The global shift to solar
As the world becomes more electrified, solar will dominate new power capacity. There is a massive abundance of solar power just ready and waiting to be harnessed for your use. Solar energy is by far the largest renewable and clean energy resource on Earth!
Generally, the largest motivation for homeowners to make the transition to solar power is to limit the adverse effects that nonrenewable energy consumption does on the environment. This includes reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change that will affect our future generations to come.
The world still depends heavily on the use of coal, oil, and natural gas to meet its ever-increasing demand for energy, and the consistent overuse of these nonrenewable energy sources has left a severe impact on our environment. Also, as the supply of these nonrenewable energy resources diminishes, they will become more expensive and difficult to extract.
Renewable energy sources include solar, wind, water, snow, and rain. These clean energy sources do not harm the environment and will never be exhausted—as they are constantly and naturally replenished!
There are no other renewable energy forms that are as ready to perform today than solar.
Solar energy is the powerful energy obtained by capturing the heat and light given off by the Sun. The method of obtaining electricity from sunlight is referred to as the “photovoltaic (PV) method”, which is achieved by using a semiconductor material (as seen in solar cells in solar panels).
Light is converted into electricity using photovoltaic cells (PV). Solar cells produce direct current, or DC power, which fluctuates according to the intensity and magnitude of irradiated light given off by the sun.
The use of solar energy is easy and convenient
Solar Power Midwest can help make your transition to solar energy surprisingly much easier than you would have anticipated.
Through easy financing services, we make it easier to use renewable solar energy; and solar energy can help you save time and money! (Besides tax benefits, the state of Illinois also provides paybacks for solar panels.)
We provide installation, maintenance, and service for solar panel systems at Solar Power Midwest.
Our Solar Transitioning process:
- Engineering site visit
- Permits and documentation
- Ordering equipment
- Solar panel installation
- Approval and interconnection
Engineering site visit
One of our experienced, polite, and professional solar experts will meet you at your home. We will design a system specifically tailored for your home and your power needs.
During the visit, the engineer will evaluate the condition of your roof to ensure that it’s structurally sound before the solar panels are installed. They will also look at your electrical panel to see if you will need to upgrade it. (If you hear from an installer that they need to upgrade the electrical panel, that means that your new solar panels will require more amps of current, and the ampere capacity of your electrical box will need to increase. Not to worry, we will assist with this process!)
It should be noted that the engineer visit is different than a general site visit which is when the installer evaluates your property to consider the system size you will need while taking into consideration your roof type, the angle of your roof, the amount of shading, etc. before any contract is signed. (Although an engineer will typically come by, in certain cases, the installer can take photos of the property and conduct their own measurements of the roof, and the engineer will sign off without doing his or her own visit if they don’t feel the need to.)
Permits and documentation for solar panel installation
You will be applying for state and federal solar incentives such as the federal ITC, local solar programs, clean energy financing initiatives like PACE, government rebates, and solar renewable energy certificates(SRECs).
In addition to applying for these great incentives for switching to solar power, you will need to fill out other paperwork like building permits. These permits are specific to where you live. For example, certain states require that a roof has three feet of clear space surrounding the solar panels, whereas other areas of the U.S. will allow you to install panels across the entire surface of your roof. Your installer will know the restrictions and requirements of the states in which they operate, and can help you discern which permits that you will need. (In many cases, the installer will actually fill out this paperwork for you so you don’t have to worry about it!)
We will organize all of the paperwork and make it as easy as possible for you so we can quickly continue on to the next step in the process.
Ordering your solar equipment
How many solar panels will I need to power my home?
The average home in the United States uses 10,400 kWh of electricity per year. If you install the average 250-watt solar panel, you’d need around 28-34solar panels to generate enough energy to power your entire home.
What can you run with an a300-watt solar panel?
An A300-watt panel that receives 8 hours of sunlight per day will produce almost 2.5 kilowatt-hours per day. If we multiply this by 365 days per year, you will have a solar output of roughly 900 kilowatt-hours a year. Each panel will provide 900 kilowatt-hours every year.
Remember that the actual number of panels you’ll need to install depends upon several factors, including your geographic location, the panel efficiency, the panel rated power, and your personal energy consumption needs.
We will learn what your power needs are and determine the right number of panels you will need to have installed on your home.
The two primary components we will need to evaluate for your system are solar panels and inverters. Your installer can recommend a particular brand for each of these. Durability, efficiency, and aesthetics are the primary factors most homeowners will use to compare the various brands (other than the price).
At this point, you will have already decided on the equipment your system will include, so on to the next step—installation.
Solar panel installation
If you choose Solar Power Midwest, we will install your system with our own crew.
Your solar installer will start by prepping your roof and making sure the shingles or tiles are properly attached. Then, they will install the electrical wiring that will connect to your electrical panel and general power system.
After the electrical wiring is complete, they will then install racking to support your panels (Note: this is the only piece of equipment that will actually be physically attached to your roof). Once the racking is level and safely attached, the panels are then placed onto the racking. Finally, your inverter(s) are connected to the panels to convert direct current (DC) energy into the alternating current (AC) energy used in homes and on the electric grid.
The timeline for the installation could range from one to three days, as it will completely depend upon the size of the system that you are having installed.
Approval and interconnection
The final step of going solar is “flipping the switch”, allowing you to begin to generate power from your rooftop. Before you can connect your solar panels to the electric grid, a representative from your town government will need to inspect the system and give approval. During this inspection, the representative will essentially be double-checking your installer’s work. He or she will verify that the electrical wiring was performed correctly, the mounting was safely and sturdily attached, and the overall install meets standard electrical and roof setback codes.
The solar power and panel system are designed specifically and uniquely for your power needs. This means that with the help from the sun, you will make your own power and save money!
Choose Solar Power Midwest
Owning a house that runs entirely on solar power is most definitely a possibility! With the help of solar panels and solar batteries, making your home a solar-powered property has never been more affordable and easier to do than right now.
For more information, or to schedule your solar consultation with Solar Power Midwest, please call us at (844) 497-6527 or go to https://solarpowermidwest.com/get-a-quote-2/
