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The Importance of Regular Maintenance for Your Solar Panels

Gloved hand adjusting bolt on a solar panel.

One significant draw to solar as a clean energy source for residential and commercial properties is that solar panels are a durable and hands-off technology. However, they do need some regular maintenance to retain their full energy generation capabilities for as long as possible.

How Long Do Solar Panels Last?

The average solar energy system lasts 25 to 30 years, with standard manufacturer warranties lasting 25 years or less. Without any maintenance, that life span will be significantly reduced — and if maintained regularly, your solar panels could theoretically last up to 40 years before requiring replacement.

Benefits of Solar Panel Maintenance

Regular solar panel maintenance is sometimes a requirement for warranties, but it has several benefits for home and business owners as well, as it:

  • Restores energy efficiency
  • Maximizes system life span
  • Improves aesthetic appeal
  • Provides a chance for inspection

Maintenance keeps your system healthy and generating energy reliably throughout its life span. It also keeps you alert to any solar panel repair or replacement needs.

What Happens During Solar Panel Maintenance?

The main goal of solar panel maintenance is to get your panels sparkling clean. With Arizona’s dry and dusty climate and low rainfall rates, dirt can get caked on quickly.

Maintenance technicians will ensure your panels are squeaky clean so various films and other debris don’t compromise your system’s energy generation. While on your roof, technicians will also inspect for any visual signs of damage from weather or other impact sources.

Your solar inverter is also exposed to dirt and dust and can become damaged over time. A technician will clean the inverter and, if necessary, clean or replace the air intake filter for proper function.

Why Schedule Professional Solar Maintenance?

As a supplemental practice, aiming the water hose at your solar panels for a periodic rinse is a good idea — but that’s not enough to keep them in prime condition. There will always be nooks and crannies you can’t see well, where debris can continue to build up until a more thorough cleaning eliminates it.

Professional solar maintenance requires specialized equipment and is much more efficient than any DIY attempt, keeping potential injuries out of the picture. For the greatest convenience, safety, and efficacy, professional solar maintenance is the best option.

When you’re ready to schedule solar panel maintenance, choose Independent Solar. Our specialists will use their years of experience to fine-tune your system for optimal performance.

Call (480) 569-6903 to schedule solar panel maintenance in Phoenix or nearby.

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The Cost of Solar Installation: Is it Worth the Investment?

Solar technician installing a solar panel on a residential home in Arizona.

Despite solar panels being a decades-old technology, the growing enthusiasm surrounding solar power is becoming more prevalent every day. As this energy solution becomes more widely available to homeowners, more questions are popping up about affordability and whether they’re a good idea.

While solar installation is undoubtedly a big decision and a significant investment, the verdict you’ll find everywhere is that it’s an excellent investment for nearly every home.

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?

The biggest question on most homeowners’ minds is how much of an investment they’ll be expected to make in their new solar panel system. In Arizona, you’ll pay about 52% less for solar equipment today than you would have 10 years ago.

A 10kW system to power a home of 1,500 square feet is an average of just over $26,100, while a 15kW system to run a 2,500 square foot home averages a little more than $39,000.

While the numbers may seem daunting, don’t forget that you can take advantage of the federal tax credit that covers up to 30% of solar installation — and Arizona provides a credit with a maximum that can take another $1,000 off the system cost.

The state also provides a property tax exemption on your increased home value and an equipment sales tax exemption to sweeten the deal. In other words, going solar is more affordable than ever.

What Is the ROI on Solar Panels in AZ?

One of the differences in calculating returns with solar is that there’s no waiting around for your investment to start paying off. The second you switch on your solar energy system, you’re already recouping the money you would have paid toward your electric bills.

Another factor is that homes in Arizona use significantly more power per month than homes in other states due to intensive heat, upping air conditioning use. For that reason, solar panels replacing grid use will provide a higher ROI than in most other areas.

On average, you can expect your solar panels to finish paying for themselves in six to 10 years. Factor in that they’ll keep saving you hundreds on electricity for their life span of anywhere from 25 to 40 years (depending on the quality of your panels), and it’s clear that going solar is worth it.

With financing options also available, solar power is accessible to homeowners on a wide range of incomes.

Schedule Solar Panel Installation Today

If you’re interested in going solar and learning more about the factors that will affect your ROI, Independent Solar is here to help. Serving all of Arizona, we have the expertise to offer an unbeatable guarantee for the lowest cost per watt in the state. We’ll meet or beat any competitor’s proposal and even throw in $1,000 cash back after you go with us for installation.

