Floridians know that a cloudy sky will still require sunscreen and if not applied, they can expect a sneaky sunburn. Nevertheless, does the sun’s stealthy behavior work the same way with your solar system? Solar Bear of Tampa explains how a cloudy sky can affect solar systems and how to take advantage of it.
While it’s obvious that solar panels require sunlight to produce maximum energy, it is entirely possible for systems to generate energy in cloudy conditions. Depending on the cloud cover and the type of solar system, homeowners can expect efficiency to produce 10 to 25% less than on a sunny day. However, on partly cloudy days, energy can still be produced through bursts of intense sunlight known as the “edge of cloud” effect. Additionally, if you are able to see shadows on overcast days, it means that your system is still producing energy. Partial shading can also contribute to energy reduction. During a free energy consultation with Solar Bear of Tampa, our team will identify any energy-saving additions or installation obstacles, and recommend system options.
Climate is also a great indicator of panel performance. In most cases, solar panels work best in sunny and colder areas. When panels reach 77 degrees or more, they tend to lose efficiency. This is because the more heat a solar panel receives, the less power it produces from sunlight. Electrons in the panels are mostly at rest but when sunlight activates them, it stimulates high energy output. The production of a solar panel depends on the electron’s state of rest versus energy. Interestingly, cold temperatures keep electrons in a more dormant state increasing their power when sunlight activates them. Hence, why solar systems perform better in sunny, cold climates.
The bottom line? No one should let clouds rain on their solar parade! Speak with our team of experts at Solar Bear of Tampa to learn more about our solar energy systems. Call us at (727) 741-7442 or schedule your free estimate online today!
If you own a solar panel system or are looking into getting one installed, you could benefit from an energy storage battery to get the most out of your collected solar power. But what are they, and which kind are the best? Solar Bear Dallas is here to teach you about what a solar battery can do for you and how to find the right one for your setup.
Why You Need a Solar Battery
What exactly does a solar battery do and why do you need one? When you gather solar energy for the day, any amount of energy that you don’t use typically goes back to the mainline electrical grid. While this can knock a few bucks off your monthly electric bill, a solar battery will allow you to keep the excess energy for later use. This method enables your home to be more self-sufficient for increased savings and fewer emissions for a healthier environment. Any power stored in your solar battery could be used during power outages (assuming your system isn’t connected to the main grid) and at night when your panels are no longer exposed to direct sunlight.
Despite all of these incredible benefits, you shouldn’t just walk into the store and grab any solar battery you can find. There are different kinds and discovering the right one for you will take a little more knowledge but the end result will be well worth it.
Beware of One-Size-Fits-All Solar Batteries
Many new solar panel owners who aren’t sure of what kind of battery to purchase are more likely to go with a style that promises universal compatibility. While it sounds like the safer option, it can actually be more costly and less efficient depending on your setup. Since they’re designed to work with any type of solar panel system, these kinds of batteries tend to pay for them in quality. They typically come with a lower storage capacity and are commonly made with lead-acid technology whereas lithium-ion is the more ideal option. And when your battery is too large or too small for your setup, you’ll notice that it’ll have a more challenging time keeping a full charge or it’ll be unable to meet the energy output demand.
Finding the Perfect Battery for Your Solar Panels
Knowledge is key, and so understanding your property’s average energy usage will give you a guideline for the energy capacity that’s close enough to that limit for the most efficient experience. You’ll also want to look into the lifespan of each brand so you can avoid needing a replacement sooner than you need to. Some brands even offer generous warranties. Learning about the different types of solar batteries can help narrow down your search so you don’t feel too overwhelmed or choose the wrong kind.
Consult the Experts at Solar Bear Dallas!
If you have more questions about solar batteries or need help finding one that’s best for your solar panel system, call Solar Bear Dallas at (727) 471-7442 to speak with experts near you about how to get the most out of your solar panels!
You’ve likely heard the term “carbon footprint” a lot in the past few decades. What it boils down to is that the choices that you make in your daily life leave a mark on the environment, and your carbon footprint is the way to express that impact.
The size of your carbon footprint depends on several factors, but the heavier the strain on the environment, the larger your footprint will be.
Our team at Solar Bear Orlando discusses carbon footprints and how using solar energy can help offset the effects.
Looking Closer at Carbon Footprints
People, products, and even entire industries have carbon footprints. Your footprint includes emissions from your daily commute, the food you eat, the clothes you wear, what you throw in the trash, and more.
To halt the impact on the environment, we need to shift to a low-carbon economy and protect our natural spaces like forests, grasslands, mangroves, and tidal marshes, which stash away large quantities of carbon.
Drastically cutting greenhouse gasses and thus our carbon footprint will require everyone from individuals to entire countries to vastly reduce their carbon footprint.
How Does Carbon Affect Climate Change
Carbon dioxide traps the heat that is emitted by the sun and the Earth’s surface and then releases that heat into the atmosphere. As we cut down forests and burn fossil fuels, high concentrations of greenhouse gasses, such as carbon dioxide, threaten to raise the average surface temperature of the Earth, causing numerous life-threatening impacts.
Since the 18th century, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have risen 40% and climatologists estimate that the current levels are as high as they have been in almost 14 million years.
