In this day and age, people are looking for any possible way to save money and reduce their carbon footprint. Over a million people in the US power their homes using solar energy. Solar energy can reduce or completely eliminate your electric bill, and many people think that’s worth the investment.
What are solar roofs?
Solar roofs are made of panels, installed on your roof, which absorbs sunlight and turns it into energy, which can be stored for use as you need it. The cost of these solar roofs has dropped in recent years, making them even more worth the investment.
How do they work?
Solar roofs are made of solar panels, which are made of cells. Each cell can generate around a volt of power, so multiple cells may be combined to create more energy. Numerous cells connected is called a module, and various modules are called a panel.
These solar panels get placed where they will be able to absorb the most sunlight throughout the day. In the Carolinas, and anywhere else in the northern hemisphere, the panels should face south with a slight tilt in the direction of your latitude. In the Carolinas, and specifically the Charlotte, NC area, the panels can be exposed to about 4.5 hours of direct sunlight each day.
Different types of solar roofs
When choosing a solar roofing system, there are two options a homeowner has to consider.
The first is a standalone system. An independent system better protects against blackouts but may be more susceptible to bad weather or low sunlight days. These systems work by storing all energy in battery systems. This allows the home to be powered even at night when the sun is not shining.
The second type of system is a grid-tie system. These systems connect directly to the power grid, which means they do not require a battery to power the home at night. Grid-tie systems require an inverter, which allows most appliances and other things to pull electric from the power source as they would with a standard electric source. This also requires a licensed technician to install and connect your solar roof.
Regardless of which system you choose, solar roofing offers a great alternative to traditional electric systems. Consider it to be a long-term investment; it will save you countless dollars on regular electric bills. Just like it has been for a million other Americans, solar roofing may be the right choice for your home.