Call (480) 569-6903 to request a free estimate and start your journey to clean, independent solar energy.

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The Benefits of Solar Installation for Your Home

Sunset behind two Arizona homes with solar panels on the roofs.

More and more homeowners are turning to solar energy to power their Arizona homes because of its incredible benefits.

Home solar installations help homeowners save money on their energy bills, increase the value of their property, and have peace of mind knowing they’ll always have power they can depend on during an outage.

Here are a few ways Arizona homeowners benefit from solar installation:

Save Money on Utility Bills & Installation Costs

Homeowners who install a solar panel system see a significant decrease in their energy bills over time as their homes use solar energy to power essential systems.

If a system is installed during high-energy-use seasons, Arizona homeowners won’t even have to wait that long — they could start seeing a great return on their investment quickly in the summer.

They’ll also receive excellent federal and state government incentives, tax benefits, credits, and/or rebates when they next complete their taxes.

Become Energy Independent

Solar panel systems help homeowners reduce their reliance on the power grid. Your lights will stay on during a disruption or power outage, and you’ll be protected from rising energy costs.

You can even sell the excess energy you produce back to the power company or earn credits you can use to offset your energy costs in the future.

Reduce Your Home’s Impact on the Environment

Solar energy is a clean, renewable energy source that doesn’t produce pollutants or greenhouse gases. By installing a solar panel system, you and your family will do your part to protect the environment. You’ll also reduce your carbon footprint and conserve finite fossil fuels, which will help mitigate climate change.

Increase the Value of Your Home

Solar panels add a sleek look to homes and increase their curb appeal, especially when installed by experts with advanced certificates in residential design.

Because solar panels are considered upgrades, they also increase your home’s resale value and marketability. Homebuyers are increasingly aware of the long-term savings and sustainability benefits of homes with solar panel energy systems. As a result, you’re likely to see a positive impact on your home appraisal when you decide to sell.

Enjoy Low Maintenance Needs & High Durability

Solar panel energy systems are built to last 25 to 30 years thanks to a robust technology that makes system failures unlikely as long as they receive regular cleanings and inspections. They’re also covered by an excellent warranty.

Inspire Your Local Community To Go Solar

Your solar installation will show your neighbors that switching to solar is a sustainable and reliable solution for energy that they can depend on for decades.

You’ll demonstrate to your community that a clean energy future is not just a possibility; it’s a reality for you and many other homeowners. Your actions might also spark local clean energy initiatives that make it easier than ever for your neighbors to adopt solar.

Choose Independent Solar for Expert Solar Installation in Arizona

Installing a solar panel system is one of the best ways for Arizona homeowners to avoid ever-increasing energy costs, benefit the environment in a lasting way, complete an upgrade that increases their home’s value, and more.

When you choose Independent Solar for solar installation, you can expect:

  • Experts trained in solar installation and design
  • Customized solutions for your needs
  • Lowest cost per watt in Arizona — guaranteed
  • Unmatched attention to detail
  • Exceptional customer service
  • Convenient financing options
  • And more

Explore solar installation options that fit the needs of your Arizona home when you call (480) 569-6903. 

 

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Solar Panels Could Be the Best Fad Ever

Solar Company in Phoenix | Arizona Solar Panel Installations

Installing an array on your roof is environmental exhibitionism—and it’s contagious.

“Oh, you should totally do it,” my neighbor said.

I was nursing a beer at his winter holiday party as he told me about the solar panels on his Brooklyn brownstone roof. They’d cut his electricity bill down so much that in a few years they’ll have paid for themselves, he told me. I had questions: Did it damage his roof? Were there any complications? Any regrets? Nope: If anything, he wished he’d put up a bigger array, to produce even more juice. “It’s great,” he gushed.

I went home, intrigued. I’d been thinking about putting an array on my roof for years, but something about my friend’s confidence pushed me over the edge. I called up Brooklyn Solarworks, a local firm, and their crew of electricians arrived and, with a chill, we-got-this vibe, installed a gorgeous, sleek set of panels. It’s a “canopy” setup, with the panels raised 9 feet above my roof on thick, shiny aluminum braces, crafted with such perfect welds it made my engineering-nerd heart swoon. My house is old, built in 1902, so the canopy lends it a vaguely William Gibsonian aesthetic: a ramshackle blend of vinyl siding, snaky wiring, and dark promise. You can see the panels from a block away; they attract attention.

