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Solar panels are low maintenance but require occasional maintenance to ensure they work at their maximum potential. Although panels can withstand extreme weather, debris and dust can reduce energy production. Checking the production of electricity from the solar panels every three months is essential to ensure the panels are working well. If there is a decrease, it could mean that the solar panels need cleaning. Most solar companies offer panel cleaning services to ensure they are properly cleaned and can perform an inspection. If homeowners decide to clean the solar panels themselves, they should never use a pressure washer, soap, or cleaners to clean their panels. Homeowners can use their hose with lukewarm water and a microfiber towel to clean their solar panels and the best time to clean is on cloudy days or afternoons. During the winter, solar panels are at risk of cracking, so it is best to only brush snow or dust. It is recommended to have annual panel cleanings and inspections; however, some may require more cleaning due to extreme weather, leaves, birds, or hail. If there are any doubts, your local solar panel company should be able to help.
Solar panels have been around much longer than most assume. Almost 200 years ago, in 1839, French physicist Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect, which is light or radiant energy producing voltage or electronic current. This discovery inspired many inventors across the globe to file patents for solar-powered devices over the next few decades.
In 1883, New York inventor Charles Fritts created the first solar cell, which pioneered solar panel innovation in America. Fritts solar cell was gold coated in selenium and had a conversion rate of 2%, compared to today's panels with a rate of 15%. In 1913, Washington D.C native William Coblentz received a patent for thermal generators, which converted heat to electricity. This patent kickstarted the idea of using solar energy for everyday electricity use.
In the 1950s, Bell Laboratories created the first silicone-coated solar cell with a conversion rate of 6%. Silicone is still used today in solar panels. However, at the time, silicone was an expensive material to create a full solar panel making it an unlikely addition to the average home/business. However, in 1973 the University of Delaware created the first solar house known as Solar One, which made an impossible idea become a reality. Although Solar One did not use panels, it was still powered by the sun which convinced the public and the government that solar energy is a viable option.
In the 1970s, the U.S was experiencing an energy crisis which led Congress to pass the Solar Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1974. This act became the first of many measures by the government to be involved in renewable energy. Since then, solar panels have become increasingly more cost-effective and is seen in more home/business every year. The U.S government continues to pass bills, grants, and tax incentives to help more citizens go solar.
Chu, E., & Tarazano, D. L. (n.d.). A Brief History of Solar Panels. Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved November 21, 2022, from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/sponsored/brief-history-solar-panels-180972006/
Costs of solar panel installations have been reducing almost every year. They have reduced by 65% over the last ten years. New developments and research are continuing to reduce costs, by lowering the amount of materials and increasing the efficiency of capturing sunlight. Although material costs are steadily decreasing, there are more efficient methods to lower prices. Some of those advancements include new designs with silicone, tracking the sun, and reducing material use.
Silicone is the most cost-efficient material for solar panels, but costs for installation are still high for most homeowners. Therefore, new designs integrated into the silicone, such as a pyramid design, will allow a better photon/electron collision, increasing electricity production. The design will increase the probability of the light (photons) colliding with the electrons (located in the panel) before the light escapes the cell. Also, scientists are making anti-reflection material to prevent light from escaping back into space. However, adding reflective material to the back of the panels can allow light to reflect off of it back to the panel and will allow the photons to try to collide with the electrons again.
Secondly, tracking the sun will allow the most efficient absorption throughout the day. Electronics can be added to the panels to track the daytime sun. This will ensure the panel pointing at the sun directly and more photons will collide with the electrons. However, these electronic costs are too high considering the small effect it produces. However, some engineers include mirrors in their designs around the panels to do the tracking, which is a more cost-effective option.
Lastly, reducing the amount of material by making them more efficient will lower the costs. Some research has proven that four layers of light-capturing material can capture 46% of the sunlight, about 13% more than a single-layer design. Also, studies prove that thinner materials, about 1% of the thickness of the current materials can harvest the same amount of sunlight. However, these studies are still under development and are not ready for commercial use.
