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Solar Power CostMaking Solar Power Costs AffordableSolar power cost is determined by the items needed when installing solar power for homes and commercial use. Those items, though relatively expensive to purchase up front, can be cost-effective in the long term, but it does require some careful planning and the proper technology. Going solar needs to be gone about the right way to be affordable. How To Estimate Solar Power CostsTo begin with, you will need to estimate how much solar power electricity you'll need to power your home. Obviously, if you want the freedom that a completely off grid solar power system offers, you'll need a home solar power system large enough to meet ALL your current and future electrical needs.But, if you merely hope to supplement your electricity needs through a solar grid tie system, then just calculate the percentage of power you need to offset. Using copies of your electric bills for the previous twelve months, it should be easy to calculate your average household power requirements. Many utility bills will show the electricity used month by month throughout the year, often in a helpful chart format. However, bills from some utility companies will just show the billing month's usage, often comparing it to the same month from the previous year. Don't worry if you haven't kept copies of your electricity bills. Your local utility company should be able to supply you with copies, or a printout of the information you need. Some companies offer the information online when you login to your account history at their website. Once you know how much electricity you've used throughout the past year, you can simply average the total amount, or use the "peak demand" figure. If you're planning to go to an "off grid solar system" and rely totally on your solar power home setup, then focus on the peak demand. If your solar panel output can match the peak demand, you will be equipped to meet most of your daily and seasonal power requirements. By using your calculated figures, you can estimate the size and number of PV solar panels you'll need. PV is short for "photovoltaic" which refers to the method most solar cells use to convert the sun's rays into useful electrical current. By applying some basic arithmetic, you can calculate your south-facing roof area or an open yard area, and determine the size of solar panel system that's required. Each home solar panel will have a given output of Watts (a measurement of how much electrical power is available for use) at a given cost. When solar panels are properly connected in an array, their power output adds up, so determining the total electrical output and solar power cost savings is relatively easy. Just remember that the sun won't shine continuously on your photovoltaic panels. Uncontrollable factors such as darkness, rain, snow, heavy cloud cover, and dust will reduce the "insolation" as it's called, lessening the sunlight available for solar power generation. So, if you plan an off grid solar setup, you'll want to install a solar storage battery system as a backup power source. A solar grid tie system owner can always draw backup power from the local utility company during those times when it's needed. Other Solar Power Costs To ConsiderHowever, we've only considered the cost of solar panels and optional solar batteries, yet there are other components involved. The solar PV panels need to be connected to the home solar power system, so there are connectors, clamps, wires, solar panel mounts and a solar power inverter adding to the final cost. The cost of these items will vary, depending on the type of solar power installation.Keep in mind when planning the expense that there will be costs for installing solar power. Most homeowners don't have the necessary skills to install solar power themselves and will need the services of a professional solar installer. Your home solar system will, of course, need to be approved by the utility company before they'll entertain an agreement with you. Actually, most municipalities will require that you have your solar power installation inspected and approved even if you go off grid. This is to ensure that it's built in a manner that's safe for both the occupants and for local linemen who may be working in the area. During power outages, linemen need to be sure there's no electricity running through the lines, so your solar electricity system must be properly installed to code to guarantee their safety. Offsetting The Cost of Solar PowerA solar panel installation will cost money, but keep in mind that tax rebates, and various other programs, might be available to help you offset your solar energy investment and keep your total solar power cost affordable.After adding up the cost of PV panels, mountings, connecting components, storage batteries, installation costs, inspection fees, and other expenses, most solar panel systems for a modest sized home could cost somewhere around $30,000 to $60,000 -- some less, some more. That total solar power cost will be offset by what you would normally pay for electricity from the utility company over the lifespan of the system, usually at least 20 years. You can also expect that your home solar power system will at times output more solar electrical power than you need. Some utility companies offer agreements whereby they'll buy any excess power you transfer into their grid system. Technically, your meter will run backwards as you supply the utility company with your surplus solar electricity, whereas it normally runs forward as you draw power from the grid. The more it runs backward, the more money you earn. Affordable Solar Power Is PossibleThe setup cost of solar energy is significant, but so are the potential savings both to the homeowner's pocketbook and to the environment. Component prices are gradually lowering, and solar panel efficiency continues to improve as time passes. Meanwhile, the cost of electricity continues to rise making solar electricity more affordable.You need to do the calculations before deciding on going solar. After calculating the solar power cost, it might turn out to be worth your while to install solar power for your home. Affordable solar power is possible. The following article discusses how to overcome its high initial cost. How To Get Affordable Solar Power TOP of Solar Power Cost HOME to Solar Power Systems |
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My name is Don, and my goal with this site is to introduce solar power as the best available option for alternative, renewable energy.
The solar information on this site is freely given to assist you in your journey to an affordable green energy future.
Solar Power Ontario
Heiko Liebethal, Flagstone CEO
If you live in Ontario, Canada, and qualify for the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) microFIT program, you could sell all the electrical power that your solar panels produce back to the OPA, and they will pay you up to 80.2 cents per kWh. Guaranteed.
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