The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is a 30% federal tax credit for solar energy systems on residential and commercial properties.

Solar System rebates can take 1-3 months to receive after submission, and the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) will reduce by 20 percent each year starting in 2020.

Based on these facts and staying up to date with current Solar Panel industry news, one might assume they would pay for themselves within 3 years.

If financially planning based on this assumption, you are likely to be very disappointed with the results of your solar installation cost-savings benefits. In this article, we will help you know how long do solar panels take to pay for themselves.

Solar Panels Have Direct Cash-Flow Positive Savings

Solar Panels have direct cash-flow positive savings starting in less than 1 year, but factoring in government rebate amounts, manufacturing profits, Solar Panel tax credits, Solar Installation cost savings, Solar Panel durability, and Solar Panel performance degradation, Solar Panels have a nearly unlimited return on investment (ROI).

Tying up large amounts of cash in Solar Panels for more some people can consider than a year risky. However, solar energy companies usually carry 3-5 years of warranty coverage.

It’s based on Solar Energy industry-standard practices that include 5-year average Solar Panel degradation rates from -3% to +5%. In reality, it’s fairly easy to find Solar Systems with over 10 years of warranty coverage if you know where to look.

How Do Solar Installations Pay Off Quickly?

Solar Installations pay off quickly based upon the following factors:

* Solar Panels have a 25+ year design life with an average 10% or more degradation rate every year after the first Solar Panel warranty expires.

* Solar System rebates can take 1-3 months to receive after submission, and the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) will reduce by 20 percent each year starting in 2020.

* The biggest Solar Panel cost savers for most homeowners are solar installation cost savings, financing terms, riding cash flow positive, Solar System tax credits, and Solar Panel durability.

* Typical Utility companies charge 16 cents kWh. We use this price to keep calculations simple when comparing Solar Panels to utility electricity prices were already familiar with.

Solar Panels provide the most Solar Energy cost savings in areas with 25-50 cents kWh Solar Panel electricity rates.

Solar Systems and Solar Panels work best for people that pay over 25 cents kWh (or $25 per 1000-watt hour) for their Solar Electricity.

How Do You Determine Cost-Saving Solar Panels?

The following guide will help you find solar electricity prices so you can see if solar energy is right for your budget:

Check out current Solar Panel Rebates

You need solar panel rebates, tax credits, and incentives near you. If rebates or tax credits are available, they typically take 1-3 months to receive after submission of a rebate application and receipt of a valid building inspection sign-off.

Utilities Won’t Tell You How Solar Panel Electricity Costs

Utilities won’t tell you how solar panel electricity costs until after solar panels get installed and solar panel electricity is being generated at your home or business.

Solar energy and solar systems can typically lower solar electricity costs by 25-50 cents kWh, but solar system rebates may take 1-3 months to receive after the submission of solar installation rebate applications.

After adding solar panels to your roof, solar panels provide the most solar energy cost savings in areas with 25-50 cents kWh solar panel electricity rates.

Request a solar quote on our site that is customized for your location based on the address where solar panels will get installed.

Solar Electricity Rates Vary Within States

The rates of solar electricity may vary depending on your states, counties, townships, cities, regions, and neighborhoods based on local utility company pricing.

It also depends on government solar incentives, state laws, city building restrictions, solar panel tax credits, Panels Installation cost savings, solar Panel durability, and solar panels performance degradation.

This guide uses national averages to keep calculations simple when comparing Solar Panels to utility electricity prices were already familiar with.

Solar Panel Cost Factors

Not all solar panel companies are the same. The biggest factors influencing cost savings with solar panels are electricity rates, the cost of your solar installation, and solar panel durability.

Compare quotes from at least 3 different contractors before you decide who to hire to install your solar power system.

Use our quote comparison tool that is customized for your location based on the address where solar panels will be installed.

Seek free or low-cost financing terms when hiring a contractor to install your new solar energy system so you can maximize long-term cost savings with tax credits, rebates, solar panel tax credits, and solar panels installation costs. This way, you will know how long your solar panel will take to pay for itself.

So How long Does it Take for Solar Panels to Save Money?

Solar panels are cost-efficient energy sources. They have been around since at least 1883 when Charles Fritts created electrochemical cells using selenium, which could only manage a power efficiency rating of around 4%.

While this might sound pretty bad, there have been huge advancements in the past century that have seen this rating rise to a much more reasonable 20-22% for commercial solar panels.

Solar cells are still the major component of these modern panels. Their efficiency gets calculated by dividing the number of electrons harvested from sunlight by the total amount of light energy received, giving us an energy conversion rate.

