Residential Solar Panel Installation Company
What are the Benefits of Solar Panels in Homes?
Going solar is one of the smartest investment decisions that property owners can make to help lower expensive electricity bills and become more energy independent. There is often lots of space around your property which makes it the perfect choice to install a full solar energy system. One of the most common areas where clients like to install solar panels is on their rooftops as there is often lots of room and out of the way from walking areas around your garden. Making the switch to solar energy is often a long term commitment in terms of reaping the rewards as you can often lower energy expenses over the next few years which contributes to the initial investment of purchasing the residential solar energy system. Below we have listed some of the most common benefits as to why clients come to us when looking for a solar energy system.
Lower Energy Costs - With the possible rising electricity costs in South Africa it makes it the perfect time to start making decisions about going solar at your residential premises. The beauty about solar systems is that your investment can be compounded over time, so even though the initial down payment can often be hefty depending on the size of your solar energy system, by installing this now it can carry on working for years to come which can assist with making your money back.
Energy Independence - During certain periods of the year loadshedding (power outages) can become a common occurrence which can often mess up your daily schedule when it comes to performing routines tasks such as cooking supper in the evening or watching television before dosing off to bed. By having solar panels installed this means that your property can function with less dependence on the grid so during these uncertain times you can still sit back and enjoy the small things in life. For this scenario, at Eagle Eye Solar we would suggest installing solar panels with a battery backup system so that your panels can work hard during sunny times and generate power and you can make the most of this at night or during loadshedding.
Increased Home Value - Much like other changes you make to your property such as renovating your kitchen or making changes to the interior of your house, solar energy systems can have a similar influence on your end property value and would possibly contribute to the eventual resell value or overall valuation. This makes installing solar panels a wise choice as you can reap the immediate benefits of reliable energy supply whilst also holding onto an asset in terms of the equipment installed at your premises.
Environmental Benefits - A key aspect to consider is that even small actions can create a significant impact when more individuals participate. This principle applies to solar energy installation as well; while one person's efforts may seem minimal, the recent surge in interest from the public can lead to a cleaner and more efficient environment by reducing harmful emissions. This shift is particularly appealing to large corporations, as transitioning to more sustainable solutions can greatly enhance their corporate social responsibility initiatives and the positive effects that follow.
How Many Solar Panels Are Needed to Power a Home?
It’s difficult to provide one straight answer to this question as this often depends on multiple different factors such as your current energy usage and what types of appliances you aiming to run during loadshedding, the size of your rooftop or other areas that may be applicable to install solar panels, as well as the sunlight your property receives. On average, a client would maybe installing around 8-12 panels but as mentioned this does depend on what you trying to power and your current energy usage from the grid.
A key factor to consider when making the decision to switch to solar is your current monthly electricity usage, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). This probably goes without saying, but the more energy your residential property consumes the more solar panels you’ll need.
The amount of sunlight that your property may also influence the number of solar panels that need to be installed. If you receive consistent sunlight over large parts of the day then you’ll likely require fewer panels to generate the same amount of electricity compared to homes in areas with limited daytime sunlight exposure.
Best Type of Residential Solar Inverters?
The 5.5kW solar inverter that we utilise is sourced from one of our local suppliers. This inverter is designed with a pure sine wave output which helps contribute to the overall efficiency and flexibility whilst ensuring a stable power supply. The rated power supply is between 2kW to 5.5kW, allowing homeowners to maximise their solar energy usage by supporting both self consumption and feed-in to the grid solutions. One of the very clever features of this solar inverter is that it comes with a programmable supply priority, giving users control over whether energy is drawn from solar panels, batteries, or the grid. In addition to this, it provides the user with lots of flexibility and adaptability as it includes an adjustable battery charging system, making it compatible with various battery types for optimal performance. With real-time monitoring via a WiFi kit and software, users can track their energy production and consumption effortlessly. For those needing expanded capacity, this inverter supports parallel operation of up to three units, making it ideal for larger energy demands. Whether you’re looking for a residential solar inverter or a hybrid solar system, this unit offers the efficiency, control, and scalability needed for a sustainable energy solution.