Click here to view the entire article on WIRED.

CLIVE THOMPSON (@pomeranian99) is a WIRED contributing editor.

This article appears in the April issue.

AZ West Energy is your Solar Company in Phoenix

Looking for a Solar Company in Phoenix? AZ West Energy offers both Affordable and Efficient Solar at $0 Down. Your solar panel installations experts. We guarantee the Lowest Cost Per Watt in Arizona!  We will meet or beat any competitor’s proposal with the same brand, and we’ll rebate you $500.00 after the installation!

Looking for a Solar Company in Lake Havasu? Havasu Solar is Your Premier Solar Company in Lake Havasu City. Mohave County Solar Panel Installations.

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“In Depth” With Laurence Fishburne Interviews Experts About The Use Of Solar Power In Everyday Life

“In Depth” With Laurence Fishburne Interviews Experts About The Use Of Solar Power In Everyday LifePhoto: PRWeb

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (PRWEB) March 05, 2020

Actor, director, and producer Laurence Fishburne is lending his well-versed skillset as host to the program “In Depth”. The series is an informative TV show that highlights a wide array of topics impacting people around the globe. A new episode coming soon will feature industry professionals discussing the use of solar power in ordinary, everyday life.

Tech experts are harnessing solar power to replace the traditional methods used to fuel modern advances. In place of fossil fuels, solar energy can power homes, cars, and appliances. Plenty of advanced technologies use batteries as a power source. The average person needed to always have a charger in tow to recharge their phone, tablet, or computer later in the day. Now, developers are using solar energy as the power source for charging these devices. No matter where someone is, they can travel without the worry of having to stop to find a place to charge their phone.

Solar power also provides the ability to heat. Water heaters, space heaters, and washing machines are some of the appliances that can benefit from solar energy.

Solar power provides not only the means to simplify and streamline lives, but also makes a favorable impact on the planet by reducing the overall carbon footprint. “In Depth” will further explore how solar energy can aid everyday lives.

“In Depth” with Laurence Fishburne is a high-quality educational program. The development and creative team behind the program have accepted multiple Tellys for their efforts in television.

PRWeb Published

For the original version on PRWeb visit: https://www.prweb.com/releases/in_depth_with_laurence_fishburne_interviews_experts_about_the_use_of_solar_power_in_everyday_life/prweb16957825.htm

AZ West Energy is your Solar Company in Phoenix

Looking for a Solar Company in Phoenix? AZ West Energy offers both Affordable and Efficient Solar at $0 Down. Your solar panel installations experts. We guarantee the Lowest Cost Per Watt in Arizona!  We will meet or beat any competitor’s proposal with the same brand, and we’ll rebate you $500.00 after the installation!

Looking for a Solar Company in Lake Havasu? Havasu Solar is Your Premier Solar Company in Lake Havasu City. Mohave County Solar Panel Installations.

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Layered solar cell technology boosts efficiency, affordability

Layered solar cell technology boosts efficiency, affordabilityCredit: Dennis Schroeder / NREL

The future’s getting brighter for solar power. Researchers from CU Boulder have created a low-cost solar cell with one of the highest power-conversion efficiencies to date, by layering cells and using a unique combination of elements.

“We took a product that is responsible for a $30 billion a year industry and made it 30% better,” said Michael McGehee, a professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and co-author of a paper, to be published tomorrow in Science, which describes the technology. “That’s a big deal.”

The researchers took a perovskite solar cell, a crystal structure that’s designed to harvest higher energy photons, and layered it on top of a silicon solar cell, which captures more photons in the infrared part of the spectrum – which is made up of radiant energy that we cannot see, but we can feel as heat. Combined, the perovskite raises a 21% silicon solar cell up to an efficiency of 27% – increasing it by a third.

For years, silicon solar cells have been the standard in the solar power industry. But current silicon-based cells only convert 18% to 21% of the sun’s energy into usable electricity on average, and they max out at about 26.6%.

This means it now costs more to install the cells than to buy them, said McGehee, a fellow in the Renewable & Sustainable Energy Institute.

The average efficiency of solar panels is lower than the maximum efficiency, because no matter how good an individual, small solar cell is, it will lose about three percentage points when applied over a large panel – kind of like a sports team only being as good as its average player. But if you can raise the overall efficiency, you don’t have to install as many panels to get the same amount of power.

