Semper Solaris Blog
During a blackout, your solar panel system halts automatically. Not only is this a safety precaution, but it also protects the repairmen as they try to fix the problem. Some people might opt to purchase a generator - either a small one that powers several essential appliances or a large one that will power the whole office or home. While this is an excellent way to fix your power outage issues, there is another better alternative: the Tesla Powerwall. If you've not heard of it, the Tesla Powerwall is a solar battery that can be fitted with your PV panel system. It allows your home to self-power during the day or night. This will keep your home or office powered during power cuts, and it also comes in handy if you want to reduce your dependence on the grid. Though is the Tesla Powerwall worth it? This second-generation solar battery backup will deliver enough power for your residence, though this solely depends on your power usage. The Tesla Powerwall is a game-changer, and here in this review, we will give you more than enough reasons why you should have it in your home. Continue reading to find out more... Week's worth of electricity In this industry, even the most potent generators have their limits. For instance, the most environment-friendly generator is the propane generator; its limitation comes in the propane tank's size and the number of propane tanks you have set aside. A propane tank might offer you the power you need for a day or more, and this depends mostly on the number of appliances you have linked to it. On the other hand, if you want to power up your house for seven or more days, you will need to have more than a few propane tanks in reserve. Nonetheless, the best solution for this kind of situation is the Tesla Powerwall battery. With their 2-battery installation recommendation, your whole house will be powered for a week or more! How? By utilizing the already generated and stored solar energy which is given precedence over the tertiary power supply. Apart from extreme natural disasters that last long, seven days is a lot of time for the utility to hold you down before the power is fixed. Avoid high utility bills During certain times, energy firms usually increase their rates, and energy cost is continually rising. With this iconic solar battery, you can avoid these increased rates and peak fees. Even when the solar panels are not generating energy, your home will still be powered up on the energy stored by the Tesla Powerwall. Confirm if your utility provides time-of-use charges, which let you utilize cheaper solar energy that you have already produced and stored in your Tesla Powerwall. This enables you to avoid the high electric bills during the periods when it is pricier. Assess your energy consumption rate The Powerwall installation comes with a comprehensive energy assessment solution for your house. You can always monitor how your house generates and utilizes energy at a given time. What's more, with the Tesla app, you can check on your home or office energy system at any given time. Safeguard your home This is among the most attractive benefits of the Tesla Powerwall: shielding your home when there is a disaster. If storms hit your neighbor, your solar battery will keep your home running. Besides, the Powerwall can connect you to the National Weather Service. When you enable the Storm Watch feature, your solar battery can prioritize charging in advance due to the severe weather. Then again, the Powerwall will do its thing after seconds of a power outage. It is all-automatic This is another excellent reason why you should get the Tesla Powerwall: the whole system is automatic. In case of a blackout, the grid shuts down, which means it cuts off your home power supply, including the solar supply. Once this occurs, the Powerwall instantly starts working, and it is so fast, you might not even recognize there's a blackout. With the other power backup methods, you need to get involved manually to power up your home. This is the case for a solar inverter or generator; you have to manually turn them on and wait for approximately two minutes before the lights are back on. If you are utilizing a generator, you have to be ready by always having backup fuel. However, every time you swap or refill it, you will lose power during the procedure. Commitment to going green Different individuals have different reasons for using solar systems. From reducing their utility bills to bettering their environment to having lights in times of disaster, these are all valid reasons. At times, it is even because you want to stop utilizing electricity from the grid. Most of the time, it is somewhere between these four reasons. For whatever reason, you have decided to invest in solar energy, and the Tesla Powerwall backup battery, you are maintaining your commitment to going green. In case of a power outage, you will still manage to run your office or home on the solar-powered backup batteries for seven or more days, depending on your power consumption rate. Final word With most of the world becoming very reliant on the production and utilization of electricity as the generation of alternative fuel options reduces increasingly, it is only right that people develop dependable alternatives. Some of the best worldwide manufacturers in this industry have engaged in the race to produce and retail products that will fill the gap in energy and energy resources shortage. Among the top competitors in this race is the electric vehicle Manufacturers Tesla Motors. This firm has manufactured several products which help produce significant energy amounts to cover most of your needs. Furthermore, their high-quality products also reduce the energy production costs for a much more affordable living; and the Tesla Powerwall backup solar battery is one of their products. Well, there you have it, why you should have the Tesla Powerwall for your home! Semper Solaris is a Tesla Powerwall certified installer, so let us answer all your questions about solar power and storage. Call us today!
