The Joys (and Challenges) of Going Solar
I’ll never forget the day my spouse and I decided to take the plunge and install solar panels on our home. As a self-proclaimed “progressive data geek,” the idea of harnessing the power of the sun to power our household had always been incredibly appealing to me. After moving into our new home in 2020, the decision felt like a no-brainer.
Eager to start crunching the numbers, I closely monitored our solar panel system from the moment it went online in June 2021. I must say, the team at Solar Systems Inc. did a fantastic job with the installation – I highly recommend them if you’re in the market for a reliable solar provider.
The first few months were a whirlwind of excitement as we watched our energy production numbers climb. On the brightest, cloudless days, our 23 solar panels were able to peak at around 66 kilowatts (kW) – not bad at all! Our highest single-day energy production hit a whopping 56 kilowatt-hours (kWh), which happened to be just a few weeks after the panels were first installed.
However, as the seasons changed, we quickly learned that solar energy production isn’t always a constant. While June was an absolute banner month, generating almost twice as much energy as our winter days, the reality is that solar panel output can fluctuate quite a bit throughout the year. Over the course of our first 12 months with the system, we found that about 38% of our total energy usage was powered by our solar panels.
Understanding the Ins and Outs of Solar Energy
One of the most important lessons I learned early on is the distinction between kilowatts (kW) and kilowatt-hours (kWh). You see, kW measures the rate of energy production at a given moment, while kWh tracks the total amount of energy generated over time.
For example, our 23 solar panels are rated to produce a total of 828 kW, but we rarely ever see output that high. The maximum we’ve reached is around 66 kW when the sun is directly overhead. However, our highest single-day energy production was 56 kWh – which represents the total amount of electricity generated over the course of that 24-hour period.
This is a crucial difference to understand, especially when it comes to things like battery storage. Batteries are measured in kWh, since they’re designed to hold a certain amount of energy over time. Knowing your daily or monthly kWh production can help you determine how much battery capacity you might need to store excess solar energy for use at night or on cloudy days.
Another important factor to consider is net metering. You see, there are many moments throughout the day when our solar panels produce more electricity than we’re actually consuming in our home. Rather than letting that excess energy go to waste, our local utility allows us to “bank” it by feeding it back into the grid.
This net metering system essentially turns the grid itself into a massive, free battery for us. Any excess energy we produce during the day is credited to our utility bill, which we can then “withdraw” from at night or on less sunny days. It’s a fantastic arrangement that helps maximize the value of our solar investment.
Crunching the Numbers: Is Solar Financially Viable?
Of course, the big question on everyone’s mind is whether going solar is actually worth the upfront cost. After all, our initial installation ran us about $28,000 – a pretty significant investment. However, there are several factors that can help offset those upfront expenses over time.
First and foremost, there’s the 26% federal solar tax credit, which we were able to claim on last year’s taxes. This brought our net installation cost down to around $25,000, including an estimated $3,000 in opportunity cost from the initial cash outlay.
Then there are the ongoing savings we see on our monthly utility bills. Over the course of our first year with the system, we estimate we saved about $1,058 on our electricity costs. This is based on the marginal rate we’re charged per kWh, which has ranged from $0.10 to $0.12 during that time period.
But the real kicker for us has been the income we’ve generated from selling Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) – essentially “eco-tokens” that utilities are required to purchase to offset their use of non-renewable energy. In our first year alone, we were able to sell around $2,500 worth of SRECs, which translated to about $1,875 after taxes.
When you factor in all of these savings and revenue streams, our solar payback period is projected to be around 9-11 years. Of course, there are a lot of variables at play here, from the future value of SRECs to potential maintenance costs down the line. But even with those uncertainties, we’re confident that our solar investment will continue to pay dividends for decades to come.
Monitoring and Maintenance: Keeping Your System Healthy
One of the biggest misconceptions about solar is that it’s a “set it and forget it” kind of technology. In reality, proper monitoring and maintenance are essential to ensuring your panels continue running at peak efficiency for years to come.
I’ll admit, in the early days, I was a bit of a solar panel voyeur – checking the real-time production numbers on my phone multiple times a day, eager to see those kWh numbers climb. But over time, I’ve settled into a more sensible monitoring routine, reviewing the monthly and annual performance reports provided by our installer.
These reports give me a high-level view of how our system is functioning, highlighting any anomalies or dips in production that might indicate an issue. And while I’m no solar technician, I’ve learned to keep a close eye on a few key metrics, like:
- Total energy production (kWh)
- Peak power output (kW)
- Performance ratio (actual vs. expected output)
If I ever notice anything concerning, I know I can reach out to the Solar Systems Inc. team for guidance. They’ve been incredibly responsive and helpful throughout our solar journey, and I know I can count on them to keep my system running strong.
Of course, monitoring is just one piece of the puzzle. Regular maintenance is also crucial to prolonging the life of your solar investment. This includes tasks like:
- Cleaning the solar panels to remove dirt, debris, and bird droppings
- Inspecting electrical connections and components for any signs of wear or damage
- Trimming back any nearby trees or vegetation that could be blocking sunlight
- Checking the inverter (the device that converts the sun’s energy into usable electricity) for proper functioning
Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not exactly a handyman. But even I’ve been able to tackle some of these basic maintenance tasks with a little guidance from the pros. And for anything more complex, I know I can rely on the Solar Systems Inc. team to keep my system in tip-top shape.
The Future’s Bright (with Solar)
As I reflect on our solar journey so far, I can’t help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. Not only have we been able to significantly offset our household’s energy consumption with clean, renewable power, but we’ve also been able to generate some extra income through the sale of those valuable SRECs.
Of course, there have been a few bumps in the road – from seasonal fluctuations in production to the occasional maintenance task. But through it all, I’ve come to appreciate just how vital proper monitoring and upkeep are to keeping a solar system running at its best.
And as for the future? Well, I’m cautiously optimistic. While the value of SRECs could certainly decline over time, I’m hopeful that progressive policies and an increased sense of environmental urgency will help maintain their worth. And with battery storage technology continuing to advance, I’m excited by the prospect of being able to store excess solar energy for use on those long, dark winter nights.
One thing’s for sure: I’m glad we took the plunge and went solar. Not only has it been a financially savvy investment, but it’s also given us a profound sense of satisfaction in doing our part to power our home with clean, renewable energy. If you’re on the fence about going solar, I’d encourage you to do your research and connect with a reputable provider like Solar Systems Inc. – it might just be the best decision you ever make.