The 10.2kW solar inverter is a higher performing solution designed for both grid-tied and off-grid solar energy systems. This inverter is also designed with a pure sine wave output which helps contribute to the overall efficiency and flexibility whilst ensuring a stable power supply. One of the primary features that differentiates this solar inverter is it’s ability to operate without a battery. It’s important like with any piece of equipment to keep it clean to keep the system operating at peak performance, when it comes to this inverter one of the main benefits is the built in anti dust kit, allowing it to operate perfectly even in harsher conditions. With any piece of technology its vital to keep up to date and move with the times, one thing that really makes this stand out is that users can benefit from WIFI connectivity for IOS and Android, meaning that the system can provide real-time monitoring and system control.
Residential Rooftop Solar Panel Systems
Before conducting any solar system installation our dedicated team will perform a site inspection to determine the best areas / solutions for your solar energy system. During this phase, we will take into consideration factors such as roof-size and sunlight orientation to ensure that you can generate the most energy possible from your panels. A crucial point to consider is that often with solar energy systems, clients will try adapt the system after a few years to generate more power, if this is something you may consider then we can try build this into the specification when designing the layout and flow of your solar energy system.
Another crucial point to consider is the location and placement of the solar panels on your roof. Depending on the direction that you roof faces this may mean that we will have to strategically place the solar panels in areas that will receive the greatest possible sunlight throughout the day.
Home Solar Panel Maintenance Tips
Performing regular maintenance and routine checks either by a qualified professional or property owner (depending on the problem) can help keep your solar panels in the best condition and improve the longevity and effectiveness of your solar panel output. This approach is similar to most products you purchase where by the better condition you keep them in the higher probability of them lasting for a longer time period for years to come. One of the simplest and most effective ways to keep your solar energy system operating at peak output is by keeping the panels clean by removing dust, leaves or debris that may be sitting on the panel which can block the natural sunlight and reduce the operating efficiency. In most cases, rinsing them with water and using a soft brush or cloth will do the job, but avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that could damage the surface.
As we’ve previously mentioned - another factor that can influence the output of your system is the amount of sunlight your solar panels receive which is why solar panel orientation is crucial to ensure you capture the maximum sunlight during the day. This moves onto the next point which is performing regular visual inspections to check for potential areas of shading being caused either by growing vegetation or new structures that may be blocking sunlight. On the 10.2kW solar inverter we may utilise, this provides real time monitoring build-in software, which allows you to keep track on the energy output to identify any potential drops in performance which may indicate an issue with your system.
It’s important to note that before conducting any major changes to follow the specific manufacturer guidelines to ensure that the process you following will not effect the performance or cause any unwanted potential damage. If you suspect that your solar energy system is not operating at peak performance then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team here at Eagle Eye Solar who can assist with performing a routine maintenance check and servicing to get your system back up and operating at peak performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The cost of a residential solar energy system can be influenced by multiple factors such as the number of solar panels you need to install, the size of the battery, the type of inverter that would be best for your solar energy system and the installation costs to mention a few factors. Larger systems that generate more solar power will naturally cost more, but they can then also lead to greater cost savings down the line depending on what you trying to power. The best way to get an accurate price estimate is to get in contact with our team who can provide you with the necessary information to get you started on your solar pathway.
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A home solar powered energy system works through the process of capturing the sunlight through PV panels which then convert this into energy that can be used around your house to run various appliances. This electricity is then sent to an inverter, which transforms it into the type of power your home appliances use.
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The decision to have a battery backup system installed with your solar panels at the end of the day comes down to your own requirements and what you trying to power. This often isn't always necessary but it can provide certain benefits to the homeowner such as reducing your reliance on the grid and being able to store power to be used during periods of less sunlight of during loadshedding.