Solar Benefits | Solar Panels, Battery Storage, Roofing, HVAC
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.
Solar panels are an excellent investment for most homeowners, but understandably so you want to know if there are any “hidden costs” when you install your panels. One of the most common questions is if installing solar panels will cause your property taxes to increase due to the increase in your home’s value. The good news is that the answer is no! While adding solar panels to your home does indeed increase the value of your home, you will not be hit in the wallet come tax time. California offers an exemption. Currently, there are only two ways your property is reassessed by the county. The first is if you sell/buy a new home, your home will be assessed and your property taxes will most likely increase, and the second is if you do a major renovation that requires you to apply for permits. While you do need to apply for permits to install a solar panel system, and as a result, your property value will go up. Still, you will not pay any additional property tax when you install new solar panels until the home is sold. According to Solar Energy Industries Association, an average solar panel system can add around $15,000 more in value to your home. In turn, depending on your property tax rate, this could add several hundred dollars to your yearly property tax bill. So you can count that as significant savings when you install your solar system. You may need to find out if there is an additional form to fill out to qualify for the tax break. Contact your local tax office to find out. It is usually a simple form that needs to be filled out and submitted to qualify for the break. The bill (Senate Bill 871) allows for this exemption in place until the year 2025, so if you are considering installing solar, now is the time to do it so you can get a break on your property taxes. If you want to read more details on the bill, you can check it out here. If you are considering solar panels, give one of our customer service representatives a call at Semper Solaris, and we can get the ball rolling on a solar panel system for you! We can go over a cost analysis and evaluate your roof and how much sun your home receives and discuss options with you. What about sales tax? Is there an exemption for that? While some states offer one, unfortunately, California does not have an exemption for sales tax on a solar panel system, so you will have to pay that tax. Does California State offer a tax credit on my yearly tax return? California used to offer a tax break on the purchase of solar panels, but it does not any longer. That went away in 2005. The only tax credit available is the Federal Tax Credit, which currently gives a 26% tax credit.
Solar panels are a significant investment, but you may be wondering… What about when it’s dark? Do my panels still work? Well, the easy answer is no. Solar panels are made from a photovoltaic material that needs sunlight to produce energy, so when it is dark, the panels do not produce power. However, that doesn’t mean you will be left out in the dark! Your solar panels go into standby mode, and you draw power from the grid instead. Here are a few ways you can still keep your home up and running during the evening hours Net metering: This term means that during the day while your panels are producing excess power, that extra is sent back to the grid, and you earn credits. At night, you can draw those credits back to use instead of paying for power from the grid. You will have to check with your local power company to see if net metering is available in your area, or give Semper Solaris a call. Some power companies are phasing out net metering, or they charge a higher rate for you to use those credits. What if my company doesn’t have net metering or if I use all of my credits up? In the evening, when your panels go into standby mode, you will draw power from the grid-like you usually would. You will receive a bill for your usage just like you do now, but it will be a smaller bill than usual because your panels provided your home with electricity during the day. Battery Backup System: Investing in batteries is a great way to store your own power, so you do not have to rely on net metering or the grid at all. When your panels are producing more energy than you can use during the day, the excess is channeled to a bank of batteries. At night, your system will switch to battery power, and you can use your stored solar energy to keep your home up and running free from the grid! You can also rely on your batteries during blackouts or other types of power outages. What about cloudy or rainy days? Well, luckily, your panels still produce some power even when there is no direct sunlight. In fact, sometimes your panels provide more energy during cloudy days because the sunlight reflects on the clouds, which can produce more power than the sun alone. Generally, on a cloudy or rainy day, though, your panels will provide 10-25% of what they usually would, so you may have to rely on the grid for power unless you have a battery backup system. Give us a call if you would like to learn more about installing a battery backup system with your solar panels. We can evaluate your current panels to see if we can add batteries, or if you do not have solar and want to install both at the same time, we can help!
