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Grid-Tied Vs. Hybrid Vs. Off-Grid Solar

Grid-Tied Vs. Hybrid Vs. Off-Grid Solar: Which One Is Best For You?

With the rise in the demand for solar power panels, it has become of utmost necessity that homeowners realize the different kinds of panels based on which they can capitalize on the benefits. But first, let’s shed some light on what a solar power panel is. A solar panel is a photovoltaic sheet installed on the roof of a house or a place where it receives enough sunlight to convert it into solar energy.

Generators are attached to these solar panels that convert the produced solar power into consumable power wattage. The electric current obtained from the generator then becomes the power source for a household, so most American homes have solar panels.

Given their huge demand and the economic benefits, solar panels have become a customarily found aspect in residential places and extensive industries. Shifting to solar energy is a much-needed step to convey to everyone that they must embrace renewable energy sources. Not only does it help you economically, but it also reduces the carbon footprints of our society, thus reshaping our environment for a better future.

What Is Grid-Tied Solar?

As the name suggests, such a solar panel comes attached with a power grid that has a multi-purpose role, such as: 

  • Aiding the solar panel to generate a usable alternating current that powers your property.
  • Omit the excess generated energy for net metering or save it for later usage. 

People often wonder why a solar panel is getting run by its own generated power. It is because grid-tied solar panels are attached to an inverter that firstly provides all the required energy, and subsequently, the excess power is stored in the attached grid. That makes it a solar bank for future usage, especially when your solar panels are not producing energy. Grid-tied solar panels are effective for both day and night, where your house gets the required energy from the grid again. 

Benefits of Grid-Tied Solar

After discussing the basic functionality of a grid-tied solar panel, let’s deep dive into some of the major benefits that homeowners enjoy with grid-tied solars - 

  • Cost-saving - If you were to visit a solar consultant, they would recommend you to buy a grid-tied solar panel because it is economical and efficient at the same time. The panel requires no additional batteries and offers net metering with a workaround to power your property, even when there is no sun. 
  • Virtual battery pack - As we know that the grid stores the excess produced solar energy, it becomes a battery pack in an event when the solar panel isn’t able to produce power. You can still get power via the grid, and nothing goes in vain.

What Is Hybrid Solar?

Next up is the second kind of solar panel, a combination of off-grid and on-grid solar panels that use heavy batteries and power inverters to store electricity for future usage. These batteries function similarly to a UPS system in a power blackout. With a hybrid solar, photovoltaic energy and thermal solar energy are put to use simultaneously, thus making it an effective choice to capitalize on the benefits offered individually by photovoltaic and thermal solar panels.

It is not economical and impossible for a solar panel to function throughout the day. Therefore, you must have enough battery backup, especially at night, to power your premises. In addition, this hybrid model also offers you to remain connected to the power grid, so you never run out of power. Moreover, homeowners relying on hybrid solar panels can sell away the additional electricity produced to their respective electricity board committees. 

Benefits of Hybrid Solar 

  • The first and foremost benefit that a hybrid solar panel gives is the ability not to lose power at any point in time. Hybrid solars provide constant power backup to homeowners, even when the panels are not converting direct sunlight into electricity. 
  • Since these panels do not involve additional fuels, it maneuvers as an economical solution to solar panels. 
  • Again, as hybrid solar panels have power batteries with them, they proficiently utilize solar radiation and constantly work to produce and store solar energy. It allows you to utilize solar energy even when the weather is overcast. 

What is Off-grid Solar?

Unlike the grid-tied solars, off-grid solar panels function independently of the electricity grid and help the homeowners avoid issues like constant power outages and high installation costs. And ever since people have understood the significance of keeping the environment clean, off-grid solar panels have been in demand. Let’s explore a few primary benefits that these solar panels offer - 

  • Avoiding power interruptions is the key benefit while using an off-grid solar. Even though the outage could last for a minute or two, it becomes incredibly frustrating when it happens. Thus, to avoid it, off-grid solar panels can be effectively used and escape the trap of waiting for power backup to come. 
  • The installation procedure of an off-grid solar panel is quite simple and convenient, especially when setting up the grid if not involved. 

Which one is better?

Solar power consumption varies for each household, and therefore what kind of solar panel is required must be considered wisely. Based on your house’s monthly energy consumption and weather conditions in your region, with the help of a professional, you must choose a perfect solar solution for your home!

