The sun is a powerful source of energy. This star at the center of the solar system constantly releases photons, which are small bursts of energy that travel an incredible distance to Earth within about eight minutes. Instead of letting this energy go to waste, many homes and businesses are harnessing solar energy by using solar panels to capture and convert it into electricity.
Solar panels are devices that are usually placed on the roof of a home or business. Each solar panel consists of a large number of solar cells, which are made out of silicon. Photons collide with these solar cells, causing electrons to break free from their atoms. The electrons then move through an electrical circuit and generate electricity that can be used to power the home or business. The more the solar panel is exposed to sunlight, the more photons it will capture, and thus the more energy it will produce.
Many home and business owners are hesitant to install solar panels because of the initial installation cost. The cost of installing solar panels on a home or business has gone down over the last several years, but it is still not cheap.
Related: When It’s Smart to Invest in Solar Panels
Despite the high installation costs, solar panels can save you money in the long run. How? Using power from the local utility company costs money, but using power from the sun is free. Turning to solar power instead of relying solely on electricity provided by the utility company can significantly lower your monthly utility bill. This is one of the many ways home and business owners can save money with solar panels.
However, solar panels are not necessarily right for everyone. Before making this financial investment, it’s important to understand how much it will cost to install solar panels and more importantly, how much you will save down the road. Take a look at this helpful infographic to learn more about how will solar panels save you:
