The use of solar panels to produce electricity has become more popular today than ever before. Part of that reason has to do with affordability. In the past, it was difficult to have these installed for a reasonable cost, and there were not very many solar panel installers available on a nationwide basis. Today, there are a multitude of companies that can do this for you quickly, using the latest in solar technology. Part of the reason for this increase in popularity has to do with the efficiency of the solar panels themselves. Efficiency levels have increased because of the type of metals that are now used, specifically the semiconductors. Here is an overview of how these advancements have literally change the landscape of the viability of installing solar.

The Origins Of Solar Panels

These were originally designed back in the 1950s when photovoltaic technology was first developed. Using a material called silicon, they realize that when this material was exposed to sunlight, it would generate an electric charge. Since that time, different types of solar cells were developed including polycrystalline and monocrystalline panels. However, advancements in research have led to the use of other materials that might be far more conductive.

New Technology Used In Solar Panels

When sunlight or photons interact with the silicon, electrons are knocked free from the atoms. Using a series of wires, connected to your household and batteries, a flow of electricity will allow you to power your home. Recently, a different material has been used which is called cadmium telluride which can substitute as a semiconductor. This was the result of years of research and collaboration between the United States and the United Kingdom. These are very thin solar cells, and by adding selenium, they have seen an increase in the production of electricity. Statistics have shown that the ratio between light input and energy output has actually reached over 20%.

Why This New Technology Will Lead To More Installations

Although it is very easy to obtain silicon, the cost of producing these new solar panels is less expensive. Additionally, by combining cadmium telluride crystals with selenium, they are able to avoid common problems related to atomic scale defects. Studies have shown that photons can literally get lost in the midst of crystal grains, and the selenium is helping to eliminate this issue. As these new solar panels become more common, the cost of installing solar will go down, and the rate of production for electricity will go up making these much more commercially viable.

Can Everyone Get Solar Panels?

Solar panels installed on the roof in South Australia

Despite these advancements, it is clear that there are still some issues that are unresolvable. For example, you still need to have a south facing view for the solar panels to maximize their ability to produce electricity. Additionally, depending upon your latitude, the amount of electricity that can be produced each day will go up and down as the seasons change. Therefore, not everyone will see solar panels as being an alternative to being on the grid, but for many, this will be very beneficial. The amount of money they will pay for these solar panels and their installation will be offset quickly, leading to what could potentially be free electricity for your home in the future once everything is paid off.

These improvements in solar panel metals have been met with great applause. In our world today, alternative sources of energy are always welcome. The current primary production of electricity comes from nuclear energy, natural gas, and coal, the latter of which is leading to higher amounts of CO2 in the atmosphere. By producing more solar panels, and having them installed, our carbon footprint will be reduced dramatically. However, from the simple standpoint of generating electricity, and saving money on your electric bill, these new advancements in solar technology are beneficial for everyone.

Quick answer? Yes, installing solar panels would boost the market value of your house by at least the expense of the system. You won’t just realize a rise in the value of your home, a solar energy system can help sell your house 20% quicker compared to homes with no solar panels.

Solar panel owners are experiencing a rise in their property values more than comparative houses within their neighborhood. The primary reason for this rise in market value is that homes having solar panels provide a definite financial advantage to potential owners.

Potential customers should try to buy homes having an installed solar energy system due to:

• The ability to switch your utility bill with a less expensive and cleaner choice
• The decrease in the carbon footprint

Factors Which Affect How Much Solar Panels Boost Property Value

So, do solar power panels add more value to your house? This will depend on a number of factors like:

• The city or state you’re in
• The price of electricity on your area
• The dimensions of the installation as well as your house
• The age, type, and warranty of the solar panels
• The amount of energy the system could save

LOCATION

The location of a house is a key factor which decides how much value would be raised when adding solar panels. For instance, installations in active solar markets such as California and New Jersey usually generate better returns compared to similar installations in less developed markets due to the fact that purchasers, real estate agents, appraisers, and lenders are usually more knowledgeable about the advantages of solar at the beginning of the process.

THE SIZE OF THE INSTALLATION

How many solar panels your roof could cater to instantly relates to the property value boost post-installation. Property value increase is proportional to the quality and number of the solar panels installed. The generation capacity of the solar panels must be proportional to the size of your home. So how do solar panels have an effect on property values? The Berkeley Lab study estimates you could expect the resale worth of your home to raise by around $5,911 for every 1 kilowatt (kW) of solar installed.

AVERAGE ENERGY USAGE AND SAVINGS

Among the simplest ways to estimate home value increase according to energy consumption would be to run your own cost advantage analysis. The value of the system may also vary depending on the price of electricity where you reside. A good option to begin is by checking out your energy bill and determining the price of the system size you’d require depending on the kilowatt-hours utilized. The typical system installation is around $3-4 per watt. Around Texas, a 300 watt panel can generate around 9 kilowatt-hours every day. Upon having your day-to-day or monthly consumption, you calculate the number of panels you’d require to completely power your house. After that you can compare it into the regular resale value in your place.

QUALITY OF SOLAR PANEL

The panels themselves are one other factor with regards to determining value. Technology, life expectancy, as well as warranty for several producers of solar panels, inverters, racking, as well as other accessories can vary greatly. It’s vital that you spend some time and perform your research with regards to selecting the best solar technology products to take advantage of your long-term investment.

Why is Solar Energy Very Valuable?

In comparison to other major home improvements and ways of sustainable living, installing solar panels is really a relatively simple one-time venture which has small effect on your living area. The majority of the effort and time from you is performing the research to get the right company and getting the paperwork via the appropriate channels. Then, the installation must just take around a few days and you’ll generally be set up with a warranty for the following twenty five years. The 2015 survey revealed 61% of respondents agreed upon that solar electrical or water heating systems were appealing in a house they’d want to consider buying.