For any homeowner or business owner interested in saving money and helping to protect the environment, having solar panels installed is a great way to do that. Solar energy is the definition of green energy, which means that it is clean energy that produces next to no pollutants. On top of being the cleanest form of energy in the world, it is also endlessly renewable. The sun is going to keep rising each day, which means that the fuel source for solar panels is never going away. Since solar energy doesn't have to be produced, it also doesn't generate any waste. To summarize, solar energy produces virtually no pollutants and it is endlessly renewable, making it the perfect green energy for anyone interested in protecting the environment. The only time that solar panels produce any waste is during their manufacture and transport to the installation site. After that, it's perfectly clean energy for the life of your solar panels. Solar Panels Help To Reduce Carbon Emissions If you're interested in protecting the environment, you're probably already well aware of the threat that global warmer presents. Global warming is causing the sea levels to rise due to glaciers melting. It's altering the climate, and there's strong evidence that it is making hurricanes more powerful, droughts more severe, and wildfires more damaging. Climate change is a problem that everyone needs to work together to combat, and you can do your part by having solar panels installed on your home or business. How do solar panels help with climate change? To understand how solar panels help with climate change you first have to understand what's causing it. Climate change is being driven by carbon emissions. Everything from coal power plants, to the cars that most people drive. When you have solar panels on your home or business you are reducing your dependence upon external electricity sources. So, if your home would have normally been given power by a coal power plant, using solar panels reduces your carbon footprint by reducing your dependency on that power plant. The Cumulative Effect of More and More Homes and Businesses Going Solar Will Add Up Will you get solar panels on your home or business to make a huge impact when it comes to protecting the environment? No. But it's important that you don't think that way. If everyone decided that their getting solar panels wasn't going to make that big of a difference, then progress would come to a grinding halt. What you should realize is that it's the cumulative effect of many other home or business owners just like you making the decision to go solar that will make a difference. Solar Panels Offers Many Financial Benefits While your primary motivation for embracing solar energy may be about the positive effect it will have on the environment, you should also enjoy some nice financial incentives as well. When you finance solar panels you aren't actually adding anything to your monthly budget, in fact, you may be reducing your monthly budget! While financing solar panels will add a bill to your budget, it will also reduce your electric bill. In most cases, people find that the amount of their bill for their solar panels, combined with their new electric bill is less than what they paid for electricity before. On top of that, once your solar panels are paid for, you'll continue to get solar energy from them. While the amount of power that solar panels generate will decrease eventually, the fact that they will continue to provide you with power long after they have been paid off can be viewed as a major benefit. Do Solar Panels Have Any Negative Effects On The Environment? While solar panels are overwhelmingly good for the environment when compared with other power sources, they do have their downsides. When solar panels are manufactured they are done so in a facility. That facility is taking up space that was probably an empty field with grass and trees at one point. The facility that manufactures solar panels also uses power and water, and during the manufacturing process pollutants may be produced. Currently, solar panels are also transported on vehicles that use fossil fuels as well, so that's another check in the negative box for them. But, once they are installed, they are the greenest energy source on the planet, making their negatives pale in comparison to the positive benefits that they provide.
Many people faced electricity blackouts in California due to dry, hot, and low-humidity winds as well as widespread wildfires. A dozen counties shut their power off since sparks were emerging from aging power lines. It was done to avoid and control quickly-growing fires. Though the power was restored for a day, the residents were warned to prepare for a minimum of 5-7 days outage. This was because of the weather conditions at the time, which could have enhanced the risk of wildfire. Now, we are seeing even more shutoffs in counties such as Los Angeles and Ventura due to the strong winds. This is just one scenario. Blackouts and outages are not planned at times. Even if they are, the residents still have to be prepared to face the abrupt power cut. What should be done? The immediate solution is to have a Battery Backup Power Storage in your residence/building. What is the power required to back-up a battery? For a full charge, battery backup for home use needs 160 Watts in an approximate. Is Battery Backup Power right for you? The California outages were done for safety. However, such a scenario and an unplanned power cut make battery backup power essential and useful to many residents such as people with Sleep Apnea & CPAP Machines. Need for a backup home power system [video width="760" height="692" mp4="https://www.sempersolaris.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/07-2021-SMP-Website-Blog-Images-760x340-35628-2.mp4" loop="true" autoplay="true"][/video] A home power backup is also referred to as energy storage equipment. A backup that can power up your home for emergency filled with sustainable energy is cost-efficient. Whenever a power outage is experienced, the backup equipment will switch to the power supply until the power is back. The battery charges while the power is available. Systems like Tesla Powerwall & Enphase Encharge Battery are very efficient, larger in capacity, cost-efficient, and storage efficient. For example, with Tesla Powerwall, you will not even notice a blackout as when the backup mode is powered, Powerwall will seamlessly switch to this backup mode and stay powered for 7+ continuous days* The factors for having a battery backup power are: Climatic conditions- Extreme weather conditions such as fires, ice, floods, lightning, and wind can impact the electric grid. Accumulation of ice or a lightning strike can damage the power lines. Trees- Trimmed trees do not impact the power lines. However, they do not potentially void all the issues. The branches can sway or fall over the power lines damaging them. Potentially high wind can make the tree stoop over the power lines. If the tree is not trimmed, then they create all the more. Accidents-Construction and Vehicle accidents can harm power poles. This results in the power lines to touch or break each other. Grid overload- The equipment gets overloaded with extreme temperatures. The system is impacted when you are using electrical heating or AC at the same time. Which battery backup is right for you? The answer to this question is relative. Some factors to look for the right backup are: Any battery backup power system being right depends totally on what you need, place, and circumstances are. A reliable backup should be able to provide power backup for major power devices. If your climate is not suitable, you live in a disaster-prone region, or where there are chances of more power cuts then, the battery system should be able to sustain that break time. They should be affordable to you for charging, maintenance, and installation. 3 primary features of a Battery backup power right for you The below three vital features are essential in a backup battery Reliable Battery-The battery backup run using solar energy should keep it charged and shield the device from power issues. The connected power devices like lights, fans, etc., should be compatible with the internal battery supply. How many hours it is able to give you power supply in the case of a power outage depends on the battery size and wattage. The other factors to be considered are battery age, efficiency, and room temperature. The backup should be capable of offering computer data backup and avoiding any kind of data loss. Automatic Voltage Regulation- The battery should be equipped to shield abnormally lower or higher voltages. No damage or malfunction of hardware should occur at these times. This will correct the fluctuations without getting the battery switched on at these times. It will set the percentage by detection to 10-15 percent of the required voltage to switch. Noise and Surge protection-In-built noise filtering and surge suppression from a transient voltage that can be disruptive and destructive EM or RF line noise is abled in the system. Solar Energy Backup Power The backup power system of this type uses solar panels to store solar energy as power backup. Solar Energy systems are also referred to as a PV array. The energy accumulated through the solar panels is directed to storage within the battery system for home use when needed. Whenever there is a power outage, this storage energy acts as a power supply to operate as per the power specifications enabled. Top advantages of Solar power backup The leading pros of solar energy power backup batteries are that they are eco-friendly. They have no or minimal impact on the environment. This is sustainable energy to reliable provide a power backup to your home or workspace without any harm done. They are able to give you energy security. Solar batteries can curb the issues of weak grid management. They are self-sufficient and give your control of energy as needed while being cost-efficient. They are noise efficient, a quiet solution to power backup. They do not cause noise surges during the night or while charging. They are power efficient. These energy storage solutions result in cutting your energy bills. They are cost-efficient as they use natural, sustainable energy from the sun. The charging is done as per solar energy available and harvested into the panels as the energy back up. Conclusion A home battery backup will always come in handy when there is a power outage. Which one is right for you is based on factors such as climatic conditions, energy efficiency, how frequently the power outages occur, if your location is prone to frequent disasters, and so on. Solar Battery Storage units are eco-friendly and make use of the natural resource as a storage system. They need an initial set up investment, but in the long run, they are cost-efficient. They are able to sustain longer power outages comparatively. They are energy efficient with a good lifespan. They are quieter with noise efficiency. A battery backup power that is reliable, easy to install, smart, sufficient in wattage, and cost-efficient is right for you to combat a power outage. Bonus: If you are a current college student or high school senior about to graduate, don't forget to apply to our Semper Solaris Scholarship for an opportunity at $2000.