Solar Panel Cost Savings

Solar panels can be expensive at first because they require quite an investment in raw materials, but after installation, you could save big money on your electric bill plus help reduce your carbon footprint.

According to Energy Informative, “Most homes in America spend $1,000 or more per year on electricity so if you were to generate enough electricity with Solar Panels to offset all or most of your usage then Solar Panels could save you a lot of money in the long term.” Solar panels would take around 20 years to pay for themselves if their lifespan is 25-30 years.

Most solar panels have an incredible expected lifespan of around 30 years, so once installed you can enjoy free solar panel electricity for many years much maintenance required.

The upfront investment can get paid back within around 10 years with no further costs, making solar panels appealing for residential homes.

If you’re looking for more information about how long solar panels take to pay for themselves, kindly visit our website!

Flexible solar panels are solar panels that can be rolled like scrolls without damaging them. They capture energy from the sun and turn it into electricity through photovoltaic cells (PV). They use thin-film PV technology, which is also used for thin-film electronic devices such as calculators and wristwatches.

Flexible solar panels can produce up to 92% conversion efficiency compared to 90% for rigid ones because they have a very lightweight silicon substrate and the process of forming the structure is simpler. However, they are much more expensive than rigid ones at $150/m²

Flexible solar panels are a relatively new type of photovoltaic (PV) technology that has the potential to become more widespread in the future.

Unlike traditional rigid PV cells, they are lightweight, thin sheets that can be rolled out onto surfaces or even made into clothing.

Hence, this means you could have solar panels on your roof or even have a solar-powered shirt.

Speaking of clothing, the first flexible solar panels were actually made for this purpose – Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake created a prototype pair of jeans with thin PV cells sewn into it as part of an energy-efficient line that also included clothes that could store up the heat in cold weather.

The background.

If you’re interested in flexible solar panels for your home, here’s a brief introduction to what they are and how they work.

Flexible solar cells have been around for a while, but these early versions were clunky and far from efficient.

In fact, the first commercial flexible photovoltaic products were introduced in 2009, and since then the market has grown rapidly at an annual rate of about 20%.

There are already solar cells that can be attached to windows or clothing, but there is still work to be done in making these more efficient.

Today’s flexible solar panels are great for things like building-integrated photovoltaics where rooftops may not be available or the structure would look tacky with a regular panel.

It’s easier to make these panels transparent, which makes it possible for them to double as windows or skylights, though it is still expensive.

Flexible solar panels are also being used in developing countries where they are attached to huts and small homes to provide electric lighting, which makes it possible to replace kerosene lamps.

More efficient flexible solar panels could be very useful in remote areas where there is little money for electric power but people need some means of powering their homes and businesses.

It’s just a question of getting these devices into the hands of consumers at an affordable price.

How Do Flexible Solar Panels Work?

Flexible solar panels(also called roll-up solar panels) are the most recent advancement in renewable energy technologies. They work by using an array of photovoltaic cells that are able to be rolled up or folded for easy transportation, fitting into places where regular rigid solar panels can’t go.

What makes flexible solar panels different from their rigid cousins is that they don’t have a solid sheet of interconnected cells.

They have a plastic substrate with thin, small solar cells printed on them in an inkjet printer-like process similar to how computer chips are made. There are also silver wires that connect these cells.

As the solar cells absorb sunlight, they generate electrical charges that travel through the wires and into a circuit, which can either power an electronic device or charge a battery for later use.

Since flexible solar panels are lighter than rigid ones and thus easier to install, this means they will probably be cheaper as well. They are also more flexible, allowing them to be rolled up for easy transport and storage when they’re not needed.

The best part of flexible solar panels is that they can conform to surfaces instead of requiring special racks or frames to hold them in place.

Today’s prototypes are only about 10% efficient at converting sunlight into electricity, which isn’t very good compared to rigid panels that can be around 20% efficient. This is partly because the electrical connections and transferring of power from cell to cell tend to lose some energy in the process.

Another problem with these thin cells is that it’s difficult or almost impossible to make them in large sizes, so flexible solar panels will probably be used in small devices like calculators, LED flashlights, and radios.

Still, it’s hoped that this field will improve as time goes on and these panels become more popular. Scientists are working to make the cells more efficient, with some success.

Pros and Cons of Flexible Solar Panels

The main advantage of flexible solar panels is that they are easier to install than their rigid cousins.

They will be lighter, cheaper, and more pliable which makes them much better suited for use in remote locations where weight is an issue or where there are no rooftops readily available. For these reasons, they have a lot of potential in developing countries where electricity is unreliable or non-existent.

