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Exploring Solar Panel Options

As we step into an era of sustainable living, the decision to adopt solar energy is not just about harnessing renewable power but also making a choice that profoundly impacts both the environment and homeowners’ finances. The right solar panel selection is crucial, serving as a gateway to a greener future and providing tangible economic benefits for those who embrace solar technology.

Environmental Benefits: Solar panels generate electricity by harnessing the sun’s energy, a process that produces no greenhouse gas emissions. Opting for solar power reduces reliance on fossil fuels, contributing to lower carbon footprints and mitigating the effects of climate change. By choosing the right solar panel, homeowners actively participate in the global effort to transition to cleaner, sustainable energy sources.

Economic Advantages: The economic benefits of solar energy extend beyond merely saving on electricity bills. Many governments and local authorities offer incentives, tax credits, or rebates to encourage solar adoption. Homeowners investing in solar panels can experience a significant reduction in their electricity costs over time, leading to substantial long-term savings. Additionally, the resale value of solar-equipped homes tends to be higher, attracting environmentally conscious buyers and positioning solar as a sound financial investment.

In essence, selecting the right solar panel isn’t just a choice for today; it’s a commitment to a more sustainable tomorrow and a strategic financial decision that empowers homeowners with both environmental stewardship and economic resilience.

Here at SGE Solar, we offer every product available on the market including QCells Q.Tron BLK, Maxeon, Rec Alpha Rec430 Pure R Series, Solaria Power X, Trina, Panasonic Panels, Silfab just to name a few.  Contact us today to get a free quote for your home!

Solar Panels and Mini-Split system

Installing mini-split air conditioning systems along with solar panels can be a smart and energy-efficient choice for several reasons:

  1. Energy Efficiency:
    • Mini-split systems are known for their energy efficiency compared to traditional HVAC systems. They use inverter technology, which allows them to adjust their output based on the cooling or heating needs of the room, thus consuming less energy.
  2. Solar Offset:
    • Solar panels can generate clean and renewable energy from the sun. When you have solar panels installed, you can offset the electricity costs associated with running your mini-split system. This means that during sunny periods, the energy needed to cool or heat your space can be supplied by the solar panels, reducing your reliance on the grid.
  3. Environmental Benefits:
    • Combining solar panels with mini-split systems helps reduce the overall carbon footprint of your home. By utilizing renewable energy from the sun, you decrease the reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy solution.
  4. Cost Savings:
    • Over time, the combination of solar panels and energy-efficient mini-split systems can result in significant cost savings on your electricity bills. While the initial installation costs may be higher, the long-term savings and potential incentives or rebates can make it a financially sound investment.
  5. Off-Grid Capability:
    • In some cases, if your solar panel system is designed with energy storage (batteries), you may have the ability to operate your mini-split system even during periods of low sunlight or at night. This adds a level of resilience and potential for off-grid living.
  6. Zoning and Individual Control:
    • Mini-split systems often provide zoning capabilities, allowing you to control the temperature in individual rooms or zones. This can lead to more efficient use of energy, as you can heat or cool only the areas that are in use.

Before proceeding with such installations, it’s essential to conduct a thorough energy audit of your home to determine the appropriate size and capacity of both the mini-split system and the solar panel array. Additionally, local regulations, incentives, and the availability of sunlight in your area should be considered for optimal results. Consulting with a professional HVAC and SGE Solar can help you make informed decisions tailored to your specific needs and circumstances.

Solar Battery Storage

Why install a solar battery? Batteries allow you to store solar energy and reduce your dependence on the grid. In turn, you use more solar power and fewer fossil fuels! How do solar batteries work? Most solar panel systems are connected to the grid and still rely on grid energy when they are producing below […]

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All-Black vs. Traditional Panels

So, what is the deal with all black-solar panels? Most solar panel manufacturing companies now have an all-black model, which is becoming more and more popular with customers. However, many people get confused about the difference between the two, and don’t know which type of panel is better for their home.

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All About Inverters

Definitions Before we dive into all the inverter details, here is a little refresher on how solar panels work. To generate electricity, sunlight shines on a panel and this panel converts the solar energy into DC current. This current flows to the inverter where the it converts DC current to AC current. Your home uses […]

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The Future of Solar Power is Bright

Adapting Oil and Gas Companies

Many recent studies and reports have pointed to the continued rise in popularity in the future of solar power. A report called Energy Goes Green interviewed 100 CFOs of oil and gas companies and found that 38% of these CFOs believe that solar power will be the leading alternative energy source by 2023. The report demonstrated that these CFOs recognize solar energy as an important opportunity for their business. Solar is not only cheaper than traditional oil or gas, but it is also easier to generate solar energy once the infrastructure is built. Additionally, because of increased demand and better technology, the cost of installing solar power systems has decreased. For these reasons, many of these energy companies plan on implementing solar power as a part of their business.

However, these companies aren’t planning to switch to 100% renewables anytime soon. They face many roadblocks. For example building new infrastructure is expensive. Also, there are currently high tariffs on imported materials used to build solar panels. But, these CFOs do recognize that consumer demand and new technology will continue to lower the cost of solar energy, and they are willing to adapt to renewable energy sources as long as they stay in demand and the prices stay low. This is a big step, considering that these companies are currently 100% focused on fossil fuels.