With the winter vacations around the corner and colder months approaching, this time is ideal for a routine check for HVAC maintenance. By doing routine checks for the Heating and Air Conditioning system, mainly in fall and winter, you can reduce the total energy consumption by the system. HVAC also known as Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioner, is a system that is generally used in our homes. This system provides a comfortable atmosphere to live in. Its main aim is to provide thermal comfort and an acceptable quality of air for the inside of our house. It is very important to regularly check each and every electronic appliance and system at home. By doing this we can reduce the energy consumption by almost half and this will also help in the long-running of the systems and appliances. HVAC Preventative Maintenance Tips Here are a few preventive maintenance tips you can consider for your HVAC system during the fall or winter seasons. Replace or Clean Air Filters The dirt and dust deposit in the air filters of your HVAC works as a barrier for the airflow and finally restricts the flow of air. The air filters need to be cleaned every 3 months. If you have not cleaned it for a long time, then it can be blocking the path of the air. Consider cleaning the air filters. Manuals generally have the process given for cleaning. Clean the filters for better airflow. If you still feel the airflow is being blocked then consider changing your air filters to be safe. Unblock and Clean Vents Just like the air filters need cleaning similarly your HVAC vents need cleaning too. Regular cleaning of your vents will help you get rid of all kinds of dust and dirt. Once the vents are absolutely clean and tidy it will then make sure that no dirt or dust is entering your HVAC system. This is because once dirt and dust start entering your HVAC system it will then get circulated to your home. So it is best to keep your vents clean at all times. Also, take some time and check the vent blocking. This means check for things that may block your vent and remove them. Fire Prevention [video width="3840" height="2160" mp4="https://www.sempersolaris.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/07-2021-SMP-Website-Blog-Images-760x340-35579-2.mp4" loop="true" autoplay="true"][/video] Home heating equipment causes more than 50,000 house fires every year. So it is very important to keep your family safe. To prevent house fire make sure you keep items that could burn far away from your heating source. Not only this, try not to keep space heaters unattended, do not plug space heaters into extension cords, and think of installing smoke detectors at home. Doing these simple things you will be one step ahead of keeping your family safe and sound. Consider Replacement With time the working capacity of every piece of equipment fades away and slows down. Consider checking the age of your HVAC system. HVAC systems that are more than 10 years old are only 45% efficient and can consume huge amounts of energy. Replace your HVAC system with a new one. This will be more efficient and will help you reduce your electricity bills. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYNDRUrqS7M[/embed] HVAC Professional Inspector It is always good to get professional help. For the winter and fall seasons, it is best to call an HVAC professional. In this way, the inspector will be able to inspect your Heating and Air Condition system better and can tell you what exactly you need to change, replace, or clean. When you consider calling a professional, also think about the service. A servicing will help your HVAC system work efficiently and easily. This is a very good way of maintaining your HVAC system. With this, your system will work for more days without any disturbance and problem. By putting in a little effort and time in checking whether the HVAC system is working smoothly or not the energy consumption of the system can be reduced. Mostly cooling and heating systems account for almost 48% of the total energy consumption that goes into the typical home making it the largest energy expense. Regular checking can help in reducing the electricity bills and long-running of the HVAC system.