Flexible solar panels also have the advantage of being transparent, which opens up possibilities like powering homes with them or building-integrated photovoltaics.

On the downside, flexible solar panels aren’t as efficient as regular rigid ones because the cells are thinner and more difficult to make. They also can’t be made in large sizes, which means their use today is limited to small devices like calculators and radios.

Another downside is that the flexible cells still lose some electrical charge as it travels through them. This reduces power output and thus makes these panels less efficient than rigid ones.

Still, as time goes on, scientists expect that flexible solar panels will become more efficient and cheaper. There are already companies around the world working on improving this technology, especially in countries like Japan and Germany where solar power is popular.

Best Flexible Solar Panels

Currently, the best flexible panels on the market today are made by Fuji Electric, which was once part of Mitsubishi. They can be rolled or bent and still provide power, even in rainy weather.

Since the cells are printed on a substrate sheet, this means they can be made as large as 50 inches by 100 inches for applications such as powering streetlights or outdoor signs.

They also have an efficiency of about 9%, which is comparable to rigid panels that are only about 10% efficient.

However, the downside of these panels is that they cost about twice as much as regular rigid ones ($150/m² compared to $80/m²). In Japan alone, there are over 70 companies working on making flexible solar panels more efficient and cheaper.

How Much do Flexible Solar Panels Cost?

Flexible solar panels cost about twice as much per square meter (m²) as regular, rigid ones. Of course, the prices of both types vary widely depending on the quality and where they are made.

The best flexible solar panels by Fuji Electric can produce 9% efficiency compared to 10% for regular ones at a cost of $150/m², while the regular ones cost $80/m².

They can be made as large as 50 inches by 100 inches and are available through Mitsubishi Electric among other companies.

Their use today is limited to small electronic devices like calculators and radios which makes their cost quite high per watt of power they generate.

On the other end of the spectrum are thin-film flexible solar cells that are less than 1% efficient at a cost of $90/m². They are widely available from numerous manufacturers, including GE which makes one called Powerfilm.

One drawback with these types is that they can’t provide enough power for large direct current (DC) appliances. Other types are now being developed which can generate larger amounts of current, such as rollable types from Solar mer Energy and Kyosemi Corporation.

FAQ: Flexible Solar Panels

Are flexible solar panels any good?

Flexible solar cells aren’t the best option for large applications like powering homes or businesses. However, they are effective in small devices that can benefit from having solar cells on them like calculators and bicycles.

Do flexible solar panels last as long as regular solar panels?

It depends on the quality of the product. Low-quality flexible panels may not last very long at all because the thin plastic substrate they are made on is prone to damage. High-quality ones like those made by Fuji Electric have a projected lifespan of more than 10 years, which is comparable to rigid panels’ life expectancy.

Can you walk around with a flexible solar panel?

Yes, there are a few types that can be rolled or bent and still produce power. However, they are not yet flexible enough to put into clothing or be used in appliances that require direct current (DC) power.

The good news is that there are many companies around the world working on improving these types of solar panels so hopefully one day we will see them everywhere.

Final words

Flexible solar panels are still in the early stages of development, with their best models producing only 9% efficiency.

Their prices are also much higher than regular ones per square meter (about $150 vs. $80). However, there is a lot of work being done to create more efficient types that will be cheaper and have a longer lifespan.

There are already types that can be rolled or bent yet still produce power, but they aren’t flexible enough to work in appliances that require direct current (DC) power.

However, many companies around the world are working on this problem and hopefully, we will soon see these everywhere.

In order to perform well in any job you will need to have the right tools, this applies to the solar panel installation too. In this post, I am going to share with you the 10 most essential solar panel installation tools so that you can prepare yourself to install those solar panels.

10 must-have solar panel installation tools

If you are going to install solar panels, you need to have all the tools mentioned in this post to make sure that your installation procedure is smooth.

1. Digital Multimeter

Solar panels will convert energy from the sun into electricity, you need a digital multimeter to test and measure voltage and current produced by the solar panels.

A digital multimeter combines the testing capabilities of an ohmmeter, ammeter, and voltmeter. This tool can also help with the maintenance and repairing of solar panels.

You can get a cheap digital multimeter from Amazon, click here.

2. Battery operated drill

When installing solar panels on the roof you will need to make some holes in order to install rails and then hook them up with the solar panels.

The drill needs to be battery operated for easy to use and also according to my experience it reduces the possibility of the technician falling from the roof, for better work, and for your own protection, you need to have a battery-operated drill.

