5 reasons to install solar panels

The popularity of photovoltaic systems is growing rapidly around the world. No wonder, especially since photovoltaics have many advantages. Here are six reasons why you should rely on your own electricity from the sun.

Lower electricity bills with solar panels

Producing your own electricity from a photovoltaic installation reduces the bills for energy purchased from the grid, thanks to the fact that home (or company) devices first consume electricity produced from your own photovoltaic micro power plant.

Although a photovoltaic installation requires an investment that initially seems high, it will gradually pay off in the form of a decrease in energy bills. The profitability of photovoltaic panels is growing year by year, especially in the face of increases in electricity prices taken from the grid. From an installation with a power of 1 kWp, which will be directed in the right direction and at the right angle, you can produce up to 1,100 kWh of energy per year. Carrying out simple calculations, let’s assume that a statistical family consumes up to 5000 kWh of energy per year for household purposes. Depending on the power of the inverter, i.e. the elements of the photovoltaic system that converts direct current into alternating current, it can be said that a 4 kWp photovoltaic installation is able to produce up to 76% of the annual demand (3.8 MWh) of electricity.

What other solution will reduce the cost of electricity at such a high level? By introducing pro-saving behavior aimed at reducing energy consumption and using your own energy from a photovoltaic installation, you can significantly reduce the cost of electricity bills for many years.

Maintenance-free installation and long life of photovoltaic modules

One of the most important advantages of a photovoltaic installation is its maintenance-free operation. After installing the panels, whether on the roof or on the ground, no intervention from the investor is required. Energy production and transmission is automatic. The operation of the installation is practically cost-free. The only expense may be the periodic cleaning of photovoltaic modules, which in Estonian conditions should be carried out on average once a year, after the winter period. However, it is worth visually checking the condition of the modules from time to time and in the case of heavy contamination, whether with dust or bird droppings, remove them. Photovoltaic modules are characterized by high durability, which is confirmed by the manufacturer’s warranty for a nominal output power of 80% for 25 years.

Environmental protection

Savings are not the only argument for installing a photovoltaic installation. By using photovoltaics, we care about the natural environment. Photovoltaics in the process of producing electricity from solar radiation does not emit any substances harmful to health. For over 25 years, electricity production has been emission-free (no emissions of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur oxide, and dust harmful to health). Photovoltaics do not generate noise and do not use drinking water resources to generate energy. In a photovoltaic installation, any sounds are made only by the one responsible for converting direct current into an alternating inverter. However, this device is no louder than a human whisper.

The harmfulness of photovoltaic modules for flora and fauna has also not been demonstrated. Home photovoltaic installations practically do not affect the surrounding area. Commonly occurring silicon and aluminum are used for the production of photovoltaic modules, thanks to which they are 100% recyclable. In addition, photovoltaics contribute to saving water. The production of electricity thanks to the photovoltaic installation, unlike conventional power plants, takes place without the use of water. All this makes photovoltaics one of the cleanest energy sources in the world. It is worth noting that it is also one of the most important RES in terms of installed capacity in the world. It is estimated that in just one hour, enough solar energy reaches the Earth, which corresponds to the annual global demand.

Solar panels equal greater independence from energy price increases

Photovoltaics also means greater independence from increases in energy prices, including distribution costs for many years. The more the price of electricity increases, the shorter the return on investment in photovoltaic micro power plants. Analyzes of energy prices in recent years indicate a successive increase in electricity prices. You can opt for an offer with a price guarantee, but no one can guarantee that distribution prices will not increase, and many of them are charged based on our consumption. The photovoltaic power plant produces electricity for the needs of the owner, so it is less dependent on the energy supplier. First of all, the energy produced by photovoltaic modules is used to power home or business devices. The surplus of energy produced should supply other areas so that the user can fully exploit it for his own needs. Surplus energy can, for example, be used to heat water.

The maximum exploitation of the installation is a benefit for the user, the remaining surplus, which is no longer available for anything, can be discharged to the grid.

Photovoltaics is a certain investment, regardless of the amount of electricity produced, it determines our greater independence from suppliers. Renewable energy source created thanks to the photovoltaic installation, can therefore be treated not as an auxiliary source of power, but as the main source of electricity in our home or company.

The sun as an inexhaustible source of energy

The efficiency of a photovoltaic installation is influenced by many factors – the type of modules, their orientation on the roof (or ground, facade), the angle of inclination, and the percentage of shading. The biggest concern for people considering the purchase of an installation is the lack of sufficient sunlight. Our climatic zone is not an obstacle here. The sun is an inexhaustible source of free energy and the photovoltaic installation produces electricity even on cloudy days.

Please note that the modules are more efficient at lower temperatures because on hot days they may overheat and their efficiency may slightly decrease.

Photovoltaic modules are very resistant to various types of damage and adverse weather conditions (e.g. snow or rain). The operation of the installation is interrupted only at night. On the other hand, the wind cools the modules (especially in summer), which translates into their greater efficiency.

Estonia in 2022 received an average of 2017 hours of sunshine, depending on the measurement location. For the Tallinn-Harku area, it was 2,147 hours a year. (source: www.ilmateenistus.ee)

For comparison, Germany, the leader in the power of installed photovoltaic panels in Europe, received sunshine equal to 2024 hours in the same period. (source: Deutscher Wetterdienst)