If you are a sleep apnea patient and use CPAP therapy, you should be ready for emergencies where there would have no regular power available. To meet such eventualities, you should invest in solar panels and battery storage. For the past few weeks, California is witnessing regular rotational blackouts. Even in the past, California has witnessed a serious power crisis between 2000-01. Sleep apnea patients who are taking CPAP therapy may find themselves completely helpless if caught in a blackout in the night time. This is very much a real possibility now as peak power demand in the city is outstripping supply. How Do Solar Panels Help People with Sleep Apnea Using CPAP Therapy? You can buy a high watt solar panel system for charging your CPAP battery. You just need to spread the solar panels facing directly the sun and connect it to the CPAP battery. In about 8 to 10 hours, the solar panel would fully charge the battery. The solar panel is very easy to operate. All you need to do is spread it facing the sun. It will draw energy from the sun and charge your CPAP battery. Solar panels are able to draw energy from the sun even on cloudy days when the sun may not be seen prominently. Benefits If there is a power outage and you are not able to charge your battery, solar panels will charge your CPAP device and you can have a good night's sleep. You may also need the solar panel to charge your CPAP device during your outdoor adventure. Easy To Use Solar Panels? The solar panels capable of recharging your CPAP device are lightweight and powerful. They can charge your CPAP battery in 8 to 10 hours. The process to recharge the CPAP battery is very easy. You just need to connect the solar panels to your battery and let the panel sit facing the sun. Most solar panels are made using green technology and are carbon-footprint friendly so you will be helping the environment in the process. Solar Panels and Sleep Apnea Is there a link between solar power and sleep apnea? Yes, if you are suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and use CPAP (Continuous positive airway pressure therapy), solar power can be a topic of interest for you. CPAP is a device that comes in the form of a mask that sleep apnea has to wear during his sleep. The mask has a CPAP component that supplies air at high pressure near the patient's nose during his sleep. This ensures there is enough air at high pressure in the face region including the nose and the throat that the patient does not have to struggle to breathe the air in. There is a continuous supply of air at high pressure for the patient to be able to breathe comfortably. How Is CPAP Related to Solar Power? CPAP is powered by a rechargeable battery. For this device to continuously work for the entire duration when the patient is sleeping, it needs its battery with adequate charging. In normal circumstances, the battery can be charged through power outlets in the day for use at night. You may need solar power to charge the CPAP battery. This is a possibility when there is a power outage or when you are on a hike and sleeping outdoors. What is Sleep Apnea? Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious problem that prevents a person from having a sound sleep. The problem is caused due to the weakening of the breathing muscles that mostly lie in the throat region. If the person is suffering from this problem for a long time, the lack of a good night's sleep can lead to many problems, especially related to the health of the heart. While a milder version of OSA can be treated and managed by adopting a healthy lifestyle, the more serious form of the condition needs medical interventions. Of all the treatments available, CPAP is considered to be most effective as it improves air circulation right in the face, near the nose, and the throat. It helps the patient's breathing system as air at a higher pressure makes its way through the nose and the mouth down to the throat and lungs without breathing muscles having to make any serious effort. CPAP manages to keep the patient breathing. It's a delicate balance between the patient's need for air and the CPAP working on its battery. If the battery gets discharged with no option to recharge it, the patient may suffer a difficult time trying to sleep. But if the patient has battery storage, he can recharge his CPAP device easily and manage to tide over the crisis. Solar Panels and Battery Storage Solar power is a source of clean energy as it provides non-grid energy. From average homes to municipal bodies, everyone is aware of the advantages of solar panel installations. They are also using it wherever it is possible. Except for the installation cost, it provides you electricity at much lower costs compared to no solar panels. Over time, it pays for itself and recoups the installation cost in about 5 to 7 years. There are good reasons for the greater adoption of solar power technology by more people and households. An important upgrade in the overall solar power technology is battery storage. This device allows you to store power generated by your solar energy system and use it when you need it. In normal circumstances, your solar panels generate electricity and store in the batteries attached to the system. Once the batteries are fully charged and your solar panel is still producing electricity, you can store the additional electricity in battery storage. You can use the battery storage when the normal batteries attached to your solar panels are completely discharged. You can also sell additional electricity to the grid and earn some money or credit. Using battery storage is an excellent way to tap the maximum amount of energy from your solar installation. Final thoughts Sleep apnea is a respiratory disease in which the person stops breathing for a brief period during his sleep. One of the treatments for this condition is the use of CPAP masks. To keep the CPAP working even during California blackouts or during outdoor hiking, you should use solar panels + battery storage in case of emergencies.
Selecting the proper solar company can prove to be a challenging task given that there are so many solar companies available at present. It is imperative to evaluate a solar company comprehensively so as to find the appropriate one for your personal requirements. In the subsequent paragraphs, we have mentioned some essential guidelines on how to choose the right solar company out there. Get in the appropriate mindset It is a fact that lots of individuals end up hiring an electrician or plumber for taking care of small projects around their homes. However, the majority of them do not have experience when it comes to solar energy and panels. How do you get started? It takes much more than simply hiring a plumber for fixing a leaky faucet when you are hiring a solar panel installer. Nevertheless, the task is somewhat less tedious than remodeling the kitchen. Therefore, you need to be prepared for some legwork although it is not actually that bad. The overall procedure of hiring a solar company will be similar to that of employing any other contractor. You need to perform adequate research on the company and also go through the contract meticulously. It will be imperative to come in touch with the company personally so as to get a proper idea regarding their competence. Get several quotations Make sure to get several quotes similar to any other project in your residence. This is essential for getting a fair price and also comparing the different credentials and proposals of the company you are looking for. For instance, you need to watch out for companies which assert that your residence is appropriate for solar while it is actually not. That is where Google Project Sunroof comes into play. An authentic company will let you know that it will be essential to fix your roof initially, or that your residence does not get adequate sunlight for the installation of solar panels. They will be walking away instead of selling you a system which will not work appropriately in the long run. However, an incompetent company will try to make the sale. Consequently, in case you receive as many as three quotes and a couple of companies inform you that your house is not appropriate for installing solar panels while the other one urges you to go for it, it will be sensible to ignore the third company. In this case, you should take into consideration other alternatives such as community solar. Having several quotes will enable you to make a comparison between different installation methods and equipment choices. For instance, you need to consider how the racking is going to be secured to your roof. Solar panel installers come with different experience levels, particularly in terms of more challenging materials for roofing like clay tile. A solar installation which is botched will be compromising your roof's waterproof integrity resulting in a considerable amount of money in damage eventually. For this reason, it will be imperative to ask the solar installer regarding what techniques will be used by them to ensure that you need not suffer from any problem after the completion of the installation. In case one company provides you with vague replies while the other listens to all of your questions patiently and promptly answers them, it will be prudent to go for the second company. Verify their experience Solar power is an industry which is developing rapidly while drawing quite a few professionals from various backgrounds. Although it can be somewhat tricky to come across a solar panel company with adequate experience, it definitely comes with some benefits. It is important to make