Every effort to reduce carbon emissions should include solar energy. Solar power, combined with wind and hydroelectric power, is considered one of the most sustainable forms of renewable energy available today.
However, it can be challenging to make the switch from traditional electricity sources to solar as a means of generating electricity in your own home or business. This article outlines the benefits of using solar and explains how to make it happen.
The Benefits of Solar Energy
The burning of fossil fuels has been linked to global warming and the destruction of the ozone layer. While the ozone hole has shrunk over the past few decades, it is still present and still problematic for those that live nearby.
It is likely that global warming will continue until we stop burning fossil fuels no matter what technology we implement on a large scale.
How to Start Using Solar Energy Today
If you live in an area that receives at least four hours of sunlight each day, and you have a significant amount of roof space to install panels, you have the potential to generate your own power with solar energy.
But before you can go solar, there are a few things you should know.
First, it is necessary that your roof is capable of holding panels or arrays. You may be able to install them inside your house if the roof gives enough exposure for that panel configuration, but it’s important to check the roof for structural integrity before installing them on the roof.
It is important to remember that the more panels you use, the more electricity you can generate. If you install multiple panels on your roof, and your roof produces between 30 and 60 percent of its own power, every square foot of your roof will be producing about 300 watts of electricity.
For reference purposes, if each panel produces 250w of power at peak output, then each square foot will be producing 2.5-3.0 kWh (kilowatt hours) per day in energy generation if your panel installation is astronomical enough for it to produce multiple times per day.
You must also consider your electrical needs and how many panels you’ll need to satisfy them. A 1kW system will typically require 8 to 10 panels per 1kW of initial output, but the more panels you install, the less space they take up on your roof.
The amount of electricity you need also depends on how much space is available in your home or small business. If you can afford it, going with a 4.0 kW system is recommended.
A standard house will require about 16kW to meet all of its energy needs in the summer and 6-8 kW for the rest of year, though the winter months tend to be a bit warmer than summer months throughout most of Canada and other northern areas.
Another consideration is the positioning of the panels on your roof. Solar energy panels should be facing south when possible to maximize sunlight exposure. If you are using solar energy together with a wind turbine, then you may want to consider putting them on opposite sides of your home or building.
If a wind turbine is placed in the west to capture winds from that direction, then solar panels should be positioned in the east to minimize shadows from it.
There are some things that you should not do if you want to make the switch from traditional electricity sources to solar–and use it effectively:
- Do not use insulation between your panels and your roof’s underside. Insulation between the panels and your roof can reduce energy production by a small amount.
- Do not install solar panels in direct sunlight. If they are installed at the wrong angle to the sun, they may be producing more power than you need, or producing heat outside of optimal temperature ranges.
- Do not place solar panels over sources of heat such as your wood-burning stoves or fireplaces. The excess heat produced could damage the panel and even cause fire damage to your home if you don’t install additional ventilation. Your panels will also produce a lot of extra heat if there is excess nearby insulation that has not been removed.