Starting With the Basics: How Solar Works
What have you heard about solar power before? You’ve probably heard that solar is great for the environment, or that you can save money on your electric bill—both of which are true statements. But if you have not heard much about solar, those benefits do not provide much explanation. Solar power is an excellent alternative to our dependence on fossil fuels and, thanks to the financial benefits, can save you money on your electric bill for years to come. But how does that work?
At the most basic, a solar powered system is the technology that converts the sun’s rays to usable energy. The panels you will occasionally see affixed to a home’s roof are solar panels, which are made up of photovoltaic cells. These photovoltaic cells, also called solar cells or pv cells, are what capture the energy given off by sunlight; think of it rather like the process by which plants absorb sunlight and convert that to the fuel they need to grow. An individual solar panel generally has around 60 connected solar cells within it, and a solar array—what you call a series of solar panels joined together—will generally be made up of 10 to 20 solar panels for the standard Massachusetts home. The panels all work together to absorb as much sunlight as possible; then, the collected energy travels through an inverter, where it is converted into the type of electrical current your home can use.
Yes, it’s really that simple. A solar panel system can power your home, your business, your barn, or whatever else you hook it up to (within reason, of course). There is no waste created during the process, and a solar power system has a lifespan averaging around 25 years, and counting! When you have a solar array installed on your home, you remove your need to rely on the local electric service, which means you effectively cut your dependence on the fossil fuels that are burned to generate electricity at power plants. Given that you can save money and help the environment at the same time, going solar is a win-win.
RGS Energy has been in the solar business for nearly 40 years now, so it is safe to say we know what we are doing when it comes to solar power systems. One thing we can say after years of experience is that solar energy is not a fad. In the time since RGS Energy began, the cost of a solar array has gone from nearly $100 per watt down to roughly $5 per watt. If you’re interested in learning more, the RGS team is happy to help. Click the contact button below to learn more about our personalized services, from professional solar installation to financing and maintenance. Start saving on your energy bills and help save the environment with RGS Energy!
Save With Solar in Massachusetts
It is no secret that the world as we know it is at a tipping point. As the global population increases, access to technology is made more readily available, and more people come to want the same standard of living as more developed countries, energy demands are going to increase at a rate that, unless we take action now, will become unsustainable. According to a recent study published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration energy demands in the United States are only expected to rise over the next 30 years, however, there is some good news that comes from this report. The renewable energy sector, especially energy produced by solar panels, is expected to rise sharply in the coming decades as the technology becomes cheaper, more widely available, and economically viable for industrial applications. Over this same period, coal-fired power plants are going to see a dramatic decrease in use, an eventuality that many across the country have been waiting for for years.
Since 1978, RGS Energy has been at the forefront of the solar energy sector. We have dedicated our professional lives to help residents of Massachusetts make the switch to solar energy and, as a result, lower their electricity bills, reduce their carbon footprint, and lessen the burden that is placed on municipal power grids. Through the services that we have provided over the past four decades, we have helped our clients, collectively, save millions of dollars that would have otherwise been spent on electricity and, looking forward, we hope to help even more residents of this state make the switch to clean, affordable, and renewable solar energy.
Solar Energy Services We Offer in Massachusetts
RGS Energy provides the following solar energy services in Massachusetts:
- Solar Panel Installations
- Solar Panel Financing
- Solar Panel Maintenance Services
We are a full service solar energy company and your best choice in Massachusetts. If you have any questions about how we can help you, give us a call today at 877-747-4338!
Helping the Environment: The Benefits of Going Solar
Going solar means you’re doing much more than simply saving money on your monthly energy bill. Yes, it’s a great investment and a way to save money on monthly living expenses, but it’s also a pretty stellar way to do your part in conserving natural resources and helping the environment. That might sound like a pretty heavy load for one simple system to carry, but solar power can do a lot more than power your home or business. Want to know more? These are a few of the benefits to solar energy:
Environmental
Most people in the U.S. rely on a local electric company to power their home, apartment, business, and so on. The electricity itself comes by way of a local substation, but the power isn’t generated there. Electricity is actually generated by power plants. So, not only does our current electrical system rely on a massive network of power lines and their supports, which can eat up valuable resources, but the methods used to produce power in the first place aren’t exactly environmentally friendly. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, roughly 85 percent of energy generation across the country is done with coal, natural gas, oil, and nuclear power. Only 12 percent of power generated at power plants is done using renewable resources, which includes hydroelectric, wind, and solar farms.
The remaining 3 percent is everything else, including homes powered by a solar panel system. Now, imagine what a difference could be made if that 85 percent was replaced with renewable resources? Solar power does not interrupt nature the way hydroelectric does, even. Instead, solar power taps into an infinitely available resource: sunlight. Solar panels don’t produce harmful gases or runoff as they make energy, which makes solar power a much cleaner and more eco-conscious option than a majority of our nation’s produced electricity. Switching over to solar means you can do away with your dependence on those harmful fossil fuels to power your home.
Financial
Helping to conserve natural resources and reduce your global footprint is only half of the benefit to going solar. The other portion is the benefit to your bank account. When you have a solar panel system installed, you can start seeing the savings right away because the energy to power your home will come from your solar array rather than the electric company. Even if you choose to take out a loan to pay for the solar panel system, you can think of it as replacing what you would pay for your electric bill each month with payments for your solar array. Or, if you’re buying your system outright at the beginning, the savings on your electric bill will will help you recoup the cost within a few years, and you’ll continue to enjoy savings for years after. In fact, the average household in Massachusetts saves about $2000 a year on their electric costs (see chart above), so over the life of your solar array, that can add up to tens of thousands in savings. And, if that is not enough on its own, anytime your solar array produces excess energy, it will roll back the meter your electric company uses to keep track of your energy usage. If this happens enough, your electric company could end up owing you!
Between the environmental benefits and the fiscal perks, a solar power system can make worlds of difference. The RGS team is happy to tell you more; give us a call and learn more about the difference solar can make for you!