certain that the project will not be dropped by the company before completion. Moreover, you should expect your solar panel installer to showcase systems which they have installed for past clients. Do not select a solar company on price only Although every individual likes to save cash, it will be unjustified on your part to always go with the most expensive quote. There are lots of differences in equipment as well as installation quality. Although it is feasible for your installer to be the most inexpensive one in your locality, you will not be able to know unless you have compared the proposals and performed your research. On the other hand, you will not be assured of getting higher quality by simply opting for the cheapest solar installer. Prefer companies which are local Make sure not to go for any solar company which has not been in business for more than a couple of years. Instead, try to choose a company with adequate experience. This can be found out by checking the Better Business Bureau, inquiring the company itself, or even visiting the company's website. It will be sensible to choose experienced companies since apart from being technically competent they will also remain in business for quite some time after the completion of your project in case you need warranty services afterward. In case you are residing in states like California, you will find it simpler to come across solar companies with more than ten years of experience. However, if you live in some other areas such as the Midwest, you might be forced to go for companies with much less experience since the solar industry is comparatively new in those areas. Verify whether the company is properly licensed A webpage is maintained by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council which will allow you to search for solar licensing requisites for your particular state. While some states will need specialized licenses, the others will allow any contractor to install panels with the license of an electrician. Moreover, the license of a general contractor might get the job done in some other states. As a matter of fact, you will also come across some states which do not need any license whatsoever. Check out the IREC website and read it meticulously since the solar photovoltaic installation will require different licensing terms as compared to solar thermal. In case a license is needed, ask any California solar company for the license number since states such as California will enable you to check licenses online. You might get only minimal info from the online license databases, like whether a license is a valid one. Nevertheless, others, such as California, provide more comprehensive information which even includes license violations made by companies. It is important to bear in mind that violations are going to be different when it comes to severity, and it will be unjustified to ignore a company simply because it has a violation on record. In case you are concerned about any reported violation, do not hesitate to ask the solar company regarding it. Go through online reviews The Better Business Bureau will be the best place for getting authentic online reviews. It is quite different from the remaining review sites on the web. After collecting customer complaints regarding any particular company, it is going to mediate that complaint between the company and the customer. It is important to go through the complaint carefully for understanding whether it actually represents a concern or not since a complaint might be a sort of misunderstanding between the company and the client or it might also identify poor practices made by that company. It will be possible to resolve any listed complaints as well. Resolved complaints will not be much of a concern, and it is likewise inevitable that a significant volume of business will be performed by a bigger company irrespective of how good it is and it might have some dissatisfied clients in the long run. Although the Better Business Bureau likewise enables the users to publish more conventional reviews, this will not be mediated by them. It is definitely worthwhile to go through company reviews on other sites; however, you need to be careful about those reviews. While online reviews will not be able to indicate the true quality, they can be manipulated as well. Try to refrain from using websites having a background of "pay-to-play" including well-known sites like ConsumerAffairs.com and Angies' List. As a matter of fact, Google and Yelp reviews appear to be more authentic than other similar sites on the web. Ask regarding warranties It is a fact that a photovoltaic system consists of lots of different components, and each one of them is covered by a particular warranty from the manufacturer. It is vital for the installer to explain every single of those in detail. The solar panel installer must offer a warranty of the parts of the system as well as the workmanship, and they should also cover replacement and labor charges of any malfunctioning component. Photovoltaic solar panels come with their individual warranties which are usually categorized into a couple of parts: warranty covering the workmanship and the materials, and another covering the power output. The panels are going to degrade in the course of time on most occasions generating a little less power every year. (This particular degradation ought to be less than 2% every year). A power warranty of 25 years is normal, and it is imperative for the product warranty to be a minimum of 10 years, and, on some occasions, even 25 years. One essential component of the system is the inverter system which should have its individual warranty period of at least 20 years. It is important for the racking system to be able to withstand any type of extreme weather for at least 20 years. Therefore, it is imperative for this component to have a strong warranty of 20 years. In case you are using batteries, make sure to know regarding the warranty since it is a costly component out there. Quality of the solar panels At present, 3 types of solar panels are usually employed throughout the industry, namely, polycrystalline, monocrystalline, and amorphous. Although amorphous panels are quite inexpensive, they are not much efficient as well as durable as compared to the other 2. In all probabilities, you have come across polycrystalline panels in your locality which are reputed for their blue shade and have become quite well-known during the past several years. They will be appropriate for individuals who have adequate space and do not want to invest a considerable amount of money in monocrystalline solar panels. Monocrystalline panels have increased in popularity during the last few years, and they can boast of having the maximum efficiency rate without needing plenty of space as well. Therefore, they will be appropriate for individuals having a large roof. Nevertheless, they are the most costly solar panels out there. It does not matter which solar panel you go for, it is imperative to make certain that the company selected by you will be able to provide those. You will come across some solar companies which will be able to provide 1 or 2 of these panels. You need to make sure that the panels are of top quality and also from authentic solar panel manufacturers. (On most occasions, third-party manufactures are used by the majority of the solar companies). Apart from this, you should go for durable solar panels which will be able to serve you for quite some time in the future. Payment options Although it is imperative to make lots of investment in order to go solar, you will also come across a number of financing options. Several of these lucrative options include power purchase agreements, green energy loans, as well as leasing options. All these options come with their individual positive plus negative aspects which you need to take into consideration prior to making a sensible financing decision. The first financing option mentioned here will be the green energy loans which were made particularly for individuals who like to transform to renewable green energy. The majority of these loans come with comparatively low rates of interest. You will be able to purchase the equipment using this option, and the balance can be paid off over time. The subsequent couple of options are quite similar. The power purchase agreement will allow you to rent the equipment and you need to pay for the energy used by you. Leasing options are also virtually similar where you will be renting the equipment; however, a specific amount has to be paid every month rather than paying at a time. You will not be able to own the equipment by using these 2 options. It is up to you to make a decision regarding which option is going to be appropriate for you. The choices can be discussed further after selecting a particular solar company. However, it is recommended for you to look for a solar company offering all these options. Conclusion Let us hope that these above-mentioned 10 tips will allow you to come across the right authentic solar company such as Semper Solaris which will provide proper service to you according to your personal requirements. Read more on solar panel facts before making your decision. Also, if you're a college student, don't forget to apply to our Semper Solaris Scholarship
