The sun has always been central to our lives, providing light, warmth, and energy for centuries. While technology has since changed our energy source, the sun’s significance remains unchanged.
Since the 1800s, scientists have experimented with technology and how they can harness solar energy. By 1954, researchers at Bell Labs had created the first silicon photovoltaic (PV) cell—or, as we know them, the first solar panel.
This invention, made just 70 years ago, helped shift the way we think about energy and fuel the clean energy revolution, creating hope for a cleaner, brighter, and more sustainable future.
The Shift to Solar-Powered Homes
Despite being revolutionary, those early solar panels created by Bell Labs were far from accessible to the everyday person, with a staggering price tag of $300 per watt. This cost limited their use to satellites and small consumer electronics.
Fortunately, this changed in the 1970s. A global energy crisis, caused by an oil shortage, forced governments to consider energy-saving alternatives to fossil fuels. This sparked Congress to pass the Solar Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1974, propelling solar technology forward. This act helped solar panel technology but was still pricey, with homeowners paying $100 per watt. So, the government stepped in and offered tax incentives that helped to make panels more affordable.
During all of this, a cultural shift emerged. It led to the birth of the modern environmental movement, and those within the movement played a significant role in helping to educate the public about the various consequences of relying on fossil fuels and how alternative sources like solar energy were better and more sustainable. Thanks to these early adopters and advocates paving the way and providing hope for a cleaner, more sustainable future, we have seen even more improvements in solar technology over the last 20 years. These improvements are also thanks to:
Technological Advancements
Solar panel technology is constantly growing and changing like with so many things. Since their creation, solar panel manufacturing processes have improved drastically, which means companies can produce units more efficiently, which allows more units to be produced, and therefore lower prices.
Government Policies and Global Adoption of Solar Energy
Governments worldwide have discovered that offering people incentives, such as feed-in tariffs and tax credits, have all helped lead to the solar energy boom. This popularity helped further reduce costs, with buyers today investing in solar energy at a mere $0.50 per watt.
6 Benefits of Solar Integration on the Roof
Solar energy also comes with many benefits that make it a worthwhile investment:
1. Affordability
Since their introduction, the cost of solar panels has gone down dramatically. That’s without taking the solar tax credit into account, which allows taxpayers to claim a 30% tax credit on the cost of a solar panel system. This 30% credit is only available until January 1, 2033, when it will decrease to 26%.
Another factor that helps make solar panel systems affordable is that you can finance systems and pay a monthly financing amount that can be less than your utility bill.
2. Lower Utility Costs
Tired of high electricity bills? Solar panels offer a perfect solution, especially with increasing utility bills. The amount you will save is based on factors like how much electricity you use, the size of your solar panel system, and how much power it can generate.
In some regions, if your solar panels generate more energy than you use, you can sell the surplus energy back to the power company.
3. Power During Outages
A major advantage of solar panels is that, when paired with battery storage to hold the solar energy you generate, they can provide power even during an outage.
4. Increased Home Value
Solar panels are among the upgrades that many homebuyers are willing to pay a premium for. However, this advantage comes with a caveat: the increased value primarily applies to systems that are personally owned. Third-party-owned systems typically have no impact on home value.
5. Suitable for All Climates
Got Sun? Then you have solar energy. Solar panel systems offer one of the biggest advantages; even if you only get a few hours of sunlight in the winter, you can benefit from a system. That means solar panels work everywhere, from Hawaii to Alaska.
6. Environmentally Friendly Energy
With each kilowatt-hour of solar energy produced by solar panels, greenhouse gas emissions are substantially reduced, which makes for a cleaner environment. They also help to conserve water, reducing the amount used to produce electricity.
Aesthetic and Design Considerations
We all strive to invest in sustainable energy solutions like solar, but not at the expense of our home's overall aesthetic.
This was the problem with early solar panel systems, which were big, bulky, and unattractive, favoring functions over looks and taking away from the home’s overall curb appeal. Thankfully, with the continual innovations of solar energy technology this has no longer been an issue. Today, you can get solar panels that offer both form and function with sleek, attractive designs. You can even find solar panels that resemble traditional roofing shingles.
Consider the Color
When you’re considering what color panels to choose, there are a few things to take into account:
1. Blue panels are recognizable by their polycrystalline panels with a blue hue. They are typically more affordable, which makes them particularly popular with money-conscious consumers. They also offer superior performance in hot climates due to their lower temperature coefficient. However, they are considered less efficient when it comes to converting sunlight into electricity.
2. Black solar panels are monocrystalline and offer a sleek, black appearance. They are more efficient when it comes to converting sunlight into electricity, which means they can generate more power in a limited space.
Knowing there are attractive options available is one thing; choosing the right one for your home is another. Before you can decide on what solar panels you will buy, you want to consider these installation factors:
Solar Panel Location: For solar panels to work most effectively, you want to ensure they are installed in the right place. That means putting them on the side with the most sun exposure and fewest obstructions.
Solar Panel Size and Shape: While solar panels are typically rectangular, you can also find square and round options in various sizes these days.
Impact on Home Life: Sustainable Living Beyond Energy Savings
Switching to solar might seem scary, but think about it: do you want to keep relying on an energy source that keeps getting more expensive and unreliable?
With solar energy, you can relax and know your family will be safe and comfortable, no matter what happens. You’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re not at the mercy of power outages.
But it’s not just about safety. You can also save a ton of money! Imagine how much you could put towards other things, like your kids’ education or that dream vacation.
And let’s not forget about the environment. Our reliance on traditional electricity sources is hurting our planet. Switching to solar is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and help protect your home.
Solar is the Future
Solar panel integration has come a long way since 1956, from expensive pieces of technology with limited uses to powering homes and businesses worldwide. In just 20 years, solar panels have evolved into something more accessible and attractive. Those innovations continue to make improvements, with sustainable energy being the way of the future. The sun is helping to lead the way.
Contact Brava to discuss your solar roof integration today!
