How solar panels can reduce electricity bill and cut carbon emissions

One of the easiest ways to cut down your electricity bills is to install solar panels in your home or business. The use of solar energy to generate power greatly reduces emissions of carbon dioxide and cuts down on the demand and cost of fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide is one of the many greenhouse gases on earth, but it is the most hazardous. Increase in carbon dioxide emissions is primarily due to human activities such as burning of fossil fuels to obtain energy.

How solar panels reduce electricity costs

Solar panels use energy from the sun instead of expensive fossil fuel. At the peak of summer for instance when electricity consumption goes through the roof, electricity bills are bound to go up as well. If you have solar panels installed, your home or office can use electricity generated by the solar panels to supplement or replace that provided by the utility company. You can store excess electricity generated by your solar panels in a home energy battery which is compatible with most solar panel systems.

How solar panels work

Solar panels comprise smaller units called photovoltaic cells. A photovoltaic cell is a sandwich of two semi-conducting materials, usually silicon. The cells are charged with other materials to create an electric field so that they can convert sunlight into electricity. There are monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels. The polycrystalline panels are cheaper and less efficient than the monocrystalline panels which are also more space-efficient.

                                                         

Most solar panels are installed on rooftops. If you have limited area on your roof, the monocrystalline panels would be able to make the most out of your small space. Solar panels are usually pitched at an angle, and they are placed in such a way that there are no buildings or trees close by that could leave the panels in shade.

The electricity generated is called direct current (DC) electricity but the type of electricity that powers most homes is the alternating current (AC) electricity. The DC electricity generated by the solar panel is converted to alternating current (AC) by an inverter. Individual micro-inverter can be attached behind each panel or one main inverter can be configured for the entire system. Once converted to AC electricity, it can be distributed within the home to power your appliances.

Benefits of solar panels

The greatest benefit of having solar panels installed is that you will save on electricity costs. You will also be helping to combat climate change. Climate change is one of the most devastating consequences of increased carbon emission. It refers to the shifts in the earth’s climate and weather systems as a result of imbalance in the carbon levels in our atmosphere. This causes rising average temperatures, extreme weather conditions and other adverse effects on wildlife population. One way you can contribute to reduction of carbon emissions is by the use of solar panels in your home or office.