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HOME DESIGN

What Will a 100 Watt Solar Panel Run?

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There’s nothing quite like the feeling of driving your car out of the garage to start your work day while the sun is setting, and you’re driving via solar energy!

The truth is that solar panel technology is incredibly useful. You can power your home, your office, and even your car. These are all with solar panels. If you’re just starting, it can be hard to envision exactly how you’d use solar panels to do these things.

So, what will a 100 watt solar panel run? Read on, and we’ll walk you through all the details for you!

A Smartphone

Solar panels are becoming popular as a way to recharge smartphones and other small devices. A 100 watt solar panel can provide enough power to keep a smartphone charged for a day or two, depending on how much it is used.

Most smartphones use about 5-10 watts of power, so a 100 watt solar panel can easily provide enough power to keep a phone charged. However, it is important to remember that solar panels do not store power, so if there is no sunlight, the panel will not be able to provide any power.

Standard Laptop

Laptops typically use about 60 watts of power, so a 100 watt panel can provide enough power for a laptop to operate for about 1.67 hours. Keep in mind that the number of hours of sunlight and the efficiency of your solar panel will also affect how much power you can generate. Nevertheless, it is possible to run a laptop off of a solar panel.

A Small Television

A 100 watt solar panel can provide enough power to run a small television. The average television uses around 80 watts of power. So, if you have a 100 watt solar panel, you will have enough power to run your TV.

This is a great option for those who want to be able to watch television without using traditional means of power. A solar panel is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint.

LED Lights

One solar panel can generate enough electricity to power a LED light for up to six hours. LED lights are a great alternative to traditional light bulbs, as they use less energy and last longer. Solar panel installation to power your LED lights is a great way to reduce your impact on the environment and save money on your energy bill.

If you are considering solar, we recommend working with a solar professional to size your system and choose the right one for your needs such as the Blue Raven Solar.

A Small Radio

A solar panel can produce enough power to run a small radio for an indefinite amount of time. The catch is that the solar panel needs to be in a sunny location and the radio needs to be a very low-power radio. Even a very small radio can require a lot of power when turned up to a high volume.

Understand What Will a 100 Watt Solar Panel Run and Make the First Step

A 100 watt solar panel on your property is possible. It can provide enough power to run a small appliance or charge a battery. They are a great investment for those who want to reduce their energy costs or be more prepared for power outages.

It’s important to find quality solar panels that you can use to power your home.

If the article has been helpful, continue reading our blog for more tips!

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home renovation, HOME REPAIRS + MAINTENANCE

How to Select Solar Panel Installers: Everything You Need to Know

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Though it may not seem like it, solar panels can be installed very quickly. Often, homeowners expect there to be a lot more work that goes into the installation.

Before you can get your solar panels, you need to select solar panel installers. There are many different things to consider before hiring the right contractor for your home.

Let’s have a look at what you should consider before installing solar panels and working with the right company.

1. Consider Their Licensing

Any solar company that you work with should be able to provide you with credentials. They should be licensed and have employees that are licensed to work with solar panels.

For example, electrical and contractor licenses are both appropriate for a solar panel installer to have.

Being part of solar panel organizations is another great sign of a reputable company. This shows that they uphold best practices and are involved with education and learning within their industry.

These two factors combined indicate that they are probably a great company to work with.

2. What’s Their Experience?

Before starting to work with a solar company, you want to ensure that they have the proper experience. A company that has solar installation experience will know how to do the job properly and quickly.

Working with a company without experience is a huge risk, as you don’t know if they have the knowledge and skills to do it correctly. It can lead to issues during the job and issues later down the line that you may not expect.

3. Think About Pricing

With any part of your home, pricing is an important thing to take note of. You need to be sure that the solar panels fit within your budget before fully committing.

Making a budget is a great first place to start. This will ensure that you can communicate this with the company and find something that works for you.

