Archive for the ‘Solar Power’ Category

Is Solar Heating in New Hampshire a Good Investment?

Monday, February 24th, 2014

The technology of solar power continues to advance each year, making it easier for homeowners to take advantage of the energy from the Sun—free renewable energy—to run appliances in their house, from water heaters, to air conditioners, to heating systems.

Solar energy carries an upfront cost larger than that for standard heating systems. Our customers often ask us if having installation of solar heating is a worthwhile investment. What sort of returns can they expect from choosing to go solar for their home’s heating?

Let’s look at what solar power can do for you and why you should give it serious consideration. For more in-depth answers, as well as an assessment for your individual home, contact HB Energy Solutions.

Solar Energy Benefits

Yes, the installation of solar panels and a solar heating system comes with a higher price tag than that for a furnace or heat pump. However, there are two factors to consider here:

  1. The cost of solar panels has dropped significantly over the last few years, so the cost isn’t as much as you may think it is.
  2. The energy savings with solar panels can be immense, paying back the cost of installation in as little as 3–7 years according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

How much can you save with solar powered heating? If we consider a payback period of 3–7 years, and a service lifetime well over 20 years (with few moving parts, solar systems do not wear down fast), the return on investment can be enormous. Studies conducted in New York, a state with similar cloud cover patterns to New Hampshire, projected savings over 20 years at $30,000. Savings in Hawaii approached $65,000!

The efficiency of using the free power of the Sun isn’t the only way you can save money with solar heating. These systems require few repairs and have low-cost maintenance. The federal government also offers tax incentives to go solar with the Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit.

Solar energy technology is far more reliable today than it once was, so you should have little concern about having sufficient power stored in your solar cells for your home’s needs.

Solar Installation with HB Energy Solutions

Solar power won’t work for every home, so consult with our New Hampshire heating experts at HB Energy Solutions to find out if you’ll receive all the benefits of installing solar heating. We have licensed electricians on staff so you won’t need to hire subcontractors for your solar installation, which will help us complete your job on time and on budget. We can help you get the most from your investment in solar power.

Springfield VT Solar Guide: How Solar Power Works

Monday, September 10th, 2012

A solar power system offers the cleanest form of energy for your Springfield VT home. Solar energy is completely renewable, and you can always rely on the sun as a consistent power source. Before deciding to install a solar power system in your home, however, it is a good idea to learn how solar power works.

Solar Cell

A solar cell is the main component of a solar power system. It takes the energy of sunlight and converts it into electricity. Solar cells are made of special materials known as semiconductors. Silicon is the most commonly used material for making these semiconductors.

When light hits the cell, some part of it is absorbed within its semiconductor material. Silicon has some special chemical properties. There are 14 electrons in an atom of silicon, which are arranged in three different shells. The silicon atom always looks for ways to fill up its last shell, so it shares electrons with four nearby atoms. This structure of silicon makes it ideal for making solar cells.

When sunlight gets absorbed, one of the electrons in the bonds between silicon atoms increases its energy level and moves around more freely. That electron moves around the crystal, generating current. The current can be drawn out for external use by introducing metal links on the top and bottom of the cell. The solar cell generates only a small amount of energy. In order to get more energy, many solar cells should be interconnected to make a panel.

Thin Film Solar Panels

Traditional crystalline silicon systems are bulky and installing them requires a lot of work. Thin film crystalline silicon is the latest in solar technology. In this system, a solar cell is made by placing several thin photovoltaic films on a substrate. It has a lower photovoltaic efficiency than traditional system. However, it is expected that its efficiency will be increased in the near future. Thin film solar power system works in a way similar to that of traditional crystalline silicon modules.

Solar power system can be installed in any Springfield VT home, no matter whether it is small or big to meet any electrical requirement. Though the initial cost of installation is high, the solar power system offers better returns. It helps you enjoy long term savings by reducing or cutting the need to pay utility bills. For more information, contact HB Energy today!