Nearly all operations of day-to-day life require electrical energy for activities such as entertainment, cooking, air conditioning, lighting, charging, and running all the appliances at home and machinery at work. Due to this dependence on electricity, the electric bills escalate. Additionally, electricity costs are unpredictable and will continue to rise.
However, there are a few energy alternatives that are cheaper than electricity that can help in lowering or eliminating electricity bills. Installing an off-grid solar system is one of the best and most convenient ways of lowering electricity bills in the long run.
You must get the right solar system if you are considering an alternative power source to cut down or eliminate electricity bills. However, you will need to consider several factors, such as the amount of power required to run your household and your budget, before installing the solar system. In this article, you will learn how to lower electricity bills by installing a solar system.
How to Reduce the Electricity Costs?
There are several measures you can take to reduce the electricity costs in your household. They include:
1. Using Energy-Efficient Appliances and Electronics
Switch to energy-efficient appliances and see how significantly electricity costs will reduce. Also, using the existing appliances and electronics efficiently would be best. For instance, consider using a power strip to eliminate the ‘vampire loads’, the power consumed even if electronics are not in use.
2. Efficient Lighting
Another way of lowering electricity costs is by using energy-efficient lighting bulbs that consume less power. Also, consider installing large windows to allow natural light into your home. Make the most of natural light.
3. Install a Smart Meter
If you intentionally want to lower your electricity, consider installing a smart meter to help you monitor your consumption. You can use the data to see the appliance or electronic with the highest power. It allows you to deal accordingly with the appliance that consumes a lot.
4. Make Personal Changes
You can still reduce electricity costs in your home without purchasing energy-efficient products. Simple habits such as switching lights and turning off electronics and appliances when not in use can go a long way toward savings costs on electricity. To cut down the electricity cost, you can do some tasks manually, such as hang-drying your clothes instead of using the dryer and hand-washing dishes.
Being mindful and changing your behavior in how you use electricity around your home has the highest potential to reduce electricity costs.
5. Installing Solar Power
Solar power is a low-cost, clean, and renewable energy source. If you want to cut down the cost of electricity in the long run, consider installing solar panels.
Can Installing Solar Panels Lower Your Electricity Bills?
Absolutely. Not only can you save electricity bills with solar, but it is possible to eliminate them. In addition, solar is clean energy that doesn’t deplete or pollute the environment.
One of the reasons more and more people are switching to solar energy is due to reduced energy bills. Additionally, once installed, it requires minimal to no maintenance.
Besides saving money on your electric bills, you can also make money by selling off the excess solar energy from your grid. Not to mention that installing a solar system increases the value of your home. But how do you choose the right off-grid solar system for your home?
How to Choose the Right Solar Panels for Your Home?
An off-grid solar system installation is a long-term investment. Therefore, you should think critically about it and weigh in different aspects. The following are factors you must consider when installing a solar system.
1. The Costs of the Panels
The cost of solar panels is one of the major considerations that most people make before installing off-grid solar. The cost of the panels depends on the size of the panels in watts, the physical size, the quality of the panels in terms of the material, the brand, certifications, and the durability or the warranty.
Although the cost is a major factor, it is not the only determining factor. Choosing high-quality panels with long-term durability (over 30 years) over the cheapest panels is a wise decision.
2. The quality of the Panels
Another important thing to consider is the quality of solar panels. Do not compromise the quality of the panels over the costs. Consider the quality of the materials used on the panel and the manufacturing quality.
There are several brands in the market today, each producing different quality, size, and variable pricing.
Before making this huge long-term investment in purchasing solar panels, research thoroughly by checking the reviews of the company’s past clients.
3. Energy Efficiency of the Solar Panels
The efficiency of the solar panels is measured by how much sunlight the panels tap, which is then converted into electric energy. It is the amount of power your solar system is capable of producing.
The higher the efficiency, the better and, however, more expensive.
Although higher efficiency is better, it doesn’t mean you should get the most efficient or bigger solar system. This is because you might produce more energy than your household can consume.
Take time to analyze the right system based on your energy consumption. Remember, do not underestimate or overestimate your power needs. You can call an expert to help you determine accurately your power needs.
4. The Durability
The length of the manufacturer’s warranty can go a long way in determining the system's durability. A company confident in its products will usually offer a long-term warranty. Do not just look at the attractive prices; consider the long-term service.
5. The Temperature Coefficient
It is the impact of the heat on the panel's operation efficiency. Overheating of the solar panels results in faster degeneration. Choose a solar panel with a lower percentage per degree Celsius to avoid faster aging of your solar system.
6. The Types of Solar Cells Used
Solar panels have varying efficiencies. For instance, Monocrystalline silicon, which is considered the best, is highly efficient, with good heat tolerance and a smaller footprint.
Polycrystalline, or multi-crystalline silicon, is energy efficient and the best for residential installations. The Amorphous or thin-film silicon cells use lesser silicone. However, they are not energy efficient. To achieve an equivalent wattage, the crystalline panels will be smaller than the amorphous panels.
7. The Size of the Panels
The size refers to both the wattage and the physical size. The panel size in both instances will determine whether you can effectively power all your appliances or household. In addition, you must have adequate installation space for the solar panels.
The size of the panels varies depending on how powerful the system is and the type of solar cells. The higher the wattage, the bigger the size of the panel.
