Introduction

We’ve talked at length about Utah’s sometimes severe and extreme weather. But it’s hard to say that Utah’s weather is all bad. Salt Lake City gets more sun each year than Jacksonville, FL, San Antonio, TX, and Savannah, GA. All three cities sit closer to the equator than Salt Lake City.

Only a tiny sliver of Utah falls within the “sun belt.” Yet we can still leverage the sun as a great asset for our lives and homes. Housing demand and construction have exploded in Utah over the last decade. In 2020, Utah ranked as the second fastest growing state in the United States, trailing only Idaho.

The Solar Energy Boom

This enormous influx of people has increased demand for both energy and housing. Traditional energy sources like coal and natural gas have kept up with demand so far. Many homeowners now look at self-contained energy systems to supplement or replace traditional electrical systems. The solar industry has exploded in the last decade.

Solar panel prices have dropped dramatically as more people adopt the technology. Affordable prices combine with environmental benefits and off-grid options. These factors make home solar systems an attractive direction for Utah homeowners and developers.

Why Consider Solar Power?

Many people want to support alternative and environmentally friendly energy options. Just as many see the economic benefits of adding solar panels to their home energy systems. Solar power offers two key advantages.

First, you can use the power you generate directly without any processing. Second, you can sell excess electricity back to the grid. At the same time, you can take advantage of tax credits and grants. Larger homes benefit the most due to their large roof systems and higher electricity bills. A little number crunching could prove solar panels useful for almost any house or situation.

Solar power is here to stay. Below, we’ll dive into how solar energy works and everything you need to know about home solar systems. We’ll explain why you should consider it, its applications, and more. We hope to give you a high-level understanding of solar power. Ultimately, the decision to install solar panels comes down to the math.

What are Solar Panels?

You probably have a basic understanding of how solar panels work, even if you haven’t explored them before. Solar panels function when light or photons from the sun hit the earth. Almost like magic, these solar panels absorb the sunlight and turn it into electricity. That’s it. That’s the most basic explanation of how a solar panel works.

Part of the beauty of solar energy is how straightforward and natural the process is.

Silicon: The Building Block

All solar panels for home use come from the same element: silicon. Silicon has been used throughout history. It has seemingly endless functionality and uses in modern society. From electronics to building materials, silicon plays a critical part in our everyday lives.

Manufacturers construct solar panels from silicon for several reasons. The material is relatively easy to work with. Silicon is an abundant element. It also has good conductivity. Other types of solar panels exist, but it’s hard to beat the price and ease of use that comes with silicon-based solar panels.

Two Types of Solar Panels

Two main types of solar panels dominate the market today: Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline models. You might wonder what the difference is. The crystals that make up the solar cells are the core difference between the two.

Monocrystalline panels come from one single crystal source. Polycrystalline panels contain a whole bunch of silicon crystals. This affects the molecular structure and ultimately the efficiency to conduct and store energy.

If you know anything about whiskey, it makes for a good comparison. Think of monocrystalline as single malt whiskey. Think of polycrystalline as blended whiskey. The comparison isn’t perfect, but it helps illustrate the differences.

Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline

Monocrystalline (MonoC from here on out) is more efficient because it comes from a singular source. Less disruption occurs in the flow of electricity. The pathways are straighter and clearer. As you may have presumed, polycrystalline (PolyC) is less pure and therefore less efficient.

Electrical efficiency isn’t the only difference. MonoC panels are also more space efficient. They’re slimmer and lighter because of their conversion rates (conversion of light to energy). Many people prefer the aesthetics of MonoC panels. They’re sleek and black compared to PolyC panels which tend to be speckled and blue.

Benefits of Polycrystalline

PolyC panels come with a few upsides of their own despite being less efficient. They cost less, which is why they generally dominate the residential market. They also tend to work better in the shade than MonoC panels. Keep in mind that because they are less efficient, they may need more space to achieve the same output as their MonoC counterparts.

Both types of panels are reliable and long-lasting. Most warranties for energy production extend through the 25-year mark. At that point there may be a dip in energy production. In 25 years, however, technological advancement will likely make your current solar panels look like relics.

