Sunset Air Blog: Archive for the ‘Solar’ Category

Pros and Cons of Solar Panels

Monday, March 4th, 2024
sun-coming-through-windows

Solar panels have become popular for homeowners seeking to utilize renewable energy to power their homes and reduce monthly energy bills. You should take time to weigh your options before installing solar panels because it’s a big decision that requires careful consideration. Let’s dive into the benefits and drawbacks of solar panels to help determine if it’s the right investment for you! 

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What’s the Best Time of Year for Solar Panel Installation?

Monday, February 19th, 2024
tacoma-harbor-with-mount-rainier-in-background-at-sunrise-pink-clouds

Harnessing the free and endless energy of the sun is an ideal way for homeowners to reduce the amount of energy that they have to buy from their utility. You might be thinking, “That’s great in sunny climates, but this is the Pacific Northwest.”

One of the biggest misconceptions is that investing in solar panels in Tacoma, WA, isn’t worthwhile. But in fact, it doesn’t need to be constantly sunny outside to tap into the available energy. Solar panels can generate electricity even when it’s cloudy, overcast, and rainy. 

You needn’t worry that your solar panels won’t have enough sunlight to power them. Instead, you should be thinking about the best time of year to have a solar panel system installed. Let’s go over the pros and cons of having solar panels installed in each season.

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3 Benefits of Investing in Solar Energy

Monday, July 24th, 2023
solar-panels-being-installed-on-roof

More and more Washington State homeowners are looking to solar energy as a wise investment for their home energy needs. It’s a common misbelief that solar isn’t a viable option in the cloudy, rainy Pacific Northwest. But that just isn’t true. In fact, even on a cloudy day, there’s enough light outside for solar panels. 

With the advancements that have been made in solar energy technology over the last decade, it really does pay to invest in solar energy. Even more exciting is the fact that homeowners will find that they qualify for incentives by going solar, in addition to the other cost-saving benefits.

Let’s review three major benefits of solar installation in Tacoma, WA

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Is Solar A Good Investment in Washington State?

Monday, May 1st, 2023
window-sill-of-a-house

It’s no surprise that in the Evergreen State, many Washington State residents pride themselves on being “green.” Whether it’s the car you drive or the way you heat your home, choosing the eco-friendly option is appealing to many homeowners in our beautiful state.

However, many Washington State homeowners are perplexed by the thought of solar energy. It’s a common misconception that we don’t get enough sunlight to make solar panels worth the investment. However, that’s simply not the case. Let’s take a look at solar panel installation so you can learn how this is definitely an eco-friendly investment that’s worth it.

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Save Money This Winter by Installing a Solar Panel System

Monday, January 16th, 2017

If you’re looking to save a bit of money on your operating costs this winter, one of the best ways to do that is to invest in solar energy. Over the past decade, solar technology has advanced in leaps and bounds. Read on to find out more about the benefits of installing solar panels in your home.

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The Benefits of Solar Air Conditioning

Monday, August 22nd, 2016

If you’re like most homeowners, you’re always on the lookout for new ways to make your home more efficient. If you’re trying to cut down on your home’s energy costs this summer, you should install a solar air conditioner! Read on to find out more about solar air conditioning, and the benefits that it can offer you.

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What Are My Home’s Requirements for Installing a Solar System?

Monday, July 6th, 2015

Solar systems have come a long way in a very short time, and here in Olympia, solar installation services no longer need to worry about the excessive cloud cover of the Pacific Northwest. When properly installed, such a system can save you a great deal of money over the years, as well as increasing your home’s self-sufficiency and reducing your carbon footprint. But before you sign up for an installation, you need to make sure your home is right for solar installation. “What are my home’s requirements for installing a solar system?” you ask. Read on for the answers.

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How Does a PV Panel Generate Electricity?

Friday, March 27th, 2015

Solar energy has become a great option for a lot of homeowners thanks to improved technology, rebates and more product availability. However, it’s still a little confusing for the average homeowner to understand how light from the sun can be converted into electricity. It’s obvious that the solar panels achieve this, but the question that remain is “how?” To help you understand better how photovoltaic (PV) solar panels work for your Aberdeen, WA, home, the solar experts from Sunset Air have put together an explanation below that should hopefully shed some light on things.

It All Starts with a Cell

A solar cell, that is. What is it? A solar cell is a relatively small component that has several layers to it: a glass protective cover with anti-reflective coating, a contact grid, a N-type (negative) silicon layer and then a P-type (positive) silicon layer. These all rest on the back contact layer. The N-type layer has free electrons and the P-type layer has holes. When sunlight hits the solar cell, the free electrons are knocked loose from the N-type layer and move into the open holes in the P-Type layer; this action, and the connection of the N and P-Type layers, creates an electrical current.

The Solar Panel

A solar panel, also known as a solar array or PV panel, is a large number of solar cells housed together on a single panel. The electricity generated by each solar cell flows together as the solar cells are all connected to each other by wiring, creating a great deal of electricity. The PV panels are integrated with your home’s electrical panel via wiring and supply the panel with a great deal of extra energy that can be used to power just about any system you want.

Work with Specialists

Solar energy can be great for a lot of properties, but it’s critical to hire trained experts for installation, repair and maintenance.

The experts at Sunset Air offer comprehensive solar services, so if you are considering adding PV panels to your Aberdeen, WA, home, call us today!

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