What is solar energy and how does it work?

Solar power is energy harnessed from the sun's natural light and heat. Because the sun is infinitely replenishable, solar power is a renewable resource. There are two main types of solar energy production: Photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP). CSP is typically only used in large power plants, so you really only need to know PV. PV is the power source of solar panels. Solar panels contain PV cells that absorb energy from sunlight. This conversion of solar energy into electrical energy produces electrical charges that cause electricity to flow through your building's electrical panel.

How much power does a solar panel produce?

Standard solar panels produce about 250 watts each, with various levels of efficiency. The amount of energy one solar panel can produce mainly depends on its size and the location it is installed in. It also depends on a myriad of other factors, including the climate of the area you're operating in.

Are solar panels expensive to install?

In the US in 2020, the average cost of installing commercial solar panels was $325,000. The overall cost range was between $50,000 and $600,000. A solar panel system cost is measured in dollars per watt and is contingent on how much energy your business needs.

Are solar panels expensive to install?

In the US in 2020, the average cost of installing commercial solar panels was $325,000. The overall cost range was between $50,000 and $600,000. A solar panel system cost is measured in dollars per watt and is contingent on how much energy your business needs.

How many solar panels do I need?

Before you can answer this, you'll need to know how much energy your building uses monthly. When you identify your monthly kWh, enter it into any online solar panel calculator along with your zip code to get an estimate of how many solar panels you’ll need. For example: In the United States, an office building that's bigger than 100,000 square feet uses an average of 20 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per square foot annually. That's about 166,666 kWh each month. If we enter that number in with the lower Manhattan zip code, 10004, we see you'd need about 3-7 solar panels.

Why Solar Power For Business Is Worth The Investment

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