by Rachel Zimmerman | Apr 15, 2022 | Residential
With more Americans than ever before switching to solar power for their homes and businesses, you might be wondering whether solar panels in Arkansas are right for you. There are a lot of factors to think about, but the first is understanding exactly how much energy solar panels create. The answer to this question isn’t always simple and most of the time requires a solar professional to evaluate your home to provide an accurate answer. However, we’ve discussed some general factors and information to help you grasp the impact solar panels could have on your energy bills.
Average Amount Of Energy Created By Solar Panels In Arkansas
Several factors go into determining exactly how much energy is produced by solar panels in Arkansas. However, to provide basic general information, here are some averages to consider. Most solar panels on homes will have an output rating of at least 250 watts each. Depending on the amount of direct sunlight the panels receive, you can expect an average of about 1.5 kWh (kilowatt-hours) of energy production per panel, per day. This is roughly enough energy to help power smaller appliances, but it gives you a general idea of how many solar panels you would need to power your entire home based on your current energy consumption.
Solar Panel Characteristics Can Impact Energy Output
When you’re trying to create a solar powered home, you need to consider the specific panel characteristics to determine the energy output. The more watts a solar panel has, the more energy it produces. Some of the older solar panels use outdated solar cell technology, which leads to lower-wattage panels. Modern solar panels use monocrystalline solar cells to help solar panels create much more electricity than older versions. Every solar panel is constructed with individual solar cells, which impacts the amount of energy created as well.
How Impactful Is Direct Sunlight On Solar Panels?
Ultimately, the characteristics of specific solar panels only make a difference if they receive a significant amount of direct sunlight. Energy production from solar panels in Arkansas is directly related to the sunlight available to them. For example, if your solar panels get three hours of direct sunlight and your neighbor’s panels get six hours, then your neighbor’s panels will produce twice as much energy as yours. This highlights the importance of having a solar installation expert evaluate things like shade from trees or nearby buildings, the slope of your roof, the direction your roof faces, and much more.
Calculating Solar Energy Generation In Your Area
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has a helpful calculator to give you an idea of how much energy production you can expect with solar panels in Arkansas. Having a solar panel installation expert evaluate your home can provide you with an even more accurate assessment of the potential solar energy generation for your property.
Power Your Home With Solar Panels And Save Money On Energy Bills
Most homes and businesses will benefit from solar panels in Arkansas. The biggest question is not whether solar panels work well, but rather, how many you will need to power your property. Once you have accurate calculations on how much energy a particular solar array can produce for your home, you can compare it with your current energy bills and see exactly how much money you could save.
Seal Solar is here to help you understand everything you need to know about solar panels in Arkansas. Be sure to contact us today to get a free estimate.
by Rachel Zimmerman | Apr 13, 2022 | Residential
Most people generally know how solar panels in Arkansas work, but not necessarily the nitty-gritty details. When you’re considering installing solar panels for your home or business, understanding how solar energy is captured by solar panels can give you an idea of how many you need, how cloudy days affect your energy output, and more. We’ve discussed the process of how solar energy is captured by solar panels in Arkansas and how that energy is converted to electricity for you to use in your everyday life.
Solar Cells Absorb Sunlight
When you see a large solar array on the roof of homes, it’s actually a collection of smaller solar panels that have been grouped closely together. This maximizes the effect of the solar panels so the solar cells can absorb sunlight during the day more efficiently. When sunlight hits the panels, the solar cells within the panels are activated and the energy is absorbed. The more solar cells you have in each panel, and the higher the number of panels you have, the more energy the panels will ultimately produce.
What Happens After Sunlight Is Absorbed Into Solar Cells?
Once sunlight is absorbed into solar cells, things get interesting. Every solar cell has a positively-charged layer of silicon and a negatively-charged layer of silicon to create an electric field. As sunlight hits the solar cell, it becomes energized and causes electrons to loosen from the silicon layers. The electrical field around the silicon layers then sets the electrons into motion. Once this process happens, an electrical current is generated and the next step of converting the current to electrical energy occurs.
The Process Of Converting To Electrical Energy
This next step is where things get a little tricky. When sunlight is absorbed into solar panels in Arkansas and creates electrical energy, the energy is in the form of DC (direct current) electricity. Since DC electricity is not commonly used in homes, there’s a conversion process to AC (alternating current) electricity that must occur. The good news is this conversion is simple by using an inverter, which is installed by the solar panel installation company.
Electricity Is Available To Power Your Home Via Solar Panels
When the inverter converts the solar energy from DC to AC electricity, the electricity is then distributed through your home’s electrical panel and throughout your home to power everything you need. One thing homeowners are always pleased to find out is they don’t need to change anything else in their home. Since the solar energy is routed through your existing electrical panel, it operates similarly to using electricity from your city’s electric company.
Can Cloudy Days Negatively Affect Solar Energy Creation?
Now that you know the process of how solar panels in Arkansas create electricity for your home, you might wonder how cloudy days can affect energy output. Solar energy in Arkansas is created at a higher rate on sunny days. However, solar panels can still produce electricity even on cloudy or rainy days. Thanks to net metering, any electricity you overproduce will get pushed back to the grid and you will get credits that you use on cloudy days or at night when your solar is not producing enough electricity to power your home.
Seal Solar wants to educate homeowners and business owners on how solar energy in Arkansas works. Once you understand the process of how energy is captured and converted into electricity for your home, you can get a better vision of how solar panels can benefit your everyday life and budget. To schedule a free estimate or to learn more about solar panels in Arkansas, don’t hesitate to contact us at any time.
