Solar energy is a clean renewable resource. One type of solar energy is called photovoltaic (PV). Photovoltaic energy can be generated from the solar panels attached to your roof. It can take from one to three months before an array of solar panels attached to your roof can connect to the grid and start producing energy.
An engineer recommended by the installer will visit your home site to determine the feasibility of building solar panels on your roof. The slant of the roof and if there is any shading nearby that can interfere with solar absorption will be factored in. The engineer will determine if your roof is structurally sound and has about 3ft. of clear space surrounding the installation of the solar panels. Also, the engineer will evaluate the electrical status of your house by examining your electrical box panel. During the evaluation, the engineer will determine if the amperage capacity is sufficient or if it needs to be upgraded.
The federal government has plenty of incentives to encourage the use of solar energy. One government program provides Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) A homeowner can receive 1 SREC per 1000 kilowatt-hour produced by their solar panel. The homeowner can then sell the SREC’s to their utility company. To avoid paying the government an Alternative Compliance Payment(ACP)the utility company will purchase the SREC’s from the homeowners. There are a limited number of states participating in the solar market. A Floridian homeowner receiving a solar panel installation Largo Fl will not directly benefit from SREC’s because the nearest solar market is in North Carolina. In Florida, there is a Property Tax Abatement for Renewable Energy property which provides a 100% tax exemption for added value on a property. Pineellas County might have more programs like the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program for a Largo resident wanting financing for a solar panel. The resourceful website dsireusa.org can give more detailed information on these programs and exemptions.
The installer will order equipment through selected distributors after getting approval from the consulting engineer and permits from the proper government agency. In addition to purchasing the solar panels and the fixed mount racks to place the panels on, the installer will decide which inverter to purchase. The two main types of inverters are the string inverter and the microinverter. The string inverter attaches itself to the fusebox and the electric meter in a couple of wires that converts a single direct current (DC) to an alternating current (AC). Microinverters are installed under each solar panel on your roof that converts direct current to an alternating current.
Fossil fuels electricity by burning in a natural gas turbine. Burning fossil fuels will emit greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide which is bad for the environment. There are also serious health problems associated with the burning of fossil fuel. The methods used in extracting and transporting the fossil fuel are dangerous to the environment as well. Using solar power will eliminate the need for fossil fuel.