Conclusion

Emerald Sun Energy offers extremely efficient and reliable solar solutions at affordable prices. Our solar experts have helped many homeowners across Orlando find an appropriate solar panel for their premises. With a seamless installation process and a low-cost system, we strive to walk together on the path of utilizing renewable energy. To know more details or book an on-site inspection, schedule a callback from our team. Talk to the experts at Emerald Sun Energy today!

Commercial Solar Company - 05/10/2022
Six-Step Guide To Choosing Your Solar Company (1)

Six-Step Guide To Choosing Your Solar Company

Solar energy is undisputedly an extensive source of electricity for future generations to come. Even we people rely on solar energy companies to help us regulate our power consumption in an efficient and pocket-friendly manner. 

If you’re from Orlando, you must have a fair idea about the long summers that not only is a workaround for generating optimal solar power but also is a great source for solar energy companies in Orlando to generate revenue. You may notice that most households have solar panels in Orlando Florida because their primary advantage is the renewable source of power that comes naturally from the sunlight. 

solar panels in Orlando Florida

Stay Away From Cons 

Choosing solar power consumption over the standard power systems is a mindful step towards saving the environment, as well as moving one step towards contributing to the planet Earth. Even when applied at a small scale, solar energy companies in Orlando can benefit you in supplying enough power to the electricity grid at your premises. 

One can also enjoy having the electricity saved in the solar-powered batteries for future purposes, or supply it back to the electricity boards to obtain subsidy. Your prospective solar energy company must be a renowned professional so you get all the benefits of the solar panels that you wish to install. In addition, you must stay clear of faux resellers that might con you via selling a defective solar panel.

Before you choose your solar power company in Orlando, prefer to make a roadmap for the journey- what your needs are, how will you process the available options, allot a budget, etc. Let’s succinctly discuss this in a six-step guide to understanding better:

  • Keep Your Solar Goals Clear - As you plan to invest in solar energy panels, the first step goes towards pondering the total energy consumption for your household. Depending upon how much electricity you may need, one can consider what to do next. Herein, electricity consumption will coincide with the size of the required solar energy panels that will be installed at your premises. Penning down a focused and clear solar energy goal should be relevant if you are hunting for a solar power company in Orlando. Moreover, it aids you in opting for the right company to partner with, and streamline your solar energy needs accordingly.
    solar power company in Orlando
  • Choose On The Basis Of Their Expertise - It is rightly said that all that matters is what is being brought to the table - it sure works for solar power companies as well. Once the solar power needs have been collated, it is vital that you go through the performance, customer testimonials, and reviews from professionals about the solar energy company in Orlando you wish to partner with. Evaluate their expertise and see if they have prior experience in catering to solar panel requirements on household levels. It will help you choose the best from a list of solar power companies available in your vicinity.

  • Look For The Years Of Experience - As far as expertise and performance are concerned, it is extremely essential to take into consideration a fruitful and revenue-generating experience of the companies. While significantly going through the profiles of different companies, do give a close look at their years of experience and analyze the success rate over the years. It not only works as a great stimulation for those who’re looking for a solar energy company in Orlando but also helps in being decisive, quickly. The more capable and accomplished a company is, the better it is for people to contact them.

  • Ask For Referrals - Word-of-mouth and referrals are two major marketing sources for solar power companies. Since solar panels are generally considered an extensive investment, most people look for referrals before associating with a solar energy company in Orlando. Existing consumers of solar energy companies are usually the point of contact for ample referrals, so if you have someone in your neighborhood who has solar panels installed, it is convenient to talk to them and get referrals for your purchase. Not only you might get a considerate discount from the company but you will also get an opportunity to analyze and evaluate the performance of the company via the end-consumers - how they work, their customer service etiquettes, etc.

  • Look For Certificates And Licenses - In order to serve as a professional solar energy company, one ought to have jurisdictional licensing, and registration to be called as a credible source. Whilst you’re in the process of investing via a solar energy company, make an effort to determine the licensing certification of the company, comprehend the legal angle to realize if they are a trustworthy and credible company that is governed by regulatory standards.