What dramatically improves efficiency is to put another solar cell on top of an existing one – and that’s exactly what McGehee and his fellow researchers did.

An affordable secret formula

This isn’t the first time researchers have layered solar cells to gain efficiency. The concept, also known as tandem or multi-junction solar cells, was first introduced in the 1970s – and the world record for solar cell efficiency is already over 45%. However, it came at a hefty price: $80,000 per square meter, due to the fact the cells were grown one atomic layer at a time, creating one big, single crystal. Probably not a cost the average homeowner or business can afford.

McGehee and his fellow researchers are the pioneers in a new direction of layered solar cells, using perovskites, which cost more than a hundred times less.

They started fewer than 10 years ago with the concept of using less expensive materials on top of the silicon, and at first only achieved about 13% efficiency. But through technological improvements they have been able to more than double that number.

Their secret formula involves a unique triple-halide alloy of chlorine, bromine, and iodine.

In solar cells, there is an ideal bandgap, according to McGehee. This is the space between energy levels in a semiconductor, which electrons jump between and create electrical energy.

Bromine can raise this bandgap, but when used with iodine and exposed to light, these elements don’t always stay in place. Previous studies have tried to use chlorine and iodine together, but due to the differing particle sizes of these elements, not enough chlorine could fit into the perovskite crystal structure. But by using different amounts of chlorine, bromine, and iodine, the researchers figured out a way to shrink the crystal structure, allowing more chlorine to fit in – stabilizing and improving the cell’s efficiency.

Perovskites are also inexpensive, not energy intensive to make and easy to create in the lab. And even after 1000 hours – or almost 42 days – of intensive light and heat testing, these new solar cells showed a minimal change in their initial efficiency.

With the solar power market growing around 30% per year, efficiency, cost and longevity are major considerations for which new technologies will become mainstream.

McGehee is optimistic about the potential of this wide-bandgap, layered perovskite solar cell.

Not only has it now surpassed the maximum efficiency of a silicon-only solar cell, “we believe it can take us over 30% efficiency and that it can be stable,” said McGehee.

BY SCIENMAG March 5, 2020 in Technology and Engineering

Read Entire Article on SCIENMAG: https://scienmag.com/layered-solar-cell-technology-boosts-efficiency-affordability/

AZ West Energy is your Solar Company in Phoenix

Looking for a Solar Company in Phoenix? AZ West Energy offers both Affordable and Efficient Solar at $0 Down. Your solar panel installations experts. We guarantee the Lowest Cost Per Watt in Arizona!  We will meet or beat any competitor’s proposal with the same brand, and we’ll rebate you $500.00 after the installation!

Looking for a Solar Company in Lake Havasu? Havasu Solar is Your Premier Solar Company in Lake Havasu City. Mohave County Solar Panel Installations.

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Homes With Solar Panels Sell for 4.1% More

Solar Company in Phoenix | Arizona Solar Panel Installations

Not only can adding solar panels to a home save energy costs and help the environment, it also can potentially increase a home’s value.

During the past year, homes with solar-energy systems sold for 4.1% more on average than comparable homes without solar power. For the median-valued home, that translates to an additional $9,274.

The sale premium varies substantially by market. In Riverside, Calif., for example, homes with solar-energy systems sold for 2.7% more than comparable homes without solar power—a markup of $9,926 for the median-valued home in the metro. In the greater New York City metro, solar-powered homes have a premium that is double that of Riverside. At 5.4%, that’s an extra $23,989 in value for the typical home in New York.

In three other coastal metro areas—Los Angeles, San Francisco and Orlando, Fla.—homes with solar power can fetch a premium of around 4%.One reason houses with solar-energy systems sell for more than those without them is because they can provide substantial future energy cost savings. For homeowners who know they consume a lot of power, these future savings are worth spending a bit more money up front. It is also possible that homes with solar-energy systems are more likely to have other features that are hard to measure yet valuable, like heated floors, which could contribute to the premium associated with solar power.

Personal preferences play a role, too: More than 80% of home buyers say energy-efficient features are important, according to the Zillow Group Consumer Housing Trends Report.

Methodology

We calculated the solar premium by comparing homes with and without solar-energy systems that were listed for sale and sold from March 1, 2018 to February 28, 2019, controlling for observable attributes of the homes, including bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, age of the home and location.