There has been the ushering in the age of the usage of residential solar panels and solar battery storage. Across the nation, residential homes are engaging in shifting from the usage of electricity that is based on fossil fuel in order to be part of an economy that applies the usage of solar energy that is clean. This is impacted by the targets that have been set for the sake of reducing emissions during the crisis of climate change on a global scale. As a result, solar energy for residential use deserves much credit. We share much about the increase of the usage of solar energy via our 10 questions to save you many hours of research and reading. How much of a reduction in pricing has been experienced by residential solar in the most current times? When you like to be optimistic based on the kind of statistics that are presented to you, you will be pleased to note that the price of energy that is produced by solar efforts within the last ten years is a good starting point. Thus, it is noted that there has been a decrease in regard to the installation of solar panels in the United States at a rate of approximately seventy percent. In 2020, many Americans are giving more consideration to the usage of solar as an upgrade to their home that makes sense, as solar is now seen more than a commodity that is clean tech for businesses. Many people also look for solar panel facts to make sure statistics are accurate. At this present time, it is recognized that installing solar panels & battery storage for your home is truly a step in the right direction. What is the distinction in regard to the usage of solar concerning homes and the usage of solar concerning businesses? The operations of a business or town may be powered by a solar endeavor at the commercial level. Therefore, the usage of solar for a business or home do have the distinction of variations in terms of cost as well as price. It is noted that systems that are designed for residential solar usage are regarded as maintaining consistency in terms of size, such as an average of six kilowatts. Due to the scale of residential solar being rather small, solar panels for residences are most assuredly an upgrade in energy consumption that are attainable and they result in major savings on the electric bill. On the other side of the spectrum, when there is the usage of solar at the commercial level, there is a need for a massive investment in terms of finances. Also, there is the need to gain a large number of investors to back the project. What is the normal price for systems of solar panels that are intended for residential usage? The price of such a system will be based on the size of the system as well as the state where the residence is located. But it is noted that some data is available that can aid in forming the estimation of the price of solar panels in the United States in 2020. The simplest way to formulate a calculation for the price of solar energy for various sizes of systems is to engage in the usage of the ratio of dollars for each watt. During 2019, it was realized that homeowners had to pay about $2.91/W. This then shows the perspective that there has been a great decrease since 2008 when households had to pay a bit more than $8/W. If you desire to install a system of 6kW, then the cost will be around $17,460 when there is the application of a cost of $2.91/W prior to the implementation of rebates as well as tax credits. Is there any way to link the solar panels to the grid? What does net metering entail? In most cases, there is the linking of systems for residential solar usage to the grid. This allows for the efficiency of the implementation of net metering, which is noted as providing power for the home at night. Thus, net metering is an incentive for solar in which there is the provision of bill credits in such cases that there is an overproduction of electricity by the solar panels of the home. In such cases that the panels have not generated an adequate level of electricity, you are allowed to apply the usage of the bill credits in order to pay for the electricity that you have consumed on the grid. When you are not on the grid, you will not be able to access the usage of electricity via the local utility company. As a result, it will be necessary for you to have capabilities for the storage of energy in order to formulate a project that is fully off the grid. This means that it will be necessary to obtain a system of solar panels that are extra-large. Also, there will be the need for a method for the backing up of power in order to provide for your energy needs in such cases that there is not enough sun exposure for your solar panels. What is the length of time that is required for the installation of a system for residential solar usage? When you have consulted with the professionals who will be doing the installation of your solar system for your home and when they have made all the visits that are required for the site as well as all the stages of planning, then it will likely only be a few days for the installation of the system to be completed. There are various factors that impact the exact amount of time. Take into consideration, for example, that if you are implementing net metering, there will be the need for extra time for that process, as there must be the linking of the solar panels to the grid in a proper manner. But the good news is that overall, the process is regarded as being quite simple and fairly fast. The same thing goes for solar panel maintenance. If your roof does not meet the requirements, can you yet acquire some type of system for home solar usage? If you do not have a roof that is suitable for solar panels, there are other options. Two common methods for the sake of being able to have solar power without the need to engage in the installation of a system on your roof tend to be community solar gardens as well as installations that are grounded mounted. When there is the usage of solar as a community, this means that people in your community commit to engaging in the sharing of a designed system that provides solar energy. As well, systems that are ground mounted are a simple way to avoid any complications with roofing when you desire to have solar power for your own usage. When someone installs a system for home solar usage, can the person qualify for tax credits? When you install a system that is intended to provide home solar energy, there are two methods that are simple in regard to considering tax credits. The primary tax credit that comes to mind is the federal investment tax credit. The more popular reference to this type of credit is noted as being the solar tax credit. A tax credit is provided to you by the ITC in the amount of twenty-six percent of the full cost of the residential solar panel system that you have installed. But there is the stipulation that you must purchase the system. The second option is noted as being tax credits for your solar system that are offered at the state level. Take into consideration, for example, that California provides a credit that secures a reduction in the price of your system by as much as twenty-six percent in 2020. Based on the state where you reside, there may be some solar programs that are significant as well as tax credits that are highly beneficial in that they could help you to save a large amount of money. If I will not be in my residence for at least a period of twenty-five years, should I bother with installing a solar panel system? Many homeowners wonder what will transpire if they have to move from their home following the installation of their solar panels. Normally, such a system has a lifespan for about twenty-five years. In such a case that you do not expect to reside in your home for that length of time, you may conjecture whether it is sensible to install a solar panel system. The reality is that the value of your home will be greatly increased if you install a solar panel system. This can also contribute to making your home sell faster, as many people are thrilled when they find a home that already has a solar panel system that will permit them to save a lot of money on utility bills. How much of a residence is able to be powered via the usage of solar energy? [video width="760" height="508" mp4="https://www.sempersolaris.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/07-2021-SMP-Website-Blog-Images-760x340-35357-2.mp4" loop="true" autoplay="true"][/video] It would be great if all of the home could be powered in this way. But though such a system can provide the offset of much energy use, the truth is that solar panels cannot produce all the energy that you need for each day. A key manufacturer of solar products in the United States provides the recommendation that it is wise to have the provision of a cushion of twenty-five percent in regard to the calculations of the offset for the solar panel. The primary reason is that it is not possible for the operation of solar panels to always output energy at the maximum level on all occasions. There will be times when linkage to the grid will be necessary in order to obtain the full power that you require. But the good thing about net metering is that there is the benefit of those days when there is the surplus of solar energy production, as you will not have to pay for being connected to the grid when you need the grid for power. At what point, will the system of the home break even? It is common for a large number of homeowners to have an interest regarding the calculation of the period of payback regarding their solar panel system. This is noted as being the period of time that is needed in order for the savings that are achieved on the electric bill to engage in offsetting the price that was invested in the installation of the solar panel system. There is a range of break-even points across the nation. However, the average range is noted as being around the point of eight years for a solar panel payback.