Click here to get a battery-operated drill

3. HackSaw

Solar panels that you are going to install will rest on some rails which you will install on your roof. Therefore, you will need to cut the rails before installing them or after you have finished installing the panels. A hacksaw is affordable and easy to use.

If you do not have the Hacksaw you can pick it up from Amazon

4. Flat Pry Bar

The flat pry bar is tool is also known, is made of flat steel. Typically two inches wide and fifteen inches long, the flat bar is an invaluable tool for separating elements that have been nailed to one another. Since most roofs have shingles, you will need a flat pry bar to help you slide the flashing under it.

Get the flat pry bar here.

4. Caulk Gun

During solar panels installation, you will have to drill numerous holes, in order to add rails and mount solar panels.

Therefore, you will need a caulk gun to help you apply the sealant safely and accurately. The roof sealant will prevent leakages in the future and help protect your ceiling.

Get Caulk Gun here

5. Fall Protection

If you are going to work on roofs or at any height, fall protection gear is a must-have. Fall protection gear includes harnesses, ropes, and of course helmets to ensure your safety.

It does not matter how experienced you are, we all make mistakes, and when that mistake is on a roof, it can cost you your life if you are not equipped with fall protection.

Get your fall protection harness here.

6. Cable and Connector Tools

During the solar installation process, you will have to connect solar panels between themselves, you will need to connect solar panels to the inverter, all you will need some cable to your home appliances such as lights bulb, these process will require some cables and connectors.

You will need to calculate the size of the cables you need before you buy them, the size of the cables will depend on how many watts and current is produced by your solar panels, and the distance from the solar panels to the inverter and from the inverter to the distribution center. 

7. Solar Panel Hanger

Solar panel hangers are a must-have tool for anyone who plans on installing panels. This tool sits on the tracks and allows you to place the panels safely on the rail.

The solar panel hanger can eliminate the need for maneuvering a 50 pounds cell and the risk of your panels falling down.

8. Screwdrivers

This is the essential tool for solar panels installation, remember that your solar panels will be held in place on your roof by screws.

Depending on the size of your project you can purchase a number of screwdrivers, the rule of thumb is to first tighten the big screws locking the mounts onto the roof safely.

You can get Screwdrivers from Amazon

9. Wire Stripper/Cutter

Solar panels installation involves a lot of wiring, so make sure you have the right wires stripper and cutter to help you with the wiring task. With the right stripper and cutter, you can finish the wiring job within the shortest time possible.

Do you need a wire stripper? get one from Amazon.

10. Tape Measure

You can use a tape measure in different ways during solar panels installation, when sizing your system, you can use them to determine the length and width of your roof. You can use this information to know how many solar panels you can put on the roof.

The tape measure can also help you determine the exact place where you will install the mounts which you will mark using your chalk. And once you have installed the mounts, you can use a string line to ensure that the rails are leveled.

Need a tape measure? get one from Amazon.  

I was surfing around the web today and I found some great solar panel memes that made me laugh, today I am going to share them with you so that they can brighten your day.

13 solar panel memes to brighten your day

So I found these 13 fun memes that can make you laugh a little bit. Disclaimer, these memes are not intended to offend anyone are just for fun, if you find yourself offended, I apologize in advance. 

#1: Solar panels are everywhere

#2: Always pick a reputable installer to install your panels, this is one of your biggest investments

#3: There is no clean coal, you know it

#4: We all that going solar can reduce your bill

#5: Just go solar read the 5 reasons why here

#6: Can we agree on this?

#7: Sad but true, you need to have a home to install solar panels on your home

#8: It is very hot here

#9: You can always have both

#10:Solar energy for all

#11: Even cats are going solar, what are you waiting for?

#12:It feels good, you should experience this feeling

#13: Install those solar panels

Final words

That is it, those are funny solar panel memes that I found on the internet, hope you enjoyed them and they motivated you a little bit to go solar. Thank you for reading.

Many people are going solar, we all know the benefits of having solar panels on your roof. Today I am sharing with you the best solar panel quotes that can inspire you to go solar.

Best solar panel quotes that can inspire you to go solar

“We have this handy fusion reactor in the sky called the sun, you don’t have to do anything, it just works. It shows up every day.” – Elon Musk.

“Solar is cost effective right now. When you consider the cost to our health from air pollution, solar is just as competitive as any other energy source.” – Thomas P. Kay.

“Because we are now running out of gas and oil, we must prepare quickly for a third change, to strict conservation and to the use of … permanent renewable energy sources, like solar power.” – Jimmy Carter.

“I think the future for solar energy is bright.” – Ken Salazar.

