Last Updated on March 5, 2023 by ahmadaftab
“There are in nature neither rewards nor punishments – there are consequences.”
↝↝ Robert G. Ingersoll
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Solar for home is the future
Whether or not we accept it while there’s still time to protect the planet is our decision to make. Learn to know about how to maximize solar energy.
Environmentalists, scientists, and researchers have always advocated the use of renewable sources of energy. It’s because the greenhouse gasses that result from using fossil fuels are damaging the planet.
The climatic changes we’re witnessing are tremendous
whether it was the tragedy of Kedarnath in 2013 or the flash floods in Bengaluru and Pakistan, they were all the seeds of global warming. So, the future of the planet and generations to come depends on whether or not we adopt solar for homes and industries.
Now, if we have shown you a snippet of reality and you’re convinced that solar for home is indeed the future, you would definitely be tempted to make a switch. But, hold that thought just yet.
To ensure that your solar system will generate the maximum power it is designed for, you need to be aware of certain things. Those are the things we have at your disposal in this guide.
Dive in and decode how to maximize solar energy in your home and use it efficiently!
Top 5 ways to get maximum benefits by installing solar for home
#1. Choose Mono-Perc solar panels instead of polycrystalline solar panels if you can
When you choose to have solar to maximize solar energy, you’ll come across two types of solar modules – polycrystalline and monocrystalline.
For a long time, many people have counted on polycrystalline solar panels because they are cheaper than Mono-PERC solar panels. Also, earlier in India, it was just polycrystalline panels that were eligible for a subsidy because they were the only modules that were manufactured within the country.
But things have changed recently with the rising popularity and solar for homes. If it were a subsidy that was your motivation behind opting for poly panels, then you’d be delighted to know that the government is now providing a subsidy on Mono-PERC panels as well.
Other reasons why mono panels are better than poly panels when installing solar for the home have been tabulated below.
| Polycrystalline solar panels | Monocrystalline solar panels | |
| Efficiency ranges between 16-17% | Efficiency ranges between 19-20% | |
| Annual degradation rate ranges between 0.7-0.8% per year | The annual degradation rate is 0.5% annually | |
| They’re slightly cheaper but have a lower efficiency | They’re slightly expensive, but the return on investment is higher |
Needless to say, the cost of investment will break even sooner if you choose mono panels as their efficiency will be better. Mono panels will perform better than poly panels during the rainy season as well.
#2. Make sure that the solar panels are South-facing
India falls in the Northern hemisphere; hence, the southern direction receives the maximum sunlight. So, ensure that the panels face southwards when installing solar for the home. It will help the panels generate the maximum power that they’re designed for.
The tilt angle of the panels should also be considered here. In south India, the panels should have a tilt angle of 10 degrees. This angle starts increasing as one moves toward the North. In North India, the tilt angle should be more than 20 degrees.
#3. Ensure you have experts clean the panels every three months
When solar panels are not cleaned for more than three months, their power generation capacity drops by 40%. Therefore, it’s recommended that they should be cleaned every three months.
- Experts have long-handled soft bristle brushes specially designed to clean every nook and corner of the panels.
- Experts also ensure that the wiring and all other connections are in place so that the panels keep performing at their best efficiency.
#4. Ensure that the solar inverter is in perfect condition
Did you know that it’s the solar inverter that amounts to 70% of the entire solar system’s cost? Solar for home wouldn’t have been a practical model without solar inverters. The panels produce DC power, but household appliances require AC power to run.
It’s the job of the solar inverter to convert DC power into AC power. As long as your inverter is in good condition, it will give optimum performance. Here’s how you can take care of your inverter’s health:
- Clean cobwebs and dust periodically
- Keep the inverter in a well-ventilated place
- Don’t use water to clean settled dust
- Let experts do the tricky part of maintenance
#5. Don’t manhandle the solar panels
Are you someone who’s using your panels to hang clothes and dry them? Stop doing that immediately!
Solar for home gives the maximum output when the panels receive direct sunlight. If anything blocks the direct contact between sunlight and the surface of the solar panels, they won’t generate the power they’re designed for.
This is why experts look for those places on the roof that aren’t clouded by shadows from surrounding objects. Any practice that might block sunlight from hitting the surface of the panels will reduce power generation.
Why go solar?
Now that you know how you can maximize solar energy when you install solar for your home, it’s about time you also get to learn the many benefits of going solar. Dive in!
- Solar power is clean and green. It won’t harm the environment since it won’t emit greenhouse gasses.
- Solar power is abundant and infinite. It won’t cease to exist. Hence, it’s the future.
- Solar power is a source of free electricity for homes. Once you install solar for your home, you’ll get free solar electricity for decades to come.
- Your electricity bill can drop by up to 90%. The savings are huge.
- 1 KW solar system equals planting 45 trees. When all homes in India go solar, the environmental damage that has already been done will be reversed.
An Overview
- Install High-Efficiency Solar Panels One of the most effective ways to maximize solar energy in your home is by installing high-efficiency solar panels. These panels are designed to convert more sunlight into electricity, making them more efficient than standard solar panels. Additionally, high-efficiency panels may take up less space on your roof, allowing you to install more panels and generate more energy.
- Use Energy-Efficient Appliances Another way to maximize solar energy in your home is by using energy-efficient appliances. These appliances are designed to use less electricity, which means you’ll need less energy from your solar panels to power them. Look for appliances with an Energy Star rating, which indicates they meet energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- Use a Battery Backup System A battery backup system is a great way to maximize the use of your solar energy. This system allows you to store excess energy produced by your solar panels during the day and use it at night or during periods of low sunlight. By storing excess energy, you can reduce your reliance on the grid and maximize your solar energy use.
- Optimize Your Home’s Orientation The orientation of your home can have a big impact on how much solar energy it receives. For example, a south-facing roof will receive more sunlight than a north-facing roof. If possible, orient your home to maximize its exposure to sunlight. Additionally, consider removing any obstacles that could block sunlight from reaching your solar panels.
- Monitor Your Energy Usage Finally, monitoring your energy usage is an important way to maximize solar energy in your home. By keeping track of how much energy you’re using, you can identify areas where you can reduce your energy consumption and make adjustments accordingly. This can help you get the most out of your solar panels and reduce your overall energy costs.
Conclusion:
Installing solar for homes will reap long-term monetary benefits. In fact, solar power is the most practical model that can reverse the environmental damage that the emission of greenhouse gasses causes.
Since the government is also giving in a hand to help people financially by offering subsidies for the installation of on-grid rooftop solar systems, it’s the best time to seize the opportunity and switch to solar. Join the solar brigade now!
Apart from this, if you are interested to know about Leveraging Technology, then visit our Technology category.