The wattage is a major factor you must rightly consider. If you overestimate the wattage, you will have to spend more money producing energy you don’t need. Underestimation will lead to the underproduction of energy for your household.
How Many Solar Panels Do I Need to Install in My Home?
When determining the number of solar panels to install in your home, you should consider the following factors:
- The Peak Output- you should understand that the peak output is for a perfectly sunny day. Some days, you will have a lower output due to overcast conditions or a shade blocking the panels.
- Your Energy Consumption- Calculate the monthly electricity consumption in (kWh). You can check your electricity bill reports to get this information. The information will help you decide on the right number of panels that can provide such an amount of power.
- The Efficiency of the Panels- All solar panels are not made equal. Consider the efficiency of the panels before installation. To determine the panels' efficiency, consider the amount of electricity generated per square meter of a panel. An average efficiency ranges from 15% to 20%. Generally, the number of panels to install at your home comes down to the energy you use and the amount of money you are willing to spend on off-grid solar system installation.
- The Roof Space- you should consider the roof size where you intend to install the panels. Installation requires quite a bit of space.
The details above will enable you to accurately calculate the number of panels to install properly. Get a solar expert to help you accurately determine the number of panels needed by accessing various situations.
Recommended the Best Home Solar Generators for You
After careful consideration, here are my recommendations for some of the better solar panels on the market today.
1. BLUETTI PV200 Solar Panels | 200W
The BLUETTI PV200 is a portable and highly efficient solar panel designed for outdoor life, such as camping, fishing, or home use during power outages. The monocrystalline solar panel has up to 23.4% conversion efficiency.
The BLUETTI 200-Watt solar panel has four sections with dimensions of 23.2 inches X 89.2 inches wide and 23.2 x 24.8 inches folded. The solar panel is foldable for easy portability. It has a sturdy ergonomic handle for easy handling and carrying of the panel.
Each panel is coated with fluorine-based plastic (ETFE), which is scratch free and for enhanced durability. Also, it has IP65 waterproof, making it suitable for outdoor activities even during wet weather. Also, the unit comes with a kickstand to allow for easy positioning at a 45-degree angle.
Features
- Monocrystalline Solar Cells with 23.4% Efficiency
- Long-lasting ETFE Coating
- Foldable and portable
- Compatible with several solar generators using MC4 Connectors
- 12-month Warranty
2. BLUETTI AC200MAX + Solar Panels | Solar Generator Kit
The BLUETTI AC200 MAX is an upgrade of the AC200P. It is the first modular expandable BLUETTI power station. The kit is packed with 2,048 Wh ultra-durable LFP cells and 2,200 W full power sine wave inverter.
The kit comes with up to 3,500 life cycles with up to 80% of the original capacity. It has smart features such as Bluetooth connectivity and battery expansion. It has two expansion ports allowing you to expand and build up your system up to 8,192Wh.
The BLUETTI AC200 MAX has 16 total power outlets enabling you to connect all your devices. The kit is suitable for outdoor activities such as camping, RVing, and boating.
Features
- 2,200W AC Pure Sine Wave Inverter with 4,800W Surge.
- AC200 MAX 2,048 Wh Capacity.
- LiFePO4 Battery with 3,500+ Life Cycles up to 80%
- Expandable up to 6,144Wh with 2×B230, or 8,192Wh with 2×B300
- 7 Ways to Recharge (AC/Solar/Car/Generator/Lead Battery/Dual AC/AC + Solar)
- 900W Max. Solar Input
- 1400W Max. Fast Dual Charging (Solar + AC Adapter)
- Smart Control and Monitor in BLUETTI App
3. BLUETTI AC300 + 1*B300 + Solar Panels | Solar Generator Kit
The BLUETTI AC300 is the first 100% modular solar generator by BLUETTI. The generator transforms DC into AC electricity.
The AC300 has 3000W of sine wave power, sufficient for powering nearly all home appliances and electronics simultaneously.
The generator is fast charging with a 5400W input rate. It has five charging modes: wall outlet, solar panels, cars, gas generator, and lead-acid battery. The BLUETTI AC300 has a 24/7 UPS to keep you powered even with a black-out.
The AC300 can support up to 2400W solar panels ranging between 12 to 150V, capable of recharging all batteries in 5 hours with prime sunlight.
Features
- 3000 W Pure Sine Wave Power
- Up to 12,288Wh Battery Capacity
- 2400W MPPT Solar Input
- Up to 6000W Surge Rating
- Modular Design
- Compatible with up to 4 B300 batteries
- 24/7 UPS Home Backup
- Smart Device and connect to Wi-Fi and BT
Final Thoughts
The issue of escalating electricity costs is a pain for most households. However, there are several measures you can adopt to reduce your electricity bills significantly. Measures such as purchasing energy-efficient home appliances, changing certain behaviors concerning power usage, and making changes such as installing power strips and smart thermostats can help to lower the cost of electricity.
Consider installing a solar energy system in your home as a long-term solution for high electricity costs. Solar energy has numerous benefits, such as harnessing clean, renewable energy and reducing over-reliance on power grids, thus contributing to a more sustainable future.
Installing solar panels and observing other energy-efficient practices, homes and businesses can significantly reduce electricity consumption, contributing to cost savings in the long run.
