Frequent blackouts have pushed many Californians towards generating their own electricity. A host of local and federal tax incentives have made installing solar panels not only affordable, but incredibly appealing in the last decade. More and more, people are making the switch to solar power.
The benefits of solar panels are obvious. Besides getting off the already strained grid, solar panels can be a great source of power for your home and a way to reduce your carbon footprint. On average, homeowners save around $84 each month on their electric bills by harnessing sunlight and transforming it into electricity, but there are still some aesthetic concerns holding a lot of home owners back.
Out of Sight
To get the most out of your solar panels, they’ll need to be installed somewhere they can receive direct sunlight around 10am to 2pm – when the sun is at its strongest. Typically, this means your roof is the best location, but even people with sun drenched yard space may banish their panels to the roof for aesthetic reasons. Let’s face it, traditional solar panels have a heavy industrial look that few homes can pull off.
When solar-panels first came out, we had to sacrifice form for function to reap the benefits of solar electricity. While this was once a major deterrent for many homeowners, today solar panels can be worked elegantly into your exterior design. Lighter, more chic designs make the panels less noticeable and the latest trends in architecture, design, and home décor make it easier to merge practical with pretty.
New Technology Brings New Options
Solar Panels are available in a variety of styles today. This makes it a lot easier to choose a style of panels that will suit your home. For instance, those homeowners who don’t like the look or weight of traditional photovoltaic (PV) panels can now choose from solar shingles or new organic photovoltaic (OPV) solar panels.
Your roof may still be the best place to collect sunlight from, but laws and structural restrictions may rule out traditional PV panels. Their weight and obvious presence can be a concern for the practically minded as well as the stylish. Fortunately, solar shingles provide an alternative that blends into an otherwise traditional roof almost seamlessly. They can be used almost exclusively or installed only in small areas of the roof depending on your energy needs and installation budget.
New technology has put lighter, flexible organic photovoltaic (OPV) solar panels on the market as well. OPV panels provide more versatility in harvesting energy from the sunlight but in less efficient amounts. While they used to be available only in strips, they can now come in a whole host of shapes and sizes which can be placed on windows, malls, and a whole host of smaller devices.
Solar Panels have their own Style
Solar panels represent the current fusion of a generation with an ever growing environmental conscious and an eye towards the future marked by a passion for technology. This works nicely with some of the latest trends in exterior design – which include unique panel sizes and mixed materials. From wood and stone accents to thick, dark trims and contrasting color schemes, today’s look lends itself well to simplistic, modern, and striking elements, and solar panels can fit right into that mix with their bold and simple design.
Accent panels are becoming common in both interior and exterior design, as are trims and accents in black or other dark colors. Solar panels can easily substitute for some of these panels or echo the design element. Either way, the look creates a basic pattern that breaks up your main color scheme and creates the modern, two-tone exterior.
Similarly, solar panels can be matched to the trim and used in place of any other accent panels and provide dual functionality as roofing material. For instance, some can be installed in long strips that stripe your roof in a dark accent color. An even more clever option, fitting solar panels over windows and doors as an awning helps them become part of the house. Solar panels can also be used as part of the roof on a shade structure or as a covering for porches and patios. These panel lined covers and awnings work over time since they both blocks and utilize sunlight.
For an added burst of modern style, solar panels can be used throughout gardens and yards as design elements in their own right. Overly sunny yards can employ the panels like screens which set off areas of the yard and act as focal points. Solar panels can also be installed in intervals along a fence to give it a bold, modern look. Both solar screens and fence panels provide shade and privacy while making the most of the sunlight they block.
A Keen Eye
With an eye for design and a quick look through some modern remodeling jobs, you’re sure to find a solar panel style to suit your home. Of course, installing solar panels can be both tricky and labor-intensive, so it’s best to trust a professional with the job. It’s vital that the panels are not only placed in a secure and sunny location, but also that they are wired into your home correctly. Fortunately, an installation professional can also help you sort through the various types and styles available. They can advise you on the best location for your solar panels, as well as the technical limits and possibilities of your chosen design.