“The primary means of energy generation is going to solar. It will at least be a plurality, and probably be a slight majority in the long term.” – Elon Musk.

“The sunlight … that strikes Earth’s land surface in two hours is equivalent to total human energy use in a year. While much of that sunlight becomes heat, solar energy is also responsible for the energy embodied in the wind, hydro, wave, and biomass, each with the potential to be harnessed for human use. Only a small portion of that enormous daily, renewable flux of energy will ever be needed by humanity.” – Christopher Flavin.

“You could power the entire United States with about 150 to 200 square kilometers of solar panels, the entire United States. Take a corner of Utah… there’s not much going on there, I’ve been there. There are not even radio stations.” – Elon Musk.

“Homeowners want solar power. It’s cost-effective. We invented a business model that makes it really easy for consumers to switch to solar – and that’s solar-as-a-service.” – Lynn Jurich.

“You don’t even need a roof to adopt clean energy today, and the paybacks are higher than ever – both for the environment and financially.” – Paul Spencer.

“What do oil company executives, vampires, and NASA bureaucrats all have in common? They fear solar energy.” – Dr. Michio Kaku.

“We live in a world bathed in 5,000 times more energy than we consume as a species in the year, in the form of solar energy.” – Peter Diamandis.

“If you take a nuclear plant, and you took its current output, and you compare that to just taking solar panels and putting solar panels on the area used by the nuclear power plant — because these typically have a big keep-out zone, you know of about 5 kilometers or thereabouts, where building houses and dense office or housing space… usually people don’t want to do that near a nuclear power plant. So, there’s quite a big keep-out zone, and when you factor the keep-out zone into account, the solar panels put on that area would typically generate more power than that nuclear power plant.” – Elon Musk.

“The sun provides more energy in one hour than all humanity uses, in all forms, in a single year. Sunlight can provide us with its own resolution to our energy problems. The only transformation required is for humanity to reduce, or end, consumption of stored solar (as fossil fuels) and, in its place, use freely available ‘fresh’ solar.” – David S. Findley.

“The future is green energy, sustainability, renewable energy.” — Arnold Schwarzenegger

“I must be running on solar power. Cause I’m ready to crank back up.” — Billy Currington

“A transition to clean energy is about making an investment in our future.” — Gloria Reuben.

“We are like tenant farmers chopping down the fence around our house for fuel when we should be using Nature inexhaustible sources of energy – sun, wind, and tide. … I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don’t have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that.”-Thomas Edison

“Solar power is the last energy resource that isn’t owned yet – nobody taxes the sun yet.”-Bonnie Rait

“My house is solar-powered. I tell Republicans, ‘You can hate the subsidies – I hate the subsidies, too – but you can’t hate solar panels.”-Thomas Massie

“For every family in liberal San Francisco that went solar with SunRun in 2010, nearly eight families in more conservative Fresno made the switch to our solar power service.”-Lynn Jurich.

“Solar power, wind power, the way forward is to collaborate with nature – it’s the only way we are going to get to the other end of the 21st century.” –Bjork

“Solar power is going to be absolutely essential to meeting growing energy demands while staving off climate change.”-Ramez Naam.

“America is home to the best researchers, advanced manufacturers, and entrepreneurs in the world. There is no reason we cannot lead the planet in manufacturing solar panels and wind turbines, engineering the smart energy grid, and inspiring the next great companies that will be the titans of a new green energy economy.”-Brad Schneider

“ Solar energy is bound to be in our future. There’s a kind of inevitability about it.”-Jim Inhofe.

” Even if we didn’t have greenhouse gases, we’re going to have to move away from fossil fuels, as we’re going to run out. They’re finite, whereas solar and wind are infinite.”-Ted Turner.

“I have no doubt that we will be successful in harnessing the sun’s energy. If sunbeams were weapons of war, we would have had solar energy centuries ago.”-George Porter.

Final words

That is it, those are the best solar panel quotes that can inspire you to go solar, which of the quotes did you like the best? let me know in the comment section below.

So do you want to buy a new house, but it has solar panels installed on it, what can you do? In this post, I am going to share with you things that you need to consider before buying a house with solar panels.

Benefits of having solar panels in your house

There are many benefits of having solar panels on your roof, from environmental, political, or climate change, but for me, the main benefit of having solar panels on your house is the financial one, it will reduce the amount of money you pay your utility company and electricity bill.

4 Questions to Ask About Buying a House With Solar Panels

Before making a decision to buy a house that has solar panels installed there are four questions you need to ask, the answers to these questions will determine if buying the house is a smart move or not.

Question #1: Is the system owned outright and not subject to a lease or PPA?

