR ELECTRIC INSTALLATION
Advances in solar mounting equipment enable installers to work with almost all roofing materials, including Asphalt Shingles, Concrete Tile, 5V Metal, Standing Seam Metal, TPO, and Modified Bitumen.
HOW DOES IT WORKAbout Our Solar Electric in Cape Coral, FL
You’ve no doubt heard of solar power, but have you honestly thought about what it can do for you? Imagine having the ability to power your home with little more than a solar panel and, of course, the sun. Photovoltaic Solar has come a long way since it was first introduced to the public, and with lots of different types of collectors and inverters, you not only have a fantastic way to cut utility costs, but you’re also helping make a difference in our environment.
So, how does it work? Well, on a very basic level, the solar panel (also known as a solar module) is typically installed on rooftops of homes or on open land (ground-mounted) that has a great amount of sunlight exposure. Throughout the day, the cells in the panel’s film lining are charged by the sun’s rays and then sent to the inverter, which turns into the same electricity you normally use around the house.
The “Photovoltaic Effect” is a process that generates an electric current in a photovoltaic cell when it is exposed to light. A panel consists of a layer of Silicon Cells, a semiconductive material, with a metal frame and encased in a glass unit. Upon exposure to the sun’s rays, photovoltaic cells initiate a flow of electricity inside the panel. Groups of panels are connected by wires that direct the flow into an inverter system which converts the direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity and can be tied into the utility grid. Alternatively, AC electrical flow can be fed into the electrical panel whereby is available for use inside the building!
Solar electric systems depend on solar panels to gather energy, but they consist of more than just panels. Besides solar panels, solar electric systems use inverters to turn the direct current (DC) electricity they produce into alternating current (AC) electricity that you can use. There are two types of inverters: Central and Micro, and each offers performance monitoring systems.
- Central Inverters aka String Inverters:
- A standalone box, typically installed close to your main service panel and electricity meter
- Functions as a series circuit, known as a “series string.”
- The kW size of the inverter is determined by the total number of panels linked to it
- Any plans for future appliance additions or lifestyle/home upgrades resulting in needing to increase the system size should be considered during the initial stages of design.
- Monitor your Solar Electric system from either the computer desktop or a mobile app
- Cap electricity production of each panel by the lowest producing panel on the roof
- With Central Inverters, each panel will have an individual Power Optimizer.
- Microinverters:
- One individual microinverter per panel on the roof
- Production of each individual panel, contributing as much power as they can
- Function in a parallel circuit
- Readily allow for future panel additions by simply adding an additional microinverter per each additional panel.
- Converting the Power at the module from DC to AC at each panel
- Monitor your Solar Electric system from either the computer desktop or a mobile app
- Performance Monitoring Systems: Performance monitoring systems provide you with precise data regarding the performance of your solar electric system. With a monitoring system, you can gauge and follow the amount of electricity your system produces hourly. Monitoring your system can provide substantial value over the lifetime of your solar panels as they help you recognize any performance problems to guarantee that you maximize the electricity production and the financial returns of your solar. There are two types of Monitoring systems:
- On-site Monitoring: The monitoring device is physically located on your property and records the amount of electricity produced.
- Remote Monitoring: Your Photovoltaic solar system communicates its performance data to a monitoring service that you can easily access online on a mobile device or on a computer. We set up remote monitoring for all of our photovoltaic solar installations!
IMPORTANT LINKSSOLAR ELECTRIC
Solar Energy Solutions of America is a leading provider of photovoltaic solar electric in Cape Coral, FL and surrounding areas. We perform installation and maintenance and offer a wide variety of options to help residents and businesses make the transformation to solar power.
SOLAR ELECTRIC FAQS
More times than not, when deciding if Photovoltaic Solar is the right option for your home, many questions come to mind. Luckily we’ve got the answers for you!
SOLAR ELECTRIC WORK PROCESS
The PV cells in the panel absorb energy from the sunlight when the sun shines onto a solar panel. This energy forms electrical charges that move in reaction to an internal electric field in the cell, prompting electricity to flow.
WHY GO SOLAR THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR ELECTRIC
Our solar panels for homes in Cape Coral, FL have many benefits. Here are a few you can look forward to.
