Solar energy is being received through radiation from the sun and can be converted to heat or electricity. It is renewable and harnessed freely and easily thanks to advances in technology.

Here are some benefits of solar energy:

Renewable Energy Source

The most important benefit of solar energy is that it is a renewable energy source. Unlike some of the other sources of energy, we cannot run out of solar energy.

It is environment-friendly

Solar energy, compared to any other energy source, has a low negative impact on the environment. It uses no emission of greenhouse gases or water pollution. Solar energy production creates zero noise, which is an advantage, especially for urban areas.

Reduction in your Energy Bill

Using solar energy means using less from the utility supplier and translating directly to energy bill savings. Energy self-reliance can be achieved if you produce enough energy.

The time frame of higher demand matches energy production

Energy consumption tends to be higher in the afternoon and early evening. Naturally, this is the period when sunlight is at its peak. Solar energy reaches its optimal production capacity during this period.

Diverse Applications

Solar energy is used for assorted purposes. It is used to generate electricity (photovoltaics) or heat (solar thermal). Solar energy can also be used to distill water in regions with limited clean water supplies, which is especially useful for parts of San Antonio. It can also be integrated into the materials used for buildings, such as Sharp’s transparent solar energy windows.

Solar Energy is applicable in every location

Solar energy can be deployed anywhere as long as there is sunshine. Even remote locations without access to any other source of electricity, this is particularly useful. Solar energy is also used to power up boats for those fishing in the San Antonio, Frio or Medina rivers.

Electricity doesn’t need to be lost during long-distance transport

There is a loss of some of the energy during its transportation and distribution. If the distances between the production and the supply points are far more energy is lost. Having solar panels nearby significantly cuts this distance, thus increasing the productivity of the electrical system.

Better grid security

A high solar energy grid has numerous energy production installations, which are widely spread out. In the case of an overload of disasters, either natural or human-caused, there is less vulnerability to blackouts.

The cost of maintenance is low

Solar energy systems and panels generally do not require a lot of maintenance. There are no moving parts, so there is no wear and tear and only cleaning is required.

The energy that can be gathered from these solar panels can be used to power your home because sunlight is so abundant here in San Antonio, it ’s a lot cheaper too. Once panels are installed there are no other costs apart from maintenance now and again. You will end up saving a lot of money in the long run.

Finally, it’s a smart move to look at the future go solar. Are you living in San Antonio? Contact us for quality Solar Panels. We are located in San Antonio, serving all of south Texas.

CLICK HERE to request a Free Estimate.

The biggest step in switching to solar, is deciding to do so! You don’t need to worry about the rest, because South Texas Solar Systems will be ready to guide you from there on out, starting with picking the system that works best for you!

To save you hours of research about what system to choose, we’ve summarized the information in a convenient manner below.

There are three main kinds of solar systems you can use to power your home or business:

1. Grid-tied system:

The most common type of system is grid-tied, meaning anyone connected to a local power grid to can bring energy to their home through their panels, using the grid as backup on cloudy days and such.

For example, sunny months may bring a lot of production and actually cover all of your electric bill, and then some. This is when “credits” are applied to your bill, so perhaps the next month happens to be cloudy and your entire bill is not covered by your solar.

Credits can then be applied to that month! This of course depends on your utility company, but San Antonio’s own CPS goes by this very system!

This type of system is the cheapest option and offers the highest return on investment (ROI). This option is perfect for homeowners that are trying to save money on their electric bills, without having to completely leave their utility company.

2. Off-grid systems:

Photo by @ajb retrieved from: Unsplash

 

The difference between a grid-tied and an off-grid solar system is just as their names state; grid-tied systems are “on the grid” while off-grid systems are not.

Off-grid solar power systems use their solar panels to charge a bank of batteries. These batteries can then power your home.

They are ideal for remote or undeveloped places with no access to utility power.