Before you buy a home you need to ask the owner if they own the solar panels, they took a loan to install them, they lease or they have a solar power purchase agreement (PPA).

If they own the solar panels or they took a loan that is good you can go and consider buying the house, but if they lease or have a PPA, this means that they send a payment to a third party each and every month so you will need to know the terms of that payment or you will be in big trouble.

There may be a ‘buy-out’ clause

Sometimes leases contain ‘buy-out clauses’ meaning the new owner can buy their way out of the lease. Check out this with the house vendor and if there is a possibility to buy the lease and you can afford it, they buy it. Most of the time the cost of the lease is the amount of money that would take to install a solar panel system of the same size in the new house.

Question #2: Was the system installed by a reputable installer who is still in business?

This question will give you information about the installer, you want to know if they are reputable, and they are still in business, in case you have to claim a warranty or you just need something to be changed in your solar panel system.

Question #3: Did they use quality solar panels and inverters from companies that are still in business?

Solar panels are one of the biggest investments you can make, you need to know if the component used from the installation are of high quality and from reputable manufactures. Most solar panels manufacture they will guarantee that their panels will produce electricity for more than 20 years, knowing that they are still in business will give you a piece of mind.

Question #4: Is there a copy of the original contract and is the warranty transferrable?

When the original owner of the house signed a contract with the solar installer, they had some kind of warranty signed with the contract. is it transferable? you need to know this before buying the house.

If you get a no as an answer for one of those four questions, for me that is a red flag. my recommendation would be to investigate further to figure out what is the reason if you get a no in two or more questions that, do not buy that house. 

Is buying a house with solar panels a smart decision?

For me yes, it is a very smart decision. Buying a home with solar panels is a smart decision, just so long as the panels are owned rather than leased.

In addition to saving you money on your energy bill, buying a home with solar panels will also boost your home’s value and make it more attractive for resale down the road.

Final words

That is it, for me buying a house with solar panels is a smart decision, just make sure that the owner of the house also owns the solar panels, the solar panels are of high quality and the company that installed the solar panels is reputable. You need to do your investigation before paying for the house with solar panels.

Probably you want to become a solar panel technician these but do you know what it takes to become a successful solar panel technician? in this post I am going to share with you the most common characteristics of successful solar panel installation technicians.

1. Curiosity

Becoming a technician is about knowing how things work, in order to keep being relevant you need to have an insatiable curiosity.

2. Constant Improvement

Technologies, customer requirement and how to do things changes very fast, this is why as a solar panel technician you need to be adaptable.

You need to constantly work to improve your skillset, you can do this by listening to feedback from your customers and colleagues, attending training and certifications, and reading.

3. Creativity and Innovation

Sometimes you will face issues that they will need you to be creative, you will face problems that you will never learn in training on books, you need to be able to use what you know and create new solutions for your customers.

4. Problem Solving

You know how the saying goes: if it were easy, everyone would be doing it. Technicians regularly encounter problems that must be overcome and solved. Successful technicians have good problem-solving skills that help them in these situations.

5. Good Soft Skills Including Communication

Improving your technical skills is important, but don’t forget soft skills as they are important too. This includes communication skills, presentation skills, leadership skills, and more. Successful technicians have these skills and continuously work to improve them.

6. Team Player

They say you are as good as your team, this is true, most of your projects will require other people with different skills, you need to be able to collaborate with them in order to succeed.

7. Attention to Detail

Solar installations require immense attention to detail. Because solar installations operate for twenty-five-plus years, the installation must be nearly perfect to receive the intended financial returns.

8. An Understanding of Electrical Systems

A solar installation can be thought of as its own electrical power plant. Its goal is to produce clean, reliable, and sustainable power for the customer.

Much like larger power plants, solar installation technicians must have a keen understanding of electrical diagrams to translate these documents into real-life systems.

9. Embrace Change

Nothing stands still in engineering, so it’s important to be open to change. Just because something has been done a particular way for years doesn’t mean it can’t be improved. Successful engineers embrace new technologies, processes, and ways of thinking.

10. Optimistic

Solar technicians face challenges – it’s part and parcel of the job. Those challenges could be a complex problem that appears to be completely resistant to a solution, or an issue with a client that is difficult to fix. Remaining optimistic in the face of these challenges helps considerably.

Final words

That is it, those are the 10 characteristics of successful solar panel installation technicians, how many of them do you have? let me know in the comment section below.

This is another question that I get a lot, How many solar panels do I need for my home? In today’s post, I am going to show you how to calculate the number of solar panels you need for your home.