As carbon dioxide levels climb, the cumulative effects, including ocean acidification, rising sea levels, more frequent and intense storms, mass species extinctions, food scarcity, and economic inequality will be felt worldwide.
Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
Here are some steps that you can take to reduce your carbon emissions at home or work. Most are quick and easy to implement, meaning that you can start reducing your carbon footprint in no time at all.
#1. Insulate Your Home
Heating and cooling your living space is an expensive and energy-intensive process. By insulating your home, you can make sure that your home retains heat in the winter and cold air in the summer months.
This means that you’ll use less energy reducing your carbon footprint and your overall household bills.
#2. Switch to Renewable Energy
When you switch to renewable energy like solar, wind, or hydroelectric energy, you can reduce your household emissions and save money on your electricity bills.
Learn more about solar energy below!
#3. Buy Energy-Efficient
Electrical appliances are becoming more efficient every year. Whether you buy energy-saving light bulbs or choose appliances with a high “energy star” rating, you are taking a step to make your home eco-friendlier.
Additionally, it is important to turn off and unplug any electrical appliances that you aren’t using.
#4. Use Less Water
It takes energy and resources to process and deliver water to our houses. It is also quite energy-intensive to heat it once it’s there. By using less water, you can help the environment while lowering your carbon footprint.
Try turning off the water when you brush your teeth, take short showers instead of baths, and don’t water your lawn or landscaping excessively.
#5. Eliminate Single-Use Plastics
While single-use plastics may be convenient, they are terrible for the environment. Not only do these plastics pollute our waterways and ocean, but they also require a lot of energy to produce and recycle them.
Stop using things like disposable coffee cups, bottles, and utensils to help reduce your carbon footprint.
How Solar Power Reduces Your Carbon Footprint
Solar power reduces CO2 emissions by providing people with a clean and renewable source of energy. The solar panels that are installed on your home collect energy from the sun and convert it into usable energy. This process does not rely on fossil fuels and none of the energy is wasted because it can be stored on the grid for future use.
Further, solar energy reduces water pollutants because photovoltaic panels do not need water to operate as other manufacturing processes do. Sunlight is converted into usable energy without the need for local water supplies and solar energy does not pollute waterways like fossil fuels do.
By switching to solar power, you can drastically reduce your household’s overall carbon footprint. Every kilowatt of solar power installed lowers your home’s carbon footprint by over 3,000 pounds annually.
To put that into perspective, for the average five-kilowatt residential system, that means the reduction of more than 15,000 pounds of C02 emissions every year.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
If you are ready to reduce your carbon footprint, call Solar Bear Orlando today for a solar energy consultation. It will amaze you how just a few small changes plus a solar panel system can make a drastic impact on your family’s carbon footprint.
Get started with Solar Bear Orlando! Call (727) 471-7442 today!
When factoring in the costs of owning a solar panel system, you might be wondering if you need to consider the price of potential repairs. Can solar panels become damaged in the first place? If so, how much would it cost to repair it? The experts at Solar Bear Dallas are here with everything you need to know.
Types of Solar Panel Damage
Solar panels in general are built to be durable. Since they sit directly on top of your property, it’s only sensible for the designers to account for various impacts that may occur no matter how big or small. However, that doesn’t mean you can just buy any set of solar panels from anywhere and expect them to be completely impervious to damage. In fact, there are a few ways your solar panels can become damaged and hurt the effectiveness of your energy-gathering capabilities.
Micro Cracks
The photovoltaic (or solar) cells that are located directly underneath the outer panel are prone to stress-related damage. Increased pressure or consistent hits to the same pressure points can cause a solar cell to cave in and crack, also known as a micro crack. But if the crack is so small, does it really matter? Solar energy uses the available photovoltaic cells as a means to travel down the panel. Even if a single cell is out of commission, it can hinder the solar energy’s ability to make it from one end to the other, meaning that your energy output can see a noticeable decrease in productivity.
Surface Scratches
Even if the scratches only affect the surface panel without touching the cells underneath, they can still block the cell’s view of the sunlight thus impeding your solar energy gathering. These types of scratches can happen from common occurrences such as falling branches, hailstorms, etc.
Water Infiltration
The outer panel acts as a shield to protect the integrity of the solar cells that are essential to solar energy absorption, but even that won’t be able to protect your system against water leaks. The surrounding frame exists to prevent such an occurrence, but a worn-out or poorly installed frame can still let in sources of water such as rainfall or the garden hose. Once water finds its way inside, the electrical components become compromised, and the entire grid can shut down.
How to Prevent Solar Panel Damage
The best way to prevent damage to your solar panel system is to set yourself up for success from the beginning. Before you go running to just any solar panel company, think about the importance of finding solar panels that are less prone to cracking under pressure or taking in water leakage. This is only possible with high-quality solar panels that are built to be durable and installed by licensed professionals to ensure that your solar energy system is stable and dependable.
Get Durable Solar Panels from Solar Bear Dallas!
For the best solar panels in Texas that stand a better chance against the elements than other solar brands, be sure to go with Solar Bear Dallas! We’ll do everything in our power to make sure your solar panels are built to last. Call us at (727) 471-7442 for a free quote!
