Being Southern Colorado’s top solar provider, we love to talk about solar! And we’re always happy to answer any solar panel questions from our friends and neighbors. We get some questions more than others, so we thought it would be helpful to give you the answers to some frequently asked questions, all in one convenient spot. This info should help make your solar decision-making that much easier. But you don’t need to be a solar expert to reap all the great benefits. That’s where we come in to give you all the expert guidance you’ll need to start enjoying significantly lower energy bills from this green technology. Now on to those questions!
How many solar panels does my home need?
Because every home is different, there’s no one right answer to this question. Roof angles, house orientation, average usage — many factors go into determining the right quantity of solar panels for your home. However, there is some great news for local Pueblo residents. Colorado has an above-average amount of sunny days compared to the rest of the US. That means residents here need fewer panels compared to homeowners, in say, Seattle, contending with lots of overcast and rainy days.
Solar Panel Questions to determine what will work best for your home.
At Steel City Solar we help you plan out the best construction for your needs and factor in the many unique factors of your home such as:
- Roof Size
- Roof Direction
- Surrounding Foliage
- Your Energy Needs
These factors determine the number of panels and what efficiency level you’ll need. High-efficiency panels are smaller but have a bigger ticket price. A larger roof might be able to save money by opting for medium to low-efficiency panels with the room for more at a lower price. Using a national average for energy consumption from the US Energy Information Administration, we can estimate the average household would need 25 conventional solar panels or 17 high-efficiency panels, to achieve a zero energy bill each month.
What happens if I produce more energy than I need?
We’re glad you asked. On bright, sunny days when you’re producing more energy than your home needs, that extra energy is sent back to your utility company and used by others. It never goes to waste, which is great for the environment and great for your wallet. That’s because you receive credit from your energy provider for the electricity that you didn’t use. This is a great way to bring your energy bill down to $0!
It’s important to install the right amount of solar panels so that you’re producing enough to cover your home’s energy costs. That’s why we’re happy to help you configure the right solar system specifically designed for your home and your needs.
What if there’s bad weather? Does my power go off if there’s not enough sun?
It’s a common misconception that your solar panels are doing the job alone. Get a snowy or cloudy day, and there’s no sun to give your home the energy it needs. That’s simply not true unless you go completely off the electric grid. While there is a small portion of homeowners that choose to be completely separated from the electric grid, most homeowners will keep receiving their electricity from their energy supplier. This makes things really simple. On beautiful, sunny days, your panels will be generating energy that covers your energy costs. Then on cloudy, rainy, or snowy days, the grid will be to provide your energy. It all works seamlessly so you don’t have to think about a thing. This is also why your power doesn’t get shut off every night!
Because you are tied to your energy supplier’s grid, it is important to note that when the power goes out because of a storm or damage to the grid, your power will go out too. However, when you get solar panels, you have an option most homeowners don’t — power banks, which are essentially large batteries that save energy from your solar energy production. They can give you enough energy to power your home for a day or two. You can read more about back-up options here.
I have an old, outdated solar system that another company installed. Do you handle updates?
We love to retro-fit, replace, and upgrade older systems. We’d here to help with any of your solar needs, whether you’re a first-time solar installer or one of the first to try out this new technology. We can let you know options and review your energy production to ensure that you don’t have too many panels. Even if we didn’t do your install, we’re happy to give you an assessment and service your solar system.
Answers to the most requently asked solar panel questions.