Solar energy is a great way to provide your home with clean energy, but the initial cost of installing a solar system can seem like a considerable investment. You may be wondering if solar is a wise investment for you. Read on for some valuable information you can use to see if solar is the right choice for you! How much do you pay for your electricity? The best indicator to see if an investment in solar is worth it is to look at your monthly bill. Rates in most California cities are pretty high, and most of us like to run our air conditioners because our summers are hot and long. There are some great online calculators that you can use, such as Project Sunroof on Google or Energy Sage. Both can help you determine if a solar system is a good investment for you or if it's worth going solar in California. If your monthly bill is higher than average, an investment in solar may be a good idea for you, since you would end up seeing a return more quickly than homeowners with a smaller bill. If you are already thrifty with your electricity, solar is still a good idea! You won’t see your system “pay for itself” as quickly. What about the federal tax credit? Well, you’re in luck! While the federal tax credit percentage is decreasing, you can still benefit from it. It currently sits at 26%, so that is quite a savings on your tax return. The great thing about this credit is that if you can’t use the full credit the first year, the rest rolls over to your next year’s tax return, so you don’t lose it. Remember that this rebate only goes to you if you buy your panels. Leasing a solar system gives your tax credit back to the leasing company. You can read more detail about it here: Homeowner’s Guide to the Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics. The savings of the federal tax rebate, on the other hand, can help to install solar panels a worthwhile investment. What about long term savings? Well, there are other ways in which your solar panels “pay” you back! The average home with solar gains a 4.1% return in value when the house is sold. In fact, nowhere: Here's How Much Adding Solar Panels Will Boost Your Home's Value in the nation saw a decline in the worth of a home due to solar panels. Depending on how you pay for your panels, you will get a more significant return on your investment. If you can pay cash, the savings are immediate, and over time it adds up to thousands more in your pocket. If you finance your panels, it takes a bit longer to see the savings. Leasing your panels gives you a smaller return since you don’t own the equipment. You still save on your monthly electric bill, but there is no return on your investment when you sell your home. Get multiple quotes, and don’t always assume that a huge company will be cheaper. Many times a local company like Semper Solaris will give you a better deal, and you are supporting a family-owned business. If you would like to learn more, give us a call, and we can set up an appointment to evaluate your home.
Solar Power is the leading clean, renewable, and cost-effective energy on the planet. Generating solar energy is a simple process, much like photosynthesis found in nature. Solar panels produce energy by converting sunlight into electricity. And it is one of the most reliable, sustainable, and least expensive ways to generate clean energy. Three main advantages of solar panels They produce clean energy. They produce renewable energy. They are cost-effective. Semper Solaris is at the forefront of solar power technology. We are the top-rated solar contractors for all things solar. We know how much our satisfied customers save every year on electricity. Solar Power Is Renewable Energy Fossil or carbon-based fuels have been the foundation of energy consumption for well over a hundred years. It is the electricity and fuel we use to heat and cool our homes. It is the gasoline that runs our automobiles and manufactures products. We can find it in many things found in our daily lives. Fossil or carbon-based fuels come from the decayed, petrified remains of plants and animals accumulated over millions of years. Once these fuels are exhausted, they take a very long time to replenish—perhaps millions of more years. The emphasis on renewable energy addresses the diminishing reserves of these fuels. There are several renewable sources of energy in use, and they are becoming more prevalent as we move towards a sustainable energy economy throughout the world. Renewable energy comes from sources that reproduce and don’t go away. Renewable Energy Sources Solar Wind Geothermal Hydroelectric Biomass The cleanest and cheapest sources of renewable energy on the forefront today are wind and solar. Solar panels are the most efficient and easiest way to generate a lot of electricity regularly. Semper Solaris is the best solar contractor for the installation of solar panels. We know our business and are committed to bringing our best for clean, renewable