By Sarah Mikhitarian on Apr. 16, 2019

Read Entire Article on Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/blog/get-serious-about-going-solar-186394/

AZ West Energy is your Solar Company in Phoenix

Looking for a Solar Company in Phoenix? AZ West Energy offers both Affordable and Efficient Solar at $0 Down. Your solar panel installations experts. We guarantee the Lowest Cost Per Watt in Arizona!  We will meet or beat any competitor’s proposal with the same brand, and we’ll rebate you $500.00 after the installation!

Looking for a Solar Company in Lake Havasu? Havasu Solar is Your Premier Solar Company in Lake Havasu City. Mohave County Solar Panel Installations.

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Get Serious About Going Solar

Get Serious About Going Solar



They’re more affordable than you think, and the benefits make them a bright idea.

The decision to add solar panels to your home can seem daunting. The unknowns and assumptions of costs and installation tend to leave homeowners uneasy about going solar.

However, just as home automation once seemed overwhelming, adding solar panels to your home is becoming more of the norm. More than 1 million U.S. homes installed solar panels in 2016, and the industry is projected to triple over the next five years, according to research by the Solar Energy Industries Association.

California already generates more than five percent of its “annual utility-scale electricity generation from utility-scale solar power,” becoming the first state to do so.

The reasons to invest in solar panels are abundant. In addition to increasing your home’s value and saving money on your electric bill, solar panels also help homeowners decrease their carbon footprint. Within 20 years, a residential solar power system can offset literally tons of carbon dioxide.

Addressing the myths

If you’re still skeptical, know that quite a few myths about going solar exist. Here are the most common myths about solar panels.

  • I could never afford solar panels. The average cost to cover a home’s roof with solar panels is $29,000, according to Tech Insider. Ten years ago it was $43,000. That makes the cost of a solar roof “lower than the average price of a new car” in the U.S. This doesn’t even account for renewable energy tax credits you may receive; you can claim a 30-percent rebate for installing solar panels to your home. There are even solar panel leasing program options if you don’t feel ready for such a purchase. This solar panel installation cost calculator will give you the estimated cost of the benefits of using solar power in your home, as well as your expected daily savings.
  • My solar panels won’t work if the weather is bad. False. Germany is the solar energy capital of the world, and often faces long, dismal winters. Solar panels run off of UV light, so a cloudy sky won’t turn off your power.
  • Solar panels will require too much maintenance. Solar panels do not require much maintenance at all, actually. While rain will often do the trick, the general recommendation is to clean your panels by hosing them off annually. Most of your maintenance work involves simply making sure there is no debris on your roof that may cover any part of your panels.

Can your home handle it?

If you’re ready to start thinking more seriously about going solar, your first step is to see if your home can handle solar panels. Surprisingly, approximately only 25 percent of roofs are suitable for solar panels.

Research the following questions as you consider solar panels:

  • What are the measurements of my roof?
  • What are the electrical and building codes in my area?
  • Does my neighborhood have any rules regarding solar panels?
  • Does my state have laws regarding solar access rights in place?

You’ll also want to find a contractor who is certified to work with photovoltaic (PV) systems. A professional can help you determine if your home is a good fit for solar panels. Before you commit to any service, though, find out how long your contractor has been in business, how many installations their team has completed, and what kind of insurance they have. Making sure the contractor is North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners certified is another must. And it’s completely acceptable to ask for a portfolio or a list of recent projects and references.

An alternative to panels

No worries if your home isn’t yet ideal for installing solar panels. Alternatives like solar shingles are also worth considering. Solar shingles are a cheaper option, and look much like tar and sand shingles, blending in with your roof more than solar panels.

Like solar panels, they work by capturing sunlight and transforming it into usable energy. They’re usually only one foot wide, and can be stapled directly to roofing cloth, just like normal shingles.

If you think your home may be a good candidate for solar panels or shingles, give it a shot. With little to lose and so much to gain — and a new solar panel going up every 150 seconds in the U.S. — 2017 may be your year to go solar.

BY SARAH PIKE ON 18 APR 2017

Read Entire Article on Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/blog/get-serious-about-going-solar-186394/

AZ West Energy is your Solar Company in Phoenix

Looking for a Solar Company in Phoenix? AZ West Energy offers both Affordable and Efficient Solar at $0 Down. Your solar panel installations experts.

Looking for a Solar Company in Lake Havasu? Havasu Solar is Your Premier Solar Company in Lake Havasu City. Mohave County Solar Panel Installations.

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