Installing Solar Panels On Pergola – Would It Make Sense?




I had a discussion with a friend of mine who is thinking of setting up his own home solar power system. The discussion reached a point where we were talking where to put the solar panels worth over $15,000.

There were many places which were discussed, some of the places were roofs, picnic shelters and carports. As a matter of fact, it is very difficult to locate a place where a bunch of Photovoltaic (PV) panels can be installed.

You need to consider many things like exposure to sun, the condition of roof, vandalism and the space availability on the roof. My suggestion was to build another carport and to me, it seemed to be a good idea. Apart from parking your car, the structure can be used to shield your car from the sun and rain. Now, it can also be used to generate electricity via the solar panels.

In the discussion, my friend mentioned the word “Pergola” which was a new term for me. To me, a Pergola sounds like an Italian opera, where there is lot of water around with a boat and an Italian man singing romantic songs.

To feed my curiosity, I went online and did a search on Pergola. As it turns out, it is a wooden structure usually built on a yard. Initially, I was a bit disappointed that my friend gave the suggestion because we live in a hot and humid area. I could visualize moisture damage on the wood and it needing regular replacement or repainting.

However, I saw some pictures of Pergola which already had solar panels installed on it. It is like something built on heavy timbers and does not have sidings.

If you were to installed PV panels on a Pergola, the following are some of the pros and cons:

  • It looks nice, but weather may spoil its looks.
  • Providing partial shade for your garden or a quiet place to drink tea in the afternoon.
  • Allowing vine maple to creep on it which you have to trim sooner or later.

All in all, a Pergola can be a good place to set up the PV panels. Firstly, you need to custom design the Pergola to fit your yard and it should be directly under the sun for most of the time.

The roof trusses have to be designed so that solar panels can be installed easily. The type of timber used has to be of high quality so it will last a long time.

The solar panel roof is to be made water proof so it can offer shade when it rains. You can use metal roofing and attach the solar panels to the ribs of roof. The general idea is to create a double function of the structure of the Pergola.

However, my main concern is the cost of constructing the Pergola. If the investment is too high, it wouldn’t make any economic sense to go ahead with it.

Home Solar Power Water Heater – Generating Hot Water For Free




There is an increasing awareness among people about climate changes and how emissions of harmful gases are polluting the atmosphere. This recognition is because several institutions are advocating cleaner, pollution-free and environmentally conducive living conditions.

People can do their bit for this important cause right at their homes by using a solar power water heater instead of conventional electric water heater. Solar power is energy generated by converting sunlight using Photovoltaic cells (PV). It can also be generated indirectly, using lenses or mirrors to focus a large area into a small beam, in a concentrated solar power (CSP) system.

The function of a water heater is to provide hot water to homes, business offices and other institutions. Water heaters are very useful in winter season or places where it is generally cold. One drawback with water heaters is that it consumes a lot of electricity.

The power consumption in a home with four members of a family can work out to around 6,400 kilowatts per hour per annum. Another disadvantage of using electricity generated by power plants is that along with power for operating a water heater there will be emission of around eight tons of carbon dioxide. This is nearly twice that of what a car would let out through exhaust pipe.

It is from the realization that a waste gas is emitted by conventional electric water heaters, the concept of solar powered water heater has emerged. There are several distinct advantages with solar water heater.

Advantages Of Solar Water Heater

As solar power is generated by conversion of sunlight, a solar water heater does not release carbon dioxide as byproduct. As solar water heater utilizes solar energy and not the electricity generated by fossil fuel, the energy used is a ‘clean energy’.

Another major advantage of using solar water heater is that it contributes to considerable savings in power costs as energy utilized is generated by the solar panels installed at home; with the result there is no need to get power from the grid.

While the charges for the power supplied by the local grid are revised upwards quite often, the solar power generated at home is free of cost. In other words, energy utilized for solar water heater is available for free.

Moreover solar power is a renewable form of energy generated by conversion of sunshine, which can be tapped free in any part of the world. In addition, in many states in the US and in most countries, the governments offer attractive incentives and rebates for using a solar powered water heater.

Governments these days are very strict in implementing environment protection laws and would like as many homes as possible to use eco- friendly water heaters. Solar water heaters are, generally, long-lasting.

Many leading companies manufacturing solar water heaters try to ensure that their branded product is of highest quality, designed by incorporating the latest relevant technology.

As all solar water heaters are not alike in terms of quality, durability and efficiency in performance, it is better to seek the assistance of an experienced distributor not only to select the most appropriate solar powered water heater but also to provide help in properly installing it.

On the whole, a good solar water heater not only reduces energy costs but also ensures that the surroundings are free from harmful carbon dioxide.

Do You Know Property With Solar System Fittings Worth More?




Does it sound good to you that property powered by solar panels is worth more than the ones that don’t? This is a fact that Photovoltaic (PV) panels reduce or eliminate the power cost from the grid. There is a protection against future rate of inflation, as the Department of Public Utilities has already approved it.

Solar PV system is allowed tax incentives which help the owner to save money. The properties which are fitted with PV panels are in great demand as compared to properties which has conventional power connection. Such properties sell faster as per the studies; as a matter of fact, it is almost 20% faster.

A solar electric system enhances the value of the property by almost $20,000 for each $1,000 in annual reduced running cost supported by the Appraisal institute. The rationality is that the money from the reduction in operating cost can be used on larger mortgage with no change in the monthly cost of ownership.

The home solar system over scores other properties improvements in percentage of cost recovered. It has been seen that most of the solar systems recover more than 100% cost, the total savings over a period over 25 years is 220% to 350% return on the initial investment. The savings can go beyond this if the energy cost from the public utilities continues to increase.

The recent study done by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has established that the solar homes sell faster by 20% and even 17% more than the conventional homes in California. This is a fact that solar energy is neat and clean energy without any emission which contributes to the pollution. Solar energy is free and clean and is available throughout the year and even can be stored in battery banks.

In one particular subdivisions, all the 257 solar homes were sold in just a year which is two years faster than expected. When interviews were conducted with the potential home buyers, it was interesting to note that buyers preferred homes which had solar fittings. The average cost of solar homes were between $380,000 to $500,000, due to heavy demand even some homes fetched a huge price of $600,000.

With the passage of time, it is certain that rates of solar homes will appreciate as the electric cost has been increasing daily. It is also a fact that with the increase in electric bill, solar energy will be the best alternative and can power 80% of a home energy needs. It is also expected that the warranty for solar module could be at least for 25 years.

Since there is already huge shortage of grid power, solar energy is getting the desired attention and even home buyers have also understood the fact. Most of the home buyers are ready to pay even 100% of the original cost for a retrofit solar system with 20 to 1 ratio only with the increase with inflated electrical price.

There is a strong feeling that such homes can recover cost in few years, if by any chance they want to sell the property.