Category: Uncategorized

What Are The Main Environmental Benefits Of Solar In 2024?

If you haven’t gone solar in Central Florida yet, what are you waiting for? Florida is the perfect state to harness the power of the sun due to our ample year-round sunshine, and doing so can help curb your carbon emissions over your lifetime.

Still not convinced? Our team at Solar Bear Orlando shares why 2024 is a great time to reap the amazing environmental benefits of going solar.

Let’s get into it!

The Environmental Benefits of Residential Solar

As a clean and renewable energy resource, solar power produces no harmful emissions and has a minimal impact on the environment.

While coal, natural gas, and oil are traditional energy sources that have been used for decades, solar power does not generate any greenhouse gases or pollutants that contribute to climate change and bad health around the world.

Carbon Emissions

Carbon emissions have been a hot topic in the news over the past few years, and for good reason. As these emissions, also known as greenhouse gases, blanket the Earth’s atmosphere, the sun’s heat is trapped within—hence the name “global warming.”

This warming has begun to change weather patterns that disrupt the overall balance of nature.

Solar power produces no carbon emissions, making it one of the cleanest energy sources on the market today.

Energy Independence

Energy independence is one of the main benefits of solar power, not just on the homefront but environmentally. With Florida’s ample sunshine, solar power is a reliable and sustainable source of energy that is not subject to pricing fluctuations that homeowners often experience with traditional energy sources.

Reducing reliance on utility companies and becoming more self-sufficient not only helps Floridians save money but has a far-reaching impact on the environment.

Solar’s Reliability

One of our favorite benefits of solar power is that it is reliable and can provide power during power outages, inclement weather, and emergencies.

On the other hand, traditional energy sources that come from fossil fuels can be interrupted due to weather disasters, supply chain disruptions, and other factors. Solar systems can operate independently of the grid, offering power when other systems fail.

This can be greatly beneficial during hurricane season here in Florida. Depending on the size of your system, you could power your air conditioner, refrigerator, lights, and more if the power is out due to a storm.

The Impact of Manufacturing Solar Panels

While solar panels don’t produce emissions when they are mounted on your roof, they aren’t entirely emission-free over their entire lifetime. They must be manufactured and then recycled at the end of their useful life, and there are some environmental impacts due to these processes.

Generally, the environmental impact of solar power is framed around what’s known as the energy payback time (EPBT). This illustrates how long it takes for solar panels to produce enough clean energy to “payback” the energy and resources needed to manufacture them.

This is calculated based on:

• The productivity of your solar system. Living in a sunny region like Florida, your system will generate more electricity and will have a shorter EPBT.
• The manufacturing process. Some solar cells require more energy to be produced than others. Thin-film modules have a smaller environmental footprint than silicon modules since they use less energy during the manufacturing process.
• Where the panels were manufactured. Solar panels have to be transported from when they were manufactured. If they were built in a different country, they have a higher EPBT since they had to be transported to the United States and then installed.

As we make more strides in the production of more “green” solar panels here in the United States, the EPBT of solar will be much less and therefore will be that much more ecological.

Plus, as recycling processes become more streamlined, we will see more environmentally friendly practices that will further reduce the EPBT.

Go Solar in Central Florida

Ready to take advantage of Florida’s sunshine? We are called the Sunshine State after all! We’d love to assist you on your journey to energy independence by installing a solar system at your Orlando area home. Soon, you’ll be reaping the benefits of producing your household’s energy while making a positive impact on the environment. It’s a win-win!

Contact our friendly team at Solar Bear Orlando at (727) 471-7442 for a solar installation quote today!

Are Ground-Mounted Solar Systems Cheaper Than Roof Solar?

When it comes to solar energy, the debate between ground-mounted and rooftop solar systems is as enduring as the energy source itself. Homeowners and businesses looking to make the sustainable switch are often caught in this dilemma. The common question is: are ground-mounted solar systems cheaper than roof systems? It’s a classic case of “It depends.” Let’s check out the factors that swing the cost pendulum between these two solar choices.

Initial Installation Costs

First, let’s discuss the most immediate concern—the installation costs. Rooftop solar panels often seem the go-to for their perceived simplicity. They piggyback on existing structures, seemingly cutting down on costs. However, the reality is not always that simple. Factors like the condition of your roof, its orientation, and angle play significant roles. If your roof needs reinforcement or an overhaul, those costs quickly add up.

Ground-mounted systems, on the other hand, require land. If you’ve got the space, great! But there’s more to it. These systems need frameworks and mounts built from scratch. The upside? They can be oriented and angled precisely for maximum sun exposure, something that’s not always possible with the fixed structure of a roof.

Long-Term Energy Yield

Efficiency plays a critical role in the cost-effectiveness of solar systems. Ground-mounted panels have the edge here. Their adjustable angles allow them to capture more sunlight throughout the year compared to their roof-mounted counterparts, which are at the mercy of the roof’s orientation. This increased efficiency potentially translates to higher energy yields and, in the long run, could offset the initial higher setup costs of ground systems.

Maintenance and Durability

When pondering over costs, maintenance and durability are often overlooked. Rooftop panels, being high up and less accessible, can be more challenging and costly to clean and repair. Ground-mounted systems are easier to reach, making routine maintenance less of a hassle and potentially cheaper.

