Solar panel costs and basic solar systems have dropped significantly in recent years. The advancement of technology is mainly responsible for this. With these guidelines on
solar panel costs and solar system prices, you may optimise your setup for maximum efficiency.
· Maximise Power Usage
The most effective way to maximise the efficacy of your solar panels is to use as much energy as possible during the day. In addition, certain hours of the day are superior to others. If your solar panels face north, they will receive the most energy from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
East-facing households typically receive the most sunlight in the morning, while west-facing panels receive the most in the afternoon. So, take out your compass, get your bearings, and turn on your appliances properly to ensure your solar panels do the heaviest lifting during the day. Want to make matters even easier? Purchase a timer and program your devices accordingly.
· Trim Back Trees
The sun’s energy is limitless unless the leaves are in the way. Cut back any overhanging limbs or trees blocking sunlight from reaching your solar panels. You never know; you may develop a passion for topiary. While you are up on the ladder, remove any leaves, stray Frisbees, balls, or anything else that could cast a shadow on your solar panels.
· Solar Battery
Using appliances during the day when the solar system generates the energy is ideal for households with a solar PV system because it maximises self-consumption and minimises imports.
You can partially cover your import costs with the money received from exports. A solar battery can store the extra energy produced during the day to be used at night or during periods when the sun isn’t shining.
· Virtual Power Plant program
It is possible to join a Virtual Power Plant Program if you have a solar battery. Via VPPs, homes can pool the renewable energy they produce but do not utilise immediately. A community may form a decentralised, environmentally friendly power grid with adequate home solar battery storage and a virtual power plant (VPP) provider.
Excess power from solar batteries can be fed into the VPP electrical network during heavy demand. Owning renewable energy means you may charge others to use it when you are not using it yourself, resulting in more significant savings for you and cleaner power for more homes.
· Tariffs
To maximise the benefits of solar energy, familiarity with power rates is also essential. The feed-in tariff refers to the money you earn from selling any extra solar power you produce. The retail or consumption tariff is the price of electricity from the grid (imports). It could include:
- Consistently the same low price (flat or block tariff)
- Time-dependent pricing changes (time-of-use or flexible tariff).
· Maintain Tidiness
A good cleaning may improve just about anything. Like the way an automobile feels after a refresh, the solar panels on your roof can benefit from a little care. If dust, bugs, or filth have settled on your roof, it is recommended that you have a professional clean your panels every six to twelve months. In this way, nothing will be blocking the sun from reaching your panels, and they will be so spotless that your neighbours will be jealous.
· Analysing Your Power Output
What gets measured is managed; the same applies to solar power plants. If you know how much energy your system generates, you can better regulate your energy consumption. The inverter is the system’s central processing unit (CPU).
It changes solar panels’ direct current (DC) power into alternating (AC) power for homes and businesses. Power is measured in watts or kilowatts whenever your inverter transmits energy from your panels into your home (kW).
The inverter’s screen displays that value at all times. The daily energy output is also displayed digitally on the inverter’s electronic screen. The information could be accessible via a smartphone app or website connected to the inverter.
· Timing Your Use Of Energy
You can save money by shifting some of your nocturnal burdens to daylight hours. Load shifting describes this phenomenon. Solar power should be used during the day. It may reduce the requirement for cooling during the evening peak.
You may program specific newer HVAC units to turn on and off at predetermined times. Preconditioning, however, is only effective if your home has adequate insulation to prevent the conditioned air from escaping before it is needed.
The delay start function is available on many new washing machines and dishwashers. Your solar energy generation might be enough to power your dishwasher if you set it to begin its cycle two hours after breakfast.
You might save money by starting the cooling process early in the afternoon during summer while the sun is still high in the sky. It could lessen the need for cooling during the evening peak.
Conclusion
There are better ways to ensure years of reliable service than selecting a solar system based on the company with the cheapest solar panels. It is possible to initially save a few hundred bucks by going with the most affordable solar power system possible, using the most affordable solar panels. Less solar power produced, costly maintenance, void warranties, and emotional distress might add thousands to the final price tag. Make sure you get the most out of your investment.