These improvements will continue to be researched and will most likely be ready for use in the upcoming decades. For now, the costs of silicone will continue to decrease, and solar panel installation prices will reduce steadily. It is stated that these cost reductions will increase solar power production by 700% by 2050. The future of solar is certainly bright and will continue to develop and change to ensure every home/business owner has solar panels on their rooftops.
Kerr, E. (2021, March 20). The Future of Solar Is Bright. Science in the News. Retrieved November 17, 2022, from https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2019/future-solar-bright/
Whether you are a homeowner, business, or nonprofit, electricity costs can make up a large portion of your monthly expenses. With a solar panel system, you’ll generate free power for your system’s entire 25+ year lifecycle. Even if you don’t produce 100 percent of the energy you consume, solar will reduce your utility bills and you’ll still save a lot of money.
Solar panels aren’t an expense – they’re one of the best ways to invest, with returns rivaling those of more traditional investments like stocks and bonds. Thanks to substantial electricity bill savings, the average American homeowner pays off their solar panel system in seven to eight years and sees an ROI of 20 percent or more.
One of the most clear cut benefits of solar panels is the ability to hedge utility prices. In the past ten years, residential electricity prices have gone up by an average of three percent annually. By investing in a solar energy system now, you can fix your electricity rate and protect against unpredictable increases in electricity costs. If you’re a business or homeowner with fluctuating cash flow, going solar also helps you better forecast and manage your expenses.
Multiple studies have found that homes equipped with solar energy systems have higher property values and sell more quickly than non-solar homes. Appraisers are increasingly taking solar installations into consideration as they value homes at the time of a sale, and as homebuyers become more educated about solar, demand for properties equipped with solar panel systems will continue to grow.
According to The Solar Foundation, the solar industry adds jobs many times faster than the overall U.S. economy. This growth is expected to continue. Because solar-related jobs tend to be higher paying and cannot be outsourced, they are a significant contributor to the U.S. economy.
Solar is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Buildings are responsible for 38 percent of all carbon emissions in the U.S., and going solar can significantly decrease that number. A typical residential solar panel system will eliminate three to four tons of carbon emissions each year—the equivalent of planting over 100 trees annually.
Sustainability and corporate social responsibility are important components of an organization’s culture and values. They also produce bottom line results. Increasingly, consumers and communities are recognizing and rewarding businesses that choose to operate responsibly. Businesses are finding that “green” credentials are a powerful driver of consumer purchasing decisions, creating goodwill and improving business results.
Just like consumers, employees have a demonstrated appreciation for their employers’ commitment to operating responsibility. Employees share in the success and contributions of their organizations. Companies that care about their community and environment tend to have lower turnover rates, more engaged employees, and higher levels of morale.
Companies quickly are realizing the social and economic benefits of adopting solar power. As early adopters pull ahead of the competition, many companies are exploring solar power as a way to keep up.
Adding solar panels to your home does more than help the environment. It helps your wallet as well. Here in Texas it’s possible to completely eliminate your electricity bill by relying on green energy, even through the winter. In addition, there are governmental tax breaks for moving to sustainable energy sources. If you’re worried about paying for the solar panels, loans for installations have lower repayment costs than your electric bill and don’t run the risk of suddenly changing during a weather emergency.
For many the terms “sustainable energy” or “green energy” are magic buzzwords without any real meaning behind them. Talking heads on the television throw the words around without taking a moment to explain what they mean. Put simply, sustainable energy or green energy refers to energy sources that are not finite. In other words, they will never run out.
The most notable examples of sustainable energy are solar panels and windmills. One of the most important things about green energy is that it is also clean energy. That means it won’t pollute the way other types of energy production such as coal and oil do.
Making the choice to use solar panels does more than save money. The use of green energy reduces the carbon footprint of your house, meaning that as a family you are no longer major contributors to pollution. Over time, the more people who move to solar, the bigger impact there will be on the pollution that the production of electricity produces, meaning a cleaner life for everybody.
If you’ve been thinking about adding solar panels to your home in the West Texas area, now is the perfect time. With summer right around the corner, you could spend the sunniest months of the year free from your electric bill.
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