We often discuss the benefits of solar roofing — particularly its longevity, efficiency, and eco-friendliness.

But how long DO panels work? How much use can you expect from an installation? How do today’s panels compare to the equipment over the last 10 or so years?

Solar panels are surprisingly durable pieces of equipment! The average units sold today should last up to 40 years, but you probably won’t find warranties much in excess of 25 years. Even after four decades, you can still expect panels to produce at 80% of their out-of-the-box output.

Both polycrystalline and monocrystalline panels boast very long life expectancy, and the lifespan does not depend on wattage.

All that said, panels are relatively delicate instruments. They can be damaged — and thus, their life expectancy can be significantly shortened — if homeowners do not properly care for them. For instance, if the installation is not done carefully, panels can be broken or damaged. Water, dust and other residue can seep into the panels and destroy contacts and reduce conductivity. Tampering with or slamming solar panels can damage the units.

That said, panels are built to stand up to some pretty severe tests, including hail, very high temperatures, frigid temperatures, winds, and other weather related roughness. Modern solar panels also come with what are known as blocking diodes. These provide room for error. If a cell stops working, for whatever reason, it won’t shut down the entire panel – the problem area will be isolated, and the panel will continue to generate power for you.

The team here at Century Roof & Solar is an experienced solar company that can answer any questions you may have. Give us a call today at 1-888-233-7548 for a thorough and systematic analysis of your solar project.

But how much money can you save going solar? How can you quantify the effects of an upgrade?

1. Use online calculators.

Dozens of online calculators can help you calculate the gist of how much you could save, long-term, based on parameters you input. But if you’re in the earlier stages of the research process, these calculations might confuse more than they clarify.

2. Get a rough estimate using national average.

These numbers change, but let’s just say that the average electricity bill in our region, among homeowners like you, is $120 per month. If you install a 3 kilowatt system and obtain usable 7 hours of sunlight every day, you get around 20 kilowatt hours a day. That means you get about 600 kilowatt hours every month. Of course, you need to “hit at” that number, because not every day will be sunny and beautiful, especially in the Bay Area, where the weather gets crazy.

So let’s say that 20% of the days, rain or fog or other inclement weather prevents your system from extracting usable energy. 20% of 600 is 120, so you might end up with only 480 kilowatt hours a month. If your home or business consumes around 1,000 kilowatt hours per month (a pretty fair estimate), that means that you can supply basically half your energy needs every month. Thus, you save around $60 per month.

3. Put that $60 figure (or whatever you came up with) into context.

Dozens, possibly hundreds, of variables can impact your energy efficiency, costs, etc. These factors include:

• Thermal efficiency of your roof
• Your personal energy needs
• Seasonal changes
• Quality of solar tile installation
• Whether you use “smart” controls or not
• Whether you ever need to repair/upgrade/re-install solar tiles
• Whether you add more solar capacity

4. Simplify your quest for better energy by connecting with experts.

The team here at Century Roof & Solar in the Bay Area has an exquisitely adapted system to help homeowners and business owners like you maximize efficiency and costs. Get in touch with us via our website or call us to schedule a free consultation to solve your solar panel needs.

You might intuitively be led to believe that, because winter months are colder, solar panels won’t get as much “energy,” and thus will not be able to heat your home or run your property effectively.

You might also be worried about the ability of the electronics in your solar panels to function during cold snaps. As a point of fact, most solar panel technology functions better in cold temperatures than it does in overly hot temperatures; your solar panels should be able to collect plenty of usable sunlight, irrespective of what the mercury reads outside.

You can still tap solar energy to power your home, life, and work effectively, as long as you practice some easy maintenance tips.

First of all, recognize that, even when it’s overcast out, your solar panels can still collect energy to help with household needs. Depending on the thickness of the clouds, the presence or absence of precipitation, and other factors, solar panels still gather significant energy.

Some solar panels are even powerful enough to extract usable energy from moonlight, streetlights, or even starlight.

All that being said, gunk, buildup, bird droppings, leaves, debris, and snow can collect on your panels and diminish their capabilities. Most homeowners in Northern California – at least in the regions close to major urban and metropolitan areas – don’t have to deal with massive snowfall cleanup. But even non-snow precipitation, such as winter storms or wind squalls, can knock debris under the panels and diminish their effectiveness.

If your roof collects significant snow piles or debris, you will likely need to remove the contaminants to maximize your panel’s utility. However, you have to be extra cautious when working on roofs. You might want to hire a general contractor or snow removal service to assist you, so that you don’t fall and get injured during the cleaning process.

At the end of the day, the solar panel solution remains ideal for homeowners who are concerned about the environment, about electrical costs, and about long-term, financially sound decisions.

Connect with the team at Century Roof and Solar at www.centuryroofandsolar.com or 510-780-9489 today to get immediate, strategically focused help with your solar panel power needs.