Types of solar homes
Homes can use the sun's energy in several ways. Here are some important ideas to keep in mind when deciding how to add solar power to your home.
Passive solar house
If you are building a home or doing a major renovation, consider a passive solar design. Passive solar home designers take natural light and home climate into account in their designs and maximize energy efficiency. Instead of relying on solar technology to convert sunlight into usable energy, passive solar homes optimize design elements to reduce your energy needs.
How to save more energy at home
Solar Plus storage system
Solar Plus storage systems can be used with solar panels to power your home even when the sun isn't shining. Although the solar panels work on cloudy days, they don't produce much electricity on gray days, so blackouts can happen occasionally.
Solar-Plus storage systems take the electricity generated from solar panels and then store it, usually in lithium batteries. This means that you can use solar energy even when there is not enough sunlight to power your entire home.
Completely solar home
Ben McInerney, a renewable energy enthusiast and founder of GoSolarQuotes, told us, "In general, if you have the resources and live in a sunny location, solar experts recommend choosing a home with full sun." For a home to be entirely solar powered, it must produce as much or more energy than it uses.
Three ways to power the house completely with solar energy:
- Have enough solar panels to generate excess power all year round. It would take about 19 solar panels to completely power an average home of 2,000 square feet. This option can work if you have enough money and plenty of unshaded spots for the panels.
- Use Solar Plus storage systems. Stores unused solar energy for use when it is not sunny.
- Clean accounting. Some utilities buy excess electricity from homeowners' solar panels (known as net metering). This allows some homeowners to make enough money to offset their energy bills during the dark months when the sun is shining.
Part solar house
Partially solar powered homes get some of their energy from solar technology and only switch to the grid when the solar panels can no longer produce enough power to power the home.
If you're concerned about the high cost of a solar-powered home, McInerney recommends considering a partial home. There are still benefits going both ways.
You know how much more. According to the Federal Trade Commission, partially solar homes get at least 40% of their energy needs from solar energy.
Advantages and disadvantages of solar homes
Getting into the sun might seem like a given, but it's worth considering. It's not for everyone.
Variations:
- Reduce (or eliminate) your energy costs.
- Reduces dependence on energy
- Clean Energy Credits/Incentives
- Low maintenance
- Long life
- Increases home value
On the other side
- High purchase costs
- Depends on the location
- Home design affects performance
- Less effective in hazy/dark areas
- It is sometimes banned by HOAs
Advantages of a solar house
In terms of environmental impact, solar homes have many benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Solar power lowers (and in the case of fully solar homes eliminates) energy costs. Anthony, a SunPower reviewer on our website who is involved in Net Metering, ran out of electricity bills. “I am black, even [in winter] in the Northeast.”
Solar homes also reduce reliance on non-renewable energy and allow homeowners to go "off the grid" with an entirely solar-powered home. Because of the positive impact on the environment, there are federal, state, and in some cases even local tax breaks and incentives.
Solar energy makes homes more attractive. A 2019 Zillow study found that solar panels increased home values by 4.1%, which means selling a $500,000 home for an additional $20,500.
Will solar panels increase home value?
Disadvantages of solar homes
The biggest drawback to a solar home is the initial cost. Another disadvantage is that your home may not be suitable for solar energy technology. Although solar technology works in hazy areas; In fact, some types of cloud cover can increase the amount of light your panels receive, but the amount of light your panels receive determines how effective they are.
Solar panels work best on south-facing roofs that are between 15 and 40 degrees and unobstructed by trees. This means that if your home is in a wooded area, you may have to pay for regular tree cutting or pruning, both of which are very expensive. Your roof may be too short to support the minimum number of panels required. If your roof is not suitable for solar panels, you need enough open space to install solar panels outdoors.
Are more solar panels worth it ?
How much does solar energy cost for your home?
Despite the 30 percent federal solar tax credit , the average solar installation cost ranges from $17,430 to $23,870 . Higher initial costs mean that most homeowners will have to wait 10 years for a federal tax credit and 13 years without a full return on investment (ROI).
Although the initial cost is high, it is a good idea to see how far your solar investment will go in your situation. Prices can vary greatly by location. For example, solar panels in Kentucky cost $6,500 less than they did in Hawaii. Also, all US states and some cities have solar incentives that reduce upfront costs.
If you're wondering how much solar energy costs, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory has created a PVWatts calculator to help you understand the wattage of your home's solar panels.
What is the cost of more solar panels ?
Frequently asked questions:
What is the service life of the solar power system?
Solar roofs are durable and have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years. As a result, traditional roofs often need to be replaced.
How much maintenance does a solar home require?
Solar powered homes require very little maintenance. Regular cleaning can increase the efficiency of your board by up to 7%, but often a good rainy or windy day is enough to remove dust and pollen.
Can a solar home be completely off the grid?
Yes, but the problem with a true solar home is that the initial cost outweighs the potential savings. Full sun and "off the grid" usually require some storage. Home solar panels are incredibly expensive, with a battery costing anywhere from $12,000 to $22,000.
How does the location of my home affect solar energy efficiency?
Solar panels work best on south-facing roofs. They can be used in areas with less sunlight, however photovoltaic technology produces less electricity on cloudy days. If you live in a low-light area like Alaska or Washington, ask your utility company if they participate in net metering to offset energy costs during the dark months.
Are there any special structural requirements or regulations for solar homes?
Yes, there are regulations for solar homes, but they vary by location. The best way to ensure that your solar technology meets the needs of your area is to hire professionals who are certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Professionals (NABCEP), which trains and certifies solar installers.
- Article source:
- Authors covering consumer affairs base their work primarily on original research drawn from government data, industry experts, and other authoritative publications. The correct source for this article is:
- DSIRE, “Database of Government Incentives for Renewable Energy and Efficiency.” Accessed June 24, 2023.
- Energy Policy Initiatives Center, California Solar Bill of Rights. Accessed June 24, 2023.
- Federal Trade Commission, "Solar Energy for Your Home." Accessed June 25, 2023.
- NOAA SciJinks, “Solar Energy and Clouds.” Accessed June 23, 2023.
- NREL: "Solar Scientists Try to Solve the Dust Problem." Accessed June 25, 2023.
- NREL, “Cost Analysis of Installed Solar Energy Systems.” June 24, 2023
- Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office, south facing window in summer. Accessed June 25, 2023.
- Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Federal Solar PV Tax Credit Owner's Guide. Accessed June 23, 2023.
- Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Solar Handbook. Accessed June 23, 2023.
- Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Local Government Guidelines for Solar Energy. Accessed June 23, 2023.
- Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, “Replacing Your Roof? It's a Great Time to Add Sun.” Retrieved 23 June 2023.
- Office of Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Wildlife and the Environment. Accessed June 25, 2023.
- Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energies, Solar-Plus-Storage 101. Accessed June 25, 2023.
- Pew Research Center, “Home Solar Panel Adoption Continues to Grow in the United States,” Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- Solar Industry Association, Net Metering. Accessed June 23, 2023.
- Washington State Legislature,” Government Papers. Solar Panels. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
- Zillow: "Homes with Solar Panels Are Selling 4.1% More." Accessed June 27, 2023.