Blue Raven Solar is an example of a company that truly goes above and beyond when trying to find a solar panel solution within the client’s budget. They can offer you the financing to make the process more affordable and stress-free. 

Working with an installer like this who cares is a great way to proceed with your installation.

4. Check The Reviews

While you should never take one review or experience to be what you’ll experience when working with a company, it is a good idea to look at them anyway. Taking the reviews of a collective group of people can help you understand what type of experience a company provides.

If many reviews mention the contractor’s cleanliness, you’re likely to have that experience as well. If there’s one bad review, don’t automatically assume the company is entirely bad. Many good reviews with one bad one may be indicative of an abnormal experience.

Select Solar Panel Installers The Right Way

When you go to select solar panel installers, you want to make sure that you do it the right way. If you don’t you may end up with a mediocre job or other undesirable outcomes.

Did you learn something about working with contractors? Please read more if you did!

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HOME DESIGN, home renovation, OUTDOORS

Should You Invest in Solar Panels?

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Solar panels can greatly increase the value of your home. If you are thinking about building a green home based on the principles of sustainability and energy efficiency, you need solar panels.

Installing solar panels so your home can power itself may seem like something out of a science fiction movie, but it is now a feasible and affordable reality for many homeowners.

If you invest in solar panels now, you will end up increasing the equity of your home in the long run while saving yourself money. Read on to find out more.

Invest in Solar Panels for the Long Term

Solar panels are one of those investments that pay off in droves in the long term. As soon as you get them installed, they start saving you money.

This accumulated savings over a long time is what makes them worthwhile. Solar panel costs may seem steep at first, but keep in mind that many states offer to subsidize their installation costs.

There are also some federal tax credits available to help pay for any high initial installation costs. Once you have gotten the panels installed, you only need to do a bit of maintenance on them now and again.

You also need to make sure that you keep your roof in good condition to maintain its structural integrity. Other than that, once you have your solar panel system you are good to go and ready to start saving money. 

Increase Your Home’s Value 

One of the things that prospective homebuyers love is a home with solar panels. This is because they don’t need to go through any of the efforts of getting a system installed, yet they reap all of its benefits.

This is why solar panels increase your home’s equity. If you want to make your home’s value skyrocket, think about installing some solar panels. This is even more true in states where the cost of energy is through the roof.

To determine if going solar is a smart financial choice for you, first, calculate your monthly energy bill. Next, calculate how much a solar panel system will save you. 

Don’t forget to factor in that the system will increase your home’s overall value over time as well. Keep in mind that your only major solar panel cost is a bit of maintenance over time, and the initial installation cost.

If you need help making a thorough cost-benefit analysis, contact Blue Raven Solar to get an estimate on some installation costs for your home. 

Go Solar and Save Money 

If you are looking for a worthy way to help out your financial situation you should invest in solar panels. It is one of the few investments that you can make that will also help save the planet. 

Having an opportunity that benefits you while saving the earth is rare so you should take advantage of them when they come around. Get some solar panels today for your home. Make sure to peruse our site often for other great news.

SHOP OUTDOOR DECOR…

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home renovation

Switching to solar power? Avoid these 3 mistakes

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Solar power technology has finally caught up with the promise. For decades, solar has been promoted as the future of renewable energy, but it had a lot of shortcomings that needed to be addressed before it could be adopted by the masses.

It finally has fulfilled its potential and many homeowners are jumping on board the solar wagon. However, that doesn’t mean that it is as straightforward as setting up a traditional electrical system in your home. 

To keep you from making a misstep when getting your solar power system set up, we’ve put together this list of common mistakes people make.

1 – Not understanding grid vs off grid

When you get solar, you aren’t off grid. Unless, of course, you are actually going off grid somewhere. If you will still be living in your home in a city or suburb, then you are still going to be connected to the grid. It’s actually the law in most places that you stay connected. 