Planning to buy a new air conditioner for your home? Read this before making an informed decision! We love when our clients know why we choose and customize each homes air conditioning unit based upon their needs and size of their home. Purchasing an air conditioner unit is a great investment. You need to keep in mind certain factors such as the type of AC unit, your home requirements, comfort level, price, etc. while buying it. If you don't pay attention to these factors, you may end up spending your hard-earned money on the wrong product. That's why it is very important to understand the whole process before making a purchase. To help you with it, we are sharing 7 questions you should ask yourself when buying a new AC unit for your home. What Should Be The Size Of The Air Conditioner? Once you hire Semper Solaris, our experienced air conditioning crew will carry out Manual J load calculation. It is an HVAC industry standard method of calculating the size of the AC unit you need by considering certain factors such as the size of your home, orientation, layout, number of windows, size of windows, shade around your home etc. After determining these factors, our expert air conditioning technicians will provide you with the required AC size for your home. At Semper Solaris, we don't simply replace the old AC with the new one with the same capacity. What Is The Efficiency Level Of A New AC Unit? If you're living with an old air conditioner, you must have already known that its efficiency degrades over time. Although new systems are maintained regularly, they can't keep up their efficiency for a longer time. So, a good idea is to invest in a good-quality and energy-efficient Air Conditioner. Always look for an Energy Star Label of the product you're purchasing. This signifies that the AC meets the minimum energy requirements set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). What New Technology Should I Go For? Apart from the efficiency of the system, you should also look for the latest technology. Nowadays, a majority of ACs come with new technologies that make your air conditioning experience comfortable and also save money. When you buy an AC unit, look for the features like variable speed motors. This feature is very helpful in saving power and your electricity bills. What Is The Timeline For Installation? If you're buying an air conditioner to replace a broken or malfunctioning unit, you'll need to get a new system as soon as possible. This is extreme if it's a hot scorching summer. Most of the time, air conditioner installation is a time consuming process. It can easily take more than a day to install the system as it involves plumbing, electrical and ductwork coordination. Naturally, if the system is larger, it will require more time to install and may require several days to complete the process. At Semper Solaris, we provide you with the exact installation time for a new system or an air conditioner replacement. Who Will Perform The Installation? Installing an air conditioner is not something you can do on your own. It requires well-trained and certified professionals. All the air conditioning technicians at Semper Solaris are NATE-certified, which means they have passed the professionals tests and have a good amount of practical experience in the industry. Should I Purchase Additional Air Quality Components? The good news is, many technologically advanced air conditioning systems are able to perform several jobs all at once. They not only keep your home cool but also improves the air quality and regulates the humidity level. However, if your home is prone to airborne pollutants and leaks, you can add an indoor air quality component for improving the air quality. At Semper Solaris, we offer a wide range of ACs with new technologies. Not only that, we offer a broad range of air quality components such as air cleaners, dehumidifiers, UV lamps and ventilators. What Is The Estimated Cost For An AC Installation? We understand that you want to know what you're investing in and how much you're going to spend. Cost is one of the most important deciding factors when it comes to purchasing equipment. But the cost of installing an AC unit varies depending on certain factors like the size of your system, home cooling requirements, additional air quality components, other accessories etc. When you work with our air conditioning company, our expert technicians will provide you a reliable installation estimate so that you can plan further.
