10 Fun Facts About Solar Power That Could Actually Lower Your Electric Bill

You’ve likely heard of several facts about solar power and may have considered installing a solar panel system to offset a part or the entirety of your electricity bills. From cost savings to increased efficiency of your cooling appliances, the benefits of switching to solar power are many.

Solar generators are a reliable option that you can use to run most of your home’s appliances. They can also be used as a good battery backup for home as they’re whisper-quiet and don’t emit harmful fumes.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• Net metering can help reduce your electricity bills in several states that have introduced policies for it.
• The Jackery Solar Generator is a noise-free, reliable, and portable option to consider when switching to solar power.
• What are fun facts about solar power that reduce electricity bills
• How running a Solar Generator for 6 Hours/Day Can Save $278/Year

What Are Fun Facts About Solar Power That Reduce Electricity Bills?

This section discusses 10 facts about solar power that can help you lower your electricity bills and increase the overall efficiency of your solar panels.

Cold Weather Improves Solar Panel Efficiency by 0.4% per degree.

Solar panels are typically rated at standard test conditions of 25°C. For every degree that the temperature drops below 25°C, solar panel efficiency increases by anywhere between 0.3% to 0.5%. For the sake of the calculations below, we’ll take an average of a 0.4% efficiency gain for a 5kWh system.

As you can see, the lower the temperature, the greater the solar panels’ efficiency and the higher the monthly savings.

Switching to Solar in High-Tier Electricity Areas Can Save Between $3,500 - $8,000 a Year.

The following table breaks down how much switching to solar energy can save you over the course of a year in high-tier electricity areas.

Peak Hour Billing Can Be Cut by 95 - 100% Using a Solar Battery.

Using solar batteries can also be a great way to reduce your expenses during peak hours. This is one of the most fun facts about solar power. The average solar panel produces approximately 400 watts of electricity per hour under direct sunlight. For this example, we’ll take the total number of peak hours in a day to be 4 hours.

Say, for example, you need to run the following appliances during peak hours:

• Refrigerator (400W) x 4H = 1600Wh
• Fans (50W) x 4H = 200Wh
• WiFi Router (10W) x 4H = 40Wh
• Lights (20W) x 4H = 80Wh

Total power consumption during four peak hours is 1600 + 200 + 40 + 80 = 1920Wh

Running two 400-watt solar panels can offset the expense of peak-hour billing and leave you with surplus output. Here’s how you can calculate the amount saved with California’s electricity costs at 31.33 cents per kWh:

Total energy produced by two 400-watt solar panels over 4 hours = 3.2kWh

Surplus energy produced = 3.2 kWh – 1.9 kWh = 1.3 kWh

Electricity cost in California: 1.9  kWh x 31.33 cents per kWh = $0.59

Cost savings = 3.2 kWh × 31.33 cents per kWh = $1 per day (a surplus over the actual consumption)

When you calculate the savings over an entire year with four peak billing hours, you can easily save $1 per day x 365 = $365 per year.

Dirty Solar Panels Can Reduce Efficiency by Up to 5 - 25%

Under ideal conditions, a single solar panel can produce about 44W/hour of output. However, besides the availability of sunlight, this will depend on how clean your panels are.             

Net Metering Can Offset Your Bill in Some States

Net metering refers to the process by which your electrical utility offers you credits for the excess energy you generate, thereby reducing your overall electricity expenses. However, due to a lack of statewise data, you should check with your local utility for their net metering policies to calculate how much they can offset your bills.

Running a Solar Generator for 6 Hours/Day Can Save $278/Year.

To calculate how much running a solar generator can save you in a year if you rely on it 24x7, you’ll need to calculate how much electricity your household consumes in a year and subtract the output produced by a solar generator from it.

According to the EIA, the average American household consumes approximately 899 kWh of electricity per month, which translates to 10,791 kWh per year.

The average 5kWh solar generator produces about 600kWh per month and 7,200kWh per year.

Dependence on the electrical grid for electricity = 899 - 600 = 299kWh.

Savings = 10,791 - 7,200 = 3591kWh.

If you take California as an example, where the average cost of electricity is $0.31/kWh, you will spend a total of $3,345.2 per year (10,791 x 0.31).

The cost of the electricity produced by your solar generator at the same rate = 7,200 x 0.31 =  $2,232.

Therefore, your dependence on the grid will cost you just $1,113.20 per year, resulting in 66% annual savings. Alternatively, if you use your solar generator for about 6 hours a day, you’ll save $278.3 a year.

36 U.S. States Offer Full/Partial Property Tax Exemptions on Solar Installations

One of the most interesting facts about solar power is that installing a solar panel system leads to an increase in property values. However, 36 states in the U.S. have enacted various policies that offer partial or full property tax exemptions or tax rebates. As a result, while the property’s value rises, homeowners are protected from a comparable increase in their property taxes.