Decide what you do want to achieve with solar panels

Before you install solar panels on your house you need to decide what do you want to achieve by installing solar panels. Do you want to cut half of your electricity bill? do you want to depend 100% on solar energy? This is the decision you need to make before installing solar panels.

How to calculate how many solar panels do you need for your home?

I am going to share with you how you can calculate the number of solar panels needed for your house in two steps, the first step will be to calculate the energy you need and the second step will be to calculate the number of solar panels needed. To calculate solar power needs at our home, proceed as follows:

Step 1: How much power do you use per day?

You need to calculate how much energy you need to power your house, in this case, we have two scenarios, the first scenario is if you have been paying bills for the last year and the second scenario is if this is a brand new house.

If you have electricity bills

In this scenario, I am assuming you have been paying electricity bills for the last year and you have historical data for the past 12 months.

To calculate this, get last one-year monthly power bill, add all kilowatt-hour for the whole year, then divide the number by 12, to get your average monthly usage.

Now take our average monthly usage and divide it by 30 to work out our average daily power consumption. As we get our electricity bills in units, we have to convert units into watts.

Suppose consumption of a house is 2400 units per year. Therefore, power usage is 2400/12=200 units per month. Now to get the amount of kilowatt-hour per day you need to divide that number with 30, 200/30=6.7 kilowatt-hour. So the power consumption is 6.7 kilowatt-hour.

If you do not have electricity bills

If it is a brand new house, probably you do not have electricity bills to calculate your daily consumption average, in this case, you can do the following.

All electronics devices have the maximum power consumption label, most of the time it will be in watts, all you need to do is to find that number, let say 50 watts, multiply with the amount of time on average per day you wish to use that item, for example, I use electric bulbs on average of 8 hours per day, so I will multiply by 8, then device that number by 1000 to change it to Kwh.

For example, if I have 5 bulbs that consume 50w each and I am going to turn them on for 8 hours, the energy consumption will be 50*8/1000=0.4 Kwh per bulb, since there are 5 bulbs I will multiply this number by 5, that is 2 kWh per day.

Now perform the same calculation for all devices you plan to use, the television, the refrigerator, the laptop, etc, and then find the total energy consumption per day.

Step 2: Calculate the total number of  solar panels needed

Before you can calculate the number of solar panels needed to cover your electricity needs, you need to find out how many usable hours of sunlight at your region each day.

The easiest way to do this is to look at an isolation map, if you are a professional solar panels installer you might have software that will help you with that but if you don’t you can just check on https://www.nrel.gov/gis/solar.html

Now, imagine that you live in a location where on average there are 8 hours of sunlight every day. and from the step on above you have a total daily consumption of 6.7 kWh per day.

Now take the average consumption in kWh calculated in step 1, you divide by the number of daily usable sunlight and then you multiply it by 1.25 ( this is to compensate for the power loss due to batteries, solar inverter, and wiring ).

If we continue with the example above, the solar panel watt needs equal: 6.7 kWh needed / 8hrs of
sunlight*1.25=1.046 kW or 1046 watts per day.

If do you want 300 W solar panels, that is 1046/300 that is 3.5 solar panels which means you will need 4 solar panels.

If you will use 100W solar panels that are 10.5 panels, you will need 11 solar panels to power your house.

With 4 300W solar panels, you will be able to produce 1200 Watts per day and with 11 100 W solar panels you will be able to produce 1100 watts per day, whichever type of solar panels you choose you should be able to power your house without a problem.

Final words

That is it, this is how you can calculate the number of solar panels needed to power your house, thank you for reading.

Another question I get a lot is that is installing solar panels in winter a good idea? Here is my short answer, winter months are actually a great time to make the switch to solar power, let me explain.

The myth about solar panels in the winter

There is a myth that solar panels don’t work in the winter, and I can tell you that this is not true. In fact, the Winter months are good for solar energy production because the cold temperatures improve solar panel efficiency and this will eventually produce more solar energy.

Why Winter is a Great Time to Install Solar Panels?

There are many reasons why it is a great time to install solar panels in winter, even though it’s colder and the days are shorter. And you might be smart for doing so.

Here are five reasons why installing solar in the fall or winter is a good idea.

Quick and Easy Installation

Fewer people install solar panels during winter, this makes most solar installers to be less busy, this will massively reduce the time required to install your solar panels.

Time is Money

When you install your solar panels during winter means they will be ready and producing energy when it comes to the busy summer season, while others battling to get their solar panels installed your solar panels will be producing energy and saving you money.

