A homeowner on Harrison Lake  west of  Hope, BC was looking for a solar backup power system on his property. We were able to build and connect an attractive ground mount solar panel array in a landscape design and a backup power supply with an off-grid component.

The array is made up of 36 Canadian Solar 385-watt DC solar panels, arranged 4 panels high and 9 panels long. It is directed at a 205 degree azimuth and a 15 degree pitch. There are three circuits of 12, wired in groups of 6 in a series, with 2 groups in parallel to make 12 for each circuit.

The array is located 300 feet from the equipment room, which houses the inverters, power distribution panel (PDP), and solar battery storage is located. Power backup for the home consists of a solar battery backup and a home backup generator. We installed the LG Chem RESU 9.8 kWh Lithium Ion Solar Battery Backup. The generator was already onsite.

The PDP ties into the grid as well as the home battery and the backup generator. A separate “emergency panel” is directly fed from the off-grid side of this system. The solar panels, battery, or generator can power this panel, but it is not grid tied.

The solar power system will offset almost half of the homeowner’s annual electricity usage and save the homeowner more than $55,000 over the lifetime of the solar panels.

Having a home battery backup system that includes a backup generator in addition to the solar battery ensures a more robust and redundant power supply during emergency outages.

If you are interested in getting a quote for a custom solar panel battery system from Freedom Solar, contact us today.

Do Solar Panels Work in Snow?

If you’ve found yourself asking “Will solar panels work during winter in cold climates?” you’re not alone. It is a commonly held belief that solar panels don’t work during the snowy season — but this is a myth. As long as they don’t remain covered in snow for an extended period of time, solar panels work just as well during the winter, even in snow.

While it is true that heavy snowfall can reduce sunlight penetration, your panels will produce more electricity than you might think throughout the winter.

On premium solar panels, the silicon is covered by anti-reflective glass that is designed to absorb maximum sunlight (thereby generating more electricity!), which means that solar panels also produce more heat from the sun than your roof surface. That heat melts snow more quickly than on your roof, keeping your solar system producing power even when heavy snow may still be on the ground.

In many cold-weather climates, there are relatively few days of precipitation in the winter. For example, Denver, Colorado averages between 2 and 3 days of snowfall > 0.1 inch each month between November and March. That snow tends to melt within a few days, especially on solar panels!

Plus, solar panels are designed to withhold between 20 to 40 pounds of weight per square foot, so snow is usually not heavy enough to be a risk. During manufacturing, all solar panels undergo pressure tests that assess quality and durability. And because ratings vary by panel, you can opt for higher pressure ratings if you live in an area that sees a lot of snowfall.

Do Solar Panels Need Winter Maintenance?

The great thing about solar panels is that once installed, they are virtually maintenance-free for the majority of the year, including in the winter.

If you live in an area that receives heavy winter storms — think polar vortex level — you may want to hire a professional to clean off any wet, heavy snow if you’re worried about roof safety. Freedom Solar does take extra safety precautions by installing snow guards in areas that may have a potential for snow build-up and be susceptible to damage.

Solar battery storage is also an important thing to consider, during winter as well as throughout the year, since it allows you to store your energy regardless of day-to-day production. It works by amassing all the electricity your panels produce and saving it right there at your home, rather than sending it back to the electricity grid. As a result, you can tap back into that stored energy during the times when you need more electricity than your panels can produce — such as at night or on cloudy days.

How Effective Are Solar Panels in Winter?

When it comes to solar energy, there is one important thing to remember: it’s not about warmth, it’s about sunlight. In fact, solar power generation in summer vs. winter might surprise you. Cold, sunny weather is an ideal time to produce energy for your home because solar panels work more efficiently in cooler temperatures. In fact, the industry-standard specifications for PV systems are made at a temperature of 77º F, but they’ve been shown to be even more efficient in colder temperatures.

Consider this: two of the top cities for going solar (places with the most solar panels installed per capita) in the US are in northern states — Burlington, Vermont, and Indianapolis, Indiana. Still not convinced? Germany, which has sunshine levels comparable to Alaska, is a global leader in solar panel installations, with an impressive 12.74 percent of their national energy credited to renewable energy.

Even in the most frigid winter temperatures, when sunlight is shining, solar panels in winter months will produce the electricity you need to become more self-sufficient by making your own power at home.

Looking for Solar Installers in Your Area?

Even wind, cold, rain, and snow can’t stop solar panels from doing what they do best — generating clean energy so you can live more sustainably. And now is a great time to take the plunge into a solar-powered home so that you can have your installation ready to go for the long, hot days of summer.

If you’re ready to make the switch, we’re here to help. As a leading residential solar installer in Texas and Colorado, Freedom Solar has outfitted countless homes and commercial businesses with solar, and we’re doing safe, contact-free installations to keep you and your family protected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contact us today for a free consultation, and we will get your home on the path to cleaner energy.

