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Are you considering installing a solar system but not sure which setup is better for your home? Both off-grid and on-grid system options carry positives and negatives but truthfully, it comes down to the electrical needs of your home. Solar Bear of Tampa takes a look at both systems and what factors may influence your decision.

As we mentioned above, electrical usage is the most critical variable that can affect your decision. During an initial energy audit consultation, our team will examine recent electricity bills, weather and climate patterns in your area in addition to your family’s energy needs.

Achieving a solar-powered home is possible with both on and off-grid systems. They will both reap financial incentives however, on-grid systems have a major financial benefit. With an on-grid or grid-tied system, any surplus electricity produced is not stored but rather sent to the power grid in exchange for utility credits towards your bills through a process called net metering. Off-grid systems use battery storage (that must be purchased) to store excess energy. This option is energy-independent but users must be conscious of electrical usage because there is no way to draw extra electricity from the grid.

On-grid systems use photovoltaic (PV) panels to convert sunlight into usable electricity for homeowner needs. They are either installed on the roof or as a ground mount system in an area that receives ample sun exposure. They also require an inverter in order to communicate with the grid. Most of these systems don’t require battery storage, making installation easier and more cost-effective. It’s important to note that because there is no battery storage, grid-tied solar systems will provide no backup power should an outage occur. Oppositely, an off-grid system will utilize battery storage and remain operational should an outage occur.

This comparison is by no means exhaustive. If you want to learn more about the most efficient solar panel system for your needs, schedule a free estimate with Solar Bear of Tampa. With the help of our professional team, making these improvements could be easier than you think. Call us at (727) 471-7442 today!

Whether you already own a solar panel system or are looking into buying your first set, you may be wondering about the process of cleaning and maintaining them for optimal performance. After all, solar panels aren’t something that you can just set and ignore while expecting them to work like they did when they were brand new. So what’s the best way to go about cleaning your solar panels? Solar Bear Dallas is here to show you the way.

Why Do My Solar Panels Need to Be Cleaned?

First off, you may be wondering why solar panels need to be cleaned in the first place. Isn’t the whole point to get them installed and let them work on their own? While quality solar panels do work automatically in gathering heat and sunlight to supply your home with clean energy, they still need proper cleaning like most appliances. This is because, over time, lots of dirt and dust tend to settle on top. If you think about it, this makes sense since your panels sit right on top of your roof completely unprotected. And when your solar panels get dusty, the cells inside aren’t able to see and absorb the sunlight. This is why your solar panels should be cleaned regularly.

Regular Hose vs Pressure Washer

Now that you understand the importance of keeping your solar panels nice and tidy, what is the best way to clean them? Many homeowners like the idea of using a pressure washer as a heavy-duty method that’s sure to work, but using such a tool can actually have a negative effect. While solar panels are designed to be able to take on most elemental occurrences, the force of a pressure washer is still enough to induce scratches and other damages that could affect performance. So if pressure washers are out of the question, what should you use to clean your solar panels?

Believe it or not, your regular garden hose is the best option for washing your solar panels. This is because the average traditional hose is capable of reaching the top of your roof where your setup is located, and they provide a gentle enough flow to get the job done while being easy on your panel’s structural integrity. No need to rent or buy some fancy equipment because the best tool is already on your porch!

When to Clean Your Solar Panels

For the best results when cleaning your solar panels, you should rinse them off during a time when the sun isn’t at its peak. When you clean with water in a hot environment, the liquid will dry too fast and leave spots all over your solar panels. If you can help it, try rinsing off your panels during a cooler time of the day such as the early morning or late evening.

The Best Solar Panel Company in Texas!

If you want high-quality solar panels in Texas, Solar Bear Dallas is the place to go! Our qualified solar contractors can equip your home with the most ideal setup for your property for long-lasting energy savings and satisfaction. Call (727) 471-7442 today to get started on a free quote!

If you are looking to install an off-grid battery-supported solar system, or you have recently had one installed, you may be wondering how the system works. What will happen to excess solar power when the solar batteries are full?

Our solar pros at Solar Bear Orlando explain what solar batteries are and what you can do when your solar battery is at its maximum capacity. Let’s dive in.

What Are Off-Grid Solar Batteries?

Off-grid solar systems are designed to provide electricity when grid power is unavailable. An off-grid solar system consists of solar panels, a solar battery to store and supply power, and an inverter to control the input and output of generated power. Some people also have a backup generator just in case.

An off-grid system generates energy from solar panels and charges a solar battery. It then uses an invert to provide the power back to your home. Using a solar battery means that you can store excess power and draw from the energy reserve when needed.