  • Licensed Solar Installers - Last but not least, always and always prefer to go with licensed solar installation companies that are certified to work, both extensively and with households. With this, you get a guarantee that the installed solar power panels will predominantly work for a longer duration. In addition, you may also get in-warranty services, free repairs, and part replacements from a licensed company that is a boon for the future. Moreover, working with licensed solar installers is an assurance that they will last for a longer period and would work efficiently with relevant repair programs.

Takeaway….

Interested in getting to know a professional solar energy company near you? Enter Emerald Sun Energy as your trustworthy partner that will help you switch to a renewable energy source with utmost convenience. Experts at Emerald Sun Energy are experienced in handling on-site situations, that relate to taking measurements for solar panels installation, configuring the design pattern, and devising a budget-friendly plan thereafter. Choose from a variety of solar panels, adjust them as per the available space at your premises, be it for ground or rooftops. We are your most trusted solution to solar energy consumption and we understand the essential needs of solar energy in the coming future. Contact us now to know more or book a free on-site visit today!

Solar company Orlando - 02/21/2022
solar-panels-homes-with-couple

Top financial benefits of Solar Energy

If you were a solar system fiend, you must have learned in school that the sun is the powerhouse of energy, and without it, the entire earth will enter into the never-ending winter era. But do you know that the energy provided by the sun to earth in one hour can fulfill the global energy needs of the entire planet for one year?

Well, this is not being done yet because we haven't been able to figure out a way to harness even a fraction of the energy produced by the sun, but this doesn't mean we are not progressing in this solar realm. The very popular solar panels are a medium to use the power in the sunlight and then turn it into energy to fulfill your power needs. 

Solar energy is ubiquitous on earth. Therefore, you don't have to worry about the amount of energy you will be using, and the sun will keep shining for 10 billion years; we can stay dependent on such energy for a very, very long time. 

Here, we have outlined some most talked about benefits of solar energy that might help you understand people's paradigm shift from traditional energy production to solar power. 

Solar power is cheaper than the electricity grid.

If you are relying on traditional energy production for a long time and witnessing the electricity bill increasing at a breakneck pace, then be sure that this trend will continue in the future. The rate at which we produce electricity is not on an even keel with the current demand. 

But instead of worrying about the increasing electricity bill, you can switch to solar power and save money. When you use solar power, you don't pay for producing energy as the sunlight is ubiquitous, and no one charges for it. You have to pay a one-time fee in the form of the installation, and that's it. 

People keep on rehashing the traditional electricity production system, and there is no way you can sustain it as soon. For many people, this traditional form of electricity production will become impractical. 

Increase in property value

When installing solar panels, most people think about a renewable energy source and savings. Still, only a handful of people know that residential solar power installation through a solar installation company in Orlando can increase their property value. 

In the real estate realm, anything attached to the house that can save money for the owner or tenant, in the long run, is considered as an addition to the property price, and solar power serves the same purpose. 

A solar power system can last up to 30 years, and you can't imagine the money one can save every month during these 30 years. So the moment a real estate agent notices a solar panel system on a property, the property's price eventually increases. 

So, even if you are not interested in saving money on energy bills that are increasing at a breakneck pace, you can still go for it to increase the property value. 

Energy Independence

Many countries have declared themselves as sufficient energy builders. You will be surprised to know that even the most developed country can deal with an energy shortage, especially in remote or urban areas. This might sound odd, but looking at the rate at which energy consumption increases, we can't ignore this fact. 

But this doesn't mean that you should keep rehashing the traditional energy system, and even cutting down on your energy consumption sounds ludicrous. So, the only option to become energy independent is to switch to the very reliable solar power system installed by solar installation company Orlando.

The earth is inundated with sunlight, and it is almost ubiquitous, so you will never be limited while using this form of energy. Even governments can avoid spending billions of dollars on power grids and promote solar energy in every house. 

Government Incentives

The federal, state and local governments now offer incentives to encourage homeowners to install solar power through solar energy companies in Orlando. So, energy-saving and increased property value aren't the only benefits of solar panel installation. This is a relief for many people who still consider installing solar power as an arduous step. 

People in the U.S can receive these benefits in the form of solar rebates and even performance-based incentives. This can help you reduce the cost you pay for solar installation by 25 to 60 percent, which is a big relief for all those who gripe about the high cost of solar panel installation. 