Tax Incentives

Most states provide taxi credits as incentives to go solar, since many people are going solar these days, state governments started to reduce these incentives, the longer you wait there is more chance of missing them out, so if you have to do it in winter, do it do not wait.

Beat the Spring Rush for Solar Installations

 As I stated about, in springtime, everyone is trying to get their installs done and it’s a very busy time for solar installers.

Winter is a great time to get ready for the sunshine and savings because come the spring, summer, and fall their system will already be online and generating the credits they need to keep them afloat during next winter.

Disadvantages of installing solar panels in winter

Even though installing solar panels in winter has a lot of benefits, there are a couple of drawbacks that you should consider.

First, in some areas where it snows during winter, it might be very difficult to install solar panels during this time, if you are located in these types of areas it is better to discuss with your solar installer about the possibility of installing solar panels during the winter season.

The second issue about installing solar panels during the winter season is that even if the solar installer agrees to install solar panels they might cancel or delay the installation due to bad weather. This can make the installation process take longer than expected.

Final words

That is it, those are the reason why installing solar panels in winter is a good idea. I know there are a couple of drawbacks but those will not happen to everyone, so take a leap of faith and go on with your solar installation project.

I get this question a lot, Can you take solar panels with you when you move? The simple answer is it is not worth it, I don’t recommend it, but you can do it if it is really important to move them.

The reason I say it is not worth it is that moving solar panels will require a lot of work and will cost you a lot of money, it is better to just install new solar panels in your new house.

Factor to consider when moving solar panels to a new house

After deciding to move from your solar-powered home, your first instinct might be to bring the solar panels you invested in with you. The following are some factors to consider before deciding on what to do with your panels when you move.

1) Your new home’s location

This depends on if you are moving locally, out of the state, or out of the county. If you’re moving locally, your solar installation company might be able to help you remove the solar panels and re-install them. But if you are moving out of the state or the country, the costs and hassle of the process may not be worth it.

2) New location regulations

Each state or local government has different laws and regulations when it comes to solar energy the electric company in your new location may have a different solar program, meaning you will have to contact them to get information on how to connect your system to the grid. You’ll also need information on tax incentives, permits, and net metering.

3) The amount of sun your new location is getting

The number of solar panels that are required to produce the energy required to power your house depends on the amount of sun you receive in your area. 

If you move to a different location you will need to recalculate the size of your solar panel system, the amount of electricity the solar panel can produce in cold areas is not the same amount of electricity the same panel can produce in the hotter area.

4) New home roof

The new home roof is another factor to consider, it is facing south or west? it has the capacity to carry the solar panels required for your house, you will need to double-check this before deciding to move your panels.

5) Warranty concerns

Removing solar panels from the roof may void the warranty. This means that some solar companies won’t remove your panels, especially if you’re moving out of state or country.

The damage that can be done after moving solar panels

Removing solar panels can leave damage to the older house, it can leave holes and a two colors roof, this can be a problem with the new owner.

It can leave holes in the old roof

Photovoltaic panels are tightly secured to the roof. The mounting components are screwed into the surface.

Taking away the solar array leaves holes in the roof. And while you might not be able to see these holes from the ground, the penetrations can create problems for the next homeowner. This is particularly true if the holes aren’t filled and sealed against future leaks.

The two colors roof

After removing the PV array, you may notice a difference in the color of the roofing underneath compared to the rest of the roof. The parts of the roof that were exposed to the sun are likely to be more faded than the parts that were shaded by your PV panels.

How much does it cost to move solar panels to a new house?

The process may take about 3 to 4 months on average, as it involves steps such as signing paperwork, getting permits, and scheduling the move.

Therefore, there are usually significant fees associated with relocating solar panels, in most states the cost is between $4000 and $8000 depending on the size of your solar panel system.

How hard is it to move solar panels?

The process will be extremely difficult, risky, and expensive and probably not worth it; If you’re moving out of state, you need to check the pertinent rules and regulations in your new area and find out what standards the solar system must meet and what permits are necessary for photovoltaic panel installation.

So what is the best solution then?

For me, the best option for you is to sell the house and install the new solar panel system in your new house.

Installing solar panels can boost the resale value of your house, it has been reported that people can pay up to $15000 more for the property that has solar panels than the same house having the rest of the characteristics equal.

Since many people want to go solar these days, this makes it easier for you to find the right buyers and sell your house faster. Not only that but you also won’t have to worry about damaging your roof during solar panel removal.

Final words

Moving solar panels with you will require a lot of work and you will spend a lot of money in the process, for me, it is not worth it. My recommendation is just to sell the house with the solar panels and install new solar panels in the new house.