Solar paneling is among the best ways to reduce carbon footprint by converting your energy consumption to a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly model. Among many other benefits, solar panels allow you to save big on energy expenses while helping the environment. Committed to sustainable, eco-friendly designs, Annadel Builders Inc. prides itself on innovative green practices that combine fine craftsmanship and sustainability. Check out the first things you should know if you’re considering solar energy for your Wine Country home build.

  1. Solar energy is a great return on your investment – Installing solar energy has become more accessible than ever as prices around the country continue to drop. In fact, the last decade alone has seen the cost of solar panel installation drop by over 60%, while experts predict it will continue to do so in the years to come. To sweeten the deal, several solar-specific rebates and incentives exist to further reduce cost with deducting as much as 30% of installation costs. Depending on upfront costs and local electricity rates, you will have saved enough on electricity bills to get a return on your solar investment in under eight years.
  2. Solar energy is completely free and renewable – Green, affordable, and renewable, solar energy represents a free and unlimited power source. Unlike energy sourced from fossil fuels, there is no danger of solar energy running out or spilling harmful emissions and air pollutants.
  3. Solar power systems are durable and require little maintenance – Solar photovoltaic panels are designed with tempered glass that can weather hail, snow, rain, and high winds, and rarely, if ever, require any form of maintenance. Finally, most solar panel manufacturers guarantee power production for the first 25 years following installation.
  4. Solar panels do not always need direct sunlight to work – That’s right! Although not at maximum efficiency, solar panels can still produce electricity on cloudy, sunless days. In addition, solar panels also include a storage design feature that allows energy to be used at night and for times when too little sunlight is being absorbed. That being said, it is important that your installation site has direct sunlight the majority of the time, so make sure to avoid installing panels on a roof that’s mostly shaded.
  5. There are two types of solar systems – The two main types of solar technologies to choose from are photovoltaic and thermal. The former directly converts sunlight into energy using a wide array of cells, while the latter uses sunlight to heat water or air for indoor use. If your home has a high heating demand and a relatively high heating fuel cost, solar thermal is the way to go. However, solar thermal is relatively rarer for homes and therefore more difficult to have installed. On the other hand, because photovoltaic solar (PV) generates electricity while solar thermal only heats water or air, PV can be used to power electronic equipment or recharge batteries and is therefore more versatile.