Category: Uncategorized

Using solar energy to power your home offers many benefits. Not only will you be able to shrink your carbon footprint, but you will be able to decrease your utility bill and save quite a bit of money. 

Of course, switching to solar energy requires planning and consideration, and it can be difficult to know where to begin when shopping for solar panels. Here are some things to consider before going solar from the solar energy pros at Solar Bear. 

Things to Do:

Location, Location, Location

Before you even purchase solar panels, you need to ensure that you have a place to put them. Many solar panels are mounted on the roof of your home, but older homes may require repairs or modifications before they can support solar panels. Solar panels can be installed in yards in some locations which can be a potential alternative if a roof install is unfeasible. 

No matter their location, you’ll want to make sure that they are faced in the optimal position to get the most sunlight exposure. In the southern hemisphere, solar panels should face north where they will receive the most direct light throughout our sunny Florida days. If large trees are blocking your roof, you may want to get them trimmed back so you get the most sun exposure possible. 

Get an Energy Audit 

By getting an energy audit done, you will know how much energy your home or building needs and uses daily. There is not much point in installing solar panels if they won’t provide enough energy for your needs and you end up needing to supplement the deficit with regular electricity. 

Further, you want to reduce energy output as much as possible before installing solar. Upgrade appliances and switch to LED lighting wherever possible. This not only will benefit your energy audit, but it will ensure that your solar system will be able to supply enough electricity once you switch to solar. 

Check to See if You Need a Permit

Before installing solar, you’ll need to look into city codes and see if you need a permit. Every city, county, and state has different rules and regulations when it comes to installing solar on residential properties, so be sure to comply before moving forward. 

Applying for necessary permits can take some time, so be patient! 

Things to Avoid:

Never Cut Corners

When installing solar, never cut corners to save money. While you might think that you can save a few dollars by installing solar yourself, it is best to get them installed by a professional company like Solar Bear to ensure that they are installed correctly. 

Steer clear of cheaper materials and panels. Cheaper materials are cheaper for a reason and can end up costing you more money in the long run. 

Don’t Forget to Research 

Installing solar panels is an expensive endeavor and one that should not be decided on lightly. Do your research so you are fully prepared when solar companies give you a quote. A lack of knowledge will only end up costing you money. 

Don’t Perform Energy Audits in the Wrong Season 

You won’t get an accurate calculation if you get an energy audit down in the off-season. Assess the energy usage during the season where the most energy will be used, such as the hot Florida summers here in Tampa Bay. 

If you base the installation of solar panels on the low energy months, you will be left short of energy in those months when your energy needs increase. 

Expert Solar Panel Installation

Avoid costly mistakes and call the pros at Solar Bear for a solar panel installation quote today! We can help you decide which kind of solar panel system is right for your needs, and right-size the perfect solar panel array for you. We also offer home energy audits to help you save the most money and ensure that your home is energy efficient! 

Contact Solar Bear for free estimates on solar panel systems in Tampa Bay, Orlando, and across the state of Florida at 813-567-8484 in Tampa or 407-904-7585 in Orlando. Save energy with Solar Bear! 

One of the most common questions we get from homeowners is, “How long do solar panels last?” This is a great question! Naturally, you want to know how long your solar panels will produce ample energy so that you can receive a return on your investment. 

Solar panels will be able to offset your electricity use and lower your utility bills for decades, but certain factors that will affect the life span of your panels. We explain…

How long do solar panels last?

The short answer is that solar panels last about 25 to 30 years. Here comes the long answer. Solar panels don’t stop producing electricity after 25 years. Instead, the energy production declines by what solar panel manufacturers consider to be a “significant amount.” 

Solar panels will continue to work for years and years, as long as they aren’t physically damaged by wind, debris, or any other external factors. This durability is in part to the fact that solar panels do not have any moving parts that break from within. If damage occurs, it is most often caused by a poor installation or inclement weather. 

What is the panel degradation rate? 

Based on a 2012 study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, solar panel output falls by 0.8 percent each year on average, a rate known as the solar panel degradation rate. The good news? Thanks to advanced technology, solar degradation rates are constantly improving. Since this study was performed, newer and more efficient panels with just a 0.5 percent degradation rate have become available. 

To determine the projected output of your solar panel system after a certain number of years, simply multiply the degradation rate by the number of years you are interested in and subtract that number by 100 percent. 

For example: 

25 years x 0.8% degradation rate = 20% 

100% – 20% = 80% operating energy output by year 25

It is important to note that not every solar panel is created equal, and some brands are better than others. A good way to gauge how long your panels will last is the duration of the manufacturer’s service warranty (typically 25 years). You will also receive an equipment and performance warranty – both intended to guarantee your panels produce a certain amount of energy (typically 10 to 12 years). 

Is there a way to make solar panels last longer?

Solar panels are extremely durable and have been made to withstand high winds and falling hail. And since they do not have moving parts, they require little to no maintenance. However, there are ways you can extend the life of your solar panels, some of which include:

• Work with a reputable installation company, such as Solar Bear, that provides excellent customer service, high-quality solar panels, and quality installations.
• Schedule annual maintenance checks by your installation company. *At Solar Bear, the first five years of maintenance checks are FREE!
• Keep panels clear of debris and other damaging materials.

