Solar Panels Usage: The 9 Most Common Uses of Solar Power

Are you considering investing in solar panels?

With rampant inflation underpinned by surging energy costs, grim predictions forecasting energy prices to double over the next two years, and a genuine concern for the future of our planet, solar energy has never seemed so appealing to Americans.

In fact, over 2.7 million American households now have rooftop solar panels enjoying the benefits of solar energy to power their home in a more sustainable and affordable way.

But what are solar panels used for exactly? And why should you consider switching?

These are the questions we’re about to tackle in this blog post!

Before that, we’ve also prepared other articles you might be interested in: What Are Solar Panels Made Out Of And How They Are Made?

What Are The Main Benefits Of Solar Power?

While there are many benefits to using solar panels, here are six of the main ones.

●Solar Power Is Renewable

Did you know that enough solar energy hits Earth every hour to power the entire planet for a year?

Solar power is abundant and can be replenished quickly as soon as the sun rises. After decades of mining the planet, we have quickly depleted our natural resources, making solar power one of the best alternatives to fossil fuel, which is available in limited quantities and replenishes very slowly.

●Low-Impact Process

Capturing solar energy is a low-impact process compared to mining fossil fuels. That’s because drilling for oil or natural gas affects the soil and impacts the surrounding environment. On the other hand, setting up a new solar panel on a home or RV has a much lower environmental impact.

●Clean Source of Power

Generating energy using fossil fuels leads to releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. And this, in turn, contributes to global climate change. Fossil fuel combustion also releases other air and water pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and mercury!

On the other hand, solar energy doesn’t emit any harmful gas. Installing solar panels on your home or RV means you won’t have to depend on fossil fuel to heat your home or power your appliances anymore, thus reducing your carbon footprint.

●Cheaper Energy Source

Using solar panels will help significantly lower your energy bill. In fact, surveys show that people who install solar panels on their rooftops could save up to $75,000 in 25 years on their energy bills!

●Boost Your Property Value

Not only will investing in solar panels save you money on your energy bills, but it will also improve the resale value of your home. According to research, installing solar panels on your home could boost your property price by up to $5,911 per kW of solar energy! For more information, check another article: Do Solar Panels Increase Home Value?

●Allow You To Earn Money

When the sun shines bright for days, you will be able to sell back any excess energy to the grid. In other words, any surplus energy created through your solar panels can be directly fed back into the grid, and you can be paid for it. Depending on your state and how much power your solar panels are able to produce and you might be able to earn between $50 and $700+ a month.

Main Solar Panel Usage

Now, many of our clients come to us asking, “what can I power with solar panels?”. And that’s a legitimate question. Can you power anything? Will you experience any limitations?

We will answer these questions in this section by tackling the best ways to use solar panels in your daily life.

●Generating Electricity

One of the most important uses of solar panels is providing electricity to power a home. When the sun hits photovoltaic (PV) panels, it is absorbed by solar cells on the solar panels.

The energy created (direct current of electricity) passes through an inverter to be converted into alternating current. This current will then either be used by the homeowner or fed into the National Grid. You can find more related information in How Does A Solar Panel Work On A House?

●Heating a Home

Installing photovoltaic solar panels and a heat pump in your home will allow you to capture the sun’s energy and heat your home during the cold winter months. Also, to ensure you get a consistent power supply, you might want to invest in a 12V battery system to store energy for rainy or cloudy days.

●Heating Water

In the same way solar panels allow homeowners to heat their homes, they can also heat water. To make it simple, when the sun gets absorbed by solar cells on solar panels, the heat gets transferred into the home water tank. This enables homeowners to enjoy warm and hot water that will then be used for their swimming pool when doing their laundry, having a shower, or cooking.

●Lighting a Home

Along with heating a home and generating electricity, one of the main uses of solar panels in daily life is to light a home. You can install solar lights everywhere, including your garden and even your garage. Also, if you’re looking for ways to reduce your energy bill, pairing LED lights with solar panels will allow you to power the lights of your entire home inexpensively.

●Portable Chargers

Have you ever found yourself out of battery in the middle of nowhere? From your phone and tablets to a laptop or smartwatch, solar-powered chargers can help you charge your electronic devices from anywhere. Their convenience and low-environmental impact explain their success over the last few years. For example, the Phoenix 500 Portable Power Station from Renogy can store electricity generated by solar panels and discharge power anywhere as backup power.

●Charging Devices

Not only can solar panels power portable chargers that will then be used to recharge your devices on the go, but they can also power your devices at home. Note that to support 150-amp hours of battery power, you’ll need 300 amps of battery capacity to ensure maximum battery performance and life.

●Solar Ventilation

Solar ventilation systems are designed to improve the air circulation in the roof cavity. They work by removing heat and moisture, leading to a much more energy-efficient home. During the hotter months, it allows you to keep your roof space cool which, in turn, helps maintain a cooler temperature in your home and reduces the load on your air conditioner unit or units. This is not only better for the planet, but it’s also great for your wallet.

●Solar Dryers

During the winter months or if you live in a particularly rainy or humid area, you might need a dryer to dry your sheets and clothes properly. But instead of using a dryer that runs on electricity generated by fossil fuel, many homeowners are now investing in solar dryers. This allows them to significantly reduce their energy bills while protecting the planet.

●Other Light and Heavy-duty Appliances

-Ovens

Solar power can be used to cook with your oven. And, of course, the meals you’ll be whipping up will be as delicious, meaty, and juicy as the ones made with electricity generated by fossil fuel.

-Refrigerators and Freezers

Keeping something cool using solar energy? Yep, that’s a thing. Solar power can be converted into electricity used to maintain chilled and optimal temperatures for your freezer and refrigerator.

-Air Conditioners

New solar technologies have made possible the advent of solar air conditioners. The two types of solar air conditioners available include off-the-grid and hybrid air conditioner units. The first type is 100% reliant on solar energy and is best suited to RVs or remote homes without access to the grid. The second type will allow you to cool your home using solar energy during the day when it’s needed the most. However, if you need to keep the temperature cool overnight, the system will switch back to the grid.

Looking For The Best Solar Panels In the U.S.?

At Renogy, we’re passionate about solar energy. So much so that we provide our customers with the latest solar technology, including highly efficient portable monocrystalline solar panels to mount on your RV. Our home and RV solar panels are all manufactured using the highest quality materials. And we also follow the strictest manufacturing standards to ensure high efficiency and durability.

Our goal is to help make the world a greener place, and we’re here to support you in this exciting journey too.

Solar energy truly is the future, with experts predicting it will become the number one energy source by 2050.

So, why wait?

If you have any questions about our solar panels or any other accessories, don’t hesitate to visit our Renogy online store and contact us. We’d love to discuss your solar power needs and help you make an informed decision.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for more information about solar power and solar panels, don’t hesitate to check our Blog Page. With Renogy Solar Calculator or our newly developed Super Solar Calculator, you can easily work out how many solar panels you need. We know the world of solar energy is relatively new, and it can be difficult to navigate unless you’re an expert. That’s why we regularly publish articles covering everything you need to know before purchasing your first solar power system.

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