The growing adoption of renewable energy generation has brought solar power to the forefront of energy utilization. As such, you will find many homes and businesses with solar panels installed on their premises.
Each power source brings with it unique advantages and disadvantages. and as any licensed electrician will tell you, you don’t have to forego one for the other. Advancements in electrical research and engineering allow people to utilize both solar power and electricity to power their homes.
This article brings you the similarities and differences of electricity and solar energy. From these you’ll learn how best you can harness either or each one of them at home.
But first, let’s understand what solar power and electricity are in the context of this article.
What Is Solar Energy
This is energy from the sun converted into electrical and thermal energy. Solar energy uses various solar technologies that harness this energy for home use.
Various solar technologies include solar photovoltaic, passive solar, and solar process heating technology. You can get in touch with solar experts and electrical contractors near you to get solar energy installed in your home.
What Is Electricity
Unlike solar energy, this type of electric power is generated from power stations usually located far away from residential areas. The power can be generated from hydrothermal, nuclear, coal, natural gas, or geothermal power stations, though sometimes electrical grids integrate large-scale solar power as a backup plan for residential and commercial setups.
Similarities Between Solar Energy And Electricity
Renewable Sources of Energy
Power stations vary and have different sources of power. In some cases, grid electricity is also sourced from renewable energy plants. A good example of this is hydroelectric power.
Hydroelectric power is generated by using dams to redirect the natural flow of rivers or other water bodies. The water is held and released under pressure to turn a turbine which in turn rotates mortars, generating electricity.
Other types of renewable sources of energy for grid electricity include wind turbines, geothermal, and tidal energy.
Usage
Both solar energy and grid electricity power homes and businesses. You can use power from both sources to light homes and power appliances and equipment.
Differences Between Solar Energy And Electricity
Cost
When installing solar energy in your home, cost is a huge factor to consider. The initial cost of installing solar energy is usually high since you have to acquire different equipment, which is not cheap. However, once installed, solar energy can significantly reduce your energy bills.
Grid electricity, on the other hand, is quite cheap to install. You only need a licensed electrician to connect your home or business to the grid. Arvada professional electricians can help you install solar power and connect your home to the grid to enjoy both perks.
Effect On Home Value
Homes with solar power are more likely to attract high-paying buyers. This is considering the potentially high energy bills that many people may try to avoid.
A lot of real estate agents consider energy efficiency to be an extremely important factor. In addition to savings on energy bills, homes with solar power can sell the excess power to the grid.
In comparison to solar energy, grid electricity does not have a big effect on a home’s value. Still, having an efficient and well-maintained electric system improves its resale value.
Backup Plan
Solar energy is a great backup plan for homes and businesses in times of power outages. Since most solar power installations come with batteries, you can store power in times of need. Solar batteries can last up to 15 years and store enough energy to power your home for one to five days. Though different batteries have different capacities. Lithium-ion solar batteries last the longest.
On the other hand, grid electricity does not provide many backup options. The best backup for homes and businesses relying solely on the grid is generators.
Convenience
While solar power may have lower maintenance costs compared to grid electricity, it is not a great fit for all homes, as not every roof inclination will work well with solar panels. You need to consult the advice of professionals on solar installation to maximize the sun’s energy.
In comparison, electricity only requires that your home be covered by the grid. If your home or business is near an electricity pole, you can call a licensed electrician to connect your home.
Power Availability
One of the main advantages of grid electricity over solar energy is power availability. Solar energy is highly dependent on sunlight. Without enough sunlight, solar energy cannot power a home. Therefore, you cannot generate power during the night or on cloudy or stormy days.
But they maximize their energy intake to cover up for such days when the sun is covered by the clouds.
Get The Best Of Both Energy Solutions With ElectriCall
At ElectriCall, we aim to provide you with the benefits of both solar energy and grid electricity. Our team of Denver electricians comprise experts on solar energy installation and electricity supply. With professional installation, your solar energy will automatically switch on in the case of blackouts or when scheduled.
You can count on the professional electricians near Denver. Give us a call today.