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Shedding some light on home solar BY METRO Consumers shopping around for home im- provement projects may be leaning toward over- hauls that can reduce energy consumption and save them money in the long run. This is a driving factor behind a growing number of homeowners investi- gating solar energy for their residences. How does it work? Solar power har- nesses the sun's energy and converts it into elec- tricity that can be used in homes. Many people are familiar with pho- tovoltaics (PV), which are the panels that ab- sorb sunlight and create an electric field across their layers. Another solar technology, known as concentrating solar power, is primarily used in large power plants and is not appropriate for residential use, ac- cording to Energy.gov. According to the Office of Energy Ef- ficiency & Renewable Energy, hundreds of thousands of solar pan- els have been put in use across the United States since 2008. The cost The upfront expense of solar panels is sig- nificant, costing any- where from $10,000 to $14,000 for initial installation. However, comparatively speak- ing, homeowners can spend $1,500 or more per year on electricity, so solar panels will pay for themselves over time. Keep in mind that costs may vary depending on energy needs and how many panels will be required to service the system. The electricity factor The Federal Trade Commission, which provides consumer advice, says that the amount of power gen- erated from a solar energy system depends on a few factors: 1. The average num- ber of hours of direct, unshaded sunlight your roof gets each year; 2. The pitch (angle), age and condition of your roof, and the com- pass direction it faces; 3. The size and strength of your sys- tem; and 4. Environmental factors such as snow, dust or shade that may cover the system. More savings Consumers can contact their utility companies to find out if they provide home- owners who produce solar power with net metering. This pro- gram pays the home- owner money or gives credit for excess power the system produces and returns to the elec- tric grid. Individuals also may be eligible for energy tax credits or other benefits. Homeowners may find it worthwhile to explore solar energy, particularly if they con- sume a high amount of electricity. 21 ST SPECIAL EDITION NEW HOMES Beyond the Bay Featuring New Home Communities Beyond the Bay Area UPCOMING 2023 PUBLISHING DATES: Discover what it's like to live in areas outside of the Bay Area. Our special section includes information on property taxes, school rankings, average home value and more for all California counties and beyond! Sunday Bay Area News Group Readership 664,100 * (print + e-Edition) Beyond the Bay For advertising info about Beyond the Bay, please contact Sandy Lek at (925) 847-2135 or slek@bayareanewsgroup.com For more info, visit NewHomeFinder.news March 5, June 25 & Sept. 24 The Mercury News | East Bay Times Marin Independent Journal March 3, June 23 & Sept. 22 Community Weeklies and *Source 2022 R1 Scarborough Research H12 BAY AREA NEWS GROUP 001 Homes | Advertising Section