The number of batteries required for this type of system heavily depends on what appliances are wanted to be charged. Take, for example, a refrigerator.

We probably want that running throughout the day if we have food in there. We need the solar system to be able to charge the batteries because they are our backup source of power.

Unlike grid-tied systems, we rely on these batteries to keep our power on.

3. Grid tied with backup:

Photo by @gusruballo retrieved from: Unsplash

Even if your home is connected to the local utility company, there is the possibility of power outages during storms or otherwise, especially if your home is in a region with unreliable power.

If this is your case, the best solar option for you may be to stay connected to the grid (grid-tied), but have a battery bank that acts as a backup during power outages.

This system is more expensive and has a lower ROI than the solely grid-tied system, however it is still eligible for credits from the utility company,

At South Texas Solar Systems Inc., we strive to ensure whatever photovoltaic (PV) system you choose works perfectly for your needs. If you’ve already realized switching to solar is the best decision for you (and quite frankly, the world), what are you waiting for to make it happen?

Get a free quote today by clicking on the link below and find out how much you can save!

www.txsolarsystems.com/free-estimate

Trending conversations of 2018: solar energy, eco-friendliness, transition to green energy, and overall just helping save the Earth. Despite the popularity of these topics, the installation of solar panels at home or at a business still seems like a remote idea for many.

It’s common to think that buying a solar system for a residence is a near-impossible task for the average American.

Some decide to go a different route and build a DIY solar system, thinking this will save them money. However, the complexity of this type of project should be taken into consideration.

At South Texas Solar, we custom design every system and take care of the whole process, which can be overwhelming without any prior experience.

Buying solar panels with a warranty, such as those offered by South Texas Solar like LG and Panasonic, will result in an immediate investment, as well as an increase in the value of your property as soon as the panels are installed.

As mentioned earlier, each system is customized according to each person’s electric bill and roof space at South Texas Solar.

Our starting process is super easy; we have provided here the following steps so you can start saving as soon as possible by switching to clean energy!

First Step: The first step to going solar, is to get a free quote! You can request one here: www.stxsolarsystems.com/solarenergy. EASY!

Second Step: Let us know how much energy your residence or business consumes on a monthly basis. The more information on your kWh consumption you can provide, the more accurate your estimate and system will be.

We don’t want to under or oversize your system, so having a year’s worth of your usage would be best.

This step may sound like a hassle, but all that is needed is a current energy bill. Most of them include energy usage for the previous 12 months too.

Third Step: Once we have the above information, we can start designing your custom system! There are plenty of factors that we consider during this process, and that includes your kWh usage.

We also look at your roof from an aerial point of view to estimate how many panels can fit.

Not all roofs are created equal. We look at the type of roof… is it shingle? Standing seam? Tile? We also look at any extrusions on the roof, such as pipes, air vents, chimneys, etc.

Small pipes may be rerouted on certain occasions, but bigger obstructions are a bit more troublesome seeing as they may shade a good deal of the roof that may have otherwise been able to hold solar panels.

Another shading problem may stem from nearby trees.

Tree trimming or removal can help here. It’s essential to remember that the slightest shade affects the production of the panels.

The quote for the system is then created based on the design. An energy report is also created to see the estimated yearly production of the system.

Fourth Step: Now we are finally ready to consult with a solar specialist, one-on-one.

A meeting will take place where the quote and design will be reviewed.

Any pending questions can be answered at this time. Changes to what is presented to you can also be established.

We want to make sure you are happy with your future system! After you are satisfied with step four and sign with South Texas Solar, the steps toward installation begin!

Going solar with South Texas Solar is definitely the way to go. It’s not to say that a DIY system won’t work, however, in the hands of experienced, licensed, and qualified professionals, the process is guaranteed to save you time, trouble, and money!

We take charge from beginning to end, communicating with you at every step. If you’d like to get started, complete Step One by requesting a free quote today!  www.txsolarsystems.com/free-estimate