solar energy for our customers. Solar Panels Produce Clean Energy Carbon emissions from fossil fuel power plants cause a lot of waste in the air, ground, and water. Carbon, CO2, is a naturally occurring gas that is overproduced in the atmosphere when fossil fuel is burned for energy production, causing an excess of greenhouse gases. Clean, renewable energy does not cause pollution or produce waste. While some renewable energy sources are cleaner than others, solar power is at the top of the list. Solar panels help the environment by reducing the carbon footprint created by carbon-based fuels, thus reducing greenhouse gases. Fossil Fuel Sources Coal Crude oil Natural gas Solar Panels are Cost-Effective Solar Power is the most efficient and least expensive alternative energy for residential use. Unlike other renewable or non-renewable resources, solar is easy to put into operation and takes up no extra space to speak of—especially rooftop solar panels. And solar power is the most dependable energy source of all. You can’t run out of sunlight, especially in California. Solar panels provide access to this fantastic renewable energy from the sun. The equipment is more affordable than it ever has been. When you consider the incentives and rebates available for installing solar, the upfront cost is much lower, and the system will pay for itself in a few short years. But you will enjoy savings on energy from day one. Semper Solaris is leading the way for residential solar installations. We believe in sustainability, protecting the environment, and reducing the cost of electricity so that you keep more money in your pocket. We have seen the power of the savings our customers enjoy every day since they decided to go solar. Call Semper Solaris today and take advantage of low prices and savings.
In Rancho Cordova, beautification efforts are underway. This once upon a time gold rush town turned tourist attraction will be a bustling center for West Coast events and meeting spaces for both local, business and travelers alike. Nature is plentiful, and many attractions keep visitors busy. From local venues and accommodations to hiking, biking, or rafting on the American River, there is always something to do. As the city looks for ways to clean up the air and water, solar power is becoming the go-to renewable resource for lowering its carbon footprint and improving the environment. Residents of Rancho Cordova are switching to solar and wondering why they didn’t do it sooner. And solar panels on rooftops are changing the look of their town. Semper Solaris has years of experience installing solar panels in Rancho Cordova. We are pleased to bring the best that Solar has to offer to this city. Why Solar in Rancho Cordova? Renewable energy is the centerpiece of a clean and sustainable environment. It is a good step for creating a clean energy economy as well as maintaining clean natural habitats and green spaces. Solar is the most cost-effective and accessible renewable energy in Rancho Cordova. It can be mobilized quickly without adding infrastructure to support it. It sits on space that takes up no extra space. With the bonus of shrinking electric bills, Solar power installations are a welcome visitor to Rancho Cordova. Solar slashes the cost of electricity Solar does not cause waste or pollution Solar is easy to install Solar panels require little maintenance More ways to benefit from solar With technology and innovation, there will be more and more ways to use this plentiful resource. You can further the savings by expanding the utility of your solar panels for maximum benefit. Get More From Your Solar Panels in Rancho Cordova Download smart apps to monitor your solar panel output, and your usage to ascertain the most productive hours. Utilize the high energy-consuming appliances during your solar panel’s most productive hours. Use Energy Star appliances - nearly 40 percent less energy. Keep your panels clean –to prevent a reduction in energy yield. Make sure to trim trees and foliage, so they don’t shade your solar panels from the sun. Expand the Usefulness of Solar Heat your pool and spa or even a sauna without breaking the bank Add extra solar panels to expand the potential of your panels to power future innovations in smart home technology Store auxiliary power with a Semper Solaris Battery Backup system to meet nearly 90 percent of your energy needs and have power if the grid goes down. Add an EV Station if you plan to buy an electric car. (this is where a backup battery can save the day) Semper Solaris is the best solar contractor in Rancho Cordova to help the city and its residents improve the environment through solar power and its many benefits. We have a reputation for excellent customer care, and our technicians are the best in their field. Experienced and knowledgeable in all things solar, Semper Solaris is the right choice. Contact us today for a free evaluation for a solar installation.