Are you aware that scientists have spent thousands of years trying to understand the promising solar energy and its application? Yes, understanding the 'how' of harnessing the Sun's power and meaningful use has been an uphill task that has ignited various scientists' interest in developing a concrete solution. Below is a timeline of multiple achievements and milestones covering various human efforts to extract and use solar energy. How is solar energy extracted from sun rays? Through the use of Photovoltaic devices. These are a particular type of metal that, when exposed to sunlight, use the photovoltaic effect to produce electricity. It is estimated that the knowledge about this photovoltaic effect has existed for roughly two centuries, and for this reason, our history about the solar cells begins here. How was solar energy initially used? Theoretically, it is believed that humans began to use solar energy by 7th century B.C. History reviews that humans were using sunlight to ignite the fire using magnifying glass materials. 700 BC- The use of a magnifying lens to put on Sunlit Fires' Heat Ray'. Do you know by the 7th century B.C humans could make fire using a magnifying glass to concentrate sunlight? For instance, around. 214-212 B.C. historians hypnotize that Archimedes' a great Greek inventor, was able to apply solar energy by creating heat rays using multiple mirrors to concentrate sunlight. It is believed that he destroyed several ships by concentrating sunlight on those ships belonging to Greek enemies especially during the Siege of Syracuse. Although this Archimedes' invention's validity is not apparent, various experiments have shown that it could be possible but more unlikely to have been executed. Romans are also known to use mirrors to harness the solar power and using it as light torches during their religious ceremonies. The use of "burning mirrors" became prevalent among Roman, Greeks, and later to the Chinese civilization. When was the first invention of the solar panels? 1767- The invention of the first solar oven A solar oven, often known as the solar cooker, uses the heat created by concentrating sunlight to heat drinks or food. Solar cookers are in use to date and are cheaper and efficient compared to the previous models. They are the most popular heating solutions, especially world parts, with limited access to electricity. The device relies only on sunlight to function, and this means no fuel or electrical power is need for it to work. The first solar oven was invented in 1767 by Horace De Saussure, a renowned Swiss Physicist. By the time of invention, nobody could have thought that this invention could be among the most helpful innovations for the next two centuries by helping people prepare their lunch and dinner without using firewood. 1839 - The Photovoltaic Effect Discovery by Edmund Becquerel. One of the most critical years in the history of solar panels was 1839 when Edmund Becquerel, a 19-year-old French physicist, discovered that there is a voltage difference when specific material is exposed to sunlight created. With his little knowledge about the photovoltaic effect, Edmund Becquerel dint understands that his discovery would form the basis of solar power in use in modern today. In 1873, Willoughby Smith, a staunch English engineer, coined Photoconductivity in Selenium, especially in its solid-state, which was another significant discovery that led to a great milestone in the solar energy industry. 1876 - Invention of Electricity from Light. While advancing the Smiths discovery three years earlier, an English professor, together with his best student, Richard Evans Day, observed a flow of electrical current when specific material was exposed to sunlight. Two electrodes attached to a selenium plate were used to make the tiny electrical current after exposing those plates to the light. 1883 - the making of the first Design of a functional Photovoltaic Cell. The credit goes to Charles Fritts, an American inventor who was the first person to design a successive solar cell plan. His 19th-century simple Photovoltaic Cell design was based on selenium wafers. 1905- The Photoelectric Effect and Albert Einstein work. Although most people aren't aware of Albert Einstein's photoelectrical effect paperwork, he is famous for his outstanding scientific milestone in the human race. He is the first person to formulate the photon theory of light, an idea that explains how light can dislodge 'remove or liberate' an electron from a metal surface. Sixteen years later, in 1921, after submitting his photon theory of light paper, he received the Nobel Prize to discover a tremendous scientific breakthrough. 1918 - The discovery of a Single-Crystal Silicon. The credit goes to a Polish scientist, Jan Czochralski, for figuring out a technique in which to grow single-crystal silicon. His discovery lay the foundation for the creation of solar cells using silicon metal. 1954 - The actual invention of Photovoltaic The credit goes to three scientists, namely, Gerald Pearson, a member of Bell Labs, David Chapin, and Calvin Fuller. Their work led to the creation of the world's first solar cell (photovoltaic cell). In simple terms, these men came up with a device that could convert sunlight into electricity. Many maintain that their silicon photovoltaic (PV) cell invention symbolizes the real PV technology invention. The first device could consistently power a considerable electrical device for more than two hours a day. However, the first silicon photovoltaic cell could only operate at 4% efficiency, below a quarter of modern solar cells capacity. They later advanced its performance (conversions efficiently), increasing it from 4% to 11%. Today, these solar panels are so advanced that they are used to light big houses and run machines due to their improved efficiency. Other significant achievements in the history of solar panels. The use of solar panels to power outer space devices. The use of solar technology in outer space is one of the most recent solar energy industry achievements. The outer space solar panels were used to run satellites. A good example is solar panels power Explorer III, Vanguard II, and Sputnik-3 satellites in 1958. Others include creating the first solar residence in 1973 by a team of scientists at the University of Delaware, Improving solar conversion efficiency from 8% to 14% by Hoffman Electronics amid 1957 and 1960. By 2016, the conversion efficiency had reached 34.5% efficiency and innovation from The University of South Wales.
The fall season is about to arrive, and residents at California are eager to enjoy the wonderful weather it has to offer. You might be ready to plan parties with friends and some outdoor picnic events with family. Without any doubt, fall is a special season of the year, which allows us to create several mesmerizing memories with near and dear ones. With the arrival of this season, you should also be prepared for the winter, which is just a few steps away. Experts say that the fall season is the best time to evaluate the home HVAC system, and you will find enough time to decide whether to upgrade it or not. Why should you check the performance of your HVAC system now? Unfortunately, many people do not realize that fall is the best time to test and upgrade the HVAC system. As a result, they experience huge discomfort in the winter season ahead due to sudden system failure. You need proper arrangements to keep your home heated inside in the winter season in California. Hence, fall is the best time to analyze its performance as well as to replace the faulty parts. Here we have listed a few important reasons on why you should pay more attention to your HVAC system now: It is the slower season for HVAC experts: Due to moderate weather conditions, the HVAC system sellers and repair experts receive lesser emergency calls during this season. It means they have more time to entertain your requests and to plan the upgrade if required. In this season, you can explore several replacement options with full convenience and fix the appointment at your preferred time slot. It is the season of moderate temperatures: Those who replace their HVAC system in the fall season at California are more likely to enjoy moderate temperatures during installation. If you wait for longer, you may have to experience extreme cold or high temperatures during replacement in peak winter or summer season. It may be difficult to live without an HVAC system in other seasons, but fall is the best time to stay relaxed and happy even when the HVAC system is under repair and replacement. Enjoy energy efficiency new year: When HVAC systems become outdated and old, they find it hard to keep your home cozy and comfortable. In simple terms, the aged HVAC system can consume more energy, and you will naturally get more financial burden in terms of monthly utility bills. Replacing your old HVAC system in the fall season may help you stay prepared for the extreme cold in the winter. You can run the upgraded system with higher energy efficiency and save more on the electricity bills. If you are ready to upgrade or replace your air conditioning or heater system, it is good to check out the latest models online. You can book an appointment with experts at Semper Solaris, California’s top HVAC and air conditioning company. We can guide you better to pick the most energy-efficient, cost-effective, and high-performance model to serve your needs.