Aesthetics and Space

Aesthetics play a surprisingly significant role when people choose between rooftop and ground-mounted solar energy systems. Rooftop panels are less intrusive visually, and they also don’t take up the yard space that ground-mounted systems do. This choice can affect property value in ways that are not strictly monetary but are worth considering.

Ready to Make the Switch to Solar? Keep Your Costs Low With Solar Bear of Tampa

So, are ground-mounted solar systems cheaper than rooftop ones? The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but Solar Bear of Tampa aims to keep your costs as low as possible. Ready to make the switch? Contact us today at (727) 471-7442 to get an estimate!

Did You Know You Can Enjoy Your Pool Year-Round With Solar?

Have you ever wished you could enjoy your pool every day of the year, but the thought of chilling temperatures or skyrocketing energy bills made you shiver? Solar energy can make your dream come true! Let’s dive into how solar power can heat your pool, so you can enjoy it year-round.

Heating Your Pool With Solar Energy

The first and foremost benefit of using solar energy for your pool is the year-round warmth it provides. No matter if it’s a chilly December morning or a breezy March evening, your pool can maintain a cozy, inviting temperature.

 

Solar pool heaters use the abundant and free energy from the sun to heat your pool water. They circulate the water through solar collectors, where it’s heated and returned to the pool. Now, it’s easier than ever to keep your pool at a comfortable temperature without high energy costs.

Eco-Friendly and Cost-Effective Heating

When you choose solar energy for your pool, you’re not just making a decision that’s good for your wallet—you’re making one that’s great for the planet. Solar power is clean, renewable, and reduces your carbon footprint in a big way.

Unlike traditional pool heaters that rely on gas or electricity, solar heaters emit no greenhouse gases. Plus, after the initial setup cost, the energy you use is free! You’ll immediately notice significant savings on your energy bills.

Low Maintenance and Long Lasting Systems

Solar pool heaters are incredibly durable and have low maintenance requirements. They often last longer than gas or electric heaters, and they don’t require as much upkeep. You can spend more time enjoying your warm pool and less time worrying about equipment maintenance.

Perfect for Tampa’s Climate

Tampa’s sunny climate is perfect for solar pool heating. With an average of 246 sunny days per year, there’s plenty of solar energy to be harvested. Solar pool heating is not only feasible but highly effective in this unique region. Even during the cooler months, Tampa gets enough sunlight to keep your pool comfortably warm.

 

Enjoy Your Pool Year-Round With the Help of Solar Bear of Tampa

Enjoying your pool year-round in Tampa doesn’t have to break the bank! With the help of Solar Bear of Tampa, you can seamlessly shift to an affordable, eco-friendly solar pool heating system. Contact us today at (727)-335-4509 to get started on your journey to a year-round pool paradise!

Can Solar Panels Help Keep My Attic Cool?

If you’re interested in installing solar power or already have a solar system in your house, you are likely already aware that solar panels can save you money in numerous ways, such as reducing your utility bills and generating electricity. But what if we told you that while true, those aren’t the only ways that solar panels can help you save at home?

Intrigued? Join our team at Solar Bear Orlando as we explore reasons why your solar panels can keep your attic cool and how that can impact your energy consumption!

The Importance of Your Attic

Most of the heat that makes its way into your home during Florida’s hot summer months is you guessed it—through the attic. As the sun’s rays shine on your roof, hot shingles or other roofing material send the heat directly down into your attic, raising the heat—sometimes significantly—inside the attic and thus your home.

Remember science class in middle school where you learned the laws of thermodynamics? You likely learned that heat will always travel downward to where it is cooler. This movement of heat will make our home hot and uncomfortable, all the while causing your HVAC system to work harder and harder to keep your home cool.

Now, let’s insert solar panels into this equation. Installing solar panels can reduce solar heat gain and will lead to an overall comfortable and energy-efficient space.

How Solar Panels Keep Your Attic Cool

Solar panels that are installed on your home’s roof can help keep your attic cooler in a few different ways:

• They create a cover that shades your roof, reducing its overall surface temperature.

• Because they are mounted on a racking system that holds them a few inches from your roof, there is an air barrier or gap between the panels and your roof where air can circulate. This helps carry heat away from your attic space. A study done by the University of California San Diego found that highly efficient solar panels can reduce the heat on a roof’s surface by up to 38%!

• Solar panels have a reflective surface, effectively bouncing some of the heat that they absorb away from your home. On average, it has been found that houses with rooftop solar installations enjoy a 5-degree temperature drop in the attic and living areas.

Now, for the best part. Not only do solar panels help keep your roof and attic space cooler, but they also convert the sun’s energy into electricity, so it can be used to power your home and appliances.

Choose Solar Bear Orlando

Ready to install solar panels at your Central Florida home? We’re glad that you’re here! In addition to keeping your attic space cooler and thus keeping your home more comfortable in the hot summer months, solar panels also reduce your carbon footprint, and help you save money! What’s better than that?!

Ready to get started? Contact our friendly team at Solar Bear Orlando today for a quote at (727) 471-7442!