For example, New Jersey enacted policies that exempt solar panel systems from local property taxes if these systems are used to meet heating, cooling, or other general on-site energy needs.

Solar System Will Likely Increase Home Value

According to the US Department of Energy and researchers from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, home buyers have been willing to pay a premium of $15,000 for a home with an average-sized solar array. The team brought together a team of seven appraisers from 6 different states to understand how much value solar photovoltaic (PV) systems add to single-family homes.

Solar Roof Shading Can Lower Summer HVAC Bills by 5%

Installing a solar panel array on your roof offers several benefits. For starters, the direct output produced by your solar power station can reduce your dependence on the grid, offering long-term household savings. However, an interesting fact about solar power is that an array of solar panels also creates a barrier between the sun’s radiation and your roof’s surface, reducing roof temperatures significantly.

Portable Solar Generators Can Power 50-100% of Everyday Devices.

Yes, you read that right. A portable solar generator can power almost all the appliances and devices in your house. However, ensuring this requires calculating your household’s total annual energy consumption and selecting a solar generator that provides sufficient output and battery storage to power all these appliances.

A 5000-watt generator, for example, can power major appliances like a refrigerator, an electric oven, a coffee machine, and even smaller devices, lights, and fans. The duration for which you can run these appliances will also depend on how many of them you use simultaneously and their overall power consumption.

Best Jackery Solar Generators that Save You Money

Solar power and solar generators offer numerous benefits. Jackery stands out as a top producer of solar generators, solar panels, and portable power stations. Jackery Solar Generators combine the Jackery Portable Power Stations with the Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels to harness sunlight and generate electricity for your household devices.

Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000

The Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000 is the world’s smallest 3kWh LFP generator, featuring multiple ports for most of your essentials, from coffee machines to refrigerators. It can be particularly helpful during peak billing hours.

Appliances Running Time

• Portable AC (1000W) = 2.6H
• Desktop PC (500W) = 5.0H
• Fridge (300W) = 8.1H
• Coffee Machine (1120W) = 2.3H
• Fan (80W) = 25.6H

Who Should Buy This

The Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000 is ideal for people who need to power appliances like coffee machines, portable ACs, and small fans during power outages.

Customer Review

‘I finally feel secure knowing that when the blackouts occur, I can simply push a button and keep my fridge and freezer running. Blackouts are occurring more frequently, and I am prepared for them. Thank you.’ - Victoria Woodward.

Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus

If you experience extended blackouts and need to run major appliances, the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus is an ideal option. It can power multiple appliances, such as refrigerators, computers, and other kitchen appliances. You can also connect the solar generator to the home’s electricity panel with the Jackery Smart Transfer Switch and keep your essential circuits powered during a sudden power outage or emergency.

Appliances Running Time

• Desktop PC (500W) = 7.8H
• Electric Oven (800W) = 5H
• Coffee Machine (1120W) = 3.7H
• Electric Cooker (330W) = 11.3H
• LCD TV (60W) = 38.9H

Who Should Buy This

The Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus is ideal if you live in an area that experiences frequent power outages and need a reliable and essential home backup system to ensure your appliances, like the TV, refrigerator, and desktop PC run smoothly.

Customer Review

‘This is my second unit from Jackery. Love them. I bought the 5000 plus for backup for the coming storm season here in Houston. Mainly to run the refrigerator. The great sale and stackable coupon sealed the deal.’ - David Tanaka

FAQs

What are the facts about solar generators?

Solar generators can help you save anywhere between $3,500 - $8,000 a year and will also likely increase your property’s value. In fact, running a solar generator for just 6 hours a day can also save you $278 a year.

Do solar generators work at night?

Yes, solar generators work at night. They power your appliances with the energy they store over the course of the day.

How many hours will a solar generator run?

The number of hours a solar generator can run will depend on the number of appliances being run simultaneously, the duration of the blackout, and the generator’s overall capacity. For example, a 1000-watt generator will be able to run a 200W fridge for around 4 hours because of some power loss.

What is the lifespan of solar power?

Solar panels generally have a lifespan of 25-30 years. With proper and regular maintenance, they can last 30 years.

Which device converts DC to AC in a solar system?

The pure sine wave inverter present in the portable power station converts DC to usable AC in a solar panel system or a solar generator.

Conclusion

The 10 facts about solar power mentioned above make a strong case for its adoption. From the long-term savings on electricity bills to the greener nature of this alternative, the benefits are endless. If you’re looking to add a solar generator to your home’s setup or switch to solar entirely, you can consider the Jackery Solar Generators.