How does solar power work?

Photovoltaic cells of a solar panel convert sunlight into energy. A solar panel is made of several photovoltaic cells. The cells are very thin, about 1/100th of an inch thick and usually 3 to 4 inches square. These cells convert sunlight to energy by the photovoltaic effect. These cells do not require fuel and have a standard lifetime of 20-30 years.

Photovoltaic (PV) cells are assembled together to create a solar module. The module is what you are used to seeing as a panel. It has anywhere from 2 to 200 cells assembled together, encased in tempered glass and aluminum to make them weather resistant. Contact us for a solar licensed and certified contractor in your area.

How much does a solar power system cost?

Grid-Tie System Costs: It's difficult to estimate exactly what you are going to pay for a  solar power system. Prices and installation costs vary widely based on local competition, hardware availability and the difficulty of installation. There are some basic rules of thumb we can use to estimate system cost. Solar panels have been coming down in price recently as worldwide production has increased. An easy number to remember is $7-8/watt for an installed system. That means that if you decide you want a 2,000 watt system you can expect to pay between $14,000-$16,000 before incentives. So what goes into that number? Generally equipment runs about $4-$4.50 per watt for panels, mounting, wiring, inverter and various fasteners. Panels themselves are running about $3.00/watt.

Off-Grid System Costs: Off-grid systems are much more complicated (complicated = expensive if you haven't picked up on that already). Off-grid system can run anywhere from 20-50% more than grid-tie systems. So a budgetary number is around $11-12/watt for an off-grid system. Why so much more? One word: batteries. Batteries add a tremendous amount of expense and complexity. One deep-cycle battery for off-grid use can run $300, and often times a system requires 16 batteries. We are talking about $5,000 for batteries. Then there's the charge controller, the copper wiring for all the batteries, and most systems need some kind of enclosure. Contact us for a solar licensed and certified contractor in your area.

How much will a solar power system save me?

Invariably people who are thinking about a solar power system ask 'So how much power will this thing produce?' Generally in North America, for every 1000 watts installed, you will generate 120 kilowatt-hours per month. This will vary great by installation and geographic location. But this gives you a general idea. So if your utility charges .15/kw hour, you will save on average 120 x .15 = $18 per month for every 1000W you install.

How do I get a solar power system installed?

If you've decided that a solar power system makes sense for you, most people decide to use a professional installer. Contact us for a solar licensed and certified contractor in your area.