Tax benefits

You can even get tax benefits just by installing solar panels on your roof through a solar installation company in Orlando. According to the latest rules, installing solar panels makes you eligible to earn a federal tax credit. 

This simply means that you will get a credit for your income taxes that will help in reducing the tax bill. You even qualify for the ITC for the tax year in which you have installed the solar panels as long as the solar panel system keeps on generating electricity for a home in the United States. 

Takeaway

Solar panels are a great relief for all those looking forward to reducing their electricity consumption. You don't have to step foot on an arduous journey to install solar panels on your roof as now, the installation process has been simplified, thanks to the advancement in solar power technology. 

Just make sure that you analyze your house, go through your power needs and then choose the best solar power company like Emerald Sun Energy and see how solar power transforms the way you have been using electricity for so many years. 

Commercial Solar Company - 12/21/2021

Picking The Right Solar Company is More Important Than Price!

Picking The Right Solar Company is More Important Than Price!

As we are entering the great gold rush of Solar Energy it is important to pick the right company to do the job.  Right now Solar Energy is such an amazing opportunity when you factor in great low financing rates with the Federal 30% tax credit (due to expire in 2019) and rising energy costs (power companies raise their rate by an average of 4% a year), there has never been a better time to switch to solar.  It is so good right now that you can literally convert a variable expense into a profitable asset all the while using the money you are already spending on your power bill to do it. If you qualify you will be able to incorporate solar power for $0 Down and $0 out of pocket. I didn’t even mention the environmental green energy benefits that solar can provide our environment over the current energy sources.

The biggest problem I find is that the general homeowner doesn’t have a strategic plan for what solar company they should use to install their solar panel system.  As a good consumer, their default position is to get the best price possible. This is the first huge mistake. Don’t get me wrong I am a savvy consumer and choose to do my due diligence as to not overpay for the products and services I desire.  It is a mistake because you often open yourself up to less reliable companies that usually use less than desirable equipment and take cost-cutting installation strategies to reduce their cost.

I believe the proper process for choosing a solar company should be multifaceted with the price just being one of the variables to consider.  I believe the most important variable should be the reputation of the Orlando Solar contractor that is going to install your solar panel system. I can’t tell you how many phone calls I get from solar owners who need service or an uninstall/reinstall for a roof change that can’t get in touch with the solar company that installed there system.  Sometimes it’s because the company just doesn’t get back to them but most often it is because they have gone out of business.

Solar is booming so why are so many installers going out of business?  Mainly they are underbidding the projects and not providing any resourceful customer service.  This then generates poor reviews and reputation which is a death sentence for any business. These people are then just left flapping in the breeze and needing a new solar company that is going to charge them retail rate on any work that needs to be done as they did not profit from the original installation.  So customers who are in this situation end up paying more than someone who chooses the right company from the start even though they may pay a little more today it will save them a ton tomorrow. Especially when you factor in the headaches that are caused when you can’t get in touch with your original solar installer.  That is not to mention that many of them will cut costs on there installation process meaning you may have significant maintenance, for example, if they do not take the time to tie the solar panel racking system into your home’s Truss frame, you will be exposed to the potential for your system to leak.

The beautiful thing about the solar industry today is that you can get a great system from a great company and reduce your energy cost while improving the value of your home all with $0 out of pocket.  What I am getting at is getting the right company and the right solar equipment is more important than getting the best price. Because paying the power company in the current model is the worst deal out there and that is why these bottom feeders are able to prey on inconspicuous homeowners.  The use the homeowners desire to get the best price all the while setting them up for a higher long-term expense on their solar panel system. Don’t get me wrong this is still a better deal than paying the power company but why not just simply get the best deal by factoring in all of the important variables.

First is to make sure that you are getting the right equipment for the system you need.  Many companies that are trying to sell you a system are doing so by not including important equipment that will make your Solar panel system more efficient, effective and will save you a lot more money down the road.  You must make sure you get a system with power optimizers or microinverters. These devices will help your system to perform at the highest levels. I prefer Power optimizers over microinverters for a few reasons that I will not get into here.  I cover all of that in my “Secret Guide to Buying Solar” where you can get all of that information plus plenty of information on how to spot a dishonest contractor.

Picking the right solar company will make all of the difference in your solar energy experience.  With all of the money that you will save over the life of the system, it is worth paying a little more for the right company.

