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Some say that the future of energy will be solar. The use of solar panels for solar energy use is no longer news today. In the U.S., Australia, and China, a lot of businesses rely on solar panels for energy use. What seemed to be a futuristic thing is now slowly being integrated and utilised.
It’s a great move to shift to solar energy. We might not see its impact yet, but it does make a huge difference. Clean energy usage does not only benefit the planet, but also all living things. Humans are very adaptable that we are so used to the current state of our environment. What we don’t understand is that we are almost in a worse state already.
You might wonder, ‘then why don’t we just all shift to solar now?’ Of course, it would be nice if we could all just instantly do so. But, it’s not that easy. There are a lot of factors that need to be considered and assessed before you can install solar panels. This is one of the reasons why some countries can’t advocate it yet.
But, if you are one of the people who live in a ‘solar compatible’ area, there are also some questions that you should ask yourself before diving into it. To get you started, here are 4 questions for you to answer if you should shift now to clean energy.
1. Am I financially capable of investing in solar panels?
Solar panels are great. They allow us to utilise clean energy and save electricity bills for decades. But, here’s the truth about solar panels: they are expensive. It is true that if you use solar panels, you’ll be saving so much money that you’d usually allocate for electricity bills. However, the initial cost of your expenses can be quite tough on the pocket.
Investing in solar panels comes with a lot of costs. You have to consider the number of panels that you will need, the cost for solar panel installation, inverters, and batteries. Not all solar panel users need a battery. It depends if you like to store extra energy for emergency use.
To give you an estimate, solar panels cost around $9,000 to $15,000 depending on the number of panels that your property needs. Prices vary depending on your energy needs as well as the size of your property.
We all know that money doesn’t grow on trees. Before you decide to shift to solar energy, ask yourself if you are willing to spend thousands of dollars. If you already have a set budget for your solar panel agenda, that’s great. Shop around and contact various clean energy suppliers and ask them if it’s possible to amend some panels that meet your budget.
2. Do I plan to stay in my current residential area for the next 15 years and more, or do I want to move to another location after a couple of years?
Solar panel use is a long-term commitment. Aside from that, each panel installed on a roof is custom made. Once you go have your roof checked for solar panel installation, your solar company will make custom panels just for your property. Most solar companies make custom-sized panels for a more efficient panel performance.
Before all that, ask yourself, ‘do I see myself staying here for more than 10 years?’ If your answer is no, then it’s best to delay your clean energy plan for a bit first. Before any installation, your supplier assesses your surroundings and your area. If you plan to move and bring your panels with you, your new location might not be fit for your existing panels.
It’s not only a waste of solar panels but also a waste of money. Imagine, you invested thousands of dollars in your panels but you won’t get to use them for a long time. One thing to take note of is that solar panels are designed to last a maximum of 30 years if taken well care of.
If you have other plans of residing in a different location 5 to 10 years from now, it’s better to forego your clean energy agenda. An exception would be, moving to an area that is suitable for your panels.
3. Will I go 100% solar or still use normal electricity?
One of the mistakes that solar panel users can make is investing in a clean energy system and still using fossil-fueled electricity. Technically, there’s nothing wrong with that. But, it can make your home solar system insignificant.
For newbies, it’s easier to rely on and use your electricity instead of trying to navigate your home’s solar system. But, for you to utilise and get used to how clean energy works, you have to allow your home and appliances to adjust and operate using solar energy.
Also, the tendency is that you’ll always opt for your normal electricity if you still have one. Worse is, you might even forget to use your solar panels. If you already have a solar manufacturer, ask all your questions. Take this moment to get to know the basics of how to operate energy through solar panels.
If you are thinking of retaining your electricity once you have your solar panels installed, reconsider your plan. This will help you to better familiarise yourself with how solar panels work and maximise your investment.
4. Lastly, am I up for the solar energy commitment?
Lastly, after you answer all three questions, it’s time to ask yourself if you are up for the commitment. It’s a bold move to shift to clean energy. This simple step can serve as a call to action for other people to do the same. But, it’s no walk in the park.
From the costs, installation, adjustments, and maintenance, it is indeed a commitment. But just like all new things, it will only be hard at first. Once you get the hang of it, you surely wouldn’t even remember how different it is from normal electricity.
Remember, if you go solar, you are choosing to commit to a future that benefits the environment. A lot of adjustments are needed from your end, but those won’t matter once you get used to your solar panel system.
Think about your decision thoroughly so you’ll get to maximise and utilise your solar panels for a long time
As you continue to plan your clean energy agenda, think about all of the changes that you will go through. For some, it is not a deal-breaker because it’s easy to adapt to a new home energy system. But, if you have hesitations and questions, have those answered first before you dive in and go solar.
That way, you won’t regret it and waste money. More importantly, so you can help the environment better with your knowledge and concerns.
About the author:
Bianca Banda is a writer for Penrith Solar Centre, an Australian solar company that advocates better energy resources to improve the quality of life on Earth. She is a massive lover of Japanese cuisine and enjoys binge-watching comedies or variety shows.