- Reduced Utility Costs: Residential solar systems can significantly reduce utility bills, particularly in sunny Florida. In fact, it is common for homeowners to see electricity savings in excess of $1,000 per year. Net metering enables the utility company to measure the amount of electricity that your solar system is returning to the electrical grid. During seasons of most vital sunshine, systems tied into the electrical grid can actually earn credits with the local utility company, which will be used to offset bills later in the year.
- A solid long-term investment: The reduction of a homeowner’s electricity bill, credits earned from net metering, and governmental incentives in the form of tax credits all go back toward the cost of installing a solar electrical system. The return on investment is now between five and ten years, depending on the availability of incentives. Once your system is paid for, the solar system will generate free electricity for many years.
- Enhancement to property value: Realtors confirm that solar-equipped homes hold higher property values and sell faster than homes without. Appraisers now include solar installations in their valuations of homes, and many buyers jump at the prospect of inheriting the benefits of a solar home.
- Insurance against rising energy costs: Energy prices have increased steadily over the years. Obviously, producing one’s own energy is a savings in and of itself. Additionally, the credits a homeowner earns through net metering will increase proportionally to the rise in the cost of electricity.
- Going solar is less expensive now: The cost of Solar Electric installation has dropped by over 70% over the past ten years, making this more accessible to homeowners. Additionally, governmental incentives reduce the cost even further by offering a Federal Tax Credit for installations of Solar Electric Systems: 26% Tax Credit for systems installed in 2020-2022 and 22% for systems installed in 2023. The Tax Credit expires starting in 2024 unless Congress renews it. (To determine if you’re eligible for the Tax Credit, it is recommended to speak with an Accountant).
- Solar products are known for longevity: The quality and durability of solar products have improved dramatically over the years. Solar panels rarely fail because they contain no moving parts, and aside from the wiring, there are no electrical components that wear out. The photovoltaic cells absorb sunlight, converting it into electrical current. Advances in technology have enabled designers to overcome the elements. Photovoltaic solar systems now outlive most roofs, and many manufacturers confidently offer 25-year product warranties.
- Environmental impact: Solar electric panels have gained popularity because they can help power a home while leaving zero carbon footprint. The sun is a powerful constant source of energy and can play a massive role in our country’s efforts to achieve energy independence.
- Provide a boost to our local economy: The solar energy industry is growing steadily and is expected to expand much further. Solar Energy Solutions of America is a Veteran Owned and Operated turnkey Solar company located here in Cape Coral and contributes to our local economy!
TILE ROOFS
SHINGLE ROOFS
METAL ROOFS
SOLAR ELECTRIC SYSTEMSIS SOLAR RIGHT FOR MY HOME?
Some homes are more ideal than others for the installation of a Solar Electric System. There are several questions homeowners may consider when determining the feasibility of moving forward:
Does your roof receive ample sunshine? In the vast majority of cases here in SW Florida, roofs are mostly unblocked by palms and other trees. In any case, your roof does not require perfect sun exposure to provide ample benefits. Solar panel installation can also be performed on ground mounts, carports, and even porches and fences.
Is your roof getting old? Our solar panels for homes in Cape Coral, FL are incredibly durable and can outlive new roofs. With that being said, a homeowner may want to consider replacing an older roof prior to moving forward because the costs related to uninstalling and reinstalling the panels can be burdensome.
Are there roofs with materials unfavorable to a solar electric installation?
Advances in solar mounting equipment enable installers to work with almost all roofing materials, including Asphalt Shingles, Concrete Tile, 5V Metal, Standing Seam Metal, TPO, and Modified Bitumen.
Is my roof large enough?
Solar panels are rectangular, generally 65” by 39” in size. A majority of residential installations use ten or more panels, so adequate roof space is required. Unfortunately, some roofs have unique and complex designs with chimneys, vents, and dormers, making installation more challenging. A roof with at least 175 square feet tilted toward southern exposure at 30 to 45 degrees will allow optimal performance. Flat roofs or those with less than ideal tilt or facing a different direction may generate slightly less electricity, but that shouldn’t detract from a very prudent investment.
Return on Investment?
The total value of a solar electric panel installation is dependent on the amount of expected electrical output against the cost of the investment. For the vast majority of cases here in Florida, the return on investment is achieved in five to eight years, and the system has a life expectancy in excess of 30 years.
Give Solar Energy Solutions of America a call, and let us present you with a custom system for your home and make your solar ambitions a reality!