There’s nothing stopping you from buying a house in the woods and setting up solar panels and battery packs and not relying on civilization at all. For the sake of this article, we will focus on when you are living in a connected house and simply want to go with renewable energy. 

You’ll actually get a better return for your investment when you go with a grid based solar system as you will be paid when you put more energy into the grid than you take out. Batteries are expensive and can make it take a long time to pay for themselves through the savings.

2 – Not understanding your energy needs

When you are in the planning stages of installing solar, finding the best electrician that understands your needs and solar power in general is essential. 

The solar panel company that you are in contact with likely has a salesman that is working with you and is eyeing his commissions while he talks you into a system. An electrician will let you know exactly what you need for the type of household you have. This way you don’t end up with too weak a system and end up relying on the grid, or too much so you overpay for a system that is more than what you need.

3 – Not shopping around for solar power options

A lot of times, when somebody decides to go solar they end up with the first company that they talk to. It isn’t like your regular energy company in that you don’t have much choice. 

So, make sure to talk to several companies to zero in on the right deal and the one that will be with you throughout your time with their panels. Customer service is very important when it comes to installing solar. If you struggle to get answers then it is time to move on. 
And be careful when it comes to being sent off to third party suppliers. Some people can save money when this is an option, but many more end up paying more and you can’t use net metering which is when you are paid for generating excess electricity for the grid.

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home renovation

8 Home Battery Storage Buying Tips

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Sick of dealing with power outages or have appliances and devices that can’t be placed at risk of turning off without a moment’s notice? Buying a home battery storage system is the best solution. Homeowners often find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer number of options out there. Read on to find eight home battery storage buying tips that can help make the decision easier.

1. Determine Power Needs First

It’s important to take the household’s power needs into account when sizing a home battery backup system. To do this, homeowners must estimate the power consumption of all their essential devices and appliances in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Homeowners working on a budget should keep in mind that many power-hungry devices such as air conditioners are not strictly necessary and can be turned off in the event of a power outage.

2. Consider Installing Solar Panels

Homeowners whose houses are tied to the grid can install a battery backup system without solar panels, but it will only provide power for a short period of time. Installing solar panels to power the battery bank will allow residents to access power even if the grid goes out for days at a time. Solar systems with battery banks can still be hooked into the grid. If they produce surplus power, homeowners can sell it to power companies to make back some of their investments.

3. Look Into Tax Credits

Homeowners who choose to install both battery banks and solar arrays may be eligible for a tax credit through the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) program. Only batteries that are charged using solar panels exclusively are eligible for the tax credit, so those who choose to use grid-tied systems may not be able to get it.

4. Choose the Right Battery Configuration

There are two types of battery configurations that are common in residential homes. They are known as critical load backup systems and self-consumption systems. While critical load systems only run vital devices during grid failures, self-consumption systems are designed to operate during peak utility hours even if the grid is working as intended. They can help to reduce high energy bills but require a larger upfront investment.

5. Learn the Difference Between AC and DC Coupled Battery Systems

Homeowners who want to install solar arrays to charge their battery banks need to learn the difference between AC coupled and DC coupled battery systems. To put it in its simplest terms, the main difference is that DC-coupled systems are more efficient since they don’t require as many power conversions. However, they also require a larger upfront investment.

6. Hire a Professional Installation Technician

Whether homeowners plan to tie their battery banks into the grid or use solar panels to power them, they should always hire professional installation technicians. Working with electricity can be dangerous.

7. Buy the Right Inverter

Inverters are designed to convert the DC power produced by batteries into AC power. Make sure to buy an inverter large enough to power all essential devices and appliances.

8. Keep Batteries Safe

Batteries should be stored indoors but away from living areas. Ensure that they are kept dry and at above freezing temperatures to avoid problems with premature failure.

The Bottom Line…

Installing a battery bank is the best thing homeowners can do to increase their energy independence. Whether they choose to install full solar systems or just store power from the grid for emergency applications, it’s worth the investment.

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