Winter is here, and with it the prospects of a MUCH more pleasant year. Our times of danger are not yet over and we still need to practice common sense and social distancing - it's going to be a while for all of us to be out of the woods - but hopefully we'll find the light at the end of the tunnel is not an oncoming train. In the meanwhile there are some new battery technologies and energy storage options available; and the federal tax credit at 26% for investment into solar power systems has been extended until the end of 2024.
Many of our customers, particularly in the north, use propane or other fuel generators to assist in charging their batteries in low winter light conditions, or in conditions of little wind. Many who are just building their homes have the need to run large power tools like welders or saws-loads that wouldn't be cost effectively powered by a PV system. Upon completion they can add solar or wind power to lower or eliminate their generator's run times. When a generator is teamed with an inverter and battery bank, system efficiencies increase and less fuel is used.
The figures at the left indicate the average (over the course of the year) amount of insolation (full sun hours) for these zones. These figures are based on the yearly average; consequently, systems based on these figures will provide more power in summer and less in winter. Winter figures for daily solar gain may be from 25% to 50% LESS than these average figures. We do have additional insolation data available for other parts of the world; e-mail us the location of your solar project. NEXT: After utilization of compact fluorescent lights, super energy efficient refrigerators and freezers, LP, propane gas kitchen stoves and refrigerators; compute your projected watt hours per day and then look at our sample system pricing again.