Purelight Solar Resources

Solar power has become increasingly efficient with advances in technology such as lunar energy capture and solar trees. This progress has led to various types of solar panels, each with unique benefits and drawbacks, making the selection process for homeowners more complex. This guide provides a detailed comparison of the main types—monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels—highlighting their efficiency, cost, and suitability for different environments. Additionally, it discusses the pros and cons of roof-mounted versus ground-mounted installations, helping homeowners make informed decisions to maximize their solar investment.

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Net Metering is a valuable tool for homeowners looking to maximize their savings with solar power. Explores how Net Metering allows you to send excess energy generated by your solar panels back to the grid in exchange for credits that reduce your electricity bills. The guide covers the basics of how Net Metering works, including credit rollover, the value of Net Metering credits, and the impact of time-of-use rates. It also addresses frequently asked questions about state availability, the future of Net Metering, and alternatives such as solar batteries. Whether you're new to solar or seeking to optimize your current setup, this blog offers comprehensive insights to help you make informed decisions.

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While we associate solar panels with bright, sunny days, solar panels can still work in the snow. A light dusting won't hamper a solar array's ability to produce electricity, and can even clean the panels once it melts, which makes the panels more efficient. A heavy snowfall can hamper energy production if the panels are complete covered, though many modern panels are designed to help snowfall slide off of the panels. So long as part of the panel is able to catch sunlight, the panels will continue to produce electricity.

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Properly installed and maintained solar panels will not damage your roof, and can even help defend it from mother nature. Solar panels block the sun's rays and absorb their energy, providing something of a protective shield against surface damage that would otherwise harm your roof. Better yet, solar panels will help keep your home cooler at night according to research by the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering. Using thermal imaging techniques, a team of researchers determined that a building's ceiling was 5 degrees cooler under solar panels than an exposed roof. At night, the panels act as another layer of insulation, helping to keep heat in. Solar is already the cheapest form of electricity, so the increased temperature control is icing on the cake.

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Solar panels are typically 3'x5', or 15 square feet total. To determine the number of solar panels your roof can theoretically fit, you should divide the usable square footage of your roof by 15. However, we advice against trying to determine this number by yourself, as accurate measurements are best left to certified solar installers. If you want to know how many solar panels you can fit on your roof, contact a licensed installer for a quote. Not only will they tell you how many panels you can fit, but they can give you an estimate of sun exposure and costs. That information gives you a better idea of how much you can save by going solar.

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Home solar systems are designed to maximize exposure to the sun. To do so, solar energy contractors will use satellite imaging to determine the amount of sunlight a roof receives each day, then create a system design that capitalizes on exposure. In the northern hemisphere, panels are typically positioned towards true south to receive sunlight throughout the day. Once a house's solar panel system has absorbed sunlight, a chemical process causes electrons to move around an electric field that the solar panel generates, which creates an electric current. The electric current flows into an inverter, which converts it into usable power for your home. You own the power you generate, so it reduces the cost of your monthly utility bills.

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