Without a solar battery, you would only be able to use your off-grid solar system during the day, assuming that it is sunny that day! Having a reliable and adequately sized battery bank allows you to utilize your off-grid solar system during the day or night, rain

or shine.

What Happens if My Solar Battery is Full?

Even though solar systems use batteries to store solar energy, if the power generated exceeds the solar battery’s capacity, it can overcharge the system. An overcharged solar system can severely impact the solar battery’s lifespan.

But don’t worry, as soon as your solar battery reaches a full charge, the inverter and charge controller step in to mitigate any issues. Battery charge controllers will stop the flow of electricity when they signal that the batteries are full.

Further, they may:

• Push the energy back into the panels for power loss
• Push it into the grid for credits
• Force a dump load that wastes the energy

How Do I Know When the Solar Battery is Full?

There are several options available that allow you to check the charge level within a solar energy system.

Some intelligent energy storage solutions feature display screens that indicate the battery’s charge based on its voltage. Some inverters also display the battery’s charge level on their screen, so you can tell whether it is charging or full.

If your inverter doesn’t have a display screen, it may have a warning or indicator system that tells you the battery status.

You can also purchase meters such as voltmeters, hydrometers, or multimeters that check the charge level.

What Happens When Grid-Connected Solar Batteries are Full?

If you have a grid-connected solar system with battery backup, any excess energy can earn you money if your utility company offers net metering. Any excess energy that is produced once the solar battery reaches capacity is returned to the grid, and you will see a reduction or credit on your next energy bill.

What Should I Do If My Batteries Regularly Become Full?

There are a few options if you notice your solar batteries are becoming full regularly.

• Sell One of Your Panels: You may have too many solar panels connected for your energy needs. Consider selling it or using it in a different area like your workspace or garage.

• Purchase Additional Batteries: Purchasing more solar batteries will allow you to store more power. Or you could buy a solar generator which allows you to store even more power.

• Use More Power: Consider using the extra power to charge tools, cook, run an AC unit, etc.

Orlando Solar Panel Systems

If you are ready to install an off-grid or grid-tied solar system equipped with solar batteries, call on our experienced solar team at Solar Bear Orlando! We will help you decide which system is right for you and whether you need a solar battery to store excess energy.

Get started by giving us a call at (727) 471-7442 today!

If you own solar panels, you may be wondering whether or not you can still use solar energy during a blackout. It all depends on your particular setup and any extra solar appliances you may be using. Don’t worry, the experts at Solar Bear Dallas are here to teach you what happens to your solar if the power goes out!

Solar Panels on the Main Electric Grid

Most solar panel systems are connected to the local power grid so that your home can still be powered after sundown and so any unused solar energy can be repurposed back into the power lines. However, this means that your solar panels will be affected in the case of a power outage. Why is that, and what can you do to keep your power on during blackouts?

The Grid’s Automated Shut-Off System

Electric grids are designed with an automated shut-off system for when there’s a power outage so that even solar panel networks become unusable. This is meant to function as a safety precaution for when utility workers attempt to fix the power lines, otherwise, there will be a chance of them sustaining injuries from voltage-related accidents. However, there’s a way to be completely free from the grid so these occurrences won’t apply to you.

Using Solar Energy Off the Power Grid

When people imagine solar panels, they think of a completely self-sustaining power source with no repercussions. Although this might not be the case with most basic solar panel systems, this dream is still very possible with the help of solar storage batteries.

How Do Solar Batteries Work?

If your solar panel system is connected to the main electric grid, any extra solar energy that isn’t being used is sent back to the grid which is also known as net metering. You can save money on your monthly electric bill this way, or you can put that excess energy into a solar battery to be used later such as during a power outage. A solar battery allows you to easily (and sometimes automatically) transition from grid power to battery power by disconnecting your solar panels from the main grid.

The Main Causes for Power Outages

What would cause your home to lose power in the first place? There are many different causes for power outages, some of them intentional but most of them out of anyone’s control. Examples include:

• Intense weather conditions such as lightning, high winds, and rainfall.
• Damaged poles and power lines from car accidents and other sources of impact.
• Scheduled routine maintenance by the electric company.
• Other uncommon reasons such as wildlife activity.

No matter the reason, you could continue to live in a powered home during an outage with the right solar panel setup installed by expert solar contractors near you.

Let Solar Bear Dallas Install Your Solar System!

Looking for the best solar company in Texas? Solar Bear Dallas can install top-quality solar panels on your property that can be supported by a solar battery that helps you during blackouts. Call (727) 471-7442 today for a free estimate!