Solar panels have been one of the main protagonists of the electricity generation market for some years. The various governments have tried to encourage its use, although not all with the same intensity.
The current environmental situation and the need to reduce the energy bill and improve efficiency have led to solar panels continuing in the government’s spotlight. But are they worth it in all cases?
What Are Solar Panels, And How Do They Work?
Solar panels transform sunlight into electrical energy to be used immediately or stored for later use. Solar panels are made up of photovoltaic cells, which are the components that convert light into energy.
The operation of solar panels is very complex. Photovoltaic cells are made of a semiconductor material capable of conducting electricity. When sunlight hits the semiconductor, a chemical reaction occurs that generates electricity. Photovoltaic cells can be made of crystalline silicon or amorphous silicon.
Solar panels are connected to an inverter, a device that converts direct current (DC) electrical energy into alternating current (AC), used in homes and businesses. Once the inverter converts DC power to AC, this power can be used immediately or stored in a battery for later use. If used immediately, electrical energy will follow the same path that electricity from a power generation company follows.
The electricity can be used immediately or stored in a battery. In this second case, the energy will be available when no sunlight is available, such as at night or on cloudy days.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Solar Panels
Solar panels offer numerous advantages for users, especially those who live in places with a sunny climate. Most people who use solar panels benefit from significant savings on their electricity bill since solar power is free once the system has been installed. Another great advantage of solar panels is that they do not produce any type of pollution, being renewable energy, so they are friendly to the environment.
However, solar panels also have some drawbacks. First of all, they require expensive and complicated installation. They also need to be situated in a location with a good amount of sunlight, which means they can’t be used everywhere, especially if you want to use their full potential.
What To Take Into Account When Installing Solar Panels?
There are different factors to take into account when installing solar panels. Some of the most important are the following:
Regulations and permits: when installing solar panels, you must comply with all current regulations and obtain certain permits. The Administration generally requires an environmental or public utility authorization, administrative and construction authorization, completion certificate, initial inspection and periodic inspections, access contract for the self-consumption facility, energy supply contract for auxiliary services, representation contract, and compensation contract for surpluses.
Types of solar panels: different solar panels, such as photovoltaic, thermal, or hybrid cells. Depending on the option chosen, you will have to make a greater or lesser investment in your home, but in the long term, the savings will also be greater.
Costs, savings, and amortization: installing solar panels involves a fairly high initial investment exceeding €10,000. Its amortization will depend on numerous factors; if your electricity consumption is low, it will take longer to amortize them. But if your use is intensive or the light is expensive, it will take much less time. In general, you will have amortized your investment within about ten years.
Self-consumption models: There are two forms of self-consumption: without surplus or with surplus. The excess energy is not sold to the electricity grid in the first, while in the second modality, it is. By giving it up, the system allows energy to be obtained when the plates are not generating electricity, compensating for the periods in which it is given. However, it involves longer procedures at the time of installation. The option without a surplus is convenient if you live in places with many hours of sunshine per year, or you can store it in batteries.
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Are Solar Panels Worth It?
With all the elements on the table, the next logical question is: are solar panels worth installing? The answer is yes, in general, especially in a country like Spain, where there are so many sunny days a year.
It is a fairly significant expense, but, as we have seen, you can amortize your investment in about ten years. And if you take good care of your solar panels, you can increase their useful life by about 15 years.
In addition, you have to consider the price of electricity and gas to know the best time to install solar panels. When the price of gas or electricity is expensive, solar panels are especially important to reduce your energy bill and improve efficiency.
In short, study your case to determine if you want to install solar panels. Despite their good press, they do not always represent a good investment.
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