Energy Consumption Mix

More evidence of the future of energy prices is outlined by a study reported in the Joule Journal. This study found that increasing the US energy bundle to 90% renewables by 2050 would be cheaper than keeping energy consumption as it is. Currently, the average cost of electricity in the US is 13 cents per kilowatt hour. This rate is even higher in Massachusetts and Rhode Island (21 cents and 18.6 cents respectively). The new energy bundle that is 90% renewable would cost about 3.6 cents per kilowatt hour.

Current Energy Demand

Currently, the demand for renewable energy is continuing to grow as fossil fuel consumption falls in the United States. According to the latest EIA report, this April renewable energy provided 25.7% of the total electricity produced in the US. As of this April, fossil fuels contributed a smaller percentage of total electricity than renewable energy, contributing only 22% compared to 25.7% from renewables.

So, the future is bright for solar! Evidence shows that renewable energy consumption is rising, and prices are falling as compared to fossil-fueled powered energy. Even large oil and gas companies recognize this trend as a business opportunity. So, now is a great time to make the investment in solar panels to continue the energy transition!

 

Peer Pressure for Solar Panels

What is the largest indicator that a given house will have solar panels?  It is not what you may think! According a study done by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, geographical distance from a house with solar panels is the largest indicator of if a given house will have solar panels. This means […]

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Benefits of Solar Power on the Environment

We all know that solar power is clean and environmentally friendly. But how exactly do your solar panels help the earth? Here are six ways that solar energy benefits the environment:

1. Solar panels do not emit any carbon dioxide while producing energy

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How Solar Works

Solar energy works by capturing the sun’s energy and turning it into electricity to your home or business.

Our sun is a natural nuclear reactor. It releases tiny packets of energy called photons. Every hour, enough photons impact our planet to generate enough solar energy to theoretically satisfy global energy needs for an entire year.

Solar technology is improving and the cost of going solar is affordable, so our ability to harness the sun’s abundance of energy is on the rise especially here in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

A 2017 report from the International Energy Agency shows that solar has become the world’s fastest-growing source of power – marking the first time that solar energy’s growth has surpassed that of all other fuels. In the coming years, we will all be enjoying the benefits of solar-generated electricity in one way or another.

How Do Solar Panels Work?

When photons hit a solar cell, they knock electrons loose from their atoms. If conductors are attached to the positive and negative sides of a cell, it forms an electrical circuit. When electrons flow through such a circuit, they generate electricity. Multiple cells make up a solar panel, and multiple panels (modules) can be wired together to form a solar array. The more panels you can deploy, the more energy you can expect to generate.

What are Solar Panels Made of?
You’ll hear words like (PV) which stands for Photovoltaic solar panels which are made up of many solar cells. Solar cells are made of silicon, like semiconductors. They are constructed with a positive layer and a negative layer, which together create an electric field, just like in a battery.

How Do Solar Panels Generate Electricity?
PV solar panels generate direct current (DC) electricity. With DC electricity, electrons flow in one direction around a circuit.

With AC (alternating current) electricity, electrons are pushed and pulled, periodically reversing direction, much like the cylinder of a car’s engine. Generators create AC electricity when a coil of wire is spun next to a magnet. Many different energy sources can “turn the handle” of this generator, such as gas or diesel fuel, hydroelectricity, nuclear, coal, wind, or solar.

How Does a Solar Panel System Work?

Sunlight hits a solar panel on the roof, the panels convert the energy to DC current, which flows to an inverter. The inverter converts the electricity from DC to AC, which you can then use to power your home. It’s simple and clean, and it’s getting more efficient and affordable all the time.

A typical grid-tied PV system, during peak daylight hours, frequently produces more energy than one customer needs, so that excess energy is fed back into the grid for use elsewhere. The customer gets credit/paid for the excess energy produced, and can use that credit to draw from the conventional grid at night or on cloudy days.

Contact SGE Solar if you have any questions about Solar and how you can benefit on reducing or eliminating your electric bill with the power of the sun!

Clean energy Western Massachusetts

By Mary C. Serreze

February 2018

Read the original article Here

It’s been a busy year for clean energy in the state and region, and the months ahead promise yet more challenges and opportunities.

A new solar incentive program will go into effect in 2018, providing tariff-based payments instead of production credits. Utilities will firm up contracts to procure massive amounts of clean energy from offshore wind, Canadian hydro and other sources. Greater commitments to reducing emissions from the transportation sector are expected, and innovative pilot programs are helping homes and businesses transform their energy profiles.

In 2017, Massachusetts saw major solar gains, with more than 10,000 projects installed, representing around 480 megawatts of new capacity. The clean energy sector contributed $11.4 billion to the state’s economy, providing jobs for more than 109,000 people at 6,900 establishments, according to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. Statewide job growth in the clean energy sector has jumped 80 percent since 2010.

The 2008 Global Warming Solutions Act requires that all sectors of the Massachusetts economy reduce emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. In 2016, the state lost a landmark lawsuit filed by climate activists, and the state’s highest court ordered the Department of Environmental Protection to implement the law.

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