I've been looking for ways to reduce my energy bill and live a more sustainable lifestyle. My utility bills were getting out of control, so I started researching solar panels. I was surprised to discover some clever hacks that allowed me to drastically cut my energy costs by 75%!
These solar panel hacks are easy to implement but aren't widely known. In this article, I'll share how I slashed my electricity bill and what solar panel tricks you can use too. Ready to save big on your utility bills? Let's get started!
Calculate Your True Energy Usage
Before making any changes, you need to know your current energy usage. Many people overestimate how much power they use. Getting accurate data will help right-size your solar system.
Here's what to do:
- Review the last 12 months of electric bills to see your average kilowatt hours (kWh) per month.
- Use an electricity usage monitor like the Sense Energy Monitor to track real-time consumption.
- Take notes on when and how you use electricity during the day.
Once you know your actual usage, you can determine the solar array size you need. A smaller system will save you money upfront.
Upgrade Electrical Panel to 200 Amps
Most homes have 100-150 amp electrical panels. To integrate solar power efficiently, upgrade your main breaker box to 200 amps. This gives enough capacity for solar-generated electricity.
Benefits include:
- Avoids overload and power failures when routing solar energy.
- Allows backing up critical circuits with solar panels and batteries.
- Prepares your home for adding high-power appliances and electric vehicle chargers.
Upgrading the electrical panel is a must for maximizing solar benefits.
Install East/West Facing Panels
Most installers will put solar panels on your south-facing roof. For maximum energy output, add panels on east and west-facing rooftops too.
Benefits of east/west panels:
- Captures more sunlight hours in the day. South-facing panels only peak at noon.
- Generates up to 20% extra kilowatt-hours throughout the year.
- East panels catch the morning sun, west panels catch the afternoon sun.
- Evens out power generation between morning and evening peak usage times.
Just be sure to clean east and west panels more often, as they collect more dirt and dust. The extra energy is worth the effort!
Use Microinverters Instead of a String Inverter
String inverters are commonly used to convert DC solar power to AC for your home. But they can cause imbalances and energy loss. For maximum harvesting from each panel, use microinverters instead.
Microinverters advantages:
- Convert energy at the individual panel vs. entire array.
- No single point of failure shutting down the system.
- Handle shade and orientation differences better.
- Easy to monitor performance of each solar module.
- 25+ year warranty vs. 10-15 years for string inverters.
Microinverters will boost your solar output for greater savings.
Add a Solar Battery System
To take your energy savings to the next level, add a solar battery backup system. Top options are Tesla Powerwall and LG Chem RESU.
Benefits of solar batteries:
- Stores extra solar electricity for use at night.
- Provides power during grid outages. Keeps your lights on!
- Can provide life safety backup power for critical medical devices.
- Lets you tap stored solar energy during peak rate periods to avoid high bills.
- Qualify for federal tax credit and local utility incentives.
Solar batteries maximize your independence from the grid.
Angle Panels for Winter Optimization
Most solar panels are flush mounted at a fixed angle. For winter optimization, angle south-facing panels at your latitude plus 15 degrees.
Benefits of angled winter panels:
- Captures more direct sunlight in winter when sun is lower in sky.
- Can boost winter output by up to 20% depending on location.
- Easy to adjust angle with special mounting bracket.
- Sheds snow easily, keeping panels clearer on winter days.
With smart angling, your system will produce even in cold weather.
Join Community Solar or Virtual Power Plant
An innovative option is joining a community solar or virtual power plant (VPP) program with your utility. This gives solar benefits without installing your own system.
Advantages of community solar/VPP:
- No roof space required. Just subscribe to portion of an offsite solar installation.
- Utility applies bill credits for your share of power produced.
- Low or no upfront cost. Virtual solar at grid parity prices.
- Easy to cancel anytime. Shorter commitment than owning system.
- Still qualify for tax credits and solar incentives in some markets.
Community solar makes it affordable to reap solar savings.
Use Smart Devices to Optimize Usage
To maximize savings, use smart tech to optimize your power consumption. Key devices include:
- Smart thermostat: Adjusts temperature automatically when away to reduce AC/heating.
- Smart plugs: Allows controlling appliances remotely to avoid phantom loads.
- Smart lights: LEDs that adjust brightness based on time of day and occupancy.
- Smart charger: Measures solar production and EV charging needs to sync charging times.
Home automation allows you to shift usage to your solar peak generation times.
Feed Surplus Solar to the Grid
When your solar system produces more energy than you currently need, feed the surplus back to the grid. Many utilities offer 1:1 net metering programs that give bill credits at the retail electricity rate.
Benefits of net metering:
- Zero waste of excess solar electricity.
- Credits roll over month-to-month if you overproduce.
- At the end of a 12-month cycle, unused credits pay out at the retail rate. Cash in!
- Essentially uses the grid as a big battery to store your extra solar.
Net metering can make your solar array a profit center!
Bottom Line
Implementing these solar hacks enabled me to radically reduce my home energy costs. Your savings may vary based on electricity rates, solar incentives, and installation factors. With smart planning, you can maximize savings while minimizing your carbon footprint.
I'm now enjoying energy independence with a zero dollar electric bill. The power of the sun is driving my energy future! Let me know if you have any other questions as you explore solar panels. I'm happy to help fellow eco-minded homeowners reduce their energy costs.