Contact Solar Bear! 

Interested in learning more about the solar panel installation process? Solar Bear Tampa can help! Please contact us at 813-922-3735 to schedule a FREE quote! 

It’s true that solar energy can be a great financial investment—not just because of the money that you can make—but because of the money you can save. Unfortunately, you can’t just sell your solar power to generate income, however, the biggest benefits that you will see come from your solar energy system will impact your finances.

The great part is, if your solar energy system is part of a grid-tied solar system, you can send the solar electricity that your system generates back to the grid, and you can receive a credit from your utility company, or they might purchase it at a wholesale price. Let’s discuss this a little more…

How Utility Companies Compensate for Solar-Generated Energy

In most states, including Florida, utilities are legally required to have net metering rules. What is net metering? Well, net metering is the method that your utility company uses to compensate you for the excess electricity that your solar power system generates that is then uploaded to their grid.

When the sun is shining, (Hello, Florida!) and your solar energy system is cranking out kilowatt-hours, it might be producing more electricity than your home, property, or business can use. Instead, that excess electricity is uploaded into the grid and is used to meet the electrical needs of your community.

Don’t worry, you aren’t losing this electricity and you aren’t giving it away for free. Your utility company keeps track of how much electricity your solar power system has uploaded and then provides a credit for the same amount of electricity.

This credit can come in handy during times when your solar energy system can’t produce electricity like at night or during storms when the sunlight is blocked. During these times you’ll be able to draw electricity off the grid for free until the utility company pays you back for the electricity that your solar system contributed to the power grid.

Will I Make Money?

Since you aren’t exactly selling your excess electricity to the utility company, you’re not making money. But you are exchanging your excess power for the right to use the same amount of electricity for free at a later time, which saves you money.

Net metering allows you to exchange your excess electricity at the retail rate, which means that it could be worth the same amount that you would pay the utility company for it.

Bypass a Solar Storage System

Because of net metering, you can bypass a solar storage system or the use of backup batteries. While batteries can be a great way to provide your system with backup power when the grid goes down, it can be quite costly to install a storage system large enough to cover all your energy needs if the grid is down or throughout the night or on rainy days.

Solar Power Saves You Money

In addition to various incentives when you install solar panels, such as the federal government’s solar investment tax credit, and regional grants or credits, you could decrease your installation costs by a considerable amount.

Once your solar system is paid off, you can enjoy free electricity for the entire life of the system, which could be over 20 or 30 years. By installing solar energy, you eliminate the need to purchase your electricity from the utility company and in the end, save big on your monthly bills.

Install a Solar System with Solar Bear

The money savings can add up quickly depending on your system and the amount of energy that you use. In just a few years your system could generate enough electricity to pay for itself, leaving you with decades of free solar energy.

Ready to knock out your electricity bill and say goodbye to Big Energy? Contact Solar Bear in Orlando at 727-471-7442 for a solar panel installation consultation. Start saving money on electricity today!

Solar 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Solar

Are you interested in learning more about solar energy for your home? You’re not alone! In fact, millions of Florida residents are making the switch from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy. Want to learn more? Check out this quick version of Solar 101.

What is solar power?

Solar power is a renewable energy source generated from the sun in the form of electric or thermal energy. There are many ways to capture solar energy, however, the most common is with solar photovoltaic (PV) panels that convert the sun’s rays into usable energy. Because it is environmentally friendly, universally available, and completely pollution-free, solar energy is becoming popular especially in states like Florida where there are 200 days of sunshine per year!

How does solar energy work?

There are four main components of a solar panel – a layer of silicon cells, a metal frame, a glass casing unit, and wiring to transfer electric current from the silicon. Silicon is a nonmetal with conductive properties that allow it to absorb and convert sunlight into usable electricity. When light hits a silicon cell, the light causes electrons to initiate a flow of electric current – a process known as the “photovoltaic effect”. Here’s how it works…

Step 1: Photovoltaic (PV) cells absorb the solar radiation and convert sunlight to direct current (DC) electricity.

Step 2: The inverter converts DC into alternating current (AC) electricity.

Step 3: The electrical panel sends power to your lights and appliances.

Step 4: The utility meter measures the energy you draw and give back to the grid. If you produce more than you use, your power company will buy it back from you at the end of the year.

How much does solar cost?

Thanks to advanced solar technology, the cost of solar panel installations has dropped nearly 80 percent in the last five years! Currently, the average cost for solar panels is $1.77 to $2.20 per watt. A solar panel installation for the average home will run anywhere from $10,626 to $26,460 for a 6 to 20 kW system.

However, don’t let this upfront cost scare you! There are several local, state, and Federal government incentive programs available to help offset the cost of the solar panel installation. In addition, by making the switch from fossil fuel to solar energy, you can save up to $100 per month on your utility bills!

Contact the Solar Energy Experts at Solar Bear Tampa!

At Solar Bear, our solar power experts can help you decide if going solar is right for your home! Contact us today at 813-519-4536 to learn more about solar energy or to schedule an appointment for a FREE estimate on solar panel systems.