Here are 3 things you can do to vet your solar energy company.  First is check out their Solar Google reviews. If they have bad reviews you can simply disqualify them from your process.  To be fair if they have only 1 bad review you can read the review and determine if it was a situation the solar company tried to resolve or not, but if they have a pattern of bad reviews then simply disqualifying them is the wisest solution.  Second, call them and see how long it takes for them to get back to you. If they do not get back to you right away while you are in the purchasing phase then you know they will likely be slow at getting back to you after you have purchased a solar panel system.  I would recommend trying this a few times to make sure they give you consistent quality customer service. Finally, have them give you 2 or 3 former customers who you can contact and ask them how their buying experience was as well as the follow up after the system was purchased,  has the system performed as promised and how is their ongoing customer service.

If all else is equal in terms of quality of solar products and the reputation of the solar company then I think the price can be a very strong determinant for which solar dealer to choose. I know at Emerald Sun Energy we take your Solar journey and customer satisfaction very seriously.  Our motto is “We look out for your interests as if they were our own”. Competitive pricing combined with exceptional service is our secret sauce for success and hope we gain the opportunity to add you to our growing list of completely satisfied customers.

Solar Company - 09/12/2018

Questions you should ask your Solar Company – part 2

Solar Energy In Orlando Florida is taking off & Here are some Questions you should ask your solar company – part 2

9. Can I go off grid with solar panels?

In the state of Florida, you are not legally able to go off-grid.  However, you can reduce your demand for electricity from the grid and offset all of the cost for electricity by producing electricity with solar energy.  In Orlando Florida as a Solar Company, we help homeowners go solar with no money down and no money out of pocket and they are able to reduce their power bill and energy consumption while improving the value of their home’s.

10. Will I still receive an electric bill if I have solar panels?

Yes.  You will still receive a power bill, however, your combined expense between power bill and solar will be less than what your current power bill is today.

11. Do solar panels work in a blackout?

Depends, there are two different ways to have power during a blackout.  First is to have an inverter that allows you to cut off the power to the electrical grid and will still power your home during daylight hours.  The second way is to blank your home with a battery backup system that your home will work off of during a blackout. It will provide power into the evenings until the batteries are drained.

12. How much will solar panel maintenance cost?

Very minimal, All of the equipment has long-term extended warranties so there is no production cost involved in maintenance.  Please make sure you know your warranties T & C’s. Many solar companies will include maintenance on warranty covered issues.

13. What solar energy rebates and incentives are available?

If Florida the biggest incentive is the Federal 30% Tax Credit that you are able to get in a dollar for dollar rebate from your upcoming tax seasons.  This rebate can range upwards of $10,000. It truly makes this the golden age of solar energy.  For a full list of all available rebates, you can visit DSIRE, it is a database that aggregates all available solar rebates for the entire country including state and local incentives.

  1. What are my solar financing options?

Solar Financing options have come full circle.  There are many great offers available today. You can own a system for no money down, no money out of pocket and a low fixed rate apr of 2.99% for 12 or 20.  In Florida, purchasing is the only option available for homeowners. For certain businesses leasing may be an option as well. In many other states, PPA’s are available (power purchase agreement), with this agreement solar company owns the system and you are buying your power from them instead of the power company.  It gives you moderate savings over the power company but not as much savings as owning a system yourself.  In many areas of central Florida PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) is available, PACE is a program that allows you to use your property tax as a payment vehicle for Solar Energy.  You are able to finance the project through your property tax and extend payments out for 25 years which lowers your monthly power bill rates.  The biggest benefit of PACE is that it is transferable when you sell the property.  To find out if your property qualifies for PACE, you can run a search at Renew Finance.

15. Should I buy or lease my solar panel system?

See above.  Except for specific cases for homeowners buying the system is your better deal.  Before the financing options became more competitive it may have made sense to go with a leased system.  Owning vs leasing you receive all of the tax incentives plus it increases the value of your home. For businesses, there may be reasons to lease over buying depending on business structure but more often than not it is still better to buy.

For more Questions you should ask your solar company check out our ongoing series:

The 7 Most Important Questions to Ask Your Solar Company – part 1

Questions you should ask your Solar Company – part 3

For a comprehensive solar buyers guide visit “The Secret Guide to Buying Solar”

commercial solar - 08/06/2018

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