Average Cost of Solar Panels and Installation

Solar energy is on the rise and installing home solar panels is one of the easiest ways you can help reduce your environmental footprint and save on electricity in the long run. The average cost of a solar panel system varies, and multiple factors can influence pricing within each state. The cost of panels should continue to decrease as technology advances and the solar manufacturing industry achieves greater economies of scale. This article will discuss the average costs and factors associated with solar panels, whether solar panels are worth the investment, as well as tips for anyone looking to take the next steps and purchase solar panels.

Average Cost of Solar Panels

While a solar panel system will eventually reduce your overall electricity expenses, it does require a significant upfront cost. The average cost of solar panels varies by state so determining the cost of solar panels and calculating your returns can be complex. There are federal solar tax credits that deduct up to 26% of the total cost making them even more affordable for the average consumer. The following breakdown of state averages is based on the installation of a 5-kilowatt system (slightly below the average size of U.S. systems) and after tax credits are applied.

What Impacts the Cost of Solar Panels?

Many different factors affect the average price to install solar panels within your home or business. It’s important to keep in mind that when you pay for your installation you are paying for a lot more than just a product. The solar panels themselves only make up about 15% of your total cost. The rest is split between labor, design, permit fees, sales taxes, and additional supporting equipment such as the inverter, wiring, and mounting hardware.

EQUIPMENT

The most obvious factor that affects the cost of solar panels is the size of the system you are interested in. The more efficient, higher quality equipment comes with benefits that may be well worth the added cost. Not all solar panels are created equal, and bigger is not always better. Better hardware and accessories can produce more electricity with the same amount of sunlight, and often includes a far more comprehensive warranty, too.

LABOR AND LEGAL PERMITS

You will usually have to pay some additional fees in order to get your solar energy system connected to the grid. There is a significant amount of labor required when it comes to design and engineering, HOA approvals, site inspections, permit filings, and the physical installation.

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUR HOME

The location of your home will affect the average cost of solar installation in a couple of ways. The best houses for solar panels have a south-facing roof. If you have a south-facing roof with a slope of approximately 30 degrees, solar panels will generate the more energy than on a neighbor who has a north-facing roof. However, if your house is three stories or has a multi-tiered roof or skylights, the additional time and effort to finish the wiring and installation may increase your total spend. You also need to take into consideration the amount of energy your home uses as that will directly impact how extensive of a system you need to install. If you need to replace shingles or entirely replace your roof before installing solar panels, that can put an unexpected dent in the budget as well.

How Long Until You Start Saving Money by Switching to Solar Panels?

Now that you know more about the approximate cost of solar panel installation, you may be wondering how long it will take for you to begin seeing a return on that investment. The short term may seem like a large expenditure, but over time the solar energy savings will more than pay for the system itself. It may take up to five to twelve years to break even, depending on your electricity price and whether you are putting solar on your business or home. The length of time it will take to see savings depends on many factors including your energy usage, the upfront price of installation, and the amount of energy the solar panel system creates. In most cases, solar panels will increase the value of your home. Many utilities will allow you to sell the extra power that your solar panels are producing.

Are Solar Panels Worth it?

The short answer, yes. Solar panels are worth it and arguably remain one of the best home improvement investments, despite the initial short-term expenses. The average cost of a solar panel installation has been consistently declining since 2010. Over the last 15 years, utility rates have increased an average of 2.9% every year. Solar panels are typically under warranty for an average of 25 years and will last even longer than that. An investment in solar today could save you thousands of dollars when considering increasing utility prices over the next couple of decades.

Tips for Solar Shoppers

The following tips are especially helpful for people looking to make the switch to solar energy. Your first step should be reaching out to friends, neighbors, and family. First-hand reviews can point you in the right direction and are a valuable source when it comes to customer service experiences, potential issues to avoid and pricing options. Like many other big purchases, you will get what you pay for and high quality is not always cheap.

HOW LONG UNTIL YOU START SAVING MONEY BY SWITCHING TO SOLAR PANELS?

Starting a solar panel system installation is a big undertaking. When shopping around take into consideration the typical cost of installing solar panels in your area, look for customer feedback and take your time checking several sources. You should make an effort to get at least three free quotes from vetted contractors in your area, but the more the better. Keep in mind, however, that not all solar panels are created equal and not all solar panel installers are either. Make sure you understand all the factors that go into the price before making a choice.

COMPARE ALL OF YOUR EQUIPMENT OPTIONS

It is important to understand the type and brand of equipment that you are presented with from a solar installer. Not all solar technology is the same. The production performance, quality, durability, and warranty will all vary by manufacturer. That is true not only for the solar panels themselves, but also your inverter, racking, and monitoring equipment. Be sure to ask your installer for the specific information and associated warranty paperwork for each component of the system before you decide.

Conclusion

Remember, the average price of solar panels and installation will ultimately depend on several factors including your location, characteristics of your home, and the product technology you choose, as well as the actual installation process. Switching to solar will definitely save you money in the long term. In the short term, it will require an investment or a loan payment that in many cases will be similar to your existing electricity bill. Remember though that finding a lower upfront price is not always worth it if you end up sacrificing efficiency or inferior equipment just to reduce upfront costs, as your reliability, productivity, and payback period will suffer in the long run.