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.

Whether you’re installing a solar solution for your Bay Area home’s energy needs or you’re just comparing solar with a more traditional energy setups for your San Francisco business, here are ten important solar energy terms to know and understand.

1. Solar array

An array is an assemblage of modules that work together to generate electrical output for your home or business at a particular voltage. Arrays are often customized to maximize the shape of the building and the efficiency of the photovoltaic modules.

2. Solar cell

This is the simplest photovoltaic powerhouse. Much like a standard battery might contain several cells; similarly, a single module usually contains multiple cells. Multiple modules are built up into an array.

3. Photovoltaic (PV)

Much like how plants convert radiation from the sun to usable biological energy via photosynthesis, a photovoltaic cell converts solar light into usable electricity.

4. Net metering

Net metering is a pretty neat concept that demonstrates how solar can be tremendously efficient. A sophisticated meter determines how much power your home uses and then adjusts the extent to which you tap your system based on your energy needs and how much electricity your system is generating. It’s roughly analogous to a buffet restaurant rule: “have all you can eat, but eat all you take.”

5. Irradiance

This measurement of electrical power tells you how much solar energy is bombarding a particular surface, such as one of your photovoltaic modules, over a given time.

6. Peak sun hours

When the sun is bright and shiny, the irradiance can cross over a key threshold of a 1000 watts per metered squared. If the irradiance crests above this number for four hours in a day, that means you get four “peak sun hours” for that day.

7. Photovoltaic module

This is the smallest integrated grouping of parts in solar cells capable of transforming sunlight into power.

8. Energy

In the context of solar power systems, “energy” has actually a very specific definition: it’s a measurement of the ability to perform work, as measured in units called joules.

9. Efficiency of solar cells

No solar cell is 100% efficient – that is, some of the solar energy that hits the unit will be reflected or lost or converted into useless heat energy. Cell efficiency measures what percentage of the sun’s energy can be converted into usable electrical energy.

10. Annual solar savings

A fun number to find out: this is the money you will save every year by leveraging the power that your solar system generates for you or your business.

For help setting up, engineering, or troubleshooting your solar array, connect with the experienced pros here at Century Roof & Solar.

We always encourage comments and questions.  Thanks guys!

When you think of going solar do you still think of big bulky panels? Going solar can now look good and feel good. #thinkgreengogreen

Carlos Ochoa May 4, 2012

Are they still effective? What’s the cost per kilowatt vs the previous bulky panels?

Century Roof and Solar May 4, 2012

The system is very effective, the solar tiles are Csi technology (1kw per 100 sq feet) and have reduced the clients usage from $450 per month to $6.00 per month. The price per watt is $1.00 more, however the roof under the array locations are new due to the need for BIPV/Roof preparation and this area has pigeon problems that the homeowner did not want to deal with, on a conventional raised panel system. Thanks for asking +Carlos Ochoa!

Construction Dive May 4, 2012

How would they fair in extremely cold or snow-intense regions? On the surface, they definitely look better compared to the bulky panels.

Century Roof and Solar May 7, 2012

+Construction Dive The solar tiles perform very well in snow loading conditions for two reasons. The first is glass laminate with Csi cells (just like standard modules) have a uniform support structure across the entire laminate as opposed to only being picture framed like standard panels. The second advantage is that no snow load will build behind the panels because they are part of the building envelope, although snow guards would be needed to prevent snow run off from snow build up on the array.

Carlos Ochoa May 7, 2012

+Century Roof and Solar Do you know of any solar companies that would donate some solar panels to my university? =)

Century Roof and SolarMay 9, 2012

+Carlos Ochoa I would try contacting Solar Energy International at www.solarenergy.org I know that they get equipment donated to them and they should be able to help.

Carlos OchoaMay 9, 2012

+Century Roof and Solar Thanks!

Visit http://centuryroofandsolar.com

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