We should quickly note that a third type called “thin-film” exists. This type almost never appears in residential markets. It reserves itself for large, commercial projects and buildings. A quick Google search can provide more information if you’re interested.

Off-Grid Solar Systems

Two types of installation exist: on-grid and off-grid. You may be familiar with the phrase “off-the-grid.” People often associate it with those who want to leave modern society behind and live a more quaint and rural life. That’s exactly what an off-grid solar installation empowers.

How Off-Grid Works

Off-grid installation means the electricity your solar panels generate powers your receptacles in the house. No supplementary electrical power from a public utility exists. It’s just you and your solar panels. This setup is perfect for cabins and trailers that won’t have access to standard on-grid electricity.

The drawback is obvious. You can’t make electricity at night. Your production will be limited on cloudy days, leaving you literally “in the dark.” To keep the lights on at night or during dense cloud cover, explore your energy storage options in detail. Your specific use case will determine what you need.

Energy Storage Solutions

Energy storage systems have become increasingly popular in recent years. Large-capacity battery banks allow you to store energy from your solar panels and retrieve it later. These battery systems represent a significant investment. However, they provide crucial flexibility to off-grid solar panels. You wouldn’t need them to produce electricity all the time.

Beyond off-grid applications, battery storage makes less sense when you’re in range of public utilities.

On-Grid Solar Power

On-grid solar power supplements your electricity needs from the grid. The best part about on-grid electricity is simple. You use your “free” solar energy first and then start pulling from the grid.

Not all systems actually “use” your energy. Some systems offset your energy usage instead. This depends on your local solar provider and municipality. If you produce more than you use, you can likely sell that back to the electrical provider. You’ll receive a credit on your bill.

Real-World Benefits

Say you’re on vacation and not using much electricity at home. You may end up paying little to nothing on your electrical bill that month. This might be the case most of the time regardless of your in-home usage.

Many families with working parents and school-age children stay out of the house for most of the day. Their energy consumption peaks at night. Your solar panels can sell the energy they produce during the daytime. This offsets what you’ll use later. You’ll still have all the associated costs of the initial purchase or lease of the solar panels. We’ll get into that topic below.

Is Your Roof Ready for Solar?

A quick note about your house and solar panels. If your house is small, gets almost no sun, or your roof is under-framed, we recommend passing on solar panels. They won’t provide much benefit. A house surrounded by a tall tree canopy is not a good candidate for panels. Neither is one that’s oriented poorly to receive sunlight.

Solar panels can generate electricity without direct sunlight. But it won’t provide much benefit to you in these situations.

The same goes for small houses (with exceptions). A small house has a small roof and likely small electrical bills as well. This creates the perfect recipe for not needing solar panels. We’ll dive more into that below.

Roof Structure Considerations

Under-framed roofs are common in older houses. If you’re carrying decent weight (asphalt shingles, sheathing, potential snow buildup) on 2×4 framing, skip solar panels until you reinforce your roof rafters. An average solar panel weighs between 40-60 pounds. This doesn’t seem like a lot, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

If you’re considering roof replacement or reinforcement, our team at CTI Roofing can assess your roof structure. We’ll determine whether it’s suitable for solar panel installation.

That’s a basic recap on what solar panels are and how they work. We’ll go into more depth about uses and best practices later on. If we’ve stoked your curiosity about the solar industry, we encourage you to do your own research. You can never know too much about something you’re planning on investing in.

Benefits of Solar Panels

The benefits seem fairly obvious, right? Solar panels produce “free” electricity much like a car gives you “free” transportation. We’re not going to pretend that no costs are associated with it. You may be able to make your electricity free if the math works out right.

The benefits are mostly monetary at this stage in their technological advances. However, some other benefits exist that we’ll scratch the surface of. You can argue that solar energy provides a greener way of living and promotes sustainable energy. Even that has its shortcomings.

Low Maintenance Requirements

One major upside of solar is that it’s largely maintenance-free. The parts that may fail generally come with warranty coverage. The lack of moving parts and passive means of generating electricity means not much can fail during use.

One of the upsides to solar in Utah is our abundance of sunshine. As we mentioned in the intro, Utah is sunnier than places in Florida and Texas. There’s immense opportunity to profit from your solar panels. You’ll average more good days than bad ones in energy production.

Roofing Compatibility

Solar panels typically install with a clip and rail system on your roof. You usually won’t need any large holes that require flashing. You won’t even need screws that go into your roof rafters. From a roofing sustainability standpoint, few bad things exist about installing solar panels.

We’ll go one step further. Another benefit is that solar panels shed snow very quickly. Their slick design and ability to heat up quickly allow snow to slide right off the roof. This reduces the potential for ice dams or snow weight-related problems to your roof. For more information on protecting your roof during winter months, check out our winter roof maintenance guide.

Other than what we’ve mentioned above, solar energy benefits are straightforward. There’s actually a lot more to be skeptical of when purchasing solar panels. The companies that sell them present the most concerns. We’ll get into that below.

Drawbacks of Solar Energy

The benefits are easy to see. The drawbacks definitely hide in the details when it comes to solar energy. From the companies that sell or lease them to the contract you sign, many steps along the way need critical examination. The way panels are produced also deserves scrutiny.

We still think there are many great things about solar energy. We’re here to give you a fair and accurate picture of home solar panels. Both the good and the bad.

Choosing the Right Company

Many companies are out there pitching home solar systems. National brands and local ones exist. All have their own rules, contracts, and ways of doing things. This is probably the largest drawback in the solar game.

Our company operates out of Utah, but we have a broad readership. We won’t tell you who is good and who is bad. We will make one thing clear: do your research. As we mentioned in our article about picking a roofing contractor, you need to put in the hours to make an informed decision. You should be an expert at research by this point.

Start with Google and look for all-important peer reviews. Ask someone you know who has had solar panels installed about their experience. Read reviews from actual customers online. This gives you decent confidence that you won’t get scammed into a contract or lease that offers little recourse if you need to exit.

Contract Complications

One of the worst things about a contract with a solar company is how it can complicate selling the house. Contracts for solar panels often last over a decade. It’s not unreasonable to think you might sell the house in that timeframe.

If you do, you may need to pass that contract to the seller. If you can’t do that, you may have to pay a fee to exit the contract. You might even pay them to collect the solar panels from your house. We’ve heard stories of buyers completely backing out of buying a house when they discovered the solar contract terms they’d inherit.

If you can, avoid a contract or lease and buy them outright. But only do this if the math makes sense.

Read the Fine Print

If you go with a contract, read it thoroughly. Ask tons of questions. This is the best way to ensure you won’t be surprised by any fine print. Every day you don’t have a solar panel contract is an opportunity for someone else to voice their complaints about it online.

If you find numerous reviews dissatisfied with a certain provider’s contract, move on. Look for someone else.

Environmental Considerations

Many solar panel consumers view this “clean” energy production through green-colored glasses. If helping the environment drives your desire for solar panels, research your options carefully. Solar panels provide a renewable source of energy. However, they’re not as green as you might think to produce.

Many caustic chemicals and energy-intensive manufacturing processes go into making your solar panels. If this doesn’t bother you, that’s okay. If it does, dig around a bit. See if you can find a company that produces panels in a more sustainable fashion.

Do the Math on Solar Panels

When it comes to solar panels, dust off that high school math curriculum. Refresh those math skills. As we’ve alluded to above, this is one of the most important criteria when choosing whether or not to get a solar panel installation.

Solar energy comes down to a few key factors. Will it impact your month-to-month electrical bills? How much do you want to pay up front versus over the life of your installation?

House Size Matters

The size of your house is the biggest determining factor for profitability of your solar panels. As we said above, a small house likely won’t get full benefit from a home solar energy system. Small houses don’t use enough electricity to make it worthwhile.

Exceptions to the rule always exist. If you have a home sauna or workshop that eats up decent juice each month, solar panels could be worth it. You could install them just to offset those specific amenities in your house.

Some experts say the $200 per month electricity bill serves as a good marker. This tells you if solar would work for your home. If you’re at or near this number, solar will likely benefit your house and your pocketbook. This assumes you have decent exposure to put it on your roof.

Three Key Factors

Figuring out if you’d benefit from solar panels requires three main things. First, your electricity costs. Second, the costs of the panels themselves and installation. Third, any credits or subsidies offered in your area.

The first two are fairly obvious. You want to make sure all associated fees (if any) and long-term payments factor into your decision. If you lease your solar panels or lease-to-own, break down interest and installation carefully. After doing this, you might find that electricity is cheaper to buy outright from your provider.

Keep in mind that electricity rates will almost certainly increase.

Long-Term Outlook

The 1-2 year outlook on solar panels might not make sense. However, it’s realistic to think that political or financial disruptions could cause electricity to jump. Most of Utah’s (and America’s) electricity comes from fossil fuels like natural gas or coal.

These have been high-yielding and reliable in the past. It’s not unreasonable to think that new EPA requirements or policies would hamstring the fossil fuel industry. This would consequently cause prices to increase. Looking into the future, good evidence suggests solar panels themselves will get cheaper and more efficient. This happens with almost all technology.

Rebates and Incentives

Rebates are almost always in play when it comes to solar energy. The federal tax credit expires at the end of this year unless Congress renews it. State and municipal credits could be available as well, depending on where you live.

Research and factor in all these potential rebates and credits. They can make a world of difference when it comes to making the math work on a solar installation. It’s not unrealistic to think the credit could be extended or expanded. This depends on what happens at the federal government level.

Only time will tell. We’re confident that solar arrays will be more common and likely more affordable in the future. This will come through either price decreases or subsidies.

Our Recommendation

If the math doesn’t make sense right now, don’t completely shut the door to solar. The solar option could benefit your energy consumption needs in a few years if not today. If you’re savvy enough, create a spreadsheet with averages like electricity costs per month. Add formulas that calculate your annual costs and potential savings.

This way when prices start to rise or fall, you can update it. You’ll see what your net gain might be against current energy and solar prices.

Solar is an expensive endeavor and project for your home even with rebates and incentives. If you’re set on getting solar panels installed, see our article about financing your roof. Simply apply the same strategies for financing solar.

However you decide to go about it, take time to figure out the cost of every detail involved in getting a solar array. The last thing you want is to pay more for electricity when you don’t need to.

The Future of Solar

It’s worth speculating on the future of solar to give you all the information possible. Solar is a high-growth industry. It won’t slow down anytime soon. You’ll only see more and more installations come online, either on rooftops or for municipal electrical supplies.

Innovative Solar Technology

Innovative solar roof technology has emerged in recent years. Integrated solar shingles serve as both roofing material and energy generators. These solar roof systems are basically shingles that are solar panels. This is highly innovative but not widely adopted yet.

The technology continues to evolve. It could become a game changer, especially if states start mandating solar installations. As the market matures, more affordable and accessible options will likely emerge.

Some manufacturers now offer streamlined solar panel systems. These are free from complicated leases and contracts. This makes the decision-making process simpler for homeowners. The industry is moving toward more consumer-friendly models. These could normalize home solar systems and bring solar to the masses.

Wrapping Up

Solar is no small investment. Depending on the route you go, it could be on par with paying for a second roof. However, the difference between the two is significant. This one could actually save you money rather than just being an out-of-pocket cost.

The solar industry is growing and changing rapidly. Prices will likely fall and incentives will probably stick around. If you’re not ready for a solar system in your current house, maybe you will be in your next house. If you’re not planning on moving, it’s possible solar prices will fall so far that almost any house benefits from an installation.

Timing Your Solar Investment

If you’re thinking about getting solar panels installed and you need a new roof soon, it may be the right time to explore solar energy. Combining the two expenses may allow you to take advantage of additional incentives. You could get a better deal on financing.

Doing both at the same time may be less of an inconvenience for you as the homeowner. Additionally, if your home has had weather damage and insurance is paying you more than the roof replacement cost, consider investing the rest in solar panels. This only makes sense if your home is a good candidate for it, as explained above.

At CTI Roofing, we can help assess whether your roof structure is ready for solar panel installation. We’ll guide you through the roof installation process.

There’s a lot of technology and complicated science inside a solar panel. That’s why it’s such an interesting subject. That’s why “free” energy seems so magical. As we wrote before, keep an eye on the solar industry. It’s fast-moving and continuing to grow.

Before you know it, you might get paid outright to put panels on your roof. Exciting times are ahead